Between the Lines

New Autodesk Beta Website

New and exciting changes have been introduced to Autodesk’s Beta Program where we invite customers to test and provide feedback on pre—release product so that we ship the highest quality of product possible.

The Autodesk MyFeedback Beta platform was retired by May 31st, 2009 at which  point the new Autodesk Community officially came to life at http://beta.autodesk.com.

Autodesk beta participation has grown considerably since we started our online beta communities in 1999.  I joined Autodesk in 1998 on the Beta Team back when we still shipped CD and printed guides. I had been an Autodesk customer and involved in multiple Autodesk betas. I knew I could make a difference for customers and loved a good challenge. We went from a small email lists and doing a couple products to well over 30,000 participants in over 140 countries using over 60 Autodesk products. It is time to upsize again to a new Autodesk Beta Community.

Make sure to sign up for the new Autodesk Feedback Community site before the busy beta release season in the fall. The sign up takes only a few minutes to enter the information about your Autodesk product use and hardware you intend to use to test the pre-release beta software. We need you to provide the critical customer feedback which is vital to shape the future of all Autodesk products.

http://beta.autodesk.com –> New User Signup

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk MyFeedback Portal and Forums Closing May 30th 2009

Our current MyFeedback platform used for running Autodesk product betas has grown way beyond its originally designed structure and we are looking to introduce you to a new Autodesk Feedback Community over the next few month. We are also reorganizing the management of Autodesk betas. Beta projects will be managed individually on this new community by each of the four Autodesk Divisions.

We will be retiring MyFeedback on May 30th 2009. We will be moving future betas to our new Autodesk Feedback Community server.

Q&A
Q: Where is this new Autodesk Feedback Community?
A: The new Autodesk Feedback Community is located at http://beta.autodesk.com . You can sign up at http://beta.autodesk.com/signup now.

Q: Will my account be automatically migrated to the new Autodesk Feedback Community?
A: No, you will need to sign up on this new Autodesk Feedback Community at http://beta.autodesk.com/signup

Q: Will I need to sign up again or can I use my old MyFeedback login?
A: With this new Community you will need to sign up for a new account.

Q: What does this mean for non-beta related forums?
A: The new Autodesk Feedback Community will only support active beta projects. There will not be futures or miscellaneous discussion forums hosted.

Q: What will happen with existing forum posts, will they be available after May 30th?
A: The server will be offline and access to content and posts will be unavailable. You can keep a local archive on your machine by following the instructions

Q: Will there be NNTP access in the new Autodesk Feedback Community?
A: Yes, in the beta projects in this new community you will have the choice of HTTP:, SMTP email, and NNTP to participate in the discussion forums.

Want to archive discussion newsgroup content offline?
Many people choose a NNTP newsreader because you can use them to download newsgroup content and work with it while you aren’t connected to the Internet. You can download the forum posts to your Outlook Express or Windows Mail in Vista, and FreeAgent  for later review.

NDA Reminder
All content from the MyFeedback website and discussion forums are considered confidential and not to be disclosed or publicly published.

Remember May 30th 2009 MyFeedback will be redirected to http://beta.autodesk.com and you will need to sign up to continue Autodesk beta testing of products at http://beta.autodesk.com.

We appreciate your past participation and hope you will join the new Autodesk Feedback Community. Things will be different but give it some time to adjust to all the changes. After signing up and your account is approved on the new Autodesk Community you will receive an email. You will then be able to login and see if there are any beta projects you would like to be considered for. You may also receive an email invitation to a specific beta asked on your profile. Most Autodesk beta projects start in the Fall so some may not get into a new beta for a few months.

Sincerely,
Shaan Hurley

Get Certified with the 2010 Beta Exams for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit Architecture, and AutoCAD Civil 3D

The Autodesk Professional Certification program is pleased to announce the release of the 2010 beta exams for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit Architecture, and AutoCAD Civil 3D.

