Monday, March 23, 2009

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.


Autodesk Subscription

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.

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Download Your Upgrade

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[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!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

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.


Monday, February 9, 2009

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....

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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 13th

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 13th

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

Sunday, January 25, 2009

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.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

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.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Revit Webcasts worth checking out

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

Register Now

Revit Implementation Series #2 - Family Creation and Management

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

Revit Architecture and Design Visualization for Sustainable Design

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

View Archive

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

View Past Revit Architecture Webcasts

View Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now



AutoCAD Architecture - Webcasts

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

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

View Archive

View Past AutoCAD Architecture Webcasts

View Now

Visit the AutoCAD Architecture Resource Center

Visit Now

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

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

Register Now

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

Register Now

Design Visualization Webcasts

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

View Archive

The Importance of Design Visualization and Autodesk 3ds Max Design

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

View Archive

View Past Design Visualization Webcasts

View Now

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

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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

Thursday, June 26, 2008

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/

Monday, June 23, 2008

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.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

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!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

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.