In speaking with many customers, a lot do not understand the additional benefits that the Subscription program offers and how to access these benefits via their Subscription Center login.

Well, Autodesk will hosting a Subscription Tour Webcast for Customers on June 24th.  If you want to learn more about the Autodesk® Subscription Center, please attend the upcoming Subscription Tour webcast. Emily Crane of Global Subscription Sales will present general information on the Subscription program and will walk through the Subscription Center to ensure that customers know how to find and take advantage of the benefits they receive.

There will be two sessions on Wednesday, June 24. You will have the option to attend at 12:00pm or 3:00pm Eastern. There will be 30 minutes for the presentation and 30 minutes for an open question-and-answer period.

Autodesk Subscription Center Tour – Morning Session
Date and time: Wednesday, June 24, 12:00–1:00pm or 3:00-4:00pm
URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/autodesklearning/join?id=SCT_2&role=attend&pw=Audience
Meeting ID: SCT_2
Meeting Key: Audience
Audio: Toll-free: +1-866-814-7241 or toll: +1-203-310-0586
Participant code: 4505086

Autodesk Legacy Promotion

Autodesk Legacy Promotion

June 1 through July 17, Autodesk will offer the Legacy Promotion to qualifying customers. This promotion will give customers with AutoCAD R14 through AutoCAD 2006-based software licenses the opportunity to purchase qualifying new licenses of current Autodesk products at a discount of 40% with Subscription and 20% without Subscription. Not all Autodesk products are eligible for this promotion.

AutoCAD - Hot Issues / Fixes

Hot Issues Share with Autodesk Seek Hotfix Port 9013 is used when uploading files to Autodesk Seek. This port may be blocked by firewalls. This hotfix allows Share with Autodesk Seek to use port 80. VBA support in AutoCAD 2010 Autodesk has begun the transition of VB customization from VBA to .NET technology. Currently, VBA is still supported in Autodesk products. However, starting with AutoCAD 2010, VBA is no longer part of the default AutoCAD installation and must be downloaded and installed separately.

Recently Published Solutions Supported operating systems for the Autodesk Network License Manager shipped with 2010 products Location of Plot Styles folder Partial CUI files not converted to CUIx file format during migration

Exclusive Solution Preview TS1105167 - Network License Activation Utility Issue: You have found that the Network Activation Utility is not included on your 2010 product media. Solution: If your product does not include the Network License Activation Utility, you can activate your license by visiting http://www.autodesk.com/register and following the on-screen instructions.

A First Time For Everything - LT Legacy Promotion

Rumor has it that Autodesk will be offering for the first time ever, a Legacy Promotion on AutoCAD LT. 

AutoCAD LT is normally upgradable from 3 versions back from current (for example, 2010 being current, you can upgrade at a discounted price from version 2007, 2008, or 2009).  Under this LT Legacy Promotion, users of version 2000, 2000i, 2002, 2004, 2005, and/or 2006 will be eligible for a rebate of up to US$400 for each new license (seat) of AutoCAD LT 2010 purchased.  This offer will be effective May 1st through July 31^st and is limited to a maximum of five seats total per customer invoice address.

Hotfix for Inventor / Revit ADSK file format

Please be advised there was a known issue with the ADSK file that Inventor exports and the ability for Revit to import data.  Recently a Hotfix for Inventor around this issue was released.  Once the Hotfix is installed, Inventor users will be able to export an ADSK file from Inventor and Revit users will be able to import it directly into Revit without problems.  the hotfix can be download from:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=13105818&linkID=9242019

More Autodesk 2010 Release Dates (FCS)

Software Product	FCS Date
Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010	April 8
Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010	April 8
AutoCAD® Visualization Suite 2010	April 13
AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture Suite 2010	April 16
AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture Visualization Suite 2010	April 16
AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite 2010	April 16
AutoCAD® Revit ®Structure Suite 2010	April 16
Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010	April 16
Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010	April 16
Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis 2010	April 16
Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis Professional 2010	April 16
AutoCAD® Raster Design 2010	April 20
Autodesk® Quantity Takeoff 2010	April 20
AutoCAD® P&ID 2010	April 22

New pricing structure coming next year

Autodesk has announced that starting next year they will be going with a new ‘simplified’ pricing model for upgrades and cross-grades.

Once 2007 becomes retired (as of March 16 2010), Autodesk will no longer offer a 3-tier price structure for upgrades / cross-grades to the current version at that time. Rather, all upgrades and cross-grades to the current version from previous versions will be 50% the cost of a new license, while cross-grades from a current version to another product will be about 20% the cost of a new product license. Legacy versions (versions older than 3 versions back) are not included in this and the Legacy program will continue at 30% discount of the price of a new product license when Subscription is purchased.

So let’s look at an example to illustrate this:

THIS YEAR
AutoCAD 2007 to AutoCAD 2010           $1795
AutoCAD 2008 to AutoCAD 2010           $1195
AutoCAD 2009 to AutoCAD 2010           $595

NEXT YEAR
AutoCAD 2008 to AutoCAD 2011           $1998
AutoCAD 2009 to AutoCAD 2011           $1998
AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2011           $1998

As you can see, this is a lot of different cost to you especially if you are only 1 or 2 versions behind.

So why is Autodesk doing this, well, it is to encourage users to put their licenses on Subscription.  In the example above, Subscription costs $450 a year - multiple that over 3 years and you have paid $1350 versus the $1998 upgrade cost. That's a huge difference in cost to net you the exact same product in the end.  Now, also remember all the extra benefits Subscription includes - extra software extensions, e-learning, web support access, license management, etc.

Autodesk has announced an aggressive promotion to help 'transition' you before next year's changes - details of which can be found at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=7176852&siteID=123112.

In summary, it goes like this:

    Phase 1:    May1 – July 17

                     30% off with Subscription

                        20% off without Subscription

    Phase 2:    July 18 – October 16

                    20% off with Subscription

                        15% off without Subscription

    Phase 3:    October 17 – January 15

                     10% off with Subscription

                        reg price without Subscription

This promotional pricing is applicable to upgrades and cross-grades from 2007, 2008, and/or 2009 going to a 2010 product.

NOTE: that the best period is between May 1 and July 17

All prices above are based on US$ MSRP.

2007 Retirement Promotion

The 2007 family of products will no longer be sold or supported as of March 15 2010. This also includes Revit Architecture 9/9.1, Revit MEP Suite R2, Revit Structure Suite R4, 3DS Max R9, and Maya 8.5.

Autodesk runs a 3-phase promo during the retirement year to help customers transition to the current version. The 1st Phase does not start until May 1st. Note that as the year rolls out, the promotional discpounts lessen - so the earlier your act the better the savings! May to July is the best period. Below is the outline of the 3 phases:

Phase 1: May1 – July 17, 30% off with Subcription, 20% off without Subscription
Phase 2: July 18 – October 16, 20% off with Subription, 15% off without Subscription

Phase 3: October 17 – January 15, 10% off with Subription, reg price without Subscription

Don't want to take Subscription - you'll want to read tomorrows post......

Great Report on Building Information Modeling (BIM)

One of the most common questions I get from clients is, “Who is already using Revit and to what degree are they using it?”  I usually reply “Every major firm has Revit by now.  They are utilizing it where it makes sense for them – some are using it full-tilt on most projects, others are using it in pockets seeing where and how it fits in to their existing workflow and design processes.”  By now, it is inevitable that the Industry is definitely moving in that direction.  Don’t believe me – well fine – check out this: 

McGraw Hill Construction has published a "SmartMarket Report" on Building Information Modeling (BIM).  This report speaks to not only the adoption rate of BIM in the industry, but also to usage of BIM, value of using BIM, impact of BIM on internal and external processes, and BIM infrastructure.  This report provides great insight and recommendations for firms migrating toward Revit.  Additionally there are numerous Case Studies to validate the “real-world” usage of BIM.

