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Ref. NDM 1004/08. (Final)

Bunkspeed and Icona Solutions partner in new solution for perceived quality studies

Solution enables photographic-quality visualization of the effects of manufacturing and assembly variation – before it happens 

Manchester, UK and Los Angeles, USA: 16 April, 2008. – Icona Solutions Ltd., the developer of innovative perceived quality solutions and Bunkspeed, Inc., the provider of ground-breaking 3D rendering software, today announced that Version 3 of Icona’s aesthetica software, scheduled for release in June this year, will feature state-of-the-art, photographic-quality snapshot capabilities through direct integration with Bunkspeed’s HyperShot 3D visualisation software.

Icona’s aesthetica software is used in perceived quality studies in the automotive industry and by other product design and manufacturing companies, throughout the product development process. It enables them to simulate the effects of component and assembly variation and component deformation and to visualize them directly on a 3D digital model to resolve fit and finish issues - before they become a costly, brand-threatening reality.

Bunkspeed’s HyperShot has given the automotive industry, in addition to many other industry sectors, the ability to create high quality computer graphics imagery from CAD models, without expertise, for use in design reviews and pre-launch marketing materials, further reducing the need for physical models and costly photo-shoots.

“This agreement with Bunkspeed enhances our market-leading perceived quality solutions by giving our users the ability to instantly produce photographic-quality images of product variation, with minimal effort but stunning effect”, said Tim Illingworth, commercial director, Icona Solutions. “We look forward to working with Bunkspeed in all those manufacturing sectors where improving a product’s perceived quality and the need for high quality images are critical to market success”, he added.

Unprecedented image quality and ease-of-use.

The use of high dynamic range image (HDRI)-based rendering in Bunkspeed’s HyperShot delivers unprecedented image quality, as well as significantly reducing the data preparation time by eliminating the need to manually define complex image environments and lighting models.

HyperShot allows product designers to visualize and evaluate their designs under real-world lighting conditions, with accurate materials and by authentically depicting how reflections will appear in any environment.

“This integration between aesthetica and HyperShot brings a powerful capability to the automotive industry, as well as other design and manufacturing sectors,” said Mike Check, president of Bunkspeed’s Transportation Division. “This partnership gives aesthetica users the ability to assess the impact of manufacturing variation in a real-world setting and to see the product exactly as the customer would see it. This will lead to faster and more effective decision-making on perceived quality issues.”

Version 3 of aesthetica, including the HyperShot integration capability, is scheduled to begin customer shipments in June.

About aesthetica

Icona Solutions’ aesthetica software provides an accurate, visual simulation of the effects of component variation, assembly variation and component deformation in manufactured assemblies to enable full perceived quality reviews using digital models in order to resolve issues of fit and finish quality. The use of aesthetica gives greater insight than has previously been possible into the impact of manufacturing variation on perceived quality by enabling the user to visualize a ‘virtual’ product at different states within its geometric tolerance range, in real-time, and precisely as the customer will see the final, manufactured product. It helps to improve perceived quality while saving time and improving communication in the design process.

About Bunkspeed.

Bunkspeed is a leading global provider of visualization software and services for design, engineering and marketing. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Bunkspeed’s advanced visualization technologies leverage digital engineering assets and contribute to enlightened decision-making in the digital design process. The company’s clients gain a cost-effective way to deliver sales and marketing imagery, and realize significantly reduced product development costs. Bunkspeed’s customers include Nissan, Ford Motor Company, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Pininfarina, Mercedes Benz Advanced Design North America and BMW Designworks. For more information on Bunkspeed’s products and services, visit: www.bunkspeed.com

About Icona Solutions Ltd.

Icona Solutions Ltd. develops and provides innovative and unique solutions to audit and improve perceived quality in manufactured metal and plastics products. Its software can form an integral part of a product design and manufacturing company’s overall product lifecycle management (PLM) software environment and is supplied and supported globally both directly and through qualified, specialist resellers. Icona Solutions is a member of both Dassault Systèmes’ CAA V5 Adopters and of Siemens PLM Software’s JT Open programs. Find out more at: www.iconasolutions.com

ENDS

Editors: for further information contact:

Icona Solutions:

Tim Illingworth: +44 (0)1706 629882, e-mail: tim.illingworth@iconasolutions.com

Neil McLeod: +44 (0)1666 504293, e-mail: neilmcleod@btopenworld.com

Bunkspeed:

Thomas Teger: +1 760 918 9780, e-mail: thomas.teger@bunkspeed.com