Real3D

Real3D, Inc. was a United States graphics-hardware company created by Lockheed Martin to commercialize 3D visualization technology developed through aerospace and simulation research. Its technical heritage extended back to General Electric Aerospace and the Project Apollo Visual Docking Simulator, an early full-color computer-generated 3D imaging system. After Martin Marietta and Lockheed merged in 1995, the new defense contractor established Real3D as a vehicle for bringing portions of its graphics expertise into civilian markets. The company's most important commercial relationship was with Sega. Real3D designed graphics hardware for Sega's Model 2 and Model 3 arcade platforms, which powered a large number of high-profile 3D arcade games during the mid-1990s. The Model 2 and Model 3 systems became Real3D's principal market success and gave the company a significant role in the transition from predominantly 2D arcade technology to real-time 3D graphics. The hardware was reportedly used in more than 200,000 Sega arcade systems, making the Sega partnership the defining achievement of the Real3D brand. Real3D also pursued the personal-computer graphics market through a project known internally as Auburn. Working with Intel, Silicon Graphics, and Chips and Technologies, the company adapted related technology for an Intel add-in graphics card. The resulting Intel740 was introduced in 1998 and served partly as a showcase for Intel's Accelerated Graphics Port initiative. However, the product entered a rapidly changing and highly competitive PC graphics market. Design constraints associated with the platform and the speed of industry change limited its commercial performance. The technology subsequently appeared under StarFighter and Lightspeed branding, but the product line did not establish a durable market position. By 1999, Real3D's principal commercial relationships were weakening while Lockheed Martin was concentrating more heavily on its defense activities. Real3D closed on October 1, 1999, and its assets were sold to Intel on October 14. Intel's acquisition also brought litigation exposure connected with Real3D's patents. Intel later transferred the relevant intellectual property to 3dfx Interactive as part of a settlement. ATI recruited many former Real3D employees for a new Orlando operation, while disputes involving Real3D-related intellectual property continued among Intel, 3dfx, ATI, and parties associated with Silicon Graphics. Real3D therefore had a short corporate life, but its arcade designs remained influential through Sega's widely deployed Model 2 and Model 3 systems.

Real3D grew out of aerospace and simulation work associated with General Electric Aerospace. Its technical lineage included the Project Apollo Visual Docking Simulator, an early system capable of producing full-color computer-generated 3D imagery. GE and its successors developed increasingly sophisticated visualization systems during the 1970s, although the business remained smaller than some competing simulation specialists. General Electric's corporate restructuring eventually affected the organization. Martin Marietta acquired GE Aerospace in 1992, and Martin Marietta later merged with Lockheed in 1995 to form Lockheed Martin. The new company decided to pursue civilian applications for some of its graphics capabilities and established Real3D in January 1995. Rather than remaining focused solely on aerospace visualization, the new company targeted interactive entertainment and personal computing. Real3D formed a relationship with Sega that became the central chapter of its history. It designed 3D graphics hardware for Sega's Model 2 and Model 3 arcade platforms. These systems were deployed widely and became important platforms for 3D arcade games during the 1990s. The scale of the deployment—reported at more than 200,000 systems—made Sega's arcade business substantially more significant to Real3D than its later PC initiative. The company next attempted to transfer similar technology into the consumer-computer market. The Auburn project was developed with Intel, Silicon Graphics, and Chips and Technologies and was closely associated with Intel's Accelerated Graphics Port strategy. Released in 1998, the Intel740 was intended to bring Real3D-associated technology to PC add-in cards. The card received attention as an AGP showcase, but its commercial life was short. Rapid changes in PC graphics, competitive pressure, and decisions tied to the platform limited its prospects. The technology was subsequently sold under the StarFighter and Lightspeed names, without producing a sustained market position. Real3D's business relationships were deteriorating by 1999. Sega and Intel were no longer providing a stable basis for continued growth, while Lockheed Martin was placing greater emphasis on defense activities. Real3D closed on October 1, 1999, and Intel acquired its assets on October 14. The transaction did not end all issues associated with the company: 3dfx had brought patent litigation against Real3D, and the claims shifted to Intel after the asset purchase. Intel resolved the matter by selling the relevant intellectual property to 3dfx. Separately, disputes involving Real3D patents drew in ATI and resources formerly associated with Silicon Graphics; those matters ended in a cross-licensing settlement in 2001. Many former employees were recruited by ATI for a new Orlando office. Although Real3D existed for only several years, its Sega arcade hardware gave it a lasting place in the history of commercial real-time 3D graphics.

1. 2001Cross-licensing settlement concludes patent disputes

   Patent-related disputes involving Real3D technology concluded in a cross-licensing settlement involving the affected graphics companies.

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2. 1999Real3D closes

   Real3D ceased operations on October 1 as Lockheed Martin concentrated on its defense business.

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3. 1999Intel acquires Real3D assets

   Intel purchased Real3D's assets on October 14.

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4. 1998Intel740 reaches the PC market

   The Auburn project resulted in the Intel740 graphics card, developed with Intel and other technology partners.

