BUNKSPEED Launches Next-generation Bunkspeed SHOT 3D Rendering Software with mental images iray® Technology

Single NVIDIA Quadro GPU based system delivers 12x speed-up for ray tracing.

CARLSBAD, Calif - Bunkspeed has announced the release of Bunkspeed SHOT™, a completely redesigned “interactive photograph for 3D data” software application
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Bunkspeed was first to bring interactive ray tracing to the market in 2007 which revolutionized rendering, by empowering anyone to create photographic-quality images, but it was limited to using only the CPU. The new Bunkspeed SHOT™ leverages the power of NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs) and is built on the massively parallel computing architecture of NVIDIA CUDA™ to dramatically accelerate the user’s workflow. Even the most complex scenes render interactively, and in real-time.

Bunkspeed SHOT™ incorporates mental images’ innovative iray® technology to provide an interactive, 3D rendering solution that brings the power of the GPU to creative professionals everywhere, enabling rapid and fluid feedback. Bunkspeed SHOT™ provides stunning, photorealistic accuracy, and empowers users to intuitively create the highest quality image output without the steep learning curves required of other rendering products.

Bunkspeed SHOT™ with iray® also enables users to scale up rendering over multiple NVIDIA GPUs or machines. An entirely new level of performance and realism is now a reality at less than 20% of the cost for achieving the same level on multiple CPUs.

“As a user of the previous generation software from Bunkspeed, I knew the standard set at the time was tough to beat,” said Peter Crowther, a UK-based, computer graphic artist and illustrator. “Bunkspeed has done it again. Bunkspeed SHOT™ offers breakthrough usability, performance and quality, and is a pleasure to use. I went straight out and bought a ‘Personal Super Computer’ with a Quadro 5800 and three Tesla 2050’s for a total of 1584 CUDA to utilize what SHOT has to offer. The solution has dramatically accelerated my workflow. I am rendering at speeds unimagined just a couple of years ago, and for unbiased interactive rendering it's simply revolutionary. This truly is another revolution in power and performance and has increased my efficiency significantly.”

The re-imagined, all new interface of Bunkspeed SHOT™ further simplifies the rendering process. The workflow and user experience is more intuitive -- packed with more features, interactive lighting, superior shadows, and rendered images that require no quality settings.

Designers, engineers and marketers, and photographers, without expertise in rendering will be impressed with how fast and easy it is to create stunningly realistic images. Architects and interior designers will be equally amazed by how quickly they can render their ideas and designs.

“With the introduction of Bunkspeed SHOT™, the next-generation “3D interactive photograph”, we have eliminated the last of the traditional boundaries associated with 3D rendering by delivering a software solution that allows anyone with creative desire to easily create photo-realistic images from any 3D digital data”, says Philip Lunn, Bunkspeed founder and CEO
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"With its innovative new SHOT software, Bunkspeed is the first to integrate and bring our interactive iray rendering technology to market,” said Rolf Herken, CEO and CTO of mental images. “SHOT combines unprecedented ease of use with the most accurate simulation possible. Leveraging the power of the GPU, iray provides creative professionals with the simulated digital camera they could only dream of in the past."

“Only NVIDIA delivers the truly interactive ray tracing experience when running Bunkspeed SHOT™ with iray® technology,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, NVIDIA Professional Solutions Group. “Our collaboration with Bunkspeed has resulted in a solution that is designed for the growing community of professional designers and digital artists that demand real-time solutions that easily make their work flow.”

Pricing and Availability
Bunkspeed SHOT™ integrated with iray® rendering technology leverages NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions to enable a combination of unprecedented power, elegance and accuracy. Bunkspeed is raising the bar once again, enabling users to continue to "Render them speechless"™. Bunkspeed SHOT™ is available today starting at $995.

Bunkspeed Introduces HyperShot ’10

Miami, Florida – Bunkspeed today introduced HyperShot ’10, the long and eagerly awaited new release of the patent pending realtime rendering application that was introduced 2 years ago. Completely redesigned for both Windows and Mac OS X, HyperShot ’10 yet again changes the paradigm of simple and fast image creation for anyone, delivering the ultimate user experience. HyperShot ’10 can be seen at the IDSA International Conference in Miami, Florida, from September 23 - 26, 2009. HyperShot ’10 will ship in the Fall of 2009.

HyperShot is the first digital camera for 3D data. Using scientifically accurate materials and real-world lighting in real-time the patent pending application gives anybody involved with 3D data the ability to create photographic images in a matter of minutes, independent of the size of the digital model.

