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"Without ICS' tools, we would not have been able
to make our product, VActor Xpression, as simple as
we have."
... Scott Eberline, SimGraphics
SimGraphics, founded in 1985, is internationally recognized as a leading developer of innovative real-time character animation and visualization products for the entertainment and communication industries. Located in Pasadena, California, the company uses Integrated Computer Solutions' (ICS) development tools to create and maintain its products' highly creative and sophisticated graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The Product Line
VActor Animation System
Building on its expertise in flight simulation, engineering visualization and virtual
reality, SimGraphics developed the VActor Animation System (VAS) to enable actors
to use special input devices to track their face, hand, and body movements in order
to animate characters or objects.
VActor Xpression
SimGraphics is currently developing an animation tool that offers a new class
of "motion and choreography." Called
VActor Xpression, users will be able to capture
facial motion, edit in real-time, then export the
data to leading animation packages to create fully rendered and composited animation in
a fraction of the time usually necessary.
For example, a video production company used VActor Xpression to help animate tortillas in a popular television commercial, making it appear as if the tortillas were speaking and singing.
SimGraphics currently develops on Silicon Graphics, Inc.'s ONYX Reality Engine 2 and Indigo 2 Extreme with the IRIX operating system.
The Dilemma: Simplicity for Non-Technical Users
When designing VActor Xpression, SimGraphics determined the tool needed to be so comprehensive that even non-technical users like actors and directors would find it effortless to learn and use. Another significant challenge for SimGraphics was having a graphical front-end that would work with different display methods.
SimGraphics Software Engineer Scott Eberline oversees VAS development. He has been working as a Motif GUI developer for more than 10 years. According to Eberline, SimGraphics needed a GUI tool that was able to combine mix mode graphic languages with Motif. "Even with years of development experience, we knew the development cycle could be slow and difficult with Motif developments. And we just didn't have the time to develop from scratch."
The Solution: ICS' Flexible "Builder Xcessory" GUI Builder
After evaluating the leading GUI builders, SimGraphics chose ICS' Builder Xcessory (BX), a key component of BX PRO, because of its ability to generate a complete code set, ease in editing, and its completely open development environment that integrated well with VActor Xpression. "Without BX, we would not have been able to make VActor Xpression as simple as it is to use," said Eberline.
SimGraphics used BX to create and maintain a complex GUI for VActor Xpression that interacts with Silicon Graphics' graphic language (GL) in a real-time environment.
VActor Xpression consists of a series of large, one-page panels that fill the entire user screen. Each panel is managed by the user via a common main menu, which is always accessible from any level of the system. These panels act like pages in a book with options, and contain widgets that provide information and allow the user to drive the underlying software. VActor Xpression's GUIs must also maintain GL pictures in a real-time environment at 30 frames per second which is unique to most front-end GUIs.
The Benefits: Quick and Cost-Effective Development
Eberline says SimGraphics now develops GUIs much faster and more cost effectively than ever before. Best of all, he can now provide people with a more complete front-end model.
"Before using BX, it would take us a couple of days of pounding out something, showing it to someone, and then going back and pounding out another front-end," said Eberline. "With BX, we can sit down with someone over a cup of coffee and provide them with a very detailed panel.
Now that we are able to develop this way, we can do our jobs better. It is as if we are providing someone with a brand new car. They can get into it, check the steering wheel, look at the interior, kick the tires and if they like it, all we have to do is put in the engine, that is, interface the front-end with the rest of the application."
Builder Xcessory has enabled Eberline to establish consistency in user interface (UI) development, and save a great deal of time in software maintenance. "In dealing with the UI, the number of bugs has dropped considerably. BX has enabled us to centralize all UI development, keeping the designs more consistent for future development," said Eberline.
In addition to company-wide consistency, SimGraphics has also realized a gain in productivity, as well as a significant savings in development time and cost.
The Outcome: Easy-to-Use Product, Great Support
SimGraphics is pleased with ICS' service and product performance. It is planning to use BX to enhance the VActor Xpression product, and develop an additional software application, VActor Producer, a complete motion choreography tool with full body and face integration.
"We have been very satisfied with the support we've received from ICS," said Eberline. "The service department is marvelous. ICS maintains a well staffed, knowledgeable support group that can answer the most complex Motif and X questions within 24 hours, via the Internet and telephone. We are satisfied with ICS and its products, and we will not hesitate to buy from the company again. The company has a good product and it is hard to find companies that are as service-oriented as they are."
Builder Xcessory, the industry's most advanced graphical user interface builder for OSF/Motif and Java, is the foundation of BX PRO. Integrating three best-of-breed tools to create an unparalleled application development suite, BX PRO provides a comprehensive visual reuse environment that speeds development of mission-critical applications. BX PRO also includes the following components:
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