MICROSOFT INTRODUCES MAJOR UPGRADE TO SOFTIMAGE 3D

Sets New Benchmark for High-End 3-D Graphics Capabilities; Includes
Distributed Rendering Capabilities, New Game Development Features, And
Advanced Plug-in Architecture

LOS ANGELES - MAY 16, 1996 - Softimage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Microsoft Corp., today announced a major upgrade to Softimage 3D. This new
release, which raises the benchmark for high-end 3-D graphics
capabilities, includes significant enhancements to its already powerful
modeling, animation and rendering capabilities; important new interactive
game development features; and a new environment for creating plug-in
applications. All major Softimage 3D features are now available on Intel
Pentium Pro, Alpha and MIPS RISC 4400-based systems for the Microsoft
Windows NT operating system and the Silicon Graphics platform.

Softimage 3D version 3.5 enhances every key area of production, including
full nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) modeling capabilities,
significant enhancements to the powerful mental ray rendering system
(including distributed rendering across Windows NT-based and Silicon
Graphics systems), an advanced particle animation system, and an extensive
library of presets for creating hundreds of traditionally challenging
visual effects such as hair, snow, rain, tree leaves, soda bubbles, fire
and smoke. A new Softimage software development kit (SDK) provides kit
developers with a robust environment for creating plug-in applications.
Many of these advanced features, such as particles and mental ray, will be
available on the Windows NT platform for the first time.

Specifically for game developers, Softimage 3D version 3.5 offers even more
powerful tools for producing high-quality content quickly. In addition to
particles, mental ray rendering, full NURBS-based modeling and the
Softimage SDK, Softimage 3D 3.5 includes advanced polygon and color
reduction, more than 100 MB of motion-capture information, and the ability
to directly import and export geometry, textures, materials and animation
sequences to Sega Saturn, PlayStation game consoles, the Direct3D API and
VRML.

"This new release clearly establishes Softimage 3D as the world's best and
most complete modeling, animation and rendering software on any platform
at any price," said Daniel Langlois, founder of Softimage and senior
director at Microsoft. "Professionals can now achieve the highest-quality
character animations, interactive games, scenes and other
computer-generated imagery more easily and quickly."

Softimage 3D integrates all essential modeling, animation and rendering
controls into the core software. Advanced features are found in Softimage
3D Extreme for Windows NT-based and Silicon Graphics systems. Highlights
of the new release include the following:

* MODELING. With the introduction of full NURBS support, Softimage 3D
version 3.5 provides the most complete set of modeling capabilities on the
market. With NURBS, virtually any shape can be modeled, regardless of
complexity. A new spreadsheet-style editor, called scene manager, allows
customers to search for elements easily and to change specific elements of
a complex scene quickly. Softimage 3D version 3.5 allows customers to
automatically convert downward from NURBS-based models to polygon-based
models and upward from polygon-based models to NURBS-based models.
Softimage 3D Extreme includes meta-clay model sculpting features.

* ANIMATION. Inverse kinematics in Softimage 3D have reached a new level by
allowing generalized skeletons, whereby any object can act as a skeleton
and have geometry skinned onto it. Softimage 3D 3.5 also includes more
than 100 MB of motion-capture data, including a wide range of dancing,
fighting, falling, jumping and sports moves. Nearly 30 motion-capture
drivers are supported in the new release. Softimage 3D version 3.5 also
includes more custom effects features, including ambulate and multiped for
animating two-, four-, six- and eight-legged creatures. Softimage 3D
Extreme includes an enhanced particle animation system with an intuitive
graphical user interface that makes simulations quicker and easier. For
viewing interactive 3-D applications, including virtual sets, Softimage
Live technology is incorporated into Softimage 3D Extreme.

