SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), a world leader in 2D and 3D design software, today announced that it has passed the one million mark for users of its 3D model-based design solutions -- Autodesk Inventor software, Autodesk Revit software and AutoCAD Civil 3D software. This milestone underscores the broad demand for Autodesk's 3D solutions that deliver digital prototyping, allowing customers to visualize and simulate the real-world performance of their designs without a heavy reliance on costly physical prototypes.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)

"We are very proud to have reached this significant milestone," said Carl Bass, Autodesk CEO. "Our one million Autodesk 3D users work for companies in a broad range of industries across the manufacturing, building and construction markets. These diverse companies realize the value of digital prototypes as a competitive advantage, increasing the efficiency of their operations and enhancing quality and innovation."

With digital prototypes, companies can not only see, but also experience their designs before they're built. Through the digital prototyping process of detailed visualization, precise analysis and real-time simulation, Autodesk's advanced 3D tools give customers the ability to accurately model their designs -- allowing them to optimize and make performance-related changes early in the design process.

"3D modeling is fast becoming the design standard in the manufacturing, building, and civil engineering industries," said Michael Fauscette, VP of Applications Research at IDC. "Customers are adopting 3D because they see the productivity advantage of leveraging these tools into digital prototyping workflows."

Gulf Stream Coach Purchasers of One Millionth Seat

Gulf Stream Coach, a world-class RV manufacturer based in Nappanee, Indiana, is the largest privately held full-line recreational vehicle manufacturer in the United States, offering 26 brands and more than 100 models. The company is a long-time Autodesk customer, having used AutoCAD software as its primary design tool for more than a decade. Gulf Stream Coach recently purchased Autodesk's millionth 3D seat among almost a dozen seats of Inventor software. Gulf Stream is already employing Inventor to design its new Class A toy hauler which will launch later this year.

"Autodesk Inventor provides us with the power of 3D design without compromising our investments in 2D processes," said Mike Potis, of the Product Development Group at Gulf Stream Coach. "Gulf Stream is a leader in RV manufacturing because our philosophy of lean manufacturing gives us the ability to provide what the market requires quickly. Using Inventor will increase our efficiency even further by allowing us to create digital prototypes of our products while reducing our need to produce physical prototypes. With Inventor we'll be able to make better design decisions faster and increase the overall value to our customers. We are a company that invests in technologies when they add value for our customers."

Hagerman & Company, an Autodesk Premier Solutions Provider and reseller since 1984, worked with Gulf Stream Coach to design the full solution and provide training services for all their engineers.

The announcement of Autodesk's one millionth 3D user was made during the company's first quarter of fiscal 2008 financial results call, in which the company reported revenue of $509 million, an increase of 17% over the first quarter of fiscal 2007. For more information, please visit www.autodesk.com/investor.

    Autodesk's Diverse 3D Solutions
    Autodesk's model-based 3D solutions include:
    -- Autodesk Inventor -- the foundation for digital prototyping and world's
       best-selling 3D mechanical design software; available in several
       product suites.
    -- Autodesk Revit -- building information modeling (BIM) software that
       address the building industry's evolving requirements for productivity
       and efficiency; available in several product.
    -- AutoCAD Civil 3D -- a comprehensive application package for the design,
       drafting and management of a wide range of civil engineering projects.

    Other products in Autodesk's 3D portfolio include:
    -- Autodesk AliasStudio -- a complete set of software tools for the
       conceptual design process, AliasStudio is now interoperable with
       Inventor products.
    -- AutoCAD Map 3D -- a leading engineering GIS platform for creating and
       managing spatial data.
    -- 3ds Max -- modeling, animation and rendering software for games, film,
       television and design visualization.
    -- Maya -- modeling, animation and rendering software for games, film,
       television and design visualization.
    -- Autodesk MotionBuilder - character animation software.
    -- Autodesk VIZ -- modeling, rendering and presentation software for
       design visualization.

    About Gulf Stream Coach

Gulf Stream Coach is based in Nappanee, Indiana, and has additional facilities in Goshen and Etna Green, Indiana. The company is the largest privately held full-line recreational vehicle manufacturer, offering 26 brands and more than 100 models, while employing more than 1,500 people in Elkhart County. Visit www.gulfstreamrv.com for more company information.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com/.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, AliasStudio, Autodesk Inventor, Civil 3D, Inventor, Maya, MotionBuilder, Revit, 3ds Max and VIZ are 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. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Contact:   Carly Herrig  312.233.1356    Andrew Favreau  312.297.7587
Email:     carly.herrig@edelman.com      andrew.favreau@edelman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc. 05/17/2007


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7923 05/17/2007 17:27 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com