ACD Systems Launches Deneba Canvas 9; Over 100 New Features and Technologies Shatter Traditional Desktop Publishing Limitations.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2003

ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA), the digital imaging company, through its recently acquired Miami-based subsidiary, formerly Deneba Systems Inc., today announced the launch of Canvas 9. Canvas is the world's only cross-platform, technical drawing program that seamlessly integrates professional-level image editing, advanced vector illustration, page layout, web graphics and presentation features into a single application. Canvas 9, engineered to exceed the highest standards of precision demanded by the technical illustrator, engineer, scientist, design and business communications professionals, is available in three versions: Canvas 9 Professional, Canvas 9 Scientific Imaging Edition and Canvas 9 GIS Mapping Edition.

Canvas 9 delivers a degree of technical precision that is not found within other desktop publishing targeted graphics application, and combines advanced vector illustration, image editing, publishing, web graphics and presentation features. This smooth blend of technologies, ease-of-use interface and timesaving tool sets within a single program positions Canvas 9 as an ideal corporate graphics solution. Canvas 9 delivers over 100 new features and enhancements to virtually all areas of the program.

Canvas 9 Professional - The new features in Canvas 9 Professional include:

-- Intelligent Interface

-- A near clairvoyant interface that anticipates what tools

and options users are most likely to need next.

-- Efficient workflow process through the new Smart Toolbox,

which constantly tracks and displays all drawing tools

that are related to the last tool chosen. Tool sets can be

resized and locked so they are always available.

-- The new Properties Bar keeps track of what objects and

tools are selected and displays the most relevant options

at all times.

-- Enhanced Imaging System

-- Support for 8, 16 and FP32 Real (scientific edition only)

image pixel depths per channel.

-- Attributes palette - a new central management and creation

center for all Fill and Stroke Inks (colors, gradients,

hatches, textures, symbols and patterns); Pen styles

(plain, calligraphic, neon, and parallel); Dash settings

and Arrow styles.

-- New Annotation tools make quick work of drawing callouts.

-- New Red Eye tool removes 'red-eye' effects automatically

or manually.

-- New Crop and Scale options adjust image resolution and

proportion in a single operation.

-- New Technical Drawing Features

-- New fully editable Dimensioning lines

-- New Image Warp command form images mathematically into

complex shapes.

-- Virtually unlimited and completely customizable ruler and

scale settings meet the requirements of advanced

scientific, engineering or architectural illustration

projects.

-- Waveform and 2D Math expression plotting tools.

-- New Personal Symbol Libraries allow for the instant access

of symbols, illustrations or other objects either from

within the application or via the Internet.

-- Expanded File Format Support

-- New PDF and EPS interpreter for flawless import of these

key file formats.

-- Improved and expanded support for over 50 file formats

including CGM, DXF, SVG, PDF, AVI, Flash, HTML and more.

-- Advanced Precision

-- Double-floating point, 64-bit precision vector coordinate

system matching that of the most advanced CAD software.

-- Document page size options have been expanded up to 2,000

miles by 2,000 miles and are supported with virtually

unlimited zoom capabilities.

Canvas 9 Scientific Imaging (SI) Edition -Smoothly blends all of the features found in the Professional Edition with specialized technologies and tools that deliver the ability to accurately measure, analyze, and export digital images containing up to 32 bits of floating-point data per channel. Medical, biotech and research professionals can quickly apply any of the 15 NIH-compliant scientific and binary filters to images, which are routinely acquired from a multitude of proprietary medical, scientific and geological imaging equipment. Canvas 9 SI also includes a new Image Data Viewer and a precision Image Measurement tool to facilitate the rapid analysis of pixel values and image properties. High-order image data can be imported directly using RAW (Binary or ASCII) or the widely used DICOM format.

Canvas 9 GIS Mapping Edition - Delivers the full range of features and cross-platform support found in the Professional Edition plus direct support for geographic coordinate data and manipulation. Multiple SHAPE and GeoTIFF files can be imported and re-projected within Canvas 9 GIS Mapping Edition. All associated GIS data can be viewed and analyzed using built-in tools or via scripting. The potential applications are vast and include: oil and resource exploration, city planning, cartography, transportation management, forest and wildlife management, census/demographic analysis and visualization, law enforcement, military applications and more.

"The new Canvas 9 offerings continues our award-winning tradition of creating cross-platform, highly precise graphics software solutions that target the needs of professionals in business, design, science and engineering," says Manny Menendez, vice president and general manager of ACD Systems of America.

Mike Zelen, president and chief executive officer of ACD Systems, says, "ACD Systems is known for its advanced digital imaging technology and world-class software offerings. Canvas 9 - with its leading edge technology, specialty user versions and major interface advances - certainly upholds the ACD Systems' tradition and is an outstanding complement to ACDSee, our other flagship product."

System Requirements of Canvas 9 Professional, Canvas 9 GIS Mapping Edition and Canvas 9 Scientific Imaging Edition

Windows
-------

- Pentium processor (III or better)
- Windows 2000 or XP
- 128 MB RAM
- 100 MB of free hard disk space
- 16-bit color support (or better)
- XGA or better screen resolution

Macintosh
---------

- PowerPC processor (G3 or better)
- Mac OS X (10.2 or newer)
- 128 MB RAM
- 100 MB of free hard disk space
- 16-bit color support (or better)
- XGA or better screen resolution

Price and Availability

Canvas 9 Professional has an estimated street price of US$399.95. The Canvas 9 GIS Mapping Edition and Canvas 9 Scientific Imaging Edition each have an estimated street price of US$599.95. Competitive, Educational and Volume discounts are available.

Registered owners of Canvas 8 can upgrade to the Professional Edition for only US$129.95. Owners of Canvas 7 can upgrade for $169.95 and owners of Canvas 3.5 through Canvas 6 can upgrade for $199.95. At the time of upgrade, registered owners will be able to add GIS Mapping or Scientific Imaging features for only $100 - a 50% discount. Canvas 8 products purchased between April 1, 2003 and August 31, 2003 may qualify for a free upgrade to the Professional Edition. Visit www.canvas9.com for details. Canvas 9 introductory upgrade offers are valid through September 30, 2003.

All editions of Canvas 9 are available through Ingram-Micro and a worldwide network of authorized resellers and VARs, and from the company's website at www.canvas9.com.

About ACD Systems International Inc.

Headquartered in British Columbia since 1993, ACD Systems International (TSX: ASA) is one of the world's leading developers and marketers of digital imaging software. ACD has penetrated the global marketplace through advanced Internet distribution and strategic partnerships with manufacturers and developers. ACD has millions of consumer users and over 33,000 corporate customers including many Fortune 500 companies. The company has a history of solid revenue growth. For further details, please visit us at our corporate web site: www.ACDSYSTEMS.com.

THIS NEWS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BASED ON THE ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DATE THE STATEMENTS WERE MADE AND THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF CONDITIONS OR OPINIONS SHOULD CHANGE.