The release of the new AutoCAD 2000 desktop computer-aided design package marks the continuation of an increased focus on vertical markets at Autodesk Inc. New versions of the package optimized for the mapping, mechanical, architectural and civil/survey/land, and entry-level design markets have been promised for the coming months. Autodesk began shipping AutoCAD 2000 at the end of last month.
The WebWorks newsletter hears that Mechanical Desktop 4 and AutoCAD Mechanical 2000, both due out this summer, will inherit parts of the Genius suite of products that Autodesk purchased ten months ago from Germany’s Genius CAD-Software GmbH (CI No 3,404). The rest of the Genius tools will appear in add-on Power Packs.
Meanwhile Autodesk’s newly formed Discreet entertainment division, a combination of Autodesk’s Kinetix division and Discreet Logic, which Autodesk also acquired last year (CI No 3,479), has launched 3D Studio Max R3, although no shipment dates have been announced yet. The new version includes nestable external references, application-wide scripting and macro recording; a customizable work environment; a redesigned renderer; and added organic modeling capabilities. Autodesk completed the Discreet Logic acquisition, the largest in its history, on March 16. The transaction was valued at $410m based on the closing price of Autodesk stock that day.
