Introducing Simply3D 3

Simply3D 3 is a powerful, easy to use, highly productive 3D graphics application that is both quick and very fun to use. It provides the user with the features they want, with out overwhelming them with too much technology. 

•	Simply3D 3 is by far the easiest 3D graphics package available.
•	Although easy, Simply3D 3 has all the power you need to produce professional quality 3D animations and stills for the Internet or desktop.
•	Simply3D 3 will get you productive fast with over 1000 3D objects and 5 wizards that will help you be creative from the start.
•	Simply3D 3 takes advantage of the latest advances in computer hardware through MMX and Direct3D support.

Simply3D 3 is truly another great leap forward in bringing 3D graphics technology to the Office, Internet, and Home. With Simply 3D you have the ability to create a 3D flying logo of your name with just six-clicks using our Text Wizard. Then you can save that project using our Output Wizard which walks you through figuring out what format is the best for you particular need. With this wizard based approach, Simply3D gives everyone the ability to create and output their own 3D creations. 

Simply3D 3 can save its animations as animated GIF files or VRML 2.0 files for the Internet. You can also use Simply 3D inside any OLE 2.0 capable program such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. You can also use it to create stills and animations for multimedia and print (up to 8000x8000 pixels). Simply3D 3’s Output Wizard supports the most common formats for all of these applications. Also, Simply3D 3 comes with over 1000 professionally designed 3D objects, 800 textures, 50 lighting scenes, 100 animation primitives and more.
The Emergence and Growing Acceptance of 3D

Historically, 3D software products have been typically placed in an early adopter market. The combination of strange interface design, slow unresponsive software, and steep learning curve have kept the majority of graphics users (we all fit into this category in some way) from really being able to get into 3D. Simply 3D 3 addresses these challenges in ways that will make it the defining application in its market space: the 3D Office, Internet, and Home user.

Simply3D 3 is for the Mainstream User

At Micrografx we have gone to great lengths to make sure that Simply3D 3 is a product that anyone can use. It was never our intention to create a 3D heavyweight that has all the complicated features of the $400 an up professional 3D products. The guy making flying logos or animated 3d clipart for his PowerPoint presentation or web page doesn’t need the headache of the steep learning curve associated with high end modeling and animation tools. In fact, the reason those lower priced “high end” tools haven’t become popular is because this type of user doesn’t want a complicated tool. They want one they can use, out of the box, without the manual and get great results. 
Simply3D 3 Contains Powerful Technology

Although easy to use, Simply3D 3 incorporates some very high-end technology and provides the user with a surprisingly wide range of capabilities. It uses a very fast high-end scan-line rendering engine capable of creating beautiful, rich, warm renderings. This rendering engine was developed by one of the developers that created the original rendering code for WaveFront. We also added Selective Ray Trace capabilities so you can add highly reflective (or refractive) elements to a scene and Simply 3D 3 will only Ray Trace where necessary in the scene. This translates into a 3 to 50 times rendering speed improvement over other Ray Trace capable software on the market today.

Another high-end feature in Simply3D 3 is Additive Animation. This allows the user to add 2 or more animations together to create very complex, yet graceful, animations very quickly. Combined with a drag-and-drop Scene Explorer window , Simply 3D lets you create object hierarchies quickly and easily.

The real advantage to having this technology, however, is that because of how it is implemented the user reaps all the technological benefits without the learning curve hurdles. Micrografx has always felt that advanced technology should make things easier, not more difficult. Simply3D 3 went though extensive usability testing. As a result many interface and feature enhancements were made. This has allowed Micrografx to make a product that not only can be used by anyone, but has enough depth to keep the customer happy long after they learn the basics.
Simply3D 3 Meets the User’s Expectations

Simply3D 3 was designed from the ground up with the user’s expectations in mind. The product was then tested with novice and experienced office and graphics users with much success. The feed back from that testing was then incorporated back into the product. The results are such features as the Output Wizard, Project Wizard, Object Deformation in the viewport, and many adjustments to our menu structures to make things easier to find and more understandable.

Just the Facts

Description	The easiest to use 3D application for creating professional quality stills and animations for the Internet, documents, and presentations. Designed for any one that needs fast, easy, high quality 3D without having to sacrifice too much time or money to get it.
	
Developer
	Founded in 1982, Micrografx is the global leader in creativity software for personal computers. In March of 1996 we acquired Visual Software, a 3D graphics software company which had developed such titles as Visual Reality, Renderize Live, Simply3D, and Instant 3D. Simply 3D 2 was the first 3D application developed by the combined entity.

Micrografx, Inc.
1303 E. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, TX  75081
(800) 653-2610	
Availability	Simply3D 3 is available as a stand-alone product or part of Webtricity 2.	
Distribution	Via distributors including Ingram Micro and Tech Data and retailers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City, and others.	
Price	The estimated retail price of Simply3D 3 is $144 or $ 280 (as a Webtricity with Picture Publisher 8, and Windows Draw 6 	
Support	Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm CST at (972) 234-2694
Support is also available online at the Micrografx Web Page at http://www.micrografx.com.	
System Requirements	Recommended for use on Windows 95 or NT
486DX or faster processor (Pentium processor recommended)
Windows 95: 8 MB RAM required to run application individually (16 MB RAM recommended)Windows NT: 16 MB RAM required to run application individually (24 MB RAM recommended)
More memory is required to run additional applications simultaneously
Hard Disk Space: 135 MB for typical install, 50 MB for minimum install
CD-ROM drive
SVGA or higher-resolution video adapter (16 bit color and Direct3D acceleration recommended)
Mouse, Microsoft® IntelliMouse™, tablet or compatible pointing device	

Media Contacts	Region Representative
Piotrek Biernacki
MGX Infoservice (Micrografx).
+48 22/ 601 24 26 35
piotrek@micrografx.pol.pl	Media Relations
Aline Parrish
VP, Corporate Communications
Micrografx, Inc.
+1 972/ 994-6525
alinep@micrografx.com

Simply3D 3 Features and Benefits 

Feature	Function	Benefit	
Output Wizard	Shows how to save a project for use in a number of different ways.	Even the most inexperienced user can save in the appropriate format for what they are trying to accomplish.	
Project Wizard	Creates an entire project from start to output in one continuous Wizard.	Any user can use this tool out of the box to create their first 3D project.	
Text Wizard	Creates 3D flying text in an easy Wizard environment.	Any user can use this tool out of the box to create Flying text for the Internet or desktop.	
2D to 3D Wizard	2D vector art can be imported/pasted in to be extruded into a 3D beveled shape.	The user can turn 2D logos and artwork they already have in to useful, animated 3D art.	
Transparent Animated GIF support	Can save animated GIFs with transparency, number of loops and speed defined by the user.	Great way to create animated 3D GIF images to really add punch to your web page.	
VRML 2.0 Support	Can save VRML 2.0 animations with hot links for the Internet.	VRML 2.0 files are smaller (kb) and more interactive than standard animations. They are a great way to spice up your web page.	
Profile Edit modeler	Edits the profile and section (side and top) of any primitive to create the object you want.	Easy way to create and edit 3D models with real-time feed back. You have to see this one to really appreciate it.	
Morphing	User can deform an object in the view port with the standard deform tools and morph the object through each of the changes they make.	The user can create twisting text, swaying palm trees, and other special effects by morphing between deformations.	
800 Textures	Drag and drop materials from the catalog to any object in your scene to apply the material, or browse thumbnails of texture to create your own unique materials.	Quick and easy method to apply textures to your scene.	
1000 3D clipart objects	Drag and drop to your scene from the catalog.	Quick and easy objects for your 3D scene creation. Wide variety of topics covered.	
Direct3D and OpenGL Support	Allows manipulation of objects while they are sold shaded and texture mapped	Users can edit and move objects, lights, and materials and get continuos real-time feed back on their changes.	
DXF import	Can load in your DXF file with different materials by layer.	Can load, texture, animate and render industry standard DXF files from most CAD and 3D packages.	
Selective Ray Trace	Simply3D 3 just ray traces those materials that require it.	Much faster rendering than usually available in ray trace capable 3D software.