What is RealityServer?

RealityServer is a server-based, scalable infrastructure software platform for creating and deploying 3D Web Services. These are applications and application services that permit interactive and collaborative remote creation, manipulation and visualization of 3D digital content. For more information on solution areas, see Solution Areas.

Where can I buy RealityServer?

RealityServer 2.2 is available from mental images at www.mentalimages.com. A free Developer Edition can be downloaded there and commercial licenses can be obtained from mental images and its partners listed on the website.

Which 3D applications are supported by RealityServer

Content from the following applications is supported by RealityServer by loading scene date in the .mi format:

• AutoCAD®
• Autodesk 3ds max®
• Autodesk Inventor®
• Autodesk Maya®
• FreeForm®
• Softimage®|XSI®
• CATIA® V5
• SolidWorks®

Is RealityServer tied to a specific hardware?

RealityServer is licensed per server CPU, but it is not tied to a specific system.  The server may be a shared-memory system or a cluster of systems networked over a LAN or WAN (although local sharing is preferable).

How is RealityServer licensed?

RealityServer is licensed per server CPU where it is running.  There is no (additional) charge per client user or per usage.

What are typical applications for RealityServer?

See Solution Areas for an overview of typical RealityServer application areas.

Can I integrate RealityServer with my own application?

Yes, this is possible.

Can I run RealityServer in my own network.

Yes.

Are there any system integrators who can support RealityServer projects.

Yes. Please see Partners for details.

Which file formats are supported by RealityServer?

Currently, 3D scenes must be in the .mi format in order to be loaded into RealityServer; additional formats are supported through translators, see Features for details. .mi is an open scene description format described in detail in the documentation of mental ray.

The following Digital Content Creation and Computer Aided Design software products contain mental ray® and can support RealityServer:

• AutoCAD®
• Autodesk 3ds max®
• Autodesk Inventor®
• Autodesk Maya®
• FreeForm®
• Softimage®|XSI®
• CATIA® V4 and V5
• SolidWorks®

What (minimum) hardware is required for RealityServer?

As its name suggests, RealityServer is a server-based application program that is deployed on a computer statically connected to the Internet or intranet and accessible by a broadband connection.

While a 32-bit system with one CPU and 2 GB of memory is the minimum configuration for developing RealityServer applications, a recommended base configuration for deploying them would include a 64-bit server with four computer cores and at least 8 GB of memory.
The exact dimension of the server and connection required depend on such factors as the size and complexity of 3D scenes, resolution of images required and the number of concurrent users.

What skills are required to develop RealityServer applications?

Professional software development skills are required for both the development and deployment of RealityServer applications. See Operational Requirements for more details.

Are tutorials provided with the RealityServer SDK?

Yes.

What clients are supported by RealityServer?

All widely used browsers are supported. See Features for details.