SHEFFIELD, UK (14 July 2004) - LightWork Design, the world’s leading supplier of rendering solutions for developers of advanced 3D computer graphics software, today announced that Virtual Studio+ software from Solid Edge is powered by the LightWorks rendering engine.

Virtual Studio+ is a new companion photorealistic and artistic sketch-based rendering module for Solid Edge Version 16, its industry-leading, value-based 3D computer-aided design system for the mainstream PLM market. Solid Edge has expanded its capability for customers to create photorealistic images by incorporating LightWorks rendering technology. Virtual Studio+ includes not only photorealistic and interactive rendering techniques but also the unique LightWorks Sketch product that enables the creation of conceptual renderings for use during the early stages of concept visualisation or for schematic drawings.

"With the delivery of Virtual Studio+, Solid Edge sets a new bar for photorealistic rendering capability and performance in the mainstream CAD market. We are particularly pleased to have integrated LightWorks within Virtual Studio+ as we believe that including such advanced technology will enhance our competitive position within the market place. Added to that, the unique new sketch-based rendering capability which we have been able to introduce means that Solid Edge now delivers a full range of rendering capabilities for concept reviews right through to promotional materials that will appeal to all product designers regardless of industry or specialty;" said Dan Staples, director of the Solid Edge business unit for UGS at Solid Edge.

Andy Chapman, CEO at LightWork Design added, "We are very pleased that UGS has chosen LightWorks as the solution for giving Solid Edge users easy access to powerful, advanced rendering capabilities. It was great to see the Solid Edge team integrate LightWorks so quickly. It gives us real satisfaction to see customers benefiting from the ease-of-use focus we take when designing the LightWorks solution. We are looking forward to seeing some amazing images."

About LightWork Design
LightWork Design is the world’s leading supplier of rendering solutions for developers of advanced 3D computer graphics software. Established in 1989, LightWork Design has continually developed LightWorks to provide customers with innovative and market-focused solutions for the creation of powerful and easy-to-use rendering applications. Renowned for its physically accurate visualization of real-world objects and environments, LightWorks is the ideal choice for applications targeted at the AEC, Automotive, Industrial and Graphics markets. LightWorks is supplied as a complete solution which includes the SDK, support, training and consultancy services, to give customers fast and efficient access to leading-edge rendering technology, resulting in shorter development cycles, faster time-to-market for new products, and lower software development costs.

LightWorks is embedded in over 80 software applications and used by more than 1 million users worldwide, far more than any other renderer. Applications that incorporate LightWorks include: Alibre Design from Alibre, ArchiTrend from Fukui Computer, Cobalt from Ashlar, Configura and InstantPlanner from Configura Sverige AB, form.Z from auto.des.sys, ICEM Surf and ICEM Style from ICEM, Madric from CPU, MSC.visualNastran from MSC Software, NX from UGS, Presenter 3D from Digital Immersion, PowerShape from Delcam, Pro/CONCEPT, Pro/DESKTOP and Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire from PTC, Solid Edge from UGS, solidThinking from solidThinking Ltd., ThinkReal from Think3, trueSpace from Caligari, VectorWorks from Nemetschek NA and products from many other major CAD vendors.