The report can be sourced via Autodesk’s website (http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/mcgraw-hill_construction_bim_smartmarket_report_december_2008.pdf) or via the buildingSMART Alliance’s website (http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/news/20081203.php).

Here are some key sections to read:

• BIM and Green Building – pages 5, 18, and 19
  
• Recommendations for Beginners, Intermediate Users, Advanced/Expert Users, and Owners – page 5
  
• Rise of the Contractor – page 4
  
• Perception of BIM – page 7
  
• Risks when using BIM – page 33
  

2010 Installation and Activation requires PRODUCT KEYS

For the 2010 products, customer need two items for installation, the SERIAL NUMBER and PRODUCT KEY. Yes, that’s right, the old CD Keys from 2002 are back as Product Keys. The good news is that the Product Keys are generic for each product, meaning they are the same for every serial number. Here is a list of the Product Keys:

AutoCAD 2010 - 001B1
AutoCAD Architecture 2010 - 185B1
AutoCAD MEP 2010 - 235B1
AutoCAD LT 2010 - 057B1

Subscription 2010 Auto Fulfillment Problems

My last post showed the Auto Fulfillment emails that Autodesk has been sending out to Subscription clients (please note that these emails have only been sent out to AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, and Naviswork customers so far (ALL 2010 Revit, and 3ds Max products have not been released yet, hence no emails sent yet). Well, there seems to be a lot of confusion and complication with the process.

First, let’s talk about the fulfillment. You have basically four choices: 1) download, 2) download and request media still be sent to you, 3) don't download but request media be sent to you, 4) don't do anything right now and media will automatically be sent to you after 30-days. So, if you’re not in a panic for the new 2010 version , my suggestion is to sit back and simply wait for Autodesk to sent it to you.

Problem # 1: The emails announcement never came. Solution: check your spam filter first, if still nothing call Autodesk's Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401 for assistance - make sure to have your Subscription Contract # handy when you call.

Problem # 2: Got the email but having problems getting onto or using Subscription Center. Well if you don’t know how to get onto Subscription Center, call Autodesk's Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401 for assistance.

Once you’re on Subscription Center, here are the steps to follow: scroll down to the section where you can “download” the 2010 product, click on “download”, then on the following page you can click “request a copy”, followed by a page that asks you to populate a form with quantities of each license, followed by “save”, followed by a questionnaire that asks why they are requesting media, followed by a couple of other prompts until you are finally finished. I know this is a cumbersome task – but is the only way to do it. If you don’t have interest in doing all this on-line, call the Autodesk Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401.

Problem # 3: The on-line process above produces an error. Solution: you guessed it, call the Autodesk Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401 for assistance.

Problem # 4: You successfully downloaded the 2010 software but are having problems installing or activating your licenses - you don't have or know what a Product Key is. Solution: The Product Key is listed in the email that was sent out but if you didn't save that email, see my next post for a list of them.

Unfortunately, resellers are not permitted by Autodesk to administrate customer's Subscription website. Nor are we entitled to fulfill this request on their behalf.

Subscription Auto Fulfillment of 2010 products

If you have your licenses on active Subscription, your 2010 Auto Fulfillment is going to be offerred to you this year via download.  You will have the option to download, download and still get hard copy of the product shipped to you, or request that only a hard copy get shipped to you (ie. no download).  Below is a sample of the email your Subscription Contract Administrator will be recieving in this regard:

From: SUBSCRIPTION-NOTIFICATION@AUTODESKSUBSCRIPTION.COM [mailto:SUBSCRIPTION- NOTIFICATION@AUTODESKSUBSCRIPTION.COM]
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 9:40 AM
To:
Subject: Autodesk Upgrade and Licensing Information
Importance: High

 

This is an outgoing mailbox only, please do not reply. If you have questions or need help, click here.

Your Upgrade is Available This information is required for product activation, please retain for your records AUTOCAD 2010 English, International Commercial Product Upgrade WINDOWS From AutoCAD 2009 is now available for download! One of the benefits of Subscription is the immediate availability of the latest release of Autodesk products. We are pleased to announce that your Subscription upgrade for AUTOCAD 2010 English, International Commercial Product Upgrade WINDOWS From AutoCAD 2009 is now available for download from Subscription Center. Download Your Upgrade!* Obtaining your Subscription Upgrade To receive your upgrade, simply log into Subscription Center and follow the instructions for download. If you prefer, you can log into Subscription Center and select to have the product shipped to you. Important Activation Code When installing your product, you will be required to obtain an activation code. To obtain an activation code, you must provide the serial number(s) and product key listed in this email. Serial Number Information Your subscription upgrade is for the following products: Serial Number Product Key Previous Serial Number(s) Total Seats 000-00000000 000B0 000-00000000 0 In an effort to simplify software management and deployment, your products may have been consolidated into one new serial number. That serial number may be used for installation of all seats within that serial number. Download Permission Information Contract Managers and Software Coordinators - you can share full product download functionality with all of your Subscription users, allowing them immediate access to the electronic Product Library. Simply log into the Subscription Center Contract Administration, go to View / Edit Users, locate the user(s), click Edit and grant them permissions to File Downloads. Be sure to provide your users with the Subscription Serial Number(s) and Product Key(s) that they will need for installation and activation. *If your company has restricted access to the Internet, you may not be able to download your upgrade and you will need to contact the Autodesk Business Center to request a physical media shipment. Copy and paste the "Recipient Information" section from the bottom of this email, which will allow us to easily locate you, and send this information via an email to subscription-team@autodesk.com. Thank you for choosing Subscription for your Autodesk products. Subscription Center Login   Download Your Upgrade   Subscription Guide   Questions? Need Help?   Forgot Password?

© 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Autodesk.com  |  Terms and Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Questions? Need Help?   | Subscription Center Login Autodesk, Inc. • 111 McInnis Parkway • San Rafael, CA 94903 Use of your Subscription is governed by the Terms and Conditions. Please note that you cannot unsubscribe from email that is required to properly service your Autodesk Subscription contract. Recipient Information [ContractID:] [ContactLang:] [OrigToEmail:] [Category:] [SendDate:03-22-2009] [Company Name:] [First Name:] [Last Name:] [AUTOCAD 2010 English, International Commercial Product Upgrade WINDOWS From AutoCAD 2009]

Autodesk 2010 Version Releases Start (FCS dates)

Autodesk has started the release of their 2010 versions.  March 24th marks the first most important release - AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, and the Inventor products.  The 25th will be for AutoCAD MEP and AutoCAD Architecture followed by Navisworks on April 3rd.  Below is a listing of all the published release dates so far.

AutoCAD® 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD LT® 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® RealDWG™ 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Electrical 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Mechanical 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® Inventor LT™ 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor LT™ Suite 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Suite 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Professional 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Professional Suite 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Routed Systems Suite 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Simulation Suite 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Inventor® Tooling Suite 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® DirectConnect for Catia 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® DirectConnect for Catia 4 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® DirectConnect for JT 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® DirectConnect for UG 2010 March 24 

Autodesk® SketchBook® Pro 2010 March 24 

AutoCAD® Architecture 2010 March 25 

AutoCAD® MEP 2010 March 25 

AutoCAD® Map 3D 2010 March 30 

Autodesk MapGuide® Enterprise 2010 March 30 

Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage 2010 April 3 

Autodesk® Navisworks® Review 2010 April 3 

Autodesk® Navisworks® Simulate 2010 April 3

Yes, you are correct, there are no dates for Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, 3ds Max / Max Design etc.  These dates have not been made public yet, but as soon as they are I will post them.  My guess is mid-April!

