Apple Announces Cross-Platform 3D File Standard for the Internet

3DMF Enables Browsers to Exchange and View 3D Models Across Macintosh, PC
and UNIX Platforms; Available for License at No Charge to Developers

MACWORLD, SAN FRANCISCO, California--January 9, 1996--Leveraging its
acknowledged expertise in 3D technology, Apple Computer, Inc. today
announced the company's 3DMF (3D Metafile) format as a proposed standard
for 3D graphics exchange across the Internet. 3DMF technology is fully
cross-platform across MacOS, Microsoft Windows, and UNIX to enable 3D
graphics exchange between applications and operating systems with no loss
of image quality or information.

Apple is in discussions with leading browser companies to incorporate 3DMF
into their software and 3DMF has also been embraced by graphics programs
as a way to easily share 3D models and images across networks and disks.
To accelerate the implementation of 3DMF across the World Wide Web and the
software industry, 3DMF may be licensed at no charge for use in commercial
and non-commercial applications.

Apple is also proposing 3DMF as a file extension to VRML (Virtual Reality
Modeling Language)--the new Internet standard for 3D online 'worlds'.
Apple has proposed 3DMF to the VRML Architecture Group (VAG) as an open
file exchange format and has started an ongoing dialogue with members of
the VAG on 3D strategies for the Internet.

"The development community has expressed tremendous interest in QuickDraw
3D and in the QuickDraw 3D metafile specification," said Kai-Fu Lee, vice
president of Apple's Interactive Media Group. "With support from over 50
developers, such as Adobe Systems, Macromedia Inc., Specular
International, and Strata Inc., and keen interest from the Web browser
market, Apple is poised to deliver sophisticated 3D graphics and
performance into mainstream computing markets."

3DMF Information

3DMF is the file format supported by QuickDraw 3D--Apple's new cross-
platform 3D API (Application Programming Interface) for Power Macintosh
(available immediately) and Microsoft Windows (Spring 1996 general
availability). MacUser, the leading monthly magazine for business buyers
of Apple Macintosh computers, just selected QuickDraw 3D as the 1995
Editor's Choice Award winner for Breakthrough Technology of the Year.

3DMF represents a standardized format for displaying and saving 3D
models--a standard that preserves not only the object's geometry and
color, but also its shading, lighting and texture, as well as its relative
'position' in 3D space. Without 3DMF, 3D models must be converted between
software packages, frequently resulting in the loss of visual information
and data.

Equally important, 3DMF allows unique attributes to be saved and exchanged
among applications. For example, if a program uses a custom effect to
create a 3D object, it would normally be impossible to view that file in
any other program without the loss of that information. Saved as a 3DMF
file, this same object would retain its unique, application- specific
attributes in any other program or browser, despite their not supporting
this feature directly.

3DMF Support

"Apple's 3DMF is a strong step toward an inclusive standard for sensual
interfaces to the Internet and the Web," said Mark Pesce, co-creator of
VRML. "3DMF creates an elegant paradigm for the sharing of 3D objects
across many different hardware platforms. Apple's willingness to join with
the VRML community in the creation of future extensions to VRML is a clear
sign that we're moving together into cyberspace."

"3DMF represents an important step in Web-oriented 3D file exchange," said
Tony Parisi, founder and Chief Technical Officer for Intervista Software,
Inc. Mr. Parisi is the co-creator of VRML and a lead developer of the
WorldView VRML Web Browser for Power Macintosh and the PC. "Intervista is
actively evaluating 3DMF and we believe that Apple is making the right
move in offering this open standard to the online community. 3D will take
the Web by storm through VRML, and 3DMF is a compelling solution to
viewing 3D graphics across diverse platforms."

"Apple has taken a bold step in creating the 'lingua franca' of 3D
graphics," said Neil Trevett, vice president of marketing for 3Dlabs, Inc.
3Dlabs is the acknowledged front-runner in 3D graphics chips and the
source for the industry-leading GLINT and PERMEDIA 3D chip designs. "The
3D graphics market has long needed a standard format to exchange
data--something similar to the PICT format used for 2D graphics files.
With 3DMF, users can now easily cut and paste 3D graphics between
applications and across the Web with no loss of data or visual impact. We
congratulate Apple on taking the leading role in this area and look
forward to a continued close relationship with them for QuickDraw 3D and
3DMF."

Developer Information

3DMF developer information may be obtained by visiting the QuickDraw 3D
home page at http://www.info.apple.com/qd3d/ or by emailing
escher.dev@applelink.apple.com. The 3DMF specification and the
cross-platform parser are also available immediately from the QuickDraw 3D
home page.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information
industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal
computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal
digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
(NASDAQ:AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products,
technologies and services for the business, education, consumer,
scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

If you are considering the purchase of an Apple product and would like to
have product information faxed to you, please call 1-800- 462-4396 in the
U.S. or 1-800-263-3394 in Canada. If you do not have a fax machine or
would like to locate an Apple authorized reseller near you, please call
1-800-538-9696. Customers outside the U.S. should contact their local
Apple representatives for information.

Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
 
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