Between the Lines

AutoCAD Release History – 35 Releases and Counting

AutoCAD Release History (https://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/autocad-release-history.html) AutoCAD 1.0 December 1982 (Release 1) AutoCAD 1.2 April 1983 (Release 2) AutoCAD 1.3 August 1983 (Release 3) AutoCAD 1.4 October 1983 (Release 4) AutoCAD 2.0 October 1984 (Release 5) AutoCAD 2.1 May 1985 (Release 6) AutoCAD 2.5 June 1986 (Release 7) AutoCAD 2.6 April 1987 (Release 8) AutoCAD R9 September 1987 codename White Album (Release 9) AutoCAD R10 October 1988 codename Abbey Road (Release 10) AutoCAD R11 October 1990 codename Let it Be (Release 11)... Read more →

AEC Hackathon Online – Join In and Bust Silos

I would encourage anyone in the AEC, technology, and the built environment industries looking to break silos and explore new ways of doing things and meeting like minded awesome people to look into joining the upcoming AEC Hackathon. This year the Hackathon will be online due to the current world events with COVID-19, but there are already plans to get back together, and hopefully we do it again in Copenhagen at BloxHub (AEC Hackathon Copenhagen 2020). I will be involved... Read more →

Help Shape this Year's Autodesk University 2020

You can help make the best of the current situation with AU online this year. AU isn't amazing, fun, and informative without You. With dozens of AU speaker proposals coming in every week, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Vote early on the learning you'd like to see at AU 2020, from case studies and labs to thought leadership and innovative workflows. Submit your votes Want to share your expertise at AU 2020? There's still time to submit a proposal... Read more →

Autodesk COVID 19 Resources and Projects

Many of of our jobs and industries are changing due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, with many looking for resources and information on how to change quickly, and safely. Autodesk has created a resource center to support you with details on special programs, remote working assistance, learning, industry resources and Autodesk Foundation information. Autodesk COVID-19 Resource Center If you are in the AEC industry, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Return to Workplace information and resources. https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/aec-return-to-workplace... Read more →

New Business Models and Business Model Transformation in Construction 4.0

I found this article from Olivier Lepinoy of Autodesk today on the Autodesk Construction Blog, and really enjoyed the points Olivier makes about how and why the time is now to change how we do things in AEC Construction. It may be the best 18 minutes you spend today if you are in he AEC industry and want to think ahead to transform your business, and how we build. ❌ Get ready. Forget your ordinary perceptions and beliefs, change your... Read more →

Throwback Thursday – 3ds Max Flashback

I have been using 3DS Max since release 1.0 and 3D Studio for DOS before that where we had the Shaper, the Lofter, and that other mode I always forget when animation was really hard and rendering frames took hours and hours to only find out you messed up and need to start over especially since your viewports didn't have materials applied real-time like todays 3ds max. Today I had a great flashback of all the releases by Ian Failes... Read more →

3D Printing Needs Brave New Building Codes

“Building codes have a storied history and largely have been established only after tragic events such as the Great Fire of London, which destroyed swaths of the city in 1666. Since then, codes have been enacted to make buildings more fire resistant, for example, or to increase public safety in dense urban areas (something especially relevant in this challenging time of COVID-19). In the United States, the first national building code was established in 1915, and a winding path of... Read more →

The Weekend – Forest Therapy

With the forest and some county services opening where I live, I am once again taking off into the forest this weekend.I hope you too find something that clears your mind and makes you smile. This photo was from the famous Pacific Crest Trail “The OPCT” last Saturday near Little Crater Lake in Clackamas County Oregon near Mount Hood. Some photos of nature seems like a well needed and perfect way to end the week. Looking towards Timothy Lake via... Read more →

The Forge Platform in Just 2 Minutes:

Get to know the Autodesk Forge platform in just 2 minutes autode.sk/36BZyQx Read more →

Autodesk Help Today and Every Tuesday for Autodesk Office Hours

Today!! Ask our Autodesk Experts about working remotely and collaboration with our products during Community Office Hours, every Tuesday, learn more: https://autode.sk/2R5eSOY Read more →

Be Part of Autodesk University 2020

Autodesk University 2020 and connected events will be reimagined as digital experiences this year. We have started the call for proposals from May 20, 2020 and it is open until June 22, 2020. For this year, I am considering some proposals myself including ones focused on innovation as well as how a hackathon or innovation sprint can surface innovative solutions to challenges for your company or industry. Be a leader and submit an idea In addition to proposing a class... Read more →

Poor Mervin Learns an Important Construction Safety Lesson

An Autodesk colleague Justin Taylor spent time teaching his 6 year old son the importance of construction site safety using a small tomato named “Mervin”. “I combined work and home schooling with my 6 year son today – the topic this lunch time was safety on the construction site. I showed him: The importance of proper site planning The importance of PPE How to capture an incident on a phone And how useful kitchen roll is for cleaning up accidents” Read more →

What is on Your Autodesk Portland Office Building

For my Throwback Thursday TBT post this week, I wanted to answer a common question when people drive by, walk by or visit our Autodesk Portland Office and look up on the building top corners. The office building is a historic renovated brick building located prominently in the Central Eastside Industrial District along the Eastside of the Willamette river next to Burnside Bridge and the I-5 freeway. “what is that on the building, a gargoyle? I actually had that question... Read more →

