SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct 16, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the leading design software and digital content company, today announced four new product extensions for Autodesk(R) Subscription customers. Autodesk Subscription provides incremental updates to its software, called extensions, so customers can stay current with the latest design technology. Autodesk Subscription customers benefit from a complete technology, training, and support program that allows for simplified software management and predictable budgeting.

    -- AutoCAD(R) 2004 software Subscription customers will benefit from
       advanced tool palette functionality;
    -- Autodesk(R) Architectural Desktop 2004 is streamlined with increased
       interoperability through improved data-sharing;
    -- Autodesk(R) Building Systems 2004 Subscription customers will increase
       productivity with new parts content; and
    -- Autodesk(R) Civil Series 2004 is simplified through advanced 3D
       interaction.

"Through Autodesk Subscription, we are able to continually respond to customer needs in a timely manner," said Carl Bass, senior executive vice president of the Design Solutions Group at Autodesk. "Complemented by our new support and enhanced e-Learning offering, customers can immediately realize new efficiencies provided by extensions."

In developing the newly enriched subscription program, which includes Web-based support direct from Autodesk and exclusive access to e-Learning courses, current Autodesk Subscription customers provided direction and guidance to determine what enhancements would be most valuable and how often extensions are needed. Autodesk Subscription customers also have the opportunity to directly influence future product development, receive priority access to software product beta programs, and have opportunities to network with Autodesk technical experts and customers worldwide.

Tool Palettes Extension for AutoCAD

The tool palettes in AutoCAD 2004 improve productivity, ensure design consistency, and help users save time. The Tool Palettes Extension for AutoCAD 2004 lets users drag multiple types of content, including hatches, gradients, xrefs, blocks, and images with preset properties, from existing drawings directly onto tool palettes. Tool palettes can now be grouped by category and AutoCAD users can create command tools that contain macros or call LISP and ARX applications. The ability to quickly create and access frequently used tools enables designers to increase productivity while maximizing screen space. The extension also includes expanded symbol options with new and often-used engineering symbols. For more information about the extension or AutoCAD 2004, please visit www.autodesk.com/autocad.

Interoperability and Productivity Extension for Autodesk Architectural Desktop

Because design teams are often comprised of diverse groups of building professionals, they need to easily exchange data in order to work as productively as possible. The new Interoperability and Productivity Extension for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 software provides tools to streamline the design workflow and improve data sharing among design teams. New features include the ability to import LandXML data into drawings, eliminating the need to redraw parcels and terrain models. Other new features include a batch update tool which updates all sections and elevations in a single step, saving coordination time and reducing costly documentation errors. Additionally, the ability to publish DWF(TM) (Design Web Format(TM)) files enables users to share intelligent design data with building owners and extended team members. With these enhancements users will benefit from a reduced design cycle and increased accuracy. For more information about the extension or Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004, please visit www.autodesk.com/architecturaldesktop.

HVAC Content Power Pack Extension for Autodesk Building Systems

Additional productivity can be gained from the new HVAC Content Power Pack Extension for Autodesk Building Systems 2004 through the addition of significant new content driven by customer requests. The extension expands Autodesk Building Systems duct fitting catalog by over 30 percent and provides the majority of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) fittings. The extension also provides a large number of mechanical MvParts and U.S. metric 3D plumbing fittings. This extensive content library adheres to industry-recognized standards, enabling users to design more accurately.

For users that need additional parts, Autodesk Building Systems 2004 offers a comprehensive set of tools to quickly create needed parts or users can drag manufacturers' content from the Internet and insert the content into their drawings using Autodesk's i-drop(R) technology. For more information about the extension or Autodesk Building Systems 2004, please visit www.autodesk.com/buildingsystems.

"Mazzetti & Associates participation in Autodesk Subscription was an easy business decision," said James Espinoza, CAD manager at Mazzetti & Associates. "We can take advantage of the latest upgrades and enhancements to Autodesk Building Systems 2004 to increase our engineer's productivity, and the program simplifies our software management and budgeting process."

Civil 3D Extension for Autodesk Civil Series 2004 and Autodesk Civil Design 2004

The Autodesk(R) Civil 3D(TM) Extension is the only civil engineering tool that creates intelligent relationships between objects so design changes are dynamically updated. You enter data once and the software makes changes automatically according to your preset design rules and criteria. The enhanced 3D interaction makes it easy to run and visualize what-if scenarios and to correct errors on-the-fly, saving time and increasing accuracy. For more information about the extension, Autodesk Civil Series 2004 or Autodesk Civil Design 2004, please visit www.autodesk.com/infrastructure.

Product Availability

The Tool Palettes Extension for AutoCAD 2004 is available to Subscription customers today. The Interoperability and Productivity Extension for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 software is available for customers on Subscription beginning October 23, 2003. The HVAC Content Power Pack Extension for Autodesk Building Systems 2004 is available for Subscription customers beginning October 30, 2003. The Civil 3D Extension for Autodesk Civil Series 2004 and Autodesk Civil Design 2004 is available immediately.

Autodesk Subscription

For an annual fee, Autodesk Subscription customers benefit from a complete technology, training, and support program that protects their software investments by providing them with the most current design technology, Web Support direct from Autodesk, flexible self-paced training options and a broad range of other technology and business benefits. For more information about Autodesk Subscription, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

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 http://www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Design Web Format, DWF, and i-drop 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.

Occasionally, Autodesk makes statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services, or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect any change in circumstances, after the statements are made.

CONTACT: Nicole Pack of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-507-6282, or nicole.pack@autodesk.com.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Nicole Pack of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-507-6282, or
nicole.pack@autodesk.com
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