SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2003--

          Building Information Modeling Solution Coordinates
                        Complex Design Elements

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, announced today that Sear-Brown, a 650-person architecture, engineering, planning, and construction firm with 14 offices nationwide, is using Autodesk(R) Building Systems software on several institutional and industrial design projects. The projects include a large-scale engineering design for a university in the Rochester, N.Y. area as well as engineering services for a large chemical manufacturing plant. Sear-Brown has adopted Autodesk's building information modeling method because it allows engineers to visualize complex mechanical building systems in 3D, which results in better coordinated construction drawings. With this tool, Sear-Brown's engineers can also evaluate whether their new design parameters would conflict with other building systems or existing structures, and develop exact routing paths for newly engineered piping and ductwork.

"Autodesk's building information modeling strategy is enhancing our design approach," said Rich Tiede, corporate CAD manager, Sear-Brown. "With the Building Systems software, we can simulate construction of projects in a 3D computer environment that allows our engineers to better predict potential construction conflicts before any physical construction begins. This is a significant time saver, and since there is so much information contained in the design it's easy to communicate our intent to the extended team."

Institutional and Industrial Design Projects

On the university project, Sear-Brown faced a tough design challenge: renovate the existing chilled water system and substantially increase the system capacity without adding any new pumping equipment. In addition, all renovations needed to be coordinated with the existing campus underground piping network, which increased the design challenge even further. After an intense field investigation, Sear-Brown designers created a 3D model of the existing intricate underground piping network, using the Building Systems solution. This was then used as a base plan and reference frame to accurately lay out new 3D pipe for the expansion of the more efficient chilled water system.

On the chemical plant project, Sear-Brown was asked to design a high performance ventilation system. The team began by conducting a thorough evaluation of the existing facility, focusing on key elements of the existing structure, including existing process piping layouts. Based on the survey, Sear-Brown created a 3D model of existing conditions to help better define potential spatial constraints. Using this model as the base plan and reference frame, a newly engineered ventilation system was accurately modeled around existing 3D features. Creating the model with Autodesk Building Systems prior to starting construction allowed Sear-Brown to deliver a more comprehensive design with more detail provided for the construction phase.

Autodesk Building Systems Application Increases Accuracy, Coordination

As a powerful building information modeling solution, Autodesk Building Systems software offers engineers accurate 3D content with flexible tools to quickly and easily create precise digital data models and drawings of mechanical and electrical building systems. Using a Building Systems application, engineers can design faster and more accurately helping to eliminate coordination mistakes that often occur in multiple unrelated 2D drawings. With these solutions, designers also eliminate the high costs from creating custom and manufacture-specific equipment and part catalogs by using the content creation tools available within the Building Systems application.

About Sear-Brown

Sear-Brown is one of the nation's top 100 design firms as ranked by ENR magazine. Founded in 1929, the firm today provides a full range of engineering, architecture and construction services for health sciences and general industry, education, commercial, transportation and water and environment markets throughout the country. For more information see www.searbrown.com.

About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. is the world's leading design software and digital content company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers create, use and leverage their digital design data. For more information about the company, see http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

--30--nj/sf*