Two Good Articles to 'Reed'

Haven’t adopted BIM yet?  Check out this short article that quite nicely touches on the key points of consideration for BIM in your firm.  Why Building Information Modeling? http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/articles/read/why-building-information-modeling/

 

So you taken the plunge into Revit and are in the process of using or at least making a valiant attempt.  Once you understand how to use Revit and you start getting going with it, the major next hurdle is content, or lack thereof.  You need an object in your project that doesn't exist in Revit (for example, a water fountain or a boiler or a roof top unit etc.).  Well off you go looking for it or trying to create it.  Check out "You are Wasting Your Money" http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/articles/read/you-are-wasting-your-money/ for some ideas on how to improve this aspect of Revit'ing.

What is Subscription?

Autodesk Subscription is a support offering that, when purchased with eligible products, includes upgrade software, support, and training. Rather than pay for each upgrade separately, Autodesk Subscription customers pay an annual fee that includes access to all software upgrades and subscription benefits.

NEW: Subscription Auto Fulfillment Options for Canadians

Canadian Customers Get to Choose How They Get

2010 Product Upgrades Under Subscription's Auto Fulfillment

Autodesk is working to get products to customers faster than ever. Beginning March 16, we’re asking customers to make a choice about how they get their product delivered in Canada. They can choose to:

• Download the product
• Select a DVD to be shipped
• Select both options (download + DVD)

If the customer does not make a selection, their DVD will be shipped.

Stay tuned for more details....

LAST CALL on Upgrading Version 2006!

Do you have any of these products?

AutoCAD LT 2006

AutoCAD 2006

Architectural Desktop 2006

AutoCAD Building Systems 2006

Revit Building 8.0 or 8.1 (2006)

Revit Series, Systems Plus 8.0 or 8.1 (2006)

As of March 13, 2009, these versions will RETIRE!

In the case of AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop, this simply means that he cost to upgrade will increase drastically (upto 56%) after March 13^th

In the case of AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Building Systems or Revit Building / Systems, this means you will need to buy net new licenses to get to the current version (NO UPGRADES) after March 13^th

This can equate to almost 250% increase over current pre-retirement pricing!

Autodesk 3ds Max CAT is now offered exclusively to Autodesk Subscription customers as a free download.

CAT Plug‐in ‐ Create Product for Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2009

Autodesk 3ds Max CAT software is a complete character animation toolset for Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2009 software. With this latest addition of Character Animation Tools (CAT) to the 3ds Max 3ds Max Design software, Autodesk continues to demonstrate its industry leadership in character animation by providing artists with even more flexibility to create complex 3D characters and animations inside the award winning 3ds Max software. 3ds Max CAT offers artists in the film, post‐production, design visualization, and games industries an environment to produce better animations faster. Previously offered at an additional cost of $995 USD, Autodesk 3ds Max CAT is now offered exclusively to Autodesk Subscription customers as a free download.

Overview

Autodesk 3ds Max CAT - Just Animate!

3ds Max CAT is a production proven character animation plug-in for Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009. 3ds Max CAT is designed by animators, for animators to take the tedious technicalities out of 3D character animation. Its toolset enables easy character rigging, non-linear animation, animation layering, motion capture import, muscle simulation, and more. 3ds Max CAT is fast, stable, simple, and packed with cutting-edge features that give artists an easier way to animate characters in 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design.

 

Rig Creation Made Simple

3ds Max CAT makes it easier than ever to create complex multi-pedal character rigs. Artists can build custom rigs lightning-quick, or use presets to create everything from humans and horses, to lizards and dragons, to spiders, crabs, and creepy-crawlies of all kinds. Include as many spines, heads, bones, fingers and toes as you want. 3ds Max CAT even supports highly complex rigs like centipedes.

 

Quick and Easy Character Animation

Animating with 3ds Max CAT is easy. In just a few clicks, you can create walk cycles using CAT's procedural animation tools and drive your character by attaching it to a path. Perfect for digital extras, the 3ds Max CAT rig automatically calculates foot placement, even on undulating terrain.

 

High Quality - Unmatched Flexibility

3ds Max CAT makes it easy to achieve repeatable, high quality character animation quickly and reliably.. Animation layering and clip editing allow you to create clips and reuse animations non-destructively. You can blend between distinct animations or add additional detail and secondary motion without sacrificing the base animation. Intuitive procedural systems like the CAT spine let you animate extremely complex character movements in a matter of clicks.

Incredible Realism

The all new CATMuscle adds incredible realism to your character animations by simulating muscle movements under the skin!

To learn more, visit www.softimage.com/cat.

Revit MEP files from McQuay too!

http://www.mcquay.com/McQuay/BIM/Revit-BIMFiles

Trane now has content for Revit MEP

Trane now has content for Revit MEP.  Trane has created a few of their Heat pumps and Roof top units in Revit MEP that are parametric and contain the appropriate connectors needed to connect them to logical systems inside of a Revit MEP model. They also contain the correct data needed to schedule the equipment automatically.

Even though there are only 5 families; within each family are a hundred or so family types to choose from.

You can create a schedule in Revit MEP to schedule the mechanical equipment in your project. The schedule is parametric and will fill itself out based on the mechanical equipment that is placed in the project. The schedule may need to be filtered to show only specific equipment types or type marks.

All columns in the schedule are filled out by the options selected for each unit with the exception of the AIR FLOW CFM. This number is driven by the connected flow of ductwork. The external static pressure and BHP should be manually adjusted after analysis of your duct design.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FAMILY:

Load the individual family file (Voyager YC 12-25Ton R410A.rfa) that has been provided into your project file. Change the family types and voltages as needed. The remaining options are adjustable via element properties.

To specify no curb, un-check the "SHOWCURB" option, for a welded curb select the "SHOWCURB" option, for a spring isolation curb, select both "SHOWCURB" AND "ISOCURB"

to use the economizer and power exhaust options adjust the "1NONE_2ECON_3PWREXH" parameter to one of the following choices:

1 - FOR NONE (TRANE OUTSIDE AIR HOOD ONLY)
2 - FOR AN ECONOMIZER (CANFAB 100% BAROMETRIC RELIEF)
3 - FOR POWER EXHAUST (CANFAB MODULATING POWER EXHAUST)

 For both of these option categories, the weight, electrical info and description update in the schedule automatically. For heating capacities other than those specified here, you will need to manually create a new family type and adjust the relevant data.

Download Page

Contact your local commercial Trane sales office for details, or log on to:

www.trane.com/sacramento

www.trane.com/losangeles

www.trane.com/sandiego

Product configurations are packaged together, in Voyager and Precedent files.

Log on, register for updates, and start using the files today, for your building project.

