VRcontext releases Walkinside(TM) 4.5
New version of leading real-time visualization software for the industry
Brussels, Belgium - January 5, 2007 - VRcontext expands Walkinside(TM), the feature rich software for real-time visualization of complex 3D virtual models. The new version of Walkinside delivers enhanced functionalities for Plant Design IT managers, with new batch processing capabilities and heterogeneous database support. In a continuous effort to produce the best Project Review solution, VRcontext stressed its efforts to support multi-disciplinary projects, heterogeneous file formats and database projects, and "over the clock" team working conditions. VRcontext also introduces a new concept to rework virtual reality models by adding animated or static characters, increasing the realism of the view. Users have the option to place furniture, plants, and people in their models and save the resulting scene arrangement.

Plant Design IT managers can now - beside the existing eyes closed conversion - launch batch processes to convert larges projects. They can also merge and keep access to heterogeneous attributes databases. Reviewers receive new configuration features allowing smoother reviews and "set up in a snap".

The rendering speed is again greatly enhanced for Plant projects and it is now possible to work with databases and measure distances even in models having no collision data.

Animation producers have now a path editor for the camera, making "virtual visits" even more efficient. The starting position can also be changed. Reviewers can make slices in the model and control reference model visibility through the scenario editor.

VRcontext is proud to introduce a new concept allowing reworking the virtual reality model through the availability of a new library containing a population of 35 avatars, men, women, fireman and wheelchair user. Avatars are available as animated characters, used in a scenario, or as static characters, used as models to "populate the scene". The user's avatar can be exchanged by any 3D model like a car, an airplane or any piece of equipment. Users can use their own symbol models to enhance the scene aspect with trees, cars, furniture, etc. not available in the original CAD models and save the result for later use. This concept also allows adding/removing models, and saving the resulting model, as a new configuration.

This new release also comes with the well known and robust FLEXnet(TM) license manager, as well as with a new pricing scheme better fitting the different markets VRcontext is active in.

VRcontext's contribution to the industry is the creation of a painless link between the engineering design activities and the daily operations of large industrial assets, such as process control, maintenance, safety, training, simulations of potential incidents and remedies.
Collaboration, full immersion and networking, allow for various disciplines to better understand, react, communicate and monitor the assets, globally.

VRcontext has developed Walkinside 4.5 in close collaboration with its large Fortune 500 customer base by listening to their suggestions. Furthermore, VRcontext has added functionality deemed necessary to ensure Walkinside keeps its leading position in the industry.

Alain Hubrecht, CTO, says: "Walkinside continues to expand in both the Plant Design area with a better coverage of the needs of large projects, and in the Project Presentation area with new "post conversion" model enhancement functions."

About VRcontext
VRcontext is a leading provider of real-time visualization and simulation solutions used around the globe in the Energy, Oil & Gas, Process, and Homeland Security markets. VRcontext's flagship product, called Walkinside(TM), creates 3D Virtual Models of mega structures, which can be imported in a straightforward manner from multiple data sources. Through its new product line, called ProcessLife(TM), VRcontext delivers "Decision Support Applications" by means of real-time access, to Monitoring systems and direct links to databases using an "intuitive" graphical interface to the 3D Virtual Model. VRcontext also provides the suited environment to develop "Best Practices" in the areas of maintenance, process simulation, safety and security, as any sequences of events and/or incidents can be realistically simulated and evaluated. Skills Development Programs are then delivered in the context of the 3D Virtual Model.

For more information, please contact: André Colin, VP Business Development at +32 (0) 2 663 96 00 or visit our website at www.vrcontext.com or e-mail to a.colin@vrcontext.com.
Walkinside(TM) and ProcessLife(TM) are trademarks of VRcontext s.a./n.v.
FLEXnet(TM) is a trademark of Macrovision® Corporation.