“HyperShot excites the photographer with the fact that one can generate 3D images of photographic quality very quickly without special education, “ says Ralph Richter, one of the leading German car photographers (www.ralphrichter.com). “The simple and logical layout of the program helps a lot. Complex technical steps are covered by the application itself without interfering with the creative process.”

Richter continues: “It gives me the ability to create reality rather than interpret reality. HyperShot thus becomes the real new digital camera for the photographer.”

HyperShot ’10 feature highlights include:

All new, state-of-the art user interface using latest UI development libraries provided by Apple and Microsoft
- Customizable toolbars and layout
- Floating window palette
- Work in true full screen mode

Asset Library
- Arrangement and organization of assets (materials, textures, environments) in one single place
- All visual representation
- Drag and Drop directly from the library into the scene

Tool Palette
- Clean reorganization of all tools with all new capabilities
- Standard naming conventions
- Visual representation of environment, backplate, textures

Improved interactivity with scene with realtime feedback
- Sliders with realtime feedback
- Widgets for object movement
- Drag and drop interaction

Model tree
- Visual representation of objects and parts in the scene
- Direct interaction with objects and parts

Improved material assignment, definition and refinement
- Drag and drop material assignment with interactive preview
- Interactive color and parameter adjustment
- Visual, more interactive texture mapping

Improved camera control and view management
- Interactive perspective adjustment
- Save / import individual camera views
- True orthographic camera

Painting with light © (Mac only)
- Integration with PhotoShop allows for automatic update of lighting inside of HyperShot when HDRI is saved
- Works with other HDRI generation applications such as HDRLightstudio, HDRShop et al

Scene sharing
- Save camera angles for use in different scenes
- Package scene into single file (model, environment, textures, backplate, frontplate)

New import capabilities
- Existing bip files can be merged with current scene
- IGES and STEP importer for Mac OS X


While the Windows version of HyperShot ’10 is still being fine-tuned, the Mac version has been put in the hand of a number of Bunkspeed’s clients for Beta testing.

“The interface in Hypershot ‘10 has undergone one of the biggest changes I've ever seen a single software revision”, says Philip Renato, Associate Professor, Chair, Allesee Metals/Jewelry Design Program, Kendall College of Art and Design (www.philrenato.com). “It's more attractive, intuitive, and pleasurable to use. Every aspect seems to skip what might have been 3 or 4 incremental improvements.”

Renato continues: “HyperShot '10 will help my students generate portfolio quality renderings as needed, concentrating on composition and materials notcaustics and photometrics. When they launch it for the first time I fully expect them to ask: why doesn't our modeling software work like this?”

“It is so intuitive!” says Andrea “Jinx” Talavera, head of CGI at Twister Imaging (www.twister-imaging.com). “ And because of that, HyperShot lets you be creative without getting stuck in technical stuff. It is so simple and uncomplicated - simply the best tool to use in advertising. What can I say? It is just amazing!!!!!"

“HyperShot ’10 delivers the ultimate user experience for both PC and Mac users that you would expect from a modern software application”, says Philip Lunn, Founder and CEO of Bunkspeed. “Software can never be simple enough. By working closely working with our customers and partners pictures for design reviews and decisions, client presentations, sales and marketing, or advertising can now be created even easier and faster, with even higher quality.
Bunkspeed is showing HyperShot ’10 for both Windows and Mac OS X live at the IDSA International Conference in Miami, Florida, September 23 - 26, 2009, booth 21/22. HyperShot ’10 will be available for purchase in Q4 of 2009.

Bunkspeed Receives 2009 Los Angeles Award

WASHINGTON D.C - Bunkspeed has been selected for the 2009 Los Angeles Award in the Computer Graphics Service category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

Bunkspeed Introduces HyperDrive '10

New Version of Automotive Visualization Software Adds 64bit Support, Animation and Presentation Improvements, HyperShot Round-trip Integration.

Los Angeles – Bunkspeed has announced the immediate availability of HyperDrive'10, the highly anticipated follow-up release to the all new animation and driving system for automotive designers, photographers and marketers.

HyperDrive represents the next generation of automotive design visualization and animation systems combining the fastest, most sophisticated CGI technology with an ease of use that is unprecedented in the world of computer graphics. In a matter of minutes, users with little or no 3D experience can now create stunning presentations and vehicle driving animations with physical accuracy.

The latest release of HyperDrive is now also available as a 64bit version. Users can work with the largest production data sets directly from their CAD systems, without having to spend days to strip out unwanted details. This opens up endless possibilities for designers and marketers to show off design as well engineering detail in a single session.

HyperDrive’10 also brings significant improvements to the overall animation and driving capabilities introduced at last year’s Siggraph. Users can now animate materials and lights as well as sequence multiple camera animations together into a single animation. During driving animations, users can now switch the vehicles for design evaluations. The integrated physics engine has been completely revamped, and represents a vehicle’s physical properties even more accurately.

