Web, Mobile Integration, Improved Model Documentation and Overall Performance Help Users Communicate Ideas and Facilitate Better Design

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 22, 2011 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) announced the availability of the AutoCAD 2012 software products and the Autodesk Design Suite 2012 offering. The AutoCAD 2012 products and the Autodesk Design Suite 2012 series are AutoCAD-based design software that give users the flexibility to use AutoCAD in a variety of industries, and the accessibility to stay connected to their work no matter where they are. Equipped with powerful new customization tools in discipline-specific versions, the AutoCAD 2012 products enable architects, engineers and other design professionals to explore ideas, document designs and collaborate with the trusted DWG technology. The 2012 AutoCAD products and Autodesk Design Suite 2012 series are now directly connected to the free* AutoCAD WS web and mobile application.

With direct access to AutoCAD WS web and mobile applications from within the AutoCAD 2012 products and the Autodesk Design Suite editions, users can view, edit and share their designs with anyone, anywhere from a web browser or mobile device. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Autodesk is making significant new advancements in design technology more accessible and flexible than ever before via our interconnected desktop, mobile and cloud-based offering,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Platform Solutions and Emerging Businesses, Autodesk. “Every day, our customers are solving increasingly complex design problems, and our latest release of the AutoCAD products is one that we are most proud of. These new versions demonstrate how Autodesk continues to innovate so we can provide products that help our customers focus on solving business challenges through better design.”

Autodesk Design Suite 2012

The 2012 version of Autodesk Design Suite software provides architects and designers with the power of AutoCAD software, integrated with Autodesk’s leading design and visual communication software. Available in Standard, Premium and Ultimate editions, Autodesk Design Suite makes it easier for customers to conceptualize and design, seamlessly share data across all design phases, explore alternatives, and visually communicate designs through compelling imagery, movies, and interactive presentations. The Autodesk Design Suite includes the 2012 versions of AutoCAD, Autodesk SketchBook Designer, Autodesk Mudbox and Autodesk Showcase software. The Premium edition adds Autodesk 3ds Max Design visualization software for cinematic-quality rendering, 3D animation, and daylight analysis. The Ultimate edition includes all the products in the Premium edition and adds Autodesk Alias Design for greater concept design and surface modeling capabilities.

What’s New in AutoCAD 2012 Products

Users of the AutoCAD 2012 products gain several new productivity tools, helping them to slash drafting, detailing and design revision time. Parametric drawing tools automatically define persistent relationships between objects; extended associative array functionality enables creating an array of objects along a path; and PDF publish and import improvements help users clearly communicate with clients. More robust 3D modeling tools improve surfacing and conceptual design functionality, while enhanced design and documentation tools help users to read and edit multiple file formats, streamlining the documentation process to improve accuracy and accelerate design time. Other enhancements provide faster start times, faster commands and overall improved product performance, together with a premium graphics and visual experience.

With direct access to AutoCAD WS web and mobile applications from within the AutoCAD 2012 products and the Autodesk Design Suite editions, users can view, edit and share their designs with anyone, anywhere from a web browser or mobile device. The AutoCAD WS mobile application is currently available for Apple iOS devices, including iPad and iPhone.

Highlights of the AutoCAD 2012 Products

AutoCAD LT drafting and detailing software is the professional choice for data compatibility, reliability and 2D drafting productivity. With AutoCAD LT 2012, incremental improvements, support for hardware acceleration and overall performance enhancements can add up to bigger productivity gains. Key new features include:

• Associative array can save valuable rework time when creating conceptual designs or finished documentation by establishing and maintaining a set of relationships between arrayed objects, such as windows on a building or trusses on a bridge.
• Multifunctional grips help make editing faster and easier by enabling direct manipulation. The power and efficiency of multifunctional grips has been extended to lines, arcs, elliptical arcs, dimensions and multileaders, in addition to polylines and hatch objects. Simply hover over a grip to see the relevant commands and options.
• Sheet Set Manager organizes drawing sheets, reduces steps to publish, automatically creates layout views, links sheet set information into title blocks and plot stamps, and performs tasks across a sheet set, so everything is in a convenient place.
• AutoComplete commands provide a list of matching command names, system variables, and command aliases when users type in the command line.