International Newsletter vol.8 2008/10 10.03.2008

----Contents---- --------What's New at FORUM8-------- -UC-win/Road version 3.4 release -The 7th 3D VR Simulation Contest -The 2nd International VR Symposium -Updated UC-win/Road database --------Upcoming Events-------- -Upcoming overseas events -Seminar in Shanghai, Beijing, and Seoul --------FORUM8 Homepage Information-------- -Up & Coming No.75, fall issue, September 1, 2008 -Web estimate service -Technical support service for UC-win/Road overseas users -User information page -UC-win/Road version 3.4 release UC-win/Road ver.3.4 was released on 24 September, 2008. This new version provides various new features and includes several significant enhancements that make it simpler to deploy and use. Basic Functions 1. Support for HTML help file format 2. Intersection texture editing function 3. Added the building creation tool (allows you to create more complicated building models) 4. Support for simulation panel and full-screen Paid Options (Added) 1. Added the scenario function to Drive Simulator 2. Support for aaSIDRA file import by aaSIDRA plug-in Expanded Functions 1. Improved MD3 characters 2. Improved LandXML and InRoads plug-ins 3. Re-sizing of textures and display of thumbnails 4. Demo simulator is supported by the INNOSIMULATION plug-in For more information, please go to the following site. http://vr.forum8.co.jp/english/ -The 7th 3D VR Simulation Contest We will hold the 7th 3D VR simulation contest on 20 November, 2008. The contest has been held annually with many significant examples of the utilization of UC-win/Road Advanced. Japanese English Korean Chinese French FORUM8 will hold the 7th 3D VR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road. UC-win/Road has been highly regarded as a 3D virtual reality (VR) software package supporting consensus building and visualization of landscape design in various public-works and private developments. In 2002, UC-win/Road was awarded the prize for Software Product of the Year by SOFTIC. It was in celebration of this award that FORUM8 held the 1st "3D VR Simulation Contest". The contest has since been held annually with many first-class examples of the advanced use of UC-win/Road being presented by users of the product. It is expected that works and technology which are more excellent than ever will be exhibited. We hope that better works will be presented and this event will be useful for the participants. "The 2nd International VR symposium" will be held following on from last year. The International academic group is expected to present excellent research, technologies and ideas about VR by UC-win/Road. At this symposium, the "Academy encouragement prize" for a student will be announced from now on. We are expediting the development of "VR Studio" as our strategic VR product for release in the new year. You may convey the essence of VR Studio at this event. We hope to hold this event on a large scale at Tokyo Conference Center inviting many users from home and abroad. We hope to see you there. 6th 3D VR simulation contest report 6th 3D VR simulation contest history < Date / Venue > Date Location Venue Note 20 November 2008 13:30 - 17:00 ( Reception 13:00 ) Tokyo Tokyo Conference Center in Shinagawa, Hall A, JR Shinagawa Station Konan exit directly connects to the center MAP   <　Sponsors　> CG-Arts Association (Computer Graphic Arts Society) Monthly "CAD & CG Magazine" (X-Knowledge Co., Ltd.) Monthly "Bridge & Urban Project" (Bridge Editorial Committee) Submissions Deadline : Submissions must be received by Wednesday November 5th, 2008 Include VR data saved to media such as CD-ROM or DVD, a data summary (maximum 150 words) and operating procedures when you submit your application. In the case of a lot of applications, screening will be carried out. Works nominated to move into the final selection will be announced on Friday November 7th, 2008. Please note that FORUM8 may use the outputted image or movie for introducing winning submissions, though the winning VR data is copyrighted by the applicant. In principal, participants are only those who can make a presentation at the contest and participate in the awards ceremony. Nomination award Honor plaque Semi-crystal plaque Accommodation in Tokyo Awards/Prizes No dual recipients. The Overseas award and Academy Encouragement award are for foreign applicants and students respectively. Academy Encouragement award will be announced at the International VR symposium. Grand