FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(July 25, 2000)

Tactex Controls Inc. supported by Synthetik Software's Studio Artist

Tactex Controls Inc. and Synthetik Software are pleased to announce that Synthetik Software's "Studio Artist 1.5" now includes software support for the Tactex MTC Express Controller. Studio Artist users will now be able to connect an MTC Express to their computers, and use it as a control surface, or a painting or drawing surface. Studio Artist, which won "best of show" at MacWorld 1999, is based on patcher concepts drawn from the performance music and audio processing markets. It combines over 1,000 dynamic user-configurable painting and drawing tools along with a complete image processing and video effects suite. The program retains favorite configurations for the artist, and then allows intuitive "performances" using a novel graphical user interface. The Tactex MTC Express is the world's first multi-touch pressure sensitive control surface. It is a fiber optic "smart fabric" device which senses the location and pressure of multiple fingers or styluses simultaneously, much like human skin. With the Studio Artist driver support, the controller captures intuitive gestures made by the artist, and interprets them as control parameters for the application. According to John Dalton at Synthetik Software, the graphic arts and animation communities will be receptive to new technologies which allow more intuitive gesture based controls. "We see this controller as a left-hand controller, used in conjunction with a traditional graphics tablet. We use gestures to change a large number of parameters of the drawing tool on the graphics tablet without having to resort to the usual pull down menus and clink-and-drag interface." Rob Inkster at TACTEX says this is the first application of smart fabric technology in the graphic arts community. "We are looking forward to working closely with Synthetik. I hope we can help artists become more immersed in their work, and less distracted by the mouse and keyboard."

For more informationBrian Slater Tactex Controls Inc. 3-203 Harbour Road Victoria, BC., V9A 3S2 250-480-1132, ext 209 brian@tactex.com

Synthetik's mission is to develop innovative software tools for computer artists and creative professionals. Studio Artist's suggested retail price is $329, and is available today. Version 1.5 is a free upgrade to registered Studio Artist users. Orders can be placed by calling 1-888-808-4188 within the US, 1-415-864-6582 if calling from overseas, or by visiting the Synthetik web site at www.synthetik.com.

Additional information can be obtained from Synthetik Software Inc., 880 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, 415-864-6582 (ext 4), 415-864-0433 (fax), or by emailing sales@synthetik.com.

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