Aachen, May 1999 — As of mid May ELSA is extending the scope of delivery for the high-end graphics board ELSA GLoria-XXL to include a set of proprietary ELSA 3D shutter glasses. This with this all-round solution, ELSA is opening up a world of uniquely realistic, spatial 3D views to the professional graphics user.
The role of 3D functionality in professional software for architecture, construction and design plays an increasingly significant role. Areas of use include design optimization of models, quality control and fault analysis as early as in the planning and construction phase, as well as impressive presentations and virtual walk-throughs. Applications such as ICEM/Surf, SolidWorks, Nemetschek, WorldToolKit, VirtualGIS, and IDEAS Masters Series 6 are just a few examples of the programs already featuring the stereoscopic display of images. For AutoCAD and 3D Studio MAX/VIZ, ELSA has developed its own plug-ins to enable stereo displays.
ELSA is addressing this new trend and, from mid May, will be bundling the famous GLoria-XXL graphics board solution with a special set of 3D shutter glasses. The glasses are equipped with an infra-red receiver; the transmitter is connected directly to the graphics board. The shutter glasses thus provide the user with a great deal of convenience and freedom of movement for the enjoyment of realistic 3D images.
The software supplies the monitor with "stereo" images which are offset according to the separation of the eyes. The shutter technology of the ELSA glasses then block the view for each eye alternately—at a frequency so high as to be unnoticeable to the viewer—which gives rise to the spatial visual effect.
An important practical advantage of the wireless glasses from ELSA is the simultaneous use of multiple pairs. Presentations and virtual walk-throughs using a single monitor can take place with several partakers at once. This gives rise to a completely new range of possibilities in the professional world.
As a part of the ELSA Software Advantage, ELSA supplies proprietary stereo software with the GLoria-XXL and additionally ELSAview 3D, which as of version 2.0 offers stereo 3D for AutoCAD, Mechanical Desktop, VRML- and Open Inventor files, plus the unique driver ELSA MAXtreme for 3D-studio MAX/VIZ.
Johannes Friebe, Sales Development Manager at Discreet: "With MAXtreme and their in-house design of stereo glasses, ELSA for the first time makes it possible to use stereo display even while modeling. Especially designed for 3D Studio MAX, MAXtreme makes the necessary rotation of the object during modeling to some extent redundant. The advantage for designers and constructors: just about any complex object can be spatially perceived without any changes in perspective through movement.
The ELSA GLoria-XXL graphics solution is available from specialist resellers as of May 15, 1999 including the 3D shutter glasses without surcharge.