• Gain a competitive edge by getting 2010 Certified (you must take both the associate and professional level exams in a specific product if you are not a 2009 certified professional However if you are a 2009 Certified Professional you only need to take and pass the 2010 associate exam.)
• Customer cost $25 per test by using the consumer shopping cart.

The beta period is open for a 2 week period for each exam,ending on May 20 & 22^nd, depending on which exam.  We encourage you to take advantage of this period so that you can update any existing certification or earn your first certification at a low cost. 

Why do we beta test our exams?

Whenever a new exam is created, the exam items need to be calibrated and tried out within a testing situation. In order to do this, exams are made available in a Beta format.   After the items are tested within the Beta setting, each item is analyzed statistically and reanalyzed for technical accuracy, appropriateness, and readability.

What customers should expect when participating in Beta testing?

• The exam may contain small errors (this beta is to catch and correct these any errors.)
• Exam questions may or may not be the same ones that appear on the final exam (this is why your feedback is important.)
• Scoring may not be immediate, but will most often take place 6 weeks after taking the exam (score reports will only be delivered directly to the test takers.)
• You will be asked to provide feedback on a short survey at the end of the test (thank you in advance.)
• Test takers will be notified via email when their score is ready so valid email addresses are important.
• You have the chance to provide feedback via a survey at the end of the test to help influence a better test.

How can you participate?

1. Purchase a 2010 exam using the consumer shopping cart at http://autodesk.starttest.com. Be sure to download exam objectives to help you better prepare for the exam.
2. Contact an Autodesk Certification Center near you by using the locator at www.autodesk.com/certification. Be sure to contact the Training Center to confirm they are participating and to schedule your beta exam.
3. Make sure sure to take the exam by May 20 or May 22 (to be valid for 2010 certification status.)

Beta Program Information

May 5 – May 20 

• AutoCAD 2010 Associate
• AutoCAD 2010 Professional
• Inventor 2010 Associate
• Inventor 2010 Professional

May 7 – May 22

• Revit Architecture 2010 Associate
• Revit Architecture 2010 Prof (imperial)
• Revit Architecture 2010 (metric)
• Civil 3D 2010 Associate
• Civil 3D 2010 Professional (imperial)
• Civil 3D 2010 Professional (metric)

Access to Training Guides and Exam Objectives

If you have any questions about the Beta testing program, contact certification@autodesk.com.

Best of luck in your certification challenge!
Shaan

Windows 7 Beta Availability - Now

For those brave souls that like to test pre-release beta versions of an Operating System the opportunity to test the next Windows release Windows 7 is available to the public from Microsoft’s TechNet site. Be aware with tens of thousands downloading at once the speed could be very slow. also be aware there are risks to beta testing and more so with an Operating System than an application. I would strongly suggest not upgrading your current system and instead use a dual boot to another drive or partition as a safety measure.

The Windows 7 Beta Download aka Windows 7 Beta Customer Preview Program

• Windows 7 Beta Videos
• Windows 7 Beta: Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista

Update 01/11/09: I know many are curious how AutoCAD or if AutoCAD installs and runs on the next OS from Microsoft. The simple unofficial answer is it does in my limited testing.

There is no official support or completed testing from Autodesk yet but in my limited testing AutoCAD 2009 appears to work very well on the next Windows OS, Microsoft Windows 7 Beta version.

 

 

Once the Operating System completes beta stages Autodesk will address the support of the new Operating System. While we are working closely with Microsoft as one of our partners and also looking at and testing Windows 7. It is important to keep in mind it is a pre-release beta and a moving target.

Cheers,
Shaan

Microsoft Vista Service Pack 2 is Coming

The second Service Pack for Microsoft Windows Vista has been in the works and is now entering preview beta testing and expected to be released in the first half of 2009. The first Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) addressed a wide variety of complaints and pain people were reporting with the initial release of Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) is doing the same by increasing performance, security, and stability. I like Windows Vista personally and would not go back to Windows XP. 

You can now download Vista SP2 Beta through the Customer Preview Program (CPP).

On the Autodesk Platform Team we are testing both the upcoming Windows Vista SP2 and the upcoming Internet Explorer 8 with our products to make sure nothing surprises us or our customers.

