SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software announced its 2012 portfolio of software suites and free* curricula to help students learn core design and engineering skills. The new suites provide the same tools used by professionals and will make it easier for students to adopt and use a broader set of Autodesk's comprehensive and sophisticated design software. The suites have a range of capabilities that bring together compatible sets of complementary products to help prepare students for successful careers in architecture, engineering and digital arts. Offered around the world, the suites are available in more than 10 languages, including English.

"The growing global demand for qualified engineering, design and digital entertainment creation professionals presents significant opportunities for many students," said Joe Astroth, Ph.D., chief education officer at Autodesk. "Our new educational software suites and curricula can help students get ahead of the curve on their journey toward fulfilling and exciting careers."

Solutions for Postsecondary Academic Institutions

New suites for colleges and universities include Autodesk Design Suite for Education, Autodesk Factory Design Suite for Education and Autodesk Product Design Suite for Education. The following suites are also available:

• Autodesk Education Master Suite
• Autodesk Building Design Suite for Education
• Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite for Education
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite for Education

Each suite provides the latest versions of 26 widely used products, including AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Inventor Professional, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya. Improved features and functionality help aspiring professionals explore and learn new design concepts, as well as established and emerging industry processes, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Sustainable Design, Digital Entertainment Creation and Digital Prototyping, all with a view to improving students' competitive advantage in the workplace. To promote a more engaging educational experience, the postsecondary suites are supported by eight curricula aligned by discipline and academic skill area. The curricula are available for free* download through the Autodesk Education Community.

Solutions for Secondary Schools

Autodesk has also updated its offerings with a full solution for secondary schools, including updates of two suites with 2012 versions of Autodesk's products; a new curriculum, the Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop, to help students see the dynamic connection between science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); and a recently announced certification program to help students validate their skills. The following suites are available:

• Autodesk Design Academy
• Autodesk Animation Academy

Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop helps equip educators with the latest tools to teach design principles and includes immersive, project-based experiences to address the evolving nature of how students want to learn. The curriculum includes professionally developed instructional videos, interactive lessons with 3D models, and a Digital Study Packet that supports the Autodesk Certified User certification program for students. The Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop will be available in the coming weeks for free* through the Autodesk Education Community.

"Our goal is to provide teachers with curricula to give students an exciting and highly relevant educational experience," said Astroth. "The Digital STEAM Workshop breaks new ground for design education, using real-world projects illustrated through highly visual videogame-like experiences, to attract students and help them better understand fundamental design principles."

Purchasing and Availability

English-language versions of the new industry-oriented suites are scheduled to begin shipping later in May. Licenses for each suite will be available as part of volume discount packages, ranging from small-class packages to large-school packages, depending on geographic region.

Individual Product Offerings

In addition to the new suites, individual licenses of many Autodesk 2012 software products are available for classroom use, offering faculty greater purchasing flexibility. For students who choose to benefit from product ownership, individual licenses of selected products are available for purchase at discounted prices.

For additional information about Autodesk's education offerings, please visit www.autodesk.com/education.

Autodesk Education Community

With the latest release of Autodesk 2012 products, there are now more than 30 new software titles available for personal use to students and educators for free* on the Autodesk Education Community. Students can also download many learning resources, search for internships and jobs, showcase their designs and discuss design topics with their peers. In addition, educators can download curricula and exchange best practices within the secured site. Since its launch in 2006, the community has expanded to more than two million members representing more than 21,000 schools in 155 countries.

Autodesk Education Initiatives

Autodesk supports students and educators by providing design software, innovative programs and other resources designed to inspire the next generation of professionals. By supporting educators to advance design education and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) skills, Autodesk is helping prepare students for future academic and career success. Autodesk supports schools and institutions of higher learning worldwide through substantial discounts, grant programs, training, curricula development and community resources.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

*Free software product licenses and free services are subject to the terms and conditions that accompany them. Free software licenses are for personal learning use and may not be used for commercial, professional or other for-profit purposes, or for classroom or lab use.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor, Maya, Revit and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
Michael Oldenburg, 415-547-2439
michael.oldenburg@autodesk.com