MetaVR News Volume IX, Issue 1 June 13, 2005 http://www.metavr.com/ MetaVR makes software that enables you to create and run high-resolution photo-realistic 3D virtual worlds on commercial PC image generators for the simulation and location-based entertainment markets. In This Issue: 17.A - MetaVR Delivers Iraq 3D Databases to Combat Studies Institute 17.B - MetaVR Visuals Used in NASA's T-38N Program 17.C - Photo-Specific T-80 3D Model for Korean Scenario Target Recognition 17.D - North America 3D Terrain Shipping in MetaVR Metadesic Format 17.E - MetaVR Now Offering Simulated Light Laser Designator Range Finder (LLDR) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17.A MetaVR Delivers Iraq 3D Databases to Combat Studies Institute The Combat Studies Institute (CSI) recently began classroom training using 3D virtual terrain of urban areas in and around Baghdad, Iraq, that was developed jointly by CSI and MetaVR for ground combat simulation. CSI is an academic department that is within the Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. The Baghdad databases or "virtual views" as CSI refers to them, will be used to create enhanced warfighter training experiences and opportunities prior to deployment. MetaVR developed the 270 km x 200 km 3D terrain from colorized 1 meter CIB imagery and DTED 2 elevation data using both our commercial and internal terrain creation software. Within the overall terrain databases, nine built up regions were developed, each modeled with an average of approximately 885,000 polygons, including six of areas in Baghdad, two of the town of An Nasiriyah, and one of Al Aziziyah, a town about 60 km east of Baghdad. Each 6 km x 6 km area consisted of built-up microterrain with geospecific cultural content and colorized imagery. To create realistic feature content, MetaVR's model designers created 157 photo-realistic models of several types of buildings and other cultural features, such as bridges, volumetric trees, sewer pipes, street lights, power lines, curbs, fences, culverts, and public monuments. Many of these features were built with photo-realistic textures based on public domain photographs of the Baghdad area. Content from MetaVR's 3D model libraries is also used in the databases. CSI's training for military officers will include conducting virtual staff rides of selected Baghdad campaigns using MetaVR's terrain databases. The initial use of the databases will be for training Command and General Staff College students. Instead of traveling to a site in order to execute a normal staff ride, students will use VRSG to visualize the terrain. They will use the same procedures as in a normal staff ride except that they would not physically "walk" the terrain. The MetaVR Baghdad terrain databases are available free of charge to all US Government agencies and contractors (for official use only). http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/baghdadviews.html http://www.metavr.com/products/3Dterrain_products.html http://www.metavr.com/technology/3DdatabasesMDX.html http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/ConstructingModelsforUrbanEnvironments.html http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/convoytrainer.html http://www.metavr.com/efficiencyvrsg.html http://www.leavenworth.army.mil/nsc/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17.B MetaVR Visuals Used in NASA's T-38N Program NASA's Space Shuttle crew members recently began training on NASA's new T-38N advanced astronaut trainer, which uses MetaVR's multi-channel visualization software. In 2004, MetaVR delivered to International Simulation and Training Systems (ISTS) five VRSG licenses to be used in the T-38N simulation program. The T-38N simulator replicates the actual Talon T-38N aircraft. Building the simulator started with scrapping an obsolete T-38B aircraft and using the actual cockpit for development. The two-seat design provides NASA the opportunity to familiarize their mission specialists with flight operations by flying them in the rear seat. The cockpit structure provides an aircraft equivalent 'feel-spring' system with all indicators, controls, panels, and equivalent functionality as the actual aircraft. NASA Flight Operations personnel had special training requirements for the design of the T-38N Instructor Operator Station (IOS). Features were developed to meet NASA's requirements regarding available failures, selection capability, and so on. Other requirements that were met include graphic representations of cockpit displays and instruments, which are selectable for display on all IOS monitors. MetaVR's visual system was selected by NASA and integrated with the T-38N cockpit, display, and IOS to deliver a complete training solution. Acceptance testing commenced in February 2005 to compare the simulator to actual aircraft performance. Visiting astronauts tested the simulator to compare it to their actual flight experiences. In early April, the simulator was delivered to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to begin training NASA Space Shuttle astronauts and mission specialists. After installation, ISTS performed an on-site acceptance test; it will provide follow-on maintenance and support. http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/t-38.html http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/channelsurfer.html http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/vrsgoverview.html http://www.teamists.com/ http://www-displays.tw.l-3com.com/html/press_releases/110304.