Autodesk cuts 1,150 jobs as it shifts to subscription model

Software tools maker Autodesk, creator of popular development tools like 3ds Max, Maya, Stingray, and Scaleform, intends to cut 1,150 jobs, or around 13 percent of its entire workforce. 

The changes are being ushered in as part of the company's ongoing efforts to "digitize" by ditching upfront payments and moving to a subscription model. Autodesk estimates the job cuts will cost somewhere between $135 million to $149 million.

This isn't the first time the San Francisco outfit has cut back as part of its digital shift, and last February the company laid off 925 employees as it kicked off the transition. 

"As we enter the growth phase of our model transition, we need to re-balance investments to focus on our strategic priorities," said company CEO Andrew Anagnost, explaining the move.

"This includes divesting from some areas and increasing our investment in others.  We're taking this restructuring action from a position of strength.  This is not a cost reduction activity as we maintain our commitment to keep total non-GAAP spend flat this year and next."