Pittsburgh, PA - June 24, 2004--Smoky City Design, LLC today announced the beginning of a public beta testing period for a 64-bit version of The Panorama Factory, its popular software product for creating panoramic images. This public beta is coordinated with the version 3.3 update of the standard edition of The Panorama Factory, which is also released today.

Applications like The Panorama Factory are restricted by 32-bit architectures that limit the amount of virtual memory available to the application. However, The 64-bit edition of The Panorama Factory, which runs on AMD's Athlon 64 and Opteron processors under the beta version of the upcoming Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, breaks the 32-bit barrier. While 32-bit software is limited to a 2 gigabyte address space, the 64-bit version of The Panorama Factory makes use of the 1 terabyte (1000 gigabytes) address space available under Windows XP 64-Bit Edition. This new version has the ability create images that are hundreds of times larger than possible on a 32-bit computer.

The trend of increasing resolution in consumer-level digital cameras shows no sign of slacking off. Yet the maximum capacity of consumer workstations has not increased since the introduction of 32-bit processors and 32-bit operating systems a decade ago. Digital photography in general and panoramic photography in particular are stretching the limits of the 32-bit architecture. Within a few years, photographers who purchase new prosumer cameras may find it impossible to make panoramas on a 32-bit computer.

The 64-Bit edition of The Panorama Factory removes the memory limitations encountered under 32-bit architectures because it runs as a native AMD64 application. The AMD64 architecture used in the Athlon 64 and Opteron processors evolves the industry-standard 32-bit x86 architecture to support the demanding 64-bit environment that will enable future generations of computer functionality and productivity. In addition to enabling new 64-bit applications, the AMD64 platform also natively runs legacy 32-bit applications. This allows end users to enjoy reliable, best-in-class performance on the 32-bit software they own today while preparing for a seamless transition to high-performance 64-bit applications.

Public beta testing period
The Panorama Factory 64-Bit Edition is being offered as a time-limited, public beta release in a version that corresponds to The Panorama Factory V3.3. The 64-Bit Edition runs only on the AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron processors under Windows XP 64-Bit Edition. It may be downloaded from www.panoramafactory.com.

The public beta version offers full functionality, but for a limited time. The Beta 1 release expires at the end of the day on August 31, 2004.

About The Panorama Factory
The Panorama Factory creates high-quality panoramas in an automated fashion from a set of overlapping digital images. It transforms (warps) the images in order to join them seamlessly into panoramas up to 360 degrees. The software also corrects for lens-induced distortions and creates either cylindrical or spherical image projections.

The Panorama Factory creates images that rival those made by expensive rotational and swing-lens panoramic cameras. Not only can The Panorama Factory facilitate creation of immersive VR worlds, it also provides features for the fine-art panoramic photographer who wishes to work from ordinary 35mm images or images captured with a digital camera.

Pricing and availability of The Panorama Factory standard edition
A 30-day trial of the standard edition of The Panorama Factory version 3.3 may be downloaded from www.panoramafactory.com. Purchasing a registration key at The Panorama Factory web site converts the trial version to the full version. Single copies of The Panorama Factory may be purchased for $59.95.

System requirements
For the 64-bit edition: Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, AMD Athlon 64 or Opteron processor; 256 MB RAM, more for better performance; 800 x 600 display minimum; High color (16 bit) minimum, true color (24 or 32 bit) recommended; Installed web browser for online help; 30 MB free disk space for installation.

For the standard edition: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000 or XP; 64 MB RAM, more for better performance; 166 MHz processor, faster for better performance; 800 x 600 display minimum; High color (16 bit) minimum, true color (24 or 32 bit) recommended; Installed web browser for online help; 20 MB free disk space for installation.

For Additional Information
For additional information about The Panorama Factory, visit www.panoramafactory.com.

Trademark information
Smoky City Design and The Panorama Factory are trademarks of Smoky City Design, LLC. AMD, AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron and combinations thereof, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

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