Asymetrix Unveils Industry's First 3D Graphics Tool for Internet Home Page Creation; Bundles Leading Internet Home Page Hosting Services.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 1995--Asymetrix Corporation today announced the first Windows-based software package for creating 3D home pages on the Internet World Wide Web.

Called Asymetrix Web 3D, the new software package lets virtually anyone create 3D home pages for the Web. Until now, the only way to create top quality 3D graphics was with complicated and expensive graphics workstations, none of which were specifically designed for the Web.

Web 3D comes complete with Internet browsers and online access through CompuServe Internet Division's Mosaic Direct, and IBM Internet Connection service. Web 3D will be available in retail outlets beginning on November 17, 1995 at a special introductory price of approximately $99.

"Asymetrix is already the leader in multimedia content creation and authoring tools for the PC," said Jim Billmaier, President and CEO of Asymetrix. "The battle for the mindshare of the Internet has only just begun. With Web 3D, we re giving a company of any size a set of tools that will make their home pages stand out and communicate more effectively. Web 3D is the first in our new line of Internet products which we will be announcing in the coming months."

Web 3D is expected to bring easy access to 3D for the Web for small and medium sized companies like Creative Dynamics Inc., a Internet consulting company in Santa Clara, CA. "We work with lots of companies with limited resources that all want to take advantage of the marketing opportunity that the Net presents," said Phil Hooper, Vice President of Engineering and Design.

"3D graphics makes our customers home pages stand out in an environment dominated by color photographs, 2D graphics, and text. Web 3D is 'web enabling technology in a box' -- exactly what we needed!"

Asymetrix Web 3D

Web 3D is based on the same design as the phenomenally popular Asymetrix 3D F/X, which received acclaim from virtually every publication that reviewed it. PC Computing called it "multimedia genius for the artistically impaired" and is currently considering it a finalist for its MVP award. Web 3D will bring the same simplicity, power, and artistic style to the Internet.

The product enables users to quickly create 3D images, automatically convert them to the Internet's standard image formats, e.g. GIF, and then use a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) editor to connect it to a Universal Resource Locator (URL) which identifies a Web page's location on the Internet. Web 3D also includes:

-- Catalog of home page design elements including 3D buttons, banners, models, backdrops and more to help get designers started quickly. -- Special 3D effects including surfaces, textures, colors and lighting effects that can be combined with the ease of drag-and-drop. -- Automatic creation of Internet files formats including JPEG, GIF, and GIF animations. -- One Stop Shopping bundled Internet access, and browsers, including CompuServe Mosaic Direct, Netscape Navigator, and IBM Internet Connection service enabling Web 3D users to instantly host 3D Home pages on the World Wide Web via the provider of their choice.

The Future of 3D is Interactive

In December, Asymetrix will release free of charge the beta version of its Web 3D Scene Viewer. The viewer will allow users to play animations created with Web 3D.

"With the Web 3D Viewer users Web pages will come to life at a click of a button," said Steve Martino, Vice-President of Marketing for Asymetrix. "For example a door manufacturer can create a set of animations which can show a user the various hinge assembly options available and demo them right over the net. It takes the interactive nature of the Net a full step forward."

The viewer will support integration with the popular Internet browsers including Compuserve Mosaic Direct, and Netscape Navigator 2.0. FCS shipments of the Web 3D Scene Viewer will be included in future versions of Web 3D and distributed from various sites over the Internet, including the Asymetrix web site (www.asymetrix.com), free of charge beginning in the first quarter of '96.

Pricing and Availability

Web 3D will be available in retail outlets beginning on November 17, 1995. Asymetrix, with its retail partners, will be offering Web 3D at a special introductory price of approximately $99. After the introductory period, the standard list price will be $179.

About Asymetrix

The Asymetrix Corporation is a privately held software company based in Bellevue, Washington and is a leading provider of Windows-based tools for multimedia development and client-server solutions. Asymetrix produces a complete line of creative content tools including:

-- Multimedia Toolbook, the leading multimedia authoring system for Windows -- Asymetrix 3D F/X, an award winning 3D rendering and animation package that delivers high quality, professionally rendered animation graphics, even for the "artistically impaired." -- Asymetrix Digital Video Producer, an easy and fun video editing system that turns your desktop computer into a complete video editing workstation. -- Compel, a leading multimedia presentation tool that integrates titles, animations, video, and more.

About Compuserve

Compuserve is an H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) company. Founded in 1955, H&R Block, a diversified services company, is the world's leading tax preparation and online information services company. CompuServe operates the most comprehensive network in the world, providing online services to more than 3.6 million members in more than 140 countries and network services to more than 800 corporate customers worldwide. H&R Block Tax Services provided tax-related services for almost one in every seven returns filed with the IRS in 1995, and served 17.1 million taxpayers in more than 9,500 offices worldwide.

About IBM Internet Connection service

The IBM Internet Connection service is provided by the IBM Global Network, one of the world's largest integrated data, voice, and video networks serving 25,000 corporate customers in 850 cities and 100 countries worldwide. It offers Internet dial access points of presence in more than 330 locations around the world, expanding to over 500 by year end. In the United States, 28.8 Kbps connectivity for high-speed access (V.34 and V.42 supported) is provided in 125 locations. -0-

Note to Editors: Asymetrix and Multimedia ToolBook are registered trademarks and Asymetrix Digital Video Producer, Asymetrix 3D F/X , Asymetrix Web 3D, and Compel are trademarks of Asymetrix Corporation. Asymetrix and Multimedia ToolBook are registered in the U.S.A. and may be registered in certain other countries. All other product and/or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Asymetrix Corporation

Ann Bagley, 206/637-5859

[e-mail]

Web Site: http://www.asymetrix.com

or

GCI San Francisco

Julia Scarisbrick, 415/974-6200

[e-mail]