Between the Lines

The Aztec / Mayan Calendar in DWG & 2012

  I am not one of those who believe the world is going to end in December 21, 2012. Some base their predictions of a doomsday event on the ancient Aztec and Mayan calendar sun stone such as the new movie 2010, and some on the web such as http://www.viewzone.com/endtime.html & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon. Personally  I think it will be another non-event like the Y2k worries and I am comforted to know NASA feels the same about the topic.

The only event I can predict currently will be that Autodesk University 2009 will begin next week in Las Vegas.

Recently I had to get some stress and energy out on a Saturday night and decided to create a DWG of the calendar using Autodesk AutoCAD 2010. Originally I was using it as a good way to show how performance of AutoCAD 2010 hatching was improved. I stated with some rough geometry available on the web and then I developed the AutoCAD 2010 DWG file.

 

I am providing the AutoCAD 2010 DWG of the Sun Stone for those who want a copy for fun. I also posted the DWF on Autodesk Freewheel so you can view without installing AutoCAD or a DWF file viewer. View Here

Download AutoCAD 2010 DWG of the Aztec/Mayan Sun Stone 2149K 

I provided the simple version of my DWG with only two colors. If you come up with a great color scheme or 3D version for the Sun Stone email me an image. shaan@autodesk.com

Cheers,
Shaan

Free Sandstone Wave Desktop Wallpaper

I wanted to share one of my photos for desktop backgrounds after seeing how nice it looks on both my PC and Mac laptops. This photo was taken on a hike into the North Coyote Butte on the Utah Arizona border about a 3 hour drive from Las Vegas but you do need a permit to hike into this fragile environment ads well as being prepared. You can see why I live where I do, with all the beautiful desert and mountains of the Southwest United States.

Now I can get back to all my Autodesk University 2009 planning and class materials.  I will be in Las Vegas in only 6 days…

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University Premiere Virtual Pass Giveaway

Gregory Arkin is offering to give some premier passes to the Autodesk University Virtual event. We are gathering donations to the Susan G Komen foundation for the cure for breast cancer. I offered to shave my head at AU for all the effort in fundraising, and will. I hope we can meet the goal of $2000 in donations!

I want to sincerely thank Gregory for all of his efforts and to those that have donated so far. Even the famous Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture made a donation to the cause and word has it may show up at Autodesk University.

See the generous offering from Gregory: Autodesk University Premiere Virtual Pass Giveaway

• You Generated a Buzz
• Shave my Head at Autodesk University 2009 for a Good Cause

http://www.info-komen.org/goto/revit3d

Autodesk University – Only Two weeks Away

A large random list of personal suggestions to consider in preparation for Autodesk University 2009.

General

• Location of Autodesk University 2009
  Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino Las Vegas 
  (http://www.mandalaybay.com/)  702-632-7777
  3950 Las Vegas Blvd South
  Las Vegas 89119, Nevada, United States
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_Bay_Resort_and_Casino
  Link to Mandalay Bay Casino Floor Map
  My AU 2009 Map
• 
  View AU 2009 Map in a larger map
  
