Between the Lines

Last Post of 2006

As I wish a farewell to a good year 2006, I look forward to a much better year 2007. I made so many new friends around the world and visited a great many of them logging around 80,000 air miles in 2006 or about 180 hours just on a plane.

Countries Visited: US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, and Singapore.

Some Photo Highlights of 2006:

     

    

                    

    

    

Some photos of friends that I met in 2006:
      

     

    

     

    

    

 

Blog Stats thus far:

• 1070 posts
• 216 comments
• 3.9 Million page views and 538,175 unique visitors from over 150 countries

I hope to visit many more in 2007 and have already been scheduled to present at AUGI CAD Camp in Seattle and perhaps other Camp Camp locations. If you have a large CAD user event, please email me details well in advance and perhaps I can attend, present, and answer questions.

A few goals for 2007

• A new MyFeedback.autodesk.com portal upgrade to a new look and changes based on feedback from customers involved in beta testing Autodesk products. We will globalize the MyFeedback portal in multiple languages so all customers regardless of their language will be able to participate more easily in providing their feedback on Autodesk products. We now have over 12,000 active beta customers and 373 private discussion forums.
• Continue to spread the word to get customers involved in beta and non beta feedback projects to improve the products they use and we develop.
• Present live over the Internet to local user groups and events.
• Start producing some podcasts, and screencasts aka vodcasts.
• Increase the visibility and success of the team I manager the Autodesk MyFeedback team which consists of Shari and Nate at this time.
• Continue to be passionate about Autodesk products and customer feedback.
• Get involved in worldwide educational projects with students to assist them with CAD, visualization, and engineering knowledge.
• Travel to Brazil, New Zealand, and Japan for business or vacation. I just love those places and the people. I want to do another Amazon jungle trek in the next 5 months. I also need to get back over the pond to Europe again.
• Write more detailed technical, tips/tricks,and tutorial posts on this blog like I have in the past such as the 64bit topics posts but have been unable to recently due to time.
• Reward more Autodesk Beta participants for their active participation at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com
• Teach some classes at Autodesk University 2007.
• Continue to volunteer some of my off time to assist Autodesk customers as I really enjoy that and it helps me stay connected with customers in the real world.
• Improve my writing and speaking skills. :-)
• Lose some weight and start biking and hiking more.
• Spend more time with friends and family.
• Improve my photography skills and style and perhaps get more images published in magazines.
• Continue to blog and encourage more Autodesk teams to blog.
  

My many friends down under in Australia and New Zealand and in Asia such as Japan (Oshogatsu or Shogatsu) are already celebrating and have entered the new year.

AP Photo: Fireworks over the Sydney Harbor Bridge

 Happy New Year!
Shaan email me

AU 2006: Me on Stage with the Blue Man Group

Here is a quick video taken by Helge Brettschneider during Thursday nights entertainment by the Blue Man Group at Autodesk University 2006.

Cheers,
Shaan

Video: Autodesk University 2006: Blue Man Group Clip

Autodesk Closed for a Week

Autodesk is closed for the annual week of rest and the holidays from the 22nd of December until the 2nd of January. Autodesk employees may be hard to reach during this time as we spend time with our friends and families and prepare for the new year. We sincerely appreciate everyones feedback over the past years and look forward to an even better new year.

I still have a few posts to publish in the next few days but have been preoccupied with Christmas and also moving my home office from upstairs to another room downstairs. I never knew how much hardware, gadgets, books, furniture, and other stuff I have and use until I had to relocate it all.

Have a happy holiday season and an excellent and safe new years,
Shaan

Autodesk Impression Community Site

Become a member of the Autodesk Impression Community to stay current with all the latest developments and resources available for this technology preview. Learn how Impression is evolving, find new content to use in your images, and share your experiences with other users.

Impression Community

Here is my latest Autodesk Impression creation from a DWG file.

Scott Onstott's Vodcasts & New Book

http://www.scottonstott.com/vodcast/

Scott has posted some video casts "vodcasts" for 3dsmax, Viz, AutoCAD, ADT and Revit.