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD Plant 3D ~ Groovy Piping?

OK so it is not shipping just yet, but if you are a bleeding edge piping designer then this is for you. You can be considered for the alpha and beta testing phases of the product starting now. Stella is the codename in the beer themes for the Plant group following Guinness and others. Did you know Stella is also Latin for star? At least for me I still immediately think “STELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" from the movie 'A Streetcar Named Desire .stella.wav

Follow Ursula’s posted details including a groovy screen capture showing Stella at work. Groovy AutoCAD Plant 3D "Stella" Alpha 1

Cheers,
Shaan

Technorati Tags: Autodesk,AutoCAD,CAD,Design,AutoCAD Plant 3D,PIping,3D,Process Plant,Process Piping,Plant

Long Live AutoCAD!

Autodesk also has many other top notch products that I get to work with and have the luxury in my position to work with all Autodesk product teams. It always amazes me at the level of expertise of people around the Autodesk family and the products they produce.

I received an email recently by someone that was told by someone that Autodesk was planning to stop AutoCAD development. This pops up from time to time and is usually the result of someone starting the rumor for their own benefit. This rumor is simply not true and there are no plans I am aware of. The next time someone tries to pass this rumor on tell them "you're full of rubish". The AutoCAD Team is still going full steam and planning releases many years into the future and certainly AutoCAD will be around for many many years as millions rely on AutoCAD daily for both 2D and 3D designs.

We have the height of our pre-release beta season going on keeping me from getting any sleep or a clean email inbox. It is better to be busy, than not. If you are intersted in helping shape the future of Autodesk products please sign up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com

Cheers,
Shaan

For those on the Windows Vista Bleeding Edge, Public Preview of Vista Service Pack 1

The Public Preview of the Release candidates for Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 is now publicly available.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Public Availability Program

 

 

Please note Autodesk is internally testing for compatibility with products at this time and no official support or result statements will be made until the upcoming service packs for Windows Vista are released in the final form.

Initial results from some using the Release Candidate say the performance is greatly improved and optimized CPU usage among other noted items. Pretty interesting deployment method using a script to edit the registry to flag your system on the next Windows Update to get the Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate.

Regards,
Shaan

MapGuide Open Source 2.0 Beta Coming Up

The Autodesk MapGuide Team has posted an invitation on OSGeo website to join the beta testing of the pre-release MapGuide Studio Open Source product. If you are wondering what Autodesk MapGuide is, it is a GIS application and you can find more specifics at: http://www.autodesk.com/mapguide and http://mapguide.osgeo.org/. "MapGuide can be deployed on Linux or Windows, supports Apache and IIS web servers, and offers extensive PHP, .NET, Java, and JavaScript APIs for application development. MapGuide Open Source is licensed under the LGPL."

If you are interested in taking a look, providing feedback, and getting involved in this Open Source product please read the invitation at http://mapguide.osgeo.org/AutodeskMapGuideStudioBetaforMGOS2.0.html

Regards,
Shaan

Autodesk Design Review 2009 Beta 1

Volker has just announced that the future release of Autodesk Design Review code named "Colorado Project" is now open for beta testing. They are looking for your active participation and feedback on this pre-release product and features hosted on the Autodesk MyFeedback Community. See Volker's blog post for all the specific details.

Autodesk Design Review 2009 Beta 1 Live Now

 

Please Get Involved and Help Shape the Future of Autodesk Products

Get Involved Shaping the Future of Autodesk Products and Get Off the Sidewalk

I often stumble across a report of something someone would like to improve in AutoCAD or Autodesk products posted in a forum or blog or even down in a nested comment. Perhaps it is venting, ranting, perhaps it is wishful thinking or an expectation that the members of the small Autodesk product teams can find these items and enact change. Please please please, if you find bugs or have wish list items you want to get acted on make sure to get them to the people that develop the product. If we do not know about it you are likely to not see it addressed in a future release of the product. If you get involved and report it you just may see it in a future release as well as quite possibly get a deeper understanding of the why it has been that way if it were intentional behavior.