• Print your AU schedule and place a digital copy on your mobile device before you go.
• Make a list of contacts with cell phone numbers so you can find people at AU. You can also arrange a common place to meetup at like the Shark Reef display.
• Grab a shuttle or cab from the airport to the Mandalay Bay, or the hotel you are staying. Cab should be around $20 or a shuttle should be less than $10.
• Autodesk University 2009 expected weather: Be prepared for chilly nights and a full moon to howl at with lows in the 40's and highs in the 50's.  There are palm trees and tropical plants but don't let that fool you into thinking this is tropical weather in Las Vegas in the winter. This is not pool and sunbathing weather unless you are a polar bear, so be prepared.
• There was snow in Las Vegas last year right after Autodesk University.
• For first time visitors to the United States, Vegas is not representative of the United States in general. I always get a few shocked foreign attendees that have never been to the US, and their first stop is Vegas. They come away speechless and thinking all Americans do is smoke, drink, gamble and hand picture cards out on the strip. please try to get away from Las Vegas and visit more normal cities while visiting the US to get the full picture.
• Refer to Las Vegas as “Vegas”.
• There is the Mandalay Bay Tram that runs from Mandalay Bay past the Luxor, to the Excalibur for free. The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the MGM Grand down the strip to the Sahara which is near the Venetian and costs $5.
• Carry a laptop, netbook, smart phone, or paper and pen to take notes during the class sessions. Keep a close eye on all your belongings and do not just set them down as they could walk away fast. Remember that many of the presentations will be online as well as notes there so you do not need to write every word down from a session just your top items.
• Take good notes so you can share your newly gained wisdom with coworkers, friends, family, user groups, or pets who were not lucky enough to attend AU. What happens in Vegas, does not have to stay in Vegas.
• If you want to be the smartest person in the group, place the Autodesk product documentation/manuals/guides on your iPhone or other mobile device for fast viewing and searching.  The PDFs of the product documentation are included on many Autodesk product DVDs.
• Run antivirus and  firewall on your computer if using the free wireless. I know it goes without saying, but a few years back some were upset that they got a virus from the free wireless cloud because they did not have antivirus software.
• Take  a good amount of business cards to give out. When you receive a card write a note on the back about the discussion or topic so you can remember who was who and the topic for follow up after AU. There is a cool iphone app that can take pictures of business cards and convert them to contacts. See Robin’s Autodesk University Prep 1.05 – Snap, Business Cards to iPhone
• Meet and network with new people! This is a prime opportunity to expand your network of peers and friends.
• Don't bring only jeans and tennis shoes and expect to get into some of the local clubs or events. Many of the clubs have a policy of “No hats, no tennis shoes, no baggy or torn jeans”. A pair of casual dress pans like Dockers, button up shirt, and casual dress shoes will be perfect. They will not accept the tee-shirt with the image of a tuxedo. ;-)
• You DO NOT have to drink, smoke, or gamble when in Vegas.

Health

• Bring antihistamines, eye drops, and nose spray as the air is really dry and you may end up with dry eyes and sinus problems. The smoke in some areas of the casinos does not help the situation either. Another suggestion for the dry air is lip balm and some skin lotion.
• Carry a bottle of water with you so you don't shrivel like a prune from the dry air.
• Consider aspirin, ibuprofen etc for any unplanned headaches or hangovers. Buying small items like aspirin in the hotel can be much pricier than bringing your own.
• Bring comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking you will be doing between events, hotels, and classes.
• Know the location of the closest coffee shop to be wide awake for all the great classes and sessions. I have the free Starbucks iPhone app to guide me.
• Don't forget to take a shower and change clothes every day as you can get smelly with all the exercise between classes, extreme brain exercise, and copious socializing.
• Bring some breath mints. You will be speaking with a lot of people and the last thing you want is to leave a stinky breath as their lasting memory of you. If you find yourself speaking with a stinky breath attendee, offer them a mint.
• Every casino is designed using human psychology in mind to keep you unaware of the time and logic, so carry a watch or phone to keep track of time and hotel map to know where you are. The carpets, walls, signs, and just about everything is designed to confuse your senses and draw you into gambling areas even the carpets in many locations have designs that if you follow them you will end up spinning circles around slot machines.

Social Media

• Autodesk University Blog http://au.autodesk.com/
• AUGI Blog http://augi.typepad.com/
• AU Blog Network: http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=blaug_network
• My Blog http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/
• Always tag content such as blog posts, Tweets, photos, etc from AU with #AU2009. This way you can follow the aggregated stream of the event from everyone on Twitter or from the web using a site like Twitterfall for #AU2009, or just the Twitter results http://twitter.com/search?q=AU2009 
• Follow AU on Twitter:
  • Me @mrcadman 
  • @lynn_allen
  • @au_online
  • @AUGIatAU
• Public Google Wave for AU 2009 (you must have a Google Wave preview account to participate). I am still on the fence about the value of Google Wave as it still feels like information overload and more like a free form Google document online.
  • Autodesk University 2009 Wave
• I am planning some fun Social Media events at AU like a TweetMob and a TweetCaching experiment giving away goodies to my Twitter followers.

Photos

• If you want a photo of the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign located near to the Mandalay Bay, please be careful crossing the road as there is fast and heavy traffic that will not stop for a pedestrian.
  
• I have created a public Flickr group for AU2009 for sharing photos.(http://www.flickr.com/groups/au2009/) just like the previous public groups for AU 2008 and  AU 2007. Flickr is free. Anyone is welcome to add AU2009 photos to the Flickr group as long as they are AU 2009 related and G rated only. You can get a free Flickr account if you wish to share photos with others or even keep them private if you prefer. It is even better if you can geotag your photos with their locations which Flickr allows you to do or if you have a GPS software to do this.
• My Flickr Photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/btl/
• My Autodesk University 2008 Shutterbug event is full.

