Between the Lines

The Best of AutoCAD 2010 eLearning, Sometimes the Best Things are Free, Learning Courses Available on AutoCAD Exchange

The AutoCAD Exchange  is a community of AutoCAD and AutoCAD based product users. I have had the privilege of filling in for Gabrielle and running the site while she is off and hopefully enjoying her sabbatical.

We have been adding many new features and content to the AutoCAD Exchange. Some of the new content includes new funny Roger Penwill Misunderstood CAD Manager cartoons, Lynn Allen’s hilarious Top Ten Reasons to attend AU videos, AutoCAD Help online, AU courses, weekly Ask the Expert to ask questions to. Donnie Gladfelter is this weeks resident AutoCAD Expert.

Now we just published free AutoCAD 2010  “The Best of AutoCAD 2010” learning content.

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=m_acad_elearning

Membership is free, so join the community of AutoCAD based product users including AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Architecture,and AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Cheers,
Shaan

Columbus, Montreal, and Edmonton this Week, "Stay Thirsty My Friends"

It has been a busy week of events for the See the Difference with AutoCAD 2010 Tour. We started the week in Columbus Ohio, Montreal Quebec, and then snowy cold Edmonton Alberta.  Next week I will be in Boston and Washington DC and hope to see you there.

Sign Up for the See the Difference with AutoCAD 2010 Tour.

Tuesday October 20 Boston, MA 

Thursday October 22 Washington DC

While spending so much time in an airport or staring at the back of a airplane seat is not exciting, it is all worth it to meet customers and hearing what they like and don't like about our products. I  was wearing a pink shirt in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month at the events as was colleague Lynn Allen.

 

AutoCAD Tip:
Want to Move, Copy, and Scale multiple objects in AutoCAD? Try the AutoCAD Express Tool command MOCORO.

Odds & Ends

Some of the taste bud highlights from last weeks tour was the famous Graeters Ice Cream in Columbus and Molson’s Rickards Red Draft in Canada. I also replenished my stash of Canadian candies such as the Nestle Smarties and Aero bars.

Delta Airlines now has speedy WiFi on most flights! I love Delta.

Has anyone else noticed since the baggage fees started on airlines the dramatic rise in the size of bags being attempted to be carried onboard with passengers causing delays in flight departures?

If I were in airline marketing, I would see that any person identified as a frequent flier from another airline would get special attention on my airline's flights. I would make it my business to know who the passengers were on each flight and give a heads up to the flight crew. Opportunity walks and talks.

I have now been asked twice if I was the guy from the Dos Equis beer commercial. Must be my grey beard. I don't really look like this guy other than the gray hair and I am certainly not “the most interesting guy in the world”.  It is odd as this is the third time I have been confused with a beer character.

The first was from a bottle of Rogue ale that was brought to AU 2006 by a customer to show me the likeness of me and the image on the bottle.  At that AU I found the real doppelganger for that beer image, it was AutoCAD Plant 3D team’s own Peter Quinn. Then there was that time I was confused with former Budweiser beer commercial star Spuds MacKenzie but that's another long story I will save until a later date.

Cheers,
Shaan

The Final episode of The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 10: Z End of Z Road

The ending of the funny series started in March 2009 was so unexpected. Finally get to see TJ out of his blue latex suit.

“The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 10: Z End of Z Road
Venturing out of his TeknoCave, Z is on a final mission to learn the true identity of Dome City's greatest villain. Will he finally uncover the truth about his bosses, his projects, and his use of AutoCAD to save the Fate of Humanity? Or is this the end of the road for our friend Z?”

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=humor

TeknoChronicles of Z Does BIM

The TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 7 “Sweatin' the Details” is now available on the AutoCAD Exchange.

“Uh oh. The zipper on TJ's TeknoTard is stuck. But Z is more focused on designing cool skyboxes for a new stadium. So of course, he's implemented a BIM process with Autodesk Revit at the core, and he's using AutoCAD to extend the power of BIM. Good for the stadium design. Bad for TJ. “

 

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=humor

Another great feature of the AutoCAD Exchange is the Ask an Expert where you can ask questions to the weeks expert.

July 13 – 17th the featured AutoCAD Expert on AutoCAD Exchange the Expert will be Robert Bell.  Robert will be taking your AutoCAD questions.

The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 6 Mayor May Not

You need a mid-week laugh, so thanks to the AutoCAD Exchange there is a new episode of the TeknoChronicles of Z posted.

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=humor

The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 6: Mayor May Not

Also

Check out the AutoCAD Exchange for more great humor and networking with fellow AutoCAD users.

