December 1, 2004 – Paris, France

For Immediate Release
Category: Interactive 3D Applications / Technology

Virtools™ Releases Service Pack 2 for Virtools™ Software Suite

Paris, France, Dec. 1 st , 2004 - Virtools™, the leading provider of 3D interactive media authoring tools for Virtual Reality/Simulations, Video Game production and Marketing/Multimedia applications, announces the release of Virtools Software Suite SP2 .

Virtools announced today the release of Service Pack 2 for Virtools Software Suite. Originally released in February, 2004, the Virtools Software Suite 3.0 is the leading industry-standard solution for creating interactive 3D content, primarily for virtual reality/simulations, video games and marketing/multimedia applications.

The Virtools Software Suite is comprised of Virtools Dev 3.0, the flagship development platform, and its add-on packs which include Virtools Physics Pack, Virtools AI Pack, Virtools Server, Virtools VR Pack, Virtools Xbox Kit and, coming soon, Virtools OpenCAD.

Thanks to regular Service Pack releases, Virtools Dev and its add-ons can be automatically updated to match the latest advancements in real-time 3D technology. In addition to providing minor bug fixes, Service Pack 2 also offers major new features:

• Continuing evolution of Virtools' cutting-edge rendering capabilities via support for Shader Model 3.0 and compatibility with DirectX 9.0c.
• Improvements to Virtools' user-friendly interface and optimizations to production processes including: new keyboard shortcuts, user-definable parameter color-coding, new contextual menu items, new Texture and Material Setup capabilities and more.

"We wanted to bring our current and future users the latest advancements in 3D rendering capabilities, and offer new enhancements of Virtools' intuitive interface by reinforcing the platform's proven ergonomic prowess," commented Bertrand Duplat, President and Founder.

For SP2's full feature list: http://www.virtools.com/support/30_80_Patchbugfix.html

About Virtools

Virtools launched its commercial activities in 1993 with consulting and services targeting the VR sector. With the needs of this and other key markets in mind, Virtools built the company's initial software solution, Virtools Dev. As an Independent Software Vendor since Q4 1999, Virtools has become the leading provider of comprehensive software development solutions for building highly interactive 3D content.

With several thousands of users throughout the world, the Virtools Software Suite enables prototyping, development and deployment of offline and online/networked video games, along with applications in the fields of industrial simulation/virtual reality and marketing/multimedia.

Virtools is the technology of choice for industry leaders such as EDF, EADS, CEA, CNRS, France Telecom, Matsushita, American Department of Energy, Intel, Publicis Networks/Renault, Arte TV and L'Oréal.

Virtools' VR/Simulation partners include Barco, Orad, HP, Nvidia, Intersense, Ascension Technologies and Advanced Realtime Tracking.

Virtools clients also include major game studios such as Electronic Arts, Microïds, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft. Among its partners in the gaming industry Virtools counts Microsoft, Sony, Nvidia/ATI, Discreet, Alias, Newtek, Havok and NxN.

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

Press Contact :

Canada/USA : Karine Guilbert, guilbert@virtools.com

Europe/Asia/ROW: Julie ERCOLANI, ercolani@virtools.com