Autodesk launches Twitch technology preview: experiment in SaaS for DCC and CAD

Saw on Solidsmack that Autodesk launched Project Twitch, an experiment in delivering the company’s flagship products, AutoCAD, Maya, Inventor 2010 and Revit 2010, over the web as Software as a Service (SaaS).  The officially stated goal is to allow people to test and try the latest versions of AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, and Maya without having to install or download the applications.

The technology preview is not intended for production use - it is just a way to provide AutoDesk with feedback.  Also you need to be within 1,000 miles of the San Francisco Bay Area to participate (for latency reasons). But it seems obvious to me and others, that this is a foray into delivering their applications on a monthly fee bases over the web - SaaS / Cloud Computing.  Very cool.