MAYSVILLE, Ky., March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carlson Software, today announced support for AutoCAD(R) 2006 next generation design software from Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media and wireless data services fields. Carlson Software has timed the release of Carlson SurvCADD 2006 to coincide closely with the much anticipated release of AutoCAD 2006.

Carlson SurvCADD 2006 consists of modules for surveying, civil engineering, construction and mining, and runs inside AutoCAD 2006, the world's leading customizable and extendable CAD software for 2D drafting.

Although Carlson SurvCADD 2006 is compatible with earlier releases of AutoCAD, this new release enables customers to take advantage of some of the newer capabilities found only in AutoCAD 2006, including the new drafting and annotation tools and the new Heads-Up-Design interface. The end result is that AutoCAD users who are staying current or are on Autodesk Subscription can utilize Carlson SurvCADD 2006 immediately and maximize their productivity.

"By integrating with the new features in AutoCAD 2006, Carlson Software enables our joint survey, construction and mining customers to take full advantage of the new enhancements in both SurvCADD and AutoCAD 2006," said John Sanders, vice president of Autodesk's Platform Technology Division. "We are delighted to have the strong rapid support of Carlson Software for AutoCAD 2006."

Bruce Carlson, president of Carlson Software, has observed the continued growth of AutoCAD as the design platform of choice. "The specialized markets of construction and mining continue to move to AutoCAD and Carlson as the tools for their construction estimation, site design and mine planning and geology," notes Mr. Carlson. "Carlson Software has built its design products around AutoCAD since the late 1980's, and continues to focus on application products for survey, civil, construction and mining that take advantage of the market dominance of the AutoCAD platform. AutoCAD 2006 offers an especially attractive foundation for our add-on programs."

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency, and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

The Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) is comprised of more than 2500 technology partners around the world, that extend Autodesk solutions to meet the industry-specific needs of customers. New 2006-compatible applications from ADN partners are launched every day at: www.autodesk.com/partnerproducts.

About Carlson Software

Founded in 1983, Carlson Software, Inc. is a leading provider of CAD and data collection software for land development industries, including land surveying, civil engineering, mining, construction, accident reconstruction and machine control. Carlson Software is headquartered in Maysville, KY, with offices in Atlanta and Boston. For additional information about Carlson Software, please visit www.carlsonsw.com.

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.

NOTE: Autodesk and AutoCAD 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.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
03/15/2005 CONTACT: Dale Jefferson of Carlson Software, +1-606-564-5028, or dalej@carlsonsw.com
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/partnerproducts
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com