Wednesday, March 31, 2010

AEC Bytes Newletter on Autodesk 2011 product launches

This post is from AEC Bytes - very good read:

Last week, Autodesk hosted a webcast to officially launch the next version of its design software portfolio. While it did not discuss any of its products in depth, the webcast summarized the main enhancements in the 2011 versions of AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, and 3ds Max, which were identified as the key applications of its product portfolio. In addition to individual enhancements in each of these applications to make them "best of class," Autodesk has also launched an initiative to make the user experience more consistent across all of them. This has included implementing the ribbon-based interface to provide a similar—and modern—look and feel, as well as making common tasks such as model navigation, material selection, and so on work the same way across all of them. Other key objectives for Autodesk in this product release were improved graphics for better visualization, better data interoperability between its applications, and improving the power and sophistication of the applications while at the same time making them simpler and easier to use.

The highlights of Autodesk’s launch webcast from an AEC perspective are captured in this issue of the AECbytes Newsletter. Autodesk is holding another event next month to provide further details of the 2011 AEC product portfolio, which will be covered in a separate article at that time.

Article Link

http://www.aecbytes.com/newsletter/2010/issue_44.html

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What's NEW and ENHANCED in Revit Architecture 2011

Some of these items will be the same in Revit MEP and Revit Structure.

USABILITY
  • Parametric Constraints and Families - ENHANCED
  • Integrated Rendering - ENHANCED
  • View Styles - ENHANCED
  • Temporary Dimensions - ENHANCED
  • Application Programming Interface (API) - ENHANCED
  • Repeat Last Command - NEW
  • Find & Replace Text - NEW

ARCHITECTURAL MODELING TOOLS
  • Structural Elements - ENHANCED

USER INTERFACE
  • Task-based User Interface - ENHANCED
  • Resizable Dialogs - ENHANCED
  • Quick Access Toolbar - ENHANCED
  • Application Menu - ENHANCED
  • Keyboard Shortcuts Dialog - NEW
  • Web-Based Help - NEW
  • Modeless Properties Palette - NEW
  • Sun Path - NEW

COLLABORATION
  • Worksharing (Multi-person File Sharing) - ENHANCED
  • Linked Revit Files - ENHANCED
  • Publish to Autodesk Navisworks products - ENHANCED
  • Publish to CAD Formats (DWG, DXF, DGN, ACIS (SAT)) - ENHANCED
  • Import from Autodesk Inventor - ENHANCED
  • Autodesk Green Building Studio Web-based Service* - NEW
*Available to Subscription customers of Autodesk Revit Archictecture software during the term of their Subscription.

DOCUMENTATION
  • Annotations  - ENHANCED
  • Text Notes Formatting  - ENHANCED
  • Sheet Composition - ENHANCED

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
  • Solid Modeling - ENHANCED
  • Free-form Modeling & Direct Manipulation - ENHANCED
  • Surface Modeling - ENHANCED
  • Surface Rationalization - ENHANCED
  • Custom curtain panels - ENHANCED
  • Flexible Components - NEW

Friday, March 19, 2010

Autodesk ImageModeler

Autodesk ImageModeler image-based modeling and photogrammetry software enables architects, designers, and entertainment content creators to generate 3D models from 2D digital images. The software’s easy-to-learn, three-step workflow—calibration, modeling, and texturing—enables users to achieve stunning, photorealistic 3D models with real-world accuracy and export them in different formats to other Autodesk products.

You can obtain a license of ImageModeler 2009 when you purchase a license for the following Autodesk products with Autodesk Subscription:

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Autodesk's Software Delivery Policy Change

Autodesk Subscription Customers are starting to receive this email (sent to the Subscription Contract Administrator):


This email is announcing that all Auto Fulfillment of future versions will be delivered to you, by default, via electronic download - NO DISCs / DVDs / CDs will be sent to you.  Unless you inform Autodesk that your delivery preference is that a box of discs be sent to you.  How do you inform them?  By login into your Subscription Center Website account and setting your your delivery preference to “box”.

I would suggest setting your preference immediately before the new 2011 versions are released.



Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Another Source for BIM Content

Checkout www.arcat.com

They offer a wide array of Manufacturer and Generic BIM objects as well as CAD details.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Take Stock of Your Software 2

Back in October I blogged about a free downloadable utility to help you locate where your licenses are installed.  Well Autodesk is releasing the new version of this software asset management utility. This simple utility searches for Autodesk products installed on a network and identifies their location(s). Formerly known as Autodesk Product Manager (APM), this tool has been renamed Autodesk Asset Locator (AAL) and updated with many new features and enhancements, including:
  • Support for 32-bit Windows 7 operating system
  • Remote registry search for Windows 7
  • 64-bit machines now supported
  • Searches now include subnets

Autodesk Asset Locator will be included free of charge on the product media of many upcoming Autodesk products. Note: This product is subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of this software.

Action: The utility is available now for download from the following Autodesk License Compliance web page:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10243574

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Announcing Rev It Up for Green Renovation Energy Performance Promotion

From November 30, 2009, through April 18, 2010, customers will have the option of purchasing a license of Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2010 software for US$995 when purchased with a qualifying AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite or AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite new license, crossgrade, or Subscription renewal.

Subscription for Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software is required to be eligible for promotional pricing. Autodesk Ecotect Analysis Subscription includes the Autodesk Green Building Studio web service, which helps architects and designers to conduct whole building energy analysis, optimize performance and efficiency, and achieve carbon neutrality earlier in the design process.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Online License Transfer in Autodesk 2010 Products

This video provides an overview of the Online License Transfer (OLT) feature that is available in the 2010 product releases.  This is useful when your are transferring your license from an old computer to a new computer.  By using the OLT, it eliminates the need to request a new activation from Autodesk.

Revit MEP - New US Content available via Subcription Center

New US content is now available for Revit MEP Subscription customers via the Subscription Center Website. The download is "US Content Extension for Autodesk Revit MEP 2010"

The US Content Extension for Autodesk Revit MEP 2010 software provides new content to help electrical engineers, drafters, and contractors create electrical designs and layouts for projects in the US and elsewhere. Contents include electrical devices for nurse call systems, fire safety, communications, security, and power.  Content is available in both imperial and metric units.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Webcast: Renovating for an Energy-Efficient Future

On Tuesday, December 8, at 1:00 PM EST, Autodesk is hosting a webcast on “Renovating for an Energy-Efficient Future.” This session focuses on Building Information Modeling (BIM) for renovation and building performance, and will show how BIM solutions can help in the creation and analysis of energy models that can determine the best designs for sustainability and efficiency – from all stakeholder perspectives.

This webcast is part of the Sustainable Design Webcast Series, and is registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for Continuing education credits. It qualifies for one Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) credit.

Action: Register at www.autodesk.com/sustainable-webcasts. 

Monday, November 9, 2009

AutoCAD $500 New Seat Rebate Promotion

From November 2, 2009, through January 15, 2010, customers in the United States and Canada who purchase qualifying new commercial licenses of AutoCAD 2010 software may be eligible for a rebate of up to US$500 for each new license purchased after submitting an online request and providing proof of license purchase documentation. This offer is limited to a maximum of five seats total per customer invoice address.

Customers may review terms and conditions, answers to frequently asked questions, and submit their rebate information by visiting www.autodesk.com/autocadrebate.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Windows 7 Support for Autodesk products

The following products are supported on Microsoft Windows 7:

Autodesk will support Windows 7 for most of its other products as updated versions of Autodesk products are released.

You may be able to use Windows 7 with an Autodesk product that is not listed above, however, Autodesk may not be able to resolve every issue encountered at this time.

The following issues have been identified with Windows 7 and are currently being researched for a potential fix in a future release:

AutoCAD and all AutoCAD-based vertical products:

  • Infocenter balloons sometimes display blank
  • Dragging Ribbon tabs sometimes crashes the product
  • Encrypted files fail to open and save on Windows 7
  • Open files do not appear on Windows 7 Jumplist
  • Export to Impression functionality will not work because Autodesk Impression is not supported on Windows 7

AutoCAD Architectural 2010 and AutoCAD Mechanical 2010:

  • Text in the Drafting Settings dialog overlaps radio buttons

Graphics Card Support for Windows 7:

Windows 7 is supported but not certified.  This means that Autodesk has not certified every card but we expect they should work with Windows 7 without issue. The certified driver versions for Vista 32 and Vista 64 should install and work with AutoCAD 2010.  The exception to this are the ATI FireGL and FirePro graphics cards and drivers for those cards should be downloaded from http://www.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDHomePage.aspx. If your NVIDIA drivers on Windows 7 are newer than 191.00, and your ATI drivers are newer than 8.634, hardware acceleration should be on by default.

