SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2002--Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq:
ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content
company, announced today that the Autodesk(R) Revit(R) 5 building
design and documentation system, the latest release of this powerful
application, is available beginning December 18, 2002. This premier
building information modeling solution provides expanded capabilities
for use on larger and more complex projects, more efficient memory
management, and significant performance and user interface
improvements. Communication with the extended design team becomes
seamless through native support for the DWG file format, and client
communication is also enhanced by the ability to quickly create
walkthrough animations that effectively convey intricate design
concepts. Productivity is improved through increased automation of
construction documentation, and new tools, templates, and construction
content extend the benefits of this groundbreaking building
information modeling solution to the construction community. Revit 5
continues the rapid release schedule for which Revit has always been
known, and is the first major release since Autodesk acquired Revit
Technology Corporation in April 2002.
"We've already been using Revit successfully for several
large-scale university projects," said David Graue, principal of
Antunovich Associates. "With the performance and scalability
improvements of this new release from Autodesk, we can now use Revit
even more effectively for detailed design development of campus
projects involving multiple buildings on one site.
This translates into real time savings for the entire team."
Expanded Capabilities for Large-Scale Projects
This release includes a number of enhancements that expand the
capabilities of Revit software for effective use on large-scale
building projects. Designers can now link individual Revit models
together to form a larger project while maintaining the capability to
edit each model independently. This enables project teams to design
multiple structures and link them together for work on campus-style
building projects or facilities with discrete wings.
Overall performance is also improved in a number of important
ways. Workset operations are faster and files open and save more
quickly. References between worksets no longer have to be managed by
the user to realize memory management benefits; the software does it
automatically. Benchmarking tests show that models created in Revit 5
take up about one-third of the computer memory required by earlier
versions of the software.
In addition, a variety of enhancements to the user interface
contribute further to the software's widely recognized ease of use.
For example, the new work plane grid makes visualization of modeling
and sketching operations easier. Drawing complicated sketches and
small components in details has also been made easier by the ability
to sketch in a "thin line" mode, displaying all graphics with a
uniform thin line weight instead of a plotted line weight.
Improved Client and Team Communication
Effective communication is an essential component of successful
project management, especially when working as part of a large design
team. To clearly convey design concepts, Revit 5 provides fully
rendered walkthrough animations that are exportable for viewing in
industry standard media players. To ensure seamless coordination with
the extended design team, Revit 5 provides industry-leading DWG
compatibility. Architects and other building professionals using Revit
on building projects worldwide can now import, export, and link
AutoCAD(R) data more easily than with any other software. This makes
it possible to implement an intelligent building information modeling
strategy on projects where other team members may be employing more
traditional digital tools.
Increased Automation of Construction Documentation
By automating low-value chores, Revit software allows designers to
spend more time resolving real design issues and architectural
problems. In Revit 5, new building components increase productivity by
requiring less 2D parametric detailing, graphics, and line work. For
example, wall assemblies with different materials vertically can now
be described directly, so features such as cornices, wainscot, and
other trim are now part of an assembly. Sections through these
assemblies are therefore more technically correct and require less
parametric detailing and line work to create the proper details.
"We've made a significant investment in developing Revit as the
premier building information modeling solution, and this release
represents Autodesk's dedication to the new platform," said Phil
Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Industry
Division.
Product Availability
Autodesk Revit 5 is available on the Web worldwide in English
beginning December 18, 2002. Other language versions will be available
in approximately 90 days from this initial release. Current
subscribers of Revit may download the software and will receive a CD
in January 2003 as part of their subscription. For more information on
purchasing Revit, contact an Autodesk Authorized Reseller, call
Autodesk at 800/964-6432, or visit
www.autodesk.com.
About Autodesk
Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and
digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The
company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building
design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media,
and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation
and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain
use digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more
information about the company, see
www.autodesk.com.
Note to Editors: Autodesk, Revit, and AutoCAD are registered
trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All
other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their
respective holders.
CONTACT: Autodesk, Inc. Carol Lettieri, 415/507-6908 Email Contact