MetaVR Delivers Full CCTT Primary II Terrain Database Running On A PC

MetaVR delivered to SAIC a MetaVR Ruggedized Rackmount VRSG with the full Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) Primary II (P2) SEDRIS transmittal converted to MetaVR's MDX run-time format. The database runs at a sustainable 30 frames-per-second at 1024 x 768 resolution with 4 sub-pixel anti-aliasing enabled, using commercially available graphics cards. The MetaVR conversion process is a one-to-one mapping between the source data and our optimized MDX format such that a triangle-for-triangle consistency is maintained (including all terrain LODs, cut-and-fill linear features, and model instances).

MetaVR is working with SAIC to provide a PC-based after-action review (AAR) capability to the CCTT training environment. The visualization component of the advanced AAR environment consists of a Windows- based PC running the MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) image generator. MetaVR VRSG will provide battle masters a real-time "stealth" view of the CCTT battlefield, and provide the soldiers a visual debrief of the battle just fought.

SAIC provided MetaVR with a SEDRIS 2.5.2a - compatible transmittal of the CCTT P2 AF terrain database. The SEDRIS transmittal is 27GB in size, covering a geographic area of 107,520m (east to west) by 153,600m (north to south), with the south-west corner at UTM zone 11, northing 3791279, easting 500000. The database consists of 16,485 load modules which are 960 x 960 meters in size. Sixty-meter post spacing is utilized for the terrain skin at the highest level-of-detail. MetaVR has developed a distributed parallel processing technique which allows the entire 27 GB transmittal to be converted to the MetaVR MDX runtime in 20 days' time using five Linux servers running over a virtual private network. The new conversion capability can be used to convert additional SEDRIS transmittals to the MetaVR optimized format. The resulting MetaVR MDX format Primary II is 800 MB in size.

The MetaVR VRSG provides the CCTT AAR community with a unique capability to visualize control measures in 3D. MetaVR and SAIC have co-developed extensions to the DIS protocol to convey control measure data which is communicated between the CCTT AAR and the MetaVR VRSG. The VRSG responds by generating and displaying 3D control measures in real time. The following image is an example of a point feature being displayed on the P2 database:

Point features may be displayed as vertical billboards which always face the viewer, as in the above image.  In addition, point features may be displayed as decals on the terrain surface.  Linear and areal features may also be generated and displayed in real time. The following image demonstrates a linear control measure on the P2 database:

Linear and areal features are displayed as decals on the terrain skin. MetaVR VRSG will generate terrain-conformant geometry on-the-fly to represent these features. These decal features will follow the terrain surface, roads, wadis, and will even go over buildings.