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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.28

                            METACREATIONS CORPORATION
                       1996 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                         AS AMENDED ON FEBRUARY 20, 1998


      1.    Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

            -     to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                  positions of substantial responsibility,

            -     to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants,
                  and

            -     to promote the success of the Company's business.

      Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted under the Plan.

      2.    Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

            (a)   "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

            (b)   "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans and issuance of stock and stock options
under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the
Code and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where
Options will be or are being granted under the Plan.

            (c)   "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

            (d)   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            (e)   "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

            (f)   "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

            (g)   "Company" means MetaCreations Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.

            (h)   "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or a parent, subsidiary or affiliate to render services. The term
"Consultant" shall not include any person who is also an Officer or Director of
the Company.

            (i)   "Director" means a member of the Board.


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            (j)   "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

            (k)   "Employee" means any person employed by the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

            (l)   "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the closing sales
price for the Common Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as
listed or quoted on any established stock exchange or national market system,
including without limitation The Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap
Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, for the date of such determination, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator
deems reliable.

            (m)   "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

            (n)   "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

            (o)   "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
Options granted under the Plan are nonstatutory stock options.

            (p)   "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

            (q)   "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

            (r)   "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an
outstanding Option.

            (s)   "Plan" means this 1996 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan.

            (t)   "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

      3.    Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 3,100,00 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

            If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated).


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      4.    Administration of the Plan.

            (a)   Administration. The Plan shall be administered by (i) the
Board or (ii) a Committee designated by the Board, which Committee shall be
constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall
serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. The
Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members,
remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of the Committee and
thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by
Applicable Laws.

            (b)   Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

                  (i)   to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock,
in accordance with Section 2(l) of the Plan;

                  (ii)  to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options
may be granted hereunder;

                  (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are
granted hereunder;

                  (iv)  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option granted hereunder;

                  (v)   to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                  (vi)  to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or
times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

                  (vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                  (viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

                  (ix)  to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section 14(b)
of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the
post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise
provided for in the Plan;


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                  (x)   to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option previously
granted by the Administrator;

                  (xi)  to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options;

                  (xii) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld; and

                  (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

            (c)   Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.

      5.    Eligibility. Stock Options may be granted to Employees and
Consultants.

      6.    Limitations. Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way
with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

      7.    Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by
the Board. It shall continue in effect until terminated under Section 14 of the
Plan.

      8.    Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Notice of Grant.

      9.    Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

            (a)   Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to
be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator.

            (b)   Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an
Option may not be exercised until either the completion of a service period or
the achievement of performance criteria with respect to the Company or the
Optionee.

            (c)   Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:


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                  (i)   cash;

                  (ii)  check;

                  (iii) promissory note;

                  (iv)  other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

                  (v)   delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together
with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

                  (vi)  a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to
the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

                  (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

                  (viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

      10.   Exercise of Option.

            (a)   Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement.

                  An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                  An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a


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dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the
Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

                  Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number
of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

            (b)   Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. In the
event an Optionee ceases to be an Employee or Consultant, other than upon the
Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option
within such period of time as is specified in the Notice of Grant to the extent
that he or she is entitled to exercise it on the date of termination (but in no
event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Notice of Grant). In the absence of a specified time in the Notice of Grant, the
Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the
Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option
shall revert to the Plan.

            Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an Optionee's change in
status from Consultant to Employee or Employee to Consultant, the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not automatically terminate
solely as a result of such change in status.

            (c)   Disability of Optionee. In the event an Optionee ceases to be
an Employee or Consultant as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee
may exercise his or her Option at any time within twelve (12) months (or such
other period of time as is determined by the Administrator) from the date of
termination, but only to the extent that the Optionee is entitled to exercise it
on the date of termination (and in no event later than the expiration of the
term of the Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). If, on the date of
termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to
the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her
Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

            (d)   Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee,
the Option shall become fully exercisable, including as to Shares for which it
would not otherwise be exercisable and may be exercised at any time within
twelve (12) months (or such other period of time as is determined by the
Administrator) following the date of death (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by
the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance. If, after death, the Optionee's estate or a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance
does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.


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      11.   Non-Transferability of Options. Unless otherwise specified by the
Administrator in the Option Agreement, an Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

      12.   Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

            (a)   Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each
outstanding Option and the number of Shares which have been authorized for
issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or
which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an
Option, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option,
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of Shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of Shares subject to an Option.

            (b)   Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for all Options to
vest and for an Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until
ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered
thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be vested
and exercisable. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Option
will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

            (c)   Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of
the successor corporation, or in the event that the successor corporation
refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, the Option shall fully vest and
the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested
and exercisable. If an Option is exercisable in lieu of assumption or
substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall
notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully
vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such
notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For
the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if,
following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to
purchase or receive, for each Share of


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Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or sale of
assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

      13.   Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a
reasonable time after the date of such grant.

      14.   Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

            (a)   Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

            (b)   Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

      15.   Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

            (a)   Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with all Applicable Laws, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may
then be listed or quoted, and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.


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            (b)   Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

      16.   Liability of Company. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.

      17.   Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.


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                            METACREATIONS CORPORATION

                       1996 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


      MetaCreations Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has
granted to the optionee (the "Optionee") named on the Notice of Grant of Stock
Options (the "Notice of Grant") which is attached hereto a nonstatutory stock
option to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") set
forth on the Notice of Grant at the price set forth on the Notice of Grant and
in all respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1996
Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is
incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms
defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings herein.

