| 2D | Two-dimensional. |
| 3D | Three-dimensional. |
| 3G | Third Generation (mobile communication). Generally used as reference to public mobile communication systems based on the >UMTS standard. |
| API | Application Programming Interface. The defined, and generally published, interface of a software or hardware that can be addressed and used by another software. |
| B2B | Business to business. Used primarily to distinguish commercial relationships between businesses from those between a business and a consumer (>B2C). |
| B2C | Business to consumer. Used primarily to distinguish commercial relationships between businesses and consumers from those between businesses (>B2B). |
| Bluetooth | A recently standardized technology for wireless local data and voice communication, currently covering distances up to approx. 5 meters. |
| Cache | A part of computer memory that holds only a portion of the total data set. Data is loaded into the cache on demand, and discarded from the cache when it is no longer needed and the cache fills up. |
| CAD | Computer-aided Design (software). Software used for the design of industrial products and in the area of architecture. Prime users are the automotive, aerospace and industrial engineering industries and architects. Leading examples are such products as CATIA® from Dassault Systèmes/IBM or AutoCad® from Autodesk, Inc.. |
| Client | A (part of a) software program performing actions only in conjunction with >Server components or other clients. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit (of a computer). A computer may have multiple central processsors and networks of computers can combine several thousand CPUs to work on a given task. |
| DCC | Digital Content Creation (software). Software used for the design of animated sequences and special effects in motion pictures as well as video and computer games. Leading examples are such products as Autodesk 3ds max®, Maya® from Autodesk and SoftimageXSI® from Avid/Softimage. |
| Developer Kit | A software package or version of a software program designed for and licensed to the developers of other software application programs. |
| ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning (software). Software used by companies to plan and manage the basic commercial functions of their business, such as budgeting, accounting, human resources, material flows, etc. Leading examples are such products as SAP R3® from SAP. |
| EUR | Euro (currency). |
| FCS | First Customer Shipment. Initial delivery of a completed product to an external customer. |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile Communication. The most widely used current technology for mobile telephony and data communication. GSM systems were originally conceived for voice telephony and provide only very limited bandwidth for data communication. |
| imatter™ | A product of mental images. The component of RealityServer that manages user interactions and operators that implement RealityServer application policy. |
| iray™ | A product of mental images. The component of RealityServer that manages transactions, the >scene databases, the >cache, and renders the >scene. |
| LAN | Local Area Network. The infrastructure of computers connected locally via a network. Increasingly, computers are linked via wireless LANs, thereby increasing their versatility (>WLAN). LANs are often inter-connected via >WANs. |
| mental matter® | A product of mental images. A highly efficient modeling tool for 3D graphics applications based on proprietary algorithms developed and patented by mental images. |
| mental ray® | A product of mental images. A separate single-user >rendering engine that >iray is built on. |
| MEUR | Million Euros. |
| MUSD | Million United States Dollars. |
| OEM | Original Equipment Manufacturer. The manufacturer whose (hardware and/or software) product is integrated into that of another manufacturer prior to its shipment to an end-user. |
| OpenGL | A widely used >API for programming the >2D and >3D graphics components of software programs. |
| PC | Personal Computer. |
| PDA | Personal Digital Assistant. A small handheld computer, such as a Palm Pilot or pocket pc product. Increasingly, such computers include high-resolution color screens and Internet connectivity. |
| PLM | Product Lifecycle Management (software). Software tools used, primarily by industrial manufacturing companies to document and support the complete life cycle of their products and to devise and manage ancillary services, such as product maintenance. PLM products are increasingly integrated with >ERP and >CAD software. |
| R & D | Research and Development. |
| Ray Tracing | A >rendering technique, based on complex mathematical algorithms, to accurately represent any conceivable representation of light, including reflections and refractions as well as any conceivable surface forms and materials. |
| RealityServer® | A product of mental images. A software platform for multi-user, interactive collaboration involving >2D or >3D images based on existing data from >CAD or >DCC applications. |
| Rendering, [to] render | The process of computing, pixel by pixel, one or more 2D images from 3D scene data, from the viewpoint of a simulated camera. |
| Runtime Environment | The component of a software (package) designed and licensed for the deployment of an application program (as distinct from developing it). |
| Scene (Database) | A database describing all elements of a virtual 3D world and their relations. >iray accesses and evaluates portions of the scene database by loading it into its >cache and manipulating it there. |
| Server | (1) The central element(s) of a software program, running on a server computer that provides data or services to >clients on request. (2) A computer, often in a compute center, running the central elements of one or many software programs. |
| SPM® | Software Protection Manager. mental images' proprietary licensing and software protection system. |
| TCO | Total Cost of Ownership (of an IT system). A frequently used measurement to assess the total cost of maintaining (or investing in a new) IT system, including hardware, software, installation and maintenance services, and the associated cost of the business process(es) that the IT system supports. |
| UMTS | Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. The upcoming globally standardized system for mobile telephony and data communication. Contrary to the current >GSM systems, UMTS will allow for broadband data communication to mobile units. It is expected to launch in Europe from late 2003, but to become widely available only in the 2005/2006 time frame. |
| WAN | Wide Area Network. The infrastructure used to connect local networks and single computers over greater distances, often using public networks or the Internet. |
| Web | Short for "World Wide Web", the most visible portion of the Internet. |
| WLAN | Wireless Local Area Network. A recently standardized technology for (relatively) high-speed wireless data communication in local network environments (currently covering areas of up to 20-60 meters inside buildings and up to 300 meters outside). Several WLAN nodes may be connected to cover larger local areas. |