SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2002--Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, announced today that the Autodesk(R) Revit(R) 5 building design and documentation system, the latest release of this powerful application, is available beginning December 18, 2002. This premier building information modeling solution provides expanded capabilities for use on larger and more complex projects, more efficient memory management, and significant performance and user interface improvements. Communication with the extended design team becomes seamless through native support for the DWG file format, and client communication is also enhanced by the ability to quickly create walkthrough animations that effectively convey intricate design concepts. Productivity is improved through increased automation of construction documentation, and new tools, templates, and construction content extend the benefits of this groundbreaking building information modeling solution to the construction community. Revit 5 continues the rapid release schedule for which Revit has always been known, and is the first major release since Autodesk acquired Revit Technology Corporation in April 2002.

"We've already been using Revit successfully for several large-scale university projects," said David Graue, principal of Antunovich Associates. "With the performance and scalability improvements of this new release from Autodesk, we can now use Revit even more effectively for detailed design development of campus projects involving multiple buildings on one site.

This translates into real time savings for the entire team."

Expanded Capabilities for Large-Scale Projects

This release includes a number of enhancements that expand the capabilities of Revit software for effective use on large-scale building projects. Designers can now link individual Revit models together to form a larger project while maintaining the capability to edit each model independently. This enables project teams to design multiple structures and link them together for work on campus-style building projects or facilities with discrete wings.

Overall performance is also improved in a number of important ways. Workset operations are faster and files open and save more quickly. References between worksets no longer have to be managed by the user to realize memory management benefits; the software does it automatically. Benchmarking tests show that models created in Revit 5 take up about one-third of the computer memory required by earlier versions of the software.

In addition, a variety of enhancements to the user interface contribute further to the software's widely recognized ease of use. For example, the new work plane grid makes visualization of modeling and sketching operations easier. Drawing complicated sketches and small components in details has also been made easier by the ability to sketch in a "thin line" mode, displaying all graphics with a uniform thin line weight instead of a plotted line weight.

Improved Client and Team Communication

Effective communication is an essential component of successful project management, especially when working as part of a large design team. To clearly convey design concepts, Revit 5 provides fully rendered walkthrough animations that are exportable for viewing in industry standard media players. To ensure seamless coordination with the extended design team, Revit 5 provides industry-leading DWG compatibility. Architects and other building professionals using Revit on building projects worldwide can now import, export, and link AutoCAD(R) data more easily than with any other software. This makes it possible to implement an intelligent building information modeling strategy on projects where other team members may be employing more traditional digital tools.

Increased Automation of Construction Documentation

By automating low-value chores, Revit software allows designers to spend more time resolving real design issues and architectural problems. In Revit 5, new building components increase productivity by requiring less 2D parametric detailing, graphics, and line work. For example, wall assemblies with different materials vertically can now be described directly, so features such as cornices, wainscot, and other trim are now part of an assembly. Sections through these assemblies are therefore more technically correct and require less parametric detailing and line work to create the proper details.

"We've made a significant investment in developing Revit as the premier building information modeling solution, and this release represents Autodesk's dedication to the new platform," said Phil Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Industry Division.

Product Availability

Autodesk Revit 5 is available on the Web worldwide in English beginning December 18, 2002. Other language versions will be available in approximately 90 days from this initial release. Current subscribers of Revit may download the software and will receive a CD in January 2003 as part of their subscription. For more information on purchasing Revit, contact an Autodesk Authorized Reseller, call Autodesk at 800/964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com.

About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain use digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, Revit, and AutoCAD 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.

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