AVS brings 3-D software to the PC with new AVS/Express release

Visualization Edition targeted at end users

Advanced Visual Systems this week released new versions of itsAVS/Express 3-D applications development software, including anedition targeted at end users rather than OEMs. The new editionalso adds support for platforms based on Microsoft Windows operatingsystems, offering end users the possibility of 3-D applicationsrunning on computers far less expensive than the workstationspreviously required for advanced 3-D techniques.

AVS of Waltham, MA, has experienced success in signing up OEMslike ADAC Laboratories for its AVS/Express object-oriented programmingsoftware (SCAN 3/27/96). OEMs use the software to create 3-D applicationsthat are marketed to end users.

AVS, however, did not sell AVS/Express to end users, such asresearch hospitals developing 3-D protocols for their own internaluse. Those sites instead have been using Application VisualizationSystem (AVS5), an earlier version of programming software developedby AVS that runs on Unix workstations and does not use object-orientedprogramming.

AVS will now market two versions of AVS/Express with its newAVS/Express 3.0 release. AVS/Express Developer Edition will continueto be targeted at OEMs, while AVS/Express Visualization Editionwill be marketed to end users, according to Ham Lord, directorof the company's medical products group.

Both versions include a number of new enhancements that shouldimprove the package's ease of use and functionality, such as newtools for writing AVS/Express modules, importing data, and visualizingimages. Perhaps most notable, however, is the Visualization Edition'ssupport for the Windows 95 platform in addition to Windows NT,which AVS/Express already supports. This should expand the useof AVS/Express and 3-D modeling among the research community,according to Lord.

"The biggest reason for (3-D's) expansion is its availabilityon the PC," Lord said. "You are suddenly on a platformthat is much more widely available and significantly less expensive(than workstations)."

AVS will target sales of Visualization Edition to its installedbase of AVS5 users, but will continue to sell the older programand is preparing an upgrade to be released shortly, Lord said.

Visualization Edition pricing starts at $6000 for Unix-basedsystems and $2995 for Windows 95 and Windows NT users. AVS/Express3.0 Developer Edition is priced at $25,000 for the first Unixsystem and $6000 for subsequent systems, with the Windows versionlisting at $18,000 for the first user and $4000 for follow-onlicenses.