Press Release

New version Walkinside 4.0
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PLASMA ! A new way
to share information
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PL Operation in
Command & Control Rooms
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Support

FAQ

How do you compare Walkinside with other VR software ?

One of the main differentiators of Walkinside is the support of FULL collision-detection processing in real time. This means that the software supports the first person mode (see next FAQ) from the outset, allowing you to feel much more immersed in the VR world than with any other VR software application. Walkinside supports massive model walkthroughs, as well as models containing enormous amount of curved surfaces like pipes and elbows. Also, we keep always in mind the ease of use of our software during our developments.


Why do I need a "First Person Mode" VR software ?

First person mode is a navigation mode where the "camera" is positioned in the eyes of an animated, human like character. Having such living actor at your fingertips, you will feel more immersed in the VR world. The camera thus behaves as a real human, being blocked in front of walls or obstacles, climbing stairs or ladders, and stopping where there is no space enough to let a human body go through an opening. Also the scale factor of visited areas is well understood, the stress of major disaster conditions is correctly reproduced and the conducted task is better understood and memorized.


Why do I need "collision detection" ?

Real time walkthrough with full collision detection and gravity is the only way to let you visit a 3D world as if you were really in it. You can try to go everywhere, without restrictions. You are stopped by the size of a human body and its physical/biological constrains. You cannot physically jump 10 meters high or go through a hole of 10 cm wide. Sure, the software has a keystroke command letting you go to areas where normally only ghosts can go, but in this case, you will not benefit from the realistic immersion characteristics.


Why is Walkinside so fast ?

Our product line is based on dynamic tessellation for curved surfaces, automatic object rejection for far away objects, patented 3D graphics technology and collision detection system. Using these techniques allows you process extremely complex 3D models, without having to lower the level of detail or any other tedious pre-processing optimization.

Why can I not compare the power of Walkinside with other VR software ?

Walkinside has higher levels of unique functionality: full collision detection, first person mode, strong support for curved objects and no model size limit. If you do try to load huge models, the software will run slower depending on your graphics card capabilities, but will never simply fail as it is frequent with other software. A typical Walkinside file contains one million static polygons plus thousand of curved surfaces.


I do not have a CAD system. What is the path to build my VR plant model ?

You do not need to own a CAD system at all to use our software. Take a look at the two following questions to find an answer to your specific situation.


I have no CAD team, no CAD manager and no CAD workstation. Can I use Walkinside ?

You can request sub-contractors to create 3D CAD models of your projects. When you get your 3D model, you can request one of our VAR's to convert your model for a very low fee. Having yourself the 3D model means that you can reuse it later for subsequent rework or use with other products, even from another company.

Can I use Walkinside over my network/over Internet ?

Walkinside Pro is TCP/IP network compatible, whether you want to use it on your LAN or through the Internet (if you do not use a firewall). It allows you to collaborate within the same VR model across the network or Internet. Each user sees the other one.

How big/large can be my model ?

The file format is not limited in size. The software is built from scratch to handle massive models, as big as a nuclear reactor room or the biggest offshore platform. Wide outdoors areas are supported as well (above 10 km wide).

How can I create VR models from existing facilities ?

There are many ways to create 3D models from existing facilities: on site measurements by hand, photogrammetry or laser scanning. Laser scanning is very adequate for its short delivery delay.

Do I need specific VR interface to use your Walkinside ?

You need a 1 GHz or higher frequency CPU, at least 512 MB of RAM, a mouse with two buttons and a graphic card supporting OpenGL. If your application requires a very high level of immersion, you can use a helmet with a head movement tracking system. The tracking system will replace the mouse to free the user of navigation keystrokes, and the helmet will hide the real world scene (office, spectator, lights, trainer, …) to focus only on the VR scene and action. Very specific application can also use position tracking systems (for projects with control room, show room or any room limited in size), or data glove for objects manipulation. For clearance evaluation, a helmet with stereoscopic lenses could be used without any software changes or settings. Stereoscopic glasses are also a very cheap way to look to your 3D model in a completely new way.

Can I use an inexpensive 3D games graphic card to run your software ?

Any recent 3D graphic card can be used with our software, whatever the price or the memory size, but we recommend the use of a graphic card embedding a Transformation and Lightning (T&L) engine. Walkinside is optimized for the Nvidia Quadro and GeForce graphic chips. Any recent professional OpenGL graphic card is also well suited.