Autodesk allows you to review designs online and offline, anytime and anywhere

Autodesk, Inc. announced that its comprehensive design review, markup, and collaboration application Autodesk Design Review 2008 is now available for free download worldwide.* The tight integration of Design Review with AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Revit software products provides an easy-to-use and smooth-working solution for Autodesk customers who collaborate on 2D and 3D projects.
 
“The Autodesk Design Review application is continually being enhanced, and the latest version makes it easier for design process participants who are not familiar with tools like AutoCAD to fully engage in the design review cycle,” noted Henrique Saias, CAD manager at the Lisbon city hall. “The simplicity and reliability of this platform allows us to increasingly utilize the DWF format when communicating with external suppliers.”

Integrated Digital Workflow Enhances Business Processes

The Design Review application supports fully digital collaboration and communication regarding changes to designs, as well as easy incorporation of feedback into source designs within Autodesk's manufacturing, construction, and geospatial data management applications. Within the review process, users can view, print, measure distances in files, and insert comments. Autodesk Design Review 2008 contributes to greater process efficiency through the following new features:

• 3D measurement and markup changes while preserving views and user-defined coordinate systems,
• version comparison that allows reviewers to clearly understand added and removed elements,
• georeferenced DWF files that, through GPS integration, enable field workers to quickly locate desired sites,
• contextual search that provides online access to information in ThomasNet and GlobalSpec product catalogs directly from the design,
• batch printing with support for HP Instant Printing technology, speeding up printing of larger quantities of sheets or models on connected HP Designjet printers.

The need for customers to share CAD designs without the need to install additional software on client sides is supported by Autodesk's strategic alliance with Microsoft. Users of products based on the AutoCAD 2008 platform can now download the AutoCAD 2008 DWFx driver from Autodesk's website, allowing them to publish compact DWF files (DWFx). They can also save designs from Autodesk Design Review 2008 in the DWFx format. DWFx files can be viewed using the Microsoft XPS Viewer, which is included with Microsoft Vista, the .NET 3.0 platform, and Internet Explorer 7.0 (see also the Autodesk press release Unlocks Design Data for Windows Vista and XPS Users from November 30, 2006).
 
“Our customers are feeling the effects of developments occurring worldwide, from business globalization to demands from emerging markets – their need to collaborate with clients, suppliers, and specialists outside of development and technical departments has never been greater,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Platform Solutions and Emerging Business, Autodesk. “Companies of all sizes and around the world can now use Autodesk solutions to eliminate all barriers to sharing and accessing design information. This will help them expedite design processes and respond more swiftly to business challenges and opportunities.”

Product Availability

Autodesk Design Review 2008 is available for free* download at www.autodesk.com/designreview-download. It is available in English. The AutoCAD 2008 DWFx Driver is a utility that users can download from the Utilities and Drivers section on www.autodesk.com/autocad.

Expanding Design Information

DWF technology, the Design Review application, and the DWFx format are key components of Autodesk's efforts to expand access to design information beyond the primary design team. The DWF format makes 2D and 3D design data accessible to project teams, contributing to higher project quality, cost, and time savings without compromising accuracy, security, or original intent. DWF technology, built into virtually all Autodesk design solutions, enables publishing and sharing designs, managing design information, and collaborating with users who do not use CAD applications. The open and flexible architecture of this platform allows customers to integrate design information with their existing processes. It also enables hundreds of independent developers to create applications that leverage DWF technology.

Autodesk is a global leader in 2D and 3D design software for manufacturing, construction, media, and entertainment. Since the introduction of AutoCAD in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of leading digital prototyping solutions that help customers practically test ideas before they are realized. Fortune 1000 companies use Autodesk tools to visualize, simulate, and analyze the real-world performance of their designs in the early stages of development, helping them save time and money, improve quality, and foster innovation. For more information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com or www.autodesk.cz.

*Free products and services are subject to the terms of the attached end-user license agreement or terms of use.

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