Intel And Metacreations Introduce New Open File Format Enabling Scalable 3-D Content And Tools

Open File Format Expected to Speed Proliferation of 3-D

LONG BEACH, Calif. May 5, 1998 -- Intel Corporation and MetaCreations Corporation announced today a new open PC file format for "scalable 3-D" content focused on applications such as games and Web sites. MetaStream™ 3-D file format designed for the Intel® Architecture allows developers to create detailed 3-D objects that perform optimally on today's Pentium® II processor-based systems and will continue to give users a better experience as they move up to even more powerful computers.

Intel and MetaCreations will publish the file format publicly so that developers can create interoperable compatible content, tools and applications which incorporate the file format. Intel and MetaCreations intend to jointly continue to develop the capabilities of the newly introduced MetaStream 3-D file format designed for Intel Architecture.

"The new MetaStream™ 3-D file format designed for Intel Architecture should allow 3-D objects to scale in visual resolution depending on the processing power," said Stan Mo, director of software tools marketing, Intel Corporation. "Adoption of this format will enable software, Web, game and tool vendors to create 3-D content that looks great on today's Pentium II processor-based systems and even better on future generation platforms."

"We believe this new file format solves some of the fundamental impediments that have previously prevented 3-D from becoming truly successful on the Internet," said Bob Rice, vice president of strategic affairs at MetaCreations' Princeton R&D facility. "At the same time, scalability permits a broader group of computer users to experience high-end 3-D graphics in time frames acceptable to the consumer."

MetaCreations will be the first company to market software tools for the creation of 3-D content based on this new open file format. 3D graphic design software packages Ray Dream Studio 5™ and Ray Dream 3D™ from MetaCreations are MetaStream file format compatible, and MetaCreations' Infini-D 4.5™, which will be available at retail in mid-May, will feature built-in MetaStream capabilities.

Web Developer/User Benefits
The new file format enables developers to author content once that will both deliver high-quality on performance PCs, such as Pentium II processor-based systems, and allow a highly effective user experience if the content is viewed over the Web. Scaling for the performance of the user's particular system also provides progressive streaming, which allows users to experience 3-D content from the moment downloading commences, in a way similar to streamed audio or video files.

The MetaStream 3-D file format designed for Intel Architecture carries the additional benefit of giving the viewer multiresolution control. Web designers also have the ability to set the detail (frame rate) of these 3-D objects relative to the speed of the viewer's computer, ensuring consistent, high-quality viewing. Based on the application, this can be implemented in a variety of ways:

• Objects in the front of the viewing environment can be higher quality
• As more objects appear on a screen, the level of detail can be lowered to increase speed at which objects can be manipulated
• As software is run on a more powerful system the object detail can increase

In addition to games and Web sites, the MetaStream 3-D file format designed for Intel Architecture could be beneficial to e-commerce, medical, scientific research and distance learning applications. Online shoppers could inspect and interact with products offered for sale.

How to Get MetaStream Viewer
The MetaStream viewer plug-in will be available as a free download from MetaStream Web site (www.metastream.com), expected on Thursday, May 7, 1998. Minimum system requirements for MetaStream compatibility are a Pentium processor-based system, a 28.8 modem and a Netscape Communicator® 4.0 or Internet Explorer® 4.0 browser.

About MetaCreations
MetaCreations Corporation, the visual computing software company, designs, develops, publishes, markets and supports software tools and enabling technologies for creating, editing and manipulating computer graphic images, digital art and Web content on the desktop for both professionals and consumers. Working with distributors around the world, MetaCreations professional and consumer software is available in more than seventy countries. MetaCreations' headquarters is located in Santa Barbara County at 6303 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013; Tel: 805-566-6200; Fax: 805-566-6385. MetaCreations also has significant operations in Scotts Valley, CA and Princeton, NJ. MetaCreations' International Operation Center is located in Wilson House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Tel: 353(1)662-9333; World Wide Web server: http://www.metacreations.com.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and uncertainties that might affect MetaCreations' business, operating results, financial conditions and cash flows. Such uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: that the technology will not speed proliferation of 3D, that MetaCreations and Intel will not continue to jointly research and enhance the capabilities of the newly introduced MetaStream 3D file format for designed for Intel Architecture, that MetaCreations will not market software tools for the creation of 3D content based on this new open file format, and that Infini-D 4.5 will not be available at retail in mid-May. For a more detailed discussion of factors that affect MetaCreations' operating results, interested parties should review MetaCreations' SEC reports, including the MetaCreations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. MetaCreations was formed as a result of the merger of MetaTools, Inc. and Fractal Design Corporation in May 1997.

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