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Spatial Technology Inc. Expands CAD Interoperability Solutions

14 April 1999

Spatial Technology Inc. Expands CAD Interoperability Solutions; Introduction of ACIS STEP Husk Nets Six New Licensees

    BOULDER, Colo.--April 14, 1999--Spatial Technology Inc.(AMEX: STY), the world's leading developer of open, component 3D modeling technology, announces the ACIS(R) STEP Translator Husk, the latest addition to Spatial's growing family of 3D CAD model interoperability solutions. STEP is a neutral file format that is becoming an internationally accepted standard for the exchange of product data due to its ability to transfer solid models, as well as assemblies, with greater success than other neutral file formats. The ACIS STEP Translator Husk is already one of Spatial's most successful product introductions with six new licensees in the first quarter of 1999.
    STEP translation is a key component of Spatial's integrated 3D CAD model interoperability solutions that allow ACIS licensees to create high-fidelity ACIS SAT(TM) models from legacy data. By enhancing the interoperability of SAT models with non-ACIS based model data, Spatial has increased the value of ACIS for its 495 licensees and the over 1.4 million end users of ACIS-enabled applications.
    Built on the success of the cooperative development of the ACIS Healing Husk and the ACIS IGES Translator Husk, Spatial collaborated with global development partner, Geometric Software Solutions, Co., Ltd. (GSSL), to develop the ACIS STEP Translator Husk. Manu Parpia, managing director, GSSL, stated, "The combination of GSSL's skills and long-time knowledge of STEP with Spatial's expertise and intimate knowledge of 3D modeling technology has allowed us to create this highly anticipated ACIS Husk."
    "The ACIS STEP Translator Husk was developed in response to our customers' requests that we provide extended interoperability solutions for ACIS models," said Michael Hansen, director, product marketing and strategic account management, Spatial. "The partnership between GSSL and Spatial uniquely positions us to bring STEP translation to a higher level through tight integration of STEP translation with ACIS and our healing technology."

    ACIS STEP Translator Husk

    STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product model data) is an international standard that defines a neutral file format for the exchange of geometric, topological, and annotation data. The ACIS STEP Translator Husk provides the functionality for exchanging geometric data in STEP format between heterogeneous proprietary CAD/CAM/CAE software products and the 180 ACIS-enabled applications in the market.
    There are several versions of STEP, which are tailored to the needs of different industries. The ACIS STEP Translator Husk supports STEP-AP203, an international standard that defines a neutral file format representation of "Configuration Control Design Data." STEP-AP214 is an international standard that defines a neutral file format for representation of "Automotive Design Data." The ACIS STEP Translator Husk provides functionality for the bi-directional transfer of data between STEP AP203 and AP214 conformance class 1 & 2 and ACIS.
    For more complete information on the ACIS STEP Translator Husk visit Spatial Technology's web site at http://www.spatial.com.
    Spatial Technology Inc. is the world leader in the development of open, component 3D modeling technology. The ACIS 3D Toolkit, Spatial's flagship product, is universally recognized as the de facto standard 3D modeling kernel for the MCAD, CAM, CAE, and AEC industries. With 495 ACIS licensees and more than 1.4 million end users of 180 ACIS-enabled applications, ACIS is indisputably the most widely used 3D modeling kernel in the world.
    The open architecture of ACIS and the industry standard ACIS SAT file format are known as the "ACIS Geometry Bus." The ACIS Geometry Bus is the key to 3D model interoperability among ACIS-enabled applications, including ABAQUS/CAE by Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc., AutoCAD and Mechanical Desktop by Autodesk, Inc. , CADKEY by Baystate Technologies, Inc., GAMBIT by Fluent Inc., Grade/CUBE II by Hitachi Zosen Information Systems, GSCAD by Intergraph Corporation , IronCAD by Visionary Design Systems, Inc., Maxwell 3D Field Simulation by Ansoft Corporation , TurboCAD Solid Modeler by IMSI , Vellum Solids by Ashlar Inc., and Working Model 3D by MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation .
    Spatial's Interoperability Solutions Subsidiary, InterData Access (IDA), is a leading provider of product data viewing, data translation, and digital mock-up software and consulting services to Fortune 500 industrial companies worldwide. IDA products include IntraVISION(R), CALSVIEW(TM), VisionShare(TM), Data Exchange Manager, and IGES/STEP development tools. IDA's customers include Boeing, Bombardier, Caterpillar, Diebold, General Electric, Harley-Davidson, Hitachi, Learjet, Motorola, Northrop Grumman, and Silicon Graphics.
    Spatial Technology is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and has offices in Europe and Asia. Shares of Spatial stock are publicly traded on the Nasdaq-AMEX exchange under the symbol "STY" (AMEX: STY). For more information, visit Spatial's Web site at http://www.spatial.com, or call (303) 544-2900.
    Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking information. A description of risks and uncertainties attendant to Spatial Technology Inc. and its industry, and other factors which could affect the Company's financial results, are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998.
    Spatial Technology Inc. and SAT are trademarks. ACIS is a registered trademark of Spatial Technology Inc. CALSVIEW and VisionShare are trademarks of InterData Access, Inc. IntraVISION is a registered trademark of InterData Access, Inc.