I also noticed on Lynn's blog that Scott also co-authored a book on AutoCAD with Lynn Allen. 

http://www.amazon.com/AutoCAD-Professional-Techniques-Scott-Onstott/dp/0470084545/sr=8-9/qid=1165013563/ref=sr_1_9/104-1397024-6671930?ie=UTF8&s=books

I am anxious to see what Scott thinks of Autodesk Impression since he is an expert in post design data presentation treatments.
Bookmark: http://www.scottonstott.com/

Speaking of Autodesk Impression... We released a new beta to members of the Vespa beta community on http://myfeedback.autodesk.com. After the beta sites beat on it for any problems we will then update the Autodesk Labs download for a new version. There have been many changes based on customer feedback to the planned Autodesk Impression Technical Preview 3. 

 

Cheers,
Shaan

 

Technorati tags: Vodcast, 3dsmax, Viz, AutoCAD, ADT, Revit, CAD, Autodesk, Lynn Allen, Scott Onstott, Shaan Hurley, Autodesk Impression, Autodesk beta, post design data presentation treatments

Bah Humblog

I am trying to get some shopping done this week and take next week off perhaps even disconnect from the grid (nah). I also have some blog posts ready, well almost ready to go but time has been scarce.

Happy Holidays!

AutoCAD 2007 Graphics Hardware List Update December 2006

The AutoCAD 2007 tested cards list has now been updated today to version: 1.1.1.5. http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL7440746

Page with graphics card details http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard

Applies to:
AutoCAD® 2007
AutoCAD® Electrical 2007
AutoCAD® Mechanical 2007
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2007
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Revit® Series—Building 9.1
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Revit® Series—Building 9.0
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Revit® Series—Structure 3
Autodesk® Building Systems 2007
Autodesk® Civil 3D® 2007
Autodesk Inventor® Professional 11
Autodesk Inventor® Series 11
Autodesk® Land Desktop 2007
Autodesk Map® 3D 2007

 AdskHwCertificationDatabase.xml (xml - 220 Kb)

 Readme (html - 56 Kb)

Who's Agitating my Dots!?

Did you know that Autodesk technology is behind the location based services in the Nextel GPS Mobile Locator? I did not know either until it was demonstrated on the Autodesk University 2006 main stage a couple of weeks ago. I love the Nextel commercial about this service "who's agitating my dots".

 

 

Mount St. Helens Minor Eruption Today

Today the Mount. St. Helens in Washington State just North of Portland Oregon decided to spout some steam and capture attention. The USGS has no idea on what if anything further will occur. I remember the first eruption in 1980 as I was in Spokane Washington which took a great deal of the ash clouds impacting everything even blocking the sun for sometime. I will never forget wearing the face masks to prevent breathing ash and the surreal look of it all.

Some Links:

• VolcanoCam
• Current Updates
• http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/
• http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/

Mt. St. Helens 3D image and link from Microsoft Virtual Earth.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=46.195253~-122.188795&style=a&lvl=13&tilt=-46.9746018718212&dir=0&alt=11114.5409110021&scene=3705070

BlackBerry Pearl!

I just received my new phone, a BlackBerry (CrackBerry) Pearl yesterday. This thing is awesome. This is a slimmer model of a BlackBerry and includes a camera now so now I can post to this blog with photos blog from anywhere in the world. The navigation pearl takes getting used to but is really very easy.

Have a great weekend!
Shaan

AutoCAD Home Use

Mark Kiker details the Autodesk Subscription customer benefit of home use licensing in his caddmanager.com blog. Mark is a very knowledgeable person and all around nice guy. He is one of the best CAD Manager subject experts there is along with Robert Green and a few other CAD Manager icons. I bumped into him at Autodesk University this year.

 

Mark's post: AutoCAD Home Use

Cheers,
Shaan

 

 

Technorati tags: Mark Kiker, Autodesk, AutoCAD, Licensing. Autodesk Subscription

Rules of Beta by James Wedding

James wrote in the civil3d.com blog a good beta testing tips and overview. I hope to get some time in the next few days to add some more tips and information on beta testing since I manage all of Autodesk product beta programs at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com.

