Sun's Java 3D(TM) API 1.3 Graphics Technology Improves Performance And Delivers New Capabilities for Software Developers

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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

Sun's Java 3D(TM) API 1.3 Graphics Technology Improves Performance And Delivers New Capabilities for Software Developers

-- Latest Technology Features Enable Development of More Realistic Graphics, Addressing Needs From Multiple Markets

SAN ANTONIO, SIGGRAPH CONFERENCE, Jul 22, 2002 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) brings new features and functionality to its popular Java 3D(TM) API graphics technology with the debut of Java 3D version 1.3. With this latest release, which follows the widespread adoption of this 3D graphics technology with nearly a half million downloads to date, Sun directly addresses the needs of its developer community, providing both configured universe and depth-sorted transparency capabilities, in addition to advanced texture mapping and performance improvements.

The Java 3D API is a network-centric, scene graph-based API, which enables developers to easily incorporate high-quality, scalable, platform-independent 3D graphics into Java technology-based applications and applets. With the Java 3D API, version 1.3 developers now have the power to create applications that can run seamlessly in a variety of display environments, without code modification. Additionally, the new version helps users speed application development through faster application response and a reduction in memory consumption ranging from 10 to 60 percent.

LION bioscience has also integrated Java 3D API, version 1.3 scene graph technology into the SRS 3D module of its SRS data integration platform for genomics research and development. "SRS 3D enables the biochemist or molecular biologist to quickly and easily visualize 3D biomacromolecules within SRS," stated Dr. Reinhard Schneider, CIO of LION bioscience. "The Java 3D API, version 1.3's rich graphical feature set helped greatly in building a product that is state-of-the-art, highly intuitive, highly interactive, and usable."

Java 3D graphics technology not only benefits developers in scientific visualization, but also animation, Web site design, simulations, virtual world construction, training, games and design automation. Responding to these users' needs, Java 3D API 1.3 technology provides the following new features:

-- Configured Universe: Allows Java 3D programs to run in different display configurations easily. With this utility, an application can be configured to run across a broad range of viewing configurations and available input devices, without any changes to the source code, simply by editing a configuration file to describe the local viewing environment.

-- Depth-Sorted Transparency: Enables users to display objects and scenes with multi-dimensional detail that include transparency more realistically. Java 3D version 1.3 saves developers time by automatically sorting depth order geometry.

-- Advanced Texture Mapping: Enables developers to create more realistic and detailed graphics using Texture Cube Mapping; Extended Texture Environment Combiners; Texture Boundary; Anisotripic Texture Filtering; Texture LOD and Detail; Texture Data Update. In addition, Java 3D version 1.3 adds the ability to access native data via NIO buffers, as well as the ability to save and load the scene graph.

Java 3D Technology Demonstration at Siggraph 2002

At booth #13071 at SIGGRAPH 2002, Sun will feature a demonstration of its latest version of Java 3D technology as used by Full Sail, a post-secondary school which offers programs in computer animation, digital media, film/video production, game design, and recording arts. "I have found the Java 3D API to be easy to use and integrate into Full Sail's software projects," says Andrew Barras, RealTime 3D Graphics course director for Full Sail Real World Education. "Java 3D is very flexible for development and modifications. With the new version 1.3, Sun has added a set of important graphical features, including multi-texturing, that help to make our class projects look high quality and very professional."

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer(TM)" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com .

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