IMSI INTORDUCES TURBOCAD VERSION 9.

IMSI (BULLETIN BOARD: IMSI) , a developer of visual content, design, and graphics software, has introduced the newest release of their flagship product, TurboCAD. The new release focuses on bringing both the professional and home user increased power, inter-operability and ease of use, while honoring IMSI's commitment to provide value at an affordable price.

"This version of TurboCAD delivers a suite of improvements and enhancements that let our users do more in less time, following the tradition that our customers have come to

expect," says Robert Mayer, executive vice president, IMSI. "We continue to add outstanding features that will keep longtime TurboCAD fans and new users alike on the cutting edge of design."

The improvements and enhancements in TurboCAD v9 and TurboCAD Professional v9 are based on new technology, industry advancements and input from users. TurboCAD Professional v9 has over 40 new features and significant improvements to meet the demands of architects, contractors, engineers, inventors, artists, and designers.

Gordon Landies, president of IMSI says, "We're in a time when design throughput, from concept to finished product, is of greatest value. With this release, IMSI is providing productivity enhancements for a much broader user base. This is a major milestone for IMSI and TurboCAD, strengthening our ability to keep TurboCAD the CAD software of choice for multiple disciplines. As we continue with this focus, you can expect to see significant growth in the TurboCAD line of products in the coming year."

General Design and Productivity Enhancements

Both versions of TurboCAD v9 include new, streamlined Copy, Mirror and Transform commands. Additionally, TurboCAD v9 Professional further automates the process by recording and editing a transformation in the new Transform Recorder, then "plays it back" to apply it to additional objects.

For those users who work in 3D, both versions now display workplane intersections with existing 3D objects, making work plane visualization simple. TurboCAD v9 Professional goes further to facilitate working in 3D by allowing the user to work in rendered mode, eliminating the need to switch back and forth to wireframe mode. This version also allows the user to assign any standard or custom toolbar to the local menu, giving rapid access to commonly used tools.

New Mechanical Design Features

TurboCAD v9 Professional includes the upgraded ACIS v8 Engine delivering new power to mechanical engineers and designers. The new Facet Editor allows the user to freely move, rotate and delete facets of an ACIS object. The improved Part Tree now gives the user access to the entire history of 3D object creation, making for more intuitive part editing. Extrusions now include smoothing settings and distance and draft angle settings. The new Imprint tool combines extrusions and Boolean operations into one function.

Architectural Design Improvements

Architects will benefit from a set of new tools in TurboCAD v9 Professional. Existing lines, polylines and curves can be automatically converted into walls in one step, and the user can globally switch between different door and window styles just by selecting from a Style List. Roofs now support more complex configurations and roof openings (for skylights, etc.).

As part of the upgrade process, IMSI teamed up with 1st Pricing to provide the 1st Pricing Scheduler for both TurboCAD v9 Standard and Professional users. This unique system lets the user simply drag-and-drop 1st Pricing's parametric objects into a drawing, then connect to a pricing database and receive an automatic bill of materials and an order form -- even allowing the user to order product from within a drawing! This new functionality is aimed at shortening the design cycle for homebuilders.

New Rendering, Visualization and Artistic Design Features

TurboCAD v9 Professional delivers major enhancements for the growing community of users who use TurboCAD as a 3D rendering and artistic design tool. In addition to being able to work in rendered mode, users can now include the display of 2D objects in 3D renderings and the rendered objects can have the wireframes superimposed on the renderings. IMSI believes this level of realism during the design process will make TurboCAD an even better tool for these purposes.

Another key new feature in this area is the ability to insert and manipulate raster images (bitmap, JPG, tiff, etc.) in 2D and 3D just like any object. The user can easily manipulate, distort, rotate and "clip" the image to a profile.

"We are anxious to nurture and respond to this "artistic" use of TurboCAD", says Mauritz Botha, director of precision design at IMSI. "We will continue to deliver features, such as image manipulation, which traditionally have been reserved for packages that lack the breadth and precision of CAD."

Drafting and Presentation Enhancements

Both versions of TurboCAD v9 include new features aimed at streamlining the traditional drafting and presentation process. With the new Multi-Text Editor, users can enter, edit and format complex multi-text entries. This version also brings relative display priority to TurboCAD, allowing users to change display priority by multiple levels. Additional drafting and presentation improvements include assignable background colors to model space and paper space plus Blue Print Styles, which let users standardize pen and brush settings for printing different disciplines. In addition, TurboCAD v9 Professional users will enjoy the ability to create custom line styles, complete with objects, text and gaps accessible through the new Line Style Editor.

Programmability and Interoperability

TurboCAD programmers, third party developers, and power CAD users have been asking for the new Macro Recorder for some time -- and it is a reality with TurboCAD v9 Professional. This indispensable automation tool lets the user create and record VBA Scripts automatically while working, then load, edit and play back saved scripts.

TurboCAD's filters for other file formats, especially DXF/DWG, IGES and DGN have all been upgraded for greater compatibility, and TurboCAD v9 Professional includes a new STL filter, the popular format used in Stereo Lithography and computer aided machining.

Availability and Pricing

TurboCAD v9 and TurboCAD v9 Professional will be available at suggested retail prices of $99.95 and $695.00, respectively. Current TurboCAD users can purchase upgrades directly from IMSI by calling 1-800-833-4674 or online at http://www.imsisoft.com and http://www.turbocad.com.

About IMSI

Founded in 1982, IMSI has established a tradition of providing the professional and home user with innovative technology and easy-to-use, high- quality software products at affordable prices. The company maintains three business divisions. The Visual Design division, anchored by IMSI's flagship product, TurboCAD, also develops and markets other visual content and design software such as FloorPlan 3D. The Graphic Design division focuses on providing state-of-the-art digital content through its IMSI MasterClips collection and through its wholly owned subsidiary ArtToday.com, Inc. It also manages the HiJaak line of products. The Business Applications division provides businesses and end users with software solutions through its popular products such as TurboProject, FormTool, Flow, TurboTyping, and OrgPlus. This division also provides ergonomic and keyboard training to Fortune 1000 companies for worker-related safety, productivity, and ergonomic compliance improvements through Keynomics, a wholly owned subsidiary of IMSI.

IMSI can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.imsisoft.com.

For more information, call 415/878-4025.