BLAUGI Blog of Autodesk User Group International

AUGIWorld May 2012 - Implementation Strategies

When it comes to implementing any Autodesk product, most professionals know that the mechanics of installing the software, whether from disc or download, are only the beginning of the implementation process. What comes before, and after, the installation is the focus of the May 2012 issue of AUGIWorld magazine.

Elisha Sage's article on pain-free implementation of AutoCAD MEP software begins with challenging readers to decide whether they even need to implement the latest version. In his article on implementing 3ds Max, Osama Ali explores the forethought and planning that should occur before implementation begins.

And Jesse Ocon discusses how to achieve success in implementing Navisworks - defining scope and program and giving some thought to training. But implementation isn't the only topic in the May issue.

Readers will find a nice range of topics among these articles:

AutoCAD Architecture: Renovation Mode Boosts Productivity – Melinda Heavrin brings to the table one of her favorite features, Renovation Mode, which easily identifies objects and associates them with different phases of a renovation project, allowing for clear construction drawings every time.

Revit Architecture: Mimic a Master Builder: A Tribute to Felix Candela’s Work – Alfred Medina pays tribute to architect Felix Candela, who was known as a master builder of thin shell structures. This article provides a method to use Autodesk Revit to model, and control by parameters, the basic version of nine types of forms that Felix Candela used, with several variations, during his career.

Revit MEP: Using Rooms & Spaces for Leverage – Author David Raynor discusses ways to use rooms and spaces to leverage our models to design more efficiently.

Autodesk PLM 360: A Success Story – In an eyewitness account, Scott Moyse reveals the details of implementing Autodesk PLM 360 in his own company.

AutoCAD Civil 3D: Wind Farm Infrastructure – Donal McMoreland takes a practical look at the tools used (and lessons learned) to design wind farm infrastructure from an AutoCAD Civil 3D perspective.

Revit Server 2013: Improvements to the Core – The newest release of Revit Server reveals vast improvements to much of the core functionality of the software. Author Jason Bailly provides the details.

Revit Structure 2012: Footing Elevations in Foundation Tags – Including top of footing elevation in a foundation tag doesn't exist "out of the box." Author Desirée (Dezi) Mackey shows you a creative way to get it done.

Wicked Education: Teaching IPD, BIM, and Lean Business Processes – James Salmon continues his Wicked Series for the BUILT industry with issues related to implementing an effective IPD, BIM, and lean process education program.

Also in this issue...

CAD Employee Hiring 101 – The fundamentals of hiring CAD employees are often overlooked. Walt Sparling examines why even the simplest HR practices are critical.

Product Review: BOXX 3970 Extreme – Does this product live up to the "Extreme" name? Reviewers Bill Debevc and Lonnie Cumpton make the call.

Heads Up – Updates, Service Packs and Top Known Issues obtained from product pages at Autodesk.com.

Inside Track – This month's Inside Track column focuses on Autodesk Exchange Apps, Featured Apps for Revit.

AUGIWorld April 2012 - What's New in 2013 Products

With eager anticipation, Autodesk product users look forward to spring and the rollout of Autodesk's new releases. These new releases rarely disappoint, for each is a step closer to product perfection as Autodesk developers tweak this and fine-tune that, add a long-awaited new feature here and smooth out a bit of functionality there.

As always, AUGIWorld writers get busy dishing on the new releases and bringing it all to you. Kicking off the April 2012 issue is Brian Benton with Little Changes, Big Impact, his take on AutoCAD 2013. In The Real Deal, Tench Tilghman is impressed with the new release of AutoCAD Civil 3D, which shows improvements in several key areas. Bill Campbell investigates AutoCAD MEP 2013, where he finds Solid Improvements Speed Design.

And that's just the beginning!


 

 Also in the April 2012 issue of AUGIWorld:

Design Beyond the Desktop – Autodesk's Kate Morrical introduces the latest release of AutoCAD WS, which has taken portability to a new level.

