Interactive 3D
(i3D) is a system of 3D graphical objects that can be manipulated
by the user. Specific capabilities vary from application to application,
but the minimum feature is usually the ability of a user to rotate
the objects along all three axes. This could be controlled with a
mouse cursor or other inputs. Other capabilities can include the
option to zoom in on any aspect of the 3D object.
One application
could be online catalog sales, which would allow a customer to virtually "handle" the
object while shopping, and see the details often missing from standard
2-D images. Other possible applications include building immersive
3D environments for games, or to simulate real environments for navigation
programs. A more simple application would be the production of 3D
effects for Web design. In all cases the user has interactivity with
the graphical objects, and the features associated with them.
The Superscape
e-Visualizer (SeV) is a technology for the wired Internet, optimized
to provide these effects with very small file sizes to minimize download
time. Superscape's white paper on the technology cites "downloading
raw data describing objects and behaviors within the 3D scene" as
the key to small file sizes, since the raw data is a much smaller
file size than a succession of images. Essentially, the image is
built from a hierarchical series of descriptions, rather than from
data gathered by traditional means, such as a camera. One example
is "Bones," a technology for animating objects by using
deformable skeletons within them.
The technology
runs on the local processor, optimizing the graphics speed and reducing
the load on the server side. However, the numerous differences in
graphics cards and systems can create slight discrepancies in how
the data is displayed. For those who are adamant about universally
accurate representation, a software rendering engine ensures the
images are displayed exactly the same from platform to platform.
This results, however, in slower processing than using the DirectX
hardware renderer.
Superscape's SWERVE
technology, the basis of their partnership with portable RISC chip
maker ARM, is a variant of SeV for the wireless environment. Like
SeV, it is "packet-friendly," according to the white paper,
capable of streaming content using standard protocols such as TCP/IP.
Since i3D capability
is worth nothing if there is nothing to look at or manipulate, Superscape
has designed a content authoring tool that is "generic in nature," according
to the white paper, rather than a more proprietary system. This eases
the learning curve and allows developers to make maximum use of the
tool without a lot of training time. SeV and SWERVE also have extensive
compatibility with industry standards such as Java, which can be
used to code user interactions and behaviors in the scene.
