Showplace

Showplace is a 3D computer graphics program. It was released in the 1990s by Pixar with versions for Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. The Mac version was co-developed by Phil Beffrey and Dana Batali. Version 1.0 sold for US$995. It would create a basic primative model, from which the user could change model surfaces and set lighting and camera angles. Version 2.0, which cost $495–695, provided additional modeling tools for users call Clip Objects Library and require Pixar's Renderman for render images. Users can import model from other software by use file RIB format.

Features
Version 1.0:
 * 42 Clip Object library
 * Import objects using RIB format
 * Requires 32 bit QuickDraw, math coprocessor
 * LabelMaker utility for creating Looks
 * 4 kinds of lights (ambient, sun, point, spot light)
 * Unlimited number of lights
 * Background rendering
 * Export TIFF and PICT images

Version 1.1


 * Upgrade for Mac Quadra 700 and 900
 * CD version ($695 US)

Version 2.0 features


 * 18 plugins for basic geometry shapes
 * Import Adobe Illustrator 3.0+ files, DXF files
 * Create 3D type from outline fonts
 * Lathe curves while creating 3D objects
 * Glimpse
 * Professional Look browser
 * 3 node version of NetRenderMan
 * MacRenderMan standard render

In 1992 Valis group create PrimeRIB object library and PickTure (345$ US) and 3 shader libraries (345$ US) for Showplace.

It was discontinued when Pixar chose to concentrate on film production instead of application development.

Universal Scene Description
Pixar's Universal Scene Description (USD) software tool included many Showplace features, such as importing models, creating basic primative models and applying transformations. Transformations include organizing, rotating and scaling models, adding lights, adjusting and changing lighting and changing model materials. USD is designed to work with the modern 3D animation pipeline. Unlike Showplace, Pixar uses USD to create 3D animated movies. USD uses an internal OpenGL renderer. Pixar released an open source version of Universal Scene Description on 2016-07-26.