Informative Graphics Corp. Upgrades Free AutoCAD Viewer; inViso 3.0 Offers "Extreme Value" and Flexibility to Downstream AutoCAD Users

Business Wire, Jan 10, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2002

Informative Graphics Corp. is pleased to announce the release of inViso Version 3.0 -- an ultra-simple CAD viewer that is available as a small desktop executable as well as a thin, ActiveX component.

The free version of inViso 3.0 supports the viewing of AutoCAD DWG, DXF and DWF file formats. For a $49 fee, it can be extended to support drawings/plans for Microstation, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, CADKey, Me10, HPGL, CGM, TIFF, and CALS/MIL G4. The free version is being offered on the OpenDWG Alliance Web site (http://www.opendwg.org/downloads/guest.htm) under DWGViewer.exe.

inViso has applications for the following:

-- Shop Floor -- inViso is perfect for deployment on the shop floor where a
very basic user interface is optimal.

-- Intranet Deployment -- inViso/X is ideal for companies seeking a basic
in-line HTML/MIME associated viewer that have standardized on IE for their
corporate Intranet.

-- CD-ROM/Internet Publishing -- inViso can be used to publish drawing content
on CD-ROMs or public Web sites.

-- Application Embedding -- Solution partners and system integrators can take
advantage of the full OCX API interface in inViso/X to create an embedded
viewer within their applications (Developer/Support license required).

inViso 3.0 adds DWF support to the free version and along with significant updates for format handling and printing in the extended version. inViso is based on IGC's award-winning MYRIAD view & redline software. MYRIAD provides additional functions and 3D CAD file support for Pro/E, CATIA, UG, SolidEdge, SolidWorks, and Inventor.

At $195-295 per seat, MYRIAD is priced well below other products offering similar features.

"Our participation with the OpenDWG Alliance has enabled us to reduce the cost and complexity of deploying world-class viewing and collaboration," said Gary Heath, chief executive officer of IGC.

"Our focus is enabling access to CAD data across the extraprise, and we are committed to offer `extreme value' products like inViso and MYRIAD to all who need to interact with CAD data. We call it `putting CAD in motion,'" he added.

Informative Graphics is a founding member of the OpenDWG Alliance, an association of CAD customers and vendors committed to sharing and promoting knowledge about the DWG format in a public forum.

Part of the Alliance's mandate is to maintain code libraries that aid in reading and writing the DWG format, as well as educating the CAD user community on the risks of single-vendor control of a proprietary file format. Because of the Alliance, native AutoCAD data remains fully accessible and CAD software performs better with existing DWG files.

"Though the OpenDWG libraries are used in hundreds of different programs, inViso is special," said Evan Yares, president of OpenDWG Alliance. "It makes the literally billions of DWG files in use in the world today available to anyone, without them having to spend money for a viewer."

About Informative Graphics

Informative Graphics Corp. (IGC), founded in 1990, is a leading developer of commercial software products for Web publishing and collaboration. The company's easy-to-use products are deployed globally by end-users, OEM partners, and proven over the Web via its application service provider customers. The company maintains a Web site at www.infograph.com.

Note to Editors: Informative Graphics is a registered trademark, and Brava! is a trademark, of Informative Graphics Corp. All other names are property of their respective owners.