AVS to Add CAVELib Advanced Device Support to AVS/Express Multipipe Edition

Advanced Visual Systems, Inc. announced today that it has licensed the CAVELib library from VRCO Inc. to facilitate cross-platform capability in future versions of its popular AVS/Express Multipipe Edition (MPE) software. Use of the CAVELib package will enable AVS to provide cross-platform support for multiple-screen displays and other devices as part of any application created using AVS/Express MPE.

AVS/Express, on which MPE is based, is a software development system that enables rapid, object-oriented development of rich and highly interactive data visualization applications. MPE extends these applications from the desktop domain to the realm of full 3D stereo immersion in large visualization theatres and presentation facilities.

Sold as a comprehensive development system, the MPE software allows rapid construction of immersive applications without requiring a detailed understanding of the low-level multi-channel graphics programming. The current release of MPE, version 5.1.1, is the result of joint-development activities by Advanced Visual Systems, SGI, Kubota Graphics Technologies, and the Manchester Visualization Centre, in conjunction with the International AVS Centre.

AVS/Express MPE currently runs on SGI's Onyx2 high-performance workstations only. Integration of CAVELib from VRCO will enable AVS to adapt MPE for use not only on Irix but also Linux, Solaris, Windows and HP-UX.

The CAVELib API provides building-block support for creating robust VR environments with minimal time and effort. The package encompasses perspective calculations, display-process synchronization and stereo view drawing along with support for various devices and networking capabilities.

"A large portion of the research industry already uses AVS/Express and is happy with it; we have a comparable user base for CAVELib," said Jim Costigan, VRCO president. "By combining these packages, AVS will allow its users to take advantage of big-screen immersive environments, tracking and advanced interactive devices on the platforms of their choice - without imposing an unfamiliar technology. It opens up a new world of possibilities for those customers."

"More and more developers need to accommodate teams of users on a variety of platforms," said Gary Kessler, Director of Product Management at AVS. "We provide that capability with AVS/Express Professional and Visualization Editions, and we want to extend it to the growing number of MPE users. CAVElib moves us significantly closer to that goal."

More information about AVS/Express Multipipe Edition can be found at http://www.avs.com. More information about CAVELib is available at http://www.vrco.com and from VRCO in the Trimension booth (#1647) at the SIGGRAPH convention in Los Angeles this week.

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