Between the Lines

AU Disney/MGM Studios Party Tonight!

From the AU 2005 schedule: "Special Evening Event - Disney/MGM Studios Party
Relax after a day of classes and enjoy just-for-fun activities such as movies, rides, game shows, and entertainment, along with terrific food and beverages. You'll arrive at a gala opening-night setting. You'll leave with memories of a fabulous evening of "Show Biz."

Disney/MGM Studios web site

This should be a fun evening. I will be taking a ton of photos.

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University 2005 Day 3

AU 2005 is becoming a blur to me with so many people (over 5000) and so many classes (over 400). This event really should have been a full 5 days or maybe two weeks to be able to have the time to meet everyone and absorb all of the new training from the classes. I cannot believe what little time I have and how fast it goes.

My personal highlights from Tuesday 11/29/05:

• Lab session: I assisted in Heidi Hewett's 3 hour lab on AutoCAD 2006 Sheet Sets. Also assisting were Lee Ambrosius and Volker Cocco. It was full and Heidi did a stellar job.
• Main stage keynote presentations: Autodesk's Lynn Allen, Autodesk CEO Carol Bartz, Autodesk COO Carl Bass, Autodesk's Jonathan Knowles, and Dr. Thomas McCann Senior Vice President of Engineering for Walt Disney Imagineering. I wish I could have the HUGE high definition screen they used.
  
  What a keynote. 5000 chairs...filled. The keynote started with a short video of architectural firm SOM's work on the freedom tower project with Autodesk and Microsoft. Next there was a intense 3D animated video. Then Lynn, Carol, and Carl, spoke about many different topics especially 3D. Carl Bass along with Jonathan Knowles showed a very cool demo and project flow for a fictitious company's new machine and headquarters using Autodesk products from start to finish. It started with locating the land parcel and then continued with the machine design and changes, new building conceptual design, design documentation, presentation/illustrations, visualization, estimate and bid, construction complete with two construction workers in a scissor lift using a wireless Tablet PC to access a network and 3D DWFs driving into the room,  and then an end video presentation of the project which caused many ooooohs and ahhhhs from the audience. Dr. Thomas McCann of Disney presented on various topics about Disney Imagineering such as the history and rides.
• The Platform Technology Division general industry session where the team showed a few glimpses into the possible future. I got to run around with a microphone during a Q&A portion.
• My class "Between the Lines". I was so nervous after a few large classes were moved to the same time period and took many of my attenedees. Reduced in number did not affect the fun we had. The main thing I wanted attendees to go away with was to please get involved in shaping the future of Autodesk products at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com.
• An evening out with some customers and Autodesk employees.

AU 2005 Keynote starts in 11 minutes...1PM EST

I am just sitting in the hall near the Pacific room which seats 5000 people and uploading more images to the AU 2005 gallery. I will add notes on the photos that I am uploading later as I have to run and get a seat in a minute. The 5000 seats are expected to go fast and I want to see it up close.

Cheers,
Shaan

Day 1 done, Day 2 of AU 2005 coming

I just got done posting more photos from day one of AU 2005.

It was an action packed day of classes, AUGI meeting, and the Beer Bust. I am still convinced I was given the AutoCAD booth duty during the beer bust to keep me out of trouble. I was excited to hear my name mentioned by Rich Uphus of AUGI about my participation in the designing of the new AUGI Wish List System. AUGI did a great job.

Robert Kross and John Sanders of Autodesk were presented the Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD wish lists from AUGI president Yoshi Honda.

I am tired and a have a really full day tomorrow with some lab assisting duties, the keynote, the industry session, and then my class at 5PM. Only 4 hours of sleep tonight.

AUGI Annual Meeting and Beer Bust Tonight!

A great day of classes is being followed by an evening of fun. The AUGI annual meeting will be at 7PM tonight and then followed by the AUGI Beer Bust with food, beverages, and of course beer. I will be in the AutoCAD booth so stop on by.

I have been adding photos to the AU 2005 image gallery but not nearly as fast as I have been taking them. The lighting is so dim in the halls and rooms that many pictures are too dark and I definitely do to want to have a flash go off during a class. Today I snuck into Lynn Allen's AutoCAD 2006 class only to have Lynn stop her presentation and call attention to me. I wish I had been invisible as I am sure I turned to a shade of about PANTONE 170 or for those RGB fans approx. R=250 G=142, B=124.

Whatever you do, if you are at AU this year you must see the keynote at 1PM tomorrow. Trust me on this one. I am not sure of the X,Y,Z coordinates or the @?<? for the room but it seats 5000 people.

AU customer attendees should have received some nice goodies in their rooms.