Cheers,
Shaan

New TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 4: Rabid Prototyping

A new episode of the TeknoChronicles of Z has been posted on the AutoCAD Exchange as well as YouTube. This is the fourth episode and titled “Rabid Prototyping” Take a break and watch this video to get a mid-week laugh.

TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 4: Rabid Prototyping http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=humor and on YouTube

If you have not been following the funny series The TeknoChronicles

• TeknoChronicles of Z Trailer
• The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 1: Z No Evil
• TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 2 - General Malaise
• TeknoChronicles of Z General ShadowFinger’s Benign Design in 3D Contest

• TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 3 – Supply Chained

Cheers,
Shaan

TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 3 "Supply Chained"

A new episode of the TeknoChronicles of Z has been posted on the AutoCAD Exchange as well as YouTube. This is the third episode and titled “Supply Chained”. Take a break and watch this video to get a mid-week laugh.

TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 3 – Supply Chained

If you have not been following the funny series The TeknoChronicles of Z it might help to catch up on these short fun videos from Autodesk. Don't forget to enter the General ShadowFinger’s Benign Design contest in 3D for some great prizes but valid for US contestants most likely due to some evil TeknoLawyer.

You can follow The TeknoChronicles of Z at the AutoCAD Exchange Community (http://autocad.autodesk.com), http://www.teknochroniclesofz.com/, or even on YouTube.

Chronological list of webispodes of TeknoChronicles of Z:

• TeknoChronicles of Z Trailer
• The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 1: Z No Evil
• TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 2 - General Malaise
• TeknoChronicles of Z General ShadowFinger’s Benign Design in 3D Contest
• TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 3 – Supply Chained

Cheers,
Shaan

Markers = Bad, Autodesk Impression = Good ;-)

Markers=bad
Autodesk Impression = good

The New Autodesk Impression 3 is Now Available for Download

photo posted by unknown proud parent

General ShadowFinger’s Design Contest and a New TeknoChronicles Episode

That’s right the evil villain in the TeknoChronicles of Z General ShadowFinger has a contest for 3D design the “Benign Design Contest in 3D”.

General ShadowFinger has thrown the challenge out.

”Finding good design talent is almost as hard as getting 10,000 giant mutant crabs to obey you”

 

There are some great prizes like trips and digital cameras.
Are you up for the challenge?

Oh, and there is a new TeknoChronicles of Z episode available.

TeknoChronicles of Z Episode 2 - General Malaise
Z's View Cube and Steering Wheel tutorial is interrupted by a mysterious proposal from General ShadowFinger.
Watch Now

Cheers,
Shaan

April Fools Day Fun

This blog was not hacked today.
I was just having some April Fools day fun using the funny characters featured in the “TeknoChronicles of Z” videos from the new AutoCAD Exchange community.

Thank you for all the concerned emails alerting me to my blog having been hacked.

For AutoCAD based pranks see Donnie’s post AutoCAD Pranks for April Fools Day or my post Office AutoCAD Pranks

Cheers,
Shaan

New Episode of TeknoChronicles of Z

The new Episode 1 of TeknoChronicles of Z - “Z No Evil” is very funny.
“vrooom vrooom vrooom”

Be sure to pay attention to all the subtle humor like the scrolling text in the TeknoMap or the clouds in reverse direction in the TeknoJustice’s flying vehicle.

You can follow the TeknoChronicles of Z at http://AUTOCAD.AUTODESK.COM, http://www.teknochroniclesofz.com/, or even on YouTube.

Cheers,
Shaan

The TeknoChronicles of Z Video Series

A funny video showing an AutoCAD superhero and villains.
Get ready for a good laugh!

The TeknoChronicles of Z. A new web series from Autodesk. Watch as "Z" guides you through what it takes to work for TeknoJustice, an ego-maniacal glory hog whose super-hero image has been complete.

The TeknoChronicles of Z 
http://www.teknochroniclesofz.com/ 
You can view in high definition by clicking the HD button in the lower right corner of the Youtube player window.

I think I have worked for the boss TeknoJustice at one point in my design career. ;-)

Shaan

Steve and his Gaggle of Geeks

Recently a group of CAD bloggers who were also active AutoCAD 2010 beta customers were invited by Autodesk to attend a behind the scenes event for the AutoCAD 2010 announcement webcast (AutoCAD 2010 Webcast Behind the Scenes). Steve Johnson from Australia was there and was shooting video interviews.

Steve just posted a funny compilation video “A gaggle of geeks” video on his blog via YouTube and at the end with some editorial humor and creativity made me look like I could not spell the word “nerd”. The truth is that Steve he asked me the identification for the Star Trek ship Enterprise which I only knew the first letter as I am not a  big Star Trek fan, but Steve changed the question in the video edit. I am glad he at least mentioned he changed the question to save me from complete embarrassment and mockery.

