Adobe extends invite to step into the internet

NEWS Adobe Atmosphere supports content created with other 3D design tools such as Viewpoint, 3DStudio Max and Alias/Wavefront Maya. Asako Yoshimura, senior product manager for Atmosphere, said the software is designed to load quickly and leverage existing web standards, such as JavaScript, to program objects, special effects and animation. Bruce Damer, CEO of 3D web services company DigitalSpace, said that at present only "early adopters" are using 3D technology, but that Adobe Atmosphere could make the difference that will propel widespread uptake of the concept of a 3D internet. A beta version of the software that will work on Windows-based systems can be downloaded from the Adobe website. A Mac version will be available in the early summer. Adobe also expects to start shipping the final product in the summer.