| StrataVision 3D | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Strata |
| Final release | 5.0 / 1998 |
| Operating system | Classic Mac OS |
| Successor | Strata 3D |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | https://www.strata.com/ |
StrataVision 3D is a comprehensive3D computer graphics software package developed by Strata. Features include primitives-based modeling with texturising, keyframe animation,raytrace and laterradiosity rendering under the name ofRaydiosity.
It is notable for being part of the first wave of 3D graphics indesktop publishing. One particular milestone was rendering the environment in the blockbuster gameMyst entirely using StrataVision.[1][2] The multimedia novel,Sinkha, and the Warner Bros3D Looney Tunes Project were also created initially using this software.
StrataVision was released as the first product of the Strata company in 1989 to facilitate professional 3D graphics on regular desktopMacs.[3] 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 intoStrata 3D which is still developed to this day.[citation needed]
At the time, StrataVision and StrataStudio Pro offered certain features found on dedicated workstations that had not available before on Macintosh.
StrataVision 2.0 introduced theRaydiosity rendering algorithm,[3] an algorithm slower thanray 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.[4][5] Raydiosity is often described as Strata's experimental version ofradiosity, and at the time was the only implementation of a radiosity-like rendering algorithm available to Macintosh users.[6] It was only found in StrataVision and StrataStudio Pro.[4]
Another Strata specific rendering, found in StrataStudio Pro, was calledRayPainting and applied splotches of colour onto the surface of the object, making it looks like if it were hand painted.[7] Different effects can be applied to simulate the medium used, like, for example, chalk or water color.[4]
StrataVision 2.0 introduced an extension architecture, named SRX, that allowed, for example, to interoperate withPixar RenderMan or to distribute rendering across computers on the network.[3]
MacUser 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.[8]
 | Thisgraphics software–related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |