Autodesk DWF Writer Extends DWF Output Capability to Solidworks and
                   Pro/ENGINEER 3D Mechanical Applications

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk Inc. today announced that it has improved product design collaboration for the manufacturing industry. Now, engineers using a variety of 3D design applications can share compact DWF versions of product models with the extended manufacturing team. DWF is an open, standards-based file format designed for sharing complex mechanical drawings and 3D models via email or the Internet. Autodesk Inventor, the world's # 1 best selling mechanical design software, has long supported direct output of DWF files. With the release of the latest version of DWF Writer, Autodesk now makes it easy to publish 3D design data from other 3D design software including Solidworks and Pro/ENGINEER. The free*, downloadable software permits engineers using other 3D design applications to manage and share accurate digital designs, for greater productivity across the supply chain -- without loss of data to paper-based communication.

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Manufacturers are continually seeking ways to improve productivity and bring products to market faster, while reducing design errors and rework. Globalization and off-shoring create new pressures on designers to better integrate information across extended teams, including communication with production team members who do not use 3D design tools.

According to Gisela Wilson of analyst firm IDC, "Successful product development in the manufacturing industry is dependent on the ability to collaborate on design content with all stakeholders involved in the lifecycle management process including designers, manufacturing, purchasing, suppliers and customers. Ubiquitous technology that enables easy collaboration, such as DWF, dramatically changes the process and can improve time to market."

New Autodesk DWF Writer functionality lets designers using leading 3D mechanical design software save their models and design data as DWF files and share them securely with product teams. By creating 3D DWF files, engineers are able to provide accurate, data-rich digital designs to non-technical team members at any point in the manufacturing process. As a result, product developers can save designs in an industry-standard format and send these files electronically for bids or for production at manufacturing sites around the world. Off-shore team members can view and understand designs easily, using the free* Autodesk DWF Viewer software, or using Autodesk DWF Composer or Autodesk data management solutions.

"The ability to capture a 3D window into a form that can be easily saved and shared is simple and elegant. This is one of the more clever uses of technology I have seen in years," said Charlie Bliss, Team 44, Hiller Aviation Education Foundation.

The latest version of Autodesk DWF Writer supports publication of 2D files from a Microsoft Windows system printer driver, and retains intelligent design information in 3D models to help ensure communication of design intention. Autodesk DWF Writer software is available as a free* download from the Autodesk website at www.autodesk.com/dwfwriter.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) 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 their data and 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.

* This product is subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software.

NOTE: Autodesk and DWF 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, 415-547-2458

Email: Jennifer.giles@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk Inc.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Giles of Autodesk Inc.,
+1-415-547-2458,
or Jennifer.giles@autodesk.com.
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com