TGS Ships New Amapi 3D Modeler; The Natural Way to Create 3D Models for Strata, Electric Image, Form-Z, Softimage, 3D Studio MAX and More.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 1998--

Major New Release of Popular NURBS-Polygon Modeler Delivers

More Modeling Features, ActiveStyles Rendering, Enhanced User

Interface, and Unique WireShade Design Mode

At the Digital Content Creation Expo, TGS announced that Amapi(TM) 3D version 4.1 is now shipping.

This new release is a major upgrade to the popular Amapi NURBS and polygon modeler for PowerMac(R) and Windows(R)-based PCs. The product includes improved modeling tools, ease-of-use interface improvements, and includes TGS' ActiveStyles(TM) rendering technology, which supports fast Phong shading, selective photo-realistic ray tracing and artistic rendering capabilities. Amapi 3D v4.1 also adds support for creating 3D text, OpenGL rendering and acceleration, and includes WireShade(TM), a new design mode that combines wireframe with shaded representation of models, which improves visual depth perception while creating models.

Amapi is a popular companion modeler to animation and rendering platforms such as Strata, Electric Image, Form-Z, Softimage, and Kinetix 3DStudio MAX. It is well regarded for allowing the 3D artist to quickly create efficient models of high quality, especially in the area of smooth edges, filleting and skinned surfaces. Amapi is also noted as an affordable standalone modeler for home, student and small to mid-scale design shop use.

"This release shows our commitment to the Amapi community and demonstrates our belief in the growth of the 3D design market," said Terry Baker, CEO of TGS. "Amapi 3D is in its own class in delivering professional modeling and rendering at an affordable price."

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     Key Amapi 3D 4.1 Features

     Amapi 3D version 4.1 includes several new capabilities and
improvements, of note:

     - the addition of standard Mac and Windows toolbar interfaces
       that are intuitive for beginning users;

     - enhancements to the Natural Design Interface(TM), which
       delivers rapid model creation for skilled Amapi users;

     - optimized support for OpenGL 3D rendering and acceleration;

     - WireShade(TM) design mode, which enhances wireframe model
       representation with flat shading to improve the visual
       perception of complex surfaces during the modeling process;

     - ActiveStyles(TM), TGS' new rendering technology that includes
       fast Phong rendering, a selective photo-realistic ray trace
       engine and artistic rendering styles, including cartoon and
       chalk effects;

     - 3D text extrusion and editing for TrueType(R) fonts;

     - support for texture mapping;

     - a new scene-graph management interface;

     - improved Boolean operations between 3D curves to smooth
       selected areas;

     - dramatic performance improvements in Boolean operations,
       filleting, smoothing and other general modeling functions;

     - support for over 21 file formats and the Immersion Microscribe
       3D input device;

     - and all new product documentation with tutorials,
       demonstrations and a large collection of ready-to-use sample
       projects, models and textures.

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More About Amapi

Since 1993 Amapi has offered designers an affordable, innovative approach to 3D modeling by easing the creation and editing of complex geometric shapes. It has gained popularity by providing a flexible modeling technique that supports many advanced features, such as NURBS, Gordon surfaces and polygon-level tools that far surpass most modelers. Designers and artists worldwide use Amapi to create models for industrial design, architecture, interior design, furniture, exhibit design, packaging, bottling, illustration, video games, matte backgrounds for films and multimedia. Amapi 3D models can be exported in 19 file formats, which allows them to be used in most rendering and animation applications.

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     What Users Say About Amapi

     "Amapi 3D is a must have for any graphics artist. As a companion
product, nothing creates models as well or as quickly. As a standalone
product, no other product packs as much power for the price as Amapi
3D does." -- Matt Silverman, Puffin Designs

     "The fact that polygons can be sub-divided and smoothed. . .is an
extremely powerful advantage. It is amazing that such a powerful
modeler is also so affordable!" -- Fred Lewis, Moving Media

     ". . .a great complement to animation packages such as
Lightwave...and easy enough for my cat to learn." -- Gary Phillips,
AnimHouse

     "Lightning fast! The more I use Amapi, the more I like it!" --
Alan Groening, Cartoonist

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Amapi 3D 4.0 Pricing, Upgrade Pricing, Availability

The list price of Amapi 3D v4.1 is $399 (U.S.), with an upgrade price of $199 (U.S.) for users of previous versions of Amapi Studio and Amapi Workshop. Both PC Windows and Power Mac versions are available now from TGS, and can be ordered online at www.tgs.com/Amapi or by phone at 619.457.5359.

About TGS

TGS Inc. (Template(R) Graphics Software) develops 2D/3D graphics software applications for 3D design, Web publishing, multimedia, corporate and SOHO business users on PC and Mac systems. The company also delivers professional 3D C++ and Java developer toolkits that are used by commercial, corporate and academic software developers on UNIX and PC systems. TGS software products enable the full spectrum of graphics creation and use, from rendering technology to network and enterprise visualization. A founder of the Internet 3D VRML standard, and with over 1 million application seats deployed using TGS-licensed software, TGS is a recognized leader in the area of 3D graphics and VRML technology. For more information, visit www.tgs.com.

For more information (Press only), contact: Stefanie Stagnaro Tel: [phone] x260; E-mail: [e-mail]

TRADEMARKS: 3Space and Template are registered trademarks, and Amapi, ActiveStyles, Natural Design Interface, WireShade and the TGS logo are trademarks of Template Graphics Software, Inc. OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.