* RENDERING. In addition to an internal renderer that features full ray
tracing capabilities and extremely fast performance, Softimage 3D Extreme
includes an enhanced version of mental ray that makes it easier to produce
detailed, photorealistic images. In addition to interface enhancements,
including a preview window and shader ball, mental ray now supports
distributed rendering on Intel Pentium Pro, Alpha and MIPS R4400-based
workstations and servers for Windows NT-based and Silicon Graphics
systems, allowing customers to take full advantage of low-cost
renderfarms. Customers can also develop their own shaders quickly through
the Softimage SDK. Softimage is offering attractively priced networked and
standalone licenses of mental ray to licensed users of Softimage 3D
version 3.5.

* EFFECTS LIBRARIES. Softimage 3D Extreme also ships with an extensive
library containing hundreds of particle effects, mental ray shaders and
motion-capture files. Effects include hair, smoke, fog, fire, rain, soda
bubbles, tree leaves, environmental effects (such as sunrises, sunsets and
cloud cover), water, lens flare and many other traditionally challenging
visual effects. These libraries will be updated continually at no charge
on Softimage's World Wide Web site at http://www.softimage.com/. Using an
Internet browser, customers can view an effect in action, read notes on
how the effect was created, and insert geometry directly to use in their
animations.

SPECIAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT FEATURES

Softimage 3D version 3.5 has special features for game developers,
including advanced polygon and color reduction for improving the run-time
performance of models without sacrificing image quality. A new texture
editor allows users to paint on a 2-D texture and see it applied
immediately to 3-D models and to edit select textures interactively.
Geometry, material, texture and animation data can be imported or exported
directly to Sega Saturn, PlayStation game consoles, Direct3D and VRML. In
addition, Softimage supports the full range of image and object formats
including AliasWavefront, 3D Studio, Targa, TIFF, PIC, JPEG and GIF.
Softimage 3D version 3.5 also supports viewing on target on Sega Saturn
systems.

NEW PLUG-IN DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

Softimage 3D version 3.5 ships with an advanced, C-based, cross-platform
programming environment to create custom effects, shaders and other
plug-in applications. With the Softimage SDK, developers and customers
have direct access to Softimage 3D modeling, animation and rendering
controls. Applications can appear directly within the Softimage
environment or operate as standalone programs.

To help bolster a community of plug-in applications, Softimage introduced
the Softimage Developers Connection program in February. Through this
program, qualified developers and customers receive extensive technical
support and development software, as well as support in marketing their
applications.

PRICING, AVAILABILITY AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The new version of Softimage is offered in two packages: Softimage 3D and
Softimage 3D Extreme. Softimage 3D includes all modeling, animation and
rendering features, except meta-clay modeling, particles, mental ray and
Softimage Live, which are available in Softimage 3D Extreme. Softimage 3D
and Softimage 3D Extreme for the Silicon Graphics platform are available
today; versions for Intel Pentium Pro, Alpha and MIPS R4400-based
workstations and servers for Windows NT are scheduled to be available in
August.

System requirements include 64 MB of RAM, 1 GB of hard disk space and a
three-button mouse. Windows NT-based workstations require an OpenGL
graphics-accelerator card. A full list of supported hardware platforms is
available on Softimage's World Wide Web site.

The approximate price for Softimage 3D is $7,995 (U.S.); Softimage 3D
Extreme is $13,995 (U.S.). Customers licensing Softimage 3D version 3.0
for Windows NT after May 16 will receive a no-charge upgrade to Softimage
3D version 3.5 when it becomes available. Pricing is per concurrent user,
and licenses can be used on either Windows NT- based or Silicon Graphics
systems. Other upgrade prices vary. Licensed users of Softimage 3D version
3.5 (both configurations) can purchase standalone mental ray rendering
seats with prices starting at approximately $2,495 (U.S.) per seat.
Registered developers for PlayStation game consoles and Sega Saturn can
license import and export kits for approximately $995 (U.S.) each. All
products are available through Softimage's network of authorized
resellers.

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 modeling, animation and rendering),
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.

READER CONTACT:

Softimage general information, (800) 576-3846; HTTP://WWW.SOFTIMAGE.COM/
 
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