EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                 [WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI LETTERHEAD]
 
                                 March 3, 1997
 
Autodesk, Inc.
111 McInnis Parkway
San Rafael, California 94903
 
    RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
  We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about this date (the
"Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of your Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Shares"). As your counsel in connection with this
transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the
proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and
issuance of the Shares.
 
  It is our opinion that upon conclusion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states where required, the Shares, when issued and sold in the
manner described in the Registration Statement, will be legally and validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
  We consent to the use of this Opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in
the Registration Statement, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
constituting a part thereof, and any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation
 
                                          /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati