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 and the Autodesk, Inc. 1998 Employee Qualified Stock Purchase Plan of our report dated April 9, 2003, 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, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California

June 25, 2003