This is similar to another peeve of mine and that is some that publish bug lists on their blogs, articles, email newsletters etc. don't report the bugs to the software vendor. Where's the benefit of that withholding or delay to fellow users of that software? It makes for more pain as some will compile this list over time and later publish. It can be a missed opportunity for the software vendor to fix the issue or even know about the issue for research.

For Autodesk Software:

Report bugs and product comments and suggestions to the actual product teams: Product Feedback or if you are a Autodesk Subscription customer, log the product support issues online.

Nominate Wish List Items: http://www.augi.com membership is free and it is made up of fellow Autodesk product users. There is an AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor wish list and you can nominate and vote on wish list items which are provided to Autodesk by AUGI. The voting helps know the priority of items.

Below is my reply to a comment on another blog responding to a person I know very well and respect Matt Stachoni. Matt posted a lengthy commentary about what he would like changed in AutoCAD yet he posted this on a non Autodesk site in a comment to a blog post but luckily I spotted it. I have been trying to get Matt involved in beta testing, test drives, and usability and other customer feedback projects for years and I am aware he is busy but he had the time to post a lengthy comment in one little corner of the Internet, right? ;-)

"Autodesk is always listening and trying to improve. Some things irk us as well. It is important to mention some things just appear different or clear and easy from the outside looking in but that may not always be the case as I have seen both sides as I have been a customer and AutoCAD Team member.

I am shocked that Matt and Ralph could only come up with these lists as there are so many things that could be changed and implemented better or different for a 25 year young product that is used in so many ways. Some items can also take time as well in addition to planning and customer feedback loops to make sure that we are on track and what they asked for.

In my opinion it is all about trying to accommodate everyone and but realizing it is difficult to hit the bulls eye 100% of the time or satisfy everyone all of the time, but you must keep trying.

So you realize we have many more years of product improvement. We constantly crawl the blogs, forums, emails, surveys, user events, etc and other customer feedback locations to stumble upon feedback but please make sure to get your feedback to Autodesk so we don't miss it. So be sure to get involved in the process and not just yell from the sidewalk while the parade passes.

AUGI membership is free and made up of fellow product users and allows and encourages you to nominate your own pet peeves and vote on changes to AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.

OK now go nominate some items as well as get involved in actively shaping the future of Autodesk products! :-)

http://www.augi.com & http://myfeedback.autodesk.com"

Not sure if this is a new saying but I wrote it at the moment and it made perfect sense to me.

Get involved in the process, not just yell from the sidewalk while the parade passes.

Cheers,
Shaan

Are You in Denver Colorado and use AutoCAD?

There will be a cool event to test and provide feedback on possible future AutoCAD features in Denver. Read more details on Heidi's blog announcement Request for participants in Denver!

AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Service Pack 1 Beta

We have now released for testing the AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Service Pack 1. This Service Pack was created as a direct result of detailed information from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting Utility or who reported issues to Autodesk support or MyFeedback. Please continue to provide feedback and send the CER reports.

If you would like to test this Service Pack sign up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com and in the Sign Up form select AutoCAD yes to beta and feedback projects and of course use your real name and email to participate. If you are already a member of MyFeedback there is no need to re-register just make sure your profile is up to date.

If you would prefer to not beta test this Service Pack you can wait until the final release is announced in the future.

Service Pack 1 Beta 1 is for the following Autodesk products running on all supported operating systems and languages.

32-bit Product Service Pack

• AutoCAD 2008
• AutoCAD LT 2008
• AutoCAD Revit^® Architecture Suite 2008 ¹
• AutoCAD Revit^® Structure Suite 2008 ¹

64-bit Product Service Pack

• AutoCAD 2008
• AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2008 ¹
• AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2008 ¹

¹ Apply the patch only if the installation contains AutoCAD 2008

Windows Live Betas

There is a new beta version of the free tool I use to manage and post articles to this blog with Live Writer "Wave Writer". There has been some new features such as inline spell checking, offline post management, link glossary, tighter blogging platform integration as well as new User Interface "UI" enhancements.

