MONTREAL - April 15, 1997 - CAE Electronics Ltd., the world leader in Flight Simulation technologies, announced today the selection of MultiGen® Inc., the leader in real-time 3D authoring software, to supply MultiGen Series II modeling tools for use with CAE's MAXVUE Visual Systems. MultiGen® modeling tools and the OpenFlight® database format will provide an industry standard, open, interchangeable framework for all MAXVUEdatabases.

"This is an important step for CAE. By enabling the industry leader in visual database editing tools address the core graphic technology, it will enable us to concentrate on providing added value solutions," said Tobby Skeie, CAE's director for software engineering. "The integration of the newest generation of MultiGen software with CAE's own Visual Database development environment will enable us to our offer our customers a total solution - industry standard 3D authoring together with powerful database building tools".

CAE will adopt the MultiGen II authoring environment ensuring compatibility with the MAXVUE format. In addition, using the MultiGen Data API, CAE intends to extend the Open Flight® database format to support advanced features offered by the MAXVUE image generator.

A SoftwarePlatform for the Industry

The latest generation of MultiGen tools includes MultiGen II, the only off-the-shelf, double-precision modeler for building error-free, large-area databases for visual simulation. A member of the new MultiGen Series II family---which sports an X-Motif user interface and the OpenGL 3D graphics subsystem---MultiGen II allows developers to create, edit and run realtime 3D applications on both Silicon Graphics- and Windows NT-based platforms. In addition, MultiGen Series II includes an OpenFlight data application programming interface, giving integrators a seamless way to marry their value-added software and hardware offerings with MultiGen-developed databases.

"The grounds well movement to our new Series II architecture further cements MultiGen's modeling software and OpenFlight database format as the vis sim community's tools of choice," said Dave Rolston, president and CEO of MultiGen. "This announcement also signals the beginning of the simulation industry's across-the-board adoption of open development environments and MultiGen is a key enabler in the transition away from cost-prohibitive, proprietary solutions."

MAXVUE Market Leader

Since it's introduction in1992, MAXVUE has become the industry benchmark for visual system performance, capturing more than 50% of the commercial flight simulator market. MAXVUE continues to lead the industry in polygon and pixel performance; and the introduction of innovative features such as display system autocalibration and rapid database tools. MAXVUE Plus, the latest generation, continues this tradition. MAXVUE currently offers the largest library of fully photo-textured database in the industry and the adoption of MultiGen® Series II tools will allow us to expand this library further, while supporting the import/export of other database formats.

CAE Electronics Ltd., founded in 1947 is the world's premier supplier of civil and military flight simulators. The Montreal-based facility is the largest dedicated flight simulation and training centre in the world. The company also operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. CAE Electronics Ltd. employs 3,500 people.

MultiGen Inc., founded in 1986, is the leading supplier of 3D authoring software for realtime visual simulation, entertainment and CAD visualization applications. Its products, including MultiGen II Pro, MultiGen II, GameGen and SmartScene are used to create 3D objects and scenes used in real-time applications for non-immersive and immersive environments. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the company markets its products worldwide directly and through partnerships with leading computing and real time simulations companies and a network of distributors.

 

For More Information, Contact:

Chris Stocker MultiGen Inc. cstocker@multigen.com 408-261-4100

Derek Perez Brodeur Porter Novelli dperez@brodeur.com 408-324-4848

MultiGen and OpenFlight are registered trademarks, and GameGen and SmartScene are trademarks of MultiGen Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners.