Between the Lines

Forge DevCon Keynote 2018

The Forge DevCon was held on the first day of Autodesk University. The keynote was great and you can now watch it on YouTube. It was apparent from the Forge DevCon they will need to expand the are as it was packed with Forge developers,partners, customers, and employees this year and many amazing 3rd party solutions built upon Forge being shown. Forge DevCon Keynote 2018 “Watch the full Forge DevCon keynote from November 12, 2018. Featuring Jim Quanci, Brian Roepke,... Read more →

Welcome PlanGrid!

It was just announced that Autodesk is acquiring PlanGrid. ”Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PlanGrid, a leading provider of construction productivity software, for $875 million net of cash. This acquisition will enable Autodesk to offer a more comprehensive, cloud-based construction platform.” Read the announcement for all the details. Autodesk to Acquire PlanGrid to Accelerate Construction Productivity I can’t wait to meet our new Autodesk employees from PlanGrid. -Shaan Read more →

Apply to the Residency Program at Autodesk Toronto

Spotted this from my Toronto Research colleague Hali Larsen @HaliLarsen this morning: Have an innovative project in mind that you are trying to get off the ground? In need of support for hardware, software, or fabrication? Apply to the Residency Program at Autodesk Toronto! https://startupheretoronto.com/type/startup-news/autodesk-technology-centre-in-toronto-accepting-residency-applications/ “The Toronto centre – one of four Autodesk Technology Centres in the world – supports a range of activities related to machine learning, generative design, robotics, artificial intelligence, and more. The centre provides facilities, technology,... Read more →

Fusion 360 Meetup in Portland 11.01.18

We are excited to be reintroducing the Fusion 360 Meetup in our new Portland Autodesk office located in the Central Eastside Industrial District. When: Thursday November 1 5:00 PM ‐ 8:00 PM Where: Autodesk Portland 221 SE Ankeny St, Portland, Oregon Agenda: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm Arrive, socialize, eat and drink, check out the space including the PIE Shop - ask questions 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm Welcome, Meetup going forward, Fusion updates, and Portland Autodesk Space Mike Aubry... Read more →

Sleepless in Seattle

I am working remote from Seattle this week for several reasons. Tuesday I had my FAA Part 107 renewal exam for commercial SUAS pilot – and passed. I did a lot of studying and practice tests. I can’t recommend RemotePilot101.com enough and first learned of them in our corporate training program and now use them for all my SUAS training and certification needs. Thursday I am speaking at Seattle Startup Week. How Technology is changing the $10 trillion construction industry... Read more →

One Fusion 360

Autodesk made a great announcement today about simplifying Fusion 360 tiers into just one for a low annual price for an amazing mechanical and industrial design tool. “On October 7th, 2018, we are enhancing Fusion 360 to a single product offering that includes ALL available functionality. We want you, our community, to be able to take full advantage of what Fusion 360 has to offer. This new offering will include access to everything currently included in Fusion 360 Ultimate and... Read more →

Project Impossible

For those in the US that have access to a TV with the History Channel, there is a television series named Project Impossible that Autodesk helped sponsor showing our customers as well as some Autodesk employees on some large projects. The series celebrates the engineers, builders and construction professionals that are transforming our world. Project Impossible is an original 10-part series that follows a new generation of epic engineering projects that were considered unthinkable just a few years ago. In... Read more →

Calling All Autodesk Product Experts

Do you have a great tip or unique content that you would like to share with Autodesk product users around the world for fame and good karma? While on sabbatical starting Friday June 22nd, I would love to share your amazing content as guest posts for others to learn and benefit from so I can focus on the trails or road trips during my 6 week sabbatical and feel the need to blog less. Are you interested in sharing your... Read more →

Join Our Autodesk Family

We have hundreds of job requisitions and looking for talented new hires to join us. If you or someone you know is interested feel free to reach out to me or go to our careers website and have a look. Autodesk is consistently one of the top places in the world to work for with great people and benefits. Look at me, I originally planned to only work for them 2 years, but I am still here almost 21 years... Read more →

Autodesk Portland is Official

Yesterday June 6th, 2018 Autodesk held a series of events to officially open the new Portland office and introduce ourselves to Portland. An employee event was held in the afternoon led by Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost with Autodesk’s entire CEO staff in attendance.Later in the evening we gave media tours and then held a grand opening event and ribbon cutting with invited guests including local leaders, the architect and contractor of the renovated building, media, and the Mayor of Portland... Read more →

Join Me at Autodesk Accelerate 2018 experience in Toronto

The Accelerate with Autodesk event is September 19th and 20th and is for those interested in the future of design and manufacturing. The early bird rate is only $49 until June 15, 2018 for 2 days of sessions. You will also get a bonus tour of the MaRS Discovery District which is the world’s largest urban innovation hub and where the new Autodesk Technology Center is located. https://autodeskaccelerate.attendease.com/ “Explore the future of design and manufacturing Accelerate brings together Autodesk customers,... Read more →

Know Your Tools, Learn Your Craft, Make Anything

I love that our Autodesk Pier 9 has open sourced the manuals and instructions as workshops with lessons on Instructables on how to use much of the equipment located in the Pier 9 workshop. It is a wealth of learning and practical knowledge on some of the equipment. There is currently 25 different workshops covering the equipment the wood shop, metal shop, CNC shop, and the 3D print shop. The workshops contain lessons on knowing the equipment and how to... Read more →

