Some months ago, Dassault Systemes was really excited that Microsoft made noises about working together in the area of a XML file format for 3D CAD drawings.
Today another announcement was made: Microsoft's Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) format and Dassault's' 3D Extensible Markup Language (3DXML) format will be compatibile with each other.
(XAML is the file format for Microsoft's Avalon presentation subsystem, while 3DXML is based on work done by Lattice Technologies of Japan.)
The remainder of the press release speaks of the two company's deep love for each other:
- "Our deep relationship with Dassault Systemes..."
- "The alliance between Microsoft and Dassault Systemes is a clear commitment..."
Exactly what the compatibility effort means is left vague, probably deliberately so, because I suspect neither company knows what will happen, and because Microsoft does not want to be exclusive with Dassault. There is the usual mentions of "rich user experience" and "unmatched openess" and "usher in a new generation" and other lingo that makes editors' brains turn to mush.
Here's my prediction: by the time Longhorn ships, Microsoft will have forgotten about 3DXML.
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