From: pat@jupiter.risc.rockwell.com (Pete Tinker)
Subject: Re: Low end VR
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 91 11:07:24 PDT



I've been reading the discussion of low-end VR with a lot of interest, and I
think it's worth mentioning Sense8's "WorldToolKit".  WTK runs on PCs (as well
as some higher-end machines) and we're using it as the basis of our work.  Here
are some facts about it:

	* runs on 386/486 (we're currently using 25 MHz. 486)
	* is happiest with at least 4 Meg RAM
	* is a library of C-callable functions rather than an "environment."

Almost all library calls deal with the simulation end of VR rather than the
graphics end.

	* uses Intel i750 DVI Delivery Boards for rendering -- an important
          bonus is that the DVI boards support FAST texture-mapping
	* on the PC, runs in protected mode using MetaWare High C and Phar Lap
          DOS extender (=> easy to program)
	* uses rendering tricks from the flight simulation world to achieve
          higher frame rates
	* uses a nice C-based object-oriented philosophy
	* features automatic multiple level-of-detail of arbitrary objects
	* features automatic "low-resolution" mode when the viewpoint is in
      motion
	* supports (at least) mouse, SpaceBall, Geometry Ball, Polhemus
	* supports hierarchical objects

I don't have a recent price list for WTK handy, but the total cost, including
the PC, the boards, one monochrome and one multisync color motitor, the
software, a SpaceBall, AutoCAD, documentation, a texture library, readers for
various proprietary and common CAD databases, sample code, and probably more
that I'm forgetting, is about $25K (most of this is the PC and the DVI boards).

We routinely get about 200-1000 polygons/second, dependent on the scene
complexity and number of texture-mapped polygons.  WTK is not the lowest-cost
approach, but it's a heckofalot cheapter than, say, the VPL system.  An
advantage for researchers like me who need to provide systems to others in the
company is that WTK runs on PCs, and a system can be carried around rather
easily.  I recently showed our system at a company conference in Milwaukee by
carrying software, boards, and an EyePhone as carry-on luggage and borrowing a
386 on the other end.  Those who attended the Meckler conference two weeks ago
may have seen Tom Coull from Sense8 demonstrating some of our work during his
talk -- LIVE!  No videotape!

I have no affiliation with Sense8 other than using their product and thinking
they have a lot of smarts.  Sense8 is located in Sausalito, CA and can be
reached at (415) 331-6318.

	Pete Tinker (pat@risc.rockwell.com)

	Science Center,	Rockwell International Corporation
	(805) 373-4268