Autodesk Welcomes Future Media Concepts as First Independent Visual Effects and Editing Systems Training Center

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 5th, 2005-Helping customers realize their ideas through world-class training opportunities, Autodesk announced today that Future Media Concepts (FMC) has become the first independent, third-party Autodesk-authorized training center in North America with training for Discreet Flame®, Flint® and Smoke® systems. FMC will begin a regular schedule of courses this May at its New York branch for editors and motion graphics experts seeking professional, hands-on training-previously only available at Autodesk Media and Entertainment facilities in Montréal and Los Angeles.

FMC will introduce customized training on Autodesk's Discreet Flame and Smoke systems through five-day classes, with instructor-led lessons and hands-on exercises. A Discreet Smoke/ Fire system level one course will focus on the fundamentals of taking a Smoke system project from beginning to end, while a second level course will cover advanced topics and techniques. An introductory Discreet Flame system class will provide compositors with an overall understanding of visual effects capabilities and workflow using Flame/Flint/Inferno systems, with an intermediate course that continues with in-depth production tips and detail.

"FMC is excited to add high-end editing and compositing courses for Autodesk's visual effects and editing/ finishing systems to its curriculum," commented Jeff Rothberg, Vice President, FMC. "The demand for skilled editors and visual effects specialists today is high-and competitive. As an industry leader in manufacturer-authorized training, we feel the Discreet Smoke, Flame and Flint training courses will be a valuable addition for our customers. With Autodesk now offering its high-end solutions on PCs, we anticipate training demand to be even greater."

"The name Future Media Concepts is synonymous with high-quality, hands-on educational training in the creative market," said Anna Maria Romeo, Global Training Partners Manager, Autodesk Media and Entertainment. "The coursework being offered in Discreet Smoke, Flint and Flame complements FMC's existing Autodesk Combustion®, Cleaner® and 3ds max® instruction and is a great extension of the programs Autodesk runs and manages via its Media and Entertainment training center network."

In addition to regular schedule of classes, FMC has included Discreet Smoke training sessions in its leading conference - the NAB 2005 Post|Production World Conference, which is being held in Las Vegas April 16-21. Users may attend introductory-level boot camps as well as advanced full-day training courses. For further information on the full range of training available, please refer to the NAB Post Production World Conference 2005 program.

Future Media Concepts, the nation's premier digital media training center, provides a complete range of manufacturer-authorized training in all areas of digital media, including non-linear editing, sound design, web design and programming, video streaming, DVD authoring, 3D animation, compositing and desktop publishing. With locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Miami, the facility offers beginner and advanced weekday and weekend courses with small class size and state-of-the-art equipment and software. For details and descriptions of courses offered via FMC, please visit www.fmctraining.com.

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage, and share their digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency, and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

Contact:
Kevin G. Clark, (415) 547-2457 cell: (415) 548-3336