Implementing BIM into your office article

Here is a really good article on implementing BIM into your office:

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/articles/read/implementing-bim-to-your-office/

Revit Webcasts worth checking out

Revit Implementation Series #1 - Templates Tuesday, October 21, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

Revit Implementation Series #2 - Family Creation and Management

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

Revit Implementation Series #3 - Training Wednesday, November 5, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Revit Architecture and Design Visualization for Sustainable Design

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Best Practices for Roofs in Revit Architecture Wednesday, January 7, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Detailing in Revit Architecture Wednesday, February 4, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Ceiling Plans in Revit Architecture Wednesday, March 4, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Revit Architecture and Sustainable Design Wednesday, August 6, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

BIM Coordination Wednesday, September 3, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

View Past Revit Architecture Webcasts

Migrating to Building Information Modeling (BIM) Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

Design Visualization for BIM Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

AutoCAD Architecture - Webcasts

Annotation Techniques in AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, October 1, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

Best Practices for Roofs in AutoCAD Architecture Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Layer Management in AutoCAD Architecture Tuesday, December 11, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Rendering in AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, January 21, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Implementing AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Elevations and Sections in AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, March 18, 2009 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Project Organization with AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

View Past AutoCAD Architecture Webcasts

Visit the AutoCAD Architecture Resource Center

How to Render Google Sketchup Models in Autodesk 3ds Max Design

Thursday, October 23, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

Leveraging AutoCAD Architecture in 3ds Max Design Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Design Visualization Webcasts

Making the Move to 3ds Max Design
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

The Importance of Design Visualization and Autodesk 3ds Max Design

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT

View Past Design Visualization Webcasts

Revit Architecture Suite 2009.1 - FINALLY!

Autodesk released Revit Architecture Suite 2009.1 as of Septemeber 15, 2008.  This new release bundles Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Architecture (formerly know as Architectural Desktop), and AutoCAD under one license.  The best part of all of this - no increase in price or subscription fee (for now anyway).  Please note: there are NO feature enhancements to any of the applications in this 2009.1 release.  All I have to say is "it's about time guys"!

Under the Previous Use Policy with the Subscription program, you have access to the following versions:

• Revit Architecture Suite 2008
• Revit Series Building 9.0 & 9.1
• Revit Series Building 8.0 & 8.1
• AutoCAD Architecture 2008
• Architectural Desktop 2007
• Architectural Desktop 2006

DWF versus PDF

DWF is Autodesk's version of PDF - but it is way better!

Built in to all Autodesk products, DWF publishing helps you enhance collaboration and easily exchange project information with extended teams. Download the FREE Autodesk DWF Writer to securely share 2D and 3D data as DWF files—no matter what design application you’re using.

• Publish portable, secure 2D and 3D DWF files.
• New Plug-ins for SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, and CATIA software applications.
• One-click DWF files from Microsoft applications (Internet Explorer 7 supported).

Features: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8411823

Impression

Impress your colleagues and clients with compelling presentation-ready graphics created directly from your DWG and DWF files. Autodesk Impression software is easy to use, saves you time, and recognizes data from your CAD files.

Autodesk Impression is available FREE to AutoCAD, AutoCADArchitecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure Suite, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure software products’ subscription customers.

www.autodesk.com/impression

See what you can do: http://download.autodesk.com/us/impression/2009overview/index.html

Feature List: http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autodesk_impression_2_feature_overview_final.pdf

Free Tutorials: http://impression.autodesk.com/learning/

DWG TrueView and DWG TrueConvert

Autodesk offers FREE downloadable utilities to help you with things like viewing a DWG without having AutoCAD and converting DWG format. Use the free DWG TrueView to accurately view, plot, and publish authentic DWG and DWF files. And now, DWG TrueView incorporates all the functionality of DWG TrueConvert. This means you can translate any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file for compatibility. Check it out at: www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview

View, Print, Measure, and Mark-up

Do you still plot out drawings just to review or red-line them and then give them back to the CAD person to make the changes? Or maybe you have purchased an AutoCAD LT just so you can open DWGs to view and print them. Well, here's something to consider: Design Review.

You can either download Deisgn Review from Autodesk's website at www.autodesk.com/designreview or if you are using any 2009 version of Autodesk software, it is part of your package already.

Wanna see how this workflow works? Check out: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=8411969 and http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/adr08_aec_final.pdf

The best part about Design Review is it is FREE! So, if you are one of those LT users, I just saved you about $200 per year! And a paperless (or at least a less paperful) approach is better for our environment.

Cross-grade your AutoCAD LTs until July 18/08

If you have any AutoCAD LTs (2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009) and have ever wished it was full AutoCAD or better, now is the time to cross-graded them!

Autodesk is offering a promotional price $US2495.00 to cross-grade to AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure, and/or Revit Structure Suite.

This is a fantastic deal! And the higher you go up the product line, the greater the savings! For example, normally cross-grading from AutoCAD LT 2006/2007/2008/2009 to Revit Architecture Suite 2009 is $US4888. So doing it now under this promotion saves you a whopping $US2393 per license - THAT'S ALMOST 50% off!

Got Any 2006 (or older versions)?

If you review my posts in January, you will see a post discussing Autodesk's marketing roadmap on Retirement and Legacy versions. Well, that time of year again is fast approaching for the Phase 1 Promotions on Retirement and Legacy. So let set this up:

As of late March this year (2008) Autodesk has been launching their newest version of software(s) - 2009. Therefore they will continue to support versions 2008, 2007, and 2006 this year. Versions 2005 and earlier are now considered Legacy. Furthermore, come March 2009 version 2006 will be Retired just before version 2010 is launched.

So, how do you get current and not fall too far behind? Well, that is where the promotions will help. Let's talk about Retirement first - in this year's case, 2006 licenses. If you have any 2006 licenses, you can upgrade or cross-grade them to a 2009 version using the Retirement Promotion(s). This promotion will follow this structure:

Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 20% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 15% discount if purchased without Subscription.

Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 15% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 10% discount if purchased without Subscription.

Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 10% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 0% discount if purchased without Subscription(in other words, regular upgrade pricing).

Likewise, Autodesk is running a Legacy promotion this year. So if you have any older versions (2005 back to R14 or equivalent) you can bring those licenses current to 2009 via the Legacy Program and Promotion. Regularly, a Legacy license can be brought current for 30% off the price of a new license and subscription must be purchased. Here is how the promotion works:


Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 40% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased

Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 35% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased

Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 30% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased (in other words: regular Legacy Program pricing)

So, the best time (best deals) are between May 1 and July 18.

Hopefully this information will empower you to net the best possible pricing if you are looking to upgrade or cross-grade older licenses. If you need a more specific understanding on your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact me, I would be happy to assist you.

Revit Architecture 2009

Here's waht you can expect to see in Revit Architecture 2009:

Dimension Enhancements
Revit Architecture 2009 makes documenting your designs even easier. With new dimension capabilities, users can dimension to intersections and arc centers. New dimension text formatting enables users to apply common text effects, such as bold, italics, and underline, to their dimension text.
A second new addition to dimensions is the ability to override dimensions with text. While this feature enables users to override dimensions with text such as “Varies, See Stair Plans” or “11” MIN” and thereby achieve new flexibility in their documents, the feature helps to maintain model integrity by disallowing user overrides that misrepresent actual dimensions. For example, users cannot make a 14’ 4” dimension read 14’ 6”.

Revision Enhancements
The new revision enhancements allow architects and designers achieve the various revision styles that they demand. New flexibility enables revision tables to build from the bottom up or top down. Also, numbering sequences can include and be sorted by numbers or letters. A new field called “Issued By” helps revision tracking.
New flexibility for revision layouts includes an ability to rotate the schedule on a sheet and to set revision schedules to fixed or variable size.
The added control and flexibility over revisions makes the differing standards in various regions around the world easy to meet.

Room Enhancements
The behavior of rooms in section has been expanded to include several new capabilities.
For example, rooms can be displayed or selected, and vertical limits can even be changed. Finally, color fills can be applied in section and elevation.
In Revit Architecture 2009, new productivity and possibilities can be gained by expanding room behavior in sections and elevations.

