SimGraphics Uses Builder Xcessory to Bring its Characters into Virtual Reality


Founded in 1985, SimGraphics is internationally recognized as a leading developer of innovative real-time character animation and visualization products for the entertainment and communications industries. Located in Pasadena, California, the Company uses Integrated Computer Solutions' (ICS) Motif development tools to create and maintain its product's highly creative and sophisticated graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

SimGraphics is currently developing an animation tool which offers a new class of "motion and choreography." Called VActor Xpression, users will be able to capture facial motion, and edit in real-time, then export the data to leading animation packages to create fully rendered and composited animation in a fraction of the time usually necessary.

For example: A video production company used VActor Xpression to help animate tortillas in a popular television commercial, making it appear as if the tortillas were speaking and singing. The commercials ran in Spanish and English.

The Problem

When designing VActor Xpression, SimGraphics determined the tool needed to be so comprehensive even non-technical users -like actors and directors, would find it effortless to learn and use. Another significant challenge for SimGraphics was having a graphical front-end which would work with different display methods. SimGraphics currently develops on Silicon Graphics, Inc.'s ONYX Reality Engine 2 and Indigo 2 Extreme, with an IRIX operating system

SimGraphics Manager Dave Wallace, oversees VAS development. He has been working as a GUI developer for more than 10 years. According to Wallace, SimGraphics needed a GUI tool which was able to combine mix mode graphic languages with Motif. "Even with years of development experience, I knew the development cycle could be slow and difficult with Motif . And I just didn't have the time to develop from scratch."

The Solution

After evaluating a handful of GUI builders, SimGraphics chose ICS' Builder Xcessory (BX), because of its ability to generate a complete code set, its ease in editing, and its completely open development environment, which integrated well with VActor Xpression. "Without BX, we would not have been able to make VActor Xpression, as simple as it is to use." said Wallace.

SimGraphics used BX to create and maintain a complex GUI for VActor Xpression that interacts with Silicon Graphics' graphic language (GL) in a real-time environment.

VActor Xpression consists of a series of large, one-page panels which fill the entire user screen. Each panel is managed by the user via a common main menu, which is always accessible from any level of the system. These panels act like pages in a book with options, and contain widgets that provide information and allow the user to drive the underlying software. VActor Xpression's GUIs must also maintain GL pictures in a real-time environment at 30 frames per second - which is unique to most front-end GUIs.

The Results

Wallace says SimGraphics now develops GUIs much faster and more cost effectively than every before. Best of all, he can now provide people with a more complete front-end model.

"This is the first time I have actually underestimated how much work I have to do, ever," he said. "Before using BX, it would take me a couple of days of pounding out something, showing it to someone, and then going back and pounding out another front-end.

"With BX, I sit down with someone over a cup of coffee and provide them with a very detailed panel. Now that we are able to develop this way, I do my job better. It is as if I am providing someone with a brand new car. They can get into it, check the steering wheel, look at the interior, kick the tires - and if they like it, all I have to do is put in the engine, that is, interface the front-end with the rest of the application."

Builder Xcessory has enabled Wallace to establish consistency in user interface (UI) development, and save a great deal of time in software maintenance. In dealing with the UI, the number of bugs has dropped considerably. "BX has enabled us to centralize all UI development, keeping the designs more consistent for future development," said Wallace.

In addition to company-wide consistency, SimGraphics has also realized a gain in productivity, as well as a significant savings in development time and cost. According to Wallace, "BX was a lot cheaper than I ever dreamed. I have done research on tools in the past, and BX is priced pretty low."

Easy-to-Use Product, Great Support

SimGraphics is pleased with ICS' service and product performance. It is planning to use BX to enhance the VActor Xpression product, and develop an additional software application, VActor Producer, a complete motion choreography tool with full body and face integration.

"I have been very satisfied with the support we've received from ICS," said Wallace. "The service department is marvelous. ICS maintains a well staffed, knowledgeable support group that can answer the most complex Motif and X questions within 24 hours via the Internet and telephone. We are satisfied with ICS and its products and we will not hesitate to buy from the company again. The company has good products - and it is hard to find companies as service-oriented as they are."

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