A Categorized Directory of 3D Graphics Software Companies

Bill Buxton

Last Updated: May 18, 2005

TOC

• 2D Paint and Illustration
• 3D for 2D Illustration
• 3D Modeling
• 3D for Wireless and PDA's
• 3D Web Authoring
• Animation Software (2D & 3D)
• Annotation and marking
• Asset integration, interchange and management
• CAD Companies
• Camera Extraction
• Camera Stabilization
• Character/Facial/Avitar  Creation/Animation
• Clip Art:  3D, Stock Models, etc.
• Clip Art:  Video.
• Collaboration Software
• Collaborative On-Line Approval for Film & Video
• Computer Graphics Software
• Digital Corkboards & Image Mangement
• Display technologies
• Game Technologies:  see Real-time viewers
• Misc
• Physics - Dynamics, etc.
• Pre-Visualization Tools
• QuickTime VR Objects and Panoramas & Related Generating/Stitching/Viewing
• Real-Time Viewers & Game Engines
• High Res
• Low Res: games, web, PC
• Rendering
• Search Engines
• Sketch interpretation
• Video Gear
• Visualization
• VR

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2D Paint and Illustration

Adobe:

• Photoshop & Illiustrator

Alias Systems

• Alias Sketch

Ashlar-Vellum:

• Graphite

Corel:

• procreate (Fractal) Painter, Corel Draw, ...

JASC

• the largest volume player in the market, perhaps, and you may never have heard of them

Skypaint

• tool for painting panoramas

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3D for 2D Illustration

Ashlar-Vellum:

• Neon

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3D for Wireless and PDA's

Superscape:

• SWERVE

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3D Modeling

See also the CAD Companies and Computer Graphics Software categories

@last Software:

• "Sketch Up" 3D Sketching Software
• this is a must see product!  It is essentially a 3D version of Adobe Illustrator.
• however, it lets you "sketch" the 3D forms.
• has very cool online demos on web site.

Alias Systems

• Studio Tools, Auto Studio

Ashlar-Vellum:

• Xenon, Argon & Cobalt

auto-des-sys

• Form.z

Digits 'n Art (D'nA):

• PFlesh: a paint program with artisan like sculpting capabilities (Company  seems to be limbo at moment.)

Greenworks

• Xfrog: Specialized software for modelling organic forms

Pixologic:

• ZBrush: A sculpting program with artisan like capabilities coupled with other techniques

RealViz

• ImageMdeler is creates 3D models from photos, using photgrametry.

Reflex Systems Inc

• Main product is Reflex|DRAMA, a standalone Windows-based software for modeling humans using 3D musculo-skeleton methods.

Robert McNeel & Associates:

• Main product is Rhino, a high quality inexpensive 3D nurbs modeler

SensAble Technologies:  Free Form

• Make an excellent stylus-based sculpting program, FreeForm.  A mature product.  I personally think that the product's relevance is hindered by SensAble's positioning it as needing their Phantom force-feedback device. Conceptually, this is like Deep  Paint 3D on Steroids.

SGDL Systems inc.

• solid modeling using a geometric language to describe the form.

SoftTronics

• Source for Moray, an interactive shareware wireframe modeller for the PC platform, supporting the POV-Ray renderer.

Think3

• thinkdesign, thinkshape, thinkteam

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3D Paint

Digits 'n Art (D'nA):  flesh
• Paint program with artisan like sculpting capabilities
• company seems to be in limbo at the moment
MAXON:
• Bodypaint 3D
Right Hemisphere:
• Deep Paint is a great sculpting type program.  For another slant on the paradigm, see SensAble's FreeForm modeler.

 

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3D Web Authoring

Apple Quicktime VR Authoring Studio

Cycore

• Cult 3D technology has been acquired by Mental Images

EONReality.com


Macromedia
Mind Avenue: Axel
Parallel Graphics:

• VRML Solutions

Qube Software

• long-term ambition is to make real-time interactive 3D technology available for the internet-based broadcast of game content.

Right Hemisphere - Deep Exploration

• Licenced by Microsoft for 3D PReviewing in X-Box Development Kit.

Totally Hip

• WebPainter product tool for creating professional web animation and graphics

Virtools

Vizx3D

• 3D modeling and animating application that creates web X3D files as well as VRML97
• acquired by Media Machines.

Wild Tangent:

• Web Driver STK & WTStudio to support online games

Worlds.com:

• 3D Collaborative Virtual Worlds on the Internet

Xara

• XQARA3D: tool for making 3D buttons, animated gifs, banner graphics and titles for web pages and presentations




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Animation Software (2D & 3D)

Alias Systems

• Main animation product is Maya

Blender.org

• :Blender

Cambridge Animation

• Prodcucts include Animo, Inkworks, Pencil Tester, SoundBreakdown, and Scene III

Discreet::

• 3D Studio Max

Electric Image:

• Universe, Amorphium Pro

Hash

Kaydara inc.

