i3Dimensions' 3D software tools built on breakthrough Pixel3™ technology first to enable full interaction with complex models on standard PC platform

Initial products dramatically enhance the interactivity, quality and effectiveness of 3D to deliver significant advances in e-learning, customer service, and sales and marketing applications

SIGGRAPH 2002, San Antonio, Texas — July 22, 2002 — i3Dimensions, an emerging leader in interactive 3D visualization and simulation software tools, has unveiled the first generation of products based on its revolutionary Pixel3 technology. The Pixel3 Object Editor and Client are the 3D graphics industry's first offerings able to import, modify and dynamically manipulate and view complex 3D models, such as those created in Computer Aided Design (CAD), using off-the-shelf PCs or laptops.

Because of their simplicity and ability to re-use existing 3D models, the Pixel3 Object Editor and Client are accessible to users unfamiliar with 3D programming or concepts. Initially targeted at enhancing the interactivity, quality and effectiveness of post-CAD applications, Pixel3 Object Editor and Client deliver significant advances – and potential cost savings – for the e-Learning, training, customer service, and sales and marketing applications used by government institutions and discrete manufacturing enterprises like those in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries.

”i3Dimensions today delivers the first phase of our product development program," said Paul Lindahl, president and chief executive officer, i3Dimensions. "Based on our foundational Pixel3 technology, Object Editor and Client meet immediate market demand for interactive 3D tools that enhance the quality and effectiveness of parts familiarization and e-learning applications, reduce training costs, and fully exploit and re-use existing system and data resources.

“While our initial products are best applied to advancing e-learning and field service applications, we believe our Pixel3 technology will, over time, have major implications for all facets of the 3D industry,” continued Lindahl.

i3Dimensions' Pixel3 technology comprises a 3D software framework and real-time volume graphics engine. This software framework provides the infrastructure to assemble and manipulate digital objects. The Pixel3 Object Editor can convert existing 3D assets or models -- including laser scans, MRI/CT scans, terrain data, remote sensor data, and CAD models -- into the Pixel3 file format. Unlike other 3D technologies, the graphics engine enables users to dynamically update, change and interact with complex and realistic models on common PCs without requiring graphics hardware acceleration.

“Total sales for 3D software tools, hardware and production reached $37 billion in 2001, and is projected to double by 2007,” said Wanda Meloni, principal of M2 Research, a market research firm that tracks graphics technologies and digital media. “Future growth and innovation in the 3D sector will come from a new breed of technology companies, and we believe i3Dimensions is in a position to make a valuable impact on the market. With their ground-breaking technology and positioning, they will be one of the promising new companies to watch for in the next few years.”

Canadian Forces School for Military Engineering
i3Dimensions recently created a parts familiarization e-Learning course for the Canadian Forces School for Military Engineering (CFSME). Pixel3 was used to develop the courseware, illustrating the construction of its medium girder bridge – a portable, modular bridge that can be rapidly assembled during combat. Students taking the course used the application to become familiar with the bridge parts and construction methods, prior to on-site “hands-on” training. This significantly reduces on-site training costs and potential harm to students or equipment. The course has now been used to train two classes and, based on excellent staff and student feedback, will be fully deployed during the summer training curriculum. Further, CFSME instructional designers plan to use i3Dimensions' Pixel3 Object Editor, to facilitate training and create more content to augment other courses.

“We immediately found the Pixel3-based courseware easy to use and deploy without any specialized knowledge or training in 3D ? a great benefit given our tight resources,” said Warrant Officer Kevin Ellis, the senior project manager for distributed learning at CFSME. “Our students commented that the technology delivered a realistic, interactive training environment far more stimulating and effective than reading text and watching videos.

“The CFSME has found that using i3Dimensions' Pixel3 technology as the foundation for distributed learning courses delivers significant cost and productivity advantages and we plan to continue its integration into other courses in the future.”

Key technology advantages:

• Increases retention rate of students or employees by replacing passive e-learning content with compelling, accurate, fully interactive 3D models
• Lowers error rate and safety concerns associated with complex, expensive assemblies -- such as jet aircraft -- by allowing students and employees to practice using simulations of parts assembly tasks
• Makes training available to more students by eliminating need for high-end or specialized workstations
• Enhances productivity and efficiency of both students and instructors

Cost advantages:

• Eliminates the costs associated with upgrading PCs or purchasing specialized graphics acceleration hardware
• Enables re-use and easy modification of existing 3D assets, such as models created in CAD
• Lowers travel, living and out-of-the-office costs associated with traditional classroom learning
• Shortens training cycle to improve employee productivity and speed product time to market
• Reduces misidentified parts ordering by allowing field maintenance to visualize each part and verify the name or part number prior to placing the order

Availability
i3Dimensions has released its initial products with lead customers such as the Canadian Forces School for Military Engineering (CFSME). Full commercial availability is anticipated for fall 2002. i3Dimensions currently provides customized technology integration with partner companies.

i3Dimensions at SIGGRAPH 2002
i3Dimensions is exhibiting and demonstrating its Pixel3 technology at the Intel booth (Hall C, Booth 8054) at SIGGRAPH in San Antonio, Texas July 23-25, 2002.

About i3Dimensions
i3Dimensions Inc. develops technology that provides visualization and simulation solutions, enabling modification and manipulation of complex 3D data in real-time on common PCs and other computing platforms. The company's Pixel3 technology adds new capabilities to interactive 3D visualization for government institutions and discrete manufacturing enterprises like those in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries.