1720 Corporate Circle
    Petaluma, CA 94954 
        Fax: 707-773-2001
             Email: info@intellitools.com
                 www.intellitools.com

 

INTELLITOOLS RELEASES EAGERLY ANTICIPATED
UPGRADE OF POPULAR OVERLAY MAKER®

Overlay Maker 3 is fully cross-platform and Mac OS X native,
with exciting new features and easy conversion from older versions

For Immediate Release
Petaluma, California, October 7, 2004 - IntelliTools®, Inc. (www.intellitools.com), for 25 years the pioneer in learning solutions for preK-8 classrooms, is delighted to announce the release of Overlay Maker 3 this month. This full version upgrade of the popular Overlay Maker program brings powerful new functionality to the company’s IntelliKeys® adaptive keyboard, the leading computer access keyboard in U.S. schools.

Overlay Maker 3 transforms IntelliKeys into a customized keyboard tool and communication device. With it, IntelliKeys users can create an overlay to personalize the keyboard for individual preferences, such as size or color of keys, or for specific functionality, such as shortcuts to applications, email, or the Internet. And users can create overlays for fast and easy access to nearly any software program that uses keyboard commands.

“We are extremely proud to release this powerful new version of Overlay Maker,” notes David Robertshaw, Director of Project Management. “This version is the culmination of feedback from among the thousands of users of the original Overlay Maker. Their input has allowed us to create a product that makes their work much easier, and we are grateful for their contribution.”

Current users will find Overlay Maker 3 a smooth and affordable upgrade with automatic file conversion from older versions. New Features with Overlay Maker 3 include:

  • Easier to Use: New overlay templates make authoring quicker and easier. Plus, users can insert common image files directly into keys—including JPEG, GIF, PICT, and WMF files, make transparent keys, apply background pictures, define switch content by selecting one of 15 presets, and flip and rotate pictures on keys.
  • Easier to Navigate: Both Macintosh and Windows users now have an easy way to navigate and organize their custom overlays, including the easy creation of folders and subfolders, with customizable icons and notes.
  • Mac OS X Compatible, Fully Cross Platform: Now a native Mac OS X application, Overlay Maker 3 is also cross platform, meaning the same file can be opened and used in both Windows and Macintosh environments (no converter needed).
  • Tighter Integration with IntelliTools Classroom Suite: Now when using the Make Overlay function, users can preview sample layouts and select specific keys to include in the overlay, speeding the process for making overlays for activities. Users also have more flexibility in repositioning keys and working with keyguards, also simplifying overlay creation.
  • New Overlay Activity Kits: These easy-to-use kits incorporate scaffolded writing and math curriculum activities with overlays, IntelliTools Classroom Suite activities, templates for customizing, and tutorials.
  • Automatic Access to Boardmaker™ 5 Symbols: Overlay Maker 3 now offers direct and seamless access to any Boardmaker 5 symbol libraries that are previously installed, meaning users no longer have to have both applications open and copy and paste.
  • Link IntelliTools Classroom Suite and DynaVox 4: Users of Overlay Maker 3 and IntelliTools Classroom Suite can now create an overlay with for IntelliTools Classroom Suite and send it to the DynaVox 4, providing DynaVox users with access to IntelliTools Classroom activities. This exciting IntelliTools product combination provides a unique gateway to curriculum in the general education classroom for augmentative and alternative communication device users.
  • Templates for Making Off-Computer Activities, Games: For teachers who create off-computer activities such as calendars, newsletters, game boards, cut-and-fold dice/cubes, dot-to-dot games, flash cards, word puzzles, and more, Overlay Maker 3 provides templates users can easily customize.

Pricing Information: Overlay Maker 3 retails for $139.95. Special Overlay Maker 3 upgrade pricing is available for a limited time, and upgrade bundles with IntelliTools Classroom Suite, as well as access bundles with IntelliKeys, are also available. Contact the IntelliTools Sales Team at 800-899-6687.

About IntelliTools, Inc.
IntelliTools®, Inc., a pioneer in learning solutions for preK-8 classrooms, has been producing award-winning software and adaptive hardware products for 25 years. Its IntelliTools® Classroom Suite is a software platform for delivering K-8 curriculum and tracking student performance, providing districts with intelligent tools for differentiated instruction and real-time assessment. IntelliTools Classroom’s standards-based activities serve gifted as well as struggling students, English language learners and students with special needs. IntelliTools® Reading: Balanced Literacy, winner of the Technology & Learning Awards in two categories, is a nine-unit supplementary program providing a full year of literacy instruction at a first-grade skill level. ReadyMade® Curriculum Activities offer ready-to-use, grade-specific activities in language arts, math, social studies, and science. All IntelliTools software products are fully accessible for standard keyboard and mouse users as well as its IntelliKeys® adaptive keyboard and switch users.

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For more information contact:               
Paula Irons, Director, Marketing Communications
IntelliTools, Inc.
1720 Corporate Circle, Petaluma, CA 94954
(800) 899-6687; pirons@intellitools.com