MAXON:

• Cinema 4D

NewTek

• Lightwave

Northern Lights

• Make a set of extensions to Electric Image for natural phenomena, such as fire, clouds, etc.

pmG:  Project Messiah

• A company you have probably never heard of but worth looking at.
• PRoducts are Messiah:studio and Messiah:animate

SideFX:

• Houdini

Softimage Co.

• Softimage|XSI and Softimage|3D

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Annotation and marking

echalk.de
Cybelius Conductor
Schreiber Instruments

Make a product Quicksurf which supports inserting annotated blocks into AutoCAD drawings.

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CAD Companies

While CAD software may not seem that relevant, they are doing some of the most interesting things in terms of collaboration, uses of networks and asset management and review.  As well, companies like Solidworks, in particular, have had more success than anyone, perhaps, in gaining acceptance in the volume market for 3D modeling.  They have set the bar, and due to their construction history and the resulting capability to use reuse components, rather than model from scratch, are arguably already beyond many aspects of usability of Speedform, for example.

 
Alibre Design
Artifice:

• Design Workshop

• consumer tool for 3D architectural design

Autodesk

• broad range of products, incuding AutoCAD, Architechtural Studio, Civil Design, ...

Dassault Systems:

• CATIA

Delcam:

• Powershape

EDS:
EDS is consolidating a suite of CAD technologies.  In 1998 they acquired Unigraphics as well as SolidEdge.  In 2000 they acquired Engineering Animation Inc. (EAI), including its subsiduary, Sense-8, which makes tools for VR environments. Then, in 2001, they acquired SDRC.

• SDRC: I-DEAS
• PLM /Unigraphics
• Solid Edge
• Imageware

 
Graphisoft

• professional tool for 3D architectural design

Kubotek USA

• acquired CADKEY product in 2003
• relaunched as KEYCREATOR
• PC mechanical CAD software

MicroCAD:

• Autokitchen: Specialized program for modeling kitchens for visualization in AutoCAD environment.

Nemetschek:

• Vectorworks: Package for architectural, mechanical, landscape and lighting design

Parametric Technologies Corp. (PTC):

• Pro/E

Solidworks

• Suite of solid modeling and assoiciated tools, well priced and high reputation for usability.

Think3

• thinkdesign, thinkshape, thinkteam

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Camera Extraction

2D3:

• Bojou

Science D Visions:

• 3D Equalizer

RealViz:

• MatchMover

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Camera Stabilization

2D3:

• SteadyMove

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Character/Facial/Avitar Creation/Animation

Character Animation Technologies Ltd  (CAT)

• Offer 3 technologies, Character Animation Toolkit, CATMuscle, and CATRuntime.

Credo:

• Life Forms

Curious Labs:

• Avitar Lab, Poser

Eyematic:

• Xpression, FaceStation

Image Metrics

• facial motion capture

Reflex Systems Inc.

• High-Resolution Human Synthesis Software

Singular Inversions:

• Face Gen Modeler

 


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Clip Art: 3D, Video, Stock Models ...

The first thing to realize is that the majority of "3D" on the web is not really 3D.  A lot are using image based techniques, such as Quicktime VR Objects, or 3D rendered out to 2D, often as animated gifs. There a re are literally hundreds of web sites that offer so-called 3D clip art.  Animated gifs, etc.,  represent the largest proportion of the sites, as well as the largest usage of "3D" on both the web and in Powerpoint.  Why? Because they need no viewer or plug-ins to be be downloaded.  See the climber, above, for an example, and visit the associated site.

3D Menagerie

• a source for models built for Poser.

3D Cafe

• have a number of free meshes as well as a member site with a larger library available

3D Modelworks

3D Modelz.com

3D Total.com

Acuris

Animation Factory

• major source of 3D gif animations, such as the climber, above
• worth exploring in order to familiarize yourself with this representative part of the market
• any 3D package could include a rendering option that enabled designs to be output in this format for quick and easy sharing and communication

Art Recon

• Source of 3D Architectural details like columns, finials, arches etc: collect the parts you need to construct your own buildings. "These quality meshes were developed in a polygonal system, with named parts for easy manipulation.  Industry standard geometry formats LWO, 3DS, OBJ, DXF and 3DFM " on CD. (GK)

Caligari:

• DarkMATER

CGSD Corporation

• library of buildings and other 3D resources.  Targetted at constructing 3D VR environments..

Crystal Graphics

• 3D titles and animations for presentations, etc.

Digimation
Facets

• High quality models, targeted for real time simulations and VR

FlashFire.com
ModelVision

• -3d models and image for texture etc. (GK)

New World Graphics
Replica Technology
Turbo Squid
Viewpoint

• This is the grand-daddy of them all.

