Stop the Cap!

More than 160,000 ordinary Canadians have signed a petition telling telecom companies to back off their Internet Overcharging schemes. The NDP has adopted an anti-Overcharging position, and now Openmedia.ca, an ally of ours, is spearheading an effort to get the larger Liberal Party involved in the fight against Internet ripoffs.
Deep pocketed cable and phone companies have invaded Ottawa with their lobbyists and friends to try and keep your broadband bill as high as possible. We can trump their hand, but only if you get involved.
With Canadian government pressure, the CRTC will fold like a wet newspaper. Openmedia is trying to collect a historic 200,000 signatures, and starting today every signature will send e-mail to the inbox of Michael Ignatieff and Liberal Party Digital Critic Pablo Rodriguez, encouraging them to join the fight.
If you don’t want to pay through the roof for your broadband, hurry and add your name to the petition. Ottawa has been surprised by the backlash from everyday consumers from BC to PEI. Now let’s deliver the death blow to Internet Overcharging and tell Bell, Rogers, and Shaw to enjoy the fat profits they already earn, and stop the gouging.
Action Alert — Canada’s Internet Ripoff Goes to Parliament: Get Involved – Click Here!

Ecotect Analysis Software Price Reduction

Autodesk announces a price reduction on it’s Ecotect Analysis software as of February 1st.  The price is being reduced from US$3,000 to US$1,500.  Ecotect Analysis software includes Autodesk Green Building Studio software as a Subscription entitlement.  the annual Subscription rates are also reduced to US$360 per license.

Subscription Advantage Packs (Canadian French)

The Autodesk Subscription Advantage Packs include product enhancements, presentations, and other resources available only to current Subscription customers.

http://partner.autodesk.com/pr/servlet/item?siteID=12194020&id=15914690

Autodesk 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design 2011 Hotfix 4 Now Available

An update for Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 software and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011 software is currently available on the Autodesk website. This hotfix helps resolve issues with the following features: the 3ds Max® Character Animation Toolkit, Autodesk FBX interoperability, Autodesk Materials, and mental ray software. It improves the overall operation of the 3ds Max software products. For more information on issues resolved in this hotfix, please visit the AREA.

This hotfix is cumulative; it contains the fixes from all previous 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design software hotfix releases.

Action: Go to the Autodesk 3ds Max Services & Support page to update your software.

Great “Revit Content” Website

Doors, Windows, Walls, oh my…Here is a great website, Revit Content,  were you can buy professionally developed Revit content (families).  The best part is it comes with a 30-day Full Money Back Guarantee.  So the if the content doesn't fulfil your requirements, you can ask for your money back within 30 days or even better yet they will amend the content you purchased to your requirements for FREE.  How’s that for customer service?

All the Content is Certified.  The Content provided is professional created Revit Families that go through a multi-level certification process.  Learn more

Content Update - As soon as a content is going to be updated, every single customer who has downloaded this content before, gets automatically an notification email that a new update on this particular Revit Content is available for a FREE download - Yes, it is FREE for everybody who downloaded this particular Revit Content in a previous version.  This Service gives you the guarantee to always have the latest Revit Content which makes all the difference to the accuracy, stability, performance and data output achievable within your Revit Project.  Learn more about our FREE Content Update Service.

Content Notifer - keep you always informed about the Revit Content that is coming online.  Learn more about our FREE Content Notifier Service

10 Things to Know About Revit Server (repost)

The blog Revit Clinic had a post last month on the 10 Things to Know About Revit Server.  This was a very good informative post that i encourage you to check out.

New McGraw Hill Construction Green BIM Smart Market Report

 

Autodesk recently participated as the premier corporate sponsor for the Green BIM Smart Market Report. Key findings from the report demonstrate:

• Green building sector will drive adoption of BIM - 7 out of 10 respondents report medium to high green project involvement.
• Opportunities in Green Retrofit - 88% of non-green BIM users believe they will use it for retrofit projects during next two years.
• Energy Performance Monitoring - Owners have low awareness of the benefits of BIM.
• Energy Performance Simulation - Green BIM users are simulating energy performance, including lighting/daylighting, whole building analysis, and energy code compliance.

