HP and Autodesk develop AutoCAD Release 13 Driver for HP DesignJet Plotters; New Driver to Ship in the Box with AutoCAD(tm) Release 13.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1994-- Hewlett-Packard Company and Autodesk, Inc. today announced they jointly have developed a plotter driver that supports HP DesignJet large-format inkjet plotters and compatible HP-GL/2 devices for Autodesk's new AutoCAD Release 13 computer-aided-design software. This new driver is included in the box with AutoCAD Release 13, which began shipping on Nov. 28.

HP and Autodesk, the market leaders in CAD plotters and CAD software, respectively, have had a long-term relationship providing the best in software and hardware solutions for CAD users.

The new driver offers users performance improvements in total print times as well as AutoCAD-specific features that give users full control over their output.

HP's DesignJet line of plotters encompasses a variety of products, from affordable monochrome plotters to high-performance full-color devices. This driver supports the DesignJet 650C color plotter, the DesignJet 600 and DesignJet 200 monochrome plotters, as well as the recently introduced DesignJet 220 plotter.

The new driver also supports HP's DraftMaster and DraftPro Plus large-format pen plotters, 7600 series electrostatic plotters, LaserJet III and LaserJet 4 printers, and the PaintJet XL300 color inkjet printer.

The driver also provides users with enhanced functionality such as the ability to change plotter front-panel settings directly from a PC; plot and render images of 3-D solid models; save configuration files; and add annotations to a design, such as a filename, date or crop marks. Users also can set pens -- select various line widths and fill patterns -- from their PCs.

The new driver uses the AutoCAD Device Interface (ADI) and gives users significantly better performance than standard system-printer drivers. For example, a user of AutoCAD for Windows(tm) can expect to complete plots up to five to six times faster with the ADI driver than with a Windows system-printer driver. In addition to Windows, the new driver supports DOS, Windows NT, HP-UX(1) and Sun Solaris.

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of computer-aided design automation software and fifth-largest PC software company. The company develops, markets and supports a family of design automation and professional multimedia software and component technologies for use on personal computers and workstations. A global company since its founding in 1982, Autodesk markets products in 115 countries and 18 languages. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACAD. For more information on Autodesk, please call [phone] or type GO ADESK on CompuServe.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,400 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

(1) HP-UX is based on and is compatible with Novell's UNIX(R) operating system. It also complies with X/Open's(tm) XPG4, POSIX 1003.1, 1003.2, FIPS 151-1 and SVID2 interface specifications. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited. X/Open is a trademark of X/Open Company Limited in the UK and other countries.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: AutoCAD is a U.S. trademark of Autodesk Corp. Windows is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Sales information on Hewlett-Packard DesignJet plotters may be obtained by calling 1-800-851-1170. To locate the Authorized Autodesk Dealer nearest you, or for more information, call Autodesk at 1-800-964-6432. Outside the United States or Canada, fax your request for information to 415-491-8303 (Latin America), 415-491-8398 (Asia/Pacific) or [phone] (Europe). Educational and international prices, including Canadian prices, for Autodesk products and upgrades may vary; contact a local dealer, distributor or Autodesk office for more information.

CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company

              Stacie Savage, [phone]
              Autodesk Corp.
              Beth Parkinson, [phone]