Room Tag Improvements
In Revit Architecture 2009, the added control over room tags helps designers expand the range of documentation possibilities to match the styles of individual firms.
Similar to the functionality of door, window, and other tags, when rooms in a view are not tagged, users can save time by tagging all of them in one step. Room data is very important, and when a room moves, the tag can move with it to save time.
In addition, room tags can be rotated to achieve various effects. For example, users often want to rotate a room tag to fit in a narrow space. Finally, room tags have the ability to align to rotated dependent views.

View Templates and Mirror Project
New control over view templates combined with new flexibility to mirror a project helps architects and designers derive a more efficient workflow by reusing existing project work.
View Templates: A new dialog box builds an easier-to-use tool while users now have the ability to pick and choose which view properties they apply from the view template.
Mirror Project: Designs often change without warning and require designers and their tools to remain agile. The new Mirror Project tools mean a project can be mirrored to accommodate owner requests or repetitive designs.

Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.

Quality and Rendering Performance
With mental ray software and building information modeling (BIM), you can generate photorealistic or stylized imagery, precise building models, and fully contextualized design visualizations for envisioning, planning, and presenting architectural projects of any size. The mental ray rendering engine brings award-winning quality to the fingertips of the architect for in-process visualization.
Revit Architecture 2009 includes an extensive library of materials that are predefined and organized into material classes (for example, carpet, glass, paint, metal, liquid, and fabric) that are easily browsable by thumbnails or searchable by keywords. Material libraries combine with other mental ray capabilities such as physically accurate lighting, photometric light capabilities, real sun and sky solutions, and an optimized render solution for architectural scenes.
The addition of the mental ray rendering engine optimizes the computing-intensive rendering process to deliver the highest-quality results in minimal time. The result is a significant reduction of in-process render times and an increase in photorealistic consideration, which empower your initial creativity and perception in a competitive market.

Advanced Visualization with 3ds Max Design
When even more advanced tools are required for your designs, the new FBX software export feature enables accurate transfer of geometry, lights, materials, settings, and perspectives to the award-winning 3ds Max software.
3ds Max software offers advanced control over light settings as well as object and character animation that help bring extra life to your designs. At the core of 3ds Max lies an ability to predict light reaction on surfaces. 3ds Max offers new functionality that helps architects and designers find efficient daylighting solutions through daylight simulation and analysis tools.

Worksharing Monitor (via Subscription only)
The Worksharing Monitor gives actionable, real-time information to users on the project team. For example, team members can
Be aware of the current status of central files
Monitor progress of editing requests and notifications
Plan for the best time to save to central

Autodesk 3D UI
The Autodesk 3D UI provides an intuitive, standardized navigation experience across multiple Autodesk 3D design products.
Whether you are new to 3D or an advanced user, you can navigate 3D scenes more effectively, and your extended team can apply the same software skills across different products and disciplines.
Learning new tools in the Autodesk portfolio just got a little easier.

Data Exchange
When the topic of collaboration is brought up, the notion of easily exchanging design data immediately comes to the forefront. Obstacles to easy data exchange range from not having the same software that was used to create the initial data to not having the appropriate reader to view the design data. Revit Architecture 2009 helps alleviate data exchange pain by providing native support for a variety of file formats.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without the need for plug-ins or other downloads. For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via download.
New DWG enhancements make collaborating with those relying on DWG-based workflows easier, and the FBX export increases interoperability between Revit Architecture 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design software.
Revit Architecture 2009 users can more easily share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team.


Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.

Plotting
New improvements allow drawings that rely on Hidden Line Removals (e.g. many Floor Plans, elevations, etc) in Revit Architecture 2009 print faster.

Start-up
Upon start-up, Revit Architecture 2009 displays a graphical representation of recent projects and recent families that have been opened by the user. This allows quick visual access to recently used files as well as faster Revit Architecture 2009 start-up.

API Expansion
The continued development of the Revit Architecture 2009 application programming interface encourages growth of the Autodesk Developer Network and enables partners to develop new function-specific tools that work with the building information model. Including:
• UI Suppression
• New Event Handlers
• New Element Creation
• Performance Increases
• ODBC Round-Tripping

What's new in Revit Structure 2009

Here is a listing of some of the highlights of Revit Structure 2009



Sloped slab enhancement
With Revit Structure 2009 you can now edit the shape of slabs with curved edges, which enables you to accurately model more complex slab and roof conditions.
You can also modify the split lines that the software automatically creates in the slab when it is warped. This new option provides much more flexibility for editing the shape of the slab to represent the exact way it should be built.
Slabs made of metal decks can also be sloped and warped and represented as accurately as plain concrete slabs.

Beam cutbacks
In previous releases, cutbacks were applied to all members of an end join. The new beam cutback feature improves the display of steel beams in coarse level of detail.
The new tool applies beam join types and priority. The default “priority one” beam is the beam that other beams frame into. An editor enables the user to modify the join configuration and provides graphical controls (blue arrows) at the end of the beams participating in a join.
Miter joins can be created for elements of the same type. A miter lock (only available in Coarse mode) enables the user to keep a miter join for physical representation in fine level of detail while changing the symbolic cutback representation in Coarse mode.

Vertical Move by Common Join
This feature was previously used at the end of a single selected beam. Now the feature provides the elevation control at the intersection of several elements that join.
For structural framing “beam” members only, the user can select a common join and change the elevation. When an elevation is changed using the control, the selected beams disjoin, move to the desired location, and rejoin. In each beam property, the end and start level offset values are adjusted correspondingly.

Reinforcement Macros
Reinforcement macros for concrete columns, beams, footings, walls, pile caps, and slab openings
Subscription customers can benefit from extensions available for Revit Structure 2009. The Reinforcement extensions increase the user’s ability to incorporate automatic reinforcement into concrete elements. Easy to install and use, they extend the capability of Revit Structure 2009 to handle concrete reinforcement details.

Concrete reinforcement
Revit Structure 2009 increases the user’s ability to place individual reinforcement bars into a concrete model as specified by third-party analysis and design software.
Many standard rebar shapes (00, 01, S1, T1, and so on, for ACI codes) are available in a browser, and each bar can be placed with one mouse-click.
Rebar shape dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) can be edited in a manner similar to that for the Revit families.
Additional parameters can be displayed in schedules, and reinforcement automatically created by a third-party application can be accurately scheduled.
The cover is now a property of concrete elements, making it much more flexible to edit and modify. Cover can be set by the different faces of the concrete element, enabling you to, for example, take into account the exposure of certain faces to weather.
A new rebar visibility state enables you to view rebars as solid.

Foundation improvements
Revit Structure 2009 speeds up the creation of foundations: instead of placing them individually, you can now create multiple foundations at the same time. For wall foundations, check the “multiple” option before selecting several walls. For isolated foundations, choose to create them by structural columns or grid intersection.
Wall foundations ends can now be modified. Just grab the end of a continuous foundation and drag it manually where you need.

Dimension improvements
Revit Structure 2009 enables dimensioning at line intersections: lines, grids, reference planes, location lines (walls, floors).
You can now
• Run linear dimensions to center of arcs without turning on visibility of the center mark
• Dimension concentric arcs with linear dimensions
• Apply bold, italic, underlining, and width factor to all dimension styles
You can create a set of dimensions that all start from a common baseline.
You can also create multiple dimensions that measure a perpendicular distance from an origin point (or datum): ordinate dimensions.
In some situations, drafters need to add information to dimension values. For example, a dimension might be applied to an element whose real-world dimension is not known. In this case, the drafter might want to add a note that the dimension should be verified.
This capability is particularly useful for “typical” details, to reference another sheet that contains specifics.
This capability also enables drafters to add supplementary information to clarify a dimension’s meaning when there is potential for ambiguity. For some text notes, the dimension format works better than a freestanding text block and leader.

