Vizrt Announces Integration Of Curious Software To Offer New 'Map Server'

Vizrt has announced the integration between its Viz|Curious World Maps software with other key Vizrt products including: Viz|Artist graphics design tool, Viz|Trio real-time CG, Viz|Content Pilot content management and control software, and the Viz|Weather real-time broadcast weather solution.
Following its 2005 acquisition of UK-based Curious Software, Vizrt is now offering a new 'Map Server' which serves as an Active X plug-in for Viz|Artist, Viz|Content Pilot, Viz|Trio, and Viz|Weather. The Map Server bridges the Vizrt graphics applications with Viz|Curious World Maps.
Vizrt recently demonstrated a newly developed integration between Viz|Curious World Maps and Microsoft’s Virtual Earth platform — an industry leader for the on-demand delivery of high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery. Its spectacular 'Bird’s Eye' imagery far exceeds the video provided by competitive offerings. Microsoft is the only company to offer oblique imagery on such a platform. With oblique imagery, viewers see a much more realistic perspective. Images are taken from the sides of buildings, for example, as opposed to a typical straight down perspective, common with other satellite and aerial imaging platforms. The imagery and capabilities found in Microsoft’s Internet-based Virtual Earth server, combined with the stylistic control of Viz|Curious World Maps, offer broadcasters groundbreaking creative opportunities.
Through this product integration, broadcasters can now use imagery products stored on Microsoft’s Virtual Earth platform with the same control they are accustomed to with Viz|Curious World Maps.
Vizrt also recently introduced version 7.0 of Viz|Curious World Maps, the industry-standard solution for creating high-quality 2D and 3D animated maps of any place in the world for use in broadcast, presentations, and Web programming. Version 7.0 adds the latest update to the map database from Collins Bartholomew, an established UK-based provider of custom and digital mapping services. Version 7.0 also adds the support for various imagery compression schemes that enable users of Curious World Maps to manipulate large imagery files with greater ease.
Since maps are vital to the reporting of news and weather, it’s extremely beneficial for television broadcasters to be able to access industry-leading mapping resources while working within Vizrt’s many broadcast design and graphics solutions. With this broader integration, Vizrt is streamlining the process of adding sophisticated 2D and 3D still and animated maps to news, weather, and other informative broadcasts.
(DS)