Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/27779
Vicon Launches T-Series S Edition Mocap Cameras Vicon has rolled out its T-Series cameras optimized for outdoor motion capture, enabling accurate motion capture outdoors without interference from natural elements and lighting. Customers with an existing T-Series system can also have their cameras upgraded for outdoor capture. Vicon is also launching three T-Series S Edition motion- capture cameras: the T40S, T20S, and T10S. Building on the speed and fl exibility of existing T-Series cameras, the new S Edition is said to deliver the fastest full-frame, 1-megapixel mocap camera in the world. The full Vicon T-Series range now includes: the T10, achiev- ing 250 frames per second (fps) at 1-megapixel resolution; T10S, the world’s fastest full-frame mocap camera, capable of 1000 fps at 1-megapixel resolution; T20S, offering 690 fps at 2-megapixel resolution; T40S, providing 515 fps at full-frame resolution (4 megapixels); and T160, a 16-mega- pixel camera delivering 120 fps at full-frame resolution. Customers also can customize T-Series cameras with opti- mized lens and strobe combinations to maximize capture volumes. PRODUCT: MOTION CAPTURE Okino Enhances CAD Conversion System Okino Computer Graphics has updated its CAD conver- sion system for SolidWorks 2011. The conversion pipeline enables native SolidWorks BREP CAD assembly, part, and presentation fi les to be converted to major animation and authoring packages, 3D downstream fi le formats, and visu- alization/simulation programs. Okino’s NuGraf and PolyTrans software import assembly data—including crack-free geometry, hierarchy, and materi- als—from native SolidWorks fi les. Users can take advantage of Okino’s high-end rendering, viewing, and scene compo- sition, or optimize and pipeline the data into major 3D fi le formats, animation packages, and third-party tools. Okino’s 3D data translation solutions directly import Solid- Works assemblies, parts, and presentations into various 3D animation programs; any third-party product with Okino’s Poly- Trans 3D converters; and major fi le formats, including Collada, DirectX, DWF-3D, and SketchUp. The system is now available to current customers within their valid maintenance period. Okino’s Dual-CAD-Granite/ Pack license is priced at $510. The SolidWorks conversion pipeline is available in Okino’s CAD/Pack for $245. PRODUCT: CAD Continued Strength in the Workstation Market The workstation market continued its steady, determined march back to the volume levels prior to the economic collapse that kicked off in Q4 of 2008. Jon Peddie Research (JPR) has wrapped up its Q3 analysis of the workstation market and reports the industry shipped 849,700 worksta- tions in Q3 2010, representing a robust 31.8 percent year- over-year growth. Sequential growth slowed a bit to 6.9 percent (from a 9.6 percent gain in Q2), showing some moderation that could reduce the potential for a double-dip recovery. The number was still stronger than expected by typical quarterly cyclical norms, illustrating that recovery is still solidly headed in the right direction. HP was decidedly back on top as workstation volume leader in Q3 2010, mimicking the surge over Dell the company achieved in Q3 2009. Yet, one quarter after JPR announced HP as the new undisputed workstation leader, Dell bounced back to put the two in a virtual deadlock, a position the fi rm has been in since. The books are now closed on Q3 2010, and HP has opened up another appre- ciable gap, taking 40.5 percent of the market to Dell’s 37.5 percent. It’s clear HP is continuing to move aggressively forward in workstation business. The market for professional graphics hardware takes that “double-dip” in Q3 2010, but there’s more to the story. In the workstation-related market for professional graphics hardware, Q3 provided more of the slowing volume JPR had expected. More accurately, Q3 went beyond mere slower growth and took an unexpected dip. Worldwide, units totaled 1.14 million, down 9.5 percent sequentially— beyond any typical cyclical norm. Technically the market did experience the dreaded “double- dip,” but closer inspection revealed two sides to the Q3 coin. The second dip was likely more symptomatic of exag- gerated cyclical conditions than an indication of another substantial dive for both graphics and workstations. By no means was the whole professional graphics market down, notes JPR. Mobiles were essentially fl at, and good news was to be found in the near 9 percent sequential growth of 3D cards, as both Nvidia and AMD were ramp- ing up their new-generation models. It left the 2D card sub- segment as the primary culprit dragging down the overall market. 2D cards dropped precipitously, down to 333,600 from 497,500 in Q2, the previous quarter. With past 2D ship- ments likely running a bit too hot for the market to digest, a short-term dip —even a dramatic one—is likely not indicative of any longer-term trends, particularly in light of growth in the substantially higher-revenue segment of 3D cards. NEWS: WORKSTATIONS March 2011 5