SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Mar 14, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK)

New U.S. Metric Content Ensures Viability for Expanded Range of Projects; Microsoft Windows XP Professional Compatibility Now Offered

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced the availability of Autodesk Building Mechanical 2 and Autodesk Building Electrical 2, the next generation of building systems applications built on Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3. This second release, available at no additional charge to existing subscribers of Autodesk Building Mechanical and Autodesk Building Electrical, increases productivity through enhanced overall performance and improves quality of construction documentation by ensuring greater accuracy in 3D representations of mechanical and electrical building systems. Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, the applications operate within the latest technology environment and can now be used on a wider range of projects through the addition of U.S. metric content based on General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines for professional rounding of unit measurements.

"Using Autodesk Building Electrical and Autodesk Building Mechanical, we are able to increase our production by decreasing the duplication of work from schematic design to design development to construction documents," said Armundo Darling, CAD manager at Flack + Kurtz, Inc., an international consulting engineering firm. "The time savings will be especially helpful to us on fast-track healthcare and government projects, a major portion of our work."

"Autodesk's building systems applications extend the efficiencies of the virtual building model to two key players in the building design process -- mechanical and electrical engineers," said Phil Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Industry Division. "With the inclusion of U.S. metric content in this release, we expect to see greater adoption and a broader implementation of this new and smarter way of working."

    Increased Productivity and Value for Construction Documentation

Autodesk Building Mechanical 2 and Autodesk Building Electrical 2 increase productivity through a number of performance enhancements. Software loading time is significantly decreased; interference detection speed has greatly increased; and graphics caching and fitting selection are much faster. These overall performance improvements allow mechanical and electrical engineers to focus on design rather than technology, more effectively reaping productivity gains, including early detection of building system and architectural building structure interferences.

In addition, several key new features allow designers to more accurately represent specialized engineering content, ensuring more precise construction documentation that makes it easier for contractors to install complex building systems and reduces costly construction phase errors. With the "rise/drop symbology" feature, for example, designers can clearly depict rises and falls in duct, pipe, cable tray, and conduit by assigning system types, while the "flow direction" feature depicts the flow of fluids in duct and piping, providing enhanced digital design data for flow analysis programs.

    Expanded Range of Project Implementation

Autodesk Building Mechanical 2 and Autodesk Building Electrical 2 offer U.S. standard metric content based on GSA guidelines as well as the Imperial dimensional standards included in the previous release of each product. This means that engineers can now use the virtual building model approach on an expanded range of projects that require metric measurement units. In addition, the inclusion of U.S. metric content serves as a solid foundation for engineers working in other geographies where standards differ from GSA guidelines. With the use of the Mv Part Builder and Catalog Editor features, engineers can modify the U.S. metric content for their own local standard metric dimensions.

    Product Availability

Autodesk Building Mechanical 2 and Autodesk Building Electrical 2 are available in North America in English as of March 15, 2002. A one-year subscription contract is part of the initial purchase of the software. Existing subscribers of Autodesk Building Mechanical and Autodesk Building Electrical will automatically be shipped this latest release of the building systems applications. For more information, contact an Autodesk Authorized Reseller or Autodesk at 800-964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com.

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution 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 throughout the value chain leverage digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Note to Editors: 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.

CONTACT:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Carol Lettieri, 415/507-6908
                  carol.lettieri@autodesk.com

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