Acacia Study Shows Greater Demand for 3D Visualization

The Acacia Research Group has released the results of a survey showing that worldwide spending on all aspects of 3D visualization and simulation are on the rise. The sub-industry is expected to reach sales of $22.1 billion in 2006 and rise to $31.5 billion by 2011, in all areas including hardware, software, and services. The breakdown of 3D simulation spending by industry in 2006 sees defense and government investing $13.5 billion, design and engineering $3.6 billion, industry and business $2.7 billion, and medical and scientific industries spending $2.3 billion. Some examples of this have been seen recently with the recent announcement of CSO SimTek's work with the RAF and USMC as far as military use goes. "We expect to see impressive expansion in all segments," said Acacia senior analyst Christine Arrington, "Defense and governmental spending is a major driver but commercial interests -- from oil and gas to pharmaceuticals -- are going to be investing in visualization and simulation technologies as well." Currently, North America accounts for the majority of spending with 55%, with second place going to Asia. The largest aspect of the 3D simulation industry is hardware, with 54% of the market, but that number is expected to fall to 49% by 2011 as the demand for software and services increases. "We see expanding opportunities for off-the-shelf product providers within this market, especially tool and middleware vendors," said Arrington. "Organizations and service providers can't build everything themselves. They are in the market for technologies ranging from specialty solutions all the way down to immersive game engines and their concomitant toolsets."