Auto-trol Technology today announced that it is now shipping release 1.0 of its WebCGM authoring tool, WebCGM Author Tool (WAT™) for Windows. This standalone authoring tool fills a need in the technical writing industry to control the link URI information contained in web based graphics.

The WebCGM Author Tool is a standalone application that utilizes Auto-trol Technology's powerful S5K Graphics Engine, the same engine utilized by our Tech Illustrator product line. This enables the same high resolution graphics viewing quality experienced in our other products. Included in the Author Tool is our WebCGM Hotspot Plug-in. This plug-in enables the authoring of ‘hotspots’ for export to CGMs that comply with the WebCGM Profile - thereby enabling the use of vector and raster graphics. The WebCGM Author Tool supports loading of native Auto-trol formats along with import of CGM files. Save formats include hotspotted Auto-trol DG and export of WebCGM files.

Among the benefits of this tool:

• Directly repurpose vector and raster graphics to the web

• Integral component of the IETM Process

• Associate intelligence with graphics and provide links between graphics

• Efficiently communicate business critical information through the web

• Enhanced authoring capability expands the range of publishing deliverables (hard copy, CD-ROM, web)

• WebCGM Preview Capability

• Compliance with open standards gives freedom from vendor proprietary solutions and the need to recreate design and legacy data

"With the WebCGM Author Tool we are placing a powerful extension of the TI Product Line into the hands of Technical Writers and Authors," said Tim Horsch, TI Product Manager. "This will allow writers to author directly into the graphics and review the artwork while it is in the composition phase of the publishing process."

"This product was designed to increase the productivity of our customers when creating IETMS which require intelligent graphics such as WebCGM," said Kevin O'Kane, Auto-trol Director of R&D. "The WebCGM Author Tool is very easy to use and does not have a large learning curve. Thus, it can be integrated into the IETM creation process very quickly."

Established in 1962, Auto-trol Technology Corporation is a major global developer and integrator of electronic publishing, documentation, information, and configuration management systems for government agencies and contemporary businesses worldwide. Based in Denver, Colorado, Auto-trol has offices throughout the world and has installed systems for thousands of customers in both domestic and international markets. Auto-trol is a full service provider, supplying software, integration and consulting services, training, and software support. Information about Auto-trol Technology and its products and services can be found on the Web at Auto-trol. Information about the Tech Illustrator product line can be found at Tech Illustrator.