Misc

• Every year there is the unofficial AU lounge hangout for conversations, meeting people, swapping stories, and general laid back gathering place. We have done this for years back to the first AU in Vegas like the Betty Boop in the MGM Grand. This year at the Mandalay Bay I think a nice casual lounge with no cover charge would be the Eyecandy Sound Lounge. I just spoke with the concierge and they said the Eyecandy is a great location especially for computer geeks and the dress code is not strictly enforced. There is also the Orchid. As for the hot spot clubs in the Mandalay Bay there is an AU favorite of the Rum Jungle, and the new Mix Lounge atop THEhotel.
• Attending Autodesk University and a reptile lover? There is a reptile show in Las Vegas the weekend following http://www.lasvegasreptileshow.com/. I think after a week in Las Vegas with little sleep and the dry air we may all look reptilian by the end of the week.
• If you got this far you either have great concentration skills, are bored, or had your Ritalin.
• Remember to put your seat in the upright position and your tray tables up before takeoff and landing.

Finally have a great time at Autodesk University as there will be thousands of the industry top people in attendance.

Hope to see you at AU,

Shaan

AutoCAD Product Design Team Invitation for Test Drives

The AutoCAD Product Design Team would like to invite you to a series of special events during Autodesk University this year!

On Tuesday, December 1st and Wednesday, December 2nd, the AutoCAD Product Design Team will be hosting special customer Discussion Forum sessions, as well as traditional annual “What is New in AutoCAD?- AutoCAD Sneak Peek & Test Drive” event. Please see below for more information and the sign up link. We hope you will be able to join us for one of them if you are planning to attend AU this year!

Discussion Forum: “Synergies and Advancements in Drafting and Modeling for AutoCAD"

• In this focus group, participants will get a chance to talk about their needs for existing and new 2D drafting features and 3D modeling tools.
• Designers will show some potential directions and share their ideas on new and advanced tools (e.g. Join/Fillets/ blend enhancements), new 2D geometry object types (e.g. “uber” unified 2D curve objects - Spline/Line/Pline/Arc - all in one), as well as 3D modeling tools (e.g. Space deformation tools/Bend/Twist etc).
• Participants will get a chance to preview and provide feedback on 2D drafting and modeling tools including direct manipulation and modeling techniques.
  
• Who Should Participate?
  AutoCAD users who currently work in 2D and are interested in advanced drafting; designers who are looking into moving to 3D modeling, and users of 3D features in AutoCAD and other applications – including surface modeling in Rhino, 3DS Max, and Maya.

Event: “What is New in AutoCAD? - AutoCAD Sneak Peek & Test Drive”
Description:

• In this session, participants will work individually on computers to "test drive" the new and exciting features in the upcoming AutoCAD release. This is an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on the newest features, components, and user interface enhancements.
  Product designers and usability specialists will be available to answer your questions and discuss the features.
  
• Who Should Participate?
  Intermediate or advanced AutoCAD users who use AutoCAD at least 20 hours a week for drafting, design, or modeling work.

All events will take place in the conference area in the Mandalay Bay hotel. Participants will receive a gift for their time.

How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up, fill out this brief survey:
Please indicate which sessions you are available to attend. You will be confirmed for at most one discussion forum and one test drive. The confirmation will include specific location, and an NDA will be required for all who attend.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, email to:
melissa.dawe@autodesk.com or elena.fadeeva@autodesk.com

Space is limited so sign up today! Please fill out the survey by Monday, November 16.
We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

-The AutoCAD Product Design Team

You Generated a Buzz

 I will shave my head at AU  Buzzzzzzzzzz 

It was started with a small comment and discussion that grew and grew until I challenged people to donate to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and I would shave my head.  I had the target on my twitter followers as a safety net to make the effort last longer and drive more awareness. This was not a stunt but a good hearted effort  to do something good as well as fun.  A nice amount has been donated thanks to everyone that responded including tenlinks.com and especially Gregory Arkin.

