Dassault Systèmes Helps French Pavilion Become First World Expo Participant to Launch True Interactive 3D Pavilion

3DVIA Virtools Enables Real Time 3D Experience and 360-Degree Walkthrough

SHANGHAI, China, November 24, 2009 — Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and the French Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 today unveiled the first true, interactive, 3D virtual pavilion among participants of World Expo Online 2010, bringing unprecedented real time 3D interactivity and 360-degree immersive walkthrough experience to hundreds of millions of online visitors. 

The French Pavilion is building up a vivid counterpart in the virtual world by using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DVIA Virtools software to compliment the Pavilion’s theme of “Sensual City.” Visitors can freely walk through the pavilion, both inside and outside, as if they were in the physical pavilion, viewing the French-style rooftop garden and masterpieces of the Musée d'Orsay. Through cutting-edge 3D technology, visitors can also enjoy incredible 3D interactivity, such as participating in mini games to virtually experience the five senses, and “entering” masterpiece paintings such as Gauguin’s “Le Repas” where they can navigate around the painting’s subjects.

Jose Freches, Commissioner General of the French Pavilion, said “We are excited about being the first Expo participant to launch the interactive 3D virtual pavilion for the world’s first Expo Online. This once again represents France’s strong support for China’s path of innovation. Thanks to 3DVIA Virtools’ technology, the virtual pavilion provides a great platform for us to communicate with hundreds of millions of people about France’s creative innovation, as well as the spirit of World Expo Shanghai.”

“3D is becoming a universal language for people around the world to learn, discover and innovate,” said Christian Nardin, president, Asia, Dassault Systèmes. “The virtual 3D French Pavilion is a further example of using 3D as a powerful medium to communicate, innovate, and share knowledge, all in a fun way. Dassault Systèmes has been dedicated to delivering true 3D lifelike experience that frees the imagination and allows for rich interactivity. Our ultimate goal is to enable sustainable innovation by leveraging 3D lifelike experience to make our world a better one.”

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DVIA Virtools offers interactive, multi-channel 3D experiences for a host of sectors, such as marketing, gaming, city planning, online shopping, etc. Recently, through a strategic partnership with Luc Besson’s company, EuropaCorp, Dassault Systèmes has leveraged its interactive 3D technologies to enhance the customer experience of Nestlé Chocapic and Nesquik cereals by turning the packaged boxes into a full-fledged 3D video game console. In addition, the two companies have developed several creative marketing tools for the December launch of EuropaCorp’s film ‘Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard,’ allowing everyone to sing and dance in 3D within the “Minimoys’” universe as if they were in the movie. 

In China, in addition to supporting the first ever World Expo Online, 3DVIA Virtools was also the application used for the virtual design and rehearsal of the parade in celebration of the country’s 60th anniversary this year.