Deep Exploration 5 Review
Posted On: April 30th, 2008 by Andy
The latest release of Deep Exploration ™ from Right Hemisphere improves on an already excellent product.
Deep Exploration 5 delivers the following improvements over the previous generation product, with an update coming in June that promised to add more than the typical mid-release incremental bug fixes and tweaks. Before going into details on this anticipated update (5.5), let me highlight the feature of Version 5 which I have been using since the beginning of 2008:
With Right Hemisphere 5 Deep Exploration Standard Edition you can:
Transform simple 2D and 3D models and multimedia files.
- Translate, optimize and repair over 40 popular 2D and 3D graphics, audio,
video, and motion capture file formats. (DE CAD Edition required for
some major CAD applications such as CATIA, Pro-E, PTC, etc.
See Supported Formats overview.)
Easily author a wide range of 2D and 3D product graphics
- Author photorealistic images, 3D animated scenes, model views, or simply
view and markup graphics (DE CAD Edition required to creative
advanced 2D illustrations)
Publish finished product graphics and documents
- Publish to more than 40 different 2D and 3D graphic formats. Automatically
publish into 3D interactive PDF documents, Microsoft Office applications,
Adobe Framemaker or HTML
Now, some specific details about 5.5 which is shipping this June, 2008:
Key Deep Exploration 5.5 Feature Categories
Real-time 3D Visual Manufacturing Instructions
- Steps & Procedures
- 2D Layers & Symbols
Technical Illustration
- Enhanced CAD loaders to enable dynamic “Thick and Thin” line display.
- WYSIWYG export to supported Vector and Raster formats.
- Enhanced Callouts Dialogs to improve speed of authoring
Ease of Use
- UI enhancements to improve solution workflows
New Subscription and Floating License Product Pricing Model
- Network License Management (NLM) allows customers a floating license system.
- Internet License Activation (ILA) allows customers to license DE on their computer for a period of time or forever.
- Manual License Activation (MLA) enables single customers who do not have access to the internet and not using the NLM, they can still be authorized by email and then manually entering the authorization key.
Remember, if you need to translate some of the more common CAD formats, particularly CATIA, you will need to purchase Deep Exploration CAD Edition.
Although I do not use all of the features that Deep Exploration offers, I will attest that the improvements in version 5 have reduced the requirements for other authoring tools in many cases. This is particularly true if your objective is to publish into Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1 or higher documents. The work flow here is excellent and a huge time-saver over the previous generation, thanks both to Right Hemisphere and Adobe. In many cases, you may even be able to bypass previously mandatory DCC tools like Maya and 3DS Max. But your graphic artists will still stay busy.
I would be interested in learning about your experiences with translation and authoring using the latest version of Deep Exploration.
-Andy
Sample Image and Product Details Courtesy Right Hemisphere Web Site
Popularity: 20% [?]
Consider Viewpoint Media for Web Training
Posted On: April 29th, 2008 by Andy
If you have been deploying multimedia web training via Adobe Flash or are considering Microsoft Silverlight, there is another technology you should be aware of. In 2002, my colleagues and I were developing extremely realistic simulations using technology from Viewpoint Corporation. The results surpassed the competition at the time, largely because Viewpoint was able to generate 3D objects with a fine, rendered look using an incredible small footprint. File sizes were often less than half the size of the competition, which was even more important considering the common bandwidth available six or seven years ago.
Viewpoint dropped off the radar for a while due to an acquisition and a decision to focus more on advertising than training tools. However, based on seeing some results of their new Enliven software, they are back with a bang. Kevin Green of The Harrington Group in Orlando developed a very effective helicopter maintenance training exercise with Enliven, integrating an existing interactive Flash panel and simulating real-time movement of a complex mechanical rigging.
-Andy
Popularity: 1% [?]
Can’t 3D Formats Just Get Along?
Posted On: April 28th, 2008 by Andy
If you have ever tried to build training material from CAD models, then you likely ran smack into the barriers facing 3D interoperability. While there has been movement toward open source standards in this space, notably with 3D XML and COLLADA, for PLM vendors interoperability is still largely a family affair. In other words, if you are building your airplane using our tools, here is a format and tool suite we offer to allow you to build technical publications and other training content designed for remote deployment in Adobe and Microsoft document wrappers, as well as web browsers.
You have to like Google getting behind COLLADA with their 3D Warehouse and recent funding for Mac and Linux support. And with the availability of COLLADA support for Autodesk 3DS Max (via plug-ins) and Right Hemisphere, work flow in the DCC (Digital Content Creation) world should be a reality for this format.
Do you have experience developing IETMS (Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals) or other IMI (Interactive Multimedia Instruction) in either COLLADA or 3D XML formats? I would be interested to learn about your experiences.
-Andy
Jet Fighter Model courtesy Turbosquid.com
Popularity: 19% [?]
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Andy Morris, President
Visual Aircraft, LLC
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