Autobytel.com Previews 3D Modeling Technology for Customized Online Vehicle Selection
San Jose, CA, February 17, 1999
Updated
Jun 10, 2004 22:41:04
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Description: Autobytel.com inc., the premier Internet car-buying service, announced today that its Advanced Technology Department has developed a prototype in which car buyers can fully customize vehicles on the Autobytel.com website () before they buy. Autobytel.com's new 3D Virtual ShowroomU.S.Pat.Pend., designed to take advantage of the capabilities of Intel's forthcoming Pentium® III processor, will allow consumers to view complete three-dimensional models of vehicles. The prototype was demonstrated for the first time at the Intel Pentium III Processor Preview Day. Autobytel.com joined forces with Viewpoint Data Lab, the world's largest creator of 3D digital content, to develop the interactive automobile showroom that will change the way consumers shop for cars. After entering the 3D Virtual Showroom, car buyers will be able to view all interior and exterior angles of the vehicle in a true-to-life digitized format, as well as customize their car or truck with the options and accessories available. "Autobytel.com's 3D Virtual Showroom allows consumers to see their dream car the way they want to order it before they even visit a dealership," said Mark W. Lorimer, President and CEO of autobytel.com inc. "Intel's Pentium III processor gave our development team the power to create 3D car models that appear life-like. Viewpoint's history of creating 3D digital automobiles to achieve realistic effects in films, commercials, and computer games made them a natural partner to help create a compelling online experience that educates consumers about their options prior to test driving and ordering." "With the aid of 3D digital content from Viewpoint, Autobytel.com is the first e-commerce site to fully integrate 3D, enabling people to customize their automobile selection and visually enhance their decision-making process," said Martin Plaehnm, President of Viewpoint Data Labs, a subsidiary of Computer Associates. "With this solution, users can actually see what it is like to get inside of the vehicle, look inside the vehicle, walk completely around it, sit in different seats, and, while doing so, make changes to the vehicle."
"We applaud the teamwork of Autobytel.com and Viewpoint in creating this exciting Internet shopping application using the capabilities of the Intel Pentium III processor," said Sally Fundakowski, director of Shopping/Business Market Development at Intel. "Given the significant number of consumers who research future car purchases online, the new 3D Virtual Showroom should be a fun and useful tool."
The development of the 3D Virtual Showroom means car buyers no longer have to travel from dealership to dealership to view the exact car or truck they want to buy. The Virtual Showroom allows users to view a complete range of design detail and options, from sunroofs to spoilers. Car buyers can also exercise their imagination and experiment with different combinations of colors and accessories, empowering them with the freedom to make decisions from the comfort of their home or office. Autobytel.com's 3D Virtual Showroom takes full advantage of the capabilities of the Pentium III processor to create a realistic 3D environment for car buyers. However, Autobytel.com recognizes that users with older generation processors would also benefit from access to this powerful tool. To enable this, Autobytel.com's Advanced Technology Department utilized MetaCreations' MetaStream, a tool that will give those users a 3D image as well.
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