For Immediate Release
August 18, 2000

3D Object Technology for the Construction Industry:
A New Alliance is formed.

Pasadena, CA, August 18, 2000

The GDL Alliance is an independent, international professional association, whose purpose is to promote the world-wide use of the Geometric Description Language (GDL) as a standard in the building and construction industry. GDL is a 3D object-based modeling language, used by Alliance members, consisting of architects, programmers and software developers, and building product manufacturers.

"The GDL Alliance will stimulate a "grass-roots" movement that promotes GDL as an international standard for creating parametric 3D objects for use in 3D models of "virtual buildings," and computer generated digital models used by the construction industry," says Kimon Onuma of Pasadena,
California and Tokyo, Onuma who is currently spearheading the Steering Committee's efforts added, "If GDL is adopted by the building industry world-wide, it could transform the way buildings are designed, built and managed. It is the next step in building industry automation."

"Graphisoft and GDL are the basis for our next generation software solution. It allows our products to leverage the power of object technology," says Nobuyuki Komatsu, President of RIK Co. Ltd. of Japan, which recently switched to Graphisoft's GDL technology. "We support the efforts and have joined the GDL Alliance." RIK Co. Ltd. is the creator of Success, a market-leading CAD solution for exterior and garden design.

GDL is a language pioneered by Graphisoft (www.graphisoft.com), a leading provider of computer-aided design (CAD) software solutions for the architectural profession and the building industry. Graphisoft continues to provide tools and support for this file format, and actively seeks user participation.

"Other important goals of the Alliance are to promote product manufacturer's interest, and involvement in GDL, to promote the world-wide distribution of object-oriented 3D building products and components, and to act in advisory capacity to Graphisoft on GDL and related technologies," says Duane Valencia, another Steering Committee pioneer. The GDL Alliance will:

• Provide an online venue for the members and the general public to ask questions and share information related to GDL
• Define and promote professional programming methods and standards
• Promote tools and techniques related to GDL and the "virtual building" approach
• Organize GDL seminars and conferences world-wide
• Explore complementary software and technology that can assist all members

"There will be many benefits for GDL Alliance members, including networking with and learning from GDL experts along with professional development through global technical sharing. We will take advantage of all of the digital means to communicate with each other," says John Stebbins, steering committee member. "Video conferencing, digital cameras, web-based collaboration, and distance learning will all be incorporated as part of the GDL Alliance," he adds.

An executive Committee was appointed by an international ad hoc steering committee in December, 1999 to define the goals and objectives of the Alliance and to propose a charter. The executive committee includes Kimon Onuma of Onuma/Webscape (USA and Japan), Duane Valencia of Visual Frontiers (USA), David Nicholson-Cole, author of the "GDL Cookbook" (England), and John Stebbins of Digital Vision (USA)

An international Board of Directors will be formed during the fourth quarter of 2000, to guide the activities of the Alliance, assisted by an advisory board consisting of industry leaders, including representation from Graphisoft. There will be many different levels of participation, including individual, product manufacturer, software developer, and student memberships.

In order to maintain a neutral standing and allow the participation of the worldwide GDL community, the GDL Alliance will not be affiliated with any individual, corporation, or group. It will promote all members of the Alliance on equal terms.

The GDL Alliance was formally announced at the GDL Forum in Tokyo, Japan on July 31, 2000.

Central offices will be in Pasadena, California. For further information,
visit the Alliance web site at www.GDLAlliance.com.

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Compared to other standard CAD formats, GDL is the most convenient format for electronic product representations. GDL objects are magnitudes smaller in size than their ARX and JPEG counterparts, and they retain their highly parametric features and intelligence even when translated into other standard CAD formats.

States Graphisoft U.S. President Tamás Hajas. "GDL is a superior object platform for use with the Internet. It provides clear benefits to information publishers in content creation, maintenance time, expanded functionality and 3D experience for the designers. We expect the industry will take full advantage of the flexibility and compatibility of our parametric objects with this new series of tools."

Graphisoft is a leading provider of computer-aided design (CAD) software solutions for the architectural profession and the building industry. Founded in 1982, Graphisoft is ranked today among the largest AEC CAD software developers in the world, with 12 offices worldwide. Graphisoft's flagship product, ArchiCAD, is used by more than 75,000 architects worldwide and distributed in 25 languages and 80 countries. Shares of Graphisoft are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Neuer
Markt under the symbol GPH. More information about Graphisoft is available at www.graphisoft.com.