      18.   Nature of the Option. This Option is a nonstatutory stock option and
will not qualify as an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the
Code.

      19.   Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Plan as follows:

            (a)   Right to Exercise.

                  (i)   Subject to Sections 2(a)(ii) and (iii) below, this
Option shall vest over the period and at the rate set forth on the Notice of
Grant.

                  (ii)  This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
share.

                  (iii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of employment, the exercisability of the Option is governed by
Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement.

            (b)   Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by
written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number
of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other
representations and agreements as to the holder's investment intent with respect
to such shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and
shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the
Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise
price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company
of such written notice accompanied by the exercise price.

      No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such
issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law and
the requirements of any stock exchange


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upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, the Shares
shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option
is exercised with respect to such Shares.

      20.   Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of this
Option, deliver to the Company an Investment Representation Statement in the
form provided by the Company.

      21.   METHOD OF PAYMENT. PAYMENT OF THE EXERCISE PRICE SHALL BE BY (i)
CASH, (ii) CHECK, (iii) SURRENDER OF OTHER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY
WHICH EITHER HAVE BEEN OWNED BY THE OPTIONEE FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS ON THE
DATE OF SURRENDER OR WERE NOT ACQUIRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE COMPANY
AND HAVE A FAIR MARKET VALUE ON THE DATE OF SURRENDER EQUAL TO THE EXERCISE
PRICE OF THE SHARES AS TO WHICH THE OPTION IS BEING EXERCISED OR (iv) DELIVERY
OF A PROPERLY EXECUTED EXERCISE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH IRREVOCABLE INSTRUCTIONS TO
AN AGENT OF THE COMPANY TO SELL THE SHARES AND PROMPTLY DELIVER TO THE COMPANY
THAT PORTION OF THE SALE OR LOAN PROCEEDS REQUIRED TO PAY THE EXERCISE PRICE.

      22.   Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this
Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty
to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

      23.   Termination of Status as an Employee. If Optionee ceases to serve as
an Employee or Consultant, he or she may, but only within three (3) months after
the date he or she ceases to be an Employee or Consultant of the Company,
exercise this Option to the extent that he or she was entitled to exercise it at
the date of such termination. To the extent that he or she was not entitled to
exercise this Option at the date of such termination, or if he or she does not
exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.

      24.   Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, if Optionee is unable to continue his or her employment or consultancy
relationship with the Company as a result of his or her total and permanent
Disability, he or she may, but only within twelve (12) months from the date of
termination of employment or consultancy, exercise his or her Option to the
extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To
the extent that he or she was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of
termination, or if he or she does not exercise such Option (which he or she was
entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.

      25.   Death of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, in the event of the death of Optionee during the term of this Option and
while an Employee or Consultant of the Company, the Option may be exercised, at
any time within twelve (12) months following the date of


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<PAGE>   12
death, by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise
the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to
exercise that had accrued at the date of death.

      26.   Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

      27.   Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out on the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

      28.   Tax Consequences. Some of the federal and state tax consequences
relating to this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below.
THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING
THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

            (a)   Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal
income tax and state income tax liability upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock
option (an "NSO"). The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation
income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of
the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their
aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee,
the Company will be required to withhold from his or her compensation or collect
from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash
equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and
may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such
withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

            (b)   Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated
as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

      29.   Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by California law except for that body of
law pertaining to conflict of laws.

      30.   NO GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY
CONTINUING SERVICE AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND
NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE


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FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE
OR CONSULTANT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT
INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S
EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

      By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative below,
you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the
terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.


OPTIONEE:                                METACREATIONS CORPORATION



------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Signature                                By

------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Print Name                               Title

------------------------------------
Residence Address

------------------------------------


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<PAGE>   14
                            METACREATIONS CORPORATION

                       1996 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                        NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS


[Optionee's Name and Address]

      You have been granted a nonstatutory stock option to purchase Common Stock
of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the 1996 Nonstatutory
Stock Option Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

      Grant Number                   _________________________

      Date of Grant                  _________________________

      Vesting Commencement Date      _________________________

      Exercise Price per Share       $________________________

      Total Number of Shares Granted _________________________

      Total Exercise Price           $________________________

      Term/Expiration Date:          _________________________


      Vesting Schedule:

      This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:

      25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the
Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option shall
vest each month thereafter.


<PAGE>   15
                                    EXHIBIT A

                            METACREATIONS CORPORATION

                       1996 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE


MetaCreations Corporation
6303 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93013

Attention:  Secretary

      1.    Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, 199__,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of MetaCreations Corporation (the "Company")
under and pursuant to the 1996 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and
the Stock Option Agreement dated ______________, 19___ (the "Option Agreement").
The purchase price for the Shares shall be $______, as required by the Option
Agreement.

      2.    Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

      3.    Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser
has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

      4.    Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section
12 of the Plan.

      5     Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.


<PAGE>   16
      6     Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser. This agreement is
governed by California law except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of
laws.


Submitted by:                           Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                              METACREATIONS CORPORATION



Signature                               By


Print Name                              Title


Address:                                Address:

                                        6303 Carpinteria Avenue
                                        Carpinteria, CA 93013


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