Windows Live Writer Beta http://writer.live.com/

There is also Microsoft Instant Messenger 8.5 Beta and Live Mail versions available as beta.

• Microsoft Instant Messenger 8.5 Beta
• Windows Live Mail Beta 

Beta is pre-released products in testing for the purpose of receiving feedback and testing so if you are no comfortable with this then wait for the final released version.

Cheers,
Shaan

Technorati tags: Microsoft, Beta, Windows Live, Live Writer, IM, Live Mail, Live Messenger, Blogging

More on the Updated Export AutoCAD to Google Earth .kml Extension from Autodesk Labs

Some more details of the changes in the updated version for AutoCAD 2008 Google Earth Extension posted to Autodesk Labs May 24th,2007 for both AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD 2008. The AutoCAD 2008 version was just updated today to address two issue reported over the weekend.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/google_earth_extension_beta/

1) It now supports materials attached to AutoCAD entities. Yes the nice better quality ones of Google Earth 4 via Collada.

2) Imports terrain data as 32x32 grid AutoCAD mesh (with material automatically attached)

3) Support for attaching time to AutoCAD entities for use with Google Earth’s time slider feature. So you could animate project or model changes over time in Google Earth.

4) Numerous resolved issues reported by users of the previous version using the email for the tools feedback of email of labs.acad-google@autodesk.com

I had some geeky fun this weekend testing out the extension with AutoCAD 2008. I modeled a 3D model of the Autodesk offices known as Civic Center buildings located in San Rafael California where much of the AutoCAD Team is located/caged :-).
I then exported the model of the two buildings into a KML file for viewing in Google Earth using the command "PUBLISHKML" and to the properly place using the coordinates of the image I used as a base reference with IMPORTGEIMAGE .

I posted a series of screen captures during the process to my Flickr image Gallery for AutoCAD.

www.flickr.com S.Hurley's AutoCAD photoset

New Autodesk P&ID Product Beta

If you design P&ID drawings and you would like to participate in testing the pre-release beta and will provide feedback please sign up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com to sign up. Use the beta code HarpBeta in the sign up form. For those who already have a beta user login, modify your profile to add Harp to the Beta code.

See Ursula's post in her "In the Pipes" blog Announcing P&ID Beta

Cheers,
Shaan (in Tasmania currently)

Technorati tags: Autodesk, P&ID, AutoCAD, Beta

AutoCAD Export Layout to Model Space Tool Alpha レイアウトーモデル変換ツール アルファ版

This new pre-release alpha tool provides the capability to take a snap shot of a drawing layout to create a ready to use Modelspace drawing. With the capability to export Layout objects to model space, customers who have limited their use of Layouts to exchange drawings with other CAD systems will be realize the full benefits of AutoCAD 2008 annotation scaling feature. This feature was a top request from many of our customers and is the #1 request on the AUGI Japan wish list.

この新ツールのアルファ版では、レイアウト図面のスナップショットを取得して、モデル空間で使えるDWG図面を新規に作成する機能を提供しています。レイアウト空間にあるオブジェクトをモデル空間に書き出せるこの機能は、他のCADと図面のやり取りをする必要がある場合でも、AutoCAD 2008の異尺度対応機能とレイアウト空間をフルに活用できるようにすることを目的としています。この機能は、日本オートデスクユーザ会のウィッシュ・リストでもトップに上げられていたもので、また、各国のユーザ様からのリクエストでもありました。

Export a Layout (Paperspace)

To a Modelspace DWG file.

AutoCAD® Export Layout to Model Space Tool Alpha Web Page
http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/exlayout/

Applicable to the following :
対象となる製品:

• AutoCAD 2008
• AutoCAD LT 2008
• AutoCAD Architecture 2008
• AutoCAD MEP 2008 (日本未発売)
• AutoCAD Electrical 2008
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2008
• AutoCAD Map 3D 2008
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008
• AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008 (日本未発売)
• AutoCAD P&ID 2008 (日本未発売)

Update: This functionality is now built into AutoCAD and AutoCAD based products 2008 and newer.

