All Autodesk® Users

• Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Birmingham, AL
• Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Montgomery, AL
• Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Jackson, MS
• Training Schedule for February - March
• New Downloads and Online Training for Subscription Customers
• On Demand Webcast - See the Difference with AutoCAD® 2009
• New Subscription Benefit: Autodesk® 3ds Max® CAT (Character Animation Toolkit Plug-in)

Architecture, Engineering and Construction

• Revit® Architecture Webcast Series
• AutoCAD® Architecture Webcast Series
• Design Visualization Webcast Series
• For Revit® Users: Seeing Things Above
• New Subscription Benefit: Revit® Structure 2009 Bridge Design Toolkit
• Revit® Collaboration Round Table: "Perfecting the Process of Sharing Models Amongst Architects, Engineers and Construction" - Mobile, AL

Manufacturing/ Mechanical Engineering

• ALACAD Presents "Digital Prototyping for Maritime Design" - Mobile, AL
• Autodesk® Inventor® Webcast Series
• Inventor® Training Class in Jackson, MS: Autodesk® Inventor® Introduction to Modeling

Plant and Process

• AutoCAD® P&ID Demo and Plant 3D Preview - Mobile, AL

Civil Engineering and Geospatial

• AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users Group Meeting: "Stylin’ and Profilin’ in AutoCAD® Civil 3D 2009" - Mobile, AL
• AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users Group Meeting: "Stylin’ and Profilin’ in AutoCAD® Civil 3D 2009" - Pensacola, FL
• For AutoCAD® Map 3D® Users: Your Input ? or Help Design the Next Versions Layout
• For AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users: Vault or Shortcuts, You Decide

Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Birmingham, AL

8:00 - 10:00 am, March 3, 2009, The Summit Club, Birmingham, AL

Face it, sites need buildings and buildings just don't hover in space. Architects design buildings and Engineers design the sites, but until now the two industries have been alienated from each other. This session will show how the two can truly work in harmony and utilize data that they never could before. Join us to see exactly how Civil 3D and Revit Architecture can be used to create the ultimate 3D site model! This FREE seminar will be held at the Summit Club from 8:00 to 10:00 am on March 3, 2009.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Click here to register.

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Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Montgomery, AL

8:00 - 10:00 am, March 4, 2009, The Capital Club, Montgomery, AL

Face it, sites need buildings and buildings just don't hover in space. Architects design buildings and Engineers design the sites, but until now the two industries have been alienated from each other. This session will show how the two can truly work in harmony and utilize data that they never could before. Join us to see exactly how Civil 3D and Revit Architecture can be used to create the ultimate 3D site model! This FREE seminar will be held at the Capital Club from 8:00 to 10:00 am on March 4, 2009.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Click here to register.

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Joint Civil 3D® and Revit® Seminar - "From Dirt to Doors - Making Civil 3D and Revit Work Together in Harmony" - Jackson, MS

8:00 - 10:00 am, March 5, 2009, Hyatt Place Jackson/ Ridgeland, Ridgeland, MS

Face it, sites need buildings and buildings just don't hover in space. Architects design buildings and Engineers design the sites, but until now the two industries have been alienated from each other. This session will show how the two can truly work in harmony and utilize data that they never could before. Join us to see exactly how Civil 3D and Revit Architecture can be used to create the ultimate 3D site model! This FREE seminar will be held at the Hyatt Place Jackson/ Ridgeland from 8:00 to 10:00 am on March 5, 2009. Click here to register.

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Training Schedule for February - March

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New Downloads and Online Training for Subscription Customers

Eligible Autodesk® Subscription members, as part of their benefits, can now download the following new releases:

Product Downloads

• AutoCAD® 2009 Subscription Bonus Pack 3 – 3D Printing
• AutoCAD® 2009 Bonus Pack 2 – PDF Enhancements
• Autodesk® Topobase™ 2009 Client Bonus Pack
• Autodesk® Topobase™ 2009 Web Bonus Pack
• Autodesk® Showcase® 2009 R1
• Autodesk® Opticore™ Studio 2009 R1
• Road Design Basics with AutoCAD® Civil and AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009 white paper
• Road Rehabilitation and Reconstruction with AutoCAD® Civil and AutoCAD® Civil 3D® white paper
• Rule-Based Road Design using AutoCAD® Civil and AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009 white paper
• “Building Information Modeling and Sustainable Design for Civil Engineers” – CE News Article
• What Does BIM Mean for Civil Engineers? – CE News Article
• China Canal, Highway, and Site Design Industry Country Kit for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009 – Simplified Chinese
• Austrian Content Extension for Revit® Architecture 2009 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy) – German
• U.S. Content Extension for Revit® MEP 2009

Training

• AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009: Interchange Design (e-Learning)
• AutoCAD® MEP 2009 Electrical Essentials e-Learning
• AutoCAD® MEP 2009 HVAC Essentials e-Learning
• AutoCAD® MEP 2009 Piping Essentials e-Learning
• AutoCAD® MEP 2009 Plumbing Essentials e-Learning
• AutoCAD® MEP 2009 Short Course 2 (e-Learning)
• Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009: Deconstructing the Elements (eBook)
• Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009: Essential CG Lighting Techniques (eBook)
• Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009: Rendering with mental ray® and 3ds Max® (eBook)
• Autodesk® 3dsMax® 2009: Scripting / Scripting a Base Plug-in (podcast)
• Autodesk® AliasStudio® 2008: Dynamic Shape Modeling (eDVD)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Rendering / Make Your Movie 1 (Podcast)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Rigging and Animation / Smart Kinematics (eDVD)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Modeling / Model and Sculpt a Hand V (Podcast)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Dynamics / nCloth as Particles (podcast)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Interviews / Interview with Cathy McGinnis (podcast)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Rendering / Photo Simulators Toolkit (eDVD)
• Autodesk® Maya® 2009: Rigging and Animation / Arm Rigging V (podcast)
• Autodesk® MotionBuilder® 2009: Foundation (eDVD)

To access these new releases, go to the Subscription Center here.

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On Demand Webcast - See the Difference with AutoCAD® 2009

AutoCAD 2009 offers time-saving, streamlined features that are sure to make you more productive and creative, with an interface that’s easier than ever. But seeing is believing. Don’t miss this free webcast hosted by Lynn Allen, Autodesk's AutoCAD Technical Evangelist. You’ll learn how AutoCAD has evolved, how it’s improved from prior versions and how simple it is to move to the latest release without missing a beat. Click here to view.

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New Subscription Benefit: Autodesk® 3ds Max® CAT (Character Animation Toolkit Plug-in)

Autodesk® 3ds Max® CAT (Character Animation Toolkit plug-in for 3ds Max software) is now available free of charge to Autodesk® 3ds Max® and Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design software customers with active Autodesk® Subscription contracts.

CAT was previously sold by Softimage for $995, so this download represents an incredible value. Available in English only. Works with Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2009 software products.

Click here to go to the Subscription Center.

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Revit® Architecture Webcast Series

This informative webcast series features the latest release of Revit® Architecture, the building design and documentation software that "works the way you think." Because Revit Architecture is purpose-built for building information modeling (BIM), any change you make – anytime, anywhere – is automatically coordinated throughout your project. Join one or all of these webcasts for an in-depth look at how Revit Architecture helps keep design and documentation coordinated, consistent, and complete.

This series of webcasts will be presented by popular Autodesk Technical Specialist Amy Fietkau. During the webcast you'll be provided an opportunity to ask your technical questions online and receive answers in real-time from our team of experts!

Detailing in Revit Architecture Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

Ceiling Plans in Revit Architecture Wednesday, March 4, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

To view all upcoming webcasts, click here.

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AutoCAD® Architecture Webcast Series

You're invited to this series of information-packed webcasts showcasing AutoCAD® Architecture 2009. These webcasts provide an overview of the latest features of the 2009 release as well as insider's tips and tricks on ways to quickly create and easily share your drafting and construction documents. Join us for one or all of the webcasts and you'll see why this latest release of AutoCAD Architecture will help you annotate faster, draw more efficiently and collaborate more smoothly!

These live webcasts will be presented by Autodesk Technical Specialist Amy Fietkau. You'll have the chance to ask Amy your pressing product questions, and receive an answer in virtual real-time!

