SAN RAFAEL, Calif.-June 29, 2001--Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) today announced that Japan-based Dainippon Screen Mfg., a global leader in semiconductor, LCD, and PCB manufacturing equipment, has signed an agreement to standardize on Autodesk Inventor(TM) 3D mechanical design software to improve processes and reduce costs in its Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Division. Implementing up to 300 seats this year, Dainippon Screen Mfg. plans to purchase approximately 700 licenses of Autodesk Inventor software during the next few years. Autodesk Inventor will replace the 2D CAD tools currently being used in-house, such as MicroCADAM. "Autodesk Inventor software continues to resonate with larger companies such as Dainippon Screen Mfg. Autodesk Inventor is experiencing rapid adoption throughout the world,'' said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Market Group at Autodesk. "Dainippon Screen Mfg. is a perfect example of a Japanese company that is at the forefront, making the transition from 2D to 3D, to realize improved processes and decreased costs.'' Dainippon Screen Mfg. is a leading manufacturing company that enjoys a large market share throughout Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. The Semiconductor and LCD Manufacturing Equipment divisions account for 52 percent of its sales. The selection of Autodesk Inventor software is the result of extensive evaluation of numerous products over a two-year period. Based on the need for process reform and 3D design at the work site, Dainippon Screen Mfg. was impressed with Autodesk Inventor software's ability to reduce costs through its usability and effective use of 3D design data for creating 2D drawings. Evaluation and Implementation of Autodesk Inventor Dainippon Screen Mfg. used Autodesk Inventor software during the evaluation stage to design the cleaning equipment used after the Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process in semiconductor mass-production lines. The company determined that Autodesk Inventor software can be used by all designers and can easily address the design changes that frequently arise. Autodesk Inventor addresses these needs through its ease of use, single-day productivity, built-in support system, sophisticated adaptive technology, and web-based collaboration capabilities that enable designers to use the digital design data effectively in a short time. To further strengthen its competitiveness, Dainippon Screen Mfg. will broaden its use of Autodesk Inventor software to reform its design process as well as establish a seamless business network with the environment throughout Dainippon Screen Mfg. worldwide. As such, Dainippon Screen Mfg. will construct a global network based on high skill levels rather than on the size or location of the projects. About Dainippon Screen Mfg. Dainippon Screen Mfg. (www.screen.co.jp) has its headquarters in Kamikyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan. Its president is Akira Ishida. Dainippon Screen Mfg. is a leading company that manufactures LCD and PCB manufacturing equipment, prepress and printing press, and shadow mask for CRT. The company's Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Division sells the equipment used for manufacturing semiconductor devices worldwide. Its product lines include coater/developers, wet stations, one-by-one wafer cleaners, and lamp annealing machines.