Apple Unveils QuickDraw 3D for Power Macintosh, Revolutionizing 3D Graphics Capabilities

Strategic Insights -

Apple Computer, Inc. announced the introduction of QuickDraw 3D, a 3D-graphics extension to the Mac OS operating system, which developers can use to create easy-to-use 3D graphics in their applications. This innovative technology, expected to ship with Power Macintosh computers beginning this summer, takes advantage of the computing performance of the PowerPC processor to deliver 3D-graphics capabilities and performance that previously were available only on graphics workstations.

QuickDraw 3D is designed to be a foundation for a completely new user experience, dramatically lowering the price point for high-quality 3D graphics. The technology will enable developers to create powerful, full-featured 3D applications with a consistent user interface and common file-format, allowing users to move 3D data from application to application. 2D-graphics and productivity applications can also be modified to take advantage of QuickDraw 3D, allowing users to drag and drop 3D objects directly into those applications.

Several major software developers have committed to QuickDraw 3D, including 3Dlabs, auto-des-sys, Inc., Byte by Byte Corp., and others.Apple is demonstrating tremendous innovation in the field of 3D graphics," said Osman Kent, president of 3Dlabs. "They are doing for 3D what they did for 2D -- making it easy to use and truly useful for the everyday user. Apple's vision, combined with the processing capabilities of the PowerPC, is going to make the Macintosh a platform that will change the face of 3D computing."

Key Takeaways:

  • QuickDraw 3D is a 3D-graphics extension to the Mac OS operating system that enables developers to create easy-to-use 3D graphics in their applications.
  • The technology takes advantage of the computing performance of the PowerPC processor to deliver 3D-graphics capabilities and performance that previously were available only on graphics workstations.
  • QuickDraw 3D is designed to be a foundation for a completely new user experience, dramatically lowering the price point for high-quality 3D graphics.
  • The technology will enable developers to create powerful, full-featured 3D applications with a consistent user interface and common file-format.
  • 2D-graphics and productivity applications can also be modified to take advantage of QuickDraw 3D, allowing users to drag and drop 3D objects directly into those applications.
  • Apple plans to make QuickDraw 3D available for Microsoft Windows, enabling developers to leverage their development efforts onto the Windows platform.
  • The new 3D metafile (3DMF) format is a cross-platform file format that supports 3D data, including textures, lights, and cameras.
  • The 3DMF format can be used by any developer for importing and exporting 3D data from one application to another.
  • Apple expects QuickDraw 3D to be included with Power Macintosh systems, beginning in summer, 1995, and to be incorporated into the next major release of the Mac OS, in summer, 1996.

Statistics:

  • 16 MB of memory is required to run QuickDraw 3D.
  • Version 7.1.2 (or later) of the Mac OS is required for QuickDraw 3D.
  • 140 countries will be supported by Apple's products and services.

Sources:

  • Apple Computer, Inc. (note: no date provided in the source)
  • PRNewswire (note: date is provided: Feb. 6, 1995)
  • Various press releases and statements by Apple executives and software developers.