BLAUGI Blog of Autodesk User Group International

AUGIWorld August 2011 Issue Released!

Collaboration is more than just a tidy word to describe diverse users working together toward a common goal. Collaboration is a mindset and a culture which, fortunately for Autodesk product users, is aided significantly by the products they use every day.

In “Keys to Collaboration Success,” author Brian Benton offers some practical tips for collaborating on AutoCAD projects.

Melinda Heavrin’s article “Collaboration with Autodesk Design Review” elaborates on how drawing markups can become an easy, streamlined operation.

And Andra Marquardt demonstrates how AutoCAD Map handles the critical process of file import and export in “Speaking the Same Language.”

Here are the direct links to the issue!

Click Here to Read it

Also in the August 2011 issue of AUGIWorld:

• The Autodesk Exchange Apps Store: In June, Autodesk launched a marketplace where you can find great apps—plug-ins, block libraries, e-books, training videos, and more. Free apps, trials, products for purchase—as close as a tab in AutoCAD 2012. Stephen Preston shows you around the store.  
  
  
• Collaboration in a Multi-Disciplinary/Multi-Firm Environment: Bryan Tanner shows you how to share drawing files efficiently with those inside – and outside – your environment by using great tools inside AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  
  
• Collaborating with Autodesk Inventor Publisher:  In our technology-driven world, the ability to share designs and communicate effectively has never been so important. John Evans illustrates how Inventor Publisher is up to the task.
  
  
• Electrical and Mechanical Coordination: Revit MEP works admirably as a method for bringing mechanical and electrical engineers together. Todd Shackelford shows you how it’s done.
  
  
• Revit Collaboration: Then and Now: Troy Gates looks back on how collaboration workflow once worked in Autodesk Revit, and how it is done today. An emerging technology is also making inroads.
  
  
• Collaboration with Revit Structure—Work Sharing: Phil Russo takes you step by step through collaboration in Revit Structure. Lots of tips and tricks here.
  
  
• Collaboration and Data Management for AEC Projects: What’s Autodesk’s vision for collaborating with the Revit platform?  It’s 360. Revit Design Product Line Manager Anthony Hauck elaborates.
  
  
• Collaboration & Interoperability: Seth Borne describes a plethora of third-party modeling solutions and techniques for integrating assets into 3ds Max.
   
• Value-Driven Project Delivery: Understanding the needs and requirements of clients is critical to delivering successful projects. Here are six keys to success, from Andrew Abernathy.
  
  
• 15 Questions with Shawn Hendricks: This month’s Autodesk Insiders column provides a look into the world of Shawn Hendricks, Senior Technical Marketing & Video Production Manager, Media & Entertainment Marketing. 
  
  
• Inside Track: Recent developments in Autodesk and related software.
  
  
• Heads Up!  Updates, service packs, and more…from the pages at Autodesk.com.
  

Autodesk Research Study

Are you constantly online?  Are you on top of the latest tech trends?  Autodesk is looking for plugged-in students and professionals to share their connected experience through pictures.

Click here for more info on this chance to participate and receive a $150 giftcard: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Autodeskphotostudy

Reminder - AUGI Salary Survey Closing Soon

AUGI Annual Salary Survey is closing soon

Help us help you... Charts like the one below from 2010 need your input in 2011.

This year's review can provide measurable and meaningful data, it is important that all AUGI members volunteer a couple of minutes of their time and a little bit of information (which is collected anonymously and will only be presented in broad groups), so that everyone in the organization can get an idea of the current pay and working conditions of their industry.

Please don’t delay! The deadline for participating in the survey is 11:59pm August 19th, 2011 PST US.

If you have any questions, please first refer to the FAQ.

Watch for the results in the September Issue of AUGIWorld.

AUGI Top DAUG at AU2011

AUGI Top DAUG expands to more products

AUGI is working together with KnowledgeSmart to provide a broader range of assessment topics for this year’s AUGI Top DAUG skills contest, at Autodesk University, in November.

In recent years, the contest has focused exclusively on AutoCAD 2D skills.  However, for the 2011 Las Vegas conference, we will be expanding the range of topics to include, Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Inventor, 3ds Max (and, yes, AutoCAD 2D!).

Based on KnowledgeSmarts recent experiences, delivering a successful formula for the RTC Revit Top Cat contests in Australia and the US, we are confident that the new Top DAUG format will be a hit with AU regulars.

Contestants will be presented with a mix of knowledge and task based questions, using the 2011 release of Autodesk’s most popular software applications. Because the range of titles is so diverse, there will be no grand finale this year.  Just a straight shoot-out, product by product, for the title of Top DAUG for each product!

Stay tuned to hear more about Top DAUG and other events and plans related to Autodesk University 2011.

Mosaic - A new data aggregation resource from Autodesk

Autodesk has been busy over the summer, developing a way to gather up the multiple channels of information about Autodesk software. This is the very beginning, who knows where this will go but you should check it out for yourself! http://mosaic.autodesk.com/

One of the cool features of the Mosaic project is that AUGI is a major contributor to the information that is presented. We have a limited selection of AUGI forums available as well as our blog and library articles rss feed.

Congratulations Autodesk, this is a great first step in uniting the abundance of information available.