Autodesk CEO Carol Bartz Named Ernst & Young 'Master Entrepreneur of the Year'.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2001

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that Carol Bartz, chairman, president, and CEO of Autodesk, was named the recipient of the Northern California 2001 Ernst & Young "Master Entrepreneur of the Year" award. The award recognizes industry leaders whose guidance has created and sustained a prosperous and innovative business. Bartz's achievement of successfully diversifying Autodesk's core business was a key factor in her selection.

"Carol is a master of many things, and that is exactly why she was singled out and presented with the 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award as a 'Master Entrepreneur,'" said Wendy Perez, Northern California Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Director. "Carol brought an entrepreneurial spirit to Autodesk years ago and, combined with her sound management practices and innovative approach, ended up creating a strong culture which has been responsible for making Autodesk an industry leader. Her strong relationships with employees, customers, and shareholders are a tribute to her high values and management excellence over a sustained period of time."

Business Diversification Strategy

In the nine years since joining Autodesk, Bartz has successfully positioned the company as the fifth largest global manufacturer of personal computer software, according to Softletter, and engineered the transition from a one-product company to a company with core technology expertise that can be applied to multiple high-growth markets. Upon Bartz's arrival in 1992, 90 percent of sales were derived from AutoCAD(R) software. Today, AutoCAD represents only 30 percent of revenues and is the foundation for vertical applications tailored to the manufacturing, geographic information systems (GIS), and building industries. The fast-growing Discreet(TM) division, a leader in digital content creation, management, and distribution tools for film, television, web, and games, accounts for 20 percent of Autodesk's corporate revenues.

Millions of architects, engineers, and designers use Autodesk's web-enabled software daily to design buildings, products, and infrastructure, such as airports, motorcycles, and highways. Leveraging the Internet capabilities built into Autodesk products, these professionals are able to share drawings instantly worldwide, significantly reducing project timetables and enhancing productivity. In addition, Autodesk is expanding the definition of design by helping its customers create the virtual world, whether it's digital content for use on screen, on air, or online(TM).

Ernst & Young

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award program was founded in 1987 to honor entrepreneurs for their outstanding accomplishments and perseverance. Since its inception, the program has grown from 1,100 nominees and one award area in the United States to almost 4,000 nominees and 44 award areas in 2000. The program has also expanded to include 60 different regions, including 21 internationally.

Criteria for selection includes the nominee's background, company history, how the company or organization is unique or innovative, future plans, and socially responsible activities. A panel of judges, composed of community, business and civic leaders, academicians and prior year award winners, selected the winners.

As a regional award recipient, Bartz will be entered into the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition. National winners will be announced in Palm Springs in November.

"Master Entrepreneur of the Year" Finalists

Finalists in the "Master Entrepreneur" category include Roger Easley, chairman, president, and CEO of Seven-Up Bottling Company, and Andrew Ball, president and CEO of Webcor Builders.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company. Founded in 1982, Autodesk provides design software, Internet portal services, wireless development platforms, and point-of-location applications that empower more than four million customers in over 150 countries to drive business and remain competitive. For more information, contact any Authorized Autodesk(R) Reseller, call Autodesk at 800/964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com. Discreet(TM) product information is available at 800/869-3504 or via the Web at www.discreet.com.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Discreet are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./Discreet Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.