This information was released today, Monday, October 4th, 1993 at 9:36 am EDT. For Immediate Release Contact: Garth Chouteau Autodesk, Inc. (415) 491-8853 Autodesk Ships 3D Studio(R) Release 3 Leading PC Visualization Software Provides Workstation-Class Speed and Quality SAUSALITO, Calif., October 4, 1993--Autodesk, Inc. today announced that its Multimedia Division is shipping 3D Studio(R) Release 3 as scheduled. A major upgrade of the award-winning 3D modeling, rendering and animation software for 386/486-based PCs, 3D Studio Release 3 is used by design professionals in all fields. The software offers more than 200 new features, including network rendering, workstation-quality rendering and an extensive list of lighting, modeling and animation enhancements. As part of the 3D Studio Release 3 introduction, Autodesk is offering free upgrades in the U.S. for customers who purchased 3D Studio Release 2 between August 1 and October 4, 1993. Owners of previous 3D Studio versions can upgrade for US$497, by contacting their local Autodesk Multimedia Dealer. In addition, Autodesk is offering the Visualization Power Pack (VPP), a limited- time bundle of 3D Studio Release 3 and AutoCAD Release 12 for 386/486 computers, representing a possible savings of US$1,750 off the suggested retail price if purchased separately (see separate VPP release). Offers in other countries may vary; certain restrictions may apply. "In keeping with our tradition of producing dramatic 3D Studio upgrades, Release 3 reflects input from our customers all over the world," said Bob Bennett, senior product manager for 3D Studio. "In addition to the more than 200 new features in Release 3, we've expanded the product's ability to work with plug-in [IPAS] effects from independent application developers, as well as completely overhauling the World-Creating Toolkit(R) CD-ROM that's included in the box." IPAS Expansion IPAS stands for the four general types of external processes (Image processing, Procedural modeling, Animated stand-ins and Solid textures) that could be created in 3D Studio Release 2. Independent application developers embraced the IPAS concept, producing almost 100 unique 3D Studio effects, such as "explode," "disintegrate" and "lens flare." Release 3 offers many new sophisticated types of IPAS support within two general areas: Keyframe (.KXP) and Bitmap (.BXP) processes. While samples of the .KXP and .BXP effects are included with Release 3, independent application developers are again expected to produce a wide array of creative new effects. The .KXP technology, for example, can evaluate and then affect the position of objects in the 3D Studio keyframer, making possible sophisticated plug-ins that incorporate collision detection, flocking and skeletal animation. "Bounce.kxp," included with Release 3, uses simulated gravity and collision detection to make objects bounce automatically with realistic decaying motion. The .BXP technology allows developers to add support for any raster file types within 3D Studio. World-Creating Toolkit CD-ROM The World-Creating Toolkit CD-ROM included with 3D Studio Release 3 is an expanded source of 3D objects and textures. Its contents were carefully chosen to complement the capabilities of 3D Studio. Providing the user with a comprehensive "studio" of artistic materials and tools, the World-Creating Toolkit CD-ROM includes: - Texture Maps--More than 1,100 Targa files of specialty texture maps, organized by type and name. Woods, skies, rocks, animated flics and much more are included. Many of the maps "tile" seamlessly; others are designed to work with specific Release 3 features such as the projector lights. - Models--More than 500 pieces of geometry ranging from the rare to the familiar: buildings and landmarks; plants, trees and flowers; people, animals -- even monsters. - Fonts--100 PostScriptr fonts, custom designed for 3D Studio. Each font includes the full international character set. - Samples--A select portfolio of 3D Studio creations -- still and animated -- to inspire both novice users and veteran 3D Studio fans. Customer Commentary Beta testers have been working with advance copies of 3D Studio Release 3 for more than six months. Among those to comment on their experience with Release 3 are: Paramount/Pet Fly Productions Glenn Campbell is a visual effects supervisor with Pet Fly Productions. His company is producing "Viper," a TV series in association with Paramount and NBC. Viper is a high-tech James Bond-type action-adventure show with numerous special effects. "We've used 3D Studio Release 3 for everything from animatics to on-screen computer-graphics imagery, and our use continues to grow with every episode. We really appreciate 3D Studio's ease of use and broadcast- quality output," Campbell said. ARCHIMAGE ARCHIMAGE, a Houston-based design firm, uses 3D Studio Release 3 extensively in its architecture and computer imagery projects. The company has created 3D Studio-based animations for Compaq Computer Corporation, Nintendo and The Walt Disney Company. ARCHIMAGE president Richard "The quality and speed attainable with Release 3 have had an immediate impact on my company's products and services," said Buday. We received a call the other day from a gentleman who saw one of our Release 3 animations on local TV. He asked me how many SGI and Wavefront stations were used for the spot; I heard the phone drop when I told him 'none'." Crystal Dynamics, Inc. Crystal Dynamics, Inc. is an independent game developer based in the San Francisco Bay Area that uses 3D Studio Release 3 to produce titles for the new 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. Cyrus Lum, a member of Crystal Dynamics' art staff, talks about the new network rendering capabilities of Release 3: "The distributed rendering in Release 3 has enabled my company to meet tight production deadlines, while continuing to create and apply the latest video game special effects," Lum said. "By rendering animations over a 10-node network, we're able to experiment with and incorporate the latest lighting, mapping and IPAS effects, and still produce the finished sequences on time." System Requirements Autodesk 3D Studio Release 3 software runs on IBM(R) or Compaq(R) 386/486/Pentium-based computers or 100 percent compatibles equipped with MS-DOS 3.3 or later, 8MB of RAM, a hard disk, a Super VGA device, a math coprocessor and a Microsoftr- or SummaSketchr-compatible pointing device. Pricing and Availability Autodesk 3D Studio Release 3 software is now shipping, and carries a suggested list price of US$2,995 (U.S. domestic only) through Authorized Autodesk Multimedia Dealers. Customers who purchased 3D Studio Release 2 between August 1 and October 4, 1993 can receive a free upgrade to Release 3 by contacting their Dealer. Current owners of Autodesk 3D Studio Release 1 or 2 who purchased their software prior to August 1, 1993 can upgrade to Release 3 for US$497. For more information, please call Autodesk toll free at 800-879-4233 or enter GO ASOFT on CompuServe(R). Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of desktop computer-aided design automation software. Autodesk Inc. develops, markets and supports a family of computer-aided design automation software products, as well as scientific and multimedia software for personal computers and workstations. Autodesk shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol ACAD. For more information, please call 415-332-2344 or type GO ADESK on CompuServer. -30- Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, 3D Studio and The World-Creating Toolkit are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H&R Block. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.