AccelGraphics, Intergraph Team-up for 3D CAD Solutions; AccelGraphics Bundles MOGLE for ActionGraphics(TM) 300 3D Graphics Accelerator.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 1995--AccelGraphics, Inc. and Intergraph Software Solutions (ISS) announced a strategic original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement.

AccelGraphics will bundle the MicroStation(R) OpenGL Engine (MOGLE) with the ActionGraphics 300 (AG300) high-performance, 3D graphics accelerator targeted for the PC computer-aided design (CAD) market. This teaming of 3D acceleration technology will significantly increase the performance of MicroStation, the general purpose 2D/3D drafting and design software developed by Bentley Systems, Inc. and Intergraph's suite of MicroStation-based CAD software solutions for PC-based users in a variety of markets.

ISS is the software business unit of computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) systems provided by Intergraph.

"The ActionGraphics 300 3D accelerator, coupled with MOGLE, delivers the most aggressive performance increase for MicroStation in the 3D CAD market today," said Greg Milliken, vice president of marketing for AccelGraphics. "Our extensive knowledge and work with OpenGL and Microsoft Windows NT, coupled with our collaboration with Intergraph Software Solutions, offers a unique PC-based computing solution for 3D CAD applications."

"Windows NT, combined with the AG300 and the unique features of MOGLE 2.0, is an exciting platform for MicroStation, enhancing graphics performance for both 2D and 3D tasks," said Gene Grindstaff, executive manager of ISS's Visualization Product Center. "OpenGL, the high-performance, industry-standard 3D graphics library included with Windows NT 3.5, is a more efficient graphics interface than that delivered with traditional Windows. OpenGL is designed for the types of tasks that a MicroStation user performs, such as creating and displaying 3D elements, wiremesh and smooth-shaded views and renderings."

MOGLE Version 2.0

In addition to providing significant improvements in performance, MOGLE 2.0 offers numerous features for design in MicroStation. Some primary features useful in 3D CAD are listed below:

-- A primary feature in Version 2.0 is dynamics. Users, whether

working in 2D or 3D, can now perform dynamic view and element

manipulations such as dynamic pan, zoom and rotate from

within MicroStation.

-- MOGLE's editable display list capability allows users to

place, delete and modify graphic elements within the dynamic

manipulation. This feature also significantly increases both

2D and 3D display performance.

-- MOGLE 2.0 also supports translucency in smooth shaded views,

allowing users to see through shaded objects. This feature

is useful when it is important to see vector and shaded

objects in the same view or users have numerous objects

overlaying each other.

-- MOGLE 2.0 extends fog/depth cueing (applied in Phong shaded

mode in native MicroStation) to both wireframe and smooth

shaded modes. This extension improves the viewing/display

accuracy in wireframe mode, which is faster to view and

manipulate than either Phong or smooth shaded views.

ActionGraphics 300

AccelGraphics eliminated the last barrier to using a standard PC for 3D applications such as MicroStation in a production environment by offering 3D graphics performance previously available only from expensive, high-end UNIX workstations. By specifically targeting the leading 3D mechanical software applications and tuning its own driver software to get the best performance possible with these applications, AccelGraphics delivers a powerful and unique hardware and software solution to the large and growing 3D mechanical CAD (MCAD) market, as well as a number of other adjacent CAD markets such as architecture and civil engineering.

The AG300's powerful graphics processor is capable of up to 205K Gouraud shaded triangles per second and up to one million 3D vectors per second. Furthermore, the AG300's innovative architecture allows performance to scale with the power of the main central processing unit, directly leveraging Intel's strategy to offer OverDrive(TM) processor upgrades to Pentium-based platforms. Faster processors deliver proportionately faster graphics performance, lengthening the useful life of the AG300 and providing investment protection in the rapidly changing computer industry. The AG300 from AccelGraphics paves the way for a family of graphics accelerators targeted at professional 3D markets. Its highly optimized 3D pipeline provides affordable, high-performance graphics using the OpenGL standard supported by Microsoft Corporation, initially with the 3.5 release of Windows NT, and in Windows 95 later this year.

AccelGraphics Background Information

AccelGraphics, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets high-performance 3D graphics and image processing accelerators for computer-aided design and engineering and other technical markets. AccelGraphics' 3D graphics accelerators enable technical professionals to visualize 3D data, such as designs and models of mechanical parts and assemblies, quickly and interactively; thereby, dramatically enhancing user productivity when using 3D applications.

The ActionGraphics line of higher-performance 3D graphics accelerators deliver high-end workstation graphics performance on PCs supporting the standard, high-bandwidth PCI bus. Supported systems include those based on Intel Corporation's Pentium processors and other high-performance processors including Alpha(TM), MIPS(TM) and PowerPC(TM). Sales distribution is managed through select Value Added Resellers, OEMs and technical distributors with expertise in these target markets. AccelGraphics, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. and can be reached at 408/441-1556.

Intergraph Background Information

A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) is the world's largest company dedicated to supplying interactive computer graphics systems. Products range from point solutions, meeting individual and departmental needs, to integrated, enterprise-wide systems.

As one of the company's four business units, Intergraph Software Solutions (ISS) develops and markets integrated software for the Technical Desktop -- the combination of compatible technical applications and personal productivity tools in a single desktop computer. Technical applications include computer-aided design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, publishing and earth sciences. ISS also provides core system software, high-end applications and training, consulting and implementation services.

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Note to Editors: If you wish to include telephone numbers for reader inquiries, please use 800-345-4856 or 1-205/730-5499 for Intergraph and 408/441-1556 for AccelGraphics, Inc. Or direct your readers to the Internet address http://www.intergraph.com. Use of these numbers and the Internet address will allow Intergraph to better serve your readers.

Intergraph is a registered trademark and ModelView is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation. MicroStation is a registered trademark of Bentley Systems, Inc. MicroStation is a registered trademark and Windows NT is a trademark of MicroSoft Corporation. AccelGraphics, ActionGraphics and AG300 are trademarks of AccelGraphics, Inc. Other brands and product names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: AccelGraphics, Inc., San Jose

Sam Cece, 408/467-5032,

email: [e-mail]

Greg Milliken, 408/467-5021,

email: [e-mail]

or

Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville

Marla Robinson, 205/730-1813

email: [e-mail]