Flux (graphics software) facts for kids
Flux was a set of computer programs created by a company called Media Machines. This set included two main parts: Flux Player and Flux Studio.
Flux Player was a special program that let you look at 3D worlds and scenes on your computer. These 3D worlds were made using formats like VRML and X3D, which are like blueprints for virtual reality. You could use Flux Player as a plugin in web browsers like Internet Explorer or as a separate program on Windows computers.
Flux Studio was the other part of the Flux set. It was a program that allowed people to create and edit their own 3D worlds and scenes. It also worked on Windows computers. Both Flux Player and Flux Studio were free to download and use.
The main person behind the Flux software was Tony Parisi. He also worked on early ideas for VRML, which was a way to create 3D spaces on the internet. Flux Studio could easily open and save files that ended with .WRL, .X3DV, and .X3D, which are all types of 3D files.
The first main version, Flux Player 2.0 and Flux Studio 2.0, came out on February 21, 2007. A slightly updated version, Flux Player 2.1 and Flux Studio 2.1, was released a few months later on May 28, 2007.
What Happened to Flux?
Changes and New Owners
In May 2008, the company Media Machines changed its name to Vivaty. Because of this, the Flux software also got a new name and was called Vivaty.
However, on April 16, 2010, Vivaty closed down. After it closed, the company was bought by Microsoft. This meant that the Flux software, now known as Vivaty, became part of Microsoft.
More Information
- Flux download - Where to find the old programs
- Graphics Pioneer Tony Parisi appointed Grid Institute fellowship to advance Media Grid standards - About Tony Parisi's work
- NEW! Flux Studio 2.0 - News about the release
- MediaMachines Open Sources FluxPlayer for X3D - Why FluxPlayer was important
