Autodesk has announced its next generation of design software, a full range of powerful new technologies including the fastest AutoCAD software release yet - AutoCAD 2004 - and a new family of AutoCAD-based products.

The product family includes a suite of robust design application releases customised for the building, manufacturing and infrastructure markets - AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD LT 2004, Autodesk architectural desktop 2004, and AutoCAD mechanical 2004.

The advanced modelling manufacturing solution, Autodesk inventor series 7, although not built on the AutoCAD platform, will be compatible with the new AutoCAD family of products.

"Our South African users - for whom AutoCAD is a tried and trusted solution - understand that digital design data is a strategic business asset. The more broadly they share design data across its teams and out to business partners, the more profit they can earn from their design assets," says Errol Ashwell, managing director of Autodesk Africa.

"The new AutoCAD product and its family of industry-specific solutions integrate project work quickly and easily, allowing customers to create and share design data with ease and to manage the software with greater efficiency. The new releases are packed with new features to help complete projects on schedule by helping teams work better together, becoming more productive than ever before."

For more information contact Autodesk, 012 664 8115.