Autodesk is a name you may be familiar with if you’ve ever explored the worlds of 3D design, engineering, or digital entertainment. The company was originally founded in 1982 by the co-inventor of one of the primary versions of the brand’s flagship product, AutoCAD, John Walker.
AutoCAD was the first tool officially unveiled by Autodesk. This CAD program was the first to run on a PC, and by 1986, it had become the most widely used solution in the design world. Since then, Autodesk has expanded its software portfolio with a range of new solutions.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at Autodesk, what it has to offer today’s business leaders, and what the use cases are for this technology.
The Products Offered by Autodesk
Although AutoCAD is still one of the better-known solutions provided by Autodesk, it’s now part of a much wider portfolio featuring more than 80 products. Over the decades, Autodesk has evolved from being a simple software company to a powerhouse of solutions custom-made to address the specific needs of companies working with 3D design.
Specifically, Autodesk’s solutions are sold in three primary “collections” focused on different use cases and needs. These collections revolve around:
- Architecture, Engineering, and Construction: A collection used for building design, construction, and infrastructure design. Tools include AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, and various other incorporated BIM and CAD workflow solutions.
- Product Design and Manufacturing: Created for product design, factory management, and manufacturing, this collection includes advanced simulation, Inventory Professional, AutoCAD, and Fusion 360 on the cloud.
- Media and Entertainment: This collection includes 3DS Max, May, Arnold, and a handful of other applications. Usually, it’s intended for companies who need help with rendering, modelling, and animations.
While it’s possible to purchase single products from Autodesk, most companies prefer to subscribe to entire collections to access the widest variety of features and capabilities. Some of the core technologies included in these collections are:
- AutoCAD: This software is used to create 2D and 3D visuals, typically to conceptualise ideas, perform simulations, and produce designs. Though it was originally created for mechanical engineers, it has since branched out with discipline-specific solutions, such as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Revit: Revit is a BIM (Building Information Modelling) software created for architects, designers, and structural engineers. The technology was purchased by Autodesk in 2002, and allows users to build components and structures in 3D. It also has 4D BIM capabilities.
- Inventor: The Autodesk Inventor software is a specialized solution for 3D CAD and mechanical design. It provides professional design, documentation, and simulation tools, with freeform, parametric, and direct modelling.
- Maya: With Maya, companies can create 3D animations with modelling and simulation software. It has helped various Oscar-winning films and programs be created throughout the years, and can even assist with the development of new games.
- Fusion 360: Fusion 360 is a tool which aims to meet the needs of companies with cloud-based CAD requirements. This tool allows users to complete entire development workflows in a single cloud-based platform which works on PC and Mac.
The Benefits of Autodesk
Autodesk has had a huge impact on the design world over the years. In the CAD landscape, Autodesk has become the most popular tool for many companies, and it has also inspired the creation of multiple similar tools. Autodesk also provides various tools for different industries, ensuring countless organisations can leverage the right software for their use cases.
The software offered by Autodesk can support designers, media creators, and engineers alike. Plus, there are countless free software options available for students and educators. Autodesk even has its own Autodesk University, where people can educate themselves on all of the products.
With Autodesk, business leaders and professionals can access various custom-made tools capable of accelerating workflows and improving design results. Autodesk has even had a huge impact on the CAD employment landscape, changing the way designers are hired for teams.
In the extended reality world, Autodesk also works hand-in-hand with several other market-leading companies to deliver specific solutions built for the age of the metaverse. For instance, in 2022, Epic Games and Autodesk joined forces to create new tools for real-time immersive experiences in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) space.
What Can Users Do with Autodesk?
As the Autodesk portfolio of software solutions continues to evolve, the use cases available to business owners are constantly growing. Each program in the Autodesk environment is specifically designed to address certain needs. For instance, the Maya solution generates animations and worlds unique to the entertainment and media space. Inventor offers a convenient tool to professional designers, while Revit empowers architects and engineers.
While all of the tools built by Autodesk have their own specific functionality, they offer a consistent level of simplicity and ease of use. The solutions are frequently updated to suit the needs of evolving professionals, and they all come with documentation and guides to help users get started.
With Autodesk users can:
- Create animations and designs for XR environments
- Design virtual simulations and workflows
- Create virtual versions of products and ideate
- Collaborate on product or solution design
- Streamline development and engineering processes
What’s Next for Autodesk?
Part of what makes Autodesk such a significant partner for many innovators in the design world is the technology is constantly growing. In recent years, Autodesk has invested heavily in cloud-based tools, which allow users to access the functionality they need for exceptional design anywhere.
Additionally, Autodesk is also focusing more consistently on the XR landscape. Many developers and designers in the modern world leverage Autodesk alongside augmented and virtual reality tools to help improve collaboration and creativity and reduce the costs of ideation.
Autodesk has also begun developing software for the future and present needs of “makers”. Fabrication technology, 3D printing solutions, and metaverse technologies are all transforming the way people create new products and processes.