Prix Highest award Certificate / trophy / high end notebook computer DELL Notebook PC Excellence award Semi-grand prix Certificate / mobile notebook computer SONY mobile Notebook computer VAIO Special awards Idea award Essence award Overseas award Judgment award other awards Certificate / latest digital camera CASIO digital camera EXLIM Academy Encouragement award Academy Encouragement award Certificate / financial incentive US$ 2,000 Prize Final judging method Applicants make a presentation (less than 15 minutes, UC-win/Road data demonstration over 70%) of the nominated works and each of the awards is determined by vote. Grand prix, excellence award and special awards (Idea award, Essence award, Overseas award, Judgment award etc.) are decided. Each prize can only have one winner. The Academy Encouragement award is only for students. The Academy Encouragement Award is restricted to submissions for the VR Symposium research presentations. These will be presented at the "International VR Symposium" and can be nominated for the finals by recommendation. The marks will be the total of the ranking points from the vote and the special prize ranking points, with a 70% weighting on votes from the users participating in the contest and a 30% weighting on votes from our judges. Judges Mr. Hiroo Kasagi (NPO Chiiki Zukuri Kobou) Mr. Fumio Seki (Taisei corporation) Mr. Sinsuke Kitagawa (Yachiyo Engineering) Special lectures, special seminars and social events 19 November 2008 10:00 - 17:00  The 2nd International VR Symposium < How to apply> Send us an e-mail or ask at your nearest FORUM8 office for an application form. Competition entry is free. We're looking forward to receiving your application. <Where to apply> E-mail forum8@forum8.co.jp FORUM8 offices 6th contest prize-winning entries (VR Simulation contest review, Nov. 2007) "Ishikawa-cho Junction Simulation" Kanagawa Construction Bureau, Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited "SMARTWAY 2007 VR Simulation" National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Highway Industry Development Organization -The 2nd International VR Symposium We will hold the 2nd International VR Symposium. A number of university professors from all over the world will gather and give presentations. Japanese English Korean Chinese French Information UC-win/Road http://vr.forum8.co.jp/english 7th 3D VR SIMULATION CONTEST by UC-win/Road < The date / venue > Date Location Venue Note 19 November 2008 10:00-17:00 Tokyo Tokyo Conference Center in Shinagawa, HallA, JR Shinagawa Station Konan exit directly connects to the center MAP   < Summary > Participation fee  Free Schedule Guest Speakers 9:00-10:00 VR Project Management Professor Nashwan Dawood (University of Teeside, UK) 10:00-11:00 EXODUS / SMARTFIRE Professor Ed Galea (Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, UK) 11:00-12:00 Analysis of Tsunami and Disaster Control Professor Fumihiko Imamura (Tsunami Engineering Laboratory, Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan) 13:00-13:20 Yoshihiro Kobayashi (Arizona State University, USA) 13:20-13:40 Kostas Terzidis (Harvard University, USA) 13:40-14:00 Taro Narahara (Harvard University, USA) 14:00-14:20 Michael Jemtrud (McGill University, Canada) 14:20-14:40 Carlos Calderon (University of Newcastle, England) 14:50-15:10 Wael Abdelhameed (University of Bahrain, Bahrain) 15:10-15:30 Ronald Hawker (Zayed University, UAE) 15:30-15:50 Claudio Labarca (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile) 15:50-16:10 Tomohiro Fukuda (Osaka University, Japan) 16:10-17:00 Discussion 17:00-18:30 Networking Party Publication Commemoration "VR presentation Technique" -Updated UC-win/Road Database To increase the convenience of UC-win/Road utilization, we have continued to expand our UC-win/Road database to make it easy for our valued users to download 3D models and textures. Also, to improve our international database, we have added international traffic signs from all over the world in "Texture and Traffic signs". The database now consists of models from 23 countries. In particular, more building models used in the United States and public facilities used in Japan have been added to "3D model - Building, house, store, and steel tower". Various types of signals and ETC (electronic toll collection system) are also available as movable models in "3D model - train and road facilities". People who are chatting or riding on a bike in MD3 models are added in "3D model - Character". Play equipment has been added to "3D model - park institution". In addition, we are seeking more models from all over the world. Received models are currently in being updated. "Texture - Tree", more models and textures will be updated and released as well. For more information, please go to the following site. http://www.forum8.co.jp/english/uc-win/ucwin-road-e1.htm#DB

