February 26, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GHOST 3D RELEASES NEW FEATURES FOR SURF-IT 3D MODELING SOFTWARE

February 26, 2001 -- GHOST 3D, LLC announced the release of a new version of its Surf-iT™ software, a powerful Spline based 3D modeling solution and extensions for native support of Autodesk's top-selling 3D applications 3ds max, and 3D Studio VIZ. Surf-iT offers a unique approach to 3D modeling, and is the premier solution to incorporate instant creation of parametric 3D Spline objects, called S-Objects™. Each revision of Surf-iT builds on its foundation of Spline object creation and editing tools.

Surf-iT's latest incarnation provides several new additional features and enhancements for its loyal customer base at no additional upgrade cost.

Some of the key features and enhancements in tne new version include: Auto EQA Handling for Surf-iT Patch and Surf-iT Mesh, Spline Editor support for Soft Selection and vertex selection by segment, 3ds max R4 Rendering and Interpolation support for S-Objects, updated Surf-iT preview floater controls, and more. Surf-iT’s new EQA Handling technology affords game developers and 3D artists the option to additionally surface very involved and dense adjacencies of quadrangular shapes in the Spline model. The EQA Handling concept is explained and exemplified in the newly updated 1.24 documentation. EQA Handling is also added to the Surf-iT Reference Preview floater to fit in with the preferred modeling workflow.

Surf-iT enables 3D artists and animators at virtually any skill level the ability to create efficient and sophisticated 3D models quickly and effectively. The product is designed to be simple to use, and yet provides advanced 3D operations. Surf-iT’s technology is integrated around 3ds max’s Splines and Patch surfaces, providing a more desirable and streamlined proprietary surfacing engine, and combining it with the most extensive and comprehensive Spline creation and editing toolkit. Surf-iT also integrates exceptionally well in conjunction with ResErect (recently released from GHOST 3D) as a complete resolution independent re-engineering system.

The Surf-iT modeling kit provides S-Object tools to allow instant creation of complex parametric Spline networks that can be dynamically modified, edited, and immediately surfaced at any time using a variety of different attributes and techniques. The S-Object, Spline editing, and surfacing output is fully compatible with 3ds max’s native object classes, so that game developers leveraging 3ds max’s Open Source initiative can integrate Surf-iT created content in their game engines without having to invest additional research or make other sacrifices. Game developers, film and entertainment production teams can easily incorporate Surf-iT to enhance their production workflow, because Surf-iT builds on the existing benefits of the familiar 3ds max and VIZ interface, and then further expands on this with convenient and time-saving operations and tools.

Additionally, there are five other modular components making Surf-iT incredibly flexible and fully compatible with 3ds max standards. Customers can use Surf-iT’s robust Spline Editor to locally (or globally) refine and shape the areas of the object where the detail is needed. Protrusions and cavities can be instantly extruded at the Spline level as if operating on a solid object. The modular and organized workflow means maximum flexibility and avoids the need to commit to permanent surface operations. Surfacing is automatic, multi-level, and can be viewed simultaneously during Spline operations.

Surf-iT uniquely optimizes the 3D surface for a desirable construction and efficient polygon count, while automatically detecting and highlighting any ambiguous construction issues present in the source Spline object. Combine this intelligent surfacing with speed, Max Script integration, a macro suite, extensive documentation and tutorials, and it becomes clear why Surf-iT is growing as the preferred choice for professional 3D animators and artists around the world.


Product, licensing and upgrade information is available from http://www.ghost3d.com.


ABOUT GHOST 3D, LLC

GHOST 3D, LLC is a California based 3D technology developer, production studio and service bureau (www.ghost3d.com). The company innovates custom techniques and productivity solutions for 3D Modeling and Animation processes, 3D Digitizing, Design, Rapid Prototyping, CAD/CAM extensions, Visualization and 3D Visual Effects. GHOST 3D's 3D modeling and animation solutions are consistently used professionally in product design, entertainment, television and film. The company's founders are responsible for inventing unique 3D digitizing, surfacing and reconstruction solutions that are the first of their kind to be made commercially available to 3D design and animation markets. Subsets of these proprietary technologies and unique methods have been made available via plug-ins for 3ds max, Autodesk VIZ and other platforms. Commercialized products and services are available directly via GHOST 3D's web site, and through worldwide distribution and reseller channels. Founding members have maintained close ties with Autodesk, Discreet, and others, including roles on both the original 3ds max and Character Studio development teams, and through involvement as a design partner (Character Studio is the character animation technology behind the "Dancing Baby" phenomenon). GHOST 3D continues to expand its products and service offerings to a growing number of 3D-related professions and communities through partnerships with industry technology leaders. From the development and marketing of industrial tools and solutions to the generation of creative productions and design, GHOST 3D is immersed in the 3-dimensional digital world.


For information about this press release or its contents:
Press Manager

For information about GHOST 3D and its products and services:
Please visit GHOST 3D on the web at http://www.ghost3d.com.


Trademarks: GHOST 3D, Surf-iT, AMIE, GHOST TIME are trademarks of GHOST 3D, LLC. Autodesk, 3D Studio, 3D Studio MAX, Character Studio, 3D Studio VIZ, and Discreet are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. MicroSoft and their marks are either registered or pending trademarks of their respective holders. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks are used solely for the purpose of identification and belong to their respective holders.