Flux (graphics software) facts for kids

Flux was a special set of computer programs made by a company called Media Machines. This set included two main parts: Flux Player and Flux Studio.

Flux Player was like a window that let you see and explore 3D worlds on your computer. It could work as an add-on for web browsers like Internet Explorer, or as a separate program on its own. Flux Studio was a tool that let you create and edit these 3D worlds. Both programs worked on Windows computers, starting with Windows Me/2000 and newer versions.

You could download Flux Player and Flux Studio for free. They had their own special license that explained how you could use them.

What Was Flux?

Flux was a software suite, which means it was a collection of computer programs designed to work together. It was created to help people experience and build things in 3D on their computers.

Flux Player and Flux Studio

Flux Player was a program that could show you 3D scenes. These scenes were often made using special computer languages called VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) and X3D (Extensible 3D). Think of it like a special web browser, but for 3D worlds instead of regular websites.

Flux Studio was the creative part. It was an editor, which means it let you design, change, and build your own 3D worlds. You could make objects, add textures, and arrange scenes just like a digital sculptor or architect.

Who Created Flux?

The Flux software was developed by a person named Tony Parisi. He was a key person in the early days of 3D on the internet. Tony Parisi also worked with Mark Pesce on an early test version of VRML called Labyrinth. This shows how important Flux was in the history of 3D graphics on computers.

How Flux Was Used

Flux Studio was very good at working with different types of 3D files. It could open and save files with names like *.WRL, *.X3DV, and *.X3D. These file types are all ways to store information about 3D models and scenes. This made it easy for people to create and share their 3D designs.

The first main version of Flux Player 2.0 and Flux Studio 2.0 came out on February 21, 2007. A final updated version, Flux Player 2.1 and Flux Studio 2.1, was released a few months later on May 28, 2007.

The End of Flux

Over time, companies sometimes change or get bought by other companies. In May 2008, the company that made Flux, MediaMachines, changed its name to Vivaty. The Flux software then became known as Vivaty software.

However, on April 16, 2010, Vivaty closed down. After it closed, the company and its technology were bought by Microsoft. This marked the end of Flux as a standalone software suite.