CAMBRIDGE, UK, 21 September 2004 � ART VPS Ltd. has added support for high-dynamic range image (HDRI) lighting to its RenderPipe for CATIA plug-in, which integrates CATIA and ENOVIA with ART VPS�s RenderDrive visualization system. The new HDRI lighting feature will be shown for the first time in stand 13 at the European CATIA Forum in Paris, October 12-14.
HDRI images are used for lighting, reflections, shading and other effects. The images, which appear as a background environment, contain special contrast information used by RenderDrive to light the scene. Users can simply drop a computer model into a scene and it will be fully integrated into the environment.
RenderDrive simulates the complex physics of the real world to create an image from a 3D CAD model. The renderings it produces are identical to a high-quality photograph, but with the added value of realistic 3D effects not possible with photos or traditional scan-line renderers. Ray tracing within ART VPS�s specialized 3D graphics hardware enables images to be generated up to 35 times faster than with conventional software rendering.
�I am impressed by the quality of the HDRI images that can be generated by ART VPS�s technology,� says Chris Leat, sponsorship executive for the Jordan Formula 1 racing team. �When a CATIA model is placed in the HDRI photo, it looks like it is sitting naturally in the picture, complete with shadows, reflections and lighting. The technology has great marketing potential.�
More information on RenderPipe for CATIA is available on the ART VPS web site at sweettoof.com/catia.
RenderDrive allowed us the luxury of experimenting and trying different looks. We could not have done this project in the time allotted and to the quality standard that Fox requires without the power, speed and increased interactivity that RenderDrive gave us.