HyperDrive’10 offers the ultimate integration with HyperShot, Bunkspeed’s first digital camera for 3D data. Users can now import their HyperShot scenes and materials directly into HyperDrive without the need to start over with the original data set. All materials applied to the vehicle can be directly used as they are, or further refined for downstream use. All changed made to the scene can be transferred back to HyperShot.

“HyperDrive’10 is the result of close collaboration with our automotive clients”, says Philip Lunn, CEO and Founder of Bunkspeed. “HyperDrive builds the bridge from design and engineering all the way into marketing. It allows everybody involved in the product development process to work on production data without compromise, and create high quality visual content in the shortest amount of time, and significantly reduced cost.”
HyperDrive’10 is available for immediate purchase.

Bunkspeed Releases Hypershot v1.9

New Version Adds new Capabilities to Make Material Finishes Look Even More Realistic.

Los Angeles, California – Bunkspeed today announced the immediate availability of HyperShot v1.9, another eagerly awaited upgrade to the groundbreaking HyperShot product released two years ago.

HyperShot is the first digital camera for 3D data. Using scientifically accurate materials and real-world lighting in real-time the patent pending application gives anybody involved with 3D data the ability to create photographic images in a matter of minutes, independent of the size of the digital model.

This new version delivers significant improvements in the area of material definition that allow clients to get an even more realistic look to their finishes, as well as create completely new materials quickly and easily. Overall usability, performance, and integration with leading 3D CAD applications has also been greatly enhanced, delivering a greater user experience with even better image results.

Peter Kossev, Principal of Pixel Mathematics, a provider of high-end product development consulting to many of the world's top manufacturers and a beta tester of this new version said: "Yet another big step ahead from the guys at Bunkspeed! HyperShot v1.9 is a result of their relentless pursuit for perfection, with the even more powerful bump mapping and many other significant improvements which make our process much faster, with better results".

The company adopted HyperShot when it was just released. HyperShot has since fundamentally changed the firm’s product development process, and is now being used on every project for design decisions, client presentations, and sales and marketing imagery.

“HyperShot continues to spread rapidly in the digital 3D world”, says Philip Lunn, CEO and Founder of Bunkspeed. “Whether it is Industrial Design, Engineering or Marketing, there is a critical need for a renderer that is simple to use, delivers fast and extremely accurate results, can handle the largest and most complex 3D data sets with ease, and is affordable. We are committed to deliver innovative features inside HyperShot quickly, to allow users to create even better images in a shorter amount of time”

HyperShot v1.9 is available for immediate purchase and download on both Windows and Mac systems. The upgrade to v1.9 is free for existing customers.

"Bunkspeed Releases Hypershot 1.8"

The most eagerly awaited and important update since the introduction in 2007

Bunkspeed has released HyperShot 1.8. Decals are finally here! This much anticipated update introduces all new texture mapping tools for non-transparent materials allowing your to place textures and decals on any surface, across multiple surfaces, on any non-transparent material. 1.8 also introduces major workflow improvements throughout the entire application, such as being able to automatically apply materials when importing another object into a scene, and control numerical input interactively by using dials. Some features are still labeled “beta”, yet are robust enough for production work.

HyperShot 1.8 is a free upgrade from any previous version for all existing customers.

For further information and download instructions: www.bunkspeed.com/hypershot

Bunkspeed Adds Bentley Motors As Customer

Luxury carmaker to capitalize on real-time rendering and driving simulation

Los Angeles, CA – Bunkspeed, developer of the world’s fastest 3D rendering technology, today announced Bentley Motors as its newest customer. The British luxury carmaker has recently implemented Bunkspeed’s advanced automotive visualization product, HyperDrive, as well as the first all digital camera for 3D data, HyperShot.

Bentley’s Concept Design Team decided to look into the future and prepare a vision for the virtual development of vehicles as part of the design process. Existing digital methods had been a long-term frustration and needed improvement. Many of Bentley’s designers were too busy to pick up some of the newer and more productive digital tools. This contributed to a lengthy workflow.

“The principal task was to create a desire in the designers, to work independently in the digital medium, whilst building an organization that allows this interest to thrive,” says Jim Shaw, head of the Bentley concepts team. “Bunkspeed was unique among many companies competing for a place in the designer’s workplace. They have focused intensely on making it very easy for creative people to create compelling, imagery for the design decision process.”

