Leading Research Facility Uses Digital Prototyping to Develop Complex Customized Equipment

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), a research facility operated by the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, has been named as the Autodesk Inventor of the Year for 2007. Nominated as Inventor of the Month for May 2007, LNLS was selected by members of the Autodesk manufacturing community who logged onto the Autodesk community web site (http://mfgcommunity.autodesk.com) and voted for the 2007 Inventor of the Year. The Autodesk Inventor of the Month program recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements made by the extensive community of customers using Autodesk Inventor software -- the foundation of the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping.

As one of approximately 50 synchrotron light laboratories in the world, LNLS allows a broad range of scientists to use powerful X-Ray and Ultraviolet beams to gain new insights into the atomic and molecular structure of various materials.

"We are proud to be named the Autodesk Inventor of the Year for 2007," said Milton Cesar Rocha, Mechanical Engineer at LNLS. "Inventor software helped us visualize and simulate our designs without reliance on costly physical prototypes. There are many other excellent examples of Inventor users who have achieved the same success and it is truly an honor to be recognized by our peers through the Autodesk Manufacturing community."

By using Autodesk Inventor software, LNLS was able to design the Elliptically Polarizing Undulator (EPU), which featured nearly 15,800 parts divided into 5,560 standardized machinery elements, with 453 non-repeated parts inside the assembly. With 3D visualization capability, LNLS is able to virtually explore a complete product before it becomes real to confirm that the equipment assembly is free of interference errors -- before the start of the manufacturing process. As a result, LNLS can devote more time and resources to developing innovative functionality that supports scientific research and discovery.

"Digital Prototyping has allowed LNLS to take on challenging projects to create specialized equipment for its facilities, and contributing to its status as a world-class research center," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. "All of our 2007 Inventor of the Month recipients are strong examples of the benefits of Digital Prototyping and we are particularly pleased to name LNLS as our 2007 Inventor of the Year."

About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than 600,000 users of Autodesk Inventor software, the foundation of the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information on Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor 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. 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.

(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Contact: Christine Stoner 416.874.8456 Alyson Howard 312.297.7430
Email: Christine.Stoner@autodesk.com alyson.howard@edelman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
02/25/2008
CONTACT: Christine Stoner of Autodesk, Inc., +1-416-874-8456,
Christine.Stoner@autodesk.com; or Alyson Howard, +1-312-297-7430,
alyson.howard@edelman.com, for Autodesk, Inc.
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