<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the Autodesk, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan, the Autodesk, Inc. 2000
Directors' Option Plan, and the Autodesk, Inc. 1998 Employee Qualified Stock
Purchase Plan of our report dated February 18, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Autodesk, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended January 31, 2000 filed with the
Securities Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Palo Alto, California
September 13, 2000
