SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct 02, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that Landrum & Brown, the world's oldest commercial aviation consultancy, is using Autodesk Civil 3D software to speed the design of airports, terminals and even airspace above airports at locations around the world. Autodesk Civil 3D is an industry-proven civil engineering solution that allows users to realize their ideas and complete transportation, site, sewer, storm drain and subdivision projects up to 75 percent faster.

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"To have a company as respected and established as Landrum & Brown use Autodesk Civil 3D is a strong validation of our product," said Chris Bradshaw, vice president, Autodesk Infrastructure Solutions. "More and more companies are realizing how much they can streamline their processes by standardizing on one powerful product for all their civil engineering design, drafting and GIS needs."

Frequently, Landrum & Brown faces the challenge of designing runways that allow multiple air approaches, which are free from all potential obstructions, such as communications towers, buildings and freeway overpasses. Even approaches over water must account for the possibility of tall ships. On the ground, the firm must grapple with rigorous environmental and community review processes. Until recently, Landrum & Brown was forced to depend on a combination of manual calculation processes and tedious redrawing to keep projects moving forward.

When attending a demonstration of Autodesk Civil 3D, the company was immediately struck by the software's potential to accelerate airspace analysis. Civil 3D could quickly build corridors and surface models and change them dynamically. Although many of the surfaces Landrum & Brown modeled were in the air, the design principles remained the same as if the firm was creating land-based assets. Moreover, with its dynamic design capabilities, Autodesk Civil 3D was clearly applicable to more than just analysis-it was the perfect tool for creating multiple versions of designs.

"It doesn't matter if it's below-grade, above-grade or at-grade," said Bob Endres, corporate manager of Landrum & Brown's CAD engineering department. "A surface is a surface. With Autodesk Civil 3D, we can upload whatever points we need to build a surface, convert them to dynamic objects in Civil 3D, and begin our analysis or design. We recently created an airspace model from 500,000 points for a major airport in four hours. Before Autodesk Civil 3D, it would have taken two weeks."

From Nine Days to One

Now, when Landrum & Brown begins an airspace analysis, it gathers the point information it needs from multiple sources, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and private data vendors. The analysis team loads the data in Autodesk Civil 3D, and the software converts the data to the correct grid system. The firm then analyzes the data within Civil 3D to find runway approaches that avoid obstructions and meet all FAA requirements.

"Before mapping technology, it took about nine days to do the analysis for a single runway," explained Endres. "With mapping software, we got that to about two days. Now, with Autodesk Civil 3D, we're reducing that to one day or less."

Landrum & Brown's impressive productivity boost underscores the power of the 3D dynamic engineering model that lies at the heart of Autodesk Civil 3D. All team members work from the same consistent, up-to-date model, so they stay synchronized throughout all project phases, including survey, design, drafting, reporting, analysis and visualization. A change made in one place instantly updates the entire project, helping companies to complete projects faster and more accurately.

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 3D software 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 .

About Landrum & Brown

Landrum & Brown is the oldest privately owned consultancy dedicated solely to the needs of the commercial aviation community, focusing on environmental and airport planning solutions for today's results-oriented aviation decision makers. Landrum & Brown believes that its focus on the highly specialized issues of the aviation industry provides its clients with a level of expertise that cannot be matched by other organizations. Through experience and technology, Landrum & Brown ideas are shaping the future of aviation.

NOTE: Autodesk and Civil 3D 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: Alan Dunton, 415-318-4141
Email: alan.dunton@fleishman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Alan Dunton, +1-415-318-4141, or alan.dunton@fleishman.com
http://www.autodesk.com