Technorati tags: AutoCAD, AutoCAD Layout, AUGI, AUGI-JP, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD LT 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, AutoCAD MEP 2008, AutoCAD Electrical 2008, AutoCAD Mechanical 2008, AutoCAD Map 3D 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008, AutoCAD P&ID 2008

AutoCAD 2008 Easter Egg Hunt

 

Chris Dodge found the AutoCAD 2008 easter egg. Easter eggs are done as free time permits and there is no impact on main development. It is a software industry tradition from people proud to show their names and thank beta testers for testing and feedback.

Discussion Groups Index > AutoCAD Groups > AutoCAD 2008 > Found the 2008 Easter Egg http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=553208

Now people need to find the proper way to get to the easter egg instead of the programming route.

The audio was Stage Fright by Nightsage Productions www.nightsage.com and co-written by AutoCAD team member Terri Beausejour.

Here is a screen recording of the AutoCAD 2008 easter egg.
Link to Video (7.5MB .WMV)

Tags: AutoCAD, AutoCAD+2008, Easter+Egg, Autodesk, AutoCAD+Team

AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Service Pack 2 Beta

The AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Service Pack 2 betas are now available to members of the AutoCAD Futures in the MyFeedback zone for testing and feedback. This Service Pack 2 provides Microsoft Windows Vista support as well as addresses other issues including many CER reports and other customer reported issues. Once beta testing is completed the Service Packs will be released to the general public on http://www.autodesk.com/support.

If you are not a member of Autodesk MyFeedback and wish to participate in Autodesk product betas or feedback projects, please sign up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com.

 

Tags: AutoCAD, AutoCAD+LT, Autodesk, AutoCAD+2007, AutoCAD+LT+2007, Windows+Vista, Beta

Autodesk Impression Preview 4 Released

www.autodesk.com/impression

Updates since Technical Preview 3

• Stability and performance improvements. Work is ongoing to make Impression as fast and reliable as possible.
• Quickstart Tour updated. Updated panels and animations give a quick preview of how to stylize your drawing.
• Change Dashboard configuration quickly. Two new Palettes menu options give you quick access to expanded displays of the Layers and Styles palettes (in the Dashboard). Isolate Layers Section expands the Layers palette and closes the Styles palette. Isolate Styles Section expands the Styles palette and collapses the Layers palette.

 

Cheers,
Shaan

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk Impression

Autodesk Labs: New 2D to 3D Tool for Autodesk Inventor

There is a new tool posted on Autodesk Labs for Autodesk Inventor 11. It will allow you to open an existing 2D views and generate a 3D model. The 2D geometry can be a 2D sketch in Inventor or from an imported AutoCAD DWG.

http://labs.autodesk.com

 

del.icio.us tags: Autodesk, Autodesk Labs, 2D to 3D, Autodesk Inventor

Technorati tags: Autodesk, Autodesk Labs, 2D to 3D, Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Impression Technical Preview 3 Released to Autodesk Labs for Download

Autodesk Labs http://labs.autodesk.com/
http://labs.autodesk.com/Impressionlanding.html
There is a new version of Autodesk Impression now available for download today January 17th, 2007. There have been many updates based on feedback received from previous Technical preview users and current beta customers enrolled in the beta at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com. Some of the biggest updates have been to the user interface "UI" like the Layers palette and Dashboard. Also included now is the cool feature that provides the ability to update your Impression drawing file when the CAD geometry in which it was based on changes. You can import files from some of the following DWG, DWF, BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, DCX, PSD, PNG, TGA, TIFF. Yes you can use a DWF file to start styling it in Impression and then save it as a DWF when completed or save as Impression format IRF, BMP, EPS, JPEG, PDF, PSD, and PNG.