Link to post: The First Rule of Beta

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk, Beta

Autodesk Product Related Blogs and Websites

Do you know a Autodesk product related website, blog, RSS feed, or industry site? Please let me know so I can build a index for others to use. The number of CAD blogs, Autodesk product related tips and tricks websites blogs has exploded over the past 3 years and I want to make sure I have a complete as possible list.

Autodesk Product Related Blogs and Websites Survey

Thank you,
Shaan Hurley
Between the Lines Blog

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk, Blogs, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Autodesk Impression, AutoLISP, ObjectARX, Autodesk VIZ, Autodesk Buzzsaw, Autodesk Constructware, Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk DWF, Autodesk Streamline, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk FMDesktop, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Land Desktop, Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Pre-Plan, Autodesk Raster Design, Autodesk Topobase, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk AliasStudio, Autodesk AutoStudio, Autodesk Studio, Autodesk DesignStudio, Autodesk SurfaceStudio, Autodesk ImageStudio, Autodesk Intent, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk PortfolioWall, Autodesk Productstream, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Vault, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Cleaner, Autodesk Combustion, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk SketchBook Pro, Autodesk Toxik

Autodesk University 2007, Start Planning Now

What: 15th Annual Autodesk University
When: November 27 – 30, 2007
Where: The Venetian Resort Hotel Las Vegas, U.S.A.

It's the Experience!
2D, 3D ... multi D. Any way you look at it, Autodesk University offers a multidimensional experience.

• The experience of hands-on training in the latest Autodesk products.
• The experience of networking and learning from top professionals in your field.
• The experience of Autodesk’s 25 years of listening to customers to develop productivity-boosting software.
• The experience you, your organization—and your clients—gain from being on the leading edge of your industry.

AU should be even bigger and better next year and with the Venetian's expansion of 4000 more rooms and much more exhibit hall space we can hopefully all be in the same hotel instead of all over the strip. I am still trying to annotate all the photos from the AU 2006 photo gallery and post more about the event as well as a AU 2006 video forthcoming.

Technorati tags: Autodesk University2007

DWF News

There is a new Autodesk website which lists the latest in DWF news.

DWF News

Technology Tip: ZAMZAR convert audio and video files online

Have you ever needed to convert an audio, image, or video file to another format but did not have the software or knowledge to do so? Well I stumbled across ZAMZAR which solves the problem for many. For example convert a WMV to a QuickTime or MP4. There is a 100MB limit but that is pretty good for free.

XAMZAR Site: http://www.zamzar.com/
ZAMZAR blog: http://zamzar.wordpress.com/

AutoCAD User Interface Survey

We are asking for your input on what parts of the AutoCAD User Interface (UI) you use and what you feel are the most important parts to improve.

AutoCAD UI Survey

 

 

Technorati tags: AutoCAD

Autodesk Impression / Autodesk Labs Article by AECMagazine

"It’s not often that Autodesk gives away the first version of a new software application. With Autodesk Labs, the company is attempting to give any designers a chance to test possible future products."

Link to the article

Yes, I was the Mad Scientist that built the Autodesk Labs and even created the Labrador dog icon for the site. :-)

Cheers,
Shaan

 

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk Labs, Autodesk Impression, AECMagazine

Rumors to be dispelled on Autodesk Products Checking over the Internet

A few on the web and newsletters have mentioned in speculation that Autodesk checks over the Internet when AutoCAD is started. Some implied it was Autodesk grabbing information when in fact it is most certainly not. I think part of the problem was one newsletter writer read another newsletter and then decided it was a slow newsday so they just flamed the wild speculation without checking for the facts.

The Internet activity upon loading the Autodesk software is not to Autodesk, but to VeriSign, and is due to AutoCAD being digitally signed with Authenticode and verified by VeriSign. This assures users of valid content (the software really comes from the publisher who signed it) and content integrity (the software has not been altered or corrupted since it was signed). When AutoCAD launches, Microsoft Windows detects that our DLLs are signed (as required by Windows Logo Certification requirements) and attempts to verify that our signature has not been revoked. To do this, Microsoft Windows pings VeriSign’s servers. Microsoft Windows performs this verification for both AcStart launch and AutoCAD launch. None of this communication is with or to Autodesk.

