SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov 17, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, has received international recognition in recent months for its flagship AutoCAD(R) software. Publications and industry associations in Spain, Japan and the United States have recognized AutoCAD for its powerful capabilities to help design and engineering professionals create, manage and share design information. AutoCAD is the world's leading customizable and extendable CAD software for drafting, design, and basic visualization.

All of the awards note continued innovation in AutoCAD software features and functions, as well as the technology's contributions to cost-effective, efficient design and visualization. In Japan, the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) and Software Information Center (SOFTIC) jointly awarded AutoCAD(R) 2005 "Software Product of the Year." Recent media citations have appeared in PC World in Spain and in CADalyst magazine in the United States.

In selecting AutoCAD 2005 for a highly prestigious award, IPA and SOFTIC have acknowledged AutoCAD's role as the leading 2D design and drafting software, and recognized AutoCAD 2005 for its part as a comprehensive design system. The award cited features that enhance productivity by simplifying drafting tasks, as well as tools that enable globally dispersed teams to collaborate efficiently.

CADalyst magazine featured AutoCAD 2005 among its "2004 All-Stars" (http://www.cadalyst.com/cadalyst/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=101698). The publication's editor highlighted the software's powerful file management tools based on the sheet set paradigm that is common among design firms, as well as support for setting and enforcing drawing standards.

"AutoCAD 2005 mimics the terminology and processes that have been used in design offices long before CAD existed," said Bill Fane, CADalyst contributing editor and a professor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. "Autodesk has obviously been watching and listening to real-world users."

In addition, Spain's PC World named AutoCAD software "Best Professional Solution," citing features that improve user productivity as well as personalization, in a recent issue (http://www.idg.es/pcworld/articulo.asp?idart=158766).

"We're honored by the worldwide recognition -- it validates our approach to helping companies get the most value from their design data," said John Sanders, vice president, Platform Technology Division, Autodesk. "Autodesk is committed to advancing the way manufacturers, architects, builders and engineers collaborate with clients, suppliers and partners regardless of their location."

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About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk and AutoCAD are either registered trademarks of trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Contact: Nicole Pack, 415-507-6282
Email: nicole.pack@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Nicole Pack of Autodesk, +1-415-507-6282, or nicole.pack@autodesk.com

http://www.autodesk.com