STATE
TECHNOLOGY LEADERS TEAM UP FOR
3-D
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
NTTC
and Blackwood Associates Kick Off Program to
Strengthen
3-D and Virtual Reality Programs
Morgantown, W.Va. – Representatives from two of the
Mountain State’s leading technology-based firms signed a formal
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to strengthen the development of
3-Dimensional (3-D) and Virtual Reality software in West Virginia.
The Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) of
Wheeling, W.Va., and Blackwood Associates, Inc. (BAI) of Fairmont, W.Va.
entered into the MOU in an effort to push the threshold in photo-realistic
interactive architectural models and the associated advanced visualization
techniques.
The
MOU was signed at Teaming to Win, a premiere business conference devoted
to advocating and advancing teamwork among West Virginia businesses and
organizations to win contracts, provide services or develop products,
taking place May 31-June 1 at Lakeview Scanticon Resort in Morgantown.
Jack Carpenter, vice president for Technology & E-business Development
at NTTC, and Kenton Blackwood, vice president at BAI, signed the MOU on
behalf of their organizations.
According to the MOU, both institutions will benefit from the
“free and open exchange of visualization technologies, ideas, and
products” to strengthen their respective programs.
“NTTC is vitally interested in visualization and 3-D development
for the web and other applications,” Carpenter said. “We believe this
to be the wave for the future for visualization of technologies, training
and whole world of other uses.”
Blackwood agrees, and says that the new partnership will allow for
development beyond current capabilities.
“BAI
is excited to be entering into this MOU with NTTC,” he added. “We are
confident that both parties will benefit from the assets the other
provides. With the help of NTTC, we can now unleash the imagination.”
Known
for its expertise in facilitating the transfer of federally funded
technologies to the private sector, NTTC has recently embarked on an
initiative to promote economic development in West Virginia. To support
this effort, NTTC has been acquiring the software and capabilities to
provide 3-D and Virtual Reality development. As an architectural firm, BAI
recognized early on the integral part that computers and information
technology would play in the architectural industry. Since 1994, BAI has
been creating and providing 3D Virtual Reality models as a specialized
service.
“We
began using computers to create 3D architectural models in 1994. Back
then, our vision far exceeded what could be accomplished in the virtual 3D
environment,” Blackwood said. “Today
we are much closer to realizing that idea. Creating an interactive,
photo-realistic virtual reality is not merely conceptual anymore. With
the talents of BAI and the resources of NTTC, we can continue toward that
idea and perhaps see the Virtual Reality imagination unleashed here in
West Virginia.”
The
MOU provides for cooperation in three particular areas. NTTC and BAI will
cooperate to enhance the development of interactive photo-realistic
models, such as those BAI produced of the B&O Railroad Building in
Grafton, W.Va., to approach a more photo-realistic, real-time interactive
simulation of an environment. Further, NTTC will expand its
computational infrastructure to rapidly render 3-D virtual models, as
well as augment its display technology to allow for a more accurate
“experience” in the virtual environment. Finally, in order to
facilitate the common goals, NTTC will
assist Blackwood Associates in
evaluating Broadband Internet connection options.
“This is the perfect blend of NTTC’s technology, combined
with Blackwood’s understanding of architecture and heritage
preservation,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter also pointed out the regional economic impact of this
partnership.
“Not only does the work between NTTC and Blackwood have potential
for economic improvement through the revitalization of historic structures
throughout the state of West Virginia, but also through the creation of a
valuable technology resource – one that would be available to other
firms in the state,” Carpenter said. “By purchasing the technology
developed by NTTC and Blackwood, other firms will have the opportunity to
build their technological foundation to improve their own business.”
The MOU, to be in effect June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2003, does
not provide for the commitment of any financial resources by either party,
and any such agreement would be defined by separate documents.
Located at Wheeling Jesuit University, NTTC was established by the
U.S. Congress in 1989 to strengthen American industry by providing access
to federally funded technologies. Today, it is a full-service technology
commercialization center, providing access to the largest collection
anywhere of federal technology information, technology commercialization
training, technology assessment services, assistance in finding strategic
business partners and electronic business development services.
Blackwood
Associates,
Inc. provides a wide range of architectural, planning and visualization
services, including architectural planning and design,
site
planning and evaluation,
interior
space planning and programming,
building
investigations and assessments, historical structure evaluation, and
interactive 3-D design and visualization. Originally founded in 1959 as
L.D. Schmidt & Son, Architects and Engineers, and later renamed in
1981, the firm has maintained leadership in the design of
state-of-the-art educational, medical, commercial, residential, and
recreational facilities. BAI has successfully completed more than 750
projects with a construction value in excess of $500 million.
For more information about NTTC, call 1-800-678-6882 or visit www.nttc.edu
and for more information about Blackwood Associates, Inc., call (304)
366-1580 or visit www.wvarchitects.com
|
