New Features and Enhancements to Revit and Discipline-specific CAD Software
              Increase Productivity and Minimize Inefficiencies

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today updated its entire portfolio of software solutions for the building industry, making it even easier for architects, structural engineers and building systems engineers to realize their ideas. With the immediate availability of Autodesk Revit Building 9, Autodesk Revit Structure 3, Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007, Autodesk Building Systems 2007 and Autodesk VIZ 2007 software products, building design and engineering professionals can create, manage and share design information more effectively, contributing to increased profitability, reduced risk and fewer inefficiencies in building design, construction and management.

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"With the new 2007 versions of our Revit-based and AutoCAD-based applications, Autodesk is continuing to increase productivity and efficiency across the building industry," said Jay Bhatt, vice president, Autodesk Building Solutions Division. "These are the best releases yet, and will help our customers compete and win."

Enhanced Revit Products Improve Coordination and Productivity

Revit Building and Revit Structure have been designed specifically for building information modeling (BIM). With parametric change technology, any change, anytime, anywhere is automatically coordinated throughout the project, including model views, drawing sheets, schedules, sections and plans, helping ensure that designs and documentation stay coordinated, consistent and complete.

Autodesk Revit Building 9 mirrors the real world of architecture by letting architects and designers work on buildings holistically, rather than in terms of separate floor plans, sections and elevations. New features in Revit Building 9 include:

    -- Sun Studies
    -- Detail Library
    -- Material Takeoff
    -- Keynoting
    -- IFC Import and fully certified export

Autodesk Revit Structure 3 increases efficiency, accuracy and design flexibility by integrating a physical model -- for layout, coordination and documentation -- with an independently editable analytical model for multiple analyses and has bidirectional links to industry-leading analysis software, so analysis results can update the model accurately. New features in Revit Structure 3 include:

    -- Model consistency checking for greater engineering insight
    -- Improved modeling including sloped elements
    -- Enhanced construction documents with more drafting tools
    -- More detailing tools including reinforced concrete
    -- Better multidiscipline interoperability

Autodesk Revit Building 9 and Autodesk Revit Structure 3 will be available as part of new Revit Series products that help customers gain the competitive advantages of BIM, preserve their current investments and provide the flexibility to move to building information modeling at their own pace. Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series -- Building 9, for architects and designers, combines Autodesk's industry-leading AutoCAD 2007 software with Autodesk Revit Building 9 and Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series -- Structure 3, for structural engineering and drafting, combines AutoCAD 2007 with Autodesk Revit Structure 3.

Updated AutoCAD-Based Products Improve Efficiency and Accuracy

Autodesk's discipline-specific CAD products for the building industry, Architectural Desktop and Building Systems, have been updated to take advantage of enhancements to AutoCAD 2007, the world's leading customizable and extendable general-purpose CAD application for 2D drafting, detailing, design documentation and basic 3D design. The AutoCAD platform delivers unparalleled design and documentation productivity for building industry professionals who are not yet ready to migrate to BIM.

Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007 makes AutoCAD software better for architects. With its easy-to-use features and flexible implementation options, drafting and construction document production is easier, faster and more accurate. Sharing information is simple using the industry-leading DWG format, allowing design data to be efficiently coordinated with engineers and other design professionals. Tools for architectural drawing and design can be used immediately, with a smooth transition path to more advanced features. Built- in rendering brings designs to life for impressive client presentations. New features in Architectural Desktop 2007 include:

    -- Mapped drives for extended design team support
    -- Automatic space generation with area tagging
    -- Line-work to stairs conversion

Autodesk Building Systems 2007 is better, faster AutoCAD for mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) engineers, designers and drafters that can increase productivity, accuracy and coordination -- from conceptual design through construction documentation. Autodesk Building Systems 2007 enables seamless collaboration with architects using AutoCAD-software-based applications, and the intuitive design environment maximizes the efficiency of AutoCAD-based engineering workflows. Using enhanced single-line and double- line system design and layout productivity tools, production of construction documents can be automated, with fewer coordination errors between mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design teams as well as with architects and structural engineers. New features in Autodesk Building Systems 2007 include:

    -- Discipline-specific tool palettes and customized tools
    -- Single-line and double-line piping
    -- More gips & on-screen editing

    Visualization and Collaboration Tools for the Building Industry

In an increasingly global environment -- with design teams and contractors in different countries and time zones -- building and design customers can use the Autodesk Buzzsaw collaborative project management solution delivered on demand. Additionally, using Autodesk Design Review software, they can accelerate the design review process by enabling non-CAD project team members to review, mark up and track digital 2D and 3D designs in multiple formats. The DWF Viewer is a free download that allows customers and clients in the field to review 2D and 3D drawings, maps and models in the DWF format.

Autodesk is also launching Autodesk VIZ 2007 software, the 3D modeling, rendering and animation application for design visualization professionals. VIZ 2007 is ideal for creating high-end photorealistic models, diagrams and technical illustrations, as well as architectural walk-throughs and flybys. As part of the Autodesk design portfolio, VIZ 2007 adds even tighter interoperability with complementary software products, including the ability to move files seamlessly into Autodesk 3ds Max software and to composite animations with live-action footage in Autodesk Combustion desktop visual effects software. Also, VIZ 2007 files can link into Autodesk's building solutions via the DWG format. New features in Autodesk VIZ 2007 software include:

    -- Asset tracking to improve collaboration among teams
    -- Polygonal modeling tools to speed the process of adding detail to
       geometry
    -- Improved pipeline integration
    -- Increased rendering options

    A Complete Portfolio of Software Solutions for the Building Industry

With the right combination of leading-edge technologies, decades of proven industry experience and unparalleled, worldwide services, Autodesk offers the most comprehensive portfolio of products for the building industry. Ranging from the most advanced technology for building information modeling to the most widely adopted design and documentation solutions, Autodesk supports information and management needs throughout the building lifecycle. Building solutions products include Autodesk Revit Building, Autodesk Revit Structure, Autodesk Revit Systems, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Building Systems and Autodesk VIZ.

Distribution and Availability

Autodesk Building Systems 2007, Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007, Autodesk Revit Building 9, Revit Structure 3, Autodesk VIZ 2007 and the Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series products will be available to U.S. and Canadian customers this spring via Autodesk's reseller channel. Worldwide availability is planned in the future.

Autodesk Offers Options

Customers have options when it comes to purchasing and implementing Autodesk software. Autodesk Subscription provides an alternative to upgrades and delivers added benefits. Subscription customers receive the latest versions of their licensed Autodesk software, web support direct from Autodesk, self-paced training options, and a broad range of other technology and business benefits for an annual fee.

Autodesk Consulting is available for customers who want to maximize the value of their investment in Autodesk technology through integrated consulting and training. Locally-based classroom training is also available through Autodesk's 1,200 Authorized Training Centers, with sites in more than 75 countries around the world.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is 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.

We may make 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. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on these statements.

The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which they were made.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Buzzsaw, Combustion, DWF, Revit 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. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

CONTACT: Noah Cole of Autodesk, 415-547-2405, or noah.cole@autodesk.com.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
-0- 03/23/2006