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3DVIA has just released the newest version of their “easy” 3d Modeling software, 3DVIA Shape 4.0.

This release falls into two categories: the extremely useful and the very cool. Useful items include the ability to work offline, screenshot export and increased file size limits on uploading models. Cool features include anaglyph 3D picture exporting and the ability to model with your fingertips on compatible touch screen displays.

It’s a huge update with lots of new features.  They’ve added support for the latest generation of Multi-Touch displays, and Anaglyph Display in the modeling area.  They’ve added a new offline mode (no more constant internet connection required!) and improved compatibility with their 3DVIA Studio app.

via Let Your Fingers Do The Modeling, Offline! Introducing 3DVIA Shape 4.0 | 3DVIA Blog.

Graphics 3dvia, dassault, software

Fans of Dassault Systemes’ 3DVIA tool have a new feature to experiment with, Stereoscopic 3D.

“Including this feature in the free 3DVIA Studio offer is another example of our commitment to empower anyone to build lifelike 3D games and applications,” said Lynne Wilson, CEO, 3DVIA, Dassault Systèmes. “The stereoscopic 3D feature opens doors not only for developers, but the average consumer. With its drag and drop functionality, users can easily extend their creativity beyond online applications to video media for TVs, projectors, etc. It’s very timely given the rising popularity of 3D movies, as well as the consumer commoditization of 3D TVs.”

They have full documentation and a video tutorial on their site for the feature, so that in under 2 minutes you can convert your work to stereoscopic 3d.  However, I’m a bit confused by one piece of their press release:

With the addition of this new feature, users can create stereoscopic experiences for stereoscopic monitors, TVs and video projectors working in checkerboard or side-by-side modes, as well as non-stereoscopic screens with simple red-blue glasses.

Red-Blue Anaglyph, yeah ok.  Side-by-side, not my favorite but ok.  “Checkboard” mode?  I’ve never heard of such.  What is “checkerboard” mode in 3D?  After a bit of digging, it seems as though it’s an old standard that’s really only supported by some older Panasonic gear.

Full release after the break.

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Graphics 3dvia, dassault, software, stereoscopic

Gaming on Social Networks like FaceBook is all the rage these days, with games like FarmVille and Mafia Wars bringing in millions to their parent companies.  However, you only have to play one of these games for a few minutes to see the recurring theme: Flash based, “Click a button”, very repetitive.  They tap into core psychological principles (detailed in gory depth all over the internet) to keep you coming back, but the visuals aren’t one of those core principles.

That’s about to change thanks to Dassault Systemes and their 3DVIA branch, who are bringing a new 3D Gaming Engine and 1-click publishing to FaceBook.  The 3DVIA Product has been around for a few years, I’ve seen it at multiple SIGGRAPHS now, and every time they have a great little game you can play in their booth that was created by a team of 2-3 people in a mere matter of a few weeks, truly showing how simple they’ve made the creation process.  Now, you can take those games and use the new “One Click Publishing” Feature to push them directly to FaceBook.

The 3DVIA Player application for Facebook takes advantage of the free 3D hosting service available to users of 3DVIA Studio, a powerful 3D development engine, and 3DVIA Scenes, an online, consumer-friendly, drag-and-drop 3D creation tool for building interactive applications. Both products publish easily to an online viewer page on 3DVIA.com equipped with a “Play on Facebook” button. Clicking this button launches the application on Facebook, which can then be shared through wall posts or a dedicated URL within the 3DVIA Player application. More advanced users can use the sample Web code and tutorial provided to embed applications directly in their own developer profiles.

And to show how powerful it is, this year’s SIGGRAPH game ‘Billions’ is now online for all to enjoy.  In classic social fashion, run around collecting the “Mogaloos” before time runs out, competing for high score against your friends.  Made by ZOINK Games, it’s an impressive demonstration of the 3DVIA Technology:

“‘Billions’ is an excellent example of what 3DVIA Studio is capable of and supports our mission to empower anyone to create and communicate in 3D,” said Lynne Wilson, CEO, 3DVIA, Dassault Systèmes. “In just a few short months, a very small development team built and published a visually-stunning, fully 3D application that runs in real-time on Facebook Platform. This is the future of game development.”

You can play Billions on FaceBook at http://apps.facebook.com/playbillions, or visit their website at http://billions.3dvia.com .

Read both press releases after the break.

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Graphics 3dvia, dassault, facebook

One new feature in Photoshop CS3 and CS4 is the support for 3D objects and the ability to rotate and scale them in 3D.  One use for this, which I have to admit I hadn’t considered before, is using it with 3D model libraries (like 3DVIA) to create true 3D brushes you can easily replicate through scenes.

I wanted to create a large number of new Photoshop brushes but finding the right image and having to cut, crop, and crunch the pictures became painful and boring. Thinking a bit outside the box led me to a whole new dimension in brush making. Why not use 3D models to quickly create Photoshop brushes ?!?!

Full tutorial on their site.

via 3D: A Whole New Dimension In Creating Photoshop Brushes | 3DVIA 3D Model Blog.

Graphics 3dvia, photoshop, tutorial

The COLLADA file format is gaining steam as now 3dvia, owners of a huge model library used in their shape modeling application and rendering engine, now supports COLLADA dae formats.

3DVIA.com is an online community where over 110,000 registered 3D artists, application developers and enthusiasts from around the world interact with one another, learn from 3D experts and exchange their own 3D creations online through the 3DVIA interactive viewer. 3DVIA already supports the uploading and sharing of 3D models in many popular file formats, including: .3dxml, .3ds, .obj, .kmz, .iges and .step. To support the COLLADA announcement, the site has converted all existing 15,000 public models over to the .dae format and will automatically convert and store any new models published to the public warehouse in both formats.

Get full details on the 3dvia.tv site.

via Aug 4 – 3DVIA Supports COLLADA .dae Format.

Graphics 3dvia, collada, software