AutoDesk: The Company that Rules the 3D Graphics Technology Industry
The computer started its journey as a calculator, and today, there are unlimited tasks that we can perform using this amazing device. Thanks to the various software development companies that have helped us with our major routine works. From keeping a journal online, people can do business online, everything is now possible with this software. One such software company that has been actively providing software solutions to its diverse client base is AutoDesk. AutoDesk is mainly known for its flagship product AutoCAD, but apart from that, AutoDesk has credited the development of software for multiple industries.
The Foundational Story of AutoDesk
AutoDesk was founded in 1982, and the first product that the company launched was AutoCAD. This revolutionary product was enough to help AutoDesk to grow as a leader in the 3D software development industry but other than that, AutoDesk has also launched various other software for different fields. AutoDesk has a long list of clients, and big names like Tesla and One World Trade Center are some of them. The company serves in the area of manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, media, and entertainment industries.
AutoDesk Products
The most famous product from AutoDesk is Computer-aided design (CAD), a software used in drafting technical and engineering drawings. Apart from CAD, the company has launched Autodesk Life Sciences, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Civil 3D, Fabrication CADmep, Maya, 3ds Max, Arnold, Autodesk ImageStudio, AutoDesk Revit, etc. It also has its Autodesk suites, subscription, and web services, including the Autodesk Cloud, Autodesk Labs, and Global Engineering.
AutoDesk deals in different categories, including Platform Solutions and Emerging Business (PSEB), Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), genetic engineering, construction, and manufacturing, etc. Each category has its different products that are used in diverse fields. The company also offers certification and training programs in Autodesk Certified User and Advanced Certified Professional categories for students.
History of the Company
The history of AutoDesk dates back to 1982 when John Walker, along with twelve programmers, collected US$59,000 to start Autodesk. All the programmers started to work on different software, which they would launch for the designers, and the first product they came up with was InteractCAD (old name for AutoCAD). The software was developed to run on the microcomputers of that time. Michael Riddle wrote the code for InteractCAD, but later, John Walker bought the rights for the software from Riddle for a sum of US$10 million.
AutoCAD was a powerful product that changed the face of designing for all. Eventually, the company started to grow at a very fast pace. In just four years, the company grew from thirteen people to 255 employees. Along with employee strength, the annual profit had also risen to $40 million. In 1985, the company became public, and another version of CAD, the AutoCAD 2.1, came in 1986. The software was open for third-party developers as well, so they could add more functionalities to it. In 1989, the recorded annual revenue of the company was around $100,000,000.
In the 90s, the company started to focus on other industries like architecture, civil engineering, and manufacturing and started to make new software. AutoDesk acquired Softdesk in 1997. By this time, the company has discontinued the development of AutoCAD for DOS, Unix environment, and the Apple Macintosh platform, and the only platform that the company was focusing on was Microsoft Windows. During the same time, AutoDesk brought some non-AutoCAD software, including Revit (from Revit Technologies) and Inventor.
Since its inception, AutoDesk has made multiple acquisitions. Some of its acquired companies include Gentry Systems, Buzzsaw, Revit Technology Corporation, CAiCE Software Corporation, Linius Technologies, MechSoft, NavisWorks Limited, Robobat, BIMWorld, Illuminate Labs, Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc., Firehole Technologies, etc.
The Founder
John Walker is a well-known programmer who founded AutoDesk, along with twelve other programmers, in 1982. People who worked with him call him one of the most brilliant programmers of all time. He served as the AutoDesk chairman and president for a period of four years. After that, he resigned from his post to work as a programmer in the same company. In 1994, Walker resigned from AutoDesk and moved to Switzerland.
Walker has written a book, The Autodesk File, published in 1989. He is also credited for writing one of the first computer viruses, ANIMAL software, in 1974-75. He also founded Marinchi, a hardware integration manufacturing company.
The Company Today
The Current CEO of AutoDesk is Andrew Anagnost. The company headquarters at San Rafael, California, United States. As of 2020, 10,300 employees are working for the company in its various branches across the globe. The total recorded revenue of the company as of 2020 was US$3.27 billion.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.