Adapting to Mass Change: New Tools in Revit 2013 – Marcello Sgambelluri and Jay Zallan team up to bring you two perspectives of Revit Architecture 2013. Revit users, get ready!

The All-in-One Revit – Lonnie Cumpton on an all-emcompassing, something-for-everyone version of Revit that offers Architecture, Structure, and MEP.


Support for Revit Comes to Navisworks – According to author Michael Smith, this is a dream come true: Autodesk Navisworks now allows a Revit file to be opened natively.

Lucky 13 - Todd Shackelford finds Revit MEP 2013 quite lucky indeed with tweaks that have been long awaited, some upgrades that make life much easier, and major updates that will change the way you work.

Enhanced Support for Work Loads – According to author Greg Hale, the maturity of Revit Structure is growing, and this release is a step closer to nirvana - the ability to take design structures from concept to fabrication and facility management all in the same package.

Wicked Financial Solutions for Infrastructure – James Salmon, author of the Wicked Series for the BUILT industry, discusses the financing, insuring, and bonding of infrastructure projects.

Technology Advancements in the AEC/O Industry – Bonnie Gorman looks back, then fast forwards regarding advancements in the industry. Learn from history, and don’t miss the opportunities in front of you.

Also in this issue...

Autodesk Insider – Meet Alice Palmer, Marketing Manager, Professional Customer Engagement Team at Autodesk.
 
Heads Up – Updates, Service Packs and Top Known Issues obtained from product pages at Autodesk.com.
 
Inside Track – More Mac offerings, compatible with Autodesk products.

AUGIWorld March 2012 - Tips, Tricks and Techniques

Autodesk product users - be they newbies or veterans - need tips & tricks. These little helpers allow users to work around a problem, to find a different means to an end so the work can continue to flow.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of places to find great tips & tricks. They are the subject of entire classes at Autodesk University, they abound on the blogosphere and in online discussion groups, they reside in the help menus of multiple software products, and they are here - in the March 2012 issue of AUGIWorld.

Murray Clack leads it off with "AutoCAD Tricks for MText: Beyond the Basics." In "10 Time Savers for AutoCAD Architecture," Melinda Heavrin delivers some serious productivity boosting tips. And Christopher Fugitt shares the documented and undocumented tricks for AutoCAD Civil 3D in "Stop and Smell the Tricks!"

Also in the March 2012 issue of AUGIWorld:

Gaining Ground in AEC – William Campbell compels you to take a closer look at AutoCAD MEP and discusses why it is rapidly becoming more accepted in the industry as an intelligent, parametric-based design tool for BIM industry leaders.

Everyday Tips & Tricks for Inventor – Inventor is easy to use, says author John Evans, but that doesn't mean users won't benefit from usage tips. He shares some of his favorites.

The Ultimate Revit Hand: Every Revit Tip, Trick, Technique & Workaround (known & unknown) - Author Jay Zallan delivers on the promise of this article's title in a surprising way.

Tips to Leverage Data Efficiently in Revit MEP – Emy McGann serves up nine tips for using Revit MEP to its full potential.

Wicked IPD Procurement Programs: IPD & BIM Solutions Unleashed – Author James Salmon with his take on the challenge of procuring BIM-enabled infrastructure - in both the public and private sectors - from integrated BIM-enabled teams capable of operating in an integrated project delivery (IPD) environment.

Also in this issue...

Autodesk Insider – AUGI talks to Ananda Arasu, Product Marketing Manager for the Manufacturing Industry at Autodesk.

Heads Up – Updates, Service Packs and Top Known Issues obtained from product pages at Autodesk.com.

Inside Track – Recent developments from Autodesk and related software products. This month, products for the Mac.

AUGIWorld February 2012 Issue Released!

AUGIWorld February 2012

Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu is credited with saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." While those new to various Autodesk products likely won't have to travel a thousand miles to reach proficiency with the software, they will have to take that initial step.

