If you look at today’s advanced 3D design tools, the amount of product-related information that’s held within the 3D model is incredible. We’re talking about a micron perfect definition of the geometry of each part, how those parts interact, their material definitions, manufacturing information and functional requirements. But aside from using this data for digital mock-up and interference detection, simulation and analysis and for the basis for engineering and manufacturing drawings, how many organisations take the re-use of that data further down the line?

When used for visualisation, EON's tools allow you to takes advantage of all of the current technologies for photo realistic simulation, such as HDRI mapping to achieve realistic lighting conditions.

Surely something as valuable as a complete product definition should be reused as many times as possible through the lifecycle of that product? Well this is the concept behind EON Reality’s Interactive 3D software applications. At a very high level, EON’s offerings allow you to take raw 3D CAD data and repurpose it for four major application areas – Product Development; Purchasing; Sales and Marketing and Maintenance; and Support and Training.

But before we get on to that, let’s take a quick look at the basic workings of the system, how you go about repurposing your CAD data, and then look at how the technology benefits each of the four key areas.

CAD data optimisation

EON’s offering is split into several products and your selection of them depends on where you wish to take your 3D data. Whichever way you go, at the core is the EON Studio application. It’s here that your core CAD geometry is imported and adapted for efficient visualisation. In terms of pure data import, the system includes a number of intelligent translators that connect to a range of different systems, either through standard style formats (such as VRML, STL, IGES, STEP, or ZGL/XGL) or though direct connections with the host CAD system, such as Inventor, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer (via the SLP format) and Catia. The import process also covers how that data is handled. As you’d expect, EON uses tessellated data to achieve the efficient handling of often complex CAD geometry. What the system allows you to do is control how the tessellation process is carried out, so you can achieve a workable trade off between surface accuracy and efficient manipulation, which depends on your end use requirements.

EON Reality's Studio application handles everything from data import and preparation to adding behaviours and visual properties and interactions to your models.

For example, for high-end visualisation a higher polygon count is desirable, as you’ll be conducting design reviews, but for Web-based sales and marketing activities, the need for smaller file sizes will dictate that the polygon counts is lowered.

Aside from geometry, the real power of the EON tools is the ability to add a huge range of actions, capabilities, and visual characteristics to that base geometry. Here we’re talking about texture and material maps of a very high order, kinematic, motion and animation controls, as well as all manner of interactivity. It’s really a case of what you want to do with your model. If you just want it to look photorealistic, this can be achieved relatively easily once you have applied the appropriate textures. You can also take advantage of cutting-edge technologies like HDRI light maps to ensure that the way the light interacts with your product is simulated correctly.

If you want to take things further, the system provides you with a massive arsenal of tools to add the details that you require. If you want to have a door or roof fold back when you click it, for example, then this can be done, without a massive amount of re-engineering.

A virtual sales tool

For those looking to adopt this technology for sales/marketing or training purposes, then you’re looking at a little more work to be able to create the required levels of animation and interactivity. For point of sale solutions some custom programming is going to be required to link together the 3D model with a manageable application that fulfils the sales role requirements. A good implementation example is the work that EON does with Suzuki in the US to create a store-based interactive display, which allows the sales staff and customers to interact with virtual products, inspect them from whatever angle they desire and add accessories.

According to Suzuki, the process is very simple. Once the customer has selected the vehicle of their choice, they use the electronic kiosk assisted by the sales person to “facilitate and enhance the entire purchasing experience.” They can view, rotate and zoom in and out of the motorcycle from any angle, select any available colour, and add and view accessories such as chrome details, bags, lights etc. Furthermore, the customer can view vehicle features and receive more detailed information by simple hovering the mouse over a part. Once the customer is satisfied with the selections, they can experience the configured bike in full screen mode; receive a monthly cost estimate including extended protection guarantee as well as a customised brochure with detailed pictures and information for the motorcycle of their choice.

Finally, EON's tracking tools allow owners and managers to better understand customers' preferences and thereby increase the performance of their salesforce and increase profits.

Another organisation that’s adopted EON’s tools for consumer communication is the manufacturer of Liftgate products, Interlift. The company has implemented EON’s technology within its Website and on CD-ROM to assist with the sales process. If you take a look at Interlift's web site (www.interlift.net/htm/products/index.htm) customers are able to select a product and explore it in 3D as well as get a clear understanding of how the products are connected to the trucks. In addition, the customer can receive a step-by-step demonstration how the lift-gate loads and unloads in different conditions with the truck on level ground, on angled ground and at dock.

" EON�s offerings allow you to repurpose raw 3D CAD data for Product Development, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing and Maintenance, Support and Training. "

According to Interlift’s president, Hakan Peterson, the company’s products previously required physical demonstrations and face to face meetings in order to sell. Now, by adopting EON’s online demo tools, Interlift has been able to close sales over the phone as features that were traditionally difficult to explain over the phone can now be demonstrated online in a few seconds.

In conclusion

You might have noticed that I haven’t used the term Virtual Reality anywhere is this feature� well, until now. The reason is that I really object to it. For years, we’ve been led to believe that VR is the next big thing and many organisations have been there and tried it and abandoned it. It’s a bit like calling the Internet, the Information Super-Highway – very 1990s.

What we’re talking about here is the emergence of converging solutions, the bringing together of all manner of developments, both current and in the near future – and it goes way beyond many people’s preconceptions of Virtual Reality. Graphics hardware is getting faster, cheaper and more powerful because it’s being driven by the cutting edge 3D gaming market. Hand held devices are getting more and more powerful and I’m sure there’s a break through in human-machine interaction just around the corner (and again, this will be driven by the gaming market).

What this adds up to is that we have a more than capable IT environment in which the design and manufacturing industry can prosper beyond the realms of traditional design and manufacture. This might be sales staff interacting with customers on a hand held PC to configure a custom product on the fly, or using 3D display technology as the basis for communication. It might even be a web-based sales process for potential customers to sit down and configure the product of their dreams from a range of standardised items – making the customer more engaged in the process and hopefully encouraging them to click the ‘Buy Now’, rather than the ‘Cancel’ button.

Display technology has also moved on, and immersive walls and 3D stereoscopic display technologies give an impressive sense of realism, rather than just a headache. Indeed, the display set-up that UK EON Reality reseller, Design Academy, has installed at the Digital Knowledge Exchange at Doncaster College illustrates this perfectly. Walk in, slip on a simple pair of polarised glasses and prepare to be gob-smacked. The display is precise, the 3D image amazing (particularly when you consider that it’s run from one of those small form factor Shuttle PCs) and when the tools in the EON Reality range are taken to the highest level, design reviews can be conducted in the environment they should be – one where ultra realism comes as standard.