Resources to support Green BIM opportunities include:

• Guide to Sustainable Design:
  http://www.autodesk.com/sustainabledesignguide
• BIM Enabled Sustainable Design Sales PowerPoint® Presentation:
  Partner Portal / Sales & Marketing / Thought Leadership / Sustainable Design / Architecture, Engineering & Construction
• BIM Enabled Sustainable Design Sales Whitepaper:
  Partner Portal / Sales & Marketing / Thought Leadership / Sustainable Design / Architecture, Engineering & Construction
• Success Stories:
  DesignGroup
  ARBA Studios
• Conceptual Energy Analysis Videos:
  http://www.autodesk.com/revit-videos-cea
• Rapid Energy Modeling information:
  http://www.autodesk.com/rem
• Renovation and Retrofit Sales Playbook:
  Partner Portal / Sales & Marketing / Industry Solutions / Architecture, Engineering & Construction / Renovation Buildings for Sustainability

AutoCAD for Mac - First Customer Shipment

Autodesk is planning the First Customer Shipment (FCS) of AutoCAD for Mac on Friday, October 15. On this day, customers will be able to place orders with authorized resellers.

Autodesk recognizes that many existing AutoCAD software customers may have a preference for Apple Macintosh hardware and AutoCAD for Mac software. To support these customers, Autodesk is offering a US$400 upgrade from AutoCAD 2011 software to AutoCAD 2011 for Mac software. For a limited time, existing AutoCAD 2011 software customers with active Subscription contracts may be eligible to save even more.

From October 15, 2010, through January 14, 2011, existing AutoCAD Subscription Customers can save up to US$400 on new commercial licenses and up to US$200 on upgrades by mail-in rebate:

• Save US$400 on new licenses: AutoCAD Subscription customers are eligible for a US$400 mail-in rebate on new commercial licenses of AutoCAD for Mac 2011 software.
• Save US$200 on upgrades: AutoCAD Subscription customers are eligible for a US$200 mail-in rebate on upgrades from AutoCAD 2011 to AutoCAD 2011 for Mac software.

The AutoCAD for Mac Competitive Trade-up Program offers an option to purchase specially discounted, new licenses of AutoCAD for Mac for those customers who own a competitive product. To receive the special discounted price, customers must purchase Autodesk Subscription for each qualifying license along with the discounted product.  Examples of competitive products that will be accepted under this program are listed below.

• Vectorworks
• ArchiCAD
• TurboCAD Mac Pro
• Siemens NX

Subscription Advantage Packs: Tools That Make an Impact

The 2011 Subscription Advantage Packs are now available to Subscription customers via Subscription Center. This year’s English Advantage Packs launched on September 29.

Autodesk Subscription Advantage Packs are available for download now by Subscription customers. Get ahead by gaining early access to the latest product enhancements for the 2011 version of your Autodesk software. Available for select products, Subscription Advantage Packs can include:

· Additional product features that expand and improve software functionality

· Integrated web services that promote collaboration and support sustainable design

· Robust design content such as specialized libraries and other tools that enrich visualizations and renderings

Download Your Subscription Advantage Pack by logging in to your Subscription Center:

Tutorial – How to Download Subscription Advantage Packs

Revit Architecture 2011 - Sun Path

Revit Architecture 2011 - Sun Path

AutoCAD WS for your iDevice

Service Pack 2 out for all Revit 2011 products

Autodesk has announced the availability of the Revit 2011 Update 2 build (20100903_2115) Release. the links below:

Revit Architecture

Revit MEP

Revit Structure

Autodesk Revit Platform 2011 Enhancements

• Improves stability when locking of constraints within families.
• Improves stability when modifying the properties of an element.
• Ensures „Select All Instances‟ when used on viewports within a sheet does select all the viewports.
• Improves stability when using the “Create Form” tool when In-Place edit a mass.
• Improves stability when using “Complex” complexity mode during gbXML Export.
• Corrects glazing area when using “Simple” complexity mode during gbXML Export.
• Improves stability when editing element Phase inside a group.
• Improves consistency of the ifcflowsegment and ifcflowfitting properties during a re-export to IFC.
• Improves stability when exporting to AutoCad 2000 DWG files.
• Improves stability during export to DWG files when exporting a view with a linked DWG in "new layers for overrides" mode.
• Improves stability after switching location within the InfoCenter settings
• Improves stability of InfoCenter when logged into Revit with a double byte username.
• Improves stability when selecting materials from within the materials dialog.
• Improves stability when switching between views
• Improves visibility of manually applied hidden lines during printing and exporting of Structural Hidden Lines views.
• Improves performance when using spinner control in the Decal Types dialog.
• Improves stability when selecting array elements from within the Reveal Hidden Elements display mode.
• Improves stability when finishing Sketch mode.
• Improves stability when selecting a reference plane within the conceptual mass editor.
• Improves stability when launching multiple sessions of Revit.
• Corrects shadow casting of linked RVT files when in realistic display mode.
• Improves stability when dragging sun.
• Improves stability when upgrading Revit 2010 project file.
• Corrects color of masked regions when rendered in Consistent Color display mode.

There are other enhancements per Revit “flavour” as well as the API which can be found in the associated Update Enhancement List PDF on each product page

Revit Server and Conceptual Energy Analysis

 

Autodesk is releasing a new Subscription Advantage Pack for Revit Subscription clients that will include the new Revit Server and Conceptual Energy Analysis capabilities. 

For more detailed information and software downloads you should log into your Autodesk Subscription Center. 

For a detailed overview of these Revit features you can refer to latest review article in AEC Bytes: Revit’s New Server and Conceptual Energy Analysis Capabilities

Autodesk Design Visualization Reel 2010 Call for Submissions

Autodesk is asking for Design Visualization submissions to include in their 2010 Design Show Reel.  This Reel will be showcased at AUTODESK UNIVERSITY from November 30 to December 2, 2010. It will be featured during each sessions and to the opening of the Mainstage presentation.

They are also very interested in receiving high-resolution images – up to 300 dpi – for inclusion in their marketing material leading up to and surrounding the show. Lower resolution is also most welcome.

The deadline for imagery submission and video content is Friday, October 8, 2010.

Submission Process
Follow these easy steps to submit your work.  Good Luck!

Product Support Information for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 2011

 

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 2011 Update 1.1 is now available. This is a re-release of Update 1 for AutoCAD 2011 software. After the original Update 1 was released, it was discovered that an issue occurred when conducting certain operations that may cause AutoCAD software to shut down.

Update 1 was subsequently removed to correct the issue and a hotfix was released for those customers who had already applied Update 1. This release of Update 1.1 includes that fix.

More detailed information and instructions can be found at Without a Net.

Autodesk's Training & Implementation Voucher Promotion

Autodesk is offering customers up to $10,000US in Training and/or Implementation vouchers on qualifying purchases of Revit, Navisworks, Civil 3D, Map 3D, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Plant 3D, and P&ID.

For purchases of 1-5 licenses of new or cross-grade upgrades the customer will receive $200US per license in vouchers. 6+ licenses will net you $300US per license up to a maximum of $10,000US. Services must be completed by Dec. 31/10. An on-line post-service evaluation must be completed by the customer.

New from Autodesk Labs: Solar Radiation Technology Preview

August 31 - Autodesk Announces AutoCAD for Mac

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=15421056&siteID=123112

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Rebate promotion

Now is the time to buy new licenses of AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD LT if you are in need of additional licnesing. Autodesk is currently running rebate promotions on both products.



From Aug 16 to Oct 17, 2010 you can save up to $400US on new AutoCAD licenses and/or up to $300US on new AutoCAD LT licenses.

You must submit an on-line rebate request and mail in proof of purchase documentation. Offer is limited to a maximum of 5 licenses. Rebates can be submit at the following links:

AutoCAD

AutoCAD LT

Service Pack 1 out for all Revit 2011 products

Check out the Service Pack Updates page on Auotdesk's website. The specific links are below:

Revit Architecture
Revit Structure
Revit MEP