Breakthrough Technology Brings Realism to Online Home Design
Using real-time 3D technology normally seen only in 3D games, plan3D.com now gives homeowners the ability to design and remodel kitchens in 3D, in real time. For the first time ever, users now see their designs come alive in real-time 3D as they're creating and editing. "Three years ago, when we started this project, no one believed we could create an online 3D design tool for homeowners. Least of all that they'd be able see real furniture, appliances and home improvement products from manufacturers in their plans." laughs Michael Gariepy, co-founder of plan3D.com and ArtToday.com. "We've not only proven it's possible ? it's clearly something consumers have been dying for.
Sales for plan3D have grown 500% since the pay site opened in July."Plan3D gives subscribers the ability to see 3D models of real products from real manufacturers in their plans. Currently, plan3D offers 150 skylights from Velux and has plans to add thousands more 3D models from other manufacturers in the coming months.
"Studies have shown that online visualization is key to consumers making a purchasing decision" explains Kate Hayes, VP of Marketing for plan3D.
"There are quite a few sites on the Internet experimenting with 3D visualization but none have the realism or the horsepower of plan3D."Plan3D's web-based open architecture allows brick and mortar retailers and manufacturers to put 3D models of their products on their own websites so consumers can drag and drop them into their 3D plans. This "3D ecosystem" makes it easier for vendors and homeowners to buy and sell furniture and home improvement products online.
"At the very least homeowners will get an idea of what is available before they make a trip across town. They'll also see if the products fit in their rooms," says GariepyPlan3D improves upon the paradigm of older-style home design software products like Punch and 3D Home Architect by allowing users to edit naturally in realistic 3D ? not just in blueprint mode. And by doing so online, it relieves users of having to upgrade their CDs or download patches. "The Internet is the future of software distribution." continues Gariepy, "Not only is CD distribution cumbersome, downloading and installing software is unnecessarily tedious. Our users simply click a button to run plan3D." Plan3D is a 400K browser plug-in that works with Windows XP or 2000 and IE 6.
Minimum system requirements are a 1,000 MHz PC, 32MB 3D video card and 128MB of RAM. Plan3D.com opened in May, 2004. Annual subscriptions sell for $69.95. A special version is available for manufacturers and retailers for use on their websites. Plan3D is a trademark of plan3D, Inc.
Plan3D is a startup company founded in October, 2001. Plan3D is available now. Plan3D is a trademark of Plan3D, Inc. Portions are patent pending. If you are a journalist or editor:
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Happy Earth Day
What can you do to make a difference - pick up a copy of our book, Trash Talk, and we'll show you a myriad of simple ideas to reduce consumption of resources & new ways to manage your contribution to the landfill. (okay - forgive us for the little plug!)Just the other day there was a group of children walking down our streets downtown with bags cleaning up the area. We could all learn from this selfless act. Did you know that wind and traffic breezes carry waste from inland to water ways? Up to 80% of the waste found in water ways originates inland. Something to think about...
There are all kinds of things we can do today, starting right now that make an immediate difference: choose to walk or bicycle to your destinations or bring home a tree or other environmentally beneficial plant that produces food, cleans air, water and soil or prevents erosion. Look around your home and office. Are you managine waste and energy as efficiently as you can? How about stand-by power use? This...
Happy Earth Day
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What You Need to Know About Kitchen Colors
Color is very important design element for kitchens and bathrooms since it plays an important role in affecting our modes.
A good combination of kitchen colors in the scheme of your decoration can make your kitchen look livelier and more appealing.
However mismatched color schemes can ruin your d?cor.
Color can influence the mood of a room.
For example, studies have shown that red can quicken the pulse and breathing rate, as well as increase appetite.
Yellow, especially soft yellows can make people feel happier.
When used as a accent bright yellow can attract attention and brighten up a kitchen.
You can also use color to influence how large or small a kitchen can feel.
With kitchen color taking on more importance, many manufacturers of cabinets, appliances, flooring and countertops are offering the consumer more choices in colors.
The best kitchen colors should include...
Appliances > What You Need to Know About Kitchen Colors
Remote Controls
Remote controls ? these days we can't seem to function without them. In modern-day living, remote controls have virtually become an extra limb that we cannot do without.
The Germans first began using them during World War I, to control motorboats and airplanes that would destroy ships by crashing into them. The Second World War saw bombs that were controlled by remote devices. In fact, the first use of remotes in our homes began after the war, when remote controlled garage doors started being manufactured.
The T.V. remote followed suit. It was aptly called ?Lazy Bones,' and was made by Zenith Corporation, an American company.
Early remote controls were not wireless, and were in fact attached to cables connecting it to the T.V. Subsequent developments saw the making of Flashmatic, the wireless remote that had to be pointed at the television set.
The next generation of remote controls used high-frequency sound to transmit signals, and only in the...
Remote Controls
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Some Things to Consider in Planning a Kitchen Remodel
Whether planning kitchen remodeling project or planning a whole new kitchen, it can be an exciting and challenging experience.
With today's kitchens becoming more and more a center of social, family, and functional activities, kitchen remodeling has gained importance in the life of many households. Kitchen remodeling can become economically challenging because of budgetary concerns or space restrictions.
Despite the cost involved in hiring design and construction professionals, usually they can help with a variety of such problems.
The kitchen designer can assist in selecting materials and help the homeowner reach their goals within the space limitations of the home.
As well as work with the contractor in making sure things get done.
Here are some things you will need to consider when making the decision to plan a kitchen remodeling project:
How well does your kitchen work now? What are its best features?...
Appliances > Some Things to Consider in Planning a Kitchen Remodel
African American Children's Invitations are Personalized to Resemble the Birthday Child
Newark, California (ContentDesk) July 6, 2005 -- "Just Like Me" children's party invitations and note cards feature an African American Mermaid, Princess, Rock Star Diva, Ballerina, Magician, and Race Car Driver. Children love to send "Just Like Me" invitations and note cards, which encourage boys and girls to be proud of their ethnic diversity. Many multicultural invitation designs are available for kids' parties and new African American children's invitation designs are added each month. Invitations...
birthday invitations
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The facts about cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is big business now, the advances of science and technology meaning it has become more affordable and much more accessible for anyone to consider it. Far from breast enhancements being the only option anymore, there are operations that can be done on virtually any part of your body to aesthetically enhance your appearance. Getting the ?body beautiful' has never been such a viable option as it is now.Types of cosmetic surgery.Reading any daily newspaper (usually the tabloids) will...
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Appliances > The facts about cosmetic surgery.
A small history page about Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a branch of surgery that involves the repair or replacement of malformed, injured or lost members or tissues of the body. The plastic surgery has two more major branches: the reconstructive and the cosmetic surgery. These types of plastic surgery differ from one to another in one main way: the reconstructive surgery is made to help reconstruct an injured tissue or a birth defect while the cosmetic plastic surgery deals only with form or appearance.
I...
Appliances > A small history page about Plastic Surgery
Clothing For Plus Size Women Doesn?t Have To Mean Drab
Plus size women often have difficulty getting stylish clothes and find that what is available in their size is more suited to older women. Many retailers do not realize that even young women are sometimes larger than what society deems to be the perfect size and do not stock a lot of different clothing styles in plus sizes. However, this trend does seem to be changing as some department stores have a separate section devoted to clothes for plus size women. Plus size women can wear slinky dresses...
Clothing For Plus Size Women Doesn?t Have To Mean Drab
Appliances > Clothing For Plus Size Women Doesn?t Have To Mean Drab