SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Dec 14, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has been awarded an Autodesk BIM Experience Award. The university's Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the Department of Architectural Engineering are being honored for extensive incorporation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in its architecture, landscape architecture and architectural engineering curricula.

The award also recognizes Penn State for promoting academic collaboration among the major building design and construction disciplines, mainly through student participation in interactive BIM design studios. The award notes the school's use of energy analysis software tools in its BIM classes and studios to encourage sustainable design practices.

"Autodesk Revit software products are Penn State's primary design integration software," said Robert Holland, associate professor of architecture and architectural engineering. "Our students rely on the common Revit platform to support their interdisciplinary collaboration efforts. The students also use Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software and the Autodesk Green Building Studio* web-based service extensively during the conceptual phase of their projects to help gain insight on how building orientation, massing and basic systems selection influence the performance of a building."

The university began integrating Autodesk BIM solutions into its curricula in 2004. The software now serves two colleges and three departments: the Architecture and the Landscape Architecture departments in the College of Arts and Architecture, and the Architectural Engineering department in the College of Engineering. Students in collaborative cross-departmental courses and studios use Autodesk BIM solutions to help develop, explore and analyze building designs, and experience first-hand the benefits of using an approach that includes interdisciplinary project design. In addition to BIM, student preparation includes the exploration of innovative building industry concepts and processes including integrated project delivery (IPD) and digital fabrication.

Autodesk software used by the university's architecture, landscape architecture and architecture engineering students includes:

• Autodesk Revit Architecture
• Autodesk Revit Structure
• Autodesk Revit MEP
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design
• Autodesk Ecotect Analysis
• Autodesk Green Building Studio*
• Autodesk Navisworks products
• AutoCAD

About BIM

BIM is an integrated process for digitally exploring a project's key physical and functional characteristics before it is physically built. The process helps deliver projects faster and more economically, while minimizing environmental impact. Coordinated, consistent information is used throughout the process to design innovative projects; better visualize and simulate real-world appearance, performance and cost; and create more accurate documentation.

About Penn State University

The Pennsylvania State University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the Architectural Engineering departments. Both the Architecture and Architectural Engineering departments were founded in 1910 and are now celebrating their centennial. Penn State's architecture, landscape architecture and architectural engineering curricula reflect the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in today's building industry. Penn State uses Synergis Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Quakertown, Pa., as its reseller.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

* Customers who add Autodesk Subscription to their Autodesk Ecotect Analysis license can access the Autodesk Green Building Studio web-based service for the duration of their Subscription, subject to the terms of use that accompany the service.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Ecotect, Green Building Studio, Navisworks, Revit and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
Ralph Bond, 503-278-7977
ralph.bond@autodesk.com