REDMOND, Washington and PARIS, October 19 /PRNewswire/ --

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

Dassault Systemes (DS), a world leader in 3-D and product life-cycle
management (PLM) solutions, and Microsoft Corp today launched Microsoft(R)
Virtual Earth(TM) -3DVIA (Technology Preview). This free online application, 
developed by Dassault Systemes, allows consumers to imagine and create 
realistic 3-D models -- such as of buildings and structures -- then share 
them through Microsoft Virtual Earth and online communities.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

"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 of
3DVIA at Dassault Systemes. "Through Microsoft's online geographic location
mapping technology and our 3-D modeling and realistic visualisation 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, favourite building or any structure, then select from
       different visualisation options, textures and colours to give their 
       3-D model a style of its own.
    -- Publish. Users can upload their 3-D models to Virtual Earth,
       specifying  an address or neighbourhood 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 Systemes, 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 before the next release of the product. More information
about Virtual Earth -3DVIA is available online at
http://maps.live.com/Help/en-us/VE3DVIADownload.htm.

About Virtual Earth

The Virtual Earth platform is Microsoft's next-generation integrated set
of powerful online mapping and search services that offer a variety of
capabilities, including unique bird's-eye view, three-dimensional imagery,
and aerial and satellite imagery. The Virtual Earth platform also powers a
variety of consumer, enterprise and government applications that enable
people to discover and explore a specific location. Virtual Earth powers Live
Search Maps, Microsoft's online local search and mapping website. More
information about the Virtual Earth platform is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/default.mspx.

About 3DVIA

3DVIA is Dassault Systemes' brand for online 3D lifelike experiences. It
establishes 3D as a universal media for consumer and professional
communities, and allows anyone to imagine, play, and experience products and
services used in our daily lives. Once perfected in the virtual world, these
can be delivered in the physical world. The Virtools product line is part of
3DVIA. For more information about 3DVIA, go to: http://www.3dvia.com.

About Dassault Systemes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions,
Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80
countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes
develops and markets PLM application software and services that support
industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of
products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systemes portfolio
consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product -- SolidWorks for 3D
mechanical design -- DELMIA for virtual production -- SIMULIA for virtual
testing -- ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA
for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq
(DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more
information, visit http://www.3ds.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise
their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 13,000 people in 60 subsidiaries, delivering products and
services in 138 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty.

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks and 3D VIA are registered
trademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other
countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com
              http://www.3ds.com
              http://www.3dvia.com