– 3D Systems Corp.

filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Envisiontec Inc., Germany-based Envisiontec GmbH, and Sibco Inc., an Envisiontec partner located in Ferndale, Mich. The Valencia-based provider of 3-D printing alleges that the companies infringed several of its stereolithography patents by importing, marketing and selling prototyping systems used for creating physical three-dimensional models of objects. The suit, filed in Federal District Court in Eastern Michigan, seeks an injunction and damages.

– Diodes Inc.

raised its first-quarter revenue outlook, saying it now expects revenue to grow 18 percent to 20 percent, sequentially, up from a previous range of a 16-percent to 20-percent sequential increase from its fourth quarter 2005 revenue of $61.4 million. The Westlake Village-based maker of semiconductor products also expects gross profit to grow 10 percent to 12 percent from the $21.4 million reported in the fourth quarter. The company had previously projected sequential gross profit growth of 8 percent to 11 percent.

– Shoe Pavilion Inc.

said it expects to generate first-quarter earnings of 2 cents to 6 cents a share on revenue of $26 million to $28 million. Analysts had anticipated earnings of 6 cents per share on revenue of $29.1 million. The Sherman Oaks-based discount shoe retailer has 93 stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.

–

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services revised its rating outlook on

Guess Inc.

to “positive” from “stable,” reflecting the L.A.-based apparel company’s “improving credit measures and increased geographic diversity.” Cash flow protection measures have improved significantly over the past three years due to better operating results, S & P; said in a statement, and currently about half of the company’s net income is generated in North America, with Europe and worldwide licensing representing the other half.

Despite the challenges of increased competition, Guess has opportunities to further improve operating performance in the near to intermediate term, S & P; said.

–

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday named former Michigan transportation director Gloria Jeff as the general manager for the

Los Angeles Department of Transportation

. Jeff replaces interim general manager Frances Banerjee, who took over the post after the resignation last year of Wayne Tanda.

Prior to becoming Michigan’s transit chief, Jeff served deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration under President Bill Clinton. Villaraigosa credited Jeff with helping to push through federal aid for the construction of the Alameda Corridor.