Everyone here at the Dassault Systemes 2009 Energy Conference is passionate about energy, and it’s easy to see why. Every day we read and hear about the world’s energy challenges in the news – from rising worldwide energy demand, to the complex challenges of carbon dioxide emissions – and we are here in Orlando to learn how 3D and PLM technologies can help meet those challenges.

Energy is not only top-of-mind on the world’s stage, but at Dassault Systems as well, as the industry has great potential to benefit from 3D products in the future. We learned from our EVP Philippe Forestier that the energy market will be a key priority for the company in 2009. Learning from design challenges in other industries such as automotive and aerospace, where we have a deep heritage, the customers that we’re hearing from have already applied technology to help plan plant extensions and revamps and increase project complexity, while accomplishing tasks in less time and with less risk than before.

Between sessions, I had the opportunity to put on a pair of 3D glasses and stand in front of an 8 foot screen which placed me inside a nuclear power plant – virtually, of course. But, the lifelike experience demonstrates how valuable such technology can be to plan and perform maintenance, for example. I’ve never set foot in a nuclear power plant, but now I have a better understanding of what it might be like. A trained engineer with this technology at his disposal could show up on-site being completely prepared to perform a specific task that he simulated earlier.

It made me think of this year’s SuperBowl commercials — if you watched, you’ll know that a couple of them were in 3D. Are we at a ‘tipping point’ where 3D will start to become mainstream? It seems that way. We’re learning from other speakers how technology used previously for consumer products like video games is now being applied to a work environment with tremendous value.

More to come from Orlando!

Kit

Today Mehdi, Marc and I  were discussing the evolution of interactive communication and how 3DVIA Virtools had changed the way we’re communicating and “3D-evangelizing”.

Reviewing some old presentations, we began reminiscing about the day when we our website www.3ds.com was  awarded the Macromedia “Site of the day” with this Flash animation. We remembered how we dared to have another Richard (he’s the actor in the movie) breaking a cell phone (fast-forward to 3:50 to zoom to the phone part) with a hammer during the presentation, because we wanted to have a different tone in the way we were introducing our products. It’s not because they are stuffy, serious products that you can’t speak about with a tongue-in-cheek approach.

I remember someone began to sing something about 3D. And then it began … everyone got delirious about it. Happily enough, a computer artist, a good friend of ours, knew a very good musician in NYC, Shon ‘Chance’ Miller. Shon was using an interesting approach of graphics, 3D and music as an integrated media (you may want to check out his work on his site, Brainmixer). We contacted him with our first musical attempt, which left him rolling on the floor laughing.

It took Shon only a few moments to come with the following 3D rap, that instantly became an internal hit. I’d like to share it with you today. Just click play on the music widget and be sure to turn up your sound. Have fun! Do not hesitate to rap on it!

Today, we dropped Flash in favor of 3DVIA Virtools of course. We added the third dimension to our communications. We already told you about Khufu. What about a little rollercoaster ride to start your week-end?

Keep 3D-ing!

Regards,

Rich

Hi, this is Richard. Before I talk about Passion for Innovation, my usual playground, I’d like to share some thoughts about 3D as a universal language.

First, let me tell you I’m really fond of languages. I think language reveals many things about the unique genius of a given people. The origin and evolution of a language is tightly linked to its speakers’ history, and the colloquial expressions reflect the way they see the world. That’s why I try to learn some basic words and useful sentences whenever I travel in a country I’ve never been before. It’s a matter of respect and helps me to be open to other cultures.

So, what’s the link with 3D? At Dassault Systèmes we believe that 3D is a language in its own right, a universal language. At this point I imagine some of you may be raising your eyebrows in sort of a “what the heck are they talking about?” kind of way. Let me explain.

Getting rid of the Babel curse is an old dream, which led to humans trying to build universal languages. The most well-known ones are Volapük and Esperanto. Although the latter one is still spoken today, all failed to fulfill the dream.

The reason is that you do not build a language from scratch. As mentioned before, a language is tightly linked to history and the genius of the people who forged it. It reflects the people’s deepest nature.

So, are we hopeless? Of course not. Here enters 3D.

Look at children. Before they can speak as adults do, kids naturally use drawings to communicate their vision of the world and their feelings. They also use gestures. Adults will use gestures as well to try and communicate with foreigners when they do not know a single word of their language.

As soon as we can’t rely on words, we resort to a direct, non-verbal, more or less accurate representation of the world. In other words, we draw– either on a flat surface (2D) or “in the air” (3D gestures).

If we could have a direct, exact representation of the world to present to other people, we would use it to communicate. That’s the point. Interactive 3D is the solution.

• Because it’s 3D, it accurately represents our world (much better than a 2D drawing, even if you’re a reincarnated Da Vinci, perspective genius)
• Because it’s interactive, you can let people play around with it, manipulate it at will.

Let’s take an example: Jean-Pierre Houdin’s theory about the Great Pyramid building. The downloadable full story is as crystal clear as humanly possible. However, building such a monument needs techniques which are delicate to put into words. Because we all have different backgrounds and experiences, some specific words will carry different meanings, some sentences will ring loud and clear for architects or scientists but not for people unfamiliar with those universes.

Now, let’s consider the 3D site. Watch Jean-Pierre’s avatar explain his theory “in person”. Experience the interactive, 3D navigation. Walk around the pyramid and navigate to places where you would like to see more details. You can do it, it’s all in 3D, and it’s all real-time and interactive. Best of all, if you have a chance to attend the immersive 3D show at La Geode (a giant media dome in Paris), you will experience Khufu’s building as if you were in Egypt at that time. Wearing special glasses, you will be among the workers hauling blocks of limestone and see the monument taking shape stone after stone. No lecture, no matter if it’s made by the world’s best orator, can match that.

3D eliminates all barriers. It’s not anymore about cultural or educational backgrounds. It’s all about pure experience, sensations and emotions. 3D talks directly to your senses.

That’s why we believe 3D is the universal language. We’ll show it through new, exciting projects soon. Stay tuned!

Keep 3D-ing!

Regards,

Rich