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5. 1995Lockheed Martin forms Real3D

   Following the Martin Marietta–Lockheed merger, Lockheed Martin established Real3D to commercialize graphics technology for civilian markets.

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6. 1995Sega arcade partnership begins

   Real3D began supplying graphics technology for Sega Model 2 and Model 3 arcade systems.

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7. 1992Martin Marietta acquires GE Aerospace

   The aerospace and simulation organizations that supplied much of Real3D's technical heritage became part of Martin Marietta.

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A specialist 3D graphics technology company translating aerospace-derived visualization and rendering expertise into arcade entertainment hardware and, later, consumer PC graphics.

• Sega Model 2 graphics hardwareArcade graphics hardware1995

  Real3D designed the 3D graphics hardware used in Sega's Model 2 arcade platform. The system helped establish polygonal 3D graphics as a major commercial format for arcade games in the 1990s. Its broad deployment made the Model 2 one of Real3D's most important product outcomes and demonstrated the company's ability to convert aerospace-derived rendering expertise into reliable, high-volume entertainment hardware.

• Sega Model 3 graphics hardwareArcade graphics hardware1996

  Real3D also supplied graphics technology for Sega's Model 3 arcade system, a successor platform designed for more advanced real-time 3D presentation. Model 3 extended the company's relationship with Sega and reinforced Real3D's reputation in arcade graphics. Together, Model 2 and Model 3 hardware represented the company's strongest and most widely deployed commercial technology.

• Intel740PC graphics card1998

  The Intel740 was the principal PC product associated with Real3D's Auburn project. Developed with Intel, Silicon Graphics, and Chips and Technologies, it was designed as an Accelerated Graphics Port showcase and brought Real3D-related rendering technology to add-in graphics cards. The product had a short commercial life and was later associated with StarFighter and Lightspeed branding.

• 1999Wind down Real3DStrategy

  The PC graphics effort had struggled, key commercial relationships were ending, and Lockheed Martin was emphasizing military businesses.

  What changed. Real3D closed on October 1, 1999, followed by the sale of its assets to Intel on October 14.

  Aftermath. Real3D ceased to operate as an independent company. Intel inherited associated intellectual property and litigation issues, while ATI hired many remaining employees.

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• 1999Sell Real3D assets to IntelM&A

  Following the closure of Real3D, Lockheed Martin disposed of the company's remaining assets.

  What changed. Intel acquired the assets, including technology connected with Real3D's graphics business.

  Aftermath. The transaction transferred Real3D-related patent and litigation matters to Intel and preceded the later transfer of relevant intellectual property to 3dfx.

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• 1998Launch the Intel740 PC graphics cardProduct launch

  Real3D and its partners attempted to extend arcade-oriented 3D graphics expertise into the rapidly evolving PC add-in-card market.

  What changed. The Auburn project produced the Intel740, positioned as an Accelerated Graphics Port showcase.

  Aftermath. The product remained on the market for less than a year and was later sold under StarFighter and Lightspeed branding.

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• 1995Commercialize aerospace-derived graphics technologyStrategy

  After forming Lockheed Martin, the company sought civilian applications for graphics capabilities developed in aerospace and simulation work.

  What changed. Lockheed Martin established Real3D and directed it toward arcade entertainment and personal-computer graphics.

  Aftermath. The strategy produced a major arcade business through Sega, although the later PC initiative was not commercially successful.

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• 1995Develop graphics hardware for Sega Model 2 and Model 3Product launch

  Sega was developing increasingly advanced 3D arcade platforms as the industry moved from 2D toward real-time polygonal graphics.

  What changed. Real3D entered a technology relationship with Sega and designed graphics hardware for the Model 2 and Model 3 systems.

  Aftermath. The Sega platforms became Real3D's most successful products and were used in a large installed base of arcade machines.

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• 2001Real3D patent disputes continue among graphics companies

  Further litigation involving Real3D patents included Intel, ATI, and parties connected with Silicon Graphics. The disputes concluded in a cross-licensing settlement.

  Lawsuit
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• 1999Real3D closes and sells assets to Intel

  Real3D ceased operations on October 1, 1999. Its assets were sold to Intel on October 14 as Lockheed Martin refocused on its military businesses.

  M&AOther
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• 1999Real3D-related patent litigation leads to intellectual-property transfer

  3dfx Interactive pursued patent claims involving Real3D. After acquiring Real3D's assets, Intel settled the dispute by transferring the relevant intellectual property to 3dfx.

  Lawsuit
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• 1998Intel740 graphics card released

  The Auburn project produced the Intel740, a PC graphics card developed through cooperation among Real3D, Intel, Silicon Graphics, and Chips and Technologies. It had a brief and unsuccessful market run.

  Product launch
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• 1995Real3D established as a Lockheed Martin civilian graphics venture

  Lockheed Martin created Real3D to commercialize graphics technology originating in its aerospace and simulation organizations and developed a relationship with Sega.

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• 1995Real3D graphics technology enters Sega Model 2 and Model 3 arcade platforms

  Real3D's partnership with Sega produced the company's most successful commercial hardware, used across a large installed base of Model 2 and Model 3 arcade systems.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. Real3D