-Upcoming overseas events We will participate in various overseas events. Please come to visit us in the booth to learn more about our product line-up. Look forward to meeting you! 12th IACMAG(Goa, India) 1-6 October 2008 http://www.12iacmag.com WCEE World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (Beijing, China) 12-17 October 2008 http://www.14wcee.org ITSC08 (Beijing, China) 15-12 October 2008 http://www.ieeeitsc.org ICCCBE (Beijing, China) 16-18 October 2008 http://icccbe2008.civil.tsinghua.edu.cn The 3rd FORUM8 China Conference at Tsinghua University (Beijing, China) 22 October 2008 Water Expo China (Beijing, China) 10-13 October 2008 http://www.waterexpo.cn/2008english.asp 15th World Congress on ITS (New York, USA) 16-20 November 2008 http://www.itsworldcongress.org/

-Seminar in Shanghai, Beijing, and Seoul The seminars provide attendees a opportunity to acquire up-to-date about our product. One of the main goals to these seminars is to explain analysis and design techniques which abound in the industry. Participation fee is free! Overseas Seminar Venue Shanghai - Shanghai Seminar room (NEPOCH & FORUM8 Technology Development Co.,Ltd) Beijing - Conference room (Beijing Tepia Technology Co.,Ltd) Seoul - Seminar room (BasisSoft, Inc.) Seminar Date Venue UC-win/Road - VR 23 October 2008 Seoul UC-win/Road Advanced 7 October 2008 Shanghai 10 October 2008 Beijing 24 October 2008 Seoul 18 November 2008 Beijing UC-win/Road for Civil 3D 5 November 2008 Beijing UC-win/Road SDK 4 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing 11 November 2008 Seoul UC-win/FRAME(3D) Dynamic Analysis 30 October 2008 Shanghai and Beijing Geotechnical Finite element Elastoplastic Analysis GeoFEAS 7 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing xpswmm 8 October 2008 Shanghai and Beijing 21 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing EXODUS - SMARTFIRE 13 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing Multiframe - MultiSTEEL 9 October 2008 Shanghai and Beijing 10 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing Maxsurf 25 November 2008 Shanghai and Beijing Retaining wall design 28 October 2008 Shanghai and Beijing Retaining wall / Earth retaining design 29 October 2008 Shanghai and Beijing TEMPO-SDW 14 October 2008 Seoul Summary Participation Fee Free Application For more information and application, please email us at forum8@forum8.co.jp

-Up & Coming No.75, fall issue, September 1, 2008 Up & Coming No.75, fall issue, September 1, 2008 was circulated last month. The contents include user introduction, overseas news on civil engineering IT, new products information, dealer network news, development information, support topics, seminar report, and seminar/fair information. For more information, please go to the following site. http://www.forum8.co.jp/english/topics-e.htm -Web estimate service Free web estimate service is available at the following site. Explore sample projects, experiment and create! https://www2.forum8.co.jp/road_est_en/html/main.htm -Technical support service for UC-win/Road overseas users The support service undertakes data generation tasks concerning UC-win/Road such as the generation of 3D VR simulation data, 3D models and textures, fully empowering simulation tasks for road businesses, urban development planning, public projects, private development, and so forth using cost-affordable, high-quality data. For more information, please go to the following site. http://www.forum8.co.jp/english/uc-win/road-support-e.htm -User information page Marketing materials and updates can be retrieved and downloaded from the following site. https://www2.forum8.co.jp/scripts/f8uinfEN.dll/login Gross circulation: 1,811 If submitting a formal request to unsubscribe from our mailing list, please include "Unsubscribe" in the subject title of your email and send it back to us. Thank you for your continued support. FORUM8 Co., Ltd. mailto:forum8@forum8.co.jp 2-1-1 Nakamegruro GT Tower 15F Kamimeguro Meguro-ku Tokyo 153-0051 JAPAN TEL +81-3-5773-1888 FAX +81-3-5720-5688 http://www.forum8.co.jp/english/index.html