The concept behind Labs is that Autodesk can put out unsupported code for users to experiment with and give comment or make suggestions. If you were to visit there today you would already find at least six products on offer, ranging from a Google Earth plug-in to full product downloads.
#What is autodesk for free
The success of non-AutoCAD products like Inventor and Revit have certainly done a lot to help Autodesk become less reliant on AutoCAD, and with CEO Carl Bass at the helm, this movement looks set to continue, although with an approach to letting engineers and architects experiment with pre-release and ÙtestÝ utilities and be a part of that product development process.Īutodesk Labs ( ) is a new website where all the divisions of Autodesk can place these prototype programs, utilities and functions for free download, to let anyone test it out. While in the past the company has nearly always tended to come up with an AutoCAD-based solution, it seems that standalone new products are just as viable, if thatÝs what is required. However, it does look like Autodesk is more active than ever in seeking out opportunities to develop solutions to problems in all the vertical areas that it addresses (MCAD, AEC, Infrastructure etc). ItÝs hard to say if Autodesk is developing more products than it used to, as these were kept internal or secret before they shipped or were dumped. In the last couple of years this approach to product design seems to be changing, and changing quite radically. Historically speaking, Autodesk has tended to be a secretive company, rarely telling folks whatÝs in the next release of AutoCAD, let alone openly displaying new code streams or product ideas.