SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003-- U.K. Manufacturer Uses Technology to Help Make the World a Safer Place

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that Pearson Engineering Newcastle, United Kingdom, has purchased 20 licenses of the Autodesk Inventor(R) Series software package to create precise 3D models of its complete range of humanitarian and military de-mining equipment. With many innocent people killed or maimed by landmines daily, mine clearance remains a critical and urgent global issue and the demand for new solutions to help in the clearance process is high. Pearson's equipment can be used to help resolve these problems.

Pearson had traditionally designed its equipment in 2D but identified the need to migrate seamlessly and cost-effectively to 3D in order to both improve the quality of its designs and reduce the design-to-production time cycle. After a short evaluation period, Pearson decided that implementing Autodesk Inventor Series was by far the fastest and most effective migration path.

"We originally purchased 18 licenses of the software but we became so confident with it that after just three weeks we bought two more," says Martin Dilworth, design engineer, Pearson Engineering. "Autodesk Inventor software is so easy to use that even those of our engineers with little or no 3D experience were able to rapidly master the finer points of working in a new design environment."

"Autodesk Inventor software's simple interface and general ease of use has allowed part-time users such as me to accurately design complex fabrications and assemblies, with a minimal learning curve," added Peter Renwick, Pearson Engineering's chief design engineer.

Autodesk Inventor software's assembly-centric design foundation, together with its ability to handle and animate large complex models, allows Pearson to implement "virtual prototyping." This technique enables designers to simulate the motion of complicated designs to ensure they will work in the field before any commitment is made to expenditure on part manufacture and equipment assembly.

"Implementing Autodesk Inventor Series will allow us to move to 3D at the time and pace of our choice," continues Dilworth. "Its installation allows us to protect our long-term investment first in Autodesk's AutoCAD(R) software and subsequently in Autodesk(R) Mechanical Desktop(R) software, which is built on the AutoCAD platform and is included in the Series package. We are able to use these elements of Autodesk Inventor Series to refine and modify existing designs, while using Autodesk Inventor software for all new projects."

Pearson has also signed up for the Autodesk Subscription Program, which enables it to precisely plan its budget for software upgrades and to automatically receive the latest versions of Autodesk Inventor Series software as soon as they become available.

IMASS Design Solutions Provides Valuable Support

Autodesk worked in partnership with its System Centre, IMASS Ltd (www.imass-ids.co.uk) on this project. IMASS supported Pearson Engineering during the Autodesk Inventor evaluation and has subsequently delivered training, consultancy, and the implementation of Autodesk Inventor software at Pearson's Newcastle headquarters. IMASS is also providing ongoing first-line technical support.

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 or www.autodesk.co.uk.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Mechanical Desktop are registered 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: Autodesk, Inc. Cindi Goodsell, 415/507-8452 (U.S.)
             cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com Jo Graves, WhiteOaks, 01252 727313 (U.K.)
             jog@whiteoaks.co.uk

    SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.