I did notice in the video that the usual head banging rock music fan Steve has apparently changed his music preferences to techno.

Steve, thanks for the good laugh heading into the weekend!

Cheers,
Shaan

Office AutoCAD Pranks

Having worked in a design office in the past I know how there can be office pranks to liven up an office and blow off some steam. Sometimes projects can cause pressure, time crunch stress, and conflicts causing some to go to prank mode to relieve stress. Lynn Allen used to offer a few great pranks to do in AutoCAD including the one where each ZOOM would perform two UNDO commands and a SAVE, but that one could be a little dangerous and lose some work and design data if you had no backups of the DWG.

Pranks should always be in fun and not cause damage or negative impacts as those can be career limiting moves as well as be just downright mean and destructive. I will not officially admit to what I may have done myself, but mention a few pranks I know of:

• Creating hidden messages in a linetype by using micro size text in a linetype that appears like a normal line, but zoom in and you get a text message.
• Capture an AutoCAD screen image and place it as a raster image on the desktop then unplug the mouse. Sit back and prepare to watch the coworker click maniacally in frustration.
  
• Create some annoying alert dialogs in a LISP or macro  for most common commands like (alert "Do you really want to do this, really?")

 

• Change some system variables like crosshair angle or grip size and color, you can even accomplish this in a profile. Background color to lime green, VIEWRES to 10, APERTURE to 50, others GRIPCOLOR and GRIPSIZE.

Post your fun (and safe) AutoCAD pranks in the comments to this blog post. Let the fun begin.

Shaan

Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture and Autodesk University 2008

Only seven more days until Autodesk University 2008!

The Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture was created by a contestant in the clay contest “Shape the future” at the MyFeedback booth last year using an AUGIWorld magazine picture of Matt Murphy as a reference. This green clay head has been held, touched, and for photos with people. It was even 3D scanned and printed as well as posed with well known entertainer Jay Leno.

    
   

  

So now the Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture has traveled around the world, attended many user groups worldwide, but it is looking pretty well traveled. It is made of soft clay and quickly becoming just a blob with rocks and other debris embedded in it in addition to the airline security screeners being tired of having to inspect it in my luggage .

It needs to be retired at Autodesk University 2008, but how?

Post your comment to this post on how we can retire the clay head in a legal and dignified manner at AU 2008.

Cheers,
Shaan

Happy Friday! Human Tetris Coming to US TV This Weekend with Hole In the Wall

I remember watching the YouTube videos of the Japanese game show for Human Tetris where contestants try to navigate moving shapes and it was hilarious and entertaining.

Below is the YouTube video of the original Japanese Human Tetris.

Well not to let the skillet get cold a new show named Hole in the Wall is coming to the Fox network starting this Sunday night http://fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=holeinthewall. It will be interesting to see if they can do it as well as the Japanese game show. Traditionally the Japanese game shows on TV in Japan are far better than the ones remade for markets outside Japan like the new shows like “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” but I do love MXC (MXC Most Extreme Elimination) which is based on Japanese Game show Takeshi’s Castle.

• Top 10 Japanese Game Shows

• The Five Most Insane Japanese Game Shows

I love Japan and am counting the days until Autodesk University 2008 in Japan AUJ. I wish we could do Human Tetris or Takeshi’s Castle at AUJ imagine the team building and sheer fun especially if we coupled it with a several hour Sake and Sushi Bust. :-)

I need to do some catching up on email and work as I spent the week in California and yesterday alone breakfast in San Francisco, Lunch in Los Angeles then dinner in Salt Lake City.

Cheers,
Shaan

Technorati Tags: Japan,Japanese Gameshow,Tetri,Hole in the Wall,Autodesk Universityty Japan,Takeshi's Castle

It’s Friday (Saturday for some)

At least around my neck of the woods which is just South of Salt Lake City Utah the temperatures have been hot with it predicted to be 101 today and muggy to boot.

For those that are also in the heat or just need an excuse to have fun this ones for you.

Beat the Heat - Frozen Beer on a Stick and Beer Ice Cream

Photo Erincooks

It's Friday YAY! You Know What the Bears do in the Woods on Friday, right?

First picture from NASA of water on Mars

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0504/WaterOnMars2_gcc.jpg

;-)

Dark Roasted Blend

The Dark Roasted Blend is always good for odd photos, fun facts, and art collections. Today they have a collection entitled Drunk Builders & Mad Architects worthy of a good chuckle as well as some head scratching.

Winner of American Idol 2008 is from the same location as AUGI CAD Camp Tomorrow!

That's right AUGI CAD Camp is tomorrow in Salt Lake City Utah which is also where the American Idol winner David Archuleta is from. Personally I was a fan of David Cook for his music style and his personality but only watched the final show to see who won but did not watch the entire season. Although I lived for a few years where the American Idol winner is from in Murray Utah and now live in Salt Lake City I cannot carry a single note.

