October 23, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GHOST 3D, LLC RELEASES NEW VERSION OF SURF-IT 3D MODELING SOFTWARE


October 23, 2002 -- GHOST 3D, LLC officially announced today a new version of its Surf-iT™ 3D modeling software for Autodesk's top-selling 3D applications. Surf-iT is the premiere Spline based 3D modeling solution to incorporate instant creation of parametric 3D Spline objects, called S-Objects™, and includes the most extensive 3D Spline modeling, editing and surfacing tools.


The new version Surf-iT incorporates a significant feature overhaul and extending scripting access to the Spline Editor commands, and also adds new UI integration of toolbars and menus. It also marks the targeted integration and support of the new 3ds max 5 release from Discreet.

Some of the key features and enhancements in Surf-iT include: Spline Editing improvements and enhancements, new menus and tools, direct quad menu support, and scripting methods for all the Spline Editing commands and operations – including important get and set methods for toggle options like Radial Selection, Soft Selection, Select All in Spline, and more. There is a unique enhanced Extrude function that supports open selections and closed (surface-able) hole extrusions and intrusions. Add to this easily accessible S-Object 3D Spline object creation through macros from the Spline Editor or anywhere in the UI. Also, Surf-iT’s enhanced proprietary 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. In addition, the Surf-iT preview floater controls have been updated for better support.

The Surf-iT modeling kit assists students and professionals at world-renowned film and television production studios, accredited Universities worldwide, major game developers and publishers, engineering and medical organizations, and even the US military.

In terms of number of tools, feature support, integration and the speedy workflow, the Surf-iT 3D modeling kit truly excels as one of the most extensive efforts in plugin enhancements available to 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ in its price range. More importantly the productivity for 3d artists, game developers, designers and modeling experts is second to none, because the workflow and feature set provide all the important aspects of mesh editing, combined with the flexibility of Spline curve editing, and the power to convert the curves to NURBS or surface them to mesh or patch objects. Game artists can think of Surf-iT as a core or springboard for all techniques and tools for modeling any object of any complexity in 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ.

All Surf-iT’s tools, objects, and the S-Objects are 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 make any sacrifices and without having to learn new interfaces, classes or methods. While this level of support and integration comes as the result of significant efforts with each new release of 3ds max and VIZ, GHOST 3D continues to remain dedicated to the needs of the 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ communities.

Surf-iT licensing, product, and upgrade information is available from http://www.ghost3d.com.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE SURF-IT PRODUCT:

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 Splines and Patch surfaces, providing a fast high quality surfacing engine, and combining it with the most extensive and comprehensive Spline creation and editing toolkit. Surf-iT also works exceptionally well in conjunction with ResErect (also 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. 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.

Surf-iT licensing, product, 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:
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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, GHOST TIME, Power Digitizer Pack, Power Modeler Pack, ResErect, ScanLab, Scribe-iT, and Surf-iT are all trademarks of GHOST 3D, LLC. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks are used solely for the purpose of identification and belong to their respective holders.