Implementing AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, February 18, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

Elevations and Sections in AutoCAD Architecture Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

To view all upcoming webcasts, click here.

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Design Visualization Webcast Series

In this live webcast series, see how Autodesk® 3ds Max® design visualization software for architects can help you explore, validate, and communicate your ideas so you can win more projects. Turn Revit® and AutoCAD® software designs into photorealistic renders, simulate walk-throughs and fly-by animations, and create winning marketing presentations. Join one or the entire webcast series and get expert advice live by our team of Design Visualization experts.

The Design Visualization series of webcasts will be presented by the well-known Autodesk Technical Specialist Eddie Perlberg. During the webcast you'll have an opportunity to ask questions online and receive answers in real-time from the Autodesk team of experts!

Design Viz Expert Tips Webcast Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

To view all upcoming webcasts, click here.

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For Revit® Users: Seeing Things Above

Revit has some great tools to help us view a model from many different positions. We can have plans, ceiling plans, elevations, sections, 3d views or 3d sections. This enables us to view what we want when we want to see it.

I get lots of questions concerning the View Range in the View Properties. The View Range will allow you to change your Cut Plane and set your upper and lower limits. This is very helpful, but you need to understand one key rule: Revit will not actually show an item unless the view is cutting through that item.

A floor plan is typically a plan that is looking down and is cut by default 4'-6" above the level line. This means that a light fixture that is 8'-0" above the level line is not being cut by the cut line, which means that the light fixture will not be seen in the floor plan. One of the most common questions I get is "how do I get Revit to show the something on the ceiling on a floor plan?"

Family Editor, and draw a WHITE Model line from the fixture to the level line. This will cause the cutline to cut through the white model line and then show up on the floor plan. It should be white so it will not show up on the screen or on a plot.

To create the Model line, it works best to draw it in an elevation view. Once it is drawn you will need to create a new subcategory in the Object Styles under Light Fixtures and assign that category to use a white line.

Then you will need to change the line to be assigned to the new sub category.

Load the light fixture back into your project and your light fixture now shows up in the floor plan. You may also want to override the graphics of the linework for the light fixture in the floor plan to be a hidden or dashed line.

This is a quick and easy way to show items above that are not being cut by the cut plane.

View all of Mike Massey’s articles at:
http://knowingwhatyoudontknow.blogspot.com

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New Subscription Benefit: Revit® Structure 2009 Bridge Design Toolkit

The Bridge Toolkit for Revit® Structure 2009 software is now available exclusively for eligible Autodesk Subscription members via the Subscription Center. This toolkit provides information, tools, content, and datasets that will better enable structural engineers and drafters to address infrastructure build-out as it relates to bridges. Specific components include:

• Box Girder Methodology and Datasets
• Precast Girder Methodology and Datasets
• Bridge Components .rfa Content
• Bridge Modeling Using Revit Structure 2009 Software (Tips & Tricks)

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Revit® Collaboration Round Table: "Perfecting the Process of Sharing Models Amongst Architects, Engineers and Construction" - Mobile, AL

8:30 - 10:30 am, March 25, 2009, The Bienville Club, Mobile, AL

As Building Information Modeling (BIM) begins to saturate the AEC market, the process of communication between these entities will require change.  The power of a fully collaborative model allows information to be exchanged much sooner in the design / build process.  The key to capitalizing on this benefit is knowing how and when to exchange information.  We would like to invite you to a round table to discuss your current data exchange practices.  This round table will incorporate your best practices as well as those that mainstream communication in the new BIM world. Come ready to share your successes and challenges with today’s tools as well as your reservations about the BIM tools that are being mainstreamed in the market.

We will help you find out how to jump on board and maximize effectiveness of the new tool within your organization and your project consultants.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Click here to register.

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ALACAD Presents "Digital Prototyping for Maritime Design" - Mobile, AL

8:30 - 10:30 am, February 26, 2009, The Bienville Club, Mobile, AL

ALACAD and Autodesk invites you to learn and experience how Autodesk’s Digital Prototyping solutions apply to the Boating industry. Rex Sellentine, Solutions Architect and boat designer for Autodesk, along with the ALACAD technical staff will bring you on the journey from concept to manufacturing in our 2 hour engagement of a boat design.

Starting with basic sