Bentley announces imaging product for converting paper documents to MicroStation drawings and maps; Affordable MicroStation ReproGraphics supports color and grayscale images, integrated with MicroStation PowerDraft.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 1996--URISA '96-- Bentley Systems, Inc. (Exton, PA) today introduced MicroStation ReproGraphics(TM), a raster-to-vector conversion and image editing product.

The affordable product is designed specifically for users who convert paper documents to MicroStation(R) models. Unlike other conversion products, MicroStation ReproGraphics supports grayscale and color images and also comes integrated with MicroStation PowerDraft(R).

Image conversion is becoming an increasingly important process in engineering. Considerable time and money can be saved by converting "real-world" images into useful digital design files. MicroStation ReproGraphics includes the full set of capabilities needed for processing engineering documents, including color maps, mylar sheets, and black and white paper drawings.

Yoav Etiel, senior vice president of marketing at Bentley, comments, "Document conversion is about increasing productivity. We have studied how users were spending their resources on existing systems and have come up with a focused solution." He adds, "MicroStation ReproGraphics translates into real savings and optimal productivity."

MicroStation ReproGraphics allows for up to 32 colors or tones of gray. The new grayscale capability is extremely useful when converting older documents. For example, binary-only tools can mistakenly convert paper creases to black lines. On the other hand, grayscales can distinguish between these inevitable creases and actual lines. Grayscales can also be used to filter and convert blueprint and sepia duplicated drawings, the archiving method for most legacy engineering documents.

MicroStation ReproGraphics recognizes the colors and tones in images and makes the color palettes available to the user. Target filters allow the user to identify a specific color or tone to edit or vectorize. Additionally, filters can be defined and saved for use with repetitive projects. This is especially applicable in the conversion of aerial photos or USGS color maps, where features, such as roads and rivers, have consistent colors.

MicroStation ReproGraphics is built upon proven imaging technology from HMR, Inc. of Beauport, Quebec, Canada. It includes all functions required for the conversion process, including archiving, cleanup, editing, enhancement and vectorization. Raster images can be interactively vectorized with the MicroStation ReproGraphics raster snap and with the aid of an integrated Spy Window to zoom dynamically into hard-to-see areas.

Pricing and Availability

MicroStation ReproGraphics will initially be available on DOS, Windows(TM) 3.1, Windows NT(TM) and Windows 95 for MicroStation PowerDraft and MicroStation 95. It supports industry standard raster file formats and can import all scanned images and Intergraph I/RAS files.

The introductory price of MicroStation ReproGraphics, which includes MicroStation PowerDraft, is $2250 (US). As an upgrade to MicroStation PowerDraft, MicroStation 95, or any of Bentley's engineering products, the introductory price of MicroStation ReproGraphics is $1750 (US). Users of Intergraph's IRAS/B, ProEdit, and PowerRAS can purchase the upgrade for $995 (US) as part of a special program.

For more information on MicroStation ReproGraphics, the range of MicroStation products, or Bentley, please contact Bentley at 1-800-BENTLEY, [phone] (US), [phone] (Europe), [phone] (Asia), via e-mail at [e-mail], or through the World Wide Web at www.bentley.com.

More on HMR

HMR Inc. is a leading developer of high performance image processing and raster management technology for GeoEngineering and other engineering applications. Founded in 1991, HMR's focus has been to develop raster data solutions for the mapping, GIS, and engineering industries based upon the HMR raster engine. HMR is the imaging standard at numerous state and local government agencies, including several Departments of Transportation.

More on Bentley

Bentley Systems, Inc. is a worldwide leader in engineering software products and user services. The company now serves over 220,000 professionals in building/plant engineering, GeoEngineering, and mechanical engineering. Its MicroStation products are proven at over 70% of the largest U.S. engineering firms and are the software foundation behind the engineering of well-known buildings, airports, hospitals, highways, machines, bridges and industrial plants throughout the world. With annual revenues of over $95 million in 1995, Bentley has risen to number three in the AEC software segment and become one of the world's fastest growing software companies.

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MicroStation and MicroStation PowerDraft are registered trademarks; Bentley and MicroStation ReproGraphics are trademarks of Bentley Systems, Inc. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brands and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

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