Shaw reports that in the past, workflow to develop early concepts varied from designer to designer according to their preference of tools. Some used exclusively digital tools, for example, while others work in more traditional clay process. A new, comprehensive visualization platform would need to provide not only a quicker and more effective process, but also simplicity of method, one that designers could easily learn and put to use. After a thorough evaluation and benchmark, Bunkspeed technology proved to be such a solution.

Richard Gilmartin, Digital Designer took to the Bunkspeed software right away, using it as a next step after his designs are modelled in Alias Studio. “We anticipate the availability of the animation function within HyperMove. Giving movement to a car in a digital environment really adds interest in a viewing and breathes life into the model.”

Michael Check, Bunkspeed’s President of Automotive and Transportation states, “Given Bentley’s high expectations for world-class design, we are extremely pleased to have Bentley Motors as a customer. We look forward to collaborating with them in the future to improve our software and make it align even more closely to the needs of the automotive designer.”

About Bunkspeed

Bunkspeed is a leading global provider of visualization software and services for design, engineering, and marketing. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, our advanced visualization technologies leverage digital engineering assets and contribute to enlightened decision-making in the digital design process. Our clients gain a cost effective way to deliver sales and marketing imagery, and realize significantly reduced product development costs. Bunkspeed’s customers include Nissan, Ford Motor Company, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Pininfarina, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz Advanced Design North America, and BMW Designworks. For more information on Bunkspeed’s products and services, please visit: www.bunkspeed.com.

About Bentley Motors

Bentley has produced acclaimed motor cars since 1919, making it one of the most respected brands in the automotive world. Located in Crewe, England since 1946 and owned since 1998 by Volkswagen AG, Bentley Motors is dedicated to making responsive and powerful Grand Tourers with the stamina to cross continents at pace, and drive in refined comfort and style. For more information, please visit: www.bentleymotors.com.

Bunkspeed Software Adopted by College for Creative Studies: HyperShot and HyperDrive applications added to design curriculum

Los Angeles, CA, November 20, 2008 – Bunkspeed, developer of the world’s fastest 3D rendering technology for design, engineering, and marketing, today announced that Detroit’s College for Creative Studies (CCS) has made Bunkspeed applications a main part of its industrial and automotive design instruction.

After an extensive evaluation, CCS has adopted the real-time rendering product HyperShot and the automotive visualization package HyperDrive as new digital tools in its progressive design curriculum. The level of realism delivered by these applications enable students to better communicate their concepts and ideas while integrating with CCS’ primary design software. In the past, a person’s ability to render their digital models was directly related to their expertise in the modeling software; now the quality of images is fully dependent on the creativity of the user, not their technical expertise.

CCS is a recognized leader in art and design education that prepares students to enter the new global economy. The College, located in America’s automotive capitol, offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors including advertising design, graphic design, interior design, product design, and transportation design. Beginning in Fall 2009, CCS will award the Master of Fine Arts degree in Design and in Transportation Design.

“Because CCS launches so many careers into industrial design, I believe the introduction of Bunkspeed’s software will have enormous benefits in the studio environment,” says Michael Check, President of Bunkspeed’s Automotive and Transportation Division. “HyperDrive and HyperShot can take students a step further in visualization. All CCS students will benefit from our technology, as they will now be able to interact with their 3D digital models faster and present better quality imagery.

Schools with a dedicated program for design can qualify for Bunkspeed’s Render Tem Speechless Academic Program. For more information of eligibility, please visit: www.bunkspeed.com/education .

Design students can subscribe to HyperShot for their own personal use for only $99.99 per year. Click here for further information: www.bunkspeed.com/store/hypershot-ed.html .

About Bunkspeed
Bunkspeed is a leading global provider of 3D computer graphics software and services for design, engineering, and marketing.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, our advanced technologies leverage digital assets and contribute to enlightened decision-making and communication in the design process. Our clients gain a cost effective way to deliver stunningly realistic sales and marketing imagery, and realize significantly reduced product development costs.

Founded in 2002, Bunkspeed’s impressive list of customers now includes many of the major automotive manufacturers, Fortune 1000 product manufacturers, and major industrial design companies including Honda, Nissan, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Pininfarina, BMW Designworks, Porsche Design, Kohler, Dell, Microsoft, Nokia, IDEO, frog design and SMART Design.

For more information on Bunkspeed’s products and services, please visit: www.bunkspeed.com .

About CCS
The College for Creative Studies is a recognized as a world leader in art and design education, preparing students to enter the new, global economy where creativity shapes better communities and societies. The College enrolls more than 1,300 students seeking Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors, including Advertising Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design and Transportation Design. CCS also offers non-credit courses in the visual arts through its Continuing Education programs and annually provides over 3,000 high-risk Detroit youth with art and design education through Community Arts Partnerships programs. For more information, please visit: www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu .