Autodesk Announces 2012 Design Software for Education Market

Autodesk, Inc., a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software announced its 2012 portfolio of software suites and free* curricula to help students learn core design and engineering skills. The new suites provide the same tools used by professionals and will make it easier for students to adopt and use a broader set of Autodesk’s comprehensive and sophisticated design software. The suites have a range of capabilities that bring together compatible sets of complementary products to help prepare students for successful careers in architecture, engineering and digital arts. Offered around the world, the suites are available in more than 10 languages, including English.

“Our goal is to provide teachers with curricula to give students an exciting and highly relevant educational experience”

“The growing global demand for qualified engineering, design and digital entertainment creation professionals presents significant opportunities for many students,” said Joe Astroth, Ph.D., chief education officer at Autodesk. “Our new educational software suites and curricula can help students get ahead of the curve on their journey toward fulfilling and exciting careers.”

Solutions for Postsecondary Academic Institutions

New suites for colleges and universities include Autodesk Design Suite for Education, Autodesk Factory Design Suite for Education and Autodesk Product Design Suite for Education. The following suites are also available:

• Autodesk Education Master Suite
• Autodesk Building Design Suite for Education
• Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite for Education
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite for Education

Each suite provides the latest versions of 26 widely used products, including AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Inventor Professional, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya. Improved features and functionality help aspiring professionals explore and learn new design concepts, as well as established and emerging industry processes, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Sustainable Design, Digital Entertainment Creation and Digital Prototyping, all with a view to improving students’ competitive advantage in the workplace. To promote a more engaging educational experience, the postsecondary suites are supported by eight curricula aligned by discipline and academic skill area. The curricula are available for free* download through the Autodesk Education Community.

Solutions for Secondary Schools

Autodesk has also updated its offerings with a full solution for secondary schools, including updates of two suites with 2012 versions of Autodesk’s products; a new curriculum, the Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop, to help students see the dynamic connection between science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); and a recently announced certification program to help students validate their skills. The following suites are available:

• Autodesk Design Academy
• Autodesk Animation Academy

Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop helps equip educators with the latest tools to teach design principles and includes immersive, project-based experiences to address the evolving nature of how students want to learn. The curriculum includes professionally developed instructional videos, interactive lessons with 3D models, and a Digital Study Packet that supports the Autodesk Certified User certification program for students. The Autodesk Digital STEAM Workshop will be available in the coming weeks for free* through the Autodesk Education Community.

“Our goal is to provide teachers with curricula to give students an exciting and highly relevant educational experience,” said Astroth. “The Digital STEAM Workshop breaks new ground for design education, using real-world projects illustrated through highly visual videogame-like experiences, to attract students and help them better understand fundamental design principles.”

Purchasing and Availability

English-language versions of the new industry-oriented suites are scheduled to begin shipping later in May. Licenses for each suite will be available as part of volume discount packages, ranging from small-class packages to large-school packages, depending on geographic region.

Individual Product Offerings

In addition to the new suites, individual licenses of many Autodesk 2012 software products are available for classroom use, offering faculty greater purchasing flexibility. For students who choose to benefit from product ownership, individual licenses of selected products are available for purchase at discounted prices.

For additional information about Autodesk’s education offerings, please visit www.autodesk.com/education.