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17.C Photo-Specific T-80 3D Model for Korean Scenario Target Recognition Both the South and North Korean armies have in their inventories versions of the former Soviet Union T-80 tank for which MetaVR provides a base-line 10,000 polygon, 200 megabyte, photo-textured, real-time T-80 UM1 3D model. To aid in target discrimination between the two versions of the vehicle, MetaVR now provides this photographically-specific T-80 UM1 model with Arena defense system at no charge for use with customer applications such as a UAV camera payload operator performing target recognition. Six photographically-specific MetaVR 3D models have been created with a one-to-one mapping of photographic elements (with no repeating textures) to unique geometry as part of the base VRSG software release. These models, which are released in the MetaVR HPX model format, are now available free of charge to version 4 VRSG users. Source data for each model is available for purchase as a site license with OpenFlight geometry, texture files in editable RGB and PhotoShop formats, and source images in raw format. With a model source data site license, users can modify the existing MetaVR baseline T-80 model based on details gathered from intelligence to meet the configurations of the actual vehicles. http://www.metavr.com/products/MetaVRPhotoSpec3Dcontent.html http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/74529/1/.html http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/DG06Dg01.html http://nk.chosun.com/english/news/news.html?ACT=detail&res_id=6423 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17.D North America 3D Terrain Shipping in MetaVR Metadesic Format MetaVR continues to augment, enhance, and deliver our seamless 3D terrain of North America, which is available on a single hard drive, as announced in the MetaVR News Volume VIII, Issue 2 newsletter. The terrain is in the MetaVR Metadesic terrain format and is constructed from 100 meter elevation data with .5, 1, 5, and 15 meter imagery covering a 1,037-geocell area. The terrain tiles reside in a geocentric coordinate system and provide for real-time visualization and simulation for a number of applications that include synthetic vision such as glass-cockpit displays, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and fixed-wing cockpit simulation. The North America dataset can also serve as a baseline to which you can add higher-fidelity information such as high-resolution aerial imagery or LIDAR elevation data, GPS point surveys, or 3D point features (such as buildings, trees, targets, and runway models), to areas of interest. You can make these additions as they become available, even in real-time if information is provided directly from sensors in the field. The Metadesic architecture automatically signals any active VRSG visualizations that new data is available to be paged into memory. This update flexibility is: - Efficient; conventional simulations applications do not need to recompile entire databases upon receipt of new data. - Scalable; independent assets can be applied to both construction and visualization. - Network-centric; mission rehearsal and battle damage assessment tasks can now include a 3D visualization component that is sensor-data driven. The Metadesic North America dataset contains insets made from 30 cm resolution natural color imagery of approximately 48 US cities such as Anchorage, San Francisco, Saint Louis, Orlando, and Washington DC. The insets also include several military installations. The Metadesic MDS format requires VRSG version 4 or greater. Although the North America terrain is comprised of US imagery, with the Metadesic Compiler one could construct a database of the entire earth as redistributable data becomes available. MetaVR's North America 3D terrain in Metadesic format is delivered with terrain tiles on one 1.6 TB external LaCie hard drive. MetaVR distributes North America dataset to US Government agencies and contractors (for official use only). The distribution cost includes a nominal fee for processing the data into the Metadesic format and for the hard drive media. http://www.metavr.com/products/north_amer_terrain/north_america_terrain.html http://www.metavr.com/products/metadesic/metadesic_compiler.html http://www.metavr.com/technology/metadesic.html http://www.metavr.com/downloads/MetaVR_News_Volume_VIII_Issue_2.txt http://www.metavr.com/products/harddrives.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17.E MetaVR Now Offering Simulated Light Laser Designator Range Finder (LLDR) The Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) is one of the latest production laser designator units for the US Army; it can now be purchased as a simulated device. The LLDR is used by a forward air controller to illuminate targets for aircraft or artillery strikes. For fielding in simulation training facilities, MetaVR now offers a simulated LLDR manufactured by Fidelity Technologies for use in conjunction with the MetaVR visualization software. Three of these simulated precision laser devices have been delivered to the 25th ID, as described in MetaVR News Volume VIII, Issue 2. When the simulated LLDR device is coupled with MetaVR's 3D visualization technology, MetaVR VRSG generates the out-the-optic 3D scene and the range and coordinates of the designated target. When an operator lases on a target, a DIS PDU is transmitted to indicate the range designation information to other simulations on the network. This simulated LLDR device measures 21" high x 23" wide x 23" deep and weighs 30 lbs. The unit accepts video input via a standard 5-wire PC compatible VGA video board. The display resolution is 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz, which you can further enhance visually by enabling 4x anti-aliasing. The simulated LLDR can elevate up to 30 degrees, and rotate in azimuth by 160 degrees. The LLDR works with all MetaVR systems. You can purchase the devise on its own or with any MetaVR complete system. http://www.metavr.com/products/LLDRembeddedsystem.html http://www.metavr.com/downloads/MetaVR_News_Volume_VIII_Issue_2.txt http://www.dsd.es.northropgrumman.com/laser/ANPED.html http://www.fidelitytech.com/simtraining.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This electronic newsletter may be redistributed without restriction in any format as long as the contents are unaltered. Previous issues of MetaVR News can be found at http://www.metavr.com/aboutus/newsarchive.html Copyright 2005, MetaVR, Inc. 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