December 13, 2001 - Paris, France

For Immediate Release -
Category : Software/ Interactive 3D Development Software

Virtools™ and NewTek are pleased to announce the release of the Virtools™ Exporter for LightWave 3D®.

New plugin provides the smoothest transition from LightWave 3D® to Virtools™ Dev 2.0 interactive 3D development software

October 31, 2001- Paris, France - Virtools™, market leader in the world of interactive 3D development solutions, announces the release of the Virtools™Exporter for LightWave 3D®.

Extend LightWave's versatile 3D modeling and animation software with Virtools™ Dev 2.0's behavioral features, and bring life-like interactivity to 3D content. The Virtools Exporter for LightWave allows you to export 3D models, lights, cameras, materials, textures and animations into Virtools™ Dev 2.0. LightWave 3D's special features such as bones & skin, keyframed animation, inverse kinematics and morph are also supported. Drag and drop interactive behaviors from the Virtools behavior library (more than 400 building blocks) onto exported 3D objects to create interactive 3D applications for e-learning, e-marketing or games, on the web or CD-ROM.

"By popular demand, Virtools is now pleased to provide LightWave users with our groundbreaking interactive 3D development solutions, making it easier than ever to create amazing interactive 3D applications with LightWave's 3D models and animations. Virtools Dev 2.0 becomes a natural extension of LightWave, thanks to our new Virtools Exporter for LightWave 3D, " said Bertrand DUPLAT, Virtools Founder and President.

"NewTek is very dedicated to our customers in both the game development and the web / multimedia markets," commented David Tracy, Technical Marketing Manager for 3D at NewTek. "With the release of the Virtools Exporter for LightWave 3D, we are pleased that an additional resource will be offered to these customers. After many requests to Virtools for a LightWave compatible version of their plug-in, we're convinced that this will be well received by current and future LightWave users that need the additional functionality that Virtools is able to provide. Virtools Dev 2.0 is an elegant solution for anyone interested in using interactive 3D technology, whether it be for games, the web, or education."

Download the free Virtools™ Exporter for LightWave 6.5 and 7 from the Virtools Support Center.

About Virtools™ Dev 2.0
Virtools' revolutionary technology allows you to create interactive applications by graphically assembling "behaviors" in Dev 2.0's intuitive interface. Flexible and easy-to-use, Virtools' reusable "behavior building blocks" accelerate the production cycle and reduce production costs, maximizing return on investment. Use the "behavior library" or program your own behaviors in C++ with Virtools' Software Development Kit (SDK).


About LightWave®
Off the shelf, LightWave 3D is the most complete and flexible software solution for 3D graphics and animation. LightWave 3D is versatile enough to make the transition to and from all kinds of projects. Proven for years in television, film, and games, LightWave 3D is also being used to create graphics for print, web, industrial design, architecture, medical imaging, and anywhere else a 3D package is needed. A full, robust program, LightWave 3D includes many of the tools that other packages require to be purchased separately. Soft-body dynamics, particles, hair and fur, plus unlimited render nodes, to name a few; LightWave 3D ships with all the tools an artist needs to create.


About Virtools™:
Founded in 1993, Virtools™ enables Global 2000 companies and their integrators, as well as game studios, to develop and deploy 3D applications with game-like interactivity. Costs and timeframes are kept under control through a scalable set of software and server-based solutions that reduce the risks associated with developing interactive applications.

Intel and France Telecom are among the growing number companies that have benefited from Virtools technology. Using Virtools, clients reduce development costs and increase interactivity. Virtools software is used by online and offline game development studios such as: Disney Imagineering, Havas Interactive, Acclaim, Microïds, and Terratools.

Contact us at Virtools S.A., 93, Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France. Telephone: +33 1 42 71 46 86.

About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including the Video Toaster, LightWave 3D and Aura. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Video Toaster. The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent film and television projects using NewTek software include Driven, A.I., Final Fantasy, The Time Machine, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The 6th Day, Jurassic Park III, Charlie's Angels, X-Men The Movie, Pitch Black, Dracula 2000, Star Trek: Enterprise, Roughnecks: Starship Troopers, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, The Family Guy, Ally McBeal, Dune: The Miniseries, Dawson's Creek and Family Law. Recent game titles include Deus Ex, Serious Sam, Twisted Metal: Black, Quake 3 Arena, Moto Racer World Tour, Giants for PS2, Baldur's Gate II, EverQuest, Planescape: Torment, Dead To Rights, and Escape From Monkey Island.

Contact NewTek at 5131 Beckwith Blvd, San Antonio, TX, 78249. Phone: 210-370-8000, fax: 210-370-8001, website: http://www.newtek.com or http://www.lightwave3d.com.


Contacts:
Virtools
93, rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
France
Tel: (+33) 1 42 71 46 86
Fax: (+33) 1 42 71 86 53
email: info@virtools.com