Books That Work Releases 3.0 Version of 3D Deck: America's No. 1 Selling Deck Design Software; New Product Raises Standard In Computer Aided Deck Design

Business Wire, Feb 10, 1997

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1997--Books That Work, the leading publisher of home and garden software, today released 3D Deck 3.0, the latest version of America's No. 1 selling deck design software.

3D Deck 3.0's powerful design engine now allows you to design multi-level decks, a key customer request. 3D Deck 3.0 also features dramatically improved graphics. It provides true wood textures, and comes with a broad collection of furnishings, accessories, trees, and shrubs to put the finishing touches on your new deck design.

3D Deck 3.0 is the most comprehensive deck design software available for the do-it-yourself/design-it-yourself homeowner. The new 3.0 version includes: -0-

-- The ability to design and build single- or multi-level decks.

-- Deck designs that provide openings to surround hot tubs and landscaping.

-- Individual control over placement of deck railings.

-- A broad collection of photo-realistic 3D furnishings, trees, and shrubs that you can place on and around the deck.

-- Enhanced details on the house provide for a more realistic setting.

-- An animated deck building sequence that shows the construction steps from the ground up. -0-

3D Deck 3.0 is available on CD-ROM for Windows 95 at retail computer and software stores nationwide for around $50.

Visualize Your Design With A Greater Clarity Than Ever Before

With 3D Deck 3.0, the do-it-yourself homeowner can design anything from a simple single-level deck, to an elaborate, multi-level design, complete with hot tubs and patio furniture. 3D Deck 3.0's new and enhanced design engine provides you with complete control over the deck's layout and makes it easy to place objects on or around the deck. You have the freedom to select where railings will go and then choose from several styles of railing designs. 3D Deck lets you preview your deck design from many angles including overhead, 3D, close-up and distance perspectives.

A Fast Approach, From Start To Finish

The easy-to-use Deck Designer, provides a quick approach to get you started on your design. Choosing a layout plan from the Design Gallery, provides a variety of sample decks to get you started. From there, you can point, click, and drag your mouse to define the deck's shape, manipulate the structural dimensions, and select features such as stairs, railings, notches, angles, decking patterns and adjacent walls.

3D Deck will print your design in both 2D and 3D. It will also calculate and print a complete materials shopping list for your design, including lumber and hardware down to the last nail. Your shopping list will include estimated costs and cut lists for your beams and joists.

3D Deck's multimedia design guide walks you through the design and building process. From the installation of posts, beams and joists to placing the finishing touches on your design, 3D Deck's Build It feature provides an animated design sequence that lets you view your deck design during each critical step in the building process.

Books That Work's Original Product

3D Deck was first introduced in 1993. As the company's founding product, 3D Deck has evolved with the company, incorporating more realistic 3D, greater flexibility, and enhanced functionality. "This new version really represents the `wish list' of tens of thousands of our customers. Our goal is to make 3D Deck the indispensable starting point for anybody who ever thinks about improving their yard," said Stu Gannes CEO and founder of Books That Work.

System Requirements

3D Deck requires a 486DX/66 or higher IBM PC or 100% compatible, Windows 95 with 8 MB RAM, 4MB free hard disk space, and a VGA monitor capable of displaying 256 colors or more, and a CD ROM drive.

Books That Work, based in Palo Alto, is the leading developer of 3D design and visualization software for the home and garden. Books That Work's award-winning library of products include Visual Home, 3D Landscape, 3D Kitchen, Home Improvement Encyclopedia, Garden Encyclopedia, Country Living Style, and Country Living Gardener: Great Home Gardens.

To order products, phone 800/242-4546. For more information, contact Books That Work, 2595 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Main no.: 415/326-4280. Visit the Books That Work Web site at http://www.btw.com . Books That Work also publishes home and garden content on the Internet at http://www.HomeCentral.com and http://www.Gardening.com .

CONTACT: Books That Work

Brian Cronkhite, 415/843-4402

bcronkhite@btw.com