SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Mar 8, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk, the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced the immediate availability of Autodesk(R) Pre-Plan and Autodesk(R) Pre-Plan Command software applications. Now, using new tools from Autodesk, first responders and public safety professionals can turn complex architectural drawings into an easy-to-understand component of tactical and fire attack preplans.

"These two new products will enable emergency responders to quickly make decisions and save more lives," said Jon Hansen, Assistant Chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department at the time of the Murrah Federal Building bombing and current Autodesk Government Business Development Manager. "During the Murrah Federal Building bombing, any time-savings were invaluable, as it made the difference in locating a survivor rather than a victim."

Autodesk Pre-Plan and Autodesk Pre-Plan Command were developed by industry experts as easy-to-use declutter and cleanup tools that help emergency response professionals prepare floor plans for use in emergency response planning, training, and during emergency situations. These tools enable emergency response professionals to quickly erase layers of unnecessary building data, clearly rename saved layers, and drop in standard or customized police, HAZMAT, locator, and firefighting symbols that first responders rely upon. These are two software components of the Autodesk emergency response solution. For a demonstration of Autodesk Pre-Plan and Autodesk Pre-Plan Command, go to www.autodesk.com/emergency-response.

Autodesk Pre-Plan Command, which runs on Autodesk Map(TM) 2004 software (sold separately), can also be used to track potential and known victims during an incident and update the database information in real time. Built on the AutoCAD(R) 2004 OEM platform, Autodesk Pre-Plan is a low-cost, stand-alone product. Both products are fully DWG compatible.

Product Availability

Autodesk Pre-Plan and Autodesk Pre-Plan Command are available starting today in the United States and Canada. For more details, please go to www.autodesk.com/pre-plan.

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. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com. For more information on Autodesk's infrastructure solutions division, see www.autodesk.com/infrastructure.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Map are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Contact: Dawn Van Osdell, 415-505-8930 Email: dawn.van.osdell@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Dawn Van Osdell of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-505-8930, or dawn.van.osdell@autodesk.com

http://www.autodesk.com