5DT (Fifth Dimension Technologies) is a high technology company specializing in Virtual Reality (VR). 5DT develops, produces and distributes VR hardware, software and systems. 5DT also develops turnkey VR systems for clients.

5DT's main focus is Training Simulators (Virtual Reality), Training Systems (Computer Based Training - CBT) and Virtual Reality Peripherals. Most of the 5DT systems and products may be customized to suit the requirements of a user.

At 5DT we believe that:
"Virtual Reality is not intended to replace reality-based training; instead, it is a powerful training medium to prepare the trainee for reality-based training."

We also believe that:
"If a picture says more than a thousand words, a virtual reality experience says more than a million." Virtual Reality is the ultimate training medium.

The Virtual Reality industry has been plagued by hype. This led to unrealistically high expectations by prospective users, and generally gave the industry a bad name when these expectations could not be met. With this in mind, we coined our company slogan:
5DT - Virtual Reality for the Real World! ^SM
Our Mission is to provide solid solutions that work well.

We strive to be low on hype, and high on results. Instead of promising prospective customers the world, we have adopted a 'Technology Demonstrator' approach. If a client approaches us for a training solution, and we do not have a suitable product that would match the training needs of the client directly, we demonstrate similar products to the client. This helps us to determine the exact training needs of the client. We then normally propose the development of a 'Technology Demonstrator'. With such a demonstrator we try to provide the client with a system that addresses the most important and critical issues of the required training solution. We normally develop the Tech Demo at a fraction of the cost of the final solution. The Tech Demos have proven to be very useful for our clients to visualize their solutions in advance, and also to demonstrate the proposed solution to their superiors or board members that have to make the final buying decision. The Tech Demo is also an ideal specification development tool.

We fully realize that:
"It is easy to promise; much more difficult to demonstrate".
We therefore try to base our promises on technologies that we have mastered.

5DT developed their own Software Development Kit (5DT SDK). The 5DT SDK is a comprehensive set of C++ class libraries that contain components for building Virtual Reality applications. This fully-documented SDK enables 5DT developers to share and re-use developed code. Using the 5DT SDK, technology demonstrators and full training solutions may be developed much faster than before.

Virtual Reality is our passion! Whilst doing everything documented in this web site, we also strive to enjoy what we are doing.

5DT consists of a small group (30 people) of highly talented, qualified and motivated individuals. 5DT's potential and capabilities are based on a solid knowledge and deep understanding of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science and Business.

5DT's Development Group consists of Electronics Engineers, Computer Scientists, Artists and Educationalists.

The Development Group is supported by Management-, Admin- and Manufacturing Teams.

5DT has a wide range of products, including VR Hardware, VR Training Simulators and Computer Based Training (CBT) Systems.

VR Hardware include products like the:
5DT Data Glove Series (6 different products)
5DT Head Mounted Display
5DT Virtual Binoculars
5DT Space Controller
5DT 3DOF Orientation Tracker

VR Training Simulators and CBT Systems include training and visualization solutions in the following fields:
Automotive
Aviation
Defense
High Voltage
Industrial
Medical
Mining
Virtual Landscapes
Visualization

5DT also distributes a wide range of VR Hardware and Software products.

For more information click on Products.

5DT's Software Development Kit (5DT SDK) forms the core of 5DT's software development efforts. Using the 5DT SDK, technology demonstrators and full training solutions may be developed much faster than before.

5DT personnel has a working knowledge and development experience of the following software:

Operating Systems:
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 (Microsoft)
Linux (Red Hat)
Unix (Irix)
Windows CE (Microsoft)

Programming Languages:
C++, Visual C++ (also Win32 and MFC programming), GCC
Visual Basic (Microsoft)

Modeling:
3-D Studio MAX (Autodesk)

Bitmap Editors:
Photoshop (Adobe)

Virtual Landscape Development:
TerrainPro (Development of OpenFlight-compatible virtual landscapes) (Terrex)
5DT Landscape Development Kit (5DT LDK)

C++ Class Libraries:
5DT Software Development Kit (5DT SDK)
VTree Pro (CG²)

Virtual Instruments:
VAPS (Virtual Prototypes Inc.)

Geographical Information Systems:
ER Mapper (Earth Resource Mapping)

Renderers:
DirectX (Microsoft)
OpenGL (Microsoft)
RenderWare (Criterion Software)

Scenario Managers:
STAGE (Virtual Prototypes Inc.)

Simulation Packages:
FlightSim (Virtual Prototypes Inc.)
HeliSim (Virtual Prototypes Inc.)

Hardware Skills Portfolio

Rapid prototype development using laser lithography (The 5DT HMD and 5DT Virtual Binoculars shells were developed using this technology)

5DT personnel has a working knowledge and development experience of the following networked simulator standards:
High Level Architecture (HLA)

5DT also has its own internal networking protocol for Networked Simulators.

5DT personnel has a working knowledge and development experience of the following Display Systems:
Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) (Fully immersive as well as transparant (see-thru)).
Single- and Multi-monitor Displays.
Single- and Multi-projector Displays (Front- as well as Back Projection).

The following unique technologies or components form the core of 5DT's development potential:

	5DT Software Development Kit (5DT SDK)
	Using the 5DT SDK, technology demonstrators and full training solutions may be developed very rapidly.
	5DT Flexure Measurement Technology
	5DT's fiber optic flexure measurement technology forms the basis of the 5DT Data Glove Series.

5DT's preferred development platform is the Intel Pentium III/IV Central Processing Unit (CPU) with the
NVIDIA GeForce 3 Graphics Processor Unit (GPU), operating under Windows 98/2000.

In January 2001 5DT embarked on the road towards ISO 9001 (version 2000) certification. Our objective is to be ISO 9001 certified before 30 the end of the year.

5DT's biggest customers to date are:

5DT is a privately held group. 5DT Inc. is a Delaware, USA, Corporation, whilst 5DT (Fifth Dimension Technologies) is a South African Private Company ((Pty) Ltd).

Our preferred medium of communication is via e-mail or by using our standard Contact Form.

	United States and Americas	Rest of World
Address:	5DT, Inc. 15375 Barranca Pkwy, G-103 Irvine, CA 92618 United States of America	5DT 25 De Havilland Crescent, P.O. Box 5 Persequor Park, 0020 South Africa
Tel:	+1 949 450 9044	+27 12 349-2690
Fax:	+1 949 450 9045	+27 12 349-1404
Office Hours:	10 AM - 6PM (10:00 - 18:00) Daylight savings time is observed.	08:00 - 17:00
Time zone:	Pacific Time* (GMT -8 hours)	GMT +2 hours

* Daylight savings time is observed.

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Download 5DT Corporate Information: 5DTCorporateInfo.pdf