SAN RAFAEL, Calif. —Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named Genmar Yacht Group as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for September 2008.

Genmar Yacht Group, which manufactures luxury yachts under the Carver and Marquis brand names, used Autodesk Inventor software to design its new Marquis 420 Sport Coupé, which was recognized as the best new yacht in its class at the 2008 Miami International Boat Show.

The Inventor of the Month program recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements made by the extensive community using Autodesk Inventor software—the foundation of the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping. A digital prototype is a realistic 3D digital simulation of the entire end product, used to virtually optimize and validate a product before it is built to reduce the necessity of constructing physical prototypes.

Digital Documentation Speeds Design
Unlike many European manufacturers who assemble yachts from various components they have outsourced, Genmar Yacht Group designs and builds the majority of components that go into its yachts—everything from the mechanical and electrical systems, to the cabinets, rails and upholstery.

Each piece of the design is digitally documented using Inventor and is stored in Autodesk Vault, a data management tool that helps manage and securely store design data in a centralized location. This reduces the time needed to find, reference, and re-use design data.

Leveraging digital data allows Genmar Yacht Group to easily refresh its product lines and increase the number of new models launched annually. In just a 12-month period, the company was able to develop three different models of new Marquis brand products —a 40 foot, a 50 foot, and a 72 foot yacht—to bring to the Miami International Boat Show.

The eventual winner of the “Best in Year” award, the 420 Marquis Sport Coupé, featured quality treatments such as exotic African Zebrano hardwood cabinetry with high gloss quality lacquered trim, wooden cabin sole and designer selected fixtures and appointments. These touches allow Marquis brand yachts to stand out from the competition and would not be possible if the design process required creating physical prototypes with such expensive materials.

“In the high-end luxury market, the bar is constantly being raised,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. “Digital Prototyping allows Genmar Yacht Group to keep ‘topping’ itself with stunning new product offerings that impress consumers and peers alike. It is a pleasure to name them as our Inventor of the Month for September.”

www.autodesk.com

MPF