Cheers,
Shaan

And they're off! AU 2005 classes kick off

What has 10,000 feet, can cripple a hotels Internet backbone, can surround a hotel lobby bar in seconds, come from around the world, and are responsible for designing cool things?
Autodesk University attendees!

AU 2005 is now officially kicked off. With over 5000 attendees and 375 classes this year in Orlando, it is the largest ever. AU keeps growing year over year and it is getting difficult to find locations large enough to accommodate the CAD Geeks.

I spent Sunday preparing for this week but did take time to do a few things.

• Had lunch with New Zealand CAD user and blogger Robin Capper.
• Finally met Jimmy Bergmark of JTB World
• Saw and spoke with a ton of people some of them I had not seen in years. I had a hard time making it 20 feet without stopping to speak with someone. I have seen Melanie Stone, Mike Perry, Lee Ambrosius, Darren Young, Mark Douglas, Lucio DaSilva, Martyn Day, Santa, and many many more...
• Had a great dinner with a few members of the DWF and Buzzsaw teams.
• Spoke with a few Walt Disney Designers that use Autodesk products to design some of the coolest rides and places in the world.

I am running late this morning but today I will be taking some photos and then working in the AutoCAD booth tonight during the AUGI beer bust so stop by and say "hi". It looks like attendees are using the Dolphin lobby bar as the popular gathering spot similar to what we used the old MGM Betty Boop in Vegas AUs.

The AU 2005 Image Gallery
http://autodesk.blogs.com/photos/autodesk_university_2005/index.html

Cheers,
Shaan
Cell (415) 328-6747

AU 2005 Photo Gallery

I have now started posting photos from Autodesk University 2005 in Orlando Florida at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Hotels.

Spread the link to the AU 2005 Image Gallery
http://autodesk.blogs.com/photos/autodesk_university_2005/index.html

If you want to help shape the future of Autodesk products, come find out how to become involved in beta and feedback projects at my Between the Lines session Tuesday at 5PM. Autodesk is always looking to add more and more customers to the thousands worldwide already involved in feedback projects such as beta testing, survey, customer interviews, surveys, visits, test drives, usability, private discussion forums, and more.

http://www.autodesk.com/au

Now at Autodesk University

A tip for those attending AU this year but have not arrived. Print the $4 off coupon from the AU website for ground transportation. Then near the baggage claim in Orlando Intl. airport go to the Mears shuttle desk. This will save you money. A cab or van can cost $48 one way to the Dolphin and Swan hotel at Walt Disney World but with the coupon it is $25 round trip.

I proved to a few AU attendees on my flight today  to Orlando that I do not get to fly first class or get any pampering or perks when traveling. I sat in the last row of the 737 plane in a seat that did not recline and next to the restrooms. If I flew any lower class on the plane I would have been in the cargo hold.

I have already ran into a bunch of people I know such as Alex Wood, Matt Murphy, Ted Boardman, Matt Stachoni, and a few others. It is shaping up to be a huge AU.

I will start posting photos tomorrow.

Cheers,
Shaan

Cool new DWF contest, win a Apple iPod Nano

There is now a Autodesk DWF Apple iPod Nano contest. Submit your DWF files and perhaps you will be a winner of one of those cool small Apple iPod Nanos. The contest will run through January 27th, 2006.

www.autodesk.com/dwf-nano 

Have AutoCAD open the last file automatically

This free and unsupported LISP routine was written by Autodesk employee Randy Kintzley. Randy was responsible for many of the hugely popular AutoCAD Express Tools and some great core AutoCAD features . If you get a chance to attend a programming class from Randy it will be well worth it. He has some of the fastest keyboard fingers I have ever seen and can write a write a routine live on the fly from a request in the audience.

This LISP routine will open the last closed drawing when you launch AutoCAD.

Download openLastdwg.zip

Place it somewhere that AutoCAD can find and then load it on startup. You can do this using the AutoCAD command APPLOAD, or just add the following line to acaddoc.lsp
(load “openlastdwg.lsp” ‘(princ))

Thank you Randy!

Warning: New email virus "sober virus"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10162734/from/RSS/

Apparently a new email virus is in the wild and destined to be the largest of the year. It is spreading at 2000,000 copies per hour. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to open and email that appears to be from the FBI or Paris Hilton. Come on, now why would you really think you were receiving a "real" email from Paris Hilton. ;-)

Shaan

Autodesk University Class Handouts

I want to thank Melanie Stone of AUGI for reminding me about the past years Autodesk University "AU" class handouts in her Mistress of Dorkness blog.

AUGI now has available for download the awesome handouts from the AU 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 for free to AUGI members. Of course AUGI membership is also free all you need to do is register and you get the keys to 4 years of top notch training. If you want the handouts for next weeks AU 2005 in Orlando Florida you will either need to attend or wait another year for the handouts to be posted to the AUGI website.

AU 2005 and AU Handouts from 2000-2004

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University 2005 Photos

Only 6 days left before Autodesk University "AU" 2005. This will be my 3rd AU blogging from the event but I have attended all AUs since 1998.

I have now created the AU 2005 photo gallery on this blog. I will be posting photos live from AU next week in addition to blogging. With over 5000 attending AU this year I wont be able to take a photo of each person but if you hunt me down at AU I might place your picture in the gallery.

http://autodesk.blogs.com/photos/autodesk_university_2005/index.html

I expect the traffic to go crazy again if the past AU image gallery hits are any indication. Last year there were 13,000 unique visitors hitting the AU 2004 photo gallery in just one single day.

Autodesk University 2003

Autodesk University 2004

Autodesk University 2005

New Autodesk DWF Viewer 6.5 Released

It slices, it dices....Today the new releases DWF Writer 3 and DWF Viewer 6.5 were launched publicly after beta testing with customers. There are some really nice enhancements in both of these update free products.

What’s New in DWF Viewer 6.5

• Section 3D Models
• Move and Rotate 3D Components
• View Combined 2D/3D DWFs  (the ability to combine DWF files will be announced)
• User Interface Enhancements
• Microsoft® Office Drag and Drop Support
• Windows Explorer Integration: Preview, search, print, and email DWF files directly from Windows Explorer.
• Email a DWF:  Email DWFs from DWF Viewer, with a link for recipients to easily download and install the free DWF Viewer.
• Customer Error Reporting:  Easily generate a report that summarizes errors and submits the information directly to Autodesk.

To get the updated Autodesk DWF Viewer 6.5 go to www.autodesk.com/dwf

What’s New in Autodesk DWF Writer 3

Autodesk® DWF™ Writer for 2D is a Microsoft® Windows® system printer driver for publishing 2D DWF™ files.  Click the Publish DWF button or select Autodesk DWF Writer from the printer list in any Windows application.  Additionally, use Autodesk DWF Writer for 3D to capture 3D models from OpenGL applications such as MicroStation, CATIA®, UGS® NX™ and UGS® Solid Edge®.

• Easily publish 3D DWF™ files from leading manufacturing software, including
  Autodesk Inventor® (note that this is built-in –“does not require DWF Writer”)
  SolidWorks® 2005
  Pro/ENGINEER® 2.0
  CATIA®
  UGS® Solid Edge®
  UGS® NX™
• Easy Publishing from Microsoft Applications
  Easily publish design-related documents directly to 2D DWF by selecting the Publish DWF button from the Microsoft application toolbar. Supported Microsoft applications include
  PowerPoint®
  Word®
  Excel®
  Visio®
  Outlook®

To get the updated Autodesk DWF Writer 3 go to www.autodesk.com/dwf-publishing

You should read what Robin Capper of New Zealand thinks about the new versions in his blog. http://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/2005/11/new_autodesk_dw.html

I have been quiet..traveling and preparing for AU

I have been quiet for the past few days because I am preparing for Autodesk University "AU" which is only a week away and looking to be over 5000 people this year. I have also been traveling this week so time has been scarce.

I have a few posts planned for next week, all I need to do is sit down and write them and then it will be an all AU blog for a week. I will for the third year blogging live from the event with photos being posted from the event floor. I will be the crazed guy running around with my cameras with people fleeing. I will be working in the AutoCAD booth during the AUGI Beer bust in the exhibit hall from 8 until 11PM.

I am not leaking any details but the main stage presentation is a must see this year with some real jaw dropping items planned. It will be at 1PM Tuesday.

I will be arriving Saturday so email me or arrange a meeting with me to chat using AU Connect.

See you at AU in Orlando!
Shaan

AutoCAD Mechanical Job Opportunity

Can you survive cold winters in Michigan, have a mechanical background, and enjoy a challenge and working on the future of a great product? Autodesk is looking to add a new position to the AutoCAD Mechanical Team in Novi Michigan. The position is for a Technical Marketing Mgr.

Link to Job Opening

More Product Usability at AU 2005

Autodesk will be conducting DWF and Buzzsaw user feedback/usability sessions at Autodesk University. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to pam.polizzi@autodesk.com stating your interest, along with your phone number.  Pam will then contact you to set up an appointment. 

DWF sessions:
Monday, November 28th: 7:30 - 9am
Wednesday, November 30th: 9:30 - 2pm

Buzzsaw sessions:
Tuesday, November 29th: 7:00 - 9am and 11 - 1pm
Wednesday, November 30th: 9:30 - 2pm

This is a great way to get your feedback on new features and products.

Free AutoCAD 2006 Dynamic Block Training from DG CAD

Daryl of DG CAD sent me an email to let me know he is offerering free AutoCAD 2006 Dynamic Block training lessons. Dynamic blocks can be a powerful way to save time and reduce the number of blocks you maintain.

