Digital Art Zone (DAZ) today announced the immediate availability of a free 3D software download at DAZ3D.com. DAZ is offering full retail versions of the following 3D software for free:

– DAZ Studio 4 Pro 3D Software (Winner of 3D World’s 2011 Software Innovation of the Year Award): Retail $429.95

– Bryce 7 Pro 3D Landscape Software: Retail $249.95

– Hexagon 2.5 3D Modeling Software: Retail $149.95

– 3D Photoshop Bridge: Retail $199.00

“We’re excited to make this offer early in the year,” said James Thornton, CEO for DAZ. “We wanted to give any digital artist the opportunity to experience DAZ free 3D software for the first time, and a full suite of 3D models and 3D animation software products is available on DAZ3D.com.”

“This is a limited time offer because the software is valued at over $800,” Thornton continued. “DAZ Studio is the most popular 3D animation software on Download.com. DAZ3D.com has over 10,000 add-on products to use in most 3D software applications including DAZ Studio(R), Bryce(R), 3D Photoshop(R), Poser(R), Blender and Maya(R).” The 3D model site offers a wide range of digital content including 3D human models, 3D anatomy, clothing, animals, vehicles, buildings, environments and 3D animations.

Pricing and Availability

The free 3D software is available via download only on DAZ3D.com between now and February 29, 2012. The download is eligible for free updates and upgrade pricing on future versions of each product, a potential savings of hundreds of dollars.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/free-3d-software-including-3d-animation-software-from-daz3dcom-2012-02-01

Supplemental insurance provider Aflac has chosen Hara‘s energy management and sustainability software, Hara said.

The insurance provider is looking to improve data accuracy for sustainability reporting and increase operational efficiencies, and Hara said that the company should expect more visibility, insight and verification capabilities with the software.

Aflac has implemented a SmartGreen philosophy covering buildings, procurement, purchasing and waste management. The company was listed this year for the first time on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for 2011/2012, and it has earned recognition with other environmental rankings,….

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Source:http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/12/19/energy-management-software-for-aflac-alcatel-lucent-polaris-3d-lighting-software-upgrade/

Even as shopping online peaks establishing itself as an urban trend, picking the right size has always been the major concern. Ever wondered what if you could ‘try on’ clothes sitting at home? A new software may make it a possibility now. The software called ‘virtual tailor’ claims to take your vital statistics in less than three minutes, allowing you to ‘try on’ clothes in your own 3D images to determine if a certain outfit suits you correctly. It can also make recommendations for the right size and shape.

Actress Neha Dhupia, a self-confessed online shopping addict who is soon venturing into fashion e-commerce, says, “I shop for shoes and clothes all the time from various sites. And if I can get to see what the dress, that I wish to buy, will look like on me in a 3D avatar, what more can I ask for? It’s a boon for us e-shoppers.”

Fashion designer Nishka Lulla also feels online shopping will be more accessible, thanks to the ‘virtual tailor’. “This will help a person to find out the right size as well as how an outfit fits the body.” And since the software works by scanning the body, as the user stands in front of his/her webcam at home, Nishka says that it makes it easier for a customer to check out something before buying it. “It may entirely revolutionise the online shopping experience,” she says.

For many online shoppers, this means a medium for taking second opinions before deciding what to go for. Model Rupali Suri says, “A lot of people are apprehensive to try on some clothes when they are at a store. With ‘virtual tailor’, you could try them on in the privacy of your home and even ask your close friends for suggestions. I think technologically too, it’s a great advancement.”

Actress Sonia Mehera however begs to differ. “It may not necessarily affect fashion scene directly. To me, fashion is a very personal thing. ‘Virtual tailor’ will give an idea about the right look, yes. But if you’re one of those who believe more in a stylist who helps you pick the perfect outfit, then this may not work for you at all,” she opines.

Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_new-software-allows-you-to-try-on-clothes-in-3d-image-online_1614991

Geomagic®, the leading provider of 3D software for creating and inspecting digital models of physical objects, today announced that the enhanced features of Geomagic’s 2012 product line for digital inspection is now integrating 3D CAD importers via Tech Soft 3D’s HOOPS Exchange. This added technology will optimize the performance of the industry’s leading 3D inspection software.

Collaboration between Geomagic and toolkit provider Tech Soft 3D provides customers with a seamless method of integrating scanned and probed data with 3D CAD data. TTF translation libraries, now developed as HOOPS Exchange, enhance Geomagic Qualify 2012 and Geomagic Qualify Probe with the ability to fully integrate and consolidate pertinent information to allow customers to define, design, manufacture and service products.

The integration of HOOPS Exchange propels Geomagic beyond competitors, as it allows the company’s 3D inspection products to include built-in CAD data importers using native formats of CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, and Creo Elements/Pro (formerly Pro/ENGINEER) at no additional charge. Direct integration with the CAD importers delivers reference data directly into the inspection and measurement process to quickly assess deviations for a cost-effective end result. Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) included with the CAD models can also be imported.

“Tech Soft’s technology is a perfect fit for Geomagic as it offers high quality interoperability suited for our customers’ needs, and the company delivers top-class support for its products,” said John Alpine, VP of Engineering, Geomagic. “This integration allows us to deliver industry-leading CAD import tools to our customers in a highly competitive way while still pushing the envelope further by including PMI import.”

