Dassault Systemes Announces Adoption of 3D XML Technology into Virtools Solutions; Combined Solutions Give Life to 3D Experiences for PLM Users

"With 3DXML, PLM information traverses across the productlifecycle in extended enterprises, from design and engineering,through all scenarios, right up to a life-like product experience.This development allows true end to end 3D democratization," explainsDominique Florack, Executive Vice-President, Research and Development.

Dassault Systemes' 3D For All strategy aims to make 3D technologyavailable to users. This means that anybody from content creatorsright up to the product end user will have a set of solutions whichallow them to imagine, share and experience in 3D. The adoption of 3DXML technology via a dedicated extension to Virtools' solutions is thefirst step towards providing a complete solution for recreating theend user experience on virtual products, with real-time interactivescenarios.

With this technology, PLM customers dramatically extend thebenefits of using 3D technologies. The breadth of possibleapplications is huge. These include: simulation of product usage,ergonomic testing, creating the shopping experience, trainingscenarios, right through to branding, advertising and web marketingapplications. Users of this technology can, for example, fully createscenarios to visualise a car driving through a city. Theseapplications can be experienced online: browser-based, up to andincluding large scale virtual reality environments.

3D XML is a universal, lightweight XML-based format that enablesusers to share live, accurate 3D content quickly and easily. 3D XML issuited for fast and efficient communication, and provides uniquefeatures, such as multi-representational 3D content, and unmatchedcompression for complex, accurate geometry, enabling rapidcommunication and shorter load times. Dassault Systemes already usesthe 3D XML format in its entire product line: CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA,SMARTEAM and SolidWorks.

About Virtools

Acquired by Dassault Systemes in mid-2005, Virtools is the leadingprovider of comprehensive software solutions for building highlyinteractive 3D life-like applications.

Virtools 3D real-time technologies and solutions have been used ina wide variety of applications such as simulation of product usage,ergonomic testing, creating the shopping experience, trainingscenarios, right through to branding, advertising and web marketingapplications. Customers include industry leaders such as FranceTelecom, L'Oreal, Matsushita, Procter & Gamble, PSA, Renault, SonyComputer Entertainment, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros Online.

For more information, visit www.virtools.com

About Dassault Systemes

As world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)solutions, the Dassault Systemes group brings value to more than90,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software marketsince 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM applicationsoftware and services that support industrial processes and provide a3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception tomaintenance. Our offering includes integrated PLM solutions forproduct development (CATIA(R), DELMIA(R), ENOVIA(R), SMARTEAM(R)),mainstream product 3D design tools (SolidWorks(R)), 3D components(Spatial/ACIS(R)) and SIMULIA(TM), DS' open multi-physics platform forrealistic simulation. Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq(DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For moreinformation, visit http://www.3ds.com