Beam tags
Beam tagging is an important part of creating a structural framing plan. Depending on the complexity of the structure, beam tags can contain many different pieces of information. Providing the structural engineer and drafter with the tools to place and modify this information is crucial.
Spot elevations are improved to enable you to select beams in Coarse mode. The spot elevation “asks” the beam for its elevations at the end- and midpoints, based on its bounding box.
Note that spot elevations can be taken at the top or bottom of beams. Spot dimensions (spot elevations and spot coordinates) can also now be rotated.
Tags for structural framing have been improved so that they retain the placement of the tag based on its location relative to the curve driver. Specifically, this functionality allows a structural beam tag to be placed at the end of a beam; it then moves and repositions with the beam.
Tags also now enable parameters and text to be concatenated into a single label.

Concrete drawings
Where appropriate (for example, in a concrete slab-over-beam representation), elements in concrete that are joined should be represented as a single mass in section views, as users expect. Revit Structure 2009 automatically joins columns to slabs, beams to slabs, columns to walls, beams to walls, and slab edges to slabs.
Revit Structure 2009 improves the way concrete beams join. When you place two or more concrete beams so that their ends join, Revit Structure 2009 automatically creates a default join that can be interpreted correctly with minimal editing.
When an element is losing its volume due to the Join Geometry command, Revit Structure 2009 now creates a stick representation that lets the user select the previously invisible element. Use Join Geometry command between two elements where one of them is completely enclosed by the other.

Graphical column schedule
Add shifted-columns to graphical column schedule (GCS)
Add columns to GCS that are off center from the grid intersection but still within the column geometry (bounding box). The column is labeled with the column location mark, which represents the closest distances to existing grids, for example, A-5’ 6” – 2 6’ 6” (5’ 6” from grid A and 6’ 6” from grid 2).
Add grouped columns to GCS
Add all grouped columns in plan to GCS.
Multiple grid selection drop-down: column element properties
Add a drop-down list to column element properties that shows different GCS label combinations. This enables the user to choose among multiple options where different grid intersections are possible.
With Include Off-Grid Columns turned on, the user can choose the Off-Grid Units Format option.

3D navigation
Common to all Autodesk 3D products now, the 3D navigation tools provide easy orientation of the model and a new way to zoom, orbit, and pan. The Rewind option is useful when you want to return to a previously used view, angle, or position of the structure.

Selection count
It is now easier to count the number of elements of a type in the model.

Visibility tools
The visibility/graphics settings for linked files support three general modes of operation: "By Host View" (make the link look as much as possible like it is part of the host file), "By Linked View" (make the link look how it looks in some view in the linked file), or "Custom" (manually specify the appearance). Prior to release 2009, we only supported the use of linked views in floor plans. Now the functionality has been expanded to work in section, elevation, and 3D. Referencing a linked view that already has the right appearance can save considerable work.
The greatest importance of this functionality is that settings like filters, workset visibility, display of annotations can now be controlled in section, elevation, and 3D.
Another enhanced feature related to visibility is the Linework tool.
Linework now supports:

- Edges in linked rvt files, when displayed "By Host"

- Polylines, generally from imports

- Projection edges caused by plan regions

Note that the following classes of generated edges can now be lineworked separately on the same face:

- Front cut edges

- Back cut edges

- Side cut (projection edges caused by plan regions)

- Silhouette edges

All edges of a particular class on the same face will still have the same line style. Edges of different classes can have different styles.

Publish to DWFx
Revit Structure 2009 enables you to exchange data with other design team members by providing native DWF support for Windows Vista users.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without any plug-ins or other downloads.
For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via a download.
Users of Revit Structure software can seamlessly share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team. This capability reduces the need for expensive paper-based sharing and proprietary software that can limit use and cause costly project delays due to lack of clarity or insight.

What to expect in Revit MEP 2009

Here is a listing of some of the new and/or enhanced features that we can expect to see in the upcoming new 2009 release of Revit MEP:


MEP spaces
Revit MEP 2009 includes the ability to create spaces that are independent of rooms. Areas that are to small to be classified as a space are accounted for automatically. This capability provides increased control over how the geometry of the area is defined in the analysis results. The result is a more accurate analysis model.
Spaces inherit the architectural room information initially created in the architectural model. Those spaces can be associated to zones. The spaces automatically update as the room boundary updates in the architectural model, whether the model is in the host file or linked.
Easily assign information, such as occupancy or latent and sensible heat gain, to a single or multiple spaces.

HVAC zone element
New to Revit MEP 2009 are HVAC zones. This powerful feature enables engineers to dissect architectural rooms into identifiable spaces and groups of spaces, based on engineering volumes, required as part of systems equipment selection as well as to perform accurate heating and cooling loads calculations.
Zones also appear in the system browser to provide more flexibility to identify which systems are in which zones. In addition, zones can be color filled for easy visual reference.
Now you can represent building spaces based on engineering needs.

Zone and light fixture data
Revit MEP 2009 provides the ability to export not only newly created HVAC zone data, but also lighting fixture element data for use in the IES, providing more robust analysis data and greater user control over how that data is analyzed downstream.

Heating and cooling loads
Heating and cooling loads reports have also been enhanced to reflect the powerful HVAC zones and spaces functionality new to Revit MEP 2009. Loads reports have been reformatted to logically display crucial design calculation results, including check sum values for identified zones or spaces. Viewing and navigating the Heating & Cooling Load dialog box and reports have also been enhanced. The Loads dialog box can be expanded for better analytical model scrutiny and includes new report navigation buttons to help you quickly locate desired report information.
You can also expand the dialog box to full screen and modify multiple spaces or zones at the same time. The heating and cooling loads report summary includes new engineering-specific parameter controls that provide more robust calculation results, as well as greater control over zone and space selection, and phasing.
Improved gbXML (green building extensible markup language) workflow integration helps maximize information going to third-party analysis programs with the benefit of the new spaces and zones.

Plumbing calculations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced plumbing flow calculations to more accurately reflect plumbing standard flow calculations and conversions from fixture units to flow values in GPM. You can also view the fixture units in the System Inspector.
The total fixture unit parameter can be scheduled. In addition, the flow is a demand value, based on fixture unit count. The conversion between fixture units and actual GPM flow is based on universal plumbing code standards so you can estimate demand based directly on fixture unit.

Piping enhancements
Model sloped piping for all plumbing systems according to industry code. Simply define the rise over run while laying out your plumbing design, and let Revit MEP 2009 do all the calculations. With enhanced slope propagation, applying a slope to a run of multiple pipe selections, through fittings, is a breeze.
Revit MEP 2009 also offers improved routing features to help speed up your system design and layout, by providing improved proposed routing solutions to better match design considerations.

3D family content
Content, content, content! Revit MEP 2009 substantially increases MEP-specific content, and we are not stopping there! With this release, architectural and MEP content overlaps to streamline the architectural and engineering workflow, by providing MEP-specific content to architects for use in space planning.
Significant enhancements have also been made to content part type and behavior, helping to ensure that custom content creation maintains Revit MEP systems design integrity.
In addition, Autodesk Labs allows engineers to search and find generic or manufacturer-specific building products or components and associated design content. This content could include 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and descriptions for that product or component.