“We are pleased to add an innovative company like Geomagic to the list of HOOPS Exchange customers,” added Gavin Bridgeman, Vice President, SDK Products, Tech Soft 3D. “Geomagic’s products have a long history of not only helping to improve manufacturing, but also helping to benefit humanity. We are proud that our products and people will play an integral role in that.”

The combination of Geomagic and Tech Soft 3D software will provide users with access to robust capabilities for manufacturers as they identify process and manufacturing weaknesses using 3D inspection tools. Additionally, the comprehensive probing and scanning mechanisms allow manufacturing operations to proceed with confidence in their product quality.

The new CAD importers are available in the 2012 version of Geomagic Qualify and the new Geomagic Qualify Probe software products that have just been released.

Source:http://www.cadcamnews.in/2011/11/geomagic-enhances-3d-imaging-software.html

A new software product from Geomagic advances the developer’s 3D software for creating and inspecting digital models of physical objects to work with various hard probe precision measurement devices from hardware suppliers, including FARO, Creaform, Hexagon, and Nikon, among others.

The Geomagic Qualify Probe lets users employ touch probes, portable CMM arms, and similar equipment to measure physical parts quickly and compare them with CAD models to determine manufacturing quality. The method will work for first-article inspection (FAI) and in-line product inspection, as well as supplier management. The software is user friendly and affordable, the developer said, but among the most powerful in its category. Working from insights gained from the built-in probing capabilities of Geomagic Qualify 3D inspection software, the new Geomagic Qualify Probe software includes redesigned device and HMI interfaces that make it intuitive for users.
Geomagic Qualify also brings automated reporting tools, the developer said, along with free CAD-data importers for native formats of CATIA, Autodesk Inventor, NX, SolidWorks and Creo Elements/Pro (formerly Pro/ENGINEER.)

“Geomagic Qualify Probe will enable us to rapidly expand our productivity and accuracy when using hard probed data, and it includes truly outstanding reporting tools that now have ‘focus’ and ‘magnify’ functions,“ stated Schneider-Electric’s process improvement specialist, Rus Emerick. “The direct CAD importers now mean our inspection professionals can work directly with the MCAD models from design engineers, without having to purchase expensive additional options or asking for files to be converted to vendor-neutral formats.”

Measurements collected and evaluated using Geomagic Qualify Probe can be published via integrated reporting tools, including 3D color-mapped models to illustrate deviations over an entire model, evaluation of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (GD&T) callouts, profile curves and user-defined annotations. Reports published in PDF format can include a live 3D model so that everyone in the supply chain can easily comprehend the inspection results.

Using the same user interface and with file format compatibility, Geomagic Qualify Probe users can migrate to Geomagic Qualify to add full scanning and point-cloud handling capability when they add a scanning accessory to their compatible hard-probe equipment.

“Geomagic Qualify Probe brings a whole new dimension of productivity to the Geomagic software product line,” according to Exact Metrology application engineer Kris Bowers. “With the broadly enhanced functionality and features like the new Quick Probe option, teamed with a very affordable price point, Geomagic Qualify Probe is poised to become a key solution for companies looking to perform tactile measurements out on the shop floor.”

Source:http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/88000/Issue

Triangle Software LLC, d.b.a.Beat the Traffic®, the fastest-growing provider of vehicle traffic reporting solutions for media in North America, will demonstrate the latest version of its award-winning Beat the Traffic 3D product at the 2011 SPJ/RTDNA Excellence in Journalism Conference in New Orleans, Sept 25-27. Among the groundbreaking features included in Beat the Traffic 3D version 6.2 are live traffic information on surface streets, embedded video of traffic conditions, and real-time road speeds utilizing Beat the Traffic’s unique SpeedTips™ technology.

Just in time for the conference, Beat the Traffic 3D features a brand new traffic incident feed that allows on-air reporters to click on the latest traffic event, “fly” directly to the incident on a map, and provide viewers with all the relevant details – including video and current traffic speeds. Recent traffic incidents can be highlighted and details about each incident can be edited as well.
Compatible with Windows 7 USB touch screen TVs, Beat the Traffic 3D allows broadcasters to create a completely immersive, interactive and detail-rich portrait about traffic conditions to their viewers at any time of day. By navigating Beat the Traffic 3D on air via touch screen or Wii remote, newscasters can zoom in and out of traffic hotspots, link directly to on-the-scene footage through an SDI video camera integration, calculate travel times between distances, and scroll over roads to display current traffic speeds and road conditions – including delays, accidents and roadway construction. Newscasters can even set up animated “fly through” displays of Beat the Traffic’s high-resolution, topographical maps for a more captivating viewer experience.

“The latest version of Beat the Traffic 3D has the potential to make the traffic segment one of the more compelling and anticipated portions of the news,” says Andre Gueziec, President and CEO of Triangle Software, the company that operates Beat the Traffic. “By incorporating exciting visuals, on-location video and traffic data that is steeped in detail – and always available in real time – Beat the Traffic allows broadcasters of all sizes to transform traffic news into ‘wow TV.’”
Beat the Traffic’s presence at SPJ/RTDNA 2011 comes at a successful time for the Santa Clara based company. It recently wrapped up its most successful quarter since launching in 2005 with the addition of five new TV and major media affiliates for the month of August alone. Already used by 55 North American TV and media affiliates, Beat the Traffic 3D last month was adapted for the international market.

Source:http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8819271.htm