Please keep the donations coming even though  have agreed to shave the head.

http://www.info-komen.org/goto/revit3d

I will let people know when and where during Autodesk University my head shaving will occur.  I don't have too much hair, but I think we may need to make this a parking lot event. I do not have an ideal head shape and face for sporting a shaved head style, so the plan is to hopefully re-grow the hair after the event. I might wear a hat afterwards as my head will reflect and amplify light and potentially blind or scare people and I would not want that on my conscience.

All I ask is that people keep thinking about charitable causes throughout the year not just the month selected. Shine a light on them be it diabetes, autism, cancer research, alzheimers, leukemia, muscular dystrophy, Red Cross, habitat for humanity and many other charitable causes.

There has been a great effort and much awareness created about breast cancer which was the entire inspiration.

Thank you everyone,
Shaan

Help Shape the future of Autodesk Products at Autodesk University 2009

The Autodesk Platform Product Design & Usability group will be holding a series of 60-minute sessions with Autodesk product users at Autodesk University and are looking for candidates. The team is looking to get feedback on possible products and concepts. All sessions will be held in the Mandalay Bay property near the exhibit hall. A non-disclosure agreement may be required participate which means you are sworn to secrecy on what you see or discuss at the special event.

Sign up, space is limited
Sign up and help shape the future of Autodesk products at AU!

Hope to see you at AU in 20 days (only 461 hours 42minutes 13seconds away)
Shaan

Can’t make it to Las Vegas for Autodesk University 2009?

Find a local AU event. http://www.autodesk.com/auextension

Shave my Head at Autodesk University 2009 for a Good Cause

If you heard the rumors of my shaving my head for charity offer on Twitter, it is true. I figured why not carry on the October events for awareness for breast cancer but keep it going. Now granted I do not have the most complete thick head of hair to start with but I offered to shave my head if $2000 in donations are given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation AND I get over 2000 Twitter followers.  Did I think some would jump on the opportunity to shave my head, sure but I did not expect a rally started by Gregory Arkin of the popular Revit and BIM blog http://bimboom.blogspot.com/ 

Urgent Request. Need you all to follow @MrCadman on Twitter and donate $5 to the Susan G Komen Cure for Cancer Fund so Shaan Hurley will shave his head at AU2009

Greg even setup a donation page from a blog posting. Gregory made the first donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation at http://www.info-komen.org/goto/revit3d. He also offered to give one dollar for every new follower to his blog http://bimboom.blogspot.com/ .

Greg, If the goal is reached you can personally shave my head…

It is all for a great cause and to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.
Shaan

Autodesk University 2009 Bloggers Social Confirmations Sent Out

I have just sent the first batch of confirmations to those that had signed up to attend the Autodesk University Bloggers Social event this year.

There will be a flock of bloggers and Autodesk employees attending as well as some speakers in a casual social networking environment to place names to faces. We will have name/blog badges this year. Thus far I have confirmed over 100 bloggers and many Autodesk employees to attend the special event including Autodesk CEO Carl Bass.

Only 29 more days until AU 2009!

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University - Virtual

For those unable to attend the main event in Las Vegas in Las Vegas this is a great opportunity to experience part of it from the comfort of your own computer. People from around the world can now attend Autodesk University “virtually”!

Complete details are on the AU Virtual website.
Event date: December 1-4, 2009.

• 50+ Classes and Sessions- streamed “live”
• A “Premium Pass” (full access) is only US$99
• All Subscription customers receive a free “Premier Pass”.
• A “Free Pass” (limited access) is available to anyone. 

www.autodesk.com/auvirtual

There is no virtual beer bust so you will have to arrange that activity yourself. :-)

Cheers,
Shaan

AU 2009 Bloggers Social Invitations Going Out This Week

I am planning on sending out invitations to the Autodesk University 2009 Bloggers Social this week. Make sure to sign up for consideration to the 2nd annual special event held at Autodesk University. The Blogger Social will be held on Monday November 30th, 2009 from 6:30PM to 8PM.

Autodesk University 2009 Blogger Social Signup Form

Spread the word to fellow Autodesk related bloggers!

Cheers 
Shaan

How About an Aztec Calendar in AutoCAD?

Occasionally I will do a crazy file to beat an AutoCAD feature into submission or exercise boundary test cases and get rid of some energy. I had a little too much energy and fun last night. In this case it was Polylines and hatches. I finished this AutoCAD drawing at 4AM and not a single crash or performance hit.. Hatches are definitely improved in AutoCAD 2010 based products.

I obtained the rough geometry from a postscript file that was generated from an actual Aztec sunstone photo. I might as well have re-drawn from scratch as I had to edit all the geometry and then had to do all the hatching. I don't think I could have done this with any other product either illustration or CAD and so efficiently. I could also take this and make a 3D drawing and use the AutoCAD 2010 Feature to Print 3D to a physical object. Looks pretty cool to me. The original is a carving into a stone but, my version I did it as an inlaid wood style sculpture. When I really got into the geometry I was amazed at the complex geometry and creativity of this Aztec piece all while having a function of determining and tracking dates in Mexico and Central America.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btl/3979126861/

“Xiuhpohualliis the Aztec year (xiuhitl) count (pohualli). One solar year consists of 360 named days and 5 nameless (nemontemi). The year was broken into 18 periods of twenty days each, sometimes compared to the Julian month”. 

~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_calendar.

Apparently the Aztecs have been to the Autodesk University and over indulged in the AUGI Beer Bust.

Just doing final packing and preparation for the start of the See the Difference with AutoCAD 2010 Tour. I will be traveling to warm Orlando Florida tomorrow and presenting there on Tuesday.

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University 2009 Bloggers Social

We have settled on a date and time for the second annual Autodesk University Bloggers Social. We are holding it once again after a fun and successful event last year.  The Blogger Social will be held on Monday November 30th, 2009 from 6:30PM to 8PM.  Monday conflicts with fewer classes, events, and activities plus it provides an opportunity for meeting people before the action packed AU gets into full swing.

To be considered for an invite, please complete the form linked below. We will review your information, blog, and plan to send out invitations in October.

There will be a flock of bloggers and Autodesk employees attending as well as some speakers in a casual social networking environment to place names to faces. We did take into consideration the feedback from last year and will provide name badges showing blog names.

Spread the word to fellow Autodesk product and industry related bloggers who may be attending Autodesk University 2009.

 Autodesk University 2009 Blogger Social Signup Form

We love bloggers! This is just a small way to show our appreciation for all of your hard work.

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University 2009 Tweetup

I am in the process of organizing a Tweetup (gathering) for users of Twitter who will be attending Autodesk University 2009. The event is tentatively planned to be held during the AUGI Beer Bust on Wednesday December 2nd, 2009.

Would be fun to do a Flash mob gathering at AU or just people making random bird noises at a specific time in a day to see how many are nearby on Twitter. It would really show the power of Twitter and perhaps invent a new "TweetOut" or "TweetShout" term.

Sign Up to be notified of the Tweetup plans. Tweetup Signup Form

Cheers,
Shaan @mrcadman

Autodesk University Shutterbug Tour 2009 Details

This fun adventurous event will be held again this year. We will be exploring and photographing the colorful desert and surrounding areas. Four states covered over the week including Nevada, California, Arizona, and Utah.

I have setup up an online form to gather interested people. This will be a free event but there will be a request to pitch in to those driving fellow shutterbugs for fuel and any tolls. Sign Up Form

• Sunday November 29th, 2009 – 12:00PM to 9:30PM Valley of Fire
• Monday November 30th, 2009 - 7:30AM to 3:30PM The new Colorado River bridge, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam and if time permits a trip to historic Oatman Arizona just off the Route 66 Highway.
• Friday December 4th, 2009 – 10:00AM to 9:00PM Death Valley California
• Saturday December 5th, 2009 - 7:30AM to 1:00PM Red Rock Canyon Nevada,  For those headed North I will be hitting Zion National Park Utah around 4PM 

Map of AU Shutterbug Tour 2009 Locations

View Autodesk University Shutterbug Tour 2009 in a larger map

Autodesk University 2008 Shutterbug Tour Photos

Hope to see you at Autodesk University!
Shaan

The Autodesk University 2009 YouTube Contest

The Autodesk University 2009 YouTube Contest is your chance to win one of  three AU 2009 Las Vegas 3-Day, All-Inclusive Passes (Includes conference, classes and hands-on labs, hotel, meals, and social events).  For residents of US and Canada only.

Create and upload a Video October 12th, 2009. The (5) Five top viewed Video Responses will be posted to AU's Facebook Fan Page. AU Facebook Fans will then vote for their favorite videos by utilizing the "Like" feature.

To vote for your favorite video submissions be sure to become a Fan of AU on Facebook. Follow AU on Twitter!

AU Shutterbug Tour 2009 Update and Signup Form

This fun event will be held again this year. We will be exploring and photographing the scenic  and colorful Southern Nevada desert such as:

•  Red Rock Canyon,

• Valley of Fire

• The new Colorado River bridge. Hoover Dam Bypass on US Highway 93

• Lake Mead

• Hoover Dam

• and other possible locations such as Death Valley and Zion National Park.

I have setup up an online form to gather interested people. This will be a free event but there will be a request to pitch in to those driving fellow shutterbugs for fuel and any tolls.

 

Sign Up Form

Hope to see you at Autodesk University in 99 days!
Shaan

Autodesk University 2009 Events Update (Blogger Social, Shutterbugs, and Tweetup)

I have received several emails asking what I am planning for this years Autodesk University 2009 “AU 2009” . So I wanted to give a heads up of what I know today, and I am trying to nail down times, dates, logistics and locations.

Blogger Social Reception

Date & Time TBD

After a successful first Bloggers Social was held last year we will hold that again but with new identifying name tags. Imagine around 100 Autodesk customer product bloggers and Autodesk employees from product teams, Autodesk  bloggers, and executive management meeting up to meet face to face with each other and establish friendships to take home after AU. If you are a blogger about AU and Autodesk products then this is an event you cannot miss.

AU Shutterbug Tour

This fun event will be held again this year but event more organized and better. We will be exploring the regional beauty surrounding the Southern Nevada desert such as Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, the new Colorado bridge, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and other locations. Hopefully, this year we get to see Sean Toomey juggle fire at night for some interesting long exposure photos.

 

Date & Time Multiple dates and any times we can sneak away early in the morning before classes or late after classes and events.

Tentative schedule:
Sunday December 3rd   – full day
Monday December 4th   - half day
Friday December 8th   – full day
Saturday December 9th - half day

• Autodesk University 2008 Flickr photo set
• Autodesk University Shutterbug Tour 2008

AU Tweetup

 Date & Time TBD
AU Twitter users Tweetup at AU should be fun for those social networking to congregate in a single location face to face in real life IRL. We should also hold one meetup during the AU party Thursday night as well as during the beer bust in the exhibit hall Tuesday 7-10PM.

Follow me on Twitter! @mrcadman

The famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign is just outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino which is the location of the Autodesk University 2009. For those wishing to photograph this famous and iconic sign please be careful crossing the busy road or go with out the free and fun AU Shutterbug Tour.

Make sure to sign up early for AU 2009! Spread the word far and wide about these fun AU activities.Stay tuned to this blog and my Twitter account @mrcadman for further updates on times, locations, and sign up details.

I hope to meet you at AU!

Cheers,
Shaan

Vote for AU 2009 Sessions!

Hopefully you got your Autodesk University 2009 session proposals submitted by this last weekends deadline if not there is always next year. There were more proposals this year to review than for last years AU 2008.

Now is the time to go vote for the sessions you want for AU from the many submitted proposals. There are some really great proposals!

If you are considering attending AU 2009, please take a few minutes to vote for those sessions that you absolutely want to see. Your votes will help us select not only the best sessions, but will also give us some insight into the most popular ones to help us schedule them at the best times and locations.

How to Vote
To vote for sessions, go to the Autodesk University Session Selection page and log in using your AU Online username and password. If you do not have an AU Online account, it only takes 15 seconds to register as an AU Online member .

The voting deadline is Friday, May 8 at midnight PDT.

There are only 210 day until Autodesk University 2009 (5028 hours, 23 minutes ,35 seconds).

Autodesk University 2009 Class Proposals Deadline – One Week Left

The Autodesk University 2009 (http://au.autodesk.com/) class proposals submission deadline is end of the month April 30th, 2009, so you had better hurry. There is not only the benefit of getting exposure to your peers as a AU speaker but you get paid. Autodesk University 2009 will be held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay December 1-4th 2009.

Autodesk University 2009 Call for Proposals

AU08 Shutterbugs - Valley of Fire

This is a 360 degree QuickTime/Flash Panoramic photo taken by Mark Banas at AU 2008. This is a group of us that gathered as the AU 2008 Shutterbugs. In the photo are Mark Banas, Chris Hall, Sean Twomey, and me, The location was Northeast of Las Vegas in the desert about 15 miles from the Valley of Fire (36°8'46"N, 114°51'36"W). We wanted to shoot a photo within Valley of Fire park but the sunset came too early as we were returning from the Hoover dam so we rushed up a hill near the road.