Global Architecture and Interior Design Student Competition

My local Portland VR collaboration friends over the The Wild are hosting the first annual Global Architecture and Interior Design Student Competition at the VR/AR Global Online Summit. Six student finalists will be selected to share their original 3D models in a live-streamed competition in virtual reality. Applications are due May 20th and the jury includes thought leaders Amy Peck (HTC Vive, EndeavorVR) and Aubrey Tucker (ETRO Construction). The design challenge: Design a space that encourages digital socialization or innovative... Read more →

Autodesk Extended Access Program

On March 24, Autodesk launched the Extended Access Program to enable customers to use certain cloud collaboration products free, for commercial use. Due to the strong uptake we’ve seen for the program, and in recognition of the ongoing challenges customers continue to face, we are extending the duration of the program by an additional 30 days. BIM 360 Docs, BIM 360 Design, Fusion 360, Fusion Team, AutoCAD Web, AutoCAD Mobile, and Shotgun will continue to be available to customers for... Read more →

Autodesk University Goes Online for 2020

Today, an important decision was announced about Autodesk University 2020. In the interest of safety the event was going digital. I know it is a difficult decision to make, but I'm certain it was the right thing to do and they will make the very best of it. Perhaps we can hold the annual AU5k and AU Social Meetup in a creative and fun way. This is only for this year so there is still a chance for AU 2021... Read more →

Autodesk Customer Success Learning Hub

With the new Customer Success Learning Hub you can learn best practices and key workflows in only 15 minutes a day, and for free. Have a look at what is there and how you might improve your skills or those of your colleagues and partners. The format and design of the learning paths are for professionals and to fit learning in their busy schedules and go beyond basics with Autodesk design tools they have access to. 6 disciplines to choose... Read more →

Forge Partner Talks - Digital Twins

If “Digital Twin” was in your Technology Term BINGO card – this is your lucky day! Digital Twins were one of the top ten tech trends of 2019, according to Gartner and Deloitte. Learn about some of Autodesk’s Forge partners and their solutions around Digital Twin and understand the importance of this to the AEC industry and building owners and see how Forge was a great platform for their solutions. https://youtu.be/JJ64DKsX9v8 Forge Partner Talks web series Tune in every Wednesday... Read more →

Fusion 360 Extended Access Program

Autodesk has recently announced a special program for Fusion 360 in the Extended Access Program which gives free commercial access to Fusion 360 until June 30, 2020. Find out more on the free Extended Access Program: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/extended-access-program Read more →

Solutions for Remote Collaboration in Design and Manufacturing

There is a great resource for those that need some assistance in learning how to remotely collaborate effectively, remote solutions, get Autodesk licenses, and more in a video playlist. Working remotely and especially collaborating with others from home requires some adjustments but it doesn’t have to be a challenge. Many solutions for such setup are either already available to current Autodesk customers through Autodesk Account or can be accessed via the Extended Access Program. The list of collaboration products available... Read more →

Dieter’s Guide to the AutoCAD Customer Galaxy

Today I was fortunate to participate with about 70+ other employees in celebrating and wishing the best of retirement to a long time AutoCAD team member and passionate customer advocate for 32 years Dieter Schlaepfer. Dieter has been involved in many things at Autodesk over 32 years but primarily learning and training then in the 22 years I have known his in the technical publications roles. He was always trying to find out from customers how we can communicate feature... Read more →

Evil Scammers – Be Aware and Be Vigilant

Be aware there are many scams out there trying to take advantage of the challenging COVID-19 and economic uncertainty and confusion with very convincing phishing emails to get you with a fake Amazon or bank email to give up your login and passwords on a fake sign in page. Another scam is criminals taking advantage of the overwhelmed unemployment system as I found out when some criminal fraudster filed a unemployment claim using some of my details. I have had... Read more →

Creative 3ds Max Tutorial and 3ds Max Roadmap

In social media recently, I noticed Paul Neale had posted a creative training infographic on 3ds Max Animation Tools (short list) and thought it would be great to share out. http://paulneale.com/osl-tips-and-tricks/ Want to know where 3ds Max is going or added in recent updates? Check out the 3d Max roadmap. makeanything.autodesk.com/3DSMAX Read more →

Some Portland Zen

Wishing you a happy Earth Day, the 50th Earth Day. Right now everyone can use a little peaceful zen garden therapy in their life, especially now with the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 shuttering all but essential services. In Portland we have world famous and locally beloved treasure of the Portland Japanese Garden, but it too has been closed due to the pandemic. But now you can explore much of the garden in 360 views and enjoy exploring some... Read more →

Requesting a Home Use License for Remote Work

As part of our ongoing effort to assist our customers who are now working remotely, we sent an email communication on Tuesday, March 31 to customers who rely on network servers for software access to remind them of our Home Use license policy. A Home Use License allows you to use your software from home as long as your subscription or maintenance plan is active, and until they return to the workplace. For subscriptions with single-user access (named user) Install... Read more →