Powerful 3D Graphics Platform Enables Rich Storytelling Medium for Artists

For further information, contact:

Calisa Cole
NVIDIA Corporation
(408) 486-6263
ccole@nvidia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SANTA CLARA, CA, NOVEMBER 1, 2005—Storytelling is integral to the human experience. Even in today’s fast-paced world, we recognize the magic that occurs when we take the time to read a book to a child. Artists at DAZ Productions, a developer of professional-quality 3D software and models, have taken storytelling to a new level by applying state-of-the-art graphics technology from NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) to the process of illustrating a new book for the holiday season.

Produced by DAZ Productions and written by the company’s president, Dan Farr, "Mr. Finnegan’s Giving Chest" is a beautifully-illustrated story about the joy of giving. Renowned actor Dick Van Dyke portrays Mr. Finnegan, a kind-hearted toymaker who helps a young girl understand the true meaning of Christmas. "Mr. Finnegan’s Giving Chest" is being released today and can be previewed and ordered at www.givingchest.com.

In the book’s introduction, Dick Van Dyke writes: "I have always felt that a great story can only be better with great imagery…. So, when I was given the chance to help create this children’s Christmas story, I was thrilled. I realized it was an opportunity to merge my love of storytelling, computer art, and Christmas."

Computer-generated (CG) images are not new in the world of storytelling—almost every film produced today includes a CG component to amaze our eyes and create visualizations that are impossible or impractical to produce in front of a camera. To bring 3D CG images to a book project, however, DAZ Productions had to overcome a unique set of challenges, such as fine-tuning images for print. The company turned to NVIDIA for help. The combination of NVIDIA graphics technologies and DAZ|Studio 3D software streamlined the creative process for the project and saved tens of thousands of dollars.

Dan Farr, president of DAZ Productions, commented: "NVIDIA made all the difference in creating the illustrations for "Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest." Not only were we able to manipulate huge scenes containing millions of polygons in real time within DAZ|Studio's OpenGL viewport, but we also had the option for fast-time OpenGL rendering at higher quality."

Chris Creek, art director, DAZ Productions, added, "The NVIDIA real-time performance meant that we could tweak facial features, adjust lighting, and add textures. It gave us a very broad toolset as artists."

A key to the success of the project is the affordability of the platform, which runs on PCs. Using DAZ|Studio 3D software and NVIDIA graphics technologies, a wider spectrum of artists can now access a new medium for bringing story visuals to life.

Availability
"Mr. Finnegan’s Giving Chest" is available for purchase at www.givingchest.com today and will be available in stores, including Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble, on Nov. 15, 2005.

About DAZ Productions
Founded in 2000, DAZ Productions Inc., located in Draper, Utah, is a market leader in 3D software and digital content creation. The company’s model library is renowned for high-quality 3D content at the industry’s most competitive prices. DAZ also develops powerful software applications that support its content, including Mimic™, a lip-synching application, and Bryce®, a 3D environment package. DAZ|Studio, the company’s first free 3D figure posing and animation software package, demonstrates the company’s commitment to expand and grow the 3D marketplace by offering free software and 3D content at affordable prices. DAZ’s products have been used in many professional productions, television shows and print publications such as "X-Men 2," "Spiderman," "Average Joe," "48 Hours," The Wall Street Journal, Popular Science, and the History Channel. For more information, please visit www.daz3d.com.

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation is the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies. The Company creates innovative, industry-changing products for computing, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.