Autodesk's AutoCAD Data Extension Release 2 Supercharges AutoCAD; The AutoCAD Toolset for Complex Design Projects.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1995--Addressing the needs of design teams that work on large, complex projects, Autodesk's Data Management Market Group today announced AutoCAD Data Extension (ADE) Release 2, its productivity and data integration toolset.

The software helps designers, draftsmen and design project managers organize and integrate multiple drawing files and related databases into a single AutoCAD environment that can be shared by the entire design team. This new multi-user toolset increases the design team's flexibility and efficiency, and helps project managers organize and maintain pertinent design data. ADE Release 2 is the first application to be designed and released using AutoCAD Runtime eXtension (ARX). The announcement was made at Autodesk University, Autodesk's annual user conference held at Moscone Center.

"The real value to a design project team is not in a single drawing, but the information related to the entire design process -- the information contained in sets of drawings and external databases," said Jim D'Arezzo, Autodesk's vice president of the Data Management Market Group. "ADE is unmatched in the industry in helping users manage this level of complex data and maximizing the power of AutoCAD R13."

Three key features sets which give ADE Release 2 its power are: -0-

-- The Query Engine, the heart of ADE, helps AutoCAD R13 users work with large and complex data sets. ADE lets AutoCAD users "query" drawings based on user-defined criteria, which can be based on any combination of drawing properties, drawing object locations or on information stored in related databases. This flexibility speeds up users' work, because ADE lets them focus just on the specific data they need.

For example, a draftsman could define and query only the drawing in a specific area from the HVAC, electrical, and floor layout drawings from an architectural project, make changes to all three drawings simultaneously and save back those changes to the original drawings.

-- Intelligent Drawings can be built with ADE Release 2's powerful data management tools. These tools include routines that automatically link AutoCAD drawing objects to database records and related documents. A new Object Data Structure stores and provides access to data within AutoCAD drawings. These capabilities increase productivity and the architecture or engineering design firm using ADE can deliver a more useful and more competitive final result.

-- A secure Multi-User Environment lets project teams efficiently and safely share drawings and data. Simultaneous access to inter-related drawings means that teams can work concurrently from the same source drawings, make changes to those drawings and save them back without overriding another designer's work. -0-

Daratech, Inc. industry analyst Bruce Jenkins noted that, "More and more, users want CAD models to communicate not just part geometry but a comprehensive array of product and process definition data. The advanced capabilities of ADE Release 2 deserve careful consideration by any user working to build an integrated design environment based on the AutoCAD standard."

ADE Release 2 also creates a new environment called a Work Session, which combines a user-defined Drawing Set, Data Linkages, a Query Library and other related information in a single place, minimizing the steps required to start a session. Additional Query Tools provide users with greater control and flexibility to create, store and manage queries.

Integration with Autodesk WorkCenter

A crucial part of Autodesk's business strategy is to provide customers with a broader set of tools to manage not only a drawing, but also the entire design project. ADE Release 2 seamlessly integrates with Autodesk WorkCenter document and workflow management software to give complete entity-to-enterprise drawing control. ADE Release 2 lets the user query and exchange data within the Autodesk WorkCenter environment. An essential element in Autodesk's product strategy is integrated data management products such as ADE and Autodesk WorkCenter.

Trial Offer with AutoCAD Release 13

Each new AutoCAD Release 13 or upgrade CD will include a trial version of ADE Release 2 so users can test its power and usefulness within their own work environment. Customers can then purchase ADE Release 2 by simply calling their Authorized Autodesk Dealer or Distributor, giving them uninterrupted use of the software.

ADE Release 2 English language version will be available in the United States early next year. The software is designed for Windows 3.1, Windows NT and Windows 95 platforms. In the United States, the suggested retail price will be US$795. Upgrades from ADE Release 1.0 are priced in the United States at US$119. Pricing for English language versions for use outside of the United States can be obtained from local dealers. European localized language versions will be available in the spring of 1996; availability in additional languages will be determined and announced at a later date.

Customers who currently use ADE to create maps will be interested in AutoCAD Map, Autodesk's new map creation and maintenance software, which was also announced today. AutoCAD Map lets users create, view, present and distribute maps to help manage information and assets.

Autodesk's Data Management Market Group develops and markets software that allows customers to organize, access, share and revise design-related information. The Group's products include Autodesk WorkCenter, the company's design team solution for technical document and workflow management; Autodesk View, a drawing and document view and redline tool; AutoCAD Data Extension, which provides decision support capabilities by enabling user to manipulate data within technical drawings; and Autodesk Data Publishing, the company's CD-ROM delivery of electronic libraries of design information.

Autodesk products are available through Authorized Autodesk Dealers, Distributors and Autodesk Systems Centers worldwide. For more information, please contact any Authorized Autodesk Dealer, call Autodesk at 800/964-6432, or fax requests for information to 415/507-5100. Outside of North America, please fax requests for information to 415/507-6110 (Latin America), 415/507-6117 (Asia Pacific), or [phone] (Europe).

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of PC and UNIX-based design software and PC multimedia tools. The company's 2D and 3D products and data management tools are used in many industries for architectural design, mechanical design, film-making, videography and geographic information systems. The fourth largest PC software company in the world, Autodesk has three million customers in 118 countries. For more information on Autodesk, please call 415/507-5000, type GO ADESK on CompuServe or log-in with a World Wide Web browser at http://www.autodesk.com. -0-

Note to Editors: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD and AutoCAD Data Extension are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk WorkCenter is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk Inc., San Francisco 

Barbara J. Brown, 415/507-6093