Reading, Mass. - August 9, 2001 - Actuality Systems, Inc., a developer of 3-D display technology, will demonstrate what it believes to be one of the world's highest-performance three-dimensional displays at SIGGRAPH 2001, the 28th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, August 14-16. Actuality Systems' advanced 3-D display technology enables high-resolution 10-inch-diameter images to appear to float inside a transparent spherical monitor, as demonstrated by their prototype, code-named Helios.

The globe-shaped monitor accepts 3D data from standard computer workstations and converts it into volume-filling imagery that can be seen from any angle, without special goggles. Whereas traditional technology flattens 3D information onto a 2D computer screen, Actuality Systems' volumetric display allows users to literally walk around the monitor as they view and manipulate true images from any angle across a full 360 degrees.

"Displays that can accurately show images in 3D space will prove valuable for a range of applications," said Gregg Favalora, founder and chief technology officer of Actuality Systems. "We expect our technology to have a major impact on virtually all graphics-intensive applications, particularly those that require quick comprehension of complicated information such as for new drug design, medical imaging, military and aerospace, and mechanical design."

Since the display is based on a standard graphics library, it can be used with a range of commonly used programs for mechanical CAD, molecular visualization, and medical imaging. Users of Actuality Systems' volumetric display technology might include scientists designing pharmaceuticals, who need to instantly visualize the complex structure of certain proteins and molecules; doctors working to understand the location of a tumor in order to improve surgical planning; air-traffic controllers managing increasingly crowded air space; field engineers building large construction projects in order to better understand how subsystems will affect each other; automobile designers seeking to cut costs and streamline the concept and development process, and numerous others.

The firm is currently in the process of identifying beta sites in several industries. More information about Actuality's volumetric 3-D display technology is available at www.actuality-systems.com or visit them at SIGGRAPH 2001, booth number 536.

About Actuality Systems, Inc.

A spin-off of the prestigious MIT $50k Entrepreneurship Competition, Actuality Systems has incorporated innovations in optical, electrical, and software engineering into its technology. The firm is developing next-generation volumetric display technology with a goal of manufacturing the world's most advanced line of 3-D volumetric displays. Founded in 1997, the firm has received venture funding and now operates from offices in Reading, Mass., north of Boston. The company's chief technology officer, Gregg Favalora, has been named one of the top young technologists by MIT Technology Review. Company chairman, Rob Ryan, was a founder and former CEO of Ascend Communications, Inc.

About SIGGRAPH 2001

SIGGRAPH 2001 will bring over 40,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles for the week-long conference. A comprehensive technical program and special events focusing on research, art, animation, and interactive technologies are planned. SIGGRAPH 2001 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services for the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 14-16 August 2001. ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques, sponsors SIGGRAPH 2001. Information on ACM SIGGRAPH membership and other conferences and activities can be found at www.siggraph.org.

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