PLATINUM technology to Provide Web 3D Visualization
Software to Public Domain
ACTION ITEMS
Demonstrating its commitment to expanding the marketplace for Web 3D visualization software, PLATINUM technology has announced it plans to submit the source code for its 3D visualization software products to the public domain through the Web3D Consortium. These products, based on the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) 97 standard, include the Cosmo Worlds 3D authoring tool and the Cosmo Player Web browser plug-in for viewing 3D content on the Internet.
PLATINUM's strategy is designed to expand the Web 3D visualization marketplace by significantly increasing the number of developers producing software and content based on PLATINUM's source code. PLATINUM will also work to expand the marketplace by continuing to deliver robust, visually-enhanced enterprise computing solutions that leverage 3D technology based on open standards.
"PLATINUM is committed to helping organizations take advantage of 3D technology to visualize complex processes and more easily analyze vast quantities of data," said Andrew "Flip" Filipowski, president and CEO of PLATINUM. "Releasing our state-of-the-art 3D visualization source code into the public domain will accelerate widespread adoption of the technology, extend its rich feature set, and protect the 3D standard upon which our visualization software is based. This move will also allow PLATINUM to further strengthen its focus on enabling our enterprise computing solutions with 3D visualization technology."
While maintaining its intellectual rights to the technology and patents, PLATINUM will provide the source code for its 3D visualization products to the Web3D Consortium, which will serve as the licensing body that manages distribution and maintenance of the code. It is expected that PLATINUM's source code will serve as the base from which the industry implements X3D, a next-generation 3D standard announced by the Web3D Consortium on February 10, 1999.
Industry leaders, including the Web3D Consortium, are citing PLATINUM's plans as a boon for the Web 3D visualization market. "This public domain source will enable the Web3D Consortium and community to propel 3D on the Web to the next level of ubiquity and functionality," said Neil Trevett, president of the Web3D Consortium. "The Consortium is fully committed to work with PLATINUM to execute a public domain source strategy that will enable the overall market and enable the rapid development of technology for the benefit of all those involved in bringing 3D to the Web."
"VRML started as a below-the-radar movement to get 3D out onto the web," said Mark Pesce, co-inventor of the VRML standard and chair of the interactive media program at the University of Southern California. "Open source, from the first implementations to the latest move by PLATINUM, has always been a cornerstone of that strategy. It's the only way that a wide community of developers and users can get in front of a rapidly evolving technology. Hats off to PLATINUM for their bold move."
In addition to Cosmo Worlds and Cosmo Player, PLATINUM plans to release to the Web3D Consortium the source code for the following 3D visualization products:
PLATINUM and the Web3D Consortium expect to announce more details about their plans to provide PLATINUM's 3D visualization source code to the public domain within the next 90 days. This includes more information about the availability of the source code and the licensing terms, and how the academic and research community will be able to get free access to the source code for non-commercial use.
About the Web3D Consortium
The Web3D Consortium (formerly the VRML Consortium) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to develop and promote open standards to enable 3D Web and broadcast applications. The Consortium successfully gained approval for VRML 97 as International Standard ISO/IEC 14772 in December 1997. The Consortium is comprised of over 40 leading organizations including charter members such as 3Dlabs, Apple, blaxxun, Microsoft, Mitsubishi Electric, Oracle Corporation, PLATINUM technology, Silicon Graphics, Sony and Superscape. Web3D Consortium members provide technical and marketing expertise for the continued evolution of open 3D standards while gaining early access to ongoing technology and commercial opportunities. More information on VRML, the Consortium's ongoing standards activities and Consortium membership is available at http://www.vrml.org or http://www.web3d.org.
About PLATINUM technology International, inc.
PLATINUM technology International, inc., headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, had 1998 revenues of $968 million. PLATINUM provides software and services that help IT organizations manage and improve the IT infrastructure. For information, visit http://www.platinum.com.