AccelGraphics announces first seamlessly integrated interactive 3D graphics for AutoCAD Release 13 enabled by new software product -- AccelView 3D; new software product delivers dynamic 3D graphics enabling editing and manipulation of shaded 3D AutoCAD models without the need for additional 3D hardware.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1995--AccelGraphics Inc., the leading supplier of PCI-based 3D graphics accelerators for Windows NT, today announced a new software product called AccelView 3D for AutoCAD Release 13.

AccelView 3D enables AutoCAD users to interactively visualize and edit solid, surface and wireframe models. Solid and surface models can be dynamically manipulated as shaded objects in real time. Until now this type of graphics has only been available on high-end UNIX workstations with expensive additional 3D graphics hardware costing thousands of dollars.

AccelView 3D will deliver the following features to the Windows NT and Windows 95 versions of AutoCAD Release 13:

-- High-performance dynamic viewing and rendering of 3D solid, surface and wireframe models -- Interactive 3D editing and manipulation of solids and surfaces in shaded, hidden-line and wireframe modes -- Full support for model creation and editing in shaded and hidden-line modes -- Support for parts and assemblies -- Simple Windows-compliant icon-based interface fully integrated into the AutoCAD user interface -- Support for advanced visualization effects such as transparency and materials -- Support for Windows NT and Windows 95 and works with virtually any 2D graphics card that supports Windows NT or Windows 95 -- Takes advantage of OpenGL-based 3D graphics hardware enabling up to 500% improvement in 3D performance -- Support for both Intel and Alpha AXP versions of Windows NT and Windows 95

AccelView 3D is a software-only product that delivers rich 3D features without the need for additional 3D hardware. Even without 3D hardware AccelView 3D delivers dynamic performance on par with UNIX workstations. In addition, AccelView 3D will take advantage of a 3D hardware accelerator if it is present, resulting in a five times performance improvement. With the addition of a 3D accelerator from AccelGraphics such as the AG300, or the recently announced AccelR8, an AutoCAD system approaches and exceeds the performance and capabilities available in high-end design systems running on workstations that cost over $25,000 for the hardware.

"The primary strength of AccelView 3D is that it is a design tool, it enhances the productivity and creativity of the designer by allowing 3D models to not only be visualized, but edited as a shaded model," stated Greg Milliken, vice president of marketing at AccelGraphics. "There have been a number of other products on the market that are little more than 3D viewers, offering only the ability to spin a wireframe or shaded model on the screen. When the designer needed to edit or modify the model they were forced to go back to the traditional 2D AutoCAD display environment. AccelView 3D completely departs from this approach and creates an interactive 3D design environment that includes 3D graphics features that are not available in much more expensive CAD systems."

The product's unique features is enabled by he powerful new features provided by the AutoCAD ARX "AutoCAD Runtime Extension" development environment. ARX allows AutoCAD-based applications to achieve a high level of integration and interoperability, such that "extensions" in AutoCAD behave identically to core commands that ship with native AutoCAD. Therefore, when AccelView 3D is loaded, its 3D capabilities operate seamlessly within the standard AutoCAD user interface. AccelView 3D takes advantage of new features in the ARX environment that are being provided in the "c4" update of AutoCAD Release 13, so AutoCAD Release 13c4 or later will be required.

Pricing and Availability

AccelView 3D will ship concurrently with AutoCAD Release 13c4 which is slated for late Q4 95 or early Q1 `96 and will be available from all authorized AccelGraphics resellers and distributors. The suggested retail price of AccelView 3D is $395. in North America.

AccelGraphics Inc.

AccelGraphics Inc. develops, manufactures and markets high-performance 3D graphics and image processing hardware and software 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 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: AccelGraphics, AccelView 3D 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]