Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes Launch Microsoft Virtual Earth- 3DVIA

Consumers can shape and share ideas in 3-D in Virtual Earth

REDMOND, Wash., and PARIS  - Oct. 18, 2007- Dassault Systèmes (DS), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Microsoft Corp. today launched Microsoft^® Virtual Earth™-3DVIA (Technology Preview). This free online application, developed by Dassault Systèmes, allows consumers to imagine, create realistic 3-D models - such as buildings and structures - and then share them through Microsoft Virtual Earth and online communities.

“Virtual Earth -3DVIA users will be able to build a world that mixes their future projects and ideas with real-life places, buildings and structures,” said Lynne Wilson, senior vice president and general manager, 3DVIA, Dassault Systèmes.  “Through Microsoft’s online geographic location mapping technology and our 3-D modeling and realistic visualization know-how, we have created a new level of realism within Virtual Earth that provides an unrestricted freedom for creativity and innovation.”

Users can download Virtual Earth -3DVIA for free and immediately begin using the fun, easy-to-use and intuitive application. Virtual Earth -3DVIA allows anyone to do the following with their ideas:

• Create. With just a few clicks, users can easily design a 3-D model of their house, favorite building or any structure, then select from different visualization options, textures and colors to give their 3-D models a realistic appearance.
• Publish. Users can upload their 3-D models to Virtual Earth, specifying an address or neighborhood so they can experience the model within a real-life context.
• Share. Users can add their 3-D model to collections and share it with friends and colleagues through Web communities.    

”Our alliance with Dassault Systèmes, a company that has 26 years of technology experience in 3-D modeling, will help us bring a new level of realism to Virtual Earth,” said Stephen Lawler, general manager of Virtual Earth at Microsoft.  “Microsoft is committed to delivering the highest-quality product for our Virtual Earth customers, and this enhancement is another step toward fulfilling that commitment.”

Virtual Earth -3DVIA is being released as a technology preview to allow community feedback priori to the next release of the product. To access Virtual Earth -3DVIA, go to http://maps.live.com  (select the 3D tab and then add a 3D model in your Collections)