Altair Partner Alliance Launches First Rendering Tool Which Applies Microsoft Kinect for Product Demonstration

TROY, Mich., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Altair Partner Alliance (APA) today announced that Seac02, developer of the real time rendering and augmented reality software LinceoVR, has joined the program. As the APA's first rendering tool, LinceoVR continues to increase and expand the depth of the program's simulation offering.

"We are looking forward to seeing where this new partnership leads both Seac02 and Altair," said Andrea Carignano, CEO at Seac02. "LinceoVR is a unique product within the APA and outside of it as well. We believe that the software will provide an exciting opportunity for HyperWorks users to bring models to life in new and creative ways without having first to manufacture prototypes.  This will be an asset for companies in reducing development costs and creating compelling concept designs."

LinceoVR renders 3D models in real time, bringing them to life with state-of-the-art tracking for augmented reality technologies. This capability enables users to share 3D models in new digital media through both virtual and augmented realities. With its drag-and-drop interface, the software makes it easy to deliver interesting Microsoft Kinect applications. LinceoVR can create customized on- and off-line scenarios, helping users present products in new and interactive ways. The software incorporates all the necessary aspects to accomplish this, including materials, geometry visualizations and lighting visualizations. The results turn existing content into a nearly tangible product within an interactive experience.

"LinceoVR will enable our engineering and design customers to visualize their concepts and products in real-world environments and even interact with them," said James Dagg, Chief Technology Officer at Altair. "This will take product design to a whole new level and is the perfect addition to our 3D modeling and visualization software lineup."

LinceoVR is extremely versatile, with applications in processes from engineering to design and marketing. Automotive and consumer goods producers and retailers can take advantage of LinceoVR to deliver persuasive arguments for product concept design, along with marketing and sales applications. LinceoVR can be also used in the packaging design phase for visual decision-making support. It is an impressive tool to present projects interactively to colleagues, partners and clients in the architecture industry.

LinceoVR possesses many integrations and compatibilities with Microsoft Kinect to help create its augmented realities, along with numerous trackers, such as marker tracking and natural feature tracking. In addition to realtime rendering, the software is capable of background subtraction and substitution (e.g. green screen), video recording, custom overlays and many other features. It includes such environment variables as reflections, backgrounds, materials, effects and sounds, all within a 360° rotation navigation system available on any axis and a camera path editor and player. LinceoVR can create and manage geometry and material variants and is supported by most standard 3D import file types.

Available for the past 13 years, Altair's innovative unit-based licensing system allows HyperWorks users customizable access to a growing portfolio of applications, optimizing their return on investment (ROI) by making more than 20 in-house-developed applications available by use of a single pool of recyclable HyperWorks units (HWUs).

Altair also has offered the opportunity for third-party companies to run their own applications under this unit-based system, a collaboration now known as the Altair Partner Alliance. The overall flexibility of these HWUs empowers users via access to the largest, most complete suite of CAE applications available. The ROI increases for users each time a new application is added to the offering, since any of the partner programs can be accessed using the same leased HWUs they are already using to run HyperWorks. This makes more than 60 additional applications available at no incremental cost or long-term commitment.

The introductory webinar for Seac02 is taking place on April 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. EST. HyperWorks users can learn more about the company and download LinceoVR at www.altairalliance.com/seac02.

About Seac02 S.r.l.

Seac02 is a digital craft house that provides companies and professionals virtual and augmented reality software and solutions to enhance the value of experiential technology-based activities. The company develops proprietary and custom products and applications dedicated to manufacturing, retail, marketing, communication, media and edutainment sectors and offers business solutions with a highly innovative added value.

About the Altair Partner Alliance

Altair's HyperWorks platform applies a revolutionary subscription-based licensing model in which customers use floating licenses to access on demand a broad suite of software applications developed by Altair and third-party companies. The Altair Partner Alliance effectively extends the HyperWorks Platform from more than 20 internally developed solutions to upwards of 60 applications with the addition of new partner applications. Customers can invoke these third-party applications at no incremental cost using their existing HyperWorks licenses. Customers benefit from unmatched flexibility and access, resulting in maximum software utilization, productivity and return on investment. For more information about the Altair Partner Alliance, visit www.altairalliance.com.

About Altair

Altair is focused on the development and broad application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance.  Privately held, with more than 2,000 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA and operates more than 40 offices in 20 countries.  Today, Altair serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments.  To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

SOURCE Altair Engineering