Where's Waldo for Revit

Okay, okay, I know that a lot of you don't like the new Ribbon interface in Revit Architecture 2010 but I have to tell you, it is not going away anytime soon.  So you might as well stop fighting it and start learning it.  The following might help you fasttrack this learning curve.

If you are still wondering where to find the 2009 command buttons in the 2010 Ribbon style user-interface, care of “Revitize - A Revit Blog” there is a simple online utility that can help you understand where the 2009 commands are located in the 2010 product.  Goto:


In the 2009 screen image click on a command item/icon that you would like to find in the 2010 user-interface and it will show you the proper Ribbon location in Revit 2010. Then click anywhere afterwards and you are returned the 2009 product screen.

Happy Ribboning.....

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

A Couple More Reason to be on Subscription


Check out: Uncovering the Revit Subscription Advantage Pack The Revit Update

More info on Subscription Advantage packs can be found at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=14022754&siteID=123112 

And

 

Autodesk University (AU) Virtual allows you to stream select classes and content from AU 2009 directly to your desktop.  Here's how you can experience AU Virtual: AU Virtual Premier Pass – US$99 (Free to Autodesk Subscription customers) Includes full access to 50+ classes, keynotes and other premium content streamed live from AU in Las Vegas. Plus access up to 350 on-demand sessions post-event.

 

Register for AU Virtual

 

See how AU Virtual compares with the AU 2009 Conference in Las Vegas.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Take Stock of Your Software

The Autodesk Product Manager tool will determine the Autodesk software product you have and where it’s installed by locating:

  • Product, version, and serial number
  • Product language
  • Network or stand-alone installation type
  • Service pack level
  • Installation location

Download the Autodesk Product Manager tool.

For detailed instructions, refer to the Autodesk Product Manager Tool guide.

Autodesk Product Manager Tool: A Step Guide for Conducting a Software Audit (pdf - 407Kb)

Note: Some products may not be located by the Autodesk Product Manager Tool.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Updates Available for Revit-Based Products

Update 2 for English-language versions of Revit 2010 products is now available for download. This update is for Revit Architecture 2010, Revit Structure 2010, and Revit MEP 2010 software.

Updates can be accessed via the downloads from the Services & Support pages on Autodesk.com. 

Monday, September 14, 2009

Revit MEP Sustainable Design Tutorial

Buildings account for the largest source of energy consumption and emissions in the world today. Governments and business are addressing this challenge with a range of new requirements for building systems. With these requirements, MEP designers and engineers need to develop practices that enable them to conform to the new specifications.

Autodesk MEP Engineering Solutions allow you to effectively incorporate sustainable design strategies into your workflow that allow you to more effectively conduct whole building energy analysis for new buildings and energy system retrofits.

In this series of presentations, you will learn how to use Autodesk MEP Engineering Solutions to perform accurate, time-saving operations that will help your team work faster and smarter.

To view the tutorial, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/oc/offer/form?siteID=123112&id=13707515


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Deals on NVIDIA Quadro by PNY Graphic Cards

Get up to 50% off a wide range of NVIDIA Quadro by PNY graphic cards

Product

NVIDIA MSRP

Promo Pricing

FX 4800

$1,999 US

$999 US

FX 3800

$1,199 US

$599 US

FX 1800

$599 US

$299 US

FX 580

$199 US

$99 US

Go to http://ecommerce.pny.com and enter promo code: 'AUSUBQFX' at checkout. Quantity limited to two (2) per customer. Offer expires on December 31, 2009 and is valid only in North America.

A Complimentary BIM Webcast

Check out this FREE Webcast from Reed Construction Data:

“Lessons in BIM Adoption”

September 23, 2009  •  2:00 p.m. EDT  •  online webcast

Learn about specific details and developments in adopting Building Information Modeling from any computer. Allow experts and analysts to give you insight on some do’s and don’ts of BIM. You'll hear directly from an architect, engineer and building product manufacturer.

Click here to register now

On September 23, please join Dennis Neeley, AIA, Cindy Bremer, and Mark Mergenschroer for a complimentary webcast, moderated by Rex Miller.

Topics Include:

  • Why BIM adoption was important to their company
  • The initial approach to BIM
  • Overall results of adopting BIM
  • Recommendations for the industry