Research and Development at I-maginer

… Strength and Innovation of a Technology originates from its concept …

o3d_perspective_1600_txt-150x1501Since its foundation, I-maginer develops web 3D applications based on a high level and open Source Language: SCOL.

Strength and Innovation of this language originates from its concept: « The possibility of dynamically and quickly creating 3D multi-user Applications” what differentiates it from most other existing  technologies (excepting video games solutions).

I-maginer has established a strong strategic focus on innovation and R&D to put in lights and to develop the core of the SCOL Technology.

SCOL : A Complete Language

SCOL language is a fully complete technology based on a virtual machine. To describe the power of such a technology we could list the main libraries and APIs included in the language allowing to create 3D applications :

  • 3D Engine
  • 2D APIs
  • Network API
  • Communication with Data base Library
  • API to manage Multimedia and ActivX
  • IHM Management Library

We cannot speak about SCOL without mentioning its multi-user dimension.

Moreover, SCOL is fully evolutive. Indeed, it is easily possible to create new “plugins” enriching the language. For example, we can add Virtual Reality Interface (Augmented Reality, VR IHM…), Speech APIs or Domotic management…

SCOL : Web3D Precursor

The development of the first 3D Engine for SCOL started in 1997.

In 2001, the first version of the SCOL OpenGL 3D Engine, called ZooEngine, already allowed the creation of virtual environments on public computers of that time!

Since 2007, I-maginer has established a strong strategic focus on innovation and R&D to evolve towards better rendering quality and the development of new features.

However, due to its weak possibilities of evolutions, the ZooEngine was somewhat outdated.

That is why, since 2008 I-maginer has been actively working on the integration of a new Open Source 3D Engine.

Ogre 3D coupled with SCOL

At that time, I-maginer made an important strategic choice for SCOL Technology. Rather than reinventing the wheel it was better to focus on developing a new 3D engine incorporating powerful features. We oriented our choice on Ogre 3D Engine.

Ogre 3D is one of the best Open Source 3DEngine.

It allows the creation of high quality 3D environments with a strong compatibility with present 3D technologies.

Available Technical Features

The SO3Engine integrates some powerful features derived from the Ogre Engine :

  • Platform & 3D API support : Full Compatibility DirectX/OpenGL,Renderer Properties, Hardware and OS Information,
  • Scene Management : Management of 3D Objects (mesh, lights, cameras, skyboxes…) to gain full control over the scene organisation, Hierarchical scene graph, Dynamic and realistic Lighting, Multiple shadow rendering techniques,
  • Material/Shader Supports : Full Management of Material effects, Supports vertex and fragment programs (shader), Texture compression and management,
  • Animations : Sophisticated skeletal animation support, Animation of SceneNodes,
  • Others Features : Dynamic Resources Management, Physics Engine based on Newton Engine, Benefits of the Ogre Community (exporters)

R&D Objectives

The development of SCOL Technology does not only concerns 3D, I-maginer has also other priorities.

First, SCOL applications will soon be integrated into web Browsers.

Another priority is to enhance the Voice over IP to comply to present standards.

I-maginer is also investigating Virtual Reality through the development and integration of innovative IHM.

Finally, I-maginer is part of fundamental research projects (with the support of the French ministry of Research) applied to different fields such as : Image processing, Speech recognition or Web3D standardization.

OpenSpace3D

These developments are for I-Maginer a prefiguration of its new development platform: OpenSpace3D.

OpenSpace3D is our final objective, allowing SCOL to be a leading technology for real-time 3D  and Web3D applications.

It is an online multi-user development platform for collaborative 3D web projects in SaaS mode.

OpenSpace3D’s aim is to help develop new 3D environments in the field of collaborative work (distant meetings, webconferences), training (virtual classroom, learning and serious games), simulation, innovation, e-commerce (virtual shops and malls), Virtual Reality applications, social networks for expression and sharing (personal 3D spaces) or massively multiuser games (MMOG)… for both B2B and B2C uses based on 3D and real-time collaboration.

These developments set a new direction for I-Maginer that is now positioned in the field of integration and development of open source technologies as an Open Source computing service company.

The open source platform OpenSpace3D will spearhead.