The only times that AutoCAD sends information to Autodesk are in the following situations:

1. Product activation and registration. – Product activation takes place the first time you run your Autodesk software. You transmit the product serial number, a “request code”, and your registration data to Autodesk, where the serial number is validated and an activation code created and returned to your computer to enable your software. Most users will experience activation only once. When activating, Autodesk also requires product registration.
   For more information on activation and registration, visit: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=3970195

2. Error Reporting – When AutoCAD encounters an error or crashes, the user has the option to send a summary of that error to Autodesk to assist us in diagnosing and addressing the error. The Error Report feature collects and sends the following information (encrypted for privacy) as part of the error reporting process:

• Operating system name and version
• Autodesk product name, version, and serial number
• Graphics configuration driver name and version
• List of applications loaded when an error occurs
• List of recent Autodesk commands
• Portion of Autodesk program in memory when an error occurs

In addition to the above information, customers may choose to include the following optional information:

• E-mail address: if provided by the customer in the Customer Error Report dialog box
• Step-by-step description of the error: if provided by the customer in the Customer Error Report dialog box
• Computer name: if enabled with the Deployment wizard or the CAD Manager Control utility

For more information on error reporting, visit: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7047344&linkID=2475323

3. Communication Center – If the Communication Center is active and set to receive updates, it checks for new content at the frequency specified by the user. In order to receive the appropriate content from Autodesk, the Communication Center sends the following information to Autodesk:

• Autodesk product name (AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.)
• Autodesk product version (2004, 2005, etc.)
• Autodesk product language

No serial number, registration information, or any personal data is sent to Autodesk as part of the Communication Center process.

CAD Managers may control their users’ access to the Communication Center: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=3750373&linkID=2475323

Autodesk takes ours customers’ privacy seriously, and strive for openness and transparency in what information our customers choose to share with Autodesk.
http://www.autodesk.com/privacy

 

 

Technorati tags: AutoCAD, Autodesk, Internet activity, Verisign, Authenticode, Rumor Dispelling, AcStart, Privacy, Communication Center, Error Reporting, Product activation and registration

Beyond the Paper: What Can DWF Do for You?

Scott Sheppard posted a great summary on his Beyond the Paper blog of his and Brian Mathews DWF class presented at Autodesk University 2006 last week. Definitely worth a read as there are some great points made regarding DWF.

Link: AU 2006 Summary: What Can DWF Do for You?

Technorati tags: DWF, Autodesk, Autodesk University, Brian Mathews, Scott Sheppard

del.icio.us tags: DWF, Autodesk, Autodesk University, Brian Mathews, Scott Sheppard

AU / Blue Man Group Art

People keep asking me if I got any of the Blue Man Group art and I tell them nope. I found one was donated to a customer and proudly hung on their wall along with some of the photos I took. I am glad to see it is being well preserved and treated like art. If it ever needs a new home, please call me.

For the rest of us above is a photo of the final AU canvas painted by the Blue Man Group so we can print it out on our inkjets.

I have some many more photos to upload to the AU 2006 Gallery and posts to make before I can be caught up and then there is my never ending email inbox.

Cheers!
Shaan

Technorati tags: Autodesk University, Blue Man Group

 

del.icio.us tags: Autodesk University, Blue Man Group

Daily AutoCAD » Dimensioning I

Kudos to Murat Saraldi for his very detailed and educational blog postings on AutoCAD. Today he posted part 1 on dimensioning. It is nice to see such a detailed posting that educates the readers. This is why the Daily AutoCAD blog (RSS feed) is on my daily RSS feed reading list.

Dimensioning Part 1

Missed AU? Everyone can get the AU discounts on training courseware

The Autodesk Bookstore debuted at AU 2006, with specials on the dozens of Autodesk Official Training Courseware and Autodesk Learning Tools titles. Bookmarks in attendees bags advertised an AU special discount on the Autodesk e-store for 20% off. Books flew off the shelf and many titles quickly sold out.

