Final Render Stage 1 Released!

Press Release

Turbo Squid Releases finalRender Stage-1 as Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in

New Orleans, LA - (July 24, 2003) - Turbo Squid, the world's fastest growing online digital marketplace, today announced the much anticipated release of finalRender Stage-1, from cebas Computer GmbH, as the latest offering in the Discreet® Certified 3ds max™ Plug-in program.

finalRender stage-1 is a revolutionary new rendering technology that will push the envelope for 3ds max users with complex scene files. With the ability to render over fifty million unique polygons, Stage-1 offers users unparalleled quality and speed.

"3ds max users around the world have anticipated the release of Stage-1, noted Beau Perschall, VP of Publishing at Turbo Squid, Inc. "They will not be disappointed. This product has been completely re-designed based on users' wish lists and is packed with new features."

New features in Stage-1:

True 3D Motion Blur
The development of a true 3D motion blur tool was driven by the passion of artists around the world. The solution to this is stage-1's highly accurate motion blur tool that allows definition of moving elements while retaining foreground and background details.

Dispersion
The ability to refract light based on the material's structure offers stage-1 users creative control over light in objects.

Multiple Cameras
Stage-1 offers nine cameras, including InsectEye, Architectural, Cylinder, Distortion, Fisheye, Panoramic, Spherical, UltraWide, and Window.

Distributed Rendering
True distributed rendering, including Global Illumination, is part of Stage-1. This is a unique approach to taking advantage of massive parallel rendering technology, giving you lightning fast results with the highest quality.

True 3D Micro Triangle Displacement
Stage-1 includes this advanced rendering method to give users the ability to create more surface detail for their models by generating and displacing extra triangles for geometry only at render.

Hyper-GI
This unique approach to global illumination is based on a sophisticated hybrid energy distribution model that can handle both animated objects and lights (or both of them together) while giving the user full control and speed.

Sub Surface Scattering
Stage-1 offers an enhanced volumetric light scattering algorithm that allows light to be scattered to create volume glow and halo effects like those from diffuse illumination.

finalToon
finalToon, the standalone product that is actually two products in one, is included in Stage-1 at no additional cost! Besides being a top selling 2D cartoon renderer, finalToon is also a feature rich technical illustrator.

Future Proof
Stage-1 is optimized for Intel® P4 HT code, and is 64 bit ready. FinalRender Stage-1 is also a Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in-designed for seamless integration with 3ds max from Discreet and other Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins.

Comprehensive Package
finalRender Stage-1 was designed from the ground up based on the benefits that users requested most and includes features such as:

· True Caustic Light Rendering with extended Energy Control
· Fast Area Shadows
· Realtime Volume Light Rendering
· True Geometry Based Direct and Indirect Light Sources
· Energy Based "Light Particle" Rendering System
· First Renderer with fully Licensed "Zauner Shader" Technology
· Energy Based "Light Particle" Rendering System
· AI based "On Demand" Loading/Unloading of Geometry
· Intelligent and Automatic Raytracing Acceleration through AI-3D Space Segmentation
· True 3D UltraBlurT Algorithm for fast Blurry Renderings

"The Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in program offers premier tools to the 3ds max community and Discreet is proud to have Cebas as a partner with its world-renowned rendering solution finalRender Stage-1," said Chris Ford, product line manager, animation products, Discreet. "We congratulate Cebas on the release of finalRender Stage-1, and look forward to its adoption by the community."

Pricing and availability
finalRender Stage-1 has a suggested retail price (SRP) in North America of US $795, with an introductory special of $695 for a limited time. Stage-1 is available from Turbo Squid at www.turbosquid.com/dcpstore, from Discreet at http://www.discreet.com/products/3dsmax/dcp or from authorized Resellers around the world. For a Reseller near you, contact sales@turbosquid.com.

Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in Program
Working together, Discreet and Turbo Squid are carefully selecting third party solutions that bring compelling value to 3ds max artists. These plug-ins are subjected to stringent testing procedures defined by Discreet to ensure each plug-in works well with 3ds max software and other Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins.

Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins are backed up by an online support system implemented by Turbo Squid including developer-moderated forums, FAQs, tutorials, demos, and the latest product information for Discreet 3ds max artists.

For more information on Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins visit: www.turbosquid.com.

About Turbo Squid
Founded in January 2000, Turbo Squid is dedicated to the management and distribution of digital assets and other relevant content for 3D and 2D designers and creative professionals. Turbo Squid provides a global market for digital assets by enabling individual and corporate users to list, promote and sell their content to users around the world. Turbo Squid is a privately held company with financial backing from Advantage Capital Partners, The Eastman Kodak Company and Intel Capital. More information can be found at the company's web site www.turbosquid.com.

About Discreet
Discreet empowers moving media professionals to realize the visual experience, transforming their most evocative and ambitious visions into reality. Its range of award-winning systems and software is developed for digital media creation, management and delivery-across all disciplines from visual effects and editing to animation, game development, web/interactive design, and design visualization. Discreet is based in Montreal, Quebec and is a division of Autodesk, Inc., the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and Distribution Company. Product and corporate information is located on the Internet at www.discreet.com.

About cebas Computer GmbH
cebas Computer GmbH is a German developer of advanced 3D software for 3ds max and other 3D applications, based near Heidelberg. With 14 years of experience in software development for the 3D market, cebas has become renowned for its quality and unique software products serving graphics and animation studios around the world. More info is available at www.cebas.com.