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Clip Art: Video / Non-Photorealistic Rendering Images

There are a few companies that provide video footage that is shot against a blue screen so that phtographed things like people, vehicles, etc. can be integrated into synthetic 2D and 3D scenes.

 

ArchVision / RPCnet.com
• Include video footage of live people shot against a blue screen so that they can be composited into a CG environment to give it life
Entourage Arts
• Non photorealistic rendering entourage elements for architectural graphics, architectural images and architectural illustration

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Collaboration Software

For some background, see my technology brief: Collaboration Software:  A 5 Minute Primer.
 

Centric Software, Inc.

Cimmetry Systems:

• AutoVue

Co|Create:

• OneSpace.

Crystal Graphics

• web conferencing

Cybelius

• Conductor

DMOD

• WorkSpace:  for secure distribution of media

EDS / SDRC:

• TeamCenter & PLM

Groove

• Workplace

Impact Xoft

• IX SPeed

Materialise

• Magics Communicator

Parametric Technologies Corp. (PTC):

• Windchill

RealityWave

• VizStream Platform

TeamSpace

Think3D:

• thinkteam

Translation Technologies

• Acc-u-Trans

Visual Echo, Inc.

WebScope

Worlds.com:

• 3D Collaborative Virtual Worlds on the Internet

 


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Collaborative On-Line Approval for Film & Video

BEAM.TV:

• SEND> RECEIVE> ARCHIVE

Proficiency Inc.:

• The Innovator in Engineering Supply Chain Collaboration

DMOD

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Computer Graphics Software

Adobe
• Atmospheres
Alias Systems
• Main animation product is Maya
Areté Entertainment,
Blender.org
• :Blender
Caligari:
• TrueSpace
Cambridge Animation
• Prodcucts include Animo, Inkworks, Pencil Tester, SoundBreakdown, and Scene III
Corel
Critical Mass Labs:
• real-time advanced physics & particles
Discreet::
• 3D Studio Max & Discreet
DreamTeam Ltd
Electric Image:
• Universe, Amorphium Pro
Form.z
Greenworks
• xfrog organic software
Hash
Kaydara inc.
MAXON:
• Cinema 4D
Mental Images
• Mental Ray renderer
NewTek
• Lightwave
Northern Lights
• Make a set of extensions to Electric Image for natural phenomena, such as fire, clouds, etc.
pmG:  Project Messiah
• A company you have probably never heard of but may want to pay attention to. (BB)
Pixar
• Renderman
REALVIZ - Image processing software and solutions for content creation
Right Hemisphere
SensAble Technologies
SGDL Systems inc.
SideFX:
• Houdini
Softimage Co.
• Softimage|XSI and Softimage|3D
Think3
Ulead COOL 3D

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Digital Corkboards & Image Mangement

ACD Systems -

• Home to the ACDSee picture viewer and digital imaging software.

Alias Systems

• Portfolio Wall

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Display technologies

History of Liquid Crystals: Table of Contents

Dimension Technologies Inc. (DTI) - Home of the Virtual Window

Deep Video Imaging Ltd - Actual Depth

Elumens Corporation

CDT Home Page

Xerox PARC E-INK

Nvidia

Future of Print Media, CPT Light Emitting Polymer Displays

Kopin Corporation - a manufacturer of microdisplays and device wafers

StereoGraphics Corp. - Stereo3D™ Displays for Stereoscopic 3D Visualization

VisuaLABS Inc. Home Page

News Release - Visualization Corridor screen

MASS Inc., leader in multi-screen display solutions.

Actuality Systems, Inc.

Miscellaneous

ArchVision / RPCnet.com

Include video footage of live people shot against a blue screen so that they can be composited into a CG environment to give it life.

Promagic

Tools for creating lenticular images, i.e., 3D stereo stills that you can view without glasses, like on some postcards, etc.

Physics - Dynamics, etc.

Critical Mass Labs: Vortex
Havok
Criterion:
•  Karma

Pre-Visualization Tools

In many ways, almost any 3D package can be used for pre-visulaization.  The key element is speed of getting things roughed out, rather than fidelity of rendering (of course, depending what/why you are pre-visualizing). The following tools are specifically targeted to this purpuse.

Antics 3D

• 3D package for planning timings and blocking of 3D scenes, including intelligent behaviours of characters
RealViz
• StoryViz 1.0

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QuickTime VR Objects and Panoramas & Related Generating/Stitching/Viewing

For an overview and detailed summary, see:

• Quicktime VR Online Tutorial - Apple Computer
• Panoguide.com

 

360 Degrees of Freedom

Alias

• ImageStudio lets you create and export synthetic QT VR from 3D models.

