There was a time when using design software meant translating every thought into a dozen clicks. Menus within menus. Keyboard shortcuts only power users remembered or programmed into a 16 button mouse. You had to wrestle your tools into submission before you could even begin to create. But today’s tools are catching up—not just in how they look, but in how they think. Read more →

Every weekday morning at 6:00 a.m. in Bend, Oregon, I log into one of my startup client’s virtual office with a strong cup of yerba mate tea and my sleepy silver labrador Coho at my feet. Across the Atlantic, Trey’s already deep into his afternoon in Belgium, mapping out go-to-market strategy and financial tasks. In Colombia, Troy’s checking notes, answering emails, and prepping for the next feature push. Thiago in Brazil and Tom in South Carolina are already writing code, while Cam and David are trading notes on sales conversations from yesterday. Read more →

If you’re in the AEC industry, you've heard it countless times: "Digitize or get left behind." Easier said than done, right? Having navigated both sides of this shift, from boots and hardhat in the field to working in AEC tech,... Read more →

Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It thrives in an environment where ideas can be tested, refined, and most importantly fail forward fast. That’s exactly what we built with Autodesk Labs several years ago when I was an Autodesk employee.... Read more →

Fun past project aerial photo of mine that after a monochrome treatment looks like a mind bending MC Escher print. Read more →

The construction industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, shifting from traditional practices to innovative, technology-driven processes. Despite generating trillions in revenue and employing millions globally, the sector has historically lagged in tech adoption. Today, technologies such as autonomous equipment, digital twins, reality capture, and AI-driven project management are redefining how projects are planned and executed. Cloud and mobile collaboration are paving the way for smarter, more efficient construction practices, setting the stage for an industry revolution that promises to reshape construction sites of the future. Read more →

This past week, I flew a UAS (drone) and captured orbiting video of the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch - Deschutes Public Library under construction here in Bend Oregon. I generated a low res interactive 3D model and cool... Read more →

Big news in the AEC world this week—Motif has officially launched. Their Blog Post: https://motif.io/blog.html Led by Amar Hanspal, Brian Mathews, Matt Jezyk, and Lira Nikolovska, this team is no stranger to solving industry challenges. I’ve had the privilege of... Read more →

Starting out this new year, 2025, I've started exploring trends. The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is rapidly evolving with technology. Staying ahead means embracing innovations that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver better outcomes. Let’s explore key trends shaping the industry and how businesses can align with them to stay competitive. Read more →

I grew up spending summer school vacation in southern California, soaking up the sun and making memories with family and friends. Seeing the recent wildfires tear through those familiar areas breaks my heart. Homes have been destroyed, and entire communities... Read more →

I kicked off the new year with a pre-dawn snowshoe hike up Tumalo Mountain. There’s something special about walking in the dark with just a headlamp and the promise of sunrise. I got to the trailhead near Mt. Bachelor at around 5:00 a.m. It was cold, maybe in the teens, and the forest was calm. My plan: climb 1,400 feet and catch the first sunrise of 2025. Read more →

Happy New Year from Between the Lines and Cascade Technology Consulting! As we usher in 2025, I want to take a moment to thank my amazing clients who helped make 2024 such a fulfilling year. Your trust and collaboration have been instrumental in driving meaningful transformations, and I am excited to continue our partnerships as we move into this new year. Read more →

As the year winds down, I want to take a moment to wish you all a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Here’s to reflecting on the adventures of the past year and... Read more →

It seems someone really really wanted the Delicate Arch model I created years ago that the National Park Service at Arches National Park recreated in a durable metal and installed near the trail head in the very popular national park. This tactile model helped people that were unable to see the arch or make the hike still understand the beauty of the natural arch. Hopefully the thief gets caught, but also a new one replaces it, and nobody steals that one as well. Read more →

SolidWorks has had a major milestone birthday. In November of 1995, SolidWorks 95 was released changing the 3D CAD market. I had one of the first commercially purchased packages which at the time cost about $4000 a seat. Read more →

In keeping with my long CAD history documentation hobby, I have updated my AutoCAD Timeline graphic covering the main releases of AutoCAD. Read more →

Having been both a customer and user of Autodesk products, and as a member of product teams, I’ve had the unique experience of seeing things from both perspectives. I’ve been the voice of the customer, advocating for their needs, interpreting their sentiment, and translating real-world use cases into product strategy. Whether you’re a startup or scaling up, here are some lessons that might help you focus on what really matters. Read more →

After nearly two decades on the Twitter platform newly renamed as X, I’ve decided to delete my 25k tweets, & step away. Posted my last tweet for the foreseeable future and deleted all my 25,000+ tweets so they were not... Read more →

AI is rapidly changing industries around the globe, offering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, creativity, and productivity. However, as AI technologies become more integrated into our daily lives, concerns about privacy, ethics, and the misuse of intellectual property (IP) have... Read more →

Computer-aided design remains one of the indistinguishable tools in mechanical and industrial design. Well, Windows has always been on pole position as far as computer-aided design is concerned because of its comprehensive computer-aided design packages. Mac users are therefore left with few native applications to choose from. The tides, however, are changing. Driven by increasingly powerful Mac hardware, developers are bringing professional-grade CAD solutions to the Mac operating system. Two of those leading the charge include Shapr3D and Autodesk Fusion 360. This blog post will briefly explore these two native CAD solutions for Macs, showcasing their features and capabilities and how they will increasingly change the design workflow for professionals and amateurs alike. Read more →

Digital twins are instrumented virtual replicas of physical assets and are becoming essential tools for simulating and optimizing designs before construction and during operation. AI may enhance these twins by making them smarter, more adaptive, and more insightful. AI doesn't... Read more →

In today's fast-paced world, where every month seems to bring a new wave of bits, bytes, gadgets, gizmos, and software, it's easy to get overwhelmed. We often find ourselves focused by the latest tech, believing it's the magic key to success. But here's the thing—technology is merely a tool. Without our skill, creativity, and experience, and even gut instinct even the most advanced tech won't do much. It's like having the fanciest paints and brushes without the artistic skills to create a masterpiece. Read more →

As startups navigate the challenging and changing landscape of building and scaling a business, there's much to learn from industry giants like Google. Google's approach to culture, innovation, and technology offers valuable insights that can be adapted to smaller organizations aiming for growth and impact. Here are key lessons that startups can apply from Google's experiences. Read more →

In today's fast-paced world, manufacturing is undergoing a major transformation. Driven by technological advancements, shifting market demands, and the push for sustainability, this evolution was evident at the recent IMTS—the world's largest manufacturing technology show with over 100,000 attendees. Attending with some startup clients, I got an up-close look at the technology trends. Read more →

Our recent two-week adventure was everything we had hoped and had planned for—a perfect blend of awe inspiring landscapes, family, and unforgettable wildlife. Starting from our home in Bend, Oregon, we set off on a 2,300-mile loop that took us... Read more →