November 16, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GHOST 3D RELEASES SURF-IT 3D MODELING FOR 3D STUDIO MAX AND AUTODESK VIZ

November 16, 1999 (Oakland, CA) -- GHOST 3D, LLC announces today a new release of Surf-iT™, its dynamic 3D modeling solution and native integration with Autodesk's 3D Studio MAX® and 3D Studio VIZ™. Surf-iT is a powerful 3D modeling toolkit that provides unprecedented speed and quality in parametric 3D Spline creation, editing, and surfacing. The product is designed as an enhanced modular system of tools, enabling the quickest modeling workflow available to 3D Studio MAX and VIZ.

Surf-iT also breaks new ground as the premiere and only 3D Studio MAX plug-in to incorporate instant creation of parametric 3D Spline objects, called S-Objects(tm). These tools save 3D artists enormous amounts of time by presenting user-definable Spline frameworks that can be edited and previewed as solid objects.

Artists can instantly create solid forms and extrude cavities or protrusions - all at the Spline level. This gives maximum flexibility, as artists and animators will never need to commit to 'critical' surface decisions again (decisions that are otherwise imposed on the user in 3D Patch or NURBS modeling solutions). Instead, surfacing is automatic, multi-level, and can be viewed simultaneously during Spline operations using Surf-iT Macros.

"For me the primary strength of Surf-it is in the enhanced workflow," said Grant Adam of Manhattan Transfer Entertainment. "The Spline Editor, completely reorganized for efficiency of operation with welcome additions such as the Show End Result that stays on, floating toolbar of essential items, and customizable height to keep everything at your fingertips, makes a huge difference to the speed of modeling and ease of use. The Connect-It modifier is a leap forward from the competition, fulfilling a bunch of wish-list items - saving time and making the life of the modeler that much easier. A very welcome addition to my modeling toolbox that I would be hard pressed to live without."

At the core, Surf-iT's proprietary surfacing technology uniquely optimizes the surface for a desirable geometry construction and efficient polygon count, while automatically detecting and highlighting any user anomalies (possibilities for user-defined improvements).

"I used this file to test the speed of Surf-iT. It is faster than using the Surface modifier... definitely, Surf-iT is a superior tool...the Connect-iT and Segment-iT modifiers within Surf-iT increase the animator's ability to quickly and efficiently create intricate models...by the way, that Snap button is a godsend..." Edmund A. Kozin, Digital Dimension, N. Hollywood.

Most importantly, Surf-iT's geometry and surface output is fully compatible with 3D Studio MAX’s native object classes, so that game developers leveraging 3D Studio MAX’s flexible software development kit can integrate Surf-iT created content in their game engines without any sacrifices or additional research. Game developers, film and entertainment production teams can easily incorporate Surf-iT to enhance their production workflow, because Surf-iT builds on the familiar benefits of the 3D Studio MAX and VIZ interface, and then further expands the technology with convenient, time-saving algorithms, operations and tools. Never before has there been such a powerful and dedicated modeling workflow in 3D Studio MAX and 3D Studio VIZ.


For more complete product information and user testimonials, please visit the Surf-iT product page at http://www.ghost3d.com


ABOUT GHOST 3D, LLC

GHOST 3D, LLC is a California based 3D technology developer and production studio. The company is continually innovating 3D concepts and applications, culminating into unique products and productions. Founding members have continued development activities with leading technologies such as those from Autodesk and Discreet, having had prior roles on Autodesk development teams for products such as 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Character Studio. Part of GHOST 3D's team also contributed as design partner for Character Studio (the character animation technology behind the "Dancing Baby" phenomenon). Similarly, GHOST 3D collaborates with a variety of commercial partners to help bring their 3D solutions to life.
GHOST 3D develops both custom and commercial software solutions and techniques for industrial 3D productivity applications. Among others, GHOST 3D's products include the world's first fully interactive and integrated 3D digitizing, modeling and animation technology for leading 3D applications, shown recently to 50,000+ attendees at the world renowned 1999 SIGGRAPH convention in Los Angeles. Scribe-iT and other GHOST 3D products are available through a global distribution channel.
Additionally, while ever-testing and pushing the envelope of tools and production techniques, GHOST 3D produces impressive 3D content for various design, game, film, and television productions. 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, Scribe-iT, and Surf-iT 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.