Apple Quicktime VR Authoring Studio

Easypano:

• Panoweaver & Modelweaver

FirstPerson: 360 Immersive Video (enroute)

• Immersive Video
• extremely interesting in that they do QTVR panoramas that you can navigate through, but with stitched video rather than stills. Obviously requires special hardware, but can play back from DVD.

IPIX:  360 Suite
iSee Media

Kaidan - Photographic  Panoramic VR and Object VR Products

MGI Software Corp.:  Reality Studio, Object Modeler, PhotoVista


Orphan technology: PanDC

• make tools for stereoscopic panoramas

PanaVue

Skypaint

• tool for painting panoramas

TotallyHip:  LiveStage Professional

Real-Time Viewers & Game Engines

High Res:  VR, Flight Simulation, Transportation ...

CGSD Corporation

builds high performance custom simulation and virtual reality systems.

Immersion Studios Inc.
Opticore
Terrex:  Terrain Models

Low/Medium Res: Games, Web, PC ..

Apple Quicktime VR
CG2 Inc
Criterion Software - RenderWare

along with Intrinsic - Alchemy, are are the primary player in 3rd party engines for games.

have announced that they are acquiring Math Engine:  Karma, which is the prime competitor of Havok, in providing physics.

Cycore:  Cult 3D
Intrinsic-Alchemy

have a module that lets you directly export Maya data to a number of different game engines, along with textures, bump maps, lights, and auto tessilation from nurbs, such that you can view and preview in real time along with interaction.


Along with Criterion - Renderware, are the primary player in 3rd party engines for games.

Macromedia
Media|Machines

• Make a real-time engine called Flux as well as a toolkit.
• have acquired Vizx3D Modeler

Nexternet

Parallel Graphics:  VRML Solutions
RealiMation
RichFX

• interesting in that they can integrate 3D Web viewing with registered streaming audio and video

Right Hemisphere

• Deep Exploration

Viewpoint/Metacreations
Worlds.com:

• 3D Collaborative Virtual Worlds on the Internet

Quantum 3D: OpenGVS
Soft Reality

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Rendering

Exluna:
• Entropy / Blue Moon Rendering Tools
Mental Images:
• Mental Ray
Pixar:
• Renderman

POV-Ray
• A shareware ray tracing renderer.

Search Engines

This is an emerging area of both research and product.  It has to do with searching a database of images based on criteria of shape or graphical content.

Image Metrics
piXlogic
Princeton University

A database and search engine consisting of 3D VRML models.  Ho-hum you say? Did I mention that the way you search is not only by keyword, but you can also make a quick sketch (in up to 3 orthographic views) of what the model looks like? (Kevin Picott)

Sketch interpretation

Sketch Interpretation System
Assistant Online - Studio/How_Tos/Modeling/3D Jig

@last Software: "Sketch Up" 3D Sketching Software
• this is a must see product!  It is essentially a 3D version of Adobe Illustrator.
• however, it lets you "sketch" the 3D forms.
has very cool online demos on web site.

Video Gear

Video Technology Page
OrangeLink FireWire CardBus PC Card (by Orange Micro)
Welcome to Digital Support
TECHNOLOGY PLAYGROUP
Macally Peripherals
Pioneer PDP-501MC page 1 of 5
Dealer of Gas Plasma and LCD Projectors from Fujitsu, Pioneer, Toshiba, JVC, Mitsubishi, Sony, Proxima, Eiki, JVC Professional and NEC
Pioneer Plasma Display PDP-505HD
Digital Origin MotoDV - Digital Video 1394 Firewire Capture between DV cameras and your Windows or Macintosh desktop
Ulead Systems Innovative Multimedia Solutions
MGI - About
Ulead Online Store - Ulead DVD MovieFactory
DivX.com Home Page

Virtual Set Technology

Hybrid-MC

• Easy Set: HMD, WOP

Visualization

For a set of articles from the SIGGRAPH Quarterly on visualization, see:

SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Newsletter February 00

For some key research from Microsoft, see:

George Robertson's Home Page

3DNA

The web site shows nothing at the moment.  However, they are one of the companies trying to make a 3D desktop using the techniques pioneered by the Architecture Machine Group at MIT in the '70s, in the Spatial Data Base Management System.  This is an interesting trend, worth watching.

Advanced Visual Systems (AVS)
Cimmetry Systems: AutoVue
Cybelius Software 3D Platform
IDELIX Software Inc.
Incremental Images
Inxight
Maps of the Web: visual Internet search directory
Multigen-Paradigm
O P T I C O R E
Viewpoint Corporation
Visualinsights
Vizible

VR

Multigen-Paradigm
SENSE8 Virtual Reality 3D Software
Terrex:  Terrain Models
Virtual Research Home Page
VREX
VR Systems
Worlds.com:  3D Collaborative Virtual Worlds on the Internet