Autodesk Delivers Object-Oriented Development Tools to Largest CAD Community; Autodesk Extends Development of Object-Oriented Applications to Customers Worldwide.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1996--Today, Autodesk announced the immediate availability of a new AutoCAD Runtime Extension (ARX) Software Developer Kit version 1.1 created for corporate and independent software developers.

This new software kit lets customers build applications for AutoCAD R13 software, thus expanding the development of object-oriented applications beyond the company's 2,000 developers to more than 300,000 AutoCAD R13 users. This SDK is free for AutoCAD R13 customers and can be downloaded from Autodesk's Web site and from CompuServe.

Earlier this year AutoCAD R13 developers began shipping fast, tightly integrated, object-oriented applications using ARX, AutoCAD Runtime Extension. "After seeing the speed and integration of the new ARX applications created by developers, many of our customers have developed a strong appetite for developing their own ARX applications to suit their specific needs," said Robert Carr, vice president of engineering at Autodesk.

"Judging by the eagerness of third party developers to utilize ARX technology, I expect hundreds of new object-oriented applications for AutoCAD R13 to be developed by customers too. Customers want a competitive advantage and ARX can have a significant impact on their daily productivity."

This comprehensive ARX SDK lets customers utilize the same tools that AutoCAD programmers and third-party developers use to build applications for award-winning AutoCAD R13 software.

"The ARX SDK 1.1 is a leading example of how object-oriented technology, when implemented by an industry leader, can quickly lead to robust, flexible applications," said Bill Caffery, vice president of Advanced Technology Strategies at Gartner Group. "ARX SDK 1.1 is a great stride forward for the AutoCAD R13 community."

Distribution

At no charge, AutoCAD R13 customers can download the ARX SDK 1.1 from Autodesk's Web site, www.autodesk.com, and from the ACAD forum on CompuServe. Members of the Autodesk developer network (ADN) will receive the new ARX SDK 1.1 in the next quarterly mailing. Customers that do not have access to the World Wide Web can receive the kit for a nominal charge by calling Autodesk at 800/435-7771.

"I can't wait to get my hands on the ARX SDK version 1.1," said Terry Thompson-Cannon, technical specialist at ThermalTech Engineering, a facilities management and design firm in Cincinnati, Ohio. "The tight integration, speed and performance are fantastic in ARX."

The ARX SDK 1.1 fully supports the widely available development language, Microsoft Visual C++, version 4.0 and it will support Visual C++ version 4.1 once it's publicly available. These versions of Visual C++, designed for developing applications on Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems, let users develop robust 32-bit applications with improved usability and productivity features.

Developers Employ ARX

Over 500 companies worldwide have been trained on ARX and several industry leading software developers have already embraced ARX, recognizing the benefits it brings to their application development. A few applications that utilize the object-oriented capabilities in ARX include, ANSYS, AutoFEA; Archibus, Archibus/FM; Genius' product Genius; Ketiv, ArchT; and Softdesk, Civil Survey product.

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of PC design and drafting software and multimedia tools. The company's 2D and 3D products and data management tools are used in many industries for architectural design, mechanical design, mapping, film and video production, video game development and Web content development. Its Kinetix division is the leader in PC-based 3D modeling and animation software, providing a full range of products for 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, ACAD and AutoCAD are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H&R Block. Microsoft, Windows, Windows 95, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk

Jennifer Reidy, 415/507-6536

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