Newest Versions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Deliver Major Design and Drafting Innovation; Part of Autodesk's Most Comprehensive Technology Release Ever

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) announced the 20th release of AutoCAD(R) and the latest release of AutoCAD LT(R) software, with features that advance core drafting functions for more intuitive and faster design and drafting capability than ever before. With more than five million active licensed users worldwide, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are the world's most popular design software for projects as diverse as a state-of-the-art roller coaster in Las Vegas and the new Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. With the latest releases of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, design professionals can create, manage and share design information more efficiently to increase productivity and achieve their design and business goals simultaneously.

"I have been using AutoCAD for 18 years and with each release comes a new level of innovation that makes designing easier and more efficient," said Darren Myles of LHT, a building design office in New Zealand. "The new drafting features in AutoCAD 2006 help us produce construction drawings more efficiently and accurately, which will save LHT countless hours in drafting time with improved productivity. AutoCAD is by far the best choice for design and drafting, from basic conceptual design representations to visual presentation."

New Products and Features

For 20 years, Autodesk has responded to customer and technological demands to evolve AutoCAD software with features that optimize digital design efficiency. Recent AutoCAD releases have been developed based on a roadmap that addresses themes or major categories of functionality that incorporate both design and process features to help users improve productivity by spending more time designing and less time drafting. Two-dimensional drafting remains the cornerstone of productivity in the design industry, and the enhanced conceptual design capabilities in AutoCAD 2006 offer functionality and productivity features that set new standards for the industry.

"2D design software remains an integral part of the larger design software market. Users will continue to deploy 2D tools for automating drafting processes even as they embrace 3D across their industry-specific design efforts," says Sharon Tan, principal analyst with Gartner, Inc.

AutoCAD 2006 is the latest in a series of releases that focused on solving significant customer challenges associated with a certain set of user issues. The new software focuses on minimizing the tedious tasks associated with everyday drafting and includes features such as:

• Dynamic input, which gives customers the power of the command line at the graphics cursor, allowing them to focus on the design. Dynamic input displays dimensional information during geometry creation and makes it easy to edit.
• Dynamic blocks, which allow access to multiple variations on a single block. Dynamic blocks dramatically reduce cumbersome block libraries and make it easy to modify block geometry during and after insertion for faster design changes.
• Data Extraction Wizard, which automatically creates tables such as schedules, bills of material and price estimates. Users can sort and filter block information quickly and easily and combine it with their company's standard table styles, for accurate tables of data.
• Annotation enhancements, which include easier text placement, improved hatching and enhanced table functions that perform common math expressions in and across cells, rows and columns.
• One-click migration of customized files from earlier releases of the software to AutoCAD 2006.

AutoCAD LT, the world's best-selling 2D drafting and detailing software, is optimal for design professionals in all industries who require full DWF file format compatibility and core functionality without extended customization and visualization features.

"The 20th release of AutoCAD marks an important milestone for the company and our customers," said John Sanders, vice president of Autodesk's Platform Technology Division. "What began as a software tool to help designers graphically represent their designs has evolved into an innovative solution used worldwide. Our customers have been extremely progressive in the ways they use AutoCAD, and we continue to advance the AutoCAD platform to serve their design needs."

Autodesk Gives You More

Autodesk Consulting, including integrated consulting and training, helps customers worldwide maximize the value of their investment in Autodesk technology. For more information about Autodesk Consulting, see www.autodesk.com/consulting.

About Autodesk Subscription

Autodesk(R) Subscription is the easiest way to keep design tools and learning up to date. For an annual fee, customers benefit from the latest versions of their licensed Autodesk software, web support direct from Autodesk, self-paced training options, and a broad range of other technology and business benefits. For more information, contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller or visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

Availability

Autodesk AutoCAD 2006 and AutoCAD 2006 LT are available on March 22, 2005, in English, German and Japanese. U.S. and Canadian customers can purchase the software via Autodesk's reseller channel and the online store at www.autodesk.com/autocad or www.autodesk.com/autocadlt.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits. Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:
Jennifer Giles
Autodesk, Inc.
+1-415-547-2458
jennifer.giles@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
03/15/2005
CONTACT: Jennifer Giles of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-547-2458, or jennifer.giles@autodesk.com
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/consulting
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/subscription
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/autocad
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/autocadlt
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com