Boulder, CO - September 2, 2002 - Today Electric Rain, Inc.® announced a broad-reaching contest for 3D and design artists to demonstrate their best work and be recognized by over 200,000 people. The Big 3D contest is the first of its kind to focus on 3D design for the Web, bringing together the 3D and Web development communities to showcase the possibilities in this new arena of Web design. The contest will begin accepting entries on September 1st, 2002 and will distribute over $15,000 in prizes, including full copies of SOFTIMAGE®|XSI®, NewTek® Lightwave3D®, Toon Boom Studio®, MindAvenue® AXELedge, Electric Rain® Swift 3D®, Anark® Studio, Ideaworks3D® Optimaze!, Strata® 3D Pro, and FlashForward® 2003 conference pass.

"The Big 3D contest is unprecedented in its goal to unite a diverse group of designers, software developers and community resources," explained Ed Wunsch, Product Manager for Swift 3D at Electric Rain, Inc. "The caliber of sponsors, the quality of prizes and the exposure the contest and its participants will receive are a significant value to everyone involved. The Big 3D contest is an excellent opportunity for all members of the 3D and design world to pull together, advance the level of 3D design on the Web, and build a stronger community in the process."

The criteria for entry into The Big 3D contest are that participants must create and submit a 3D Web project that showcases four separate sub-sections sharing a common theme while demonstrating unique and innovative uses of 3D design on the Web. Entries will be posted on the www.thebig3d.com Web site and will be available for public viewing and voting. Projects will be judged on originality, 3D use, interactivity and overall entertainment. Winners will receive recognition at the Flashforward2003 conference in San Francisco, and in magazines such as 3D World®. All entries that meet the submission criteria will receive a free copy of Electric Rain Swift 3D version 1.0, 3D vector graphics tool for Macromedia® Flash™.

"This is the type of contest designers dream about," said Eric Jordan, Art Director and Multimedia Designer for 2advanced Studios. "Participants can go totally wild with their design concepts, the prizes include phenomenal software, and the potential exposure for contestants could lead to quality client contacts. The Big 3D contest is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in gaining recognition in the 3D design arena."

The Big 3D contest sponsors include:

• Electric Rain - 3D Flash software
• Ultrashock.com - Flash resource site
• 3D World - Magazine for 3D artists
• Flashforward2003 - Flash tradeshow
• SOFTIMAGE - 3D graphics and animation software
• Flashkit.com - Flash resource site
• Toon Boom - Cartoon authoring software
• electricrain.biz - Flash resource site
• Design Marathon - Design challenge site
• Anark - 3D software and new media platform
• NewTek - 3D graphics and animation software
• StudioWhiz.com - Web resource site
• 3DMAX.com - 3ds max® resource site
• BD4D.com - Creative Fight Club
• Flay.com - 3D resource site
• Ideaworks3D - Flash and game software
• Cre@te Online® - Website design magazine
• PopedeFlash.com - 3D resource site
• MindAvenue - 3D new media software
• Strata - 3D multimedia software