First 3D/VRML Plug-in for Netscape 2.0 shown by TGS; TGS extends leadership in Internet 3D products and technology.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1995--At Internet World Template Graphics Software (TGS) demonstrated a 3D/VRML plug-in for the beta release of Netscape 2.0 by Netscape Communications.

TGS has released limited beta copies of the 3D plug-in and plans a widespread beta program in early November. TGS participated with Netscape in their earlier announcement of the net plug-in architecture for the Netscape Navigator.

Netscape Communications was among 17 companies endorsing the TGS and SGI implementation of VRML 1.0, based upon Open Inventor, on March 30, 1995, establishing that implementation as the de facto standard for 3D on the Internet. Earlier implementations of VRML proposals, including Labyrinth by Intervista and OOGL by the University of Minnesota, have since been replaced by the SGI-developed Open Inventor implementation.

TGS, an Open Inventor licensee from SGI, teamed with Silicon Graphics to establish Open Inventor as the de facto basis for VRML 1.0 and co-developed the WebSpace(TM) Navigator with SGI. WebSpace was the first ever VRML 1.0 browser on SGI, Sun and IBM workstations, and WebSpace Navigator for Win32 by TGS was the first released on any Windows platform. WebSpace supports both the VRML subset of Open Inventor and the full Open Inventor superset.

"It is clear that 3D on the Internet will be based upon Open Inventor," said Robert J. Weideman, Vice President of Marketing for TGS. "While the VRML email group was taken by surprise with the Open Inventor implementation and announcement, none of the earlier attempts at VRML gained any significant support through over six months of discussion. Since the March 30 SGI/TGS announcement, and with over 15 Open Inventor-style browsers in development or available in beta, content creators can feel confident that the 3D standard has been set."

TGS is now shipping a number of 3D products targeted at the Internet. First, the WebSpace browser for Sun, IBM, Windows NT and Windows 95 have been released, and versions are in development for Windows 3.1, DEC, HP, Apple Power Mac and IBM OS/2 systems. Also, TGS has released Open Inventor for Win32, the C++ toolkit TGS used to develop WebSpace for Win32. Using the Open Inventor SDK, developers can quickly create WebSpace-like browsers, or integrate WWW functionality into 3D applications. Even though Open Inventor is the basis for the VRML Internet 3D standard, it is also a sophisticated general purpose 3D toolkit, ideal for applications in CAD, modeling, simulations, and traditional 3D markets. TGS is the only VRML vendor providing integrated browser and development tools to the Internet community.

TGS offers evaluations of WebSpace and Open Inventor on their WWW site at http://www.sd.tgs.com/~template. Parties interested in gaining access to the 3D plug-in beta from TGS should send email to [e-mail], or check the TGS WWW site in early November.

Registered copies of WebSpace for Win32 can be purchased for $49 by calling 619/457-5359, x251. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Email inquiries can be sent to [e-mail] or [e-mail].

About TGS

Template Graphics Software Inc. of San Diego, along with their subsidiary G5G in Bordeaux, France, produces cross-platform graphics software for Fortune 500, government, independent software vendor (ISV), academic and research organizations. TGS and Silicon Graphics recently initiated an effort to utilize Open Inventor as the basis for VRML 1.0, and co-developed WebSpace, the world's first VRML 1.0 browser, with SGI.

TGS has offered standards-based graphics tools for PCs to supercomputers since 1982, and is the largest independent software supplier of graphics tools based upon ANSI/ISO PHIGS+, SGI OpenGL and Open Inventor.

Template Graphics Software is a member of ANSI/ISO X3H3 graphics committees, the OpenGL Advisory Forum, the VRML Technical Forum, and is active in establishing new standards and directions for computer-graphics technologies. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Product art is available via ftp at ftp.sd.tgs.com/pub/template/press. WebSpace, OpenGL and Open Inventor are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc. Microsoft Windows, Visual C++ and NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.

CONTACT: Template Graphics Software Inc., San Diego

Robert J. Weideman or Diane Connolly

619/457-5359, ext. 222

619/452-2547 (fax)

[e-mail]

http://www.sd.tgs.com/~template (WWW)