DreamWorks Interactive, Evans & Sutherland, Others to Use Softimage
Software Development Kit to Build Real-Time 3-D Applications

Companies Will Build Virtual Sets and Other Real-Time 3-D Applications
Using Softimage Technology; Next Version of Softimage to Include Real-Time
3-D Viewer

REDMOND, WASH. - APRIL 15, 1996 - Softimage Inc., the world's leading
high-end 3-D animation software company and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Microsoft Corp., today announced that several companies, including Evans &
Sutherland Computer Corp. and DreamWorks Interactive, will use the
recently introduced Softimage Software Development Kit (SDK) to develop
real-time 3-D applications, including virtual sets. Softimage also
announced plans to include its own real-time 3-D viewer technology, called
Softimage-Live, in the next version of Softimage 3D for the Microsoft
Windows NT operating system and Silicon Graphics IRIS. Many of these
applications are being demonstrated this week at the National Association
of Broadcasters conference (NAB '96) in Las Vegas, Nev.

This announcement marks the first milestone in establishing the Softimage
SDK as a standard development platform for high-end 3-D animation tools.
During the next year, Softimage expects many more software developers,
systems integrators and hardware companies to begin incorporating its
Softimage-Live real-time 3-D technology and using the Softimage SDK.
Softimage first publicly demonstrated real-time 3-D animation technology
in its Virtual Theater presentation last year at NAB '95.

"By providing components of our real-time 3-D viewing technology and
incorporating Softimage-Live into the next version of Softimage 3D, we'll
help enable both users and systems integrators to develop real-time
applications and content for a wide array of new markets, including
virtual sets," said David Morin, director of special projects for
Softimage.

The following companies are demonstrating or announcing applications based
on Softimage technology:

* BRAINSTORM ESTUDIO (Madrid, Spain) will use the Softimage SDK to develop
a turnkey virtual set implementation that is capable of displaying up to
60 video frames per second with an unlimited number of cameras. This
product is expected to be completed in mid-1996 and will be marketed and
distributed by Digimedia (Madrid, Spain).

* DREAMWORKS INTERACTIVE (Universal City, Calif.) will use the Softimage
SDK to develop Directors' Chair, an in-house product that allows creative
professionals with little or no computer-animation experience to control
feature-film-quality virtual scenes in much the same way they control live
action scenes. With joysticks, tablets and an easy-to-use graphical user
interface, creative professionals can immerse themselves in the digital
scene and in real time control lighting effects, camera angles, zooms,
focus and other scene elements.

* EVANS & SUTHERLAND COMPUTER CORP. (E&S, Salt Lake City, Utah) is
developing an interface that allows Softimage 3D-generated models and
animation sequences to be used with E&S' real-time image-generation
products and databases. The move supports E&S' stated plan to move its
products to an open environment and expand into new markets. The
collaboration will also broaden Softimage's customer base to include
real-time broadcast media and video production applications. Evans &
Sutherland manufactures hardware and software that produce realistic,
interactive 3-D graphics and synthetic environments.

* IMAGICA'S IMAGE SYSTEMS DIVISION (Tokyo) will use Softimage technology to
develop its own turnkey virtual set implementation, including an enhanced
version of its Perspective Match camera-tracking technology. Founded in
1935, IMAGICA is the oldest and largest film lab, video post-production
and computer graphics production company in Japan.

* LIGHTSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES INC. (San Jose, Calif.) will be demonstrating the
integration of the Lightscape Radiosity Server and Softimage 3D using the
Softimage SDK. A viewer linked to the server will provide real-time
display and navigation of the radiosity solution from within Softimage.
Lightscape Technologies develops visual reality software products for the
design and entertainment markets.

* ORAD HI-TEC SYSTEMS (Kfar Saba, Israel) will incorporate Softimage- Live
real-time 3-D technology and use the Softimage SDK in its CyberSet virtual
studio. Unlike most virtual sets that require special cameras and
stationary mounts, CyberSet is the only virtual set environment that
allows for the free motion of cameras, including shoulder mounts.
Producers can also use any type of studio camera rather than more
expensive, specially made virtual set cameras. Orad Hi-Tec Systems
provides a range of video processing products aimed at the broadcasting,
sports and advertising markets.

* PLAY INC. (Rancho Cordova, Calif.) is using the Softimage SDK to develop
synthetic set tools, which allow live actors to be placed into and
interact with virtual environments in real time. These efforts merge
Softimage's real-time 3-D technology with Trinity's real-time video
processing abilities to create computer-generated sets for video
production.

* RT-SET (Herzelia, Israel) is using the Softimage SDK to develop a
Softimage scene loader to RT-SET's Virtual Studio System (VSS) that
requires no intermediate conversions or preparations. This allows
designers, animators and directors to build almost the entire virtual
studio show on Softimage and then load it directly into RT-SET's VSS. 
RT-SET (Real Time Synthesized Entertainment Technology) Ltd., a developer
and marketer of fully integrated 3-D computerized broadcasting systems,
was established in early 1994 by BVR Technologies, a world leader in the
development of highly sophisticated simulation and training systems.

NEXT VERSION OF SOFTIMAGE 3D TO INCLUDE REAL-TIME 3-D CAPABILITIES

Softimage also plans to incorporate real-time 3-D viewing technology in the
next version of Softimage 3D, which is scheduled for delivery in mid-1996.
Called Softimage-Live, this technology will allow customers to generate
real-time 3-D animations on their desktops using a variety of
motion-capture and control devices. Softimage plans to include this
technology in both Softimage 3D for Windows NT and for Silicon Graphics
IRIS.

Founded in 1986, Softimage develops software for media-rich applications
including video, film, interactive games and CD-ROM applications. Products
include Softimage 3D (high-end animation), Softimage Eddie (compositing)
and Softimage Toonz (2-D cel animation). The company was acquired in 1994
by Microsoft Corp. Additional information about Softimage and Microsoft
can be found via the Internet at HTTP://WWW.SOFTIMAGE.COM/ and
http://www.microsoft.com/ respectively.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Softimage general information, (800) 576-3846; Internet:
HTTP://WWW.SOFTIMAGE.COM/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* WHAT IS A VIRTUAL SET? A virtual set allows producers to blend live
action with computer-generated images and animations in real time.
Animations can include background scenes (such as a tropical island or New
York City subway tunnel), objects (e.g., clouds, trains) and real-time
animated characters generated through motion-capture devices on a person
or object. The key to a true virtual set is that live action and animation
can be combined in real time to produce extraordinary interactions between
real and imaginary objects. One of the most basic virtual set applications
is live television-news weather reports, which integrate a weather person
with computer-generated maps.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners!
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email:   rbakerpc@aol.com   --or--   rbakerpc@delphi.com
 =========================================================