If you didn't make it to AU, or if the title you wanted sold out before you could get your hands on it, you can still take advantage of this discount until December 31, 2006. Just use Promo Code "AU2006" when buying courseware from the Autodesk Store www.autodesk.com/eStore.

For more information on courseware from Autodesk, including a catalog of current titles, visit www.autodesk.com/aotc.

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk, Training, Courseware, Autodesk Official Training Courseware

New SnagIt Version 8.2 Released Today

SnagIt 8.2 was released today http://www.snagit.com. I use SnagIt everyday and love it as well as have known the team for over 10 years. Techsmith gave away some licenses of Camtasia and SnagIt last week at Autodesk University as well as a cool SnagIt shirt that on the back said "take a screenshot, it'll will last longer".

I got to meet Techsmith Evangelist Betsy Weber last week.

New in SnagIt 8.2
Watch What's New in SnagIt 8.2 Video

Compatible with Vista and Office 2007
Whenever you’re ready to upgrade to Office 2007 or try new technologies like Vista, you can rely on SnagIt to continue to capture anything on your screen.

Send Captures Directly to Your Favorite Apps
With SnagIt’s new output accessories you can send your captures directly to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MindManager, or Flickr, with a single click.

Print Exactly What You Want
Tired of your screen captures printing the size of a postage stamp? SnagIt 8.2 makes it easy to print captures exactly the way you see them onscreen – the right way, every time. Images and scrolling Web pages are readable when printed and retain their original appearance. Also, print settings are now easier to adjust, and SnagIt remembers your last-used settings.

New Callout Styles
SnagIt’s two new callout styles, plain and glassy, give you more flexibility than ever in customizing your callouts. The plain callouts are a little simpler, with less shading than SnagIt’s standard callouts. And, the new glassy callouts are not only cool, but they’re transparent – so they won’t obstruct your view of the words or images behind them.

Save and Organize your Custom Callouts
SnagIt lets you customize callout characteristics like size, shape, color and angle of rotation. With the new callout organizer, you can save your customized callouts for reuse again and again. Create categories for your callouts, and organize callouts by dragging and dropping them from one category to another. Your custom categories will appear in the Paint Tools menu with SnagIt’s default callouts, making them easily accessible while you are editing your captures.

DWF Viewer Beta Testing Opportunity

Our new DWF Beta program, referred to as Nile Beta, is launching week of December 7th, 2006 and we would appreciate you joining us.  We are looking for additional participants to test this exiting new release and to share any feedback or thoughts they may have.

New Features

• 3D Measure and 3D Markup functionality
• DWF Geo-referencing
• Space Traveler Compatibility
• Shadow Enhancements and Lighting options
• Easy to Use 3D Navigation with the 3D “Steering Wheel”
• Optimized Navigation
• …and much more

How to Join

To enroll in the DWF Beta please go to: http://myfeedback.autodesk.com and select Sign up on the Active Zone Menu. If you are already a member of the Autodesk MyFeedback Beta portal, see the information below updating your profile.

New members are asked to fill out a Beta profile. Please enter Nile Beta in the Beta Code field (at the top of the sign up page) and select only the products that you would like to beta test including the DWF Viewer. Once the Beta team has reviewed your application and approved your access to the MyFeedback Portal, a password will be emailed to you for the general site. Please make sure to not use a free email account and to provide your complete details to be accepted.

When you log in to the portal for the first time, you will not see any zones. When you are added to a new zone, such as Amazon, you will be emailed a notice and the new project will appear on your MyFeedback portal page under MyFeedback Zones. The process of adding participants to zones is not automatic and requests are reviewed periodically during business hours. Some Betas may not be active or a slight wait may be required until the Beta start date.

If you are a current member of the MyFeedback Beta portal (myfeedback.autodesk.com), you do not need to sign up again. However, you should update your user profile and enter Nile Beta in the Beta Code field. To edit your profile, log in to http://myfeedback.autodesk.com and click User. Your profile information will be displayed in a new window. Update the Beta code and click Save at the bottom of the profile window.

Technorati tags: DWF, Beta, Autodesk

 

del.icio.us tags: DWF, Beta, Autodesk