Between the Lines

Revit 2019 Has Been Released

The leading 3D design BIM software for architects has been released today. I can’t wait to give it a test drive. Read What’s new in Revit 2019? Read more →

That's One Amazing Chameleon

Nikie Monteleone is a Portland based Senior Surfacing Artist at local animation studio HouseSpecial, and one of the best Maya users in the world in my opinion. Anyone that has ever 3D modelled an object or character then textures and lighted the scene can appreciate the attention to detail on this chameleon model and each and every scale was meticulously painted. I feel honored to have Nikie as not only a local Portlander, friend, but Autodesk and I feel quite... Read more →

3ds Max 2019

The new version of 3ds Max 2019 was released last week. 3ds Max 2019 – Overview In addition to other new features like the edit scenes live in VR, one of the coolest features is the new Open Shader Language shaders (OSL). Here is a cool example of an OSL shader in a test render by longtime 3ds Max legend and also in the Autodesk role as the 3ds Max Rendering Architect Zap Anderson. https://youtu.be/dNX4yhW3CJ0 OSL training video also by... Read more →

The AutoCAD Web App

I have been really impressed with the new launched AutoCAD Web App that is included with the AutoCAD 2019 and AutoCAD LT 2019 subscription. I have been using it today on a bunch of drawings to kick the tires. There is nothing to download or install, just launch your web browser and go to https://web.autocad.com/ and log in. Not only can you view and edit drawings, but you can create new drawings using the same AutoCAD DNA as the desktop... 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 →

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 →

ADN DevDays Webinars Available

Autodesk Developer Network DevDays Webinar recordings are now available at http://autode.sk/2C8momg on the Autodesk DevTV YouTube channel. Revisit any presentations you may have missed, or want to re-review! The recorded discussions cover the APIs for Forge, Revit AutoCAD Civil3D, BIM 360, InfraWorks, Inventor, Autodesk Vault, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD. Read more →

Share How to Do Something Using Screencast

Autodesk Screencast is not your ordinary screen recording tool, its purpose built for Autodesk products and FREE. Screencast records: Keystrokes Mouse movement and clicks Commands on the timeline Screencast supports AutoCAD, Inventor, Maya, Fusion 360, 3ds Max, Revit, InfraWorks, and other popular Autodesk products. Go Record, Edit & Share! https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast You can also just watch some Screencasts to learn something new and follow along with every click, pick, and command they use. Choose a product to see its Screencasts Questions?... Read more →

An Epic Piece of Autodesk History –The Nozzle

An amazing surprise as I walked into the office this morning, Kevin Schneider presented me with the historical original nozzle used in many sample files and demos of AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor over the past 34 years. AutoCAD 2.6 included a sample drawing of a nozzle that has been one of the iconic sample drawings in AutoCAD release history, known affectionately as “the nozzle.” The creator of the drawing Don Strimbu designed the nozzle in 1983 using a primitive featured... Read more →

Know a Kid?

If you know a kid, then you should also know Tinkercad. Tinkercad is free and browser based with nothing to install. Tinkercad is the perfect exploration and fun tool to create things easily in 3D and even 3D print them into physical creations. It has been amazing to see what kids (adults too) create by using Tinkercad. It provides an easy way to understand spatial relationships almost like using the modern tinker toys or playdough. You don't need to teach... Read more →

How to Get Involved in Autodesk Beta Testing

One of the ways to improve the Autodesk products you use is by getting actively involved in the beta testing. Beta testing involves the early testing and providing feedback on unreleased versions of the software and is critical to improving the features and stability of the products. Read more →

FIRST FRC 2018 Power Up – Are You Ready!

