Autodesk Launches 2012 Lineup

Autodesk Inc. took the wraps off its 2012 product family, touting enhancements in key areas such as modeling, simulation and analysis, visual communications and mobile and Web connectivity while making it easier for users to access multiple products.

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The Autodesk 2012 design and creation suites each come in three-tiered editions (Standard, Premium and Ultimate) and from license to install, are architected to make it easier to get products to work together, Autodesk officials say. "We've worked hard to create an integrated experience on both the desktop and the Web," says Amar Hanspal, Autodesk senior vice president. "We've moved to an integrated software approach to provide a complete package of tools that matches customers' design objectives."

As part of its Manufacturing Software Portfolio, Autodesk announced Autodesk Product Design Suite, a complete set of design, visualization and simulation software that addresses the entire product design workflow. The standard edition of the suite includes foundational tools for conceptual design and drafting and presentations, including AutoCAD Mechanical with Inventor Fusion, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk SketchBook Designer, Autodesk Vault and Autodesk Mudbox. The Premium version includes those plus Inventor and Autodesk 3ds Max Design for optimized digital prototyping and visualization, and the Ultimate package pulls in Inventor Professional and Autodesk Alias Design for advanced surfacing, simulation and tooling.

There are a couple of stand-out additions to the new lineup. Autodesk Inventor Fusion makes its commercial debut following a lengthy preview on Autodesk Labs. The technology, which brings together 3-D modeling ease-of-use and direct modeling, also blends direct and parametric workflows within a single digital model created in Inventor. It is now included at no charge as a companion application to Autodesk Alias Design and Alias Automotive, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Moldflow, Autodesk Simulation and AutoCAD.

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This release also includes new capabilities in the area of sustainable design resulting from a partnership announced last year with Granta Designs Ltd. The Granta technology forms the basis of the new Eco Materials Advisor in Inventor 2012, which helps engineers address sustainable design requirements early in the process while enabling them to choose materials that minimize environmental impact without compromise on cost or performance. Autodesk officials said. Eco Materials Advisor is powered by the Granta expert materials database and methodology and the software produces eco-impact reports that help engineers communicate the reasons for the materials choices.

Accompanying the Product Design Suite, Autodesk also announced the availability of AutoCAD 2012 and the companion Autodesk Design Suite 2012, which follows a similar integrated packaging strategy and three-tiered approach. The upgrade includes an array of enhancements designed to slash drafting, detailing and design revision time, including more robust 3-D modeling tools for surfacing and conceptual design; enhanced design and documentation tools for streamlining the documentation process; and improved overall performance. In addition, the 2012 AutoCAD products and Autodesk Design Suite 2012 are now directly connected to the free AutoCAD WS web and mobile application, allowing users to view, edit and share designs with anyone from a web browser or mobile device.

The new Autodesk 2012 products will ship this quarter.