CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
September 22, 2008
Product News
Build Your Own 3D World on Virtual Earth with the Newest Version of Virtual Earth-3DVIA
Dassault Systèmes a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced the latest version of Microsoft Virtual Earth-3DVIA. Combining Microsoft’s integrated mapping, imaging, search and data visualization platform with 3DVIA’s powerful 3D modeling and realistic visualization technology, the new Virtual Earth-3DVIA now allows anyone to easily and intuitively create their own 3D world on Virtual Earth in a few clicks. This latest version will enable users to create and remix complete 3D scenes or “mashups” using content posted to the 3DVIA.com 3D content library. 3DVIA.com is a free content creation community with a growing list of registered users sharing their 3D models online.
Virtual Earth-3DVIA is designed for both professionals and consumers to create realistic 3D scenes, such as houses, buildings or even city locations, and then share them online through Microsoft Virtual Earth. With the addition of the new 3D remix functionality (Editors: please see 3DVIA Shape 2.0 release issued over BusinessWire on September 15, 2008), users do not have to be experienced 3D modelers in order to build their own homes or towns on Microsoft’s online geographic location mapping technology. Instead, users can quickly and easily search the 3DVIA.com library and import quality 3D models directly into their Virtual Earth projects.
“For anyone interested in a fun way to create and expand their own geographical areas on Microsoft’s online Virtual Earth offering, we now have a simple tool with virtually no learning curve,” said Lynne Wilson, senior vice president and general manager, 3DVIA, Dassault Systèmes. “By making it easier than ever for any consumer to remix and mashup models, we’re bringing 3D to everyone interested in embracing its power.”
In addition to the 3D remix functionality, a number of additional features were added based on extensive usability testing. They include:
- Interactive tutorials with videos to help users build a house in five minutes or less; and
- Significantly improved user interface and navigation.
“Through our continued collaboration with Dassault Systèmes, we are now able to offer an even easier way for every Virtual Earth user to easily and intuitively create a realistic 3D version of their home, office or neighborhood,” explained Stephen Lawler, general manager of Virtual Earth at Microsoft. “We’re pleased with the number of installs and engagement with the current version to date, and we expect that this new version will draw in even more enthusiastic users looking to bring their ideas to life in 3D.”
For more information and to download the application, go to http://maps.live.com/Help/en-us/VE3DVIADownload.htm.
About Virtual Earth
The Virtual Earth platform is Microsoft’s next-generation integrated set of powerful online mapping and search services that offer a variety of capabilities, including unique bird’s-eye view, three-dimensional imagery, and aerial and satellite imagery. The Virtual Earth platform also powers a variety of consumer, enterprise and government applications that enable people to discover and explore a specific location. Virtual Earth powers Live Search Maps, Microsoft’s online local search and mapping Web site. More information about the Virtual Earth platform is available at http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/default.mspx.
About 3DVIA
3DVIA is Dassault Systèmes' brand for lifelike 3D product experiences. 3DVIA extends 3D to new users, businesses and consumers in order to create new communities with 3D as the common language. With its open web services-based architecture, it enables high-performance distribution of 3D content. 3DVIA also delivers authoring products that revolutionize 3D product publishing and the Virtools platform for developing interactive, real-time applications. For more information about 3DVIA, go to: http://www.3dvia.com.
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