StrataVision 3D is a comprehensive
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics, or “3D graphics,” sometimes called CGI, 3D-CGI or three-dimensional computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for th ...
software package developed by Strata. Features include primitives-based modeling with texturising, keyframe animation,
raytrace and later
radiosity rendering under the name of ''Raydiosity''.
It is notable for being part of the first wave of 3D graphics in
desktop publishing
Desktop publishing (DTP) is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal ("desktop") computer. It was first used almost exclusively for print publications, but now it also assists in the creation of various forms of online c ...
. One particular milestone was rendering the environment in the blockbuster game ''
Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's character t ...
'' entirely using StrataVision.
The multimedia novel, ''
Sinkha
The Sinkha Project is a series of digital comics and multimedia novels created by Marco Patrito, an Italian science-fiction author and illustrator who has published comic novels in Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Holland and North Ame ...
'', and the Warner Bros
3D Looney Tunes Project were also created initially using this software.
History
StrataVision was released as the first product of the Strata company in 1989 to facilitate professional 3D graphics on regular desktop
Macs.
In 1993, StudioPro was added to the product line, with StrataVision remaining a reduced-feature "light" version.
In May 2000, the Strata product lineup was consolidated into
Strata 3D which is still developed to this day.
Features
At the time, StrataVision and StrataStudio Pro offered certain features found on dedicated workstations that had not available before on Macintosh.
Raydiosity
StrataVision 2.0 introduced the ''Raydiosity'' rendering algorithm,
an algorithm slower than
ray tracing, but offering a result deemed more realistic, by taking into account light reflection on textures, atmospheric conditions, inter-reflections between objects, among other things.
[
] Raydiosity is often described as Strata's experimental version of
radiosity, and at the time was the only implementation of a radiosity-like rendering algorithm available to Macintosh users. It was only found in StrataVision and StrataStudio Pro.
RayPainting
Another Strata specific rendering, found in StrataStudio Pro, was called ''RayPainting'' and applied splotches of colour onto the surface of the object, making it looks like if it were hand painted. Different effects can be applied to simulate the medium used, like, for example, chalk or water color.
Extensions
StrataVision 2.0 introduced an extension architecture, named SRX, that allowed, for example, to interoperate with
Pixar RenderMan
Pixar RenderMan (formerly PhotoRealistic RenderMan) is proprietary photorealistic 3D rendering software produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar uses RenderMan to render their in-house 3D animated movie productions and it is also available as ...
or to distribute rendering across computers on the network.
Reception
MacUser
''MacUser'' was a monthly (formerly biweekly) computer magazine published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. and licensed by Felden in the UK. It ceased publication in 2015.
In 1985 Felix Dennis’ Dennis Publishing, the creators of MacUser in the UK, l ...
in the September 1992 issue gave 4 1/2 mice (out of five) to StrataVision 3D 2.5 praising its excellent rendering quality and advanced texture control despite the slow rendering and the mediocre animation tools.
Version release history
*5.0 1998
*4.0: available in 1995. It introduced the ability to perform boolean operations,
*3.0 1994
*2.6: ?
*2.5: available in 1992.
It introduced "skin modeling" to wrap a surface around ribs, and "flex object" to make these ribs move or change shape over time. It also allow extruding font shapes.
*2.0: available in 1991 - introduced the Raydiosity rendering algorithm (not to be confused with
radiosity) along with more powerful modelling features, faster rendering, basic animation and extensibility.
*1.4: 1990
*1.0: August 1989
[ Existence of 1.0.x in April 1990]
References
External links
Strata's website
1989 software
3D graphics software
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