This Saturday January 6th 2018, the new FIRST FRC 2018 season game and field will be revealed which will then set thousands of high school teams and they will begin work on their robot designs followed by the competitions. The only thing we know right now from FIRST in their public hints and teaser video, is that the game and field is themed “8-bit” and the game is named “POWER UP”. FIRST Robotics Competition Game & Season Info Autodesk will... Read more →

New Autodesk ReCap Photo Version

If you are using the former Autodesk ReMake updated with new abilities and UAV support, you will be interested in the updated version released just this week. ReCap Photo is included with your ReCap Pro subscription. Autodesk ReCap Photo update version 18.2.0.8 is now available. Read Here Here is a recent project of mine with a textured 3D mesh of a building created solely from photos taken in a 15 minute UAV flight. Display mode is set to texture with... Read more →

Free Training Courses

In addition to all the free great classes and keynotes from Autodesk University (Autodesk University 2017 Classes Posted), LinkedIn is providing 40 courses for free covering Autodesk product training and certification preparation, construction management, technology like artificial intelligence, and business. In addition to English some courses are available in French, German, Japanese, and in Spanish. LinkedIn Learning Teams Up with Autodesk to Offer Free Access to 42 Technology Courses Go get some new skills, for free! Read more →

Autodesk University 2017 Classes Posted

Classes from AU 2017 are now online for you to go gain knowledge and skills from the top Autodesk product experts. http://autode.sk/2jRDB8H What are you waiting for, go learn something. You could event do a lunch and learn in your office on a class or topic. Read more →

Most Popular Speaker at Autodesk University 2017

The most talked about and lined up for speaker at Autodesk University 2017 was, well a real speaker this year that you could build yourself. At Autodesk University, a group of attendees participated in a Product Innovation Platform track organized and designed by Autodesk’s Garin Gardiner. Participants designed the speaker starting from the speaker body in Autodesk Fusion 360 and the circuits in Autodesk Eagle as well as generating the CNC G-code to machine the parts. Those that were not... Read more →

The Future of Making at Autodesk University

Normally at Autodesk University you attend to see and learn from great speakers, but in this case you get to make an awesome custom speaker. In the Product Innovation Platform track you will get to go through each step from the beginning electrical design in Autodesk Eagle to the product design and machining in Fusion 360 and at the end of the track you will get to assemble and take your custom CNC machined wood enclosure speaker. Here is a... Read more →

Capture a Building in 3D

Last week we flew a UAS (drone) over a old historic building being renovated in Portland Oregon. We captured 279 photos in two short 15 minute flights and automatically generated a 3D textured model and Ortho corrected TIFF files using Autodesk ReCap Photo. ReCap Photo has an entirely new engine and now expanded to 1000 images support as well as DEM file and Ortho TIFF file creation. If you have a land development or construction project, you should look into... Read more →

Autodesk 3ds Max 2018.3 Released – Fluids

One of the top 3 requested 3ds Max Ideas site items is now complete with the addition of Bifröst Fluids which was previously only available for Maya. Tutorial: 3ds Max Fluids Part 1 - Basic Setup Read an overview of 3ds Max 2018.3 at the Autodesk’s AREA blog. Fluids: Fluids allow you to create fluid simulations directly inside 3ds Max using Bifrost technology. Read/create BIF files for direct interoperability with Maya. Save/create presets based on viscosity, giving the illusion of... Read more →

Happy 20th Birthday Navisworks

Not only is this year 2017 the 35th year of Autodesk and AutoCAD, but Navisworks is celebrating 20 big years of coordinating AEC construction model and design data. The Navisworks team will be celebrating their 20th year at Design Night in Sheffield England on October 24th. I will be in attending the Design Night and be announcing a meetup in both Sheffield and Manchester to talk all things Autodesk over a pint or coffee. Stay tuned for more details and... 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 →

Tinkercad Goes Brick Mode

Tinkercad just added a cool new mode in yesterdays 3.2 update. For those unaware, Tinkercad is the awesome free web based 3D modeling tool for everyone 4-400 years old. There is now the is the new brick workspace. If you create or open a model and then select the new brick workspace, it will convert the Tinkercad model to a brick style model reminiscent of those Danish plastic bricks that hurt when you step on them. Before brick workspace. After... Read more →

Detecting Changes to the USS Arizona Using Autodesk ReMake

Are you aware you can compare data in Autodesk ReMake? We compared a 3D model created of the USS Arizona Memorial from subsurface LiDAR laser scans, photogrammetry model data, and SONAR data to thematically show the changes over a 2 year period of time. Knowing what is changing on the USS Arizona Memorial is vital for many including the US National Park Service, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and the State of Hawaii. See the video showing the thematic change... Read more →