> Jon Meadows wrote:
>
> Has anyone heard about the status of the source code for the CosmoSoftware
> and Intervista products going public?
well, i *can* get to the cosmosoftware site, and there *is* a press
release there, although it's an old one, dated feb 24. here it
is:
(from http://www.cosmosoftware.com/aboutus/news/3dopen_pr.html)
Oakbrook Terrace, IL, February 24, 1999 - Demonstrating its commitment
to expanding the marketplace for Web 3D visualization software, PLATINUM
technology (NASDAQ: PLAT) today announced it plans to submit the source
code for its 3D visualization software products to the public 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 to the public 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 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
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 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 widecommunity 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 will release to
the Web3D Consortium the source code for the following 3D visualization
products:
Cosmo PageFX - a tool for designing depth, motion, and interactivity
in Web graphics
Cosmo Code - an advanced visual development toolset for Java
WorldView - a high-performance VRML 97 plug-in for viewing 3D
environments on the Web
WorldView for Developers - an ActiveX component that brings the power
of the WorldView platform to Windows application developers
PLATINUM and the Web3D Consortium expect to announce more details about
its plans to release its 3D visualization source code to the public 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.
--
stephen f. white
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/u/sfwhite/
i'm not a complete idiot; some parts are missing.
