Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Web 3D Company Blends Entertainment And E-Commerce For Mass Market Content Creation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - April 10th, 2000 - PuppetTime, Inc. and Prosoft Engineering, Inc. today announced a strategic development partnership. The companies signed a Letter Of Intent (LOI) that provides PuppetTime access to Prosoft's innovative engineering resources to accelerate development of PuppetTime's patent pending Web 3D storytelling technologies across platforms and across the Internet.

"We see a vast market potential for 3D on the Internet," says Greg Brewer, CEO of Prosoft Engineering, "While others focus on e-commerce visualization and web character solutions that require professional skills to create, PuppetTime advances a whole new concept of entertainment that gives non-professionals access to the expressiveness of 3D animation. Prosoft Engineering is excited to be able to partner with PuppetTime and help open the door into this whole new industry."

"The key to Web 3D is easy-to-use content creation tools," says Deeje Cooley, CTO of PuppetTime, "Just as the visual metaphor of folders and menus brought powerful computers to the masses, the metaphor of cinematic storytelling will empower a whole new generation of 3D movie makers."

Sophistication Made Easy

PuppetTime Producer is an intuitive 3D-character animation program that implements the concept of digital actors. Users can create visually compelling 3D animations in minutes simply by selecting characters, typing dialog, recording sounds and voice-overs, and choosing actions. 3D modeling or animation experience is not required because the digital actors, or puppets, are predefined and know how to draw and animate themselves. For instance, puppets have a number of animated emotional states built in, which are easily chosen from a simple list. Puppets also automatically create their own mouth shapes (visemes) from dialog text, using a Text-To-Speech technology. The user can then overdub his or her own voice speaking the dialog, giving the puppet characters unique inflections and personalities. Sound tracks can be imported for use as sound effects and background music. Still images can be imported as backgrounds. The program also supports multiple puppets and cameras for true cinematic freedom.

Availability and Pricing

The shareware version of PuppetTime Producer is available for US$89.00 from the company's website at http://www.puppettime.com. Academic pricing is available at $495.00 for a 10-seat license, with additional seats at $49.00 each. Volume and site licenses are also available. Additional characters are currently available free of charge.

Established in 1985, Prosoft Engineering, Inc. leads the way in advancing computer software technology by leveraging extensive expertise in custom software development. Prosoft's line of networking and utility software products empower clients by putting information technology to work.

Prosoft's Services Division delivers professional, cost-effective, on time, custom and cross-platform software development services. From conception to manufacturing, Prosoft Engineering provides clients high-quality, exceptional software development services allowing them to focus on core competencies.

For more information contact:
Jennifer Dyer
Prosoft Engineering, Inc.
925-426-6100 ext. 2323