MetaTools, Inc. Ships Kai's Power Tools 3 for Windows 95/NT

ADDENDUM

CARPINTERIA, CA., JAN. 16, 1996-- MetaTools, Inc., formerly HSC Software,
today announced that it is shipping Kai's Power Tools (KPT) 3 for Windows
95/NT, which brings new levels of imaging technology to the desktop.

OVERALL FEATURE ENHANCEMENTS

There are hundreds of changes and improvements in KPT 3. The user
interfaces for each of the plug-in applications are redesigned, and are
dominated by a much larger preview window, giving users more information
to analyze effects in real time. New channel operations, such as
procedural negative, have been added. Presets can now be viewed as a
scrolling list or through the industry's first graphical presets menu.

KPT LENS F/X

KPT Lens f/x is a high precision tool that gives users complete control
over smudge, noise, find edges, Gaussian blur and other effects. Users can
move the lens instrument, or preview window, around and over their work to
look at the chosen effect in real time. Users can now rotate effects and
apply channel operations through the Lens f/x instrument. Users can also
dial in a host of parameters within the Lens f/x instrument in real time,
expanding the ability to experiment with creative options.

KPT SPHEROID DESIGNER

KPT Spheroid Designer takes the one-step spherize filters found in image
editing applications to a completely new level. It presents a unique
environment that gives users all the controls for 3-D lens- style
distortions in a 2-D environment. For example, users can easily create
unique buttons for Web page designs, generate alpha channel textures,
create materials or produce glass effects. Users control object properties
such as curvature, transparency, bump-mapping, ambiance, gloss, opacity
and light sources, both positive and negative. There are also controls
over mutation effects and apply modes. Users can start with a preset
design, chosen from either a scrolling list or a graphical representation,
or can create their own effect from scratch. Nine memory dots, the same
that are found in KPT Convolver, allow users to quickly save their work in
progress for more creative exploration.

KPT INTERFORM

KPT Interform is a magical new way to create ever-changing animations. It
blends and mutates textures from KPT Texture Explorer to create new
textures that would not be possible using any other imaging technique.
Users can create a completely unique texture or generate time-based output
of the textures transforming in QuickTime movies.

KPT TEXTURE EXPLORER

Anew texture engine allows users to create infinite textures. The
mathematics built into the texture engine produce a new generation of
textures never seen before. Users can now change the direction of each
texture, zoom in and out of textures, and using real-time controls, adjust
the opacity of the channel operation that is being applied. Users can now
modify hue, saturation, brightness, contrast and blur parameters in real
time from within KPT Texture Explorer and KPT Gradient Designer. There are
now 16 mutations, or cousins, that are generated on the fly surrounding
the parent texture. Each of these mutations is an infinite texture plane.
Users can now infinitely pan through each of the cousins. KPT 3 will ship
with the Texture Explorer from version 2.x and the new Texture Explorer
for compatibility.

SPECIAL EFFECTS PLUG-IN APPLICATIONS

Users now have visual controls over the special effects one-step filters
from KPT 2.x. Users can precisely control opacity levels and apply channel
operations to these effects. The two new effects are KPT Tiling Plane,
which creates a zoomable field of tiles with true perspective control, and
KPT Video Feedback, which infinitely repeats the image on top of itself.
The effects found in version 2.x are now previewable in real time and are
more controllable over a number of parameters.

KPT GRADIENT DESIGNER

In addition to overall feature enhancements, users can now view gradients
and alpha channels graphically. Gradient modifiers (hue, saturation, etc.)
can be constrained to within the selection bracket. Users can also feather
effects within the selection bracket.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Kai's Power Tools 3 for Windows 95/NT is available now through MetaTools'
dealers and distributors worldwide. The U.S. suggested retail price
continues to be $199. Registered users of KPT 2.0 for Windows may upgrade
for $79. Registered users who purchase the retail version of KPT 2.0 for
Windows on or after Dec. 1, 1995, through Feb. 29, 1996, can receive the
upgrade to KPT 3 for no charge ($10 shipping and handling in the U.S.).

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Kai's Power Tools 3 for Windows requires an IBM PC or compatible 486 or
higher with a math coprocessor, Windows 95/NT, any image editing
application that 100 % supports the Adobe standard plug-in 32 bit
architecture, and 2.5 Mb RAM from the host program's memory allocations.
 
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