Autodesk signs definitive agreement to acquire Alias

Autodesk, Inc today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to
acquire Alias, a privately held developer of 3D graphics technology, for $182
million in cash.

According to the press release, this acquisition will grow Autodesk's
expertise and offerings for the design of consumer products and automotive as
well as in the media and entertainment markets. Autodesk anticipates that the
transaction will close within the next four to six months.

Carl Bass, COO, Autodesk said, "This acquisition brings to Autodesk a
highly talented group of individuals, a wealth of technologies and a great set
of products."Alias' technology spans several of our most important
markets and augments the synergy between our design and media businesses. Our
design customers are demanding more powerful visualization, animation and
publishing capabilities. Our media and entertainment customers are increasingly
using the data created by our design applications for broadcast, film and games
projects. By combining the technology and talents of our two companies, we will
be better able to continue delivering solutions that address our customers'
complex needs."

Alias' product lines comprise sketching, animation, visual effects, design,
modeling, rendering and reviewing solutions. Alias MotionBuilder is Alias' 3D
character animation product, Alias FBX is widely used in the exchange and use of
3D content, and Maya is the company's Academy Award-winning 3D application.
These products will augment Autodesk's offering in the film and video and
interactive games segments. Alias StudioTools- software for design tasks from 2D
sketches to production models - will add industrial design and high-end
visualization capabilities to Autodesk's manufacturing solutions. Autodesk
will continue to develop the Alias product lines in conjunction with Autodesk's
complementary products and technologies.

Doug Walker, President and CEO, Alias, said, "This acquisition is
designed to leverage the strengths of both companies. "Alias' customers
will benefit from nearly $300 million in R&D spending while having access to
new and complementary products and technologies. Together, Autodesk and Alias
will deliver products and services that give form to great ideas from the
fantasy world of film to the factory floor."

DQW News Bureau

Mumbai