CrystalGraphics and JVC Announce PhotoActive FX™

New software product plugs in to Microsoft® PowerPoint™
to add sophisticated still and animated photo effects

Santa Clara, Calif., — (April 27, 1999) — CrystalGraphics, Inc., a leading developer and publisher of 3D graphics software, and JVC, a leader in video and multi-media products, today announced the release of PhotoActive FX, the first and only plug-in for Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) PowerPoint 97 and 2000 that enhances presentations by adding sophisticated still and animated effects to photos. Developed by JVC and published by CrystalGraphics, PhotoActive FX enables users to add dazzling still and animated effects to the photos included within their PowerPoint presentations with point-and-click simplicity. It does this without forcing users to learn a new user interface, or even having to exit PowerPoint. PhotoActive FX, along with a demonstration set of still and animated photo effects, can be download for free at www.crystalgraphics.com.

Quotes:
“I am extremely excited about PhotoActive FX because of the “sizzle” it adds to presentations. It is extremely easy to use and priced to sell.” said Robert J. Courtney Jr., President and CEO of CrystalGraphics.

“With a single click of the mouse, PhotoActive FX users can add unique effects in PowerPoint presentations that would be difficult to achieve by other means. It is a culmination of JVC’s innovative computer graphics and digital video technology.” said Clark Yoshida, President of JVC Laboratory of America.

About PhotoActive FX™
PhotoActive FX enables users to easily add impressive still and animated effects to the photos in their PowerPoint presentations. Pre-created for maximum ease-of-use, yet fully customizable, these artistic effects will be sold in a series of volumes. “PhotoActive FX 1” includes over 140 unique effects conveniently organized into logical categories. Still photo-effects categories include Coloring, Cookie Cutters, Edges, Frames, Fine Arts, Lights & Shadows, Rotations, Text, Texture Art and Transformations. PhotoActive FX’s most unique feature is its ability to animate photos inside of PowerPoint. Animated photo effects include Full-Image Effects, Animated Text, Transitions In and Transitions Out. Examples of these unique and flexible effects can be viewed on the World Wide Web at: www.crystalgraphics.com/products.powerplugs.photoactivefx.effects.html.

Ease-of-use Enables Maximum Results
PhotoActive FX was designed by PowerPoint users, for PowerPoint users — and it shows. It is easy to install. Once installed, it provides PowerPoint users with two easy-to-use toolbar commands: “Still Photo Effects” and “Animated Photo Effects”. These commands are automatically inserted into PowerPoint's Format menu as well as into their own floating palette. Users can select any picture from a PowerPoint presentation to enhance. Once a picture has been selected, any of the many effects can be applied with just a couple of clicks of the mouse. If the user chooses, he or she can also click on an Advanced… button that will open up a world of powerful customization controls. Once the user chooses OK, PhotoActive FX automatically places the newly modified photo right inside PowerPoint’s own presentation file, making the effects easy to transport for on-the-road meetings.

The Technology
Developed by JVC Americas Corp. specifically for CrystalGraphics, Inc., PhotoActive FX requires at least a Pentium 166 with 32-MB RAM and 80-MB available hard disk space, running PowerPoint 97 or PowerPoint 2000 and either Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0 operating systems. PhotoActive FX requires no special graphics hardware. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Office 2000.

Pricing and Availability
PhotoActive FX along with an introductory set of useful artistic still and animated effects can be downloaded for FREE at www.crystalgraphics.com. “PhotoActive FX 1” has a target street price of $79. A free demo version is now available exclusively from CrystalGraphics’ Web site and CNET Download.com at http://www.download.com/pc/software/1,332,0-68668-s,00.html?tt.cg.pr.cat1.g45860

About CrystalGraphics
CrystalGraphics is a leader in the development of incredibly easy-to-use animation software designed to help businesses communicate more successfully — on the Web, through presentations, and through videos. As an early pioneer in the 3D Web and videographics industries, CrystalGraphics developed and marketed several award-winning products, including Crystal TOPAS, Crystal Flying Fonts Pro, Crystal 3D Vortex, Crystal 3D IMPACT! Pro, and 3D Sensations For Presentations. More information about CrystalGraphics products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.crystalgraphics.com, or by calling 1-800-394-0700.

About JVC
JVC has been a long-time leader of hardware and software developer in the audio visual field as well as digital video and personal multimedia systems. More information about JVC products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.jvc.com, or by calling 1-800-252-5722.

About CNET
CNET Inc. is at the leading edge of media companies, producing a branded Internet network and television programming for both targeted and general audiences. Online and on television, CNET is the leading authority on computers, the Internet and digital technologies. CNET network serves millions of users each day.

CrystalGraphics, 3D Sensations, 3D IMPACT, Flying Fonts, 3D Vortex and PhotoActive FX are trademarks and TOPAS is a registered trademark of CrystalGraphics, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.