Exciting News about the new version of MANTIS Software
Milpitas, CA – May 7, 2019 – Quantum3D, Inc., a leading provider of training and simulation solutions for commercial and government applications, today announced the release of their latest version of MANTIS®, its award-winning real-time scene management and image generation software. The latest version of MANTIS comes with a rich new set of enhanced capabilities for both visual and sensor simulation and will be available on all current platforms including off-the shelf PCs running Windows or Linux, and Independence® IDX 8000 and IDX 80 series Image Generators equipped with MANTIS.
Some of the new MANTIS features include:
- Support for the latest CIGI 4.0 SISO standard for the communication of simulation data between the Host and IG.
- New OpenVR plugin. This allows MANTIS to be used to drive VR, AR and MR tethered HMD’s that support the OpenVR standard. This includes HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Metavision Meta 2 and Oculus Rift.
The plugin supports NVIDIA’s VR SLI technology. This allows two GPU’s to be used in SLI configuration for true 3D stereo rendering. One GPU will render the left eye image and the other GPU will render the right eye, meaning both eyes are rendered in parallel. This provides a significant performance boost compared to the traditional method of rendering each eye sequentially on the same GPU.
Hybrid tracking designs are supported. For example, a Vive Tracker can be attached to a Metavision Meta 2 HMD and be used to track head movements to a much greater precision than is supported by the Meta 2’s own native tracking technology.
The plugin supports a switchable NVG goggles simulation mode where the field of view is reduced to a configurable circular aperture, the image is converted to monochrome and noise added.
- Optimizations incorporated into the graphics pipeline which make use of recent OpenGL API improvements. This provides up to 30% improvement in performance compared to previous versions of MANTIS.
- New data types supported in the CDB (Common Database) terrain reader:
- T2D features now supported. These provide the capability to efficiently model conformal surface features such as roads, runways, taxiways, etc.
- Raster Material textures may now be used to delineate coastline and inland water regions. This allows for much more complex outline of these features, now being at the texel level rather than polygonal level.
- Linux support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
The new OpenVR plugin has been successfully deployed by Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH for use in their latest Level D certified emergency response H145 helicopter trainer. In this trainer, the pilot and co-pilot view multiple channels projected on a dome screen, while the Medical Crew Member wears a Metavision Meta 2 HMD. The medical crew member is stationed in the aft-cabin next to a physical mock-up of the helicopter door which can be viewed and operated through the mixed-reality (“see through”) HMD. MANTIS generates the visuals for the exterior scene and masks this against its own internal model of the helicopter. The result is that the trainee sees the outside world in 3D through the side door and the windows of the helicopter, whilst still be able to operate the onboard equipments and to interact with the flight crew allowing them to train as a team for such tasks as pilot guidance, underslung/winch operation, search and rescue. The trainer is fully NVG capable providing a dedicated infra-red scene that stimulates the pilots night vision goggles and showing the NVG scene in the HMD.
MANTIS is available as a software application on both Windows and Linux and included on Quantum3D’s Independence® IDX 8000 and IDX 80 turnkey Image Generators. Try it now for free. Download your free trial download at https://portal.quantum3d.com/download-mantis-free-version/
About Quantum3D
Quantum3D, Inc. is a leading developer and provider of simulation and training products, as well as the technology that drives them. This Silicon Valley company serves a wide range of training markets, including flight simulation, land and other vehicle training, and maintenance training.
