New Tool Adds real-time 3D to all JAVA-enabled Browsers; SpaceCrafter J3D Tool Kit API eliminates plug-ins and add-ins Shipping now.

SAUSALITO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1997--Downloading balky plug-ins to make web browsers 3D capable is a thing of the past, thanks to the SpaceCrafter J3D Tool Kit, released on June 1 by InWorld VR, Inc., the acclaimed VR development group.

SpaceCrafter provides a 100% Pure JAVA API that enables programmers to create interactive 3D scenes (also known as virtual worlds), that can be distributed over the Internet and viewed using any JAVA-capable browser. The most popular browsers, Netscape Navigator, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, both fully support SpaceCrafter worlds.

The SpaceCrafter tool kit API provides programmers with a set of JAVA classes and a robust system for development of 3D, interactive worlds. The worlds developed with SpaceCrafter are small often less than 150 kilobytes so they download quickly. Because they are 100% pure JAVA, they are completely platform independent, so they will perform equally well on Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh systems. But the best feature is that SpaceCrafter is not vaporware; IT IS SHIPPING TODAY!

SpaceCrafter's functionality is based on an open model. Beneath the surface, SpaceCrafter relies on InWorld's CoreSpace(tm) bi-directional interface level. CoreSpace enables developers to replace components, such as rendering engines, peripheral interfaces, etc., with modules of their own choosing. They retain the power and ease of use provided by SpaceCrafter, but gain the ability to update or customize for special requirements.

SpaceCrafter includes these features (partial list):

-- 3D, Z-sorted sprites and decals -- Built-in terrain generation and terrain following -- Collision detection -- Flat shaded display -- Flat, shaded, and transparent texture support -- Hierarchical attachments and pivot points -- Multiple 3D clipping options -- Multiple 3D sorting options -- Perspective-corrected texture mapping -- Pipeline unwrapping -- Programmable Hither/Yon planes -- Wireframe display -- World, View, and Local translation and rotation -- Much more

Full specifications, and a Free Evaluation Copy of SpaceCrafter are available for downloading on the InWorld VR web site. An Evaluation Copy is also included with Roaster, Rel. 3, the hottest integrated development environment available on the Macintosh. (For information regarding Roaster and associated technologies see www.roaster.com .) The royalty-free SpaceCrafter J3D Tool Kit is affordably priced at less than $130.

InWorld VR is located at 10 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 150, Sausalito, CA 94965 USA, 415 331-5004, FAX: [phone], [e-mail], http://www.inworldvr.com . -0-

Note to Editors: SpaceCrafter and CoreSpace are trademarks of InWorld VR, Inc. InWorld is a registered trademark of InWorld VR, Inc. -0- Some Early Response to SpaceCrafter J3D:

"Top 1% Java Resource"

The Java Applet Rating Service (www.jars.com)

"Working with InWorld was truly a pleasure. Their technical expertise and customer service set's a new standard for excellence. We successfully ran InWorld's SpaceCrafter API and demos under 3 different architectures, 4 different operating systems and 3 different browsers. InWorld is certainly one company that can honestly claim 'write once, run anywhere!'. I look forward to seeing what InWorld will bring to the table in the months & years to come."

Michael Monaco, Sun Micro: VPG Webmaster

"When Roaster Technologies was looking for Java technology to showcase on its latest version of their pioneering Integrated Development Environment for the Macintosh, Roaster Release 3, we were so impressed by InWorld's SpaceCrafter technology that we even featured it on our box and CD covers. This is definitely technology to watch."

John Dhabolt, President/CEO, Roaster Technologies, Inc.

"I have dabbled with several 3D APIs, as well as writing polygon rendering and raycasting routines from scratch. Although I am fairly new to the SpaceCrafter J3D API, in my opinion it provides an excellent combination of power and ease of use for the Java programmer. InWorld VR have managed to achieve a rare combination of lean and mean code and elegance of class structure. Also, the accompanying documentation and code examples are well written and clearly illustrate concepts which are important to get the software developer comfortable with the use of the API in a relatively short time. I believe that these features together with some of the envisaged additions could set the stage for a revolution in 3D Java software development. "

Gopal Ramasammy-Cook, Senior Software Developer, PsyberGate

CONTACT: InWorld VR

Jeffrey Donavon, 415/331-5004 (President)

[e-mail]