The February 2012 issue of AUGIWorld features several articles targeted to users who are beginning the journey.

 
Edwin Prakoso helps beginners avoid developing bad habits at the outset in "Four Simple Rules for Drawing with AutoCAD." In "Revit Structure Basics You Never Learned," Desiree Mackey offers sound advice for new users or the veteran professionals who are charged with training new users. Elisa de Dios discusses "Things to Remember as a Revit Beginner," by sharing some of what she learned on her own path to proficiency.

 

 

Also in the February 2012 issue of AUGIWorld:

Annotations in AutoCAD Architecture – Melinda Heavrin dives deep into the software's annotation abilities with a close look at notes and labels, dimensions, hatches, tables, blocks, and callouts.


GIS to CAD in Civil 3D – A lesson in how to extract meaningful features from geodatabases for CAD use with AutoCAD Civil 3D, by Cyndy Davenport.

Guide for Beginners: From AutoCAD to AutoCAD MEP – Those reluctant to switch from "vanilla" AutoCAD to AutoCAD MEP software should be ready to transition after reading this article by Greg Firman.

From Inventor Beginner to Certified Professional – Going from fledgling to full-on professional doesn't just happen. The key is training, and author Dan Banach tells you where to find it.

The Power of Revit Filters – Joe Fields helps you understand Revit filters and how they can be used to improve your models.


Also in this issue...

Heads Up – Updates, Service Packs and Top Known Issues obtained from product pages at Autodesk.com.
 
Inside Track – Recent developments from Autodesk and related software products.

AUGIWorld January 2012 Issue Released... Get Advanced

One of life's great truths - and something AUGI members know all too well - is that we never stop learning. Just when you think you've mastered your Autodesk product of choice, you stumble across a blog post, read an article, or install a new software release and find that, yes, there is more to learn.

Get ready to learn something new! Leading off is "AutoCAD System Variable Superstars" by Louisa Holland, who will take you on a tour of some time-tested sysvars. Discover efficient AutoCAD Civil 3D modeling techniques for roundabouts from Bryan Tanner. And learn all about the Autodesk Inventor Moldflow Adviser plug-in from Mark Flayler.

And that's only the beginning of your learning experience this month. Here’s more.

Also in the January 2012 issue of AUGIWorld:

AUGI Product Review - The HP Z210 gets a work out from reviewers Bill Debevc and Lonnie Cumpton in a brand new AUGIWorld feature.

Ini or Outie? Advancing Your Customization of the Revit ini File - Do you use Revit Architecture as it is right out of the box or do you customize? Steve Bennett gives you some tips, techniques, and a bit of code for customizing the ini file.

Green Networks: A Solution - Find out how you can go green (and save some green!) in this article by James Clifton.


When Cranes Fly - Join Michael Smith for a lesson in Navisworks Animator, a tool that lets you create a scene with model objects. This little-known tool can make a big impact in a walkthrough.

Plumbing Systems for Well-Documented Flow - If you're new to Revit MEP, plumbing can be daunting. Author Joel Londenberg helps you through it.

Scheduling: The Basics and Beyond - Revit Structure users are probably familiar with the software’s basic scheduling tools. Learn how to automate them and speed up the drafting process in this article by Glenn Jowett.

Rendering Basics - You need to learn to crawl before you can walk. Melinda Heavrin will teach you some fundamentals about rendering in AutoCAD Architecture that will prepare you to advance.

Wicked Solutions - James Salmon is back with another article in the Wicked series for the BUILT industry. Up this month, Wicked Solutions to your Wicked Problems.

Autodesk Insider: 14 Questions with Brian Haines - As Industry Marketing Manager for AEC at Autodesk, Brian keeps busy talking to users about their needs and working with Autodesk developers to deliver products to meet those needs.


Also in this issue...

Heads Up – Updates, Service Packs and Top Known Issues obtained from the product pages at Autodesk.com.
 
Inside Track – Recent developments from Autodesk and related software items.