Autodesk Ships AutoCAD Map Release 2.0; Dramatic Performance and Data Integration Enhancements.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1997--Autodesk, Inc. announced today that it is shipping AutoCAD Map Release 2.0. AutoCAD Map software is the standard for mapping and GIS in the AutoCAD environment, and Autodesk's first available industry-specific product built on AutoCAD Release 14. This second release of AutoCAD Map leverages all of the performance and usability improvements in AutoCAD Release 14 and adds key improvements specific to mapping and GIS customers.

AutoCAD Map Release 2.0 delivers dramatically increased speed, enhanced data integration and exchange of existing mapping information, and a streamlined interface _ all of which is designed to improve productivity. Users will experience 50 to 400 percent speed gains relative to Release 1.0, depending on the operation and their specific data. In particular, users will notice faster file operations and significantly shorter query times.

"Performance alone is a compelling argument to move to AutoCAD Map Release 2.0," says Steve Carter, Automated Mapping Project Systems Coordinator at PacifiCorp, the third largest electric utility west of the Mississippi. Carter currently uses AutoCAD Map 1.0, and beta tested Release 2.0. "Reduced start-up time, faster queries, and better draw and edit performance are noticeable in this new release."

Two heavily used features in the mapping community, solid fill for enhanced thematic mapping and support for raster data, have been added. Data integration has been expanded with the addition of import/export of ESRI ARC/INFO Coverages and enhanced support for Microstation DGN and other file formats supported in Release 1.0. Also, users can now publish map data on corporate intranets and the Internet using the export function to Autodesk MapGuide SDF file format. AutoCAD Map Release 2.0 is also logo-certified for Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft NT software.

"The ability to import and export a variety of data formats has been improved," said PacfiCorp's Carter. "This is a key enhancement, because being able to translate existing data formats into our projects is a tremendous advantage."

AutoCAD Map lets engineers, planners, utility managers and technicians create and maintain accurate maps, manage assets and design infrastructure. AutoCAD Map Release 2.0 incorporates all of the powerful map creation tools of AutoCAD Release 14, as well as features designed specifically for the mapping professional, including: the ability to edit and query multiple maps simultaneously, support for a range of vector and raster file formats and attribute data, topology creation and editing, and GIS analysis tools. The product also lets users plot maps and map books easily.

AutoCAD Map Release 2.0 is now available in International English. Autodesk expects to ship French, Italian, German and Spanish versions in June, and a Korean version by September. The product is available through authorized AutoCAD Map dealers. The suggested retail price in the United States and Canada is US$4,250, with upgrades from AutoCAD Map 1.0 and earlier versions of AutoCAD ranging from $695 to $895. Contact local authorized dealers for pricing outside the U.S. and Canada.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of PC design 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 fifth largest PC software company in the world, Autodesk has three million customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, contact any Authorized Autodesk Dealer, call Autodesk at 800-964-6432, or fax requests for information to 415-507-5100. Outside of North America, fax requests for information to 415-507-6110 (Latin America), 415-507-6117 (Asia Pacific), or 41-22-788-21-44 (Europe). For more information on Autodesk, call 415-507-5000, type GO ADESK on CompuServe, or log in with a World Wide Web browser at http://www.autodesk.com Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol ADSK. -0- Note to Editors: Autodesk, AutoCAD and the Autodesk logo are registered and AutoCAD Map is a trademark of Autodesk. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.

CONTACT: Autodesk Inc.

Andrew Carothers, 415/507-6568

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