Updates since the Technical Preview 2 Version

• CAD geometry updates. When the original drawing changes, you can refresh your Impression drawing and retain many of your stylizations as well as any geometry that you've added.
• Dashboard. The Layers palette, Style Editor, and Styles palette are now combined on a single, interactive palette.
• Style Editor flyout panes. Style elements that make up each style can be edited on the properties flyout panes that are displayed when you move the cursor over the flyout arrows on the style tree. The location of these arrows changes, depending on the location of the palette.
• Block and style scaling. Set Impression to adjust the overall scale of applied styles if a block or object is resized or if the view scale changes.
• Block properties relocated. The Block properties drawer has been replaced by the Block
• Properties dialog box. To access it, double-click a block in the Blocks palette.
• Block and Styles palettes redesigned. Content on these palettes is now displayed on navigation panes instead of on tabs. You can create custom filters for blocks and styles based on their name or other properties. Block styles are listed as a separate set on the Styles palette.
• Import of individual styles and blocks now available. From the Blocks and Styles palettes, you can open libraries that link to saved blocks or styles in other Impression files. You can save entire libraries or individual styles or blocks.
• Automatic block style scaling. Blocks now retain the drawing scale of the view in which they were created. If they are inserted into an Impression view with a different drawing scale, the block styles are scaled proportionately, so that the relative appearance of the blocks remains the same.
• Properties palette changes. Text properties have been moved from the Properties palette to a standalone Text Properties palette that is displayed automatically whenever you create text. Block properties are now displayed on the Properties palette.
• Improved quality for imported objects. The visual fidelity for objects imported from DWG files has improved, particularly with regards to hidden line removal, text, and gradients. Additional view types, including 3D perspective, are now supported. Hatches, clipped objects, and wide polylines are also imported.
• Area fill process enhanced. You can apply styles to areas more reliably, including dragging styles from the Styles palette to closed areas on the canvas.
• Restore palettes to default settings. If you have modified the Impression interface, you can restore the original palette configuration by clicking Palettes menu > Reset Palettes. You must restart the application to see the changes.
• Overall performance improved. Internal changes have improved the overall responsiveness of Impression as you work, especially when working with the drop shadow effect or overshoot property.

Check the system requirements and then give Autodesk Impression previously known as code name "Vespa" a try. It is a simple and fun application to communicate designs in a more conceptual, artistic, and personal style. If you would like to be more actively involved in the development of Autodesk Impression and work directly with the Impression Team, make sure to sign up for beta testing at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com

Autodesk Impression Community
http://impression.autodesk.com/
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. There are also 2 Autodesk Impression blogs in the community by Todd Hunter and Lisa Crounse.

Autodesk Impression Community Image Gallery: http://impression.autodesk.com/gallery/

Give Vespa a spin Between the Lines!

Cheers,
Shaan

Technorati tags: Autodesk, Autodesk Impression, Beta, Autodesk Labs, Vespa, Design, Design Visualization, CAD, Rendering, DWG, DWF

del.icio.us tags: Autodesk, Autodesk Impression, Beta, Autodesk Labs, Vespa, Design, Design Visualization, CAD, Rendering, DWG, DWF

Autodesk Impression Overview By Michael Perani

Product Manager Michael Perani provides an overview of the new Autodesk Impression product in this video from the Autodesk Impression Technology Preview on Autodesk Labs. The Technology Preview 2 version is available on Autodesk Labs http://labs.autodesk.com but there is a private beta program getting updated info and participating with the development team by signing up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com. The private beta team members are now testing the next Technology Preview 3 candidate version to be released soon on Autodesk Labs after beta testing.

To beta test sign up at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com. Use the Beta Code "Vespa" in your sign up. If you are already a member of the MyFeedback portal, log in and select the User button to edit your profile and change your Beta Code to "Vespa". Spread the word to others who might benefit from this new product and wish to participate and provide feedback during pre-release beta testing.

Link to Michael's' Autodesk Impression video

Autodesk Impression Community Site

 

 

Technorati tags: Autodesk Impression, Autodesk Labs, Autodesk, Autodesk Beta, Beta, MyFeedback, Autodesk MyFeedback, Michael Perani

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

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