Autodesk releases new product versions

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Autodesk has announced the new version releases of its popular design and modeling software products such as Autodesk 3ds Max, its Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools of Revit and the Autocad 2009 versions. These were among the prominent product releases made during the World Press Day of the company here.

A company statement said the AutoCAD 2009 includes a host of new user interfaces in a computer-aided design (CAD) applications. These features will enhance the design efficiency for users and some of these new tools could be even used by professional who do not have design background.

"The AutoCAD 2009 portfolio is designed to improve the productivity of veteran users and allow new users to become productive more quickly," said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Platform Solutions and Emerging Businesses. "Autodesk has a long history of helping our customers make a difference in people's lives with better design in the buildings where we live, work and play, the roads we travel and the products we use. The innovations in AutoCAD 2009 extend to a product portfolio unmatched for breadth, depth and best-in-class solutions that help our customers improve and bring to life their design ideas."

Similarly, the company announced two new versions of its Autodesk 3ds Max modeling, animation and rendering software. The 2009 version will enhance the 3-Dimension capabilities of various applications run by architects, designers and visualization specialists. Besides increased inter-operability, the new version will have many extra time-saving animation and mapping workflow tools. It also includes lighting simulation and analysis technologies.

"Every design has a story to tell," explained Marc Petit, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. "Entertainment technology enables design professionals to explore ideas, validate concepts and communicate design intent. It allows them to experience their designs before they are real."

"Autodesk 3ds Max now comes in two distinct flavors to better meet the specific needs of our entertainment and visualization customers," Petit added. "3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009 provide users with tailored online experiences, user interface and application defaults, tutorials, samples, and more. This simplifies the learning process and makes it easier for users to find the information that's most relevant to them."

The third major product release was the enhancements to the Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Autodesk NavisWorks. BIM is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operations.

 "Demand for innovation and efficiency in building design, civil engineering and construction continues to drive the AEC industry's adoption of BIM," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. "Autodesk is continually working to provide our customers with technology that provides competitive advantage and design innovation. Our BIM solutions offer complete, effective design and analysis tools and continue the revolution in AEC workflow catalyzed by our Revit platform."

Autodesk's 3D modeling technologies are helping customers understand and improve the performance and operation of their designs before they are built. Through highly regarded analysis technology from Robobat, Intelisolve, and NavisWorks -- all now part of the Autodesk portfolio -- Autodesk's 2009 BIM solutions help architects, engineers and designers to make better design decisions earlier in their process. The updated BIM solutions also improve project collaboration and integration between the building design, civil engineering and construction disciplines.

The two-day event showcased customer experiences in using various Autodesk tools in improving building designs, new product designs of automobiles, cutting edge technologies used in complicated redesign work of the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, one of the busiest bridges in the US.