December 10, 2001 - San Jose, California,

For Immediate Release -
Category : News / Interactive 3D Software / Technology

Adobe Systems, Inc. Announces Agreement with Virtools™ for Adobe Atmosphere Player’s First Plugin

Adobe and Virtools join forces to bring game-like interactivity to Atmosphere-powered online 3D environments

San Jose, California – December 10, 2001 - Adobe Systems, Inc. and Virtools today announced an agreement to integrate the Virtools Web Player as the first plugin component for the Adobe Atmosphere platform.

Adobe Atmosphere is a complete system for the creation and use of interconnected and populated 3D immersive environments. The technology currently includes Atmosphere Builder, the world authoring tool, Atmosphere Player, the web browser plugin, and the Atmosphere Community Server which enables real-time interaction with other users in a shared 3D environment. Atmosphere environments are fully distributed using a web-based model, and feature high-quality rendering, real-time performance, and subtle radiosity lighting. Animation and interaction are provided through a standard JavaScript engine, and high-quality object rendering is provided through use of the Viewpoint object format.

Adobe is developing a plugin architecture for the Atmosphere Player that will allow interactive content developed in a variety of systems and authoring environments to become full-featured members of the Atmosphere environment. Characters, animations, behaviors, and objects “owned” by a plugin will display and interact seamlessly with other such objects in the environment and the Atmosphere “world” in which they are staged.

The first such plugin under development is the Virtools Web Player, which will allow complex, behaviorally animated interactive 3D characters and objects authored with standard Virtools solutions to be viewed and interacted with in Adobe Atmosphere. The Virtools Web Player component will automatically download and self-install in the Atmosphere Player on demand. In addition, Virtools authoring tools will import the Adobe Atmosphere world format in order to “set the stage” for its behavioral simulations.

“We are excited to bring game-like interactivity to the Adobe Atmosphere platform through the integration of our behavior-based technology as a plugin to the Atmosphere Player. Using Virtools Dev 2.0 authoring software, developers can add high-level interactivity to their shared 3D environments, to enhance the end user experience. Through our relationship with Adobe, we look forward to seeing compelling content delivered across the Adobe Atmosphere platform,” said Bertrand Duplat, Chairman and CTO of Virtools.

Adobe Atmosphere may be downloaded at www.adobe.com/products/atmosphere.

About Virtools

Founded in 1993, Virtools (www.virtools.com) 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 of 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, Vivendi Universal Publishing, Acclaim, Microïds, and Terratools.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com) builds award-winning software solutions for network publishing, including Web, ePaper, print, video, wireless and broadband applications. Its graphic design, imaging, dynamic media and authoring tools enable customers to create, manage and deliver visually-rich, reliable content. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Adobe is the second-largest PC software company in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $1.2 billion.