Autodesk Announces Support for Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications; Autodesk Vice President Robert Carr Featured in Windows World Keynote.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1996--Autodesk, the leading provider of design software and the fourth-largest PC software company in the world, is participating in the Windows World keynote address tomorrow, Wednesday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 450.

Robert Carr, vice president of engineering at Autodesk, will be discussing Autodesk's plans to utilize the new Microsoft Visual Basic programming system, Application Edition in future versions of AutoCAD software, the world's most popular design software.

This effort is in line with Autodesk's corporate strategy to build and support a large and diverse application developer community by expanding the reach of AutoCAD programming tools to developers for Visual Basic. Autodesk continues to augment and extend the open architecture of AutoCAD software by providing customization tools such as AutoLISP and Visual Basic for Applications for end users, and advanced C and C++ programming interfaces, such as ADS & ARX, for professional application developers. These programming tools will improve the ease-of-use and availability of AutoCAD applications.

"Autodesk supports this new foundation technology from Microsoft," said Robert Carr, vice president of engineering at Autodesk. "Visual Basic for Applications opens up tremendous programming opportunities for our developers. This will extend the reach of our open architecture to those who didn't have access to it earlier."

By utilizing Visual Basic for Applications, Autodesk will deliver more productive customization solutions to its customers. These new capabilities will let AutoCAD customers automate many time consuming tasks, resulting in increased productivity and more time to spend on the more creative aspects of their jobs. This technology also lets AutoCAD users' easily integrate desktop applications into their design process.

"Through this long-term affiliation, Autodesk and Microsoft are responding to customer demand to provide rich, easy to use Visual Basic solutions to the over 1.5 million AutoCAD developers and customers," said Bob Muglia, Vice President, Developer Tools at Microsoft. "Microsoft recognizes the value in teaming with industry leaders such as Autodesk, and expects this relationship to flourish as both companies make optimal use of this customization tool."

The greatest impact for Autodesk will be in the entry level developer and corporate programmer community. Building Visual Basic, Applications Edition technology into AutoCAD will invigorate the Autodesk Virtual Corporation (a worldwide network of more than 4,000 dealers, 2,000 developers, 3,500 applications, etc.) by bringing a widely used programming language to both casual and full-time programmers. This will result in extending the development of applications for designers and drafters using AutoCAD software. A press conference will follow the keynote speech. To arrange an interview with Robert Carr, vice president of engineering at Autodesk, please contact Jennifer Reidy, Autodesk PR, 415-507-6536.

In addition, press meetings for Visual Basic, Applications Edition will be held on June 4 and June 5 at McCormick Place in room N-226, located at the convention center, 2nd level, north hall.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These include the timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K filed in December 1995.

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 and video producers, video/game developers and Web content developers. Its Kinetix division is the leader in PC-based 3D modeling, and animation software, providing a full range of products for the digital media and design professionals. The fourth largest PC software company in the world, Autodesk has three million customers in nearly 130 countries. Autodesk products are sold through Autodesk Systems Centers, Dealers and Distributors worldwide. For more information on Autodesk, please call 415-507-5000, type GO ADESK on CompuServe, or visit its World Wide Web site at http://www.autodesk.com. Kinetix can be reached by calling 800-879-4233 or through its World Wide Web site at http://www.ktx.com. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ADSK -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Visual Basic, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H & R Block. All other brand names, products names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk

Jennifer Reidy, 415/507-6536

or [e-mail]