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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (September 3, 1997)--nFX Corporation announced today that Mindscape has incorporated nFX's "Living Graphics" technology in its upcoming release of PrintMaster Gold Deluxe 4.0. A custom nFX "Cartoon-O-Matic" module designed for PrintMaster 4.0 allows users to create their own unique cartoon faces for inclusion in their PrintMaster documents. Unlike traditional static clip art, nFX Living ClipArt allows users to dynamically alter a model in thousands of ways, creating unique, custom images.
PrintMaster Gold Deluxe 4.0 is the first home print creativity product to incorporate the nFX Living Graphics technology. With this unique technology, users can create their own custom graphics by manipulating images to get the exact look, facial expression, size, or other physical attribute they want.
From within PrintMaster Gold Deluxe 4.0, users access Cartoon-O-Matic with a single mouse click. After selecting from a variety of cartoon models including Santa Claus, a monster, a witch or a clown, users can manipulate their character in real time. Each model has between fifteen and twenty controls allowing the user to change everything from head size and expression to nose and ear shape. This permits the creation of thousands upon thousands of new and unique images based on user input. If you have "creative block" just push the "Dice" button and roll a completely random image. When you have just the image you want, another simple mouse click wisks your creation into the PrintMaster page layout. These elements combine to give PrintMaster Gold Deluxe 4.0 an immediacy and a visual edge that currently separates it from all other Print Creativity packages.
nFX plans to make additional "Living ClipArt" models available to PrintMaster users and soon non-PrintMaster users will be able to buy a standalone version of Cartoon-O-Matic from nFX. nFX is also working with other vendors to incorporate nFX technology into a variety of Internet, On Line Chat, Desktop Publishing and other graphics products.
"This 'Living Clipart' is a sample of the next generation of more personalized, creative graphics for interactive multimedia - an area which has been limited to static images or linear, pre-scripted animation," said Joel Voelz, president and CEO, nFX Corporation. "It's been a good collaboration working with Mindscape to create this custom addition for PrintMaster. PrintMaster is one of the industry's leading home print creativity packages and now with the inclusion of nFX technology it is leading the way to the next generation of interactive graphics products."
"nFX's Living Graphics technology puts a whole new element of 'fun' into print creativity and allows our users to inject even more of their own creativity into PrintMaster documents," said PrintMaster Senior Product Manager Max Dierdorff.
Underlying the PrintMaster Cartoon-O-Matic module is the core nFX technology based on neural-nets and vector graphics. The multi-dimensional aspect of nFX's technology allows it to transcend typical morphing. This capability gives users creative power over new images, allowing individuals to select variations along any dimension or feature. When coupled with vector graphics, users of PrintMaster can render totally unique, custom images in real-time.
nFX technology and models actually learn to produce new images based on examples. The technology doesn't restrict the extent of artistic expression by the user. For example, if a user opens or closes a character's mouth, the other facial features respond accordingly.
To download an example of the Cartoon-O-Matic technology, go to the nFX web site at www.nfx.com. Members of the press who would like to see a more extensive demo of Cartoon-O-Matic should contact nFX directly.
nFX Corporation is a venture-backed, Santa Clara-based firm bringing real-time, interactive, "Living Graphics" to multimedia programs and the Internet. Founded in 1993, nFX is a spin-off of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. nFX's technology can also be seen in an innovative avatar-based chat environment running in the new Sega GameWorks entertainment centers in Seattle, Las Vegas and Ontario, California.
Mindscape, Inc. is a leading, international digital publisher, providing experientially rich software for the education, entertainment, and information markets. The Company uses advanced technology, a proven focus on specific product segments, and strategic partner alliances to develop, publish, and distribute software products that continually set new standards for creativity and innovation.
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| For information about nFX: information @ nfx.com |