SpeedTree

Infobox Software
name = SpeedTree



caption =
developer = Interactive Data Visualization, Inc.
latest_release_version =
latest_release_date =
latest_preview_version =
latest_preview_date =
operating_system =
genre = Middleware
license =
website = [http://www.speedtree.com/ SpeedTree Official Website]

SpeedTree is a programming package produced by Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) that generates virtual foliage in real time for video games and simulations. It has been licensed to next generation MMORPG and PC video game developers clarifyme.

Origins

In a "Postmortem" feature on Gamasutra.com [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20040917/meredith_01.shtml] , Kevin Meredith of IDV recounted SpeedTree as originating due to their lack of satisfaction with 3rd-party plug-ins on the market. The initial version of SpeedTreeCAD ("CAD" standing for "computer-aided design") was developed by IDV for a real-time golf simulation. Although backers pulled out of the golf project, IDV refined the CAD software as a 3D Studio Max component for an animated architectural rendering. After refining SpeedTreeMAX for retail, IDV went on to produce the real-time version SDK version to much commercial success.

Components

"SpeedTreeRT" ("RT" standing for "real-time") is a software development kit (SDK) written in C++ whose source code is available to licensees. It is intended to be fitted into a larger graphical engine, with the SpeedTree software handling the rendering of trees and foliage alone and the specific product's engine incorporating these into the larger environment.

"SpeedTreeCAD" is a Windows-based specialized modeling tool created specifically for creating and editing foliage. SpeedTreeCAD permits specification of such variables as branch length, branching angles, bark texture and gravitational influence, and then generates a tree from that information. Trees created in SpeedTreeCAD can be more or less detailed, and consequently can be used for either real-time or prerendered display.

IDV also provides "SpeedTreeMAX" and "SpeedTreeMAYA", plug-ins for the popular 3D Studio Max and Maya modeling programs.

Licensees

SpeedTreeMAX was launched in February 2002, and SpeedTreeRT was licensed for its first titles, including "", in December 2002. SpeedTree has been licensed for MMO, PC, and next-generation console titles with developers including:

* 8monkey Labs * Activision * Atari * Bethesda Softworks * Big Huge Games * Bizarre Creations * BioWare * Blue Byte Software * CD Projekt * Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment * Cornered Rat Software * Cryptic Studios * EA Mythic * Eidos Interactive * Electronic Arts * Epic Games * Frontier * Funcom Productions * Gearbox Software * Gravity Corp. * HSC Labs * Insomniac * Intelligent Soft * Koei * Larian Studios * LucasArts * Massive Entertainment * Microsoft Game Studios * Midway

* Monte Cristo * Namco Bandai * NCsoft * NetEase * Nexon * Ninja Theory * People Can Fly * Perpetual Entertainment * Piranha Bytes * Pivotal Games * Pseudo Interactive * Real Time Worlds * Rockstar Games * S2 Games * SEGA * Sierra Entertainment * Silicon Knights * Simutronics * Sony Computer Entertainment * Square Enix * Star Vault * Take-Two Interactive * THQ * Ubisoft * Vivendi Games * Volition * WEBZEN * Zelian Games * "

SpeedTree is a licensed middleware partner with both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

SpeedTree has partnered with Epic Games in order to integrate the software with Epic's Unreal Engine 3. Partnerships have also been formed between SpeedTree and BigWorld Tech, the Vision Engine by Trinigy, Multiverse Network, and the Gamebryo engine by Emergent Game Technologies.

peedTree in Games

*9Dragons * *Auto Assault * *Call of Duty 3 *Crackdown *Darkest of Days *Dragon Age *Deer Hunter Tournament * *Elveon *Enchanted Arms *Fallen Earth *Fallen Lords: Condemnation *Fatal Inertia * *Fury * *Gothic III *Granado Espada / Sword of the New World *Grand Theft Auto IV *The Guild II *Hero's Journey *Holic Online *Huxley *The Last Remnant *Immortals: The Heavenly Sage *Juiced 2 : Hot Import Nights * *Mortal Online *Neverwinter Nights 2 *The Outsider *Pirates of the Burning Sea

*Project Gotham Racing 3 *Project Gotham Racing 4 *Ragnarok Online II *Ragnesis Online * * * * *Roma Victor *Sacred 2 *Saints Row * *Second Life * *Shrek the Third *Silverfall *Soul of the Ultimate Nation * *Spider-Man 3 *Stargate Worlds * *Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 (Xbox 360 only) *Too Human *Unreal Tournament 3 *Trials of Atlantis * *The Witcher *World in Conflict *World War II Online *ZerA *Wildlife Park 2 *Winterheart's Guild

This list is incomplete, and may never satisfy certain standards for completion, as many game developers do not reveal their use of middleware, or will not announce the tools they have used until the game is released.

peedTree in Non-Game Applications

SpeedTree has been integrated as an optional module with the Vega Prime visualization product line ( [http://www.multigen.com/news/pr/0411_07.pdf official announcement] ) developed by MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc. (now Presagis) prior to its acquisition by CAE in May 2007. Vega Prime is a 3D visual simulation software package used by the global military industry and in other game and non-game markets

In addition, the following non-game projects have been announced by IDV:

*An Apache attack helicopter FLIR simulation developed for the US Army by Camber Corp. of Huntsville, Alabama, for pilot training under night flying conditions
*A combat simulation developed by Emergent Game Technologies for the US Department of Defense ( [http://www.speedtree.com/press/PR_Emergent_Licenses_SpeedTreeRT_April_12_06.pdf official announcement] ).
*A project under development by the Germany-based division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) ( [http://www.speedtree.com/press/PR_EADS_Deutschland_Licenses_SpeedTreeRT_February_21_06.pdf official announcement] ).

Awards

* Finalist, 2008 Develop Industry Excellence Awards, in the Technology & Services, Tools Providers category. Develop, a UK-based magazine and website serving the game industry, first recognized industry achievements in a variety of categories in 2003.
* 2005 Frontline Award, Middleware category. This award program, sponsored by Game Developer magazine, recognizes exceptional game development tools.
* Frontline Award Finalist: 2003, 2004, 2006
* MT2 Top 100: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008. The MT2 Top 100 awards are sponsored by Kerrigan Media International and Military Training Technology to recognize companies and technologies that have made a significant impact in the military training industry.

ee also

*Game engine

External links

* [http://www.speedtree.com/ SpeedTree Official Website] - features news updates, affiliate information, videos and screenshots of SpeedTree products.
* [http://www.speedtree.com/html/pangaea_main.htm Trees of Pangaea demo] - free hardware demonstration showing the capabilities of SpeedTree (134 MB, available in smaller packages).
* [http://www.idvinc.com/ Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. Official Website] - the website of the developers of SpeedTree.
* [http://www.speedtree.com/html/downloads_images.htm SpeedTree Gallery] - features screenshots of SpeedTree at work.
* [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20040917/meredith_01.shtml Gamasutra feature article on SpeedTree]
* [http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/media_movies.htm The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion video] - the chapter 2 video features Bethesda Softwork's implementation of SpeedTreeRT.