June 2008
3D STANDS OUT LONGER FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE FIRMS - LETS GETS EXTENSION
A pioneering business aid project to help South Yorkshire firms take advantage of new interactive 3D imaging technology is to be extended following significant take up by firms in the region.
The LETS (Leading Edge Technology Solutions) project, funded by the Objective 1 regeneration fund, has helped scores of small and medium sized companies to access innovative 3D applications for marketing, product development and built environment design since it was launched in 2006.
Originally scheduled to end in June, the LETS project has been extended until the end of September as a result of business interest fostered by recent Hollywood 3D blockbusters such as Beowulf and increasing use of 3D visuals on commercial websites.
“Many small companies miss out on the real commercial benefits of new technology because they believe it will be costly and complex to use but with 3D they couldn’t be further from the truth,” said LETS business development manager Helen Richardson.
“The LETS project allows small and medium-sized firms to explore and understand commercial use of 3D visualisation without any hard sell . Companies soon discover just how effective 3D can be in cutting production costs through ‘virtual’ prototypes and boosting sales through eye-catching 3D sales support applications.
“Over the past two years, commercial interest in business applications of 3D technology has grown rapidly as new internet and computer applications are developed,” said LETS business development manager Helen Richardson.
“For example, we first previewed commercial use of ‘no-glasses’ 3D TV screens to South Yorkshire companies over 12 months ago. Costs are going down all the time and they may well become a fixture in the average living room within three or four years.”
Sheffield’s Ponds Forge International Sport Centre is the latest location to benefit from 3D fly-throughs produced by the Doncaster-based LETS team.
A virtual replica of the Centre’s new multi-million supergym was created for local signage contractors Sign Language as part of the Centre’ s information programme for existing gym members.
Thanks to the virtual tour available on the gym’s website, the Centre’s 4,000 members, and potential new members, were able to view the entire facility – from new spa and Group Fitness studios to free weight areas and high-tech exercise machines – weeks before the official opening
“Thanks to Sign Language and LETS, we were able to significantly enhance our marketing and customer communication efforts. The reaction from our members has been far in excess of anything we could have expected from simple static artists impressions,” said Jo Betts, Marketing and Promotions Manager for Ponds Forge.
