Between the Lines

Fast Company Recognizes Autodesk with Four 2018 ‘Innovation by Design’ Honors

More than 398 companies, projects and products were submitted to Fast Company’s 2018 “Innovation by Design” awards honoring creative work at the intersection of design, business and innovation across many industries, including fashion, architecture, graphic design and data visualization, social good and user experience. Autodesk snagged finalist or honorable mention status in four categories: “Design Company of the Year” Honoree “User Experience” (Finalist) – AutoCAD web app “Web Design” Honoree – AutoCAD web app And my current Autodesk office location.... Read more →

Generative Design Workshop in Portland October 4th

What: Join us at Autodesk Portland office to explore what is possible through generative design. This 1-day Workshop will gather engineers and designers for an exclusive hands-on look at Autodesk's generative design technology. This in person event is FREE so register soon as available seats go fast. When: Thursday, October 04, 2018 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Lunch is included. Where: Autodesk Portland at 2212 SE Ankeny By the end of the session, attendees will: Understand how to save... Read more →

Innovation by Design Nomination for Autodesk Portland Office

It is so awesome to have our Autodesk Portland office be nominated and get an honorable mention in an “Innovation by Design” award for the workplace. We got edged out by Amazon’s Seattle office crazy spheres but then again Amazon offices were designed by another Autodesk customer NBBJ using our products. We moved in just this spring to the building and have more to do in the second phase starting next month. We absolutely love the historic renovated Towne Storage... 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 →

Hip Hop Architecture Video

Several Autodesk employees including myself participated in the 2018 Hip Hop Architecture Camp in Portland at Benson Polytechnic High School this past June. The Hip Hop Architecture Camp uses hip hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning and design. Here is the blog post I made that week, as they finished their week designing their architecture project using LEGOs and Tinkercad. Hip Hop Architecture Camp in Portland this Week. The week culminated in the... 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 →

Hip Hop Architecture Camp in Portland this Week

This week, a very special week long camp is going on in Portland Oregon for middle school kids. Hip Hop Architecture with Michael Ford is here, and I volunteered Monday and Tuesday and will be back again before the week is over. “The Hip Hop Architecture Camp™ uses hip hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning and design.“ Attending this camp is free (Autodesk is one of the proud sponsors) and is a fascinating... Read more →

Fusion 360 to Get a Makeover

The Fusion 360 Team is all about transparency and including you in what is going on or going to happen in the future and including Fusion users in that process asking for your feedback. Somethings need updating over time, and that is not limited to wardrobes and kitchens, but also including software. Its not that that the Fusion 360 user interface and user experience (UI and UX) were poor, just that there is always room for improvement as more and... 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 →

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 →

Make Anything – Portland Style

When employees moved into the new Autodesk Portland office they had more good surprises than the amazing renovated historic building, our CREFT Facilities team went above and beyond. Autodesk Portland CREFT team member Lynette Keller used our own Portland developed Fusion 360 design software to design a coaster to place on our desks when we arrived. Autodesk employee and Fusion 360 expert Mike Aubry gave Lynnette some lessons in Fusion 360 and she made the design. The Make Anything Coaster... Read more →

Revit Roadmap Update

Do you use Autodesk Revit? If you do, you are probably interested in the future plans and road map. Luckily for everyone the Revit team has posted their updated roadmap for the Revit product. Revit Roadmap Update – April 2018 Read more →

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 →