VALENCIA, Calif., March 31, 1998 - 3D Systems Corporation (Nasdaq - NMS:TDSC) announced today the release of its newest Allegro 2.0 software package for the Actua 2100 3-D printer. The new software improves model quality through sharper resolution and improved downfacing surfaces. Actua productivity is also increased by faster build speed and easier support removal.

The Actua 2100 was specifically developed to meet the needs of industrial designers and design engineers to quickly and easily print solid 3-dimensional models of their designs. The fully network-ready machine, about the size of an office copier, operates as a network peripheral to CAD workstations, allowing design engineers to go from CAD design to physical models in hours. The Actua 2100 installed base has now reached more than 125 units worldwide.

The Allegro 2.0 software package enables the Actua 2100 to produce models with 300 percent sharper model resolution and up to 50 percent smoother downfacing surfaces which further improves model appearance. Build time has been cut by an average of 20 percent to speed product development time and allow users to produce more design iterations. Support removal has been made easier through a new branch-like structure called fractals, which require less build material than previous supports, thus reducing model costs.

"Allegro 2.0 helps us to produce models with 30 to 40 percent better downfacing surfaces. Support removal is faster and requires less clean-up. By getting better surface definition on downfacing surfaces, we deliver a better end product for our customer," says Rex Brown, Staff Engineer, AlliedSignal's Federal Manufacturing and Technologies Division in Kansas City, a beta site for Allegro.

Allegro 2.0
At Cummins Engine in Columbus, IN , Chad Buchanan, Supervisor for Rapid Prototyping says, "The new Allegro software has cut in half the time it takes to remove supports. We've also experienced improved downfacing surfaces on our models. As a result, our engineers get a true-to-life model."

Since the 1996 launch, a steady series of performance enhancements have been made to the Actua 2100 including two new, more durable materials. The most recent, TJ-65, is 20 times stronger than its predecessor. Material advancements and software upgrades have given customers the benefit of improved speed, resolution and ease-of-use.

"Compared to other 3-D printers on the market, the Actua 2100 offers finer resolution models, greater ease-of-use, lower model cost, and true network capability, " says Mervyn Rudgley, Director of Product Management at 3D Systems. "Allegro 2.0 is simply more evidence of our aggressive development program and commitment to users to deliver rapid product development solutions from concept through finished product."

Based on Allegro 2.0's improvements, this software release replaces all prior versions. As of March 31, Allegro 2.0 will be included in all new Actuas shipped. The Allegro 2.0 Upgrade Kit is currently available for Windows NT Version 4.0 operating system and four major UNIX platforms. Current Actua maintenance and warranty customers will receive upgrades at no charge.

3D Systems manufactures rapid product development systems that enable users to move from concept models to finished parts faster, at lower cost and at higher quality than traditional methods. 3D's equipment fabricates solid objects using input from CAD/CAM/CAE systems through the patented technologies of stereolithography for industrial applications, and multi-jet modeling for the design office. Major applications include concept modeling, rapid prototyping and rapid tooling for products in a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, electronic and consumer product industries.

Except for the historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as the timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the Form 10-K.

For current investor information, please call 3D Systems' shareholder communications service at 800-757-1799.