SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Mar 27, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk Revit 5.1 and Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 Increase Productivity and Enhance Design Quality For Building Industry Professionals

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design and digital content creation company, today announced the availability of Autodesk(R) Revit(R) 5.1, the latest release of the company's strategic building information modeling platform, and Autodesk(R) Architectural Desktop 2004, an AutoCAD(R)-based building information modeling software application. Expanding the capabilities of earlier versions, Revit 5.1 and Architectural Desktop 2004 software products offer the most advanced building information modeling tools available for building design and documentation, resulting in higher quality work, greater speed and productivity, and reduced project costs. Updates to Revit 5.1 provide industry-leading compatibility with the AutoCAD(R) 2004 DWG file format, while new modeling and drawing coordination features improve productivity. Enhancements to Architectural Desktop, which is built on the AutoCAD 2004 platform, include tools to boost design visualization power and increase productivity and ease-of-use. Autodesk(R) Building Systems 2004, the most complete building information modeling solution for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, will be available later this year.

"Our latest building information modeling solutions represent the next leap forward in helping customers transition from a 2D drafting environment to a complete data authoring solution," said Phil Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Solutions Division. "By delivering full support for the AutoCAD 2004 platform, Autodesk ensures building professionals can easily share files with the extended design team."

AutoCAD 2004 Interoperability

Both Revit 5.1 and Architectural Desktop 2004 building information modeling solutions are interoperable with the AutoCAD 2004 software. Revit 5.1 provides full support for the import, export, and linking of files using the AutoCAD 2004 DWG file format and Architectural Desktop uses the AutoCAD 2004 foundation. The high degree of integration with AutoCAD 2004 ensures customers can easily share files and collaborate on projects to increase productivity.

"We've embraced Autodesk's building information modeling strategy because it enables us to realize significant productivity gains in all phases of the design and documentation process," said Michael Masteller, corporate CAD manager for Perkins & Will, a full-service architecture, interior design and planning firm. "Autodesk's building information modeling tools allow design teams to quickly study ideas and make well-informed decisions about the development and advancement of the project."

Enhancements to Revit 5.1

In addition to interoperability with AutoCAD 2004, Revit 5.1 includes new features that increase productivity, coordination and quality for architects and other building industry professionals. In the Revit 5.1 program, detail views on sheets can indicate the sheet number from which they are references, providing clearer and better-coordinated document sets. Cut-and-fill calculations for site grading are now available, delivering greater control of site costs. Many other improvements have been made to the modeling capabilities and the user interface for higher productivity from conceptual design through construction.

Key Benefits of Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004

The user interface of Architectural Desktop has been redesigned to increase productivity through ease-of-use. In keeping with the architectural process, the new interface provides users with a more intuitive experience. Intelligent objects are now more apparent and readily accessible through graphically rich tools and tool palettes. These enhancements make the application much easier to use, increasing productivity and reducing the learning curve.

Architectural Desktop provides advanced design visualization and communication through VIZ Render. The inclusion of VIZ Render extends Architectural Desktop's capabilities, allowing designers to easily visualize and more accurately communicate their design intent in an integrated design environment.

Architectural Desktop also includes an integrated set of robust architectural features that reduces workflow inefficiencies and drafting inaccuracies which typically occur during building design and its successive phases of development. Architectural Desktop dynamically updates design data to reflect current revisions, minimizing tedious design tasks and improving drawing and construction document quality.

Product Availability

Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 is available worldwide in International English as of March 27, 2003. French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Asian Pacific language versions will be available in 30 to 60 days. Autodesk Revit 5.1 building information modeling software will be available April 7, 2003. Other language versions will be available in approximately 90 days from this release. Current Revit subscribers may download the software. For purchase, contact an Authorized Autodesk Reseller, call Autodesk at 800/964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Revit are registered 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:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Brian Baker, 415/507-6411
                  brian.baker@autodesk.com

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