IRIS Annotator

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Part of the Mindshare(tm) Collaborative Environment, IRIS Annotator(tm) is a revolutionary new multimedia application expressly designed for sharing ideas and information about 3D models. IRIS Annotator lets you annotate 3D models using the full complement of Silicon Graphics® digital media tools, then electronically mail the annotated models to others for review. IRIS Annotator is the ideal collaboration tool for any discipline producing 3D data, including engineering, manufacturing, architecture, life sciences, and geosciences.

Communication Without Boundaries

Never before has it been so easy to share information and ideas about 3D designs and data. IRIS Annotator facilitates collaboration throughout your organization among individuals with different skill sets, and with outside parties, such as suppliers and customers. Efficient, unambiguous communication can occur even when individuals are separated by time or distance. By maximizing Silicon Graphics digital media capabilities in an easy-to-use interface, IRIS Annotator is a revolution in communication for 3D design and analysis.

Collaboration Breakthrough

IRIS Annotator is a radical advance beyond traditional redlining methods or view-and-markup utilities, which are typically restricted to simple 2D graphics and text annotation. IRIS Annotator attaches digital media directly to a 3D model. This allows you to interactively explore the model while reviewing the annotations. The annotations can be created from audio, images, text, video, or even other 3D models. By choosing the media best suited to your message, you can share information with maximum efficiency.

Link to the World Wide Web

IRIS Annotator has been designed to work in concert with the Netscape(tm) Web browser from Netscape Communications Corporation. IRIS Annotator allows you to create annotations that automatically launch or replace World Wide Web pages inside Netscape. Similarly, hotlinks on World Wide Web pages can be used to automatically launch or replace annotated models inside IRIS Annotator. This interaction dramatically extends the reach of information associated with annotated models and allows you to take advantage of the unique benefits of information linking provided by the World Wide Web. For example, it is now easy to link a design component in a 3D model to reference data maintained remotely by the supplier of that component.

Combining Core Technologies

IRIS Annotator combines core Silicon Graphics technologies--3D graphics, user interface, digital media, and RISC computing--to produce a powerful, easy-to-use, collaborative application. In a networked environment, IRIS Annotator increases productivity and improves communications throughout your organization.

Unique Tools for Flexible Annotation

IRIS Annotator provides you with a variety of markers to place on the 3D model at points of interest. Each marker can have multiple digital media annotations, or media notes, associated with it. After you record or import an annotation with the appropriate capture tool, the media note appears alongside the current marker as a small icon, which visually represents the media type used for that note.

You can easily specify an automatic playback sequence for the markers and for the attached notes This is particularly useful when the information being communicated is best presented in a linear fashion. You can also associate a preferred view of the 3D model with each marker to further facilitate clear communication.

IRIS Annotator includes a range of model editing functions to highlight important features of the model. Pieces of the model can be moved, rotated, deleted, or made partially transparent. Their material colors, surface finishes, and textures can be altered. Additional models can be imported into the scene.

Quick, Easy Viewing

Recipients of annotated models assembled in IRIS Annotator can easily and intuitively view the model and annotations. IRIS Annotator is a fully functional 3D geometry viewer with a variety of tools for accessing any view and displaying the model in a number of drawing styles.

Access annotations randomly or play them automatically following the sequence set by the author.

  • For random play, first select a marker either by picking it from the scene or from a list. The marker label and its media notes are then displayed alongside the marker, and can be selected and played individually.
  • For automatic play, use the simple VCR-like button controls.

Whether the notes are played randomly or automatically, transitioning from one preset view to another is smoothly animated rather than abruptly changed to help you stay oriented to the model and speed your understanding of the associated information.

Open Inventor 3D File Format for Sharing Data

IRIS Annotator uses the Open Inventor (tm) file format for 3D graphics, which is rapidly becoming an industry standard. Many 3D application developers have already written file converters to allow easy transfer of 3D models to Open Inventor.

Once a model is converted into Open Inventor, it can be utilized with easy-to-use collaborative tools including InPerson (tm), Showcase (tm), and, of course, IRIS Annotator. Models can be shared, reviewed, analyzed, annotated, and presented by the less technically oriented members of your team without the high cost and expertise required by high-end CAD or visualization software.

Product Requirements

Media Note Types

  • Images
  • Audio
  • Video
  • Text
  • 3D models
  • World Wide Web links
  • Camera view settings
  • System calls

Authoring Features

  • Open Inventor (tm) 3D file format
  • Standard Silicon Graphics digital media capture tools
  • Annotated models mailed via MediaMail (tm)
  • Arrow, Pin, and Bullet markers
  • Model editing: materials, textures, placement, sizing
  • Marker editing: materials, placement, sizing, naming
  • Note editing: autoplay on/off, sequencing, duration
  • General editing: unlimited undo/redo, cut copy, paste
  • Save notes inline or externally in separate files
  • Save-model-only option

Viewing Features

  • Model viewing: zoom, dolly, rotate, pan, fit-to-view
  • Perspective or orthographic camera
  • Display model in shaded, hidden line, wireframe modes
  • Play notes randomly or automatically
  • Launch World Wide Web pages from IRIS Annotator
  • Launch IRIS Annotator models from World Wide Web pages