EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated February 20, 1996, included in the Proxy Statement
of Softdesk, Inc., that is made a part of the Registration Statement (Form S-
4) and Prospectus of Autodesk, Inc. for the registration of 5,650,000 shares
of Autodesk's common stock.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
March 3, 1997