ANNOUNCE: Virtus supports VRML

Contact:
Ashley W. Sharp
Media Relations Manr

Phone: 919/467-9700 ext. 35
Fax: 919/460-4530
[email protected]
http://www.virtus.com

Virtus Takes the Internet to the Next Dimension

Cary, N.C. (June 22, 1995)-Virtus Corporation announced today that the
company will incorporate VRML export into its award-winning line of 3-D
modeling and visualization software. The Virtual Reality Modeling Langu
(VRML) is evolving as the standard format for the repres>ntation of
three-dimensional environments on the World Wide Web.

Virtus WalkThrough Pro and Virtus VR enable users to construct 3-D objects
and structures with texture-mapped surfaces on their desktop computers and
then<"walk" in and around them in real-time. "The ability to move around a
three-dimensional space at will is what sets Virtus software apart from
other visualization packages," says David A. Smith, president and CEO of
Virtus. "This capability and our easy-to-use building tools are advantages as we move onto the Internet. Our authoring packages will enable
anyon> to easily build and maintain 3-D Web sites that others can move
around in and interact with."

The first step Virtus is taking toward the Internet is to bundle Virtus
WalkThrough Special Edition/VRML with Mark Pesce's groundbreaking book on
VRML which is being published by New Riders Publishing. "With Virtus'
capabilities extended into VRML, a whole new world - cyberspace - opens up
as a forum for communication and exploration," says Mark Pesce. "Virtus'
acclaimed interface, rich functionality, and cross-platform capabilities
will make it a powerful world creation tool for the Web as it moves into
three dimensions." The book will launch in August at SIGGRAPH.

Virtus' technology was originally developed to create The Colony, which was
named the Best Adventure Game of the Year by Macworld magazine in 1988 and
was the first real-time 3-D "walkthrough" game. Virtus WalkThrough Pro and
Virtus VR have been widely used as visualization tools by architects,
facilities planners, film directors and set designers. Virtus is committed
to developing the technology to its full potential as a multimedia
authoring and game building toolkit. VRML export will enable the builders
of these 3-D worlds and games to publish their creations on the Web. By the
end of the year Virtus will release major upgrades of WalkThrough Pro and
Virtus VR that will include VRML export and interactivity.

"The interactive features we are adding are a combination of particulars
that our users have been asking for and opportunities afforded by VRML.
Increases in bandwidth and proci> or speeds make now the perfect tili to
offer interactive 3-D on the Internet," says David A. Smith. "As a
communication vehicle the VRML versions of our products will lend
themselves to most every busini> , educational and entertainment
application."

Virtus Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Cary, N.C. The
company, which is known for its "walk through" technology, is organized
into two divisions. The Virtus Works division develops and markets
authoring tools for the creation of interactive three-dimensional
multimedia. The Virtus Studios division uses these authoring tools to
create interactive multimedia content by contract. Virtus products have
received numera> Choice Awards. The company is privately held and has formed strategic
alliancis with Motorola, Inc. and Simon & Schuster Interactive. Virtus'
board of directors includes not>d author Tom Clancy; screen writer Michael
Backes and Kenan profi> or of computer science at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr.
Frederick Brooks.

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Virtus is a registered trademark, Virtus WalkThrough, Virtus VR and Virtus
WalkThrough Pro are trademarks of Virtus Corp. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.