Computer Graphics World

Okino Ships New Conversion Version PRODUCT: CAD•DCC Coinciding with the SolidWorks World 2009 conference recent- ly, Okino Computer Graphics unveiled an updated version of its CAD conversion system for SolidWorks 2009.The conversion pipeline allows native SolidWorks BREP CAD assembly, part, and presentation fi les (disk-based or from a live copy of Solid- Works) to be converted to all major animation and authoring packages, 3D downstream fi le formats, and viz-sim programs. Okino's NuGraf and PolyTrans imports crack-free geometry, hierarchy, and materials (assembly data) from native disk-based SolidWorks fi les or from a running copy of SolidWorks, and subsequently provides high-end rendering, viewing, and scene composition of the data. Or, the data can be optimized and then pipelined into all major 3D fi le formats, animation packages, and third-party/OEM integrations. The SolidWorks assemblies, parts, and presentations then can be directly imported into all key animation systems, such as 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Cinema 4D, and LightWave, as well as any third-party product that integrates Okino's PolyTrans 3D converters and all major downstream fi le formats ranging from Collada, to DWF-3D, to SketchUp and more. Okino licenses its entire suite of industry-standard, native CAD modules in the Dual-CAD-Granite/Pack for $510 (minus native JT and Catia). The SolidWorks conversion pipeline is available by itself in the CAD/Pack for $245. These are not reverse-engineered CAD modules, but rather de-facto industry- standard implementations. NEWS: GAMING HARDWARE Jon Peddie Research (JPR) announced amazing growth for the estimated worldwide PC gaming hardware shipments and regional market share out to 2012. In particular, JPR predicts the enthusiast segment to have a compound annual growth rate of 9 percent; the performance segment, 19 percent; and the mainstream segment, 21 percent. Gaming PCs touch all segments of the market, with the most expensive at the high end, known as the enthusiast segment, where the utilization for gaming is highest, down to the mainstream, where the purchase motivation for gaming is about 6 percent. The total market value for PC gaming hardware in 2008 was just over $20 billion, and that should grow to more than $34 billion by 2012—and those systems should pull in an additional $6 billion in software and services sales. Also, the economic recession may stymie the assumed growth of the console gaming market and shift the balance in the direc- tion of PC gaming. That's because the cost of an HDTV for the console is a serious investment, particularly when a console is limited in what it can do, unlike a PC. But all countries are not alike in their PC gaming habits. JPR looked at gaming cultures worldwide as an infl uence on hard- ware sales in various regions. Hardware suppliers are cautioned: Don't get caught sending the wrong stuff to the wrong place. The segments studied in the JPR reports examine and profi le 37 countries in seven regions. The report examines gaming PCs that ship in desktop and notebook confi gurations—with the latter group showing strong gains. In addition to the branded and boutique fully assembled PCs, the report also looks at the robust do-it-yourself (DIY) and after-market segments, which include consumers who upgrade their PCs with high-performance gaming graphics boards. "Don't let the retail numbers fool you," says Ted Pollak, co-author of the report series. "Enthusiast PC gamers often latch onto one or two games that offer multiplayer options, and stick to these titles for years. Hardware is where they spend the big bucks. The retail numbers don't capture the casual and digitally distributed games, either. Retail software fi gures are not an accurate barometer for the health of the PC gaming industry." "The PC gaming hardware industry is a worldwide growth phenomenon and there are striking changes to the environ- ment on the horizon," says Jon Peddie, president of JPR. "Don't get caught surprised. Companies involved in the space should be prepared for the approaching shifts. Now, more than ever, suppliers can't afford to make any missteps in their marketing and sales strategies." The "Worldwide PC Gaming Hardware Market" report series comes in three versions: Enthusiast, Performance, and Main- stream, with each selling for $5000, or all three for $12,000. They are available now from JPR at www.jonpeddie.com. JPR: Gaming PC Market Bigger Than Anticipated 4 March 2009

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