STEP Viewer features OLE Automation capabilities; works as World Wide Web browser "plug in"

Troy, New York—July 14, 2000—STEP Tools, Inc., the forerunner in developing STEP-integration software toolsets for the global marketplace, announced it has released ST-Viewer©, Version 3 for Windows© NT 9/x platforms. The price/performing ST-Viewer is an inexpensive tool to help view, analyze and debug STEP product data inside a manufacturing enterprise or via the World Wide Web. The company’s flagship software product, ST-Developer©, Version 8.0 for Windows is now bundled with a free copy of the ST- Viewer.  Pricing begins at $290.00 for a quantity of one to four Viewers. The product can be ordered on-line from the STEP Tools web site at http://www.steptools.com/products/stviewer.

New Features; More STEP Information at your Fingertips

In a nutshell, the ST-Viewer serves as an easy-to-use interface to STEP data information and displays product identification, assembly structures and 3D geometry. Users can write programs that communicate with the product’s newly added OLE/COM Automation capabilities that helps programmers produce both external or embedded visual STEP applications.

This interactive application communicates with CAD/CAM/CAE and PDM systems, part libraries and databases as a World Wide Web browser "plug in". The ST-Viewer now supports Colors, and will carry forth the same color schemes derived from the original CAD model. Users can also add lighting, textures, materials and surface properties to the STEP 3D models.

Another new enhancement allows the user to select important edge/curve geometry in addition to features, solid bodies or individual surfaces. In ST-Viewer, users can annotate different areas of a 3D model with text notes. When a cursor moves over an entity that has been annotated, the geometry will automatically highlight to indicate a note has been attached.

ST-Viewer is a key element in the evolution of Internet Manufacturing and implements the ISO STEP standard for product model data. The Viewer also works seamlessly with ST-Repository©, a Product Process Management (PPM) solution for managing engineering data through the use of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). The XML language allows an IT professional to manipulate the PPM data set without being a STEP expert.

Quantity Pricing

Pricing for the ST-Viewer is based on quantity purchases. These USD prices are exclusive of a shipping and handling fee for customers who cannot load the software from our FTP site. Pricing is subject to change.

ST-Viewer(s)       Price

Quantity 1-4          $290.00 each

Quantity 5-9          $240.00 each

Quantity 10-34      $190.00 each

About STEP Tools, Inc.

STEP Tools, Inc. is a leading international supplier of professional STEP software toolsets (based on ISO standards) for application software developers, design firms and manufacturing companies in diverse industries. The STEP Tools product line is used by the world's foremost firms to leverage STEP technology to facilitate the sharing of engineering product information. Over one million end users utilize product data applications built with ST-Developer, the company's flagship product. The company offers ten software solutions in several languages that provide four key benefits: 1) the flexibility of EXPRESS information modeling language, 2) integration with existing tools and database systems, 3) cross-platform portability, and 4) ease-of-use for streamlined development. For late-breaking information, contact STEP Tools, Inc. by calling (518) 687-2848, email: info@steptools.com or visit STEP Tools Web Site: www.steptools.com.

ST-Viewer, ST-Developer, ST-Repository are trademarks of STEP Tools, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.