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VRCO Joins ESRI Business Partner Program to Bring Advanced 3D Visualization to Geographic Information Systems, Announces Support for ESRI's ArcGIS 3D Analyst ApplicationsInstallation at West Virginia University GeoVirtual Lab Shows Power of Immersive 3D in Mapping/GISVirginia Beach, Virginia, December 13, 2006—The VRCO, Inc., division of Mechdyne Corporation announced that it has joined ESRI's Business Partner Program and is now offering its Conduit software for ESRI's ArcGIS 3D Analyst software, enabling stereoscopic display of desktop-based imagery mapping and geographic information system (GIS) applications in large-scale immersive and interactive visualization systems. By bringing large-scale visualization to ArcGIS applications, VRCO extends the power of mapping and GIS to bring new insights to planning and operations support professionals in a range of industry, institutional, and government settings. The Conduit software package makes the ArcGIS desktop-resident applications fully "VR aware," supporting rich stereoscopic display, real-time navigation, and interaction with immersive imagery on projection display systems ranging from wall-size to enclosed rooms and large-scale theater viewing environments. Conduit for ArcGIS was installed, along with a new FLEX™ room-size display system, at the West Virginia University (WVU) GeoVirtual Laboratory in August 2006. The fourwall immersive visualization environment is used to explore real-world data, such as locations of cellular phone towers and electrical transmission lines, as well as re-creations of historical landscapes and urban centers. "The unique experiential nature of the FLEX display and the feeling of being there created by immersion in the data scene provides powerful insights into complex spatial data and landscape forms," said Vic Baker, director of the GeoVirtual Laboratory. "The Conduit software allows WVU users to intuitively navigate through the virtual landscapes created by the ArcGIS applications, which makes the environment dramatically more dynamic and interactive than the single-screen display of most GIS applications." ArcGIS 3D Analyst is an ArcGIS extension that provides advanced tools for three-dimensional visualization, analysis, and surface generation of GIS datasets. With the addition of Conduit middleware to the ArcGIS 3D Analyst application, users can leverage these visualization capabilities for improved communication and representation of GIS data and ideas. For example, users can examine the visual impact of building new structures; analyze atmospheric, surface, and subsurface pollution dispersion; study the income distribution in their community; and much more. "VRCO is very excited about the potential for Conduit to extend the value of GIS, and we are pleased to help users realize this potential by joining the ESRI Business Partner Program," said Julien Berta, Conduit product manager at VRCO. "The Conduit interface to ArcGIS 3D Analyst is a logical step to provide our customers with a way to leverage GIS in high-end displays. We are looking forward to seeing how ESRI's ArcGlobe and ArcScene applications will be used in immersive contexts." VRCO and Fakespace Systems Inc. (FS) collaborated in the design and implementation of the FLEX system and Conduit integration at WVU. Both companies are subsidiaries of Mechdyne Corporation, the world's largest company dedicated to the development of immersive, networked, and collaborative visualization systems. Fakespace Systems provides advanced display technology and implementation services. VRCO, specializes in immersive and interactive software development and support. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mechdyne's customers include leading government laboratories; military research programs; energy companies; and a variety of "edutainment," manufacturing, and other users of visualization technology. More information is available at www.vrco.com, www.fakespace.com, and www.mechdyne.com. About Fakespace Systems Inc. About VRCO, Inc. Fakespace Press Contact ### ESRI, ArcGIS, 3D Analyst, ArcScene, ArcGlobe, and www.esri.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners. Conduit is a trademark of VRCO, Inc. |
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