For the 15th Consecutive Year, Autodesk Enables Future Engineers to Push
             Boundaries of Innovation with Leading Edge 3D Tools

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) is once again demonstrating its commitment to tomorrow's engineers with an $8 million donation of software and training resources as the company celebrates another year as the official championship sponsor of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Using software from Autodesk -- including Autodesk Inventor, the world's best-selling 3D mechanical design software and Autodesk 3ds Max, award-winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering software -- 1,130 teams from seven countries designed and built robots to compete in 33 regional competitions, with winners advancing to the final Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, April 27-29, 2006.

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

"Autodesk has been with us since the beginning and continues to encourage students to learn about math, science and engineering, as well as inspire the inventors and engineers of tomorrow," said Dean Kamen, inventor, entrepreneur and founder of FIRST. "Partnering with mentors, developing relationships and working as a team to achieve a common goal are elements for success both in engineering and life. We owe it to our kids and our future to show them how rewarding engineering can be -- before they start college."

FIRST was founded by Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. This year's challenge theme, "Aim High" tests the students' and their robots' ability to fire foam balls through hoops, plow them into floor goals and program a robotic vision system to navigate the robot. Since 1992, Autodesk has been working with FIRST Robotics Competition to provide students the opportunity to learn about the worlds of engineering and visualization and has contributed approximately $72 million in software for team use. This year nearly 30,000 high school students are pushing the boundaries of innovation in engineering and 3D design visualization with support from Autodesk.

This week, Autodesk will help host and assist 340 robotics teams and 8,500 students as they gather in Atlanta's Georgia Dome for the 2006 FIRST Championship. This number is astounding when compared to the 1992 FIRST championship where only 28 teams gathered in a New Hampshire high school gym. Teams earned their invitations to the championship by excelling in competitive play, sportsmanship and various awards -- including two Autodesk-sponsored design contests.

Every year, Autodesk's involvement starts long before the Championship, making software available to students for robot design, engineering and animation; demonstrating the company's commitment to helping the students of today become the engineers of tomorrow.

According to Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk's Manufacturing Solutions Division, "We're proud to provide Autodesk software and online resources that enable more than 75 percent of FIRST Robotics Competition teams to fully realize the capabilities of Autodesk Inventor and 3ds Max software. As the leader in 3D, we are excited about building passion and interest for math and science in these FIRST student participants."

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics Competition go to www.usfirst.org.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, 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, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits. Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk, Autodesk Inventor and 3ds Max 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.

Contact: Jeannie Hornung 415-318-4118

Email: jeannie.hornung@fleishman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
(ADSK)