Dassault Systèmes Acquires Unique 3D Behavioral Technology with Purchase of Virtools
DS to provide interactive 3D experience platform to give life to 3D

Dassault Systèmes announced that it has acquired Paris-based Virtools SA, a team of experts in 3D interactive web applications that give live behavior to 3D content, for approximately 12 million euros.

Virtools’ applications allow users not familiar with 3D modeling to quickly and easily add life experience to any 3D object. As an example, using the company’s technology, users can experience the shopping behavior of a typical consumer in a supermarket or visualize the ergonomics of a driver as he or she drives a car through a city.

Virtools’ comprehensive software solutions enable companies to give life to 3D by creating applications with rich game-like 3D interactivity. Virtools has many production customers in industrial design, marketing, 3D web-based CRM applications, and multimedia applications as well as in video game development. Customers include Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, Microsoft Game Studio, Electronic Arts, PSA Peugeot Citroen, and EADS.

“We chose Virtools several years ago to build our 3D real-time interactive applications, such as spatial mission experiences and the virtual cockpit,” said Nicolas Chevassus, Corporate Research Center, EADS. “The combination of Virtools and Dassault Systèmes reinforces our strategic partnership.”

With this acquisition, DS is adding to its R&D force a core team of expert pioneers in 3D Interactivity. Virtools brings to DS breakthrough technologies that will accelerate the use of 3D for all types of real-time, interactive consumer applications on the web. As a development platform, Virtools provides next-generation solutions for developing highly realistic 3D experiences with “game-like” interactivity, as well as distributing and running 3D applications on the web. These solutions range from browser-based applications to large-scale 3D visualizations.

“The visionary R&D team at Virtools will be an immediate asset to DS as we execute our strategy of democratizing 3D,” said Bernard Charlès, president and CEO, Dassault Systèmes. “By combining our assets, we will deliver the next-generation 3D Web platform that will enable a wide range of users to imagine, share, and experience in 3D.”

“I am delighted that Dassault Systèmes has chosen Virtools as a foundation of its 3D democratization strategy,” said Bertrand Duplat, founder and CTO of Virtools. “We share the vision of market convergence with DS for extended use of interactive 3D.”

“I look forward to the contribution that Virtools will bring to Dassault Systèmes,” said Hervé Yahi, CEO of Virtools. “We will continue to serve our customers and will enhance and improve support worldwide.”

About Virtools Virtools, whose majority stake was held by Ventech and CDC Entreprises Innovation, was formed in 1993 with consulting and services targeting the VR sector. With the needs of this and other key markets in mind, Virtools built the company's initial software solution, Virtools Dev. As an Independent Software Vendor since mid 1999, Virtools has become the leading provider of comprehensive software development solutions for building highly interactive 3D content. With several thousands of users throughout the world, the Virtools Software Suite enables prototyping, development and deployment of offline and online/networked video games, along with applications in the fields of industrial simulation/virtual reality and marketing/multimedia. Virtools clients include industry leaders such as Procter & Gamble, EDF, EADS, CEA, PSA Peugeot Citroen, CNRS, France Telecom, Matsushita, US Department of Energy, Intel, Publicis Networks, Arte TV and L'Oréal, as well as major game studios such as Electronic Arts, Microïds, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Game Studio, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft. Virtools' strategic partners include Barco, Orad, HP, Intersense, Ascension Technologies, Advanced Realtime Tracking, Microsoft, and Sony. For more information, visit www.virtools.com

Desktop Engineering Articles of Interest and Relevance:

http://www.deskeng.com/Articles/Cover-Story/ August-2005-%11-Table-of-Contents-20050718560.html

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Anthony J. Lockwood
Editorial Director
Desktop Engineering