Modeling in section and elevations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced design tools, and the ability to model in section and elevations improves design and layout functionality. Reduce time and number of steps required to create complex routing layouts by modeling in 3D, plan, and now section and elevations as well.

Design layout tools
Ease of use is key to laying out systems. Revit MEP provides the Layout Path tool especially for that purpose. In this release, users have greater control for more comprehensive layouts. Easily modify proposed layout solutions using the Layout Path tool by simply dragging main and branch sketch lines to better customize your layout. And of course, if you change your mind while still in the Layout Path tool, simply undo to reconfigure your design layout path sketch.
A streamlined user interface is a hallmark of the Revit® platform. Revit MEP improves on this by including option tool buttons for auto connect, justification, and tag on placement.

Size list integration
With the goal of providing tools to create virtual building systems and components, sizing table integration increases capacity to control system settings to reflect real-world MEP systems requirements. Quickly define the behavior of MEP systems components for more robust design and calculation results.
Select sizes from a list, or create custom sizing directly in the Settings dialog box. Comprehensive pipe sizing and fluid-based control parameters in Revit MEP software are based on materials, roughness, connections, and schedule/type.
Electrical wire sizes can be configured with correction factors as well as ground conductors.
The ton unit has been added in Revit MEP 2009 to provide check sums based on units that engineers use to calculate, size, and select mechanical equipment.

Transfer project settings
Increased coordination is central to Revit MEP 2009 enhancements. Now, easily transfer significant MEP project settings from one project to another. Quickly update project settings with revised project information, such as customized settings developed in integrated size lists.

Panel schedules and tick marks
Users have asked for greater control over the appearance of electrical schedules, and Revit® MEP 2009 answers that request. Now, format your electrical panel schedules just like other Revit® schedules, and improve sheet placement and information documentation by placing numerous panel schedules on a single sheet.
In the same way that size lists have been integrated, wire tick marks have also been integrated as standard families, helping to ensure greater usability and scalability. You can now edit them in family editor.

MEP detail lines
Revit MEP now has MEP detail lines that enhance construction documentation. Detail lines appear as solid lines for MEP graphical representation when you add detail to documents.
Draw detail lines in any MEP discipline view and help ensure that the MEP components stand out against the screened architectural background.

Mechanical display and layout
Size ductwork with improved duct justification integrity, helping to ensure communication of design intent. When using an eccentric reducer, be assured that the justification remains the same even after resizing.
Revit MEP 2009 works the way engineers think. Duct sizes appear natively in plan and section as they should appear based on industry documentation standards. In plan view, see width and then height; in section view, see height and then width.

Graphical and view control
Revit MEP 2009 now gives you greater display and graphical control with the powerful new ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ features that help you to navigate and view your BIM model with ease.
ViewCube and SteeringWheels are multiplatform viewing tools. Use these intuitive view navigation tools to quickly manipulate views to maximize efficiency. Also take advantage of the same rendering engine provided in Autodesk® 3ds Max® and Autodesk® VIZ software for high-quality 3D rendering with the mental ray® application.

View display performance
Revit MEP 2009 improves performance of hidden line regeneration, resulting in better working view performance.
Revit MEP helps to improve efficiency by sending users a more detailed error message to facilitate better design decisions.

AutoCAD 2009 Preview / Closer Look

AutoCAD 2009 Preview GuideLearn more about new AutoCAD 2009 functionality in the AutoCAD 2009 Preview Guide.

Take a Closer Look at AutoCAD 2009
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Menu Browser
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Action Recorder
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at Quick Properties
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Quick Access Toolbar
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Status Bar

2009 Cometh...

Like every year around this time we all start to eagerly await the coming of spring, out with the snow, the return of sunshine, and the rebirth of all things nature. We also await the new versions of Autodesk software, usually released around the end of March / early April. Well this year is no different than past years; make way for version 2009, for it cometh….

Expected late March is the release of AutoCAD 2009, Autodesk’s “platform” technology. What’s new you ask? Well, here is a quick list of new and enhanced items for your reference:

Menu Browser, Ribbon, User Assistance, Quick View, Quick Properties, ViewCube, SteeringWheels, ShowMotion, Action Recorder, Modeless Layer Manager, Export Layout to Model Space, Geographic Location, Dynamic Xclip, eTransmit, Materials, MTEXT, Find and Replace, Blocks, Array, Nonrectangular Viewports, Plotting, Purge, DWFx Support, DGN Support, and Window’s 32 and 64 bit Operating System Certifications.

Here are some brief descriptions on some of these:

Menu Browser
No longer is reviewing and working with several files a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface enables you to browse files and examine thumbnail images, and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.

Ribbon
The ribbon interface helps you increase overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps required to reach a command. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format so you can quickly select commands based on the work you are doing. Moving between applications is now quick and intuitive. The ribbon
is both customizable and expandable so that you can optimize it to fit your workstyle and company standards.

User Assistance
· Get additional information about items from Level 2 Enhanced tooltips
· Customize dynamic help to quickly access and link help documentation for commands
· Access Show Me animations in the help file
· Access clear and concise information for the task at hand with enhanced task dialog boxes• Search the Autodesk knowledge base and forums with the InfoCenter search bar
· Press F1 to go directly into context-sensitive help for any item

Quick Properties
The easily customizable quick properties menu increases productivity by reducing the steps to access properties information, helping to ensure that information presented is optimized for that particular user and project.

Quick View
The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, making opening the correct drawing file and layout faster and decreasing time spent opening incorrect drawing files.

ViewCube and SteeringWheels Features
The ViewCube™ feature is an interactive tool for rotating and orienting any solid or surface model in AutoCAD® software. Just select a face, edge, or corner of the cube to bring the model quickly to that predefined orientation. Click and hold the ViewCube to rotate the model in any direction. Since the ViewCube is in a fixed location on the screen, it provides at-a-glance orientation. The ViewCube will be introduced in Autodesk products as a common tool for working with 3D models.In addition to allowing quick access to the Orbit command, the new SteeringWheels™ tool provides quick access to the Pan, Center, and Zoom commands. The SteeringWheels tool is highly customizable so you can add walk-through commands to help create and record a walk-through of your model.

ShowMotion
· Improve the design process with superior review capability
· Use Authoring mode to create animations and transitions
· Use Presentation mode to play back shots and sequences
· Create motion and transitions like those seen in television commercials by using captured camera positions to which cinematic movements may be added

Action Recorder
The new action recorder helps you save time and increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a CAD manager. Quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, and then quickly select and play back recorded files.
Modeless Layer Manager
· View changes made to layer settings without exiting the Layer Manager
· Freeze columns to aid scrolling in the layer list
· Set Layer Manager to dock, autohide, and anchor just like tool palettes
· Instantly access Layer Manager during a drawing session

Export Layout to Model Space
· Export all visible objects from the current layout to the model space of a new drawing
· Exchange drawings with other CAD systems without limiting the use of layouts
· Take a snapshot of a drawing layout to create a ready-to-use model space drawing

Geographic Location
· Create a single marker that defines the geographic location of the entire drawing
· Create a geographic marker—a visual representation of location information—automatically when location information is embedded in a drawing

Dynamic Xclip
Dynamically adjust xclip boundary frames without having to re-create the xclip boundary

eTransmit
· Purge drawings before packing
· Choose not to save a drawing before packing

Materials
· Fit gizmo to object
· Fit mapping to gizmo for material map scale

MTEXT
· Press Esc during MTEXT to save MTEXT input
· Display MTEXT table toolbar as fixed, floating, or in the ribbon
· In-place spell checking in MTEXT editor

