Anark Studio Goes Gold
The product’s architecture is based around the authoring of interactive media presentations containing 2D and 3D graphics, text, data, audio and video. It also manages instructions for how the elements relate to each other (i.e., video overlayed onto a moving/transforming 3D object) and how they behave (i.e., a video clip that plays in a timeline or loops continually).
Anark’s authoring software is intended for use by graphics professionals — as opposed to 3D modelers whose sophisticated work might simply be imported into Anark Studio. It also includes features like adding animation effects to 3D objects. Basic 3D shapes such as cubes and spheres are included in a drag and drop pallet for authors.
It’s the interactivity combined with the advanced multimedia, however, that makes Anark unique. All the objects can be acted upon in real-time by end users. This rendering/interactivity engine allows client-side video/animation layering, 3D object manipulation, drag and drop of objects with corresponding movement of 3D worlds, and any number of other real-time interactive possibilities. This same basic engine allows real-time scrubbing along the authoring environment’s editing timeline.
At present, Anark is a download technology, except that audio and video may be streamed. Audio may be included within the binary file generated for a presentation by Anark Studio, or it may be left separate for synchronization at rendering time. Video presently works externally, with delivery and synchronization in the player at rendering time. The demo clips shown ranged from 56KB to 1.3MB in size, with many in the 100KB to 300KB size range.
Future plans for the product include a streaming server to deliver true streaming of 2D/3D objects, animations, and more such that the user experience begins instantly and is intelligently enhanced as more information is streamed into the client. A definite timeframe for delivery was not available, though company officials suggested that delivery might occur sometime next year. Following the streaming server’s release, Anark plans to release advanced capabilities including dynamic content generation (for all the objects, behaviors, and other capabilities) and client-to-client communications.
The applications targeted for Anark’s technology are enterprises/corporate communications, distance learning, computer-based training, Web site enhancement, interactive advertising, kiosks and entertainment/gaming.
The biggest challenge facing Anark is that it is a proprietary solution in the midst of a world where even giants are fighting to keep their proprietary solutions in the game and open standards are increasingly in demand. The reason for this, according to CTO Scott Collins, is simple: "We believe that there’s an appetite for this now, not years from now." But if this technology works as advertised, it may seize a unique and leading position for Web delivered interactive media.
The $1,495 product, available to Streaming Media East attendees for $749 at Anark’s booth, consists primarily of its authoring environment but also includes its freely distributable player. Company officials explained that while the software has been released to manufacturing, it would not be available in retail format for a few weeks, although pre-orders are being taken now.