I have my own little American Idol starring in a play for her kindergarten class in the morning and right after that will be headed to AUGI CAD Camp for the rest of the day. If you are attending please say hi and bring your Autodesk product feedback as I love getting the feedback, tips and tricks and taking back to the development teams. As usual I will be packing my camera and be posting some photos in the evening. CAD Camp is a great and cheap opportunity to gain more skills with the best in class products from Autodesk's flagship AutoCAD to Revit to Inventor and more. I will be brining the infamous Autodesk University 2007 Matt Murphy clay head sculpture with me for those wanting to pose with it, kiss it, or perhaps see if it is for real....For those quantum physics freaks wondering if there will be a burp or bend in the time space fabric due to the real Matt Murphy and the Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture in the same room should be assured last time they were in the same place at the same time nothing really bad happened.

Cheers,
Shaan

OK I was messing with people, the real winner is David Cook! At least I did not use the overused comment that "David won" as both their names were David.

Technorati Tags: American Idol,2008,AUGI,David Cook,CAD Camp,Salt Lake City,David Archuleta,AutoCAD,Autodesk Inventor,Revit,Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpturett Murphy Clay Head Sculpture,Autodesk University,AUGI CAD Camp

The Matt Murphy Clay Head Poses with Jay Leno Lastnight

Jay Leno and the infamous Matt Murphy Clay Head Sculpture from Autodesk University 2007 made a Hollywood style appearance at Jay Leno's car garage http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/ on its travels around the world. They use Autodesk products at Jay's Garage and have one of the largest private collections of amazing cars and car experts. I was there with Marie Domingo of Autodesk providing some update tips and tricks for new AutoCAD 2009 and shot with the garage staff for an upcoming Jay's Garage segment on AutoCAD.

The clay head is planning on being at Autodesk University 2008 in Vegas! www.autodesk.com/au

Missed the Wienermobile yesterday...

Yesterday I saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile for a fleeting moment then it was gone. I wanted to grab my camera and get some photos, but it was not to be. I thought how often do you see over a 10 foot wiener driving down the road and had to get a picture of it. I called the Oscar Mayer public relations and left a message and they kindly called me back to tell me that unfortunately the Wienermobile was leaving the area and driving to Portland Oregon today. The driver "hotdogger" is from the Salt Lake area so I have high hopes I will get my chance to see the Wienermobile up close, some day and also get one of those free handout Weiner whistles. http://kraftfoods.com/oscarmayer/omm_wienermobile.htm

http://kraftfoods.com/oscarmayer/omm_fun.htm

"A newer model of the Wienermobile was built by Prototype Source, a company in Santa Barbara, California, that specializes in building one-of-a-kind vehicles and concept cars." - http://www.roadtripamerica.com/wheels/oscar.htm

More Oscar Mayer Memories from http://kraftfoods.com/oscarmayer/omm_funjingle.htm

Classic En Español

Classic

Fun Pipe Fitting Specification

For all those involved in piping here is a fun specification to add to your drawing to see if the shop foreman is really reading your notes. I don't remember the origin of this creative piping humor but I used it back in my piping and vessel design days.

1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal centered around the hole.

2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length.

3. All pipe is to be of the very best quality, preferably tubular or pipular.

4. All acid-proof pipe is to made of acid-proof metal.

5. The O.D. (outside diameter) of the pipe MUST EXCEED the I.D. (inside diameter) otherwise the hole will be on the outside of the pipe.

6. All pipe is to be supplied with nothing inside the hole so water, steam, or other stuff can be put inside the pipe at a later date.

7. All pipe is to be supplied without rust, as this can be more readily put on at the job site.

8. All pipe is to be free of any covering such as mud, tar, barnacles or any form of manure before putting up, otherwise it will make lumps under the paint.

9. All pipe over 500 feet in length must have the words "Long Pipe" clearly painted on each end so the fitter will know it is a long pipe.

10. Pipe over two miles long must also have "Long Pipe" painted in the middle so the fitter will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine if it is a long pipe or not.

11. All pipes over six inches in diameter is to have the words "Large Pipe" painted on so the fitter will not use it for a small pipe.

12. All pipe closures are to be open on one end.

13. All pipe fittings are to be made of the same stuff as the pipe.

14. Pipe specified as "Straight Pipe" shall not have fittings within its length, otherwise it becomes "Crooked Pipe."

Bah Humbug, Scrooge is in the Lab

Scott Sheppard of Its Alive in the Lab is a Scrooge ;-)
http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1592991911

Technorati Tags: Scrooge, Scott Sheppard