July 30, 2003 - Paris, France

For Immediate Release -
Category : Interactive 3D Applications / Technology

VIRTOOLS™ Announces Forthcoming Launch of Virtools Dev 3.0 Interactive 3D Content Development Solution

Paris, July 30, 2003 - Virtools™, the leading provider of 3D interactive media authoring tools, announced the upcoming release of Version 3.0 of its highly acclaimed flagship product, Virtools Dev.

Virtools Dev 3.0 boasts some important new functionalities that further enhances Virtools real-time 3D rendering capabilities and introduces essential asset management functions for improved collaborative teamwork.

Virtools Dev 3.0's primary new features are:

Vertex and Pixel Shader capabilities to improve real-time images and customize special effects, including support of DirectX 9.0.

• Action Manager with a customizable user interface, further enhancing the power of the Virtools Scripting Language (VSL).
  
• Compatibility with NxN Alienbrain version control technology.

Programmable Vertex and Pixel Shader handling greatly improves the visual quality of the real-time renderings, bringing them much closer to cinematic quality. DirectX 9.0 and the latest powerful graphics cards (ATI and N'Vidia) allow designers to add custom combinations of graphics operations using shaders to create their own effects – for example, a “cartoon effect” option, etc. Plus it provides programmers with complete control over the Virtools rendering pipeline.

The new Virtools Dev 3.0 has an Action Manager that also allows the user to customize its interface. Designers can program certain iterative functions in VSL which are added to the Action Manager's customizable user interface. This increases productivity immensely, because users can create their own dedicated tools to call and run frequently-used scripts from keyboard shortcuts, and to manage commands specifically related to their work (iterative modification of media, for example).

The Virtools Dev 3.0 interface also includes integration with the NxN Alienbrain asset management software, facilitating collaborative projects in Virtools throughout the design and production cycle. The following tools are part of this package:

Rights management, version control and an intuitive "check in/check out" procedure.

• Access to information on each object for easy project archiving, recovery and management (NXN has a plug-in to link Alienbrain to Microsoft projects)
  

"With the launch of Virtools Dev 3.0, we are offering an even more powerful package, including the latest functionalities and tools, to let users achieve great quality graphics and stunning interactivity", said Bertrand Duplat, Chairman of Virtools™. "The tool that Virtools is now offering is still more adaptable to the full range and detailed requirements of Simulation/VR and game development projects, allowing faster, cheaper production while keeping tabs on each one’s progress at every stage."

Major corporate clients such as EDF, FRANCE Telecom, Matsushita, EADS, CEA, CNRS, France Telecom, Electronic Arts, Microïds, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, Warner Bros Online, EDF, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft already use the Virtools Dev solution.


About the Virtools™ Development Solution

Built around Virtools' flagship product, Virtools Dev, the Virtools development package is currently one of the most comprehensive and competitive solutions available in terms of functionality and performance. Thanks to the different modules and add-on packs, Virtools Dev provides a comprehensive, cost-effective development platform: the Physics Pack to add physical behaviors to 3D objects, the Multiuser Pack to enable the creation of shared universes, the Virtools Behavioral Server to deploy interactive content dynamically, and the Virtools VR Pack to create and experience 3D worlds on multiple screens, using any input device, and run it all on a PC cluster. Now, the Virtools AI Pack allows clients to create intelligent autonomous characters.

For more information, go to http://www.virtools.com/solutions/products/virtools_dev.asp

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.

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: Electronic Arts, Microïds, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft. Virtools solutions are also used for industrial applications for major corporate clients like EDF, EADS, CEA, CNRS, and France Telecom.

More information at: http://www.virtools.com

Press contacts

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