AUTODESK ANNOUNCES NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVER FOR AUTOCAD RELEASE 13 FOR WINDOWS; Significantly Increases Performance of AutoCAD Release 13 Software.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 1995--Continuously increasing the performance of AutoCAD Release 13 software, Autodesk announces WHIP, a new high-performance graphics driver for AutoCAD(R) Release 13 software for Windows(R). The new WHIP driver increases the performance of AutoCAD Release 13 running on Windows 3.1, Windows NTTM, and Windows 95 (expected to ship later this year). The WHIP driver is the fastest AutoCAD driver in any AutoCAD release to date (including Windows and DOS)./a The driver, expected to be available on July 10, 1995, will be available free of charge to AutoCAD Release 13 users.

"This driver really screams," said Robert Carr, vice president of engineering at Autodesk. "The WHIP driver is based on HOOPS technology and it was developed right here at Autodesk. The WHIP driver should encourage many more DOS users to move to AutoCAD Release 13 for Windows at an even faster rate."

The WHIP driver will increase the performance of various AutoCAD Release 13 commands including instant redraws, pan, zooms (0-2 seconds), regens, editing, open, and load.

"Kudos to Autodesk for developing the best AutoCAD driver I have ever seen," said Philip Darcy Street, WHIP beta tester and registered architect from the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba. "The new WHIP driver won hands down in every category I tested."

Other enhancements added to AutoCAD Release 13 software

Two new features have also been added to AutoCAD Release 13, real time pan and zoom, a direct result of the speed of the WHIP driver.

Improvements have also been made in the areas of dimensioning, text and fonts, multilines, and application development. Other enhancements have been made to AutoCAD Release 13 software, including SAVE (up to 400% faster), OPEN (up to 30% faster), LOAD (up to 20% faster), Menu Load (up to 25% faster), Mtext (up to 50% faster), and Electronic Documentation (up to 25% faster), depending on the file size.

In addition, the AutoCAD Release 13 software maintenance process has been greatly improved, making it faster and easier. These new performance features and improvements will be available electronically free of charge via CompuServe(R) (GO ACAD). They will also be available from Authorized Autodesk Dealers, Autodesk Systems Centers, and directly from Autodesk.

AutoCAD Release 13, shipped in November 1994, is a significant release for computer-aided design (CAD) software, providing an object-oriented database, customizable Windows interface, robust functionality -- available on a multiplatform license.

The multiplatform license for AutoCAD Release 13 for personal computers aides in transitioning AutoCAD Release 13 users to new operating systems. Each license allows a user to use DOS, Windows 3.1, Window NT, and Windows 95, (expected to ship shortly after Windows 95 ships) on a single PC for US $3,750 for CD-ROM and US $3,995 for diskettes. Unix versions including Sun(R) SPARCstation(TM) and Hewlett-Packard(R) 9000 Series 700, along with Windows NT on Alpha Systems are available for US $3,750 for CD-ROM. Silicon Graphics, Inc. workstations and IBM(R) RISC(R) System/6000 platforms are expected to ship in the next few months.

AutoCAD Release 13 software recently received the 1995 World Class Award/PC World, the 1995 Readers' Choice Award/BYTE, and AutoCAD Release 13 technology received CADENCE magazine's 1995 Editors' Choice Award.

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of computer-aided design (CAD) automation software and the fifth-largest PC software company. The company develops, markets, and supports a family of design automation and professional multimedia software, and component technologies for use on personal computers and workstations. A global company since its founding in 1982, Autodesk markets products in 118 countries and 18 languages. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACAD. For more information on Autodesk, please call 415/507-5000 or type GO ADESK on CompuServe. -0-

(a) WHIP performance graphs are available by calling J. Heller at

415/507-6536

Note to Editors: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks, and Windows NT is a trademark, of Microsoft Corporation. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H & R Block. All other brand names, products names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk, Inc.

Jennifer Heller, 415-507-6536

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