May 17 2006
Cortona3D Newsletter, issue 2

in this issue: 

Technology

Cortona3Ds' 3D technology improves logistic operations in space for the European Space Agency 

Developer Tip

How to insert Cortona Viewer into a PowerPoint® presentation

Technology

Cortona3Ds' 3D technology improves logistic operations in space for the European Space Agency

Cortona3D introduces a 3D-powered configuration tool that allows for effective planning and maintaining of the cargo storage in the European Space Agency's (ESA) Automatic Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The Automated Transfer Vehicle is an unmanned vehicle which is put in orbit by the European Ariane 5 launcher. It provides the International Space Station with pressurized cargo, water, air, Nitrogen, Oxygen and attitude control propellant.

Arranging cargo storage and tool layout inside a spacecraft is an extremely complex task - a variety of items of different shapes, sizes and purposes should be placed into a confined area providing easy search and access to stored items during the mission. All procedures associated with the cargo requires detailed planning. To increase the efficiency of the logistic planning and execution processes, ESA commissioned Cortona3D to develop the ATV IntraVehicular Configuration Tool (ATV ICT), based on ISO standards.

ATV ICT provides an expandable library of 3D items extracted from CAD models, which are manipulated in a 3D interactive interface to plan the internal configuration of the Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) part of ATV. The user can try various combinations, analyze the benefits preventing unnecessary rework. The optimal layout is then transferred to Cortona3d RapidLearning where SCORM compliant 3D interactive training material is developed to support the cargo operations, loading and unloading procedures, etc.

"With ATV ICT, the personnel responsible for logistic operations on ground at the ATV Control Center can easily try different storage and tools layout configurations and select an optimal one before the real operations start. Keeping up-to-date specification of the Integrated Cargo Carrier configuration and by allowing the development of ad-hoc visual procedural manuals, ensure that on board operations are executed more smoothly by the astronauts. This is a really time-saving and error-reducing solution", ESA

Developer Tip

How to insert Cortona Viewer into a PowerPoint® presentation

To insert a VRML model into a PowerPoint® presentation, you will need to follow these steps:

• Select the View option from the top menu.
• Select the Toolbars option from the drop-down menu.
• Select the Visual Basic option.
• Select the Control Toolbox option.
• Select the More Controls option.
• Select ParallelGraphics Cortona Control. A box will be added to the PPT slide.
• Click somewhere in the box with the right mouse button.
• Select the Properties Item.
• Use the Scene option to specify the VRML model that will be displayed in the presentation.