Find and Replace
· Find and replace text in blocks
· Replace text in xrefs
· Use wild cards

Blocks
Select a block or dynamic block and then type W to invoke the wblock command, which lists the selected block’s name in the source text box

Array
Zoom and pan while previewing an array result

Nonrectangular Viewports
Find properties, input scale, and lock or unlock settings from the Properties palette

Plotting
Know immediately if a plotter device is missing, since “Missing” is now added as a prefix in the plotter device name instead of as a suffix, avoiding the possibility of truncation

Purge
Implement the shortcut key for Close in the Purge command

DWFx Support
· The future of DWF™ technology is based on the XxML Paper Specification (XxPS) format from Microsoft.
· Create DWFx files by publishing or plotting your drawing files
· Use DWFx as an underlay

DGN Support
· Access DGN V7 and V8 support
· Access DGN and DWG translation mapping support for levels, lineweight, linetype, and color
· Use a DGN file as an underlay
· Import and export to DGN file format

Windows Logo Certification
· Certified for Windows® XxP 32- and 64-bit
· Certified for Windows Vista® 32- and 64-bit
· Access native 64-bit OS support

Stay tuned for similar updates on AutoCAD Architecture 2009, AutoCAD MEP 2009, Revit Architecture 2009, Revit Structure 2009, and Revit MEP 2009.

A word about Subscription

A word about Subscription – Although it is optional, essentially, if you are interested in keeping the cost of ownership to a minimum, it is advisable to consider the Subscription program, as opposed to the traditional upgrade methodology. Buying upgrades the traditional method either yearly or every few years will cost on average 25% more in some cases. Subscription is an annual fee which includes every new release automatically shipped to you at no additional cost directly from Autodesk. Compared to the annual upgrade costs, Subscription can save you anywhere from 15 to 45% (again in some cases), equating to a much lower cost of ownership. Subscription provides other perks for the entire year like unlimited technical web support from Autodesk, membership-only privileges and community resources such as webcasts, e-Learning, weblogs, prior version usage, home-use, additional software extensions, and access to beta programs just to name a few.

Please note that some products such as all Revit and AutoCAD MEP are Subscription-based products meaning that if you are not on active Subscription, there is no upgrade price offering to get current. Don't worry though, you can still get current at a "discounted" price over new license pricing as long as you are within 3 years of the current version. All you need to do is pay the missed years of Subscription. In other words, you either pay for Subscription now or pay later. But like always with Autodesk, the later is always more expensive - there is an additional 'late' fee attached to the later.

In summary, the Subscription program simplifies your license management, improves your budgeting, reduces your software upgrade costs, reduces your users’ learning curve, maintains or increases your users’ productivity, and always ensures you are using the latest technology.

Ready to Retire and Leave Your Legacy? Well Version 2005 Is.

I think it is best to take this opportunity to explain Autodesk’s methodology regarding their software support, lifecycle, and marketing. Autodesk maintains full support on up to four versions of their software at any given time. With 2008 as the current version, they continue to provide support for 2007, 2006, and 2005 users. This year around March or April, they will release a new version: 2009. In March 2008 they will retire all 2005 products, consistent with how they have always done things. As a courtesy to 2005, 2006, and 2007 users, they provide a discount price for upgrading to the latest version, in hopes that people will stay within this 4-year window of active products. That being said, customers do not have to upgrade if they prefer not to. Their products do not terminate, nor will they lose ownership of these licenses. Yes, it is true that if you wait more than 4 years you are buying new licenses if you wish to get current again. However, Autodesk still offer a 30% discount off of the “new” price under their Legacy Program on those "replacement" licenses provide that Subscription is purchased for the first year (in other words, Subscription is mandatory to get the 30% discount) that were never upgraded in the 4-year window. Hence you are still getting a break on the cost, even after all that time.

So when is the best time to buy if you are not current and are on the pending retirement version (2005)? Well, Autodesk has traditionally offered a Retirement Promotion every year which has always followed this structure:

Phase 1 – May to July (approximately)
20% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 15% discount if purchased without Subscription.

Phase 2 – August to October (approximately)
15% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 10% discount if purchased without Subscription.

Phase 3 – November to January (approximately)
10% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 0% discount if purchased without Subscription(ie. Regular upgrade pricing).

From time to time, they will offer additional mail-in rebates promotions or special offers, but these really can’t be relied on; therefore, it would not be most advantageous to bank on these in any purchasing strategy.

Currently, at this time in the year (January), if you have 2005 products and you have not upgraded them yet this year, you are only left with Phase 3 of the 2005 Retirement Promotion to capitalize on. Really you should strongly consider upgrading them NOW before the January 15 deadline for the current 2005 Retirement Promotion, Phase 3. Please note that if you don’t upgrade your 2005 versions before March 15, 2008 they will fall into the Legacy Program as explained above (more costly to upgrade to current at that point than in the Retirement year)

If you have 2006 product, well you can upgrade today using a 2-step upgrade price or wait until the Phase 1 of 2006 Retirement Promotion this coming May. Which is better? General rule of thumb when dealing with Autodesk – the sooner you upgrade the better the deal is to do so. In a future post I will show an example of this price comparison.

Some years Autodesk offers a Legacy Promotion which follows a similar structure to the Retirement Promotion offering 45% with Subscription and 40% without Subscription in Phase 1, 40% and 35% in Phase 2, and lastly 35% and 30% (which is equal to the regular pricing but with no mandatory Subscription policy) for Phase 3. Again, please note that I stated SOME years they offer the Legacy Promotions; so be caution if planning around this one because it may not be there to capitalize on.

SO, ARE YOU CONFUSED with all this? Pretty crazy to keep tabs on all these promotions and dates etc. when you are not concerned with it on a daily basis. Let’s face it, you're busy designing for a living not trying to keep tabs on Autodesk’s promotions. Want to know how to deal with this the most effective way? Check out my next blog post…. A word about Subscription.

Welcome and the purpose of this blog

Well, for those of you that don't know me from anyone else in the world, I am a business consultant for an authorized Autodesk reseller in Canada. I specifically deal with the AEC industry helping firms with everything from AutoCAD LT right up to multi-disciplinary environments using Building Information Modeling (BIM) or in Autodesk terms: REVIT!

My background stems back some 16 years within both the Graphic Arts and AEC industries. I am an Architectural Technologist by trade and have worked in the trenches of an architectural firm pumping out working drawings to running a computerized facilities management department within an institutional setting. I started with AutoCAD back in the mid to late 80's on Release 8 (which was actually refer to as version 2.6) using a pen plotter and a digitizing tablet (computers didn't come with a mouse back then). I learned AutoLISP and actually ended up teaching AutoCAD courses at a local community college.

Now I consult with my clients on how to use these wonderful Autodesk products to their fullest potential. I not only help implement these tools, but I also educate my clients on the best practices on dealing with Autodesk. Let's face it, they are a huge organization and are sometimes very daunting to deal with. But once you know the way they think and breath, it is much easier to plan your investments in their technologies to your benefit - that's were I come in. As a reseller, I deal with them everyday and have come to know what is possible and what is not, when it is most advantageous to buy in the year, how to minimize your costs annual, and lastly but most importantly, how to maximize your investment.

The purpose of this blog is not only to provide you with help using your Autodesk products, but to all educate you on how to take advantage of Autodesk’s annual marketing processes, promotions, rebates, and offerings. I plan to keep this blog up to date as these announcements are made through the year.

Please join for an interesting and hopefully exciting journey through the world’s foremost authority on design software – the world of Autodesk.