Imagine Making a Part 40% Lighter While Exceeding the Strength of the Original

First Major US Auto Manufacturer Using Generative Design! GM is the first major North American automaker to adopt Autodesk generative design software to take vehicle lightweighting to a whole new level. This AI-designed seat bracket weighs 40% less and is 20% stronger than its predecessor. https://autode.sk/2KxQsZu “General Motors’ auto engineers have been heavyweights in vehicle lightweighting for years. Just since 2016, GM has launched 14 new vehicle models with a total mass reduction of over 5000 pounds or more than... Read more →

SketchBook is Now FREE

SketchBook, Autodesk's premier digital drawing and sketching software, is now FREE to everyone as of today April 30th, 2018. https://www.sketchbook.com/ WooHoo! ”At Autodesk, we believe creativity starts with an idea. From quick conceptual sketches to fully finished artwork, sketching is at the heart of the creative process. You never know when a great idea will strike, so access to fast and powerful creative sketching tools is an invaluable part of any creative process.” The individual subscription will be free. This... Read more →

10 million friends, with over 100 million things designed in Tinkercad

Tinkercad hits 10 million users!!!!! Imagine all the people of all ages that have gained an understanding of 3D and making things in a few short years. Nothing short of amazing. Congratulations to the Tinkercad team and the 10 million users aka friends! Here is a great letter from Guillermo Melantoni and Sarah O'Rourke marking this major milestone. Hello Everyone, Almost five years ago Autodesk acquired Tinkercad. We definitely saw its potential. A very well polished user experience with easy... Read more →

Mimic - Open-Source Autodesk Maya Plugin to Control Industrial Robots

The Autodesk Robotics Lab excited to announce the release of Mimic, an open-source Autodesk Maya plugin for controlling Industrial Robots. Mimic is a free and open-source plugin for Autodesk Maya that enables simulation, programming, and control of 6-axis, Industrial Robots. It provides a robust and intuitive, animation-based toolset, allowing creators to prototype, validate, and drive automated systems. The team works on a lot of experimental robotics projects, writing many of their own software tools from scratch.They found out that they... Read more →

AutoCAD 2019 Released - One AutoCAD

Today March 22, 2018 is the day, AutoCAD 2019 was announced and now available for subscribers. While there were many updates including 200+ dialog boxes and other User Interface elements have been updated and other requested updates and fixes, the biggest theme is: ONLY ONE. AUTOCAD. AutoCAD now includes industry-specific features and libraries for architecture, mechanical design, electrical design, and more. Automate floor plans, sections, elevations, and other drawings. Draw piping, plumbing, and ducting for faster design with mechanical tools.... Read more →

Autodesk Official Show Reel 2018

Here is the very latest official Autodesk Show Reel 2018. This show reel shows amazing examples of some of our Autodesk customers in multiple industries from architecture to special fx and games to manufacturing and robotics. This is the show reel I play to show what Autodesk customers design create and make using our software and technologies. https://youtu.be/aqOIyi-9PLw We recently released two industry specific show reels Autodesk Games Customers Reel 2018 and Autodesk 2018 Visual Fx Customers Reel. Read more →

We Have a PIE Shop in Portland

Autodesk, PIE, Uncorked Studios team up on new Portland manufacturing incubator. Portland Business Journal “Three top local startup champions have launched an ambitious program that looks to foster new product startups and help entrepreneurs overcome challenges tied to making physical objects Portland design and product agency Uncorked Studios, 3D software maker Autodesk Inc. and the accelerator Portland Incubator Experiment introduced PIE Shop, which will guide startups through the prototyping and manufacturing phases. The program will be housed in Autodesk's new... Read more →

Download Autodesk Software for FREE

Are you aware if you are a student, teacher, or school you can download all Autodesk software for free for three years? “We believe that learning is the key to your college and career success - that’s why we're proud to support students, teachers, and academic institutions worldwide with free access to Autodesk software and learning resources.” There is no need to find a potentially compromised bootleg or a malware-carrying key generator, just go to http://students.autodesk.com register in minutes and... Read more →

Design Night Sheffield - October 24th

The first Design Night Sheffield theme is Make it Global. I hope to see you at Design Night Sheffield and I will setup meetups in both Sheffield and Manchester. The future of making is here. New technology is radically changing what’s possible, disrupting every industry. From architecture and construction, to manufacturing and media, individuals and small teams now compete on a global playing field. Sheffield is a city known for innovation, and ideas that travel the world: from stainless steel... Read more →

Drone Photogrammetry with the New Autodesk ReCap Photo

Autodesk ReMake is evolving to Autodesk ReCap Photo. Autodesk ReCap Photo will be part of ReCap Pro for both your LiDAR scan data and photogrammetry data. In addition to the great 3D mesh editing that was in the former ReMake, there are new features added like raising the limit of photos to 1000 photos and for creating 3D models and geolocated orthographic views from drone (UAS) imagery. All for a very low monthly subscription and well below other comparable solutions.... Read more →

Autodesk Answer Day Sept 21st 2017

Hello AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor, and Revit users in Asia! We have an... Read more →

Fusion 360 Update 8.8.17 Honk if You Love Sheet Metal

A great update went live today for Autodesk Fusion 360. Holy Fusion 360 Sheet Metal Batman! You should update your Fusion 360, kick the tires and read about the update and awesome contest and prizes including Autodesk University 2017 passes. August 8, 2017 Update – What’s New Fusion 360 Sheet Metal Challenge ”To celebrate the release of sheet metal in Fusion 360, we’re putting on a brand new sheet metal-themed challenge. One of our team members needs a new bumper... Read more →

AutoCAD 2018.1 and AutoCAD LT 2018.1 Update Now Available

There is a fancy new feature packed update for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT subscriber and educational license customers. Learn more about the new update from Heidi Hewett and Marcus O’Brien in a blog post announcement. AutoCAD 2018.1 and AutoCAD LT 2018.1 Update Now Available Read more →