AU08 Shutterbugs - Valley of Fire

• More AU 2008 Shutterbug photos
• Autodesk University 2008 Flickr photo set

Yes we will be doing this fun gathering of Shutterbugs again for Autodesk University 2009. More specifics will be posted to this blog as we get closer to AU 2009 (#AU2009) planned for December 2009 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Nevada. We will have a more formal agenda and I am working on some special VIP locations for shutterbugs.

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk University 2009 Call for Class Proposals

If you want to teach a class or lab session on any Autodesk product at Autodesk University 2009, now is your time to get your overview paper on your proposed class submitted.

Call for AU 2009 Proposals Open until April 30, 2009. Submit today!

Yes it is time to begin thinking about AU again and this year it will be held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. This is the top multi industry design professional training and networking event! In addition to great classes and meeting top peers in your industry there is quite a bit of fun to balance out things out.There is a photo gallery from Autodesk University 2008 Flickr photo set to see some of the fun and photos of this large event.

I hope to see you at AU!
Shaan

My AU2008 Podcast on Shaping the Future of Autodesk Products

I knew I should have done the interview at Autodesk University earlier in the week after more sleep and before starting to lose my voice. Talk to Us! 

 

Guri Stark’s podcast was also just released “Keeping AutoCAD Fresh, Cool, and Relevant”

Cheers,
Shaan

2008 What a Year

I am in my final week of holiday vacation (all of Autodesk is) as well as the last Monday of the year 2008. What better time to reflect on the year. There were many highs and lows for 2008 in my life I thought I would mention a few.

The year was filled with travel to visit friends, Autodesk product user groups, and customers around the world including the countries of Brazil, China, Kuwait, Turkey, Kuwait, and UAE in addition to all over the North America. I now have a full passport and need to get new pages added or I will be left unable to travel Internationally. I really enjoy speaking with users of Autodesk software around the world and learning how they use the software and what they design.

Other highlights in no particular order:

• Getting milk and cookies in my room from the AU2008 Team.
• Meeting  celebrity Autodesk customers Jay Leno and Eddie Paul.
• Attended and presented at 3 Autodesk Universities this year China, Japan, and Las Vegas. This makes the total AU events I have attended 14.
• The First Blogger Social at AU2008 was a success and will be even bigger and better next year.
• Traveled with the Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture for a year including a visit with entertainer Jay Leno and then gave it to the real Matt Murphy at AU2008.
• Made so many new friends around the world.
• Presented at FOCUS Kuwait, and over 500 people attended. Thank you Binu!
• Presented in Istanbul, and while in Turkey I visited Cappadocia and experienced the wonderful food, people, and scenery. Thank you to my 3 Turkish friends Can, Orhan, and Erhan of the Daily AutoCAD Blog!
• Had a great time with members of AUGI Japan in Yokohama Japan and a spectacular trip to Kamakura with a traditional Japanese lunch included.
• Meeting the Techsmith Team who develop the two software tools I have used almost daily for 12 years.
• I continue to work with some of the smartest and most creative people in the design and visualization industry. This is not a suck up, it is absolutely true. My success is directly related to those that design, develop, test Autodesk software as well as the awesome customers that design amazing things using our software.
• 2008 was the 10th year anniversary of me working for Autodesk and since I left a mechanical design seat out there in the design world. I received my gold badge.
• Received the top hit count and visitors of any Autodesk blog, and many Autodesk web sites. This blog celebrated 5 years and had 312 posts this year and millions of readers by both web and RSS. Thank You!
• Got the additional Autodesk title of Platform Technology Evangelist which is a fancy title for a geek.
• There are so many design related blogs and the number of Autodesk product blogs continues to climb.
• My oldest son started college.

Lows of the year:

• In November I had a blast, literally when my gas fireplace malfunctioned and blew up with me in front of it.
• Rough personal start to 2008 but after many trips hiking in the deserts of Arizona and Utah got things all worked out. The desert and hiking is one of the most therapeutic environments to get a clear head and to think.
• I still have many photos to process and publish.

As I spend the remaining few days of 2008 on holiday, I am spending that priceless time relaxing with my family as well as some fun with the kids sledding on the large amount of snow we received here in Northern Utah.

  

Have a very happy and safe New Years,
Shaan