Free AutoCAD 2006 Dynamic Block Training Videos

Lesson 1: Overview
Lesson 2: Stretch - Array - Align – Flip
Lesson 3: Point Parameter - Stretch - Rotate – Flip
Lesson 4: Lists - Lookup Parameters – Lookup Actions – Rotate
Lesson 5: Visibility Parameters – Linear

http://www.dgcad.com/Acad2006.htm

Thank you Daryl!

Do you have free tutorials, tips, helpful blog or website links you wish to offer fellow AutoCAD users, send me an email and I might publish it here for the benefit of the thousands of daily readers.

Happy Friday
Shaan

Autodesk Product Usability Sessions being held at AU

The AutoCAD Team is looking for participants in Usability sessions at this year’s Autodesk University.

Spaces are limited and you will be notified if you have been added to a session. All sessions will require you to complete and Non-Disclosure agreement onsite. This is another way to help shape the future of Autodesk products and get to see some very cool stuff in the process.

Monday, November 28th

• Design Preview: InfoCenter – a gateway to AutoCAD knowledge 6:30-8:30pm
• Evaluate User Interface Designs for New Autodesk Graphics and Presentation Tools 7:00-9:00pm

Tuesday, November 29th

• Help System: Proposed Enhancements 10:00-11:00am
• Design Preview: InfoCenter – a gateway to AutoCAD knowledge 6:45-9pm
• AutoCAD Sneak Peek and Test Drive 7:30-9:30pm

Wednesday, November 30th

• AutoCAD Sneak Peek and Test Drive 7:30-9:30pm
• Evaluate User Interface Designs for New Autodesk Graphics and Presentation Tools 7-9pm

If you are interested in a session please complete the following survey :
link to sign up survey

DWG TrueConvert is now available for download

The free standalone batch DWG conversion tool DWG TrueConvert is now available for download. DWG True Convert requires no AutoCAD to be present on the system.

http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueconvert

Past blog post about this tool and what it does:
DWG TrueView & DWG TrueConvert

Press release of DWG TrueView and DWG TrueConvert
New, Free Autodesk Tools for Viewing and Converting DWG Data Enhance Communication and Collaboration

New Windows portal and tune up website

Microsoft has a new beta website for tuning up your Microsoft Windows. There is also be a nice customizable home page included that I have been using as http://www.start.com for awhile but now it is apparantly migrating to http://www.live.com. The home page is nice and clean and also very easy to add my RSS feeds to the site using an OPML file.

The security and tuning page is http://safety.live.com/.

More things in the works: http://ideas.live.com/

Cheers,
Shaan

Over 9 Million Downloads of DWF Viewer!

From an email to me from DWF Evangelist Scott Sheppard.

I have been tardy in keeping my eye on the number of Autodesk DWF Viewer downloads. We have passed the 9 million user mark and are almost halfway to 10 million. The number of people downloading the free Autodesk DWF Viewer continues to grow due to the popularity and benefits of the DWF format over other electronic formats for CAD documents.

To put this in perspective, each of the following is roughly 9 million:

• Number of residential broadband internet subscribers in the United States.
• Number of mobile phones connected to the internet at the end of 2004.
• Tons of rapeseed, used to produce edible oil, grown in Europe annually.
• Pounds of coffee exported from Hawaii in 1998.
• Distance in miles between the Galileo space probe and the planet Jupiter.
• Number of Christmas trees grown in Oregon each year.
• Number of registered subscribers of The Los Angeles Times.

Though Autodesk now offers the free Autodesk DWG TrueView viewer, the benefits of sharing DWF files versus native AutoCAD drawings endure. DWF files are print-ready, multisheet, AutoCAD version independent, rich in metadata, smaller, read-only, secure, and based on an open format.

Thank you to all of the DWF users out there!

AutoCAD & Autodesk Inventor Customer Survey

The Autodesk Inventor Team is looking for some feedback in an online survey for customers using both AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.

Check out the Inventor Teams blog for the details. Link

Cheers,
Shaan

Deploy the free DWG TrueView to your network users

Jimmy Bergmark posted on his blog instructions on how to silently deploy the new and free DWG TrueView to your network users. Now you can deploy the DWG viewer to your network users so they can view their DWG files with the same visual fidelity and accuracy as AutoCAD.

Link to Silent installation of Autodesk DWG TrueView

Thank you Jimmy!
-Shaan

AutoCAD Network Licensing Redundant vs. Distributed

I created a quick visual guide to the differences between redundant and distributed FLEXlm® license servers. Distributed is the preferred method due to the ease at which a server failure can be identified, easy to manage, and can be distributed across a WAN.

Distributed

Redundant