Beyond the Paper

Invest in Yourself - Autodesk Assistance Program

Recognizing the impact of today’s economic challenges, Autodesk is launching the Autodesk Assistance Program. 

The Autodesk Assistance Program will provide Autodesk customers and partners with design software tools, education and resources that will help them to enhance, maintain and develop their 3D design technology skills and remain competitive in the marketplace.

The program will offer free* student software term licenses, free online training and a path to certification to unemployed architects, designers and engineers in all industries.

See the enclosed video or visit the Autodesk Assistance Program website for more details

Thank you.

2010 Product Line Launch

Autodesk today began shipping its new 2010 line of 2D and 3D design and engineering software.  More than 50 new products offer new features and functionality as well as improved tools for Digital Prototyping, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Infrastructure Modeling, sustainable design and analysis, which will help architects, engineers and designers meet increasing commercial and public sector demand for more energy-efficient buildings, products and infrastructure.

“The new functionality in our 2010 products will help design professionals worldwide improve the efficiency of their workflows and increase competitive advantage,” said Carl Bass, Autodesk CEO. “As governments around the world invest billions in infrastructure and development projects, 3D design modeling technology will be vital for project planning, tracking spending, ensuring accountability, minimizing errors and maximizing sustainable performance.” 

Take a look at the new product lineup at www.autodesk.com and take advantage of the "Autodesk Imagine Tour", which offers a detailed insight into each of the new products.

What is "Project Dragonfly"?

Project Dragonfly is an early stage entry level design application delivered over the web.

It is ideal for anyone who ever wanted an easy, intuitive floor planning tool. You can visualize ideas and organize changes in your living space.

The project welcomes all types of designers and no prior knowledge of computer aided design is required to join the fun.One can easily modify structural elements (walls, doors, windows) and even entire rooms - in real time.

You can either start with an existing design or you can select one of the many samples in the gallery. A "Furnish & Decorate" catalog allows for planning  using a variety of generic furniture options and views can be switched between 2D and 3D at anytime.

Go and take a look and share any thoughts you may have.

Thank you.

Autodesk's Guide to Sustainable Design

Catherine Palmer, our Industry Marketing Manager for Sustainable Design introduces the interactive, on-line guide, which highlights sustainable design principles and technologies for every phase of the project life cycle – whether new construction or renovation.

Autodesk developed the guide to help professionals better understand which decisions are critical, what steps to take, and how Autodesk solutions can help to create and deliver more sustainable designs. Users can explore each project phase to see the opportunities for impacting the efficient use of land, water, energy and materials, then dive deeper to learn more. 

Enjoy!

Autodesk Design Review 2010 Announcement

Autodesk announced the release of a number of new products in San Francisco today. Amongst them is Autodesk Design Review 2010, which will be made available to the public in late March of 2009.  

Autodesk Design Review 2010 introduces a great number of new features and functionality, as well as a brand new user interface.

Content for earlier versions of Autodesk Design Review will continue and be made available through this blog.

I will write a more detailed article about Autodesk Design Review 2010 in the coming days.

Congratulations to the Autodesk Design Review team for making yet another successful product release.

-Volker

Quick Montage 01

Our friends at Halcrow Ltd. have recently posted this "Quick Montage 01" video on YouTube.

Looks to be part of a bridge project - another great example of a Civil Engineering project that takes advantage of Autodesk Design Review.

Pretty cool stuff.

-Volker

ADR Training, Education, Guidance, Preparation?

Would you think that there is a need for the above?

There are certainly a number of customers who have mentioned this to me over the years and now very recently, here during Autodesk University 2008.

What would you or your organization look for, as far as training content is concerned? Basic program operation or more?

Today, there are a number of free "educational" resources available - mostly this blog, the Autodesk Discussion Groupsand a search able knowledge base in the support section. Yet, one might only consider these as troubleshooting indexes and not as training, educational or preparation tools.

I am looking into ways how I can kick start something along those lines - maybe in form of weekly webinar.

Please share your thoughts or even better, chat to me during AU2008 if you have the time.

Thank you.

-Volker

Autodesk University 2008 - Autodesk Design Review Roundtable

We will host another roundtable for Autodesk Design Review users at the upcoming Autodesk University 2008. Last year's discussions were so successful that some of the suggested feature content made it into the upcoming release. Isn't that great?!

Details (time/location etc.) of the event can be found at Autodesk University 2008 as well as in the ongoing Autodesk Design Review 2010 Beta project.

I cannot wait to meet our many customers as well as some of my co-workers during the event.

I also make myself available to troubleshoot any problems customer present to me during the event. Please ensure to bring along original design files as well as DWF/x file for any case you may wish to be reviewed. You can contact me throughout by email. Thank you.

Are you ready for Autodesk University 2008?

Video: AU visitors sharing their AU2007 experience.
 

-Volker

Improved Boomless Chameleon Add-in for Autodesk Design Review

The Boomless Chameleon gets its name from the Boom Chameleon that was shown at Autodesk University 2007.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/boomless_chameleon/

If you have a computer and a web camera, you can navigate your designs without a multi-touch wall, Wii remote, or even a mouse.

Using Autodesk Design Review 2009 SP1 and the Boomless Chameleon Navigation Add-in, you simply attach your camera to your laptop, point it at a target, and when you move your laptop, Autodesk Design Reviews navigates your model accordingly. Move your laptop closer to the target to zoom in. Move further away to zoom out. Turn left or right to orbit.

We would love to hear from users who have ventured into this sphere.

-Volker

Autodesk YouTube Channel?

I only learned about this a few days ago and think it is very cool.

A great way to share our own videos with a much broader audience.

Autodesk YouTubeChannel

-Volker