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Autodesk Brings Historic Designs to Life in New Discovery Channel Series DOING DAVINCI

Posted on: Monday, 13 April 2009, 07:30 CDT

Autodesk Inventor Software Featured on Program Recreating Leonardo daVinci Inventions that Premiers April 13

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The team of 21st century builders, engineers and historians tasked with recreating Leonardo daVinci's inventions for the new Discovery Channel series DOING DAVINCI are using Autodesk (Nasdaq: ADSK) Inventor 3D design and engineering software to virtually test the renowned inventor's designs.

With the first of 10 high-definition episodes premiering on Discovery Channel on April 13, DOING DAVINCI puts a modern twist on daVinci classics by taking viewers through the build process to determine whether daVinci's designs really work. Using materials available only in daVinci's time, the program team works to reconstruct his inventions--everything from a futuristic armored tank to a towering three-story siege ladder--to determine the viability of each design and whether some ideas are better left in the history books.

"Autodesk Inventor is an awesome program. It is the most intuitive program out there, and it allows us to easily design and perform what-if studies to figure out the best option for daVinci's designs," said Valek Sykes, designer, sculptor, special effects expert and one of the team's builders. "Inventor software gives us the most realistic simulation, so we know that when we design and test it in the computer, that's it, it's going to work in the real world. I can't say enough good things about Inventor. I absolutely love creating with it."

The DOING DAVINCI team chose Autodesk Inventor software to digitally design, visualize and simulate their projects before they are built, reducing the need for physical prototypes. Inventor software is the foundation of the Autodesk Digital Prototyping solution. With Digital Prototyping engineers can create a complete digital representation of their end product. To view video footage featuring Inventor software in action on the show, visit http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/doing-davinci-improving-leonardos-design.html.

"We are thrilled that the DOING DAVINCI team sought out Inventor to bring daVinci's inventions to life," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "Autodesk Inventor software has helped manufacturers around the world design and build better products faster, but until today it has never been used for time travel."

Airing on Mondays on the Discovery Channel at 10pm ET/PT, the program team consists of four energetic and experienced experts that work each week to create the never-before constructed inventions. Flash Hopkins is one of the most sought-after large-scale industrial artists in the country. Valek Sykes is a special effects expert and mechanical designer who has worked on motion picture features including G.I. Joe, I Am Legend, A.I. and Minority Report. Bill Duggan is a renowned carpenter and is the host of HGTV's Curb Appeal. The fourth role of the builder is shared by Jurgen Heimann and Bovinett. Heimann has worked in several areas of filmmaking, including animation, special effects, performance and writing, and is a designer, builder and puppeteer. Bovinett is a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur who specializes in design.

The team also works closely with Dr. Jonathan Pevsner, a published expert on Leonardo daVinci. He advises the team throughout the build process, providing them with insight into history and daVinci's intent. DOING DAVINCI is produced for Discovery Channel by Pilgrim Films and Television and Executive Producer, Craig Piligian.

On the April 13 premiere episode, the team takes a shot at constructing one of daVinci's most futuristic designs--the armored tank, a design that could rival even modern-day inventions. Additional designs featured in the series include a machine gun, a self-propelled cart and a catapult. For more information about the program, visit www.discovery.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

(C) 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact: Clay Helm 415.547.2425 Alyson Moses 312.297.7430 Email: clay.helm@autodesk.com alyson.moses@edelman.com

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SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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