AccelGraphics announces first entry-level workstation-class 3D graphics accelerator; new board delivers high-performance 3D graphics for price-sensitive MCAD users.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1995--AccelGraphics Inc., the leading supplier of PCI-based 3D graphics accelerators for Windows NT, today announced the expansion of its product line with the AccelR8 graphics accelerator board.

The AccelR8 provides exceptional 3D graphics performance in its price range for platforms running Windows `95 and Windows NT.

The new board offers the performance of high-end 3D graphics for the entry and mid-level 3D MCAD user, while also enhancing the performance of 2D applications. AccelGraphics' unique design enables the AccelR8 to scale performance with the speed of the host CPU -- faster CPUs deliver faster graphics -- ensuring a variety of price-performance points depending on the type and clock speed of the system's main processor. This unique design also protects the customer's investment by effectively lengthening the AccelR8 board's useful life through delivery of greater 3D graphics performance as the power of the host system is increased (i.e., 100K triangles/sec with 133MHz Pentium and 180K triangles/sec with a 150MHz Pentium Pro).

"The delivered performance of the AccelR8 is more than ten times that of the Matrox Millenium card as measured by standard benchmarking tools like GLPerf.," said Greg Milliken, vice president of marketing for AccelGraphics. "The AccelR8 board is clearly the first workstation-class 3D graphics accelerator for price-sensitive, professional 3D designers and engineers."

The AccelR8 board is optimized for a screen resolution of 1024x768 with 8-bit double buffering, but can also support a variety of other screen resolutions and color depths, such as 1024x768 (16-bit single buffered), 1280x1024 (with 2D accelerated 8-bit color) and 800x600 (16-bit double buffered and 24-bit single buffered). This rich set of resolutions and color depths can be easily and flexibly accessed at any time via AccelGraphics' "on the fly" resolution switching -- enabling any display mode of the AccelR8 to be configured without rebooting the system.

Additional features include a 16-bit Z-buffer, optionally upgradable to a 24-bit Z-buffer for visually demanding applications such as large scale design projects or architectural walkthroughs. Full support for dual screen configurations is also provided, enabling customers to double their screen real estate with high-performance OpenGL graphics available on both screens.

Milliken stated, "We wanted to provide entry-level and mid-range CAD, and specifically MCAD, users with high performance 3D at a reasonable price. Most CAD users still work in 2D, while 3D design is rapidly moving to the forefront with the advent of applications such as the Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, Pro/JR. from Parametric Technology and SolidWorks 95 from SolidWorks. The AccelR8 will provide traditional 2D MCAD users with an affordable entry to the 3D design market -- and it enhances the performance of their existing 2D applications as well."

The new AccelGraphics board supports a wide variety of popular 3D applications, including CAD applications such as Autodesk's AutoCAD and the Mechanical Desktop, SolidWorks 95 from SolidWorks Corp., Bentley System's MicroStation 95 and MicroStation Modeler and Parametric Technology Corp.'s Pro/JR. and Pro/ENGINEER. The AccelR8 also supports other graphics-intensive applications, including AVS/Express from Advanced Visual Systems, and will support 3D Studio MAX from Autodesk when it ships early next year.

Pricing and Availability

The AccelR8 board will be available in Q1 `96 from all authorized AccelGraphics resellers and distributors and will have a list price of under $1,500 in North America.

AccelGraphics Inc.

AccelGraphics Inc. develops, manufactures and markets high-performance 3D graphics and image and image processing accelerators for computer-aided design, imaging, animation and visualization markets. Sales distribution is managed through select VARs, OEMs and technical distributors with expertise in these target 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. AccelGraphics' line of higher-performance 3D graphics accelerators delivers high-end workstation graphics performance on platforms supporting the standard, high-bandwidth PCI bus. Supported systems include those based on Intel Corp.'s Pentium and Pentium Pro processors, as well as other processors such as the Alpha AXP and MIPS.

AccelGraphics Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, and can be reached via phone at 800/444-5699. Fax: [phone]. World Wide Web: http://www.accelgraphics.com and Email: [e-mail]. -0-

Note to Editors: The AccelR8 board was pre-released under the code name Panther. AccelGraphics and AccelR8 are trademarks of AccelGraphics Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

AccelGraphics can be found at AutoFact booth No. 964.

CONTACT: AccelGraphics Inc.

Greg Milliken, 408/441-1556, Email: [e-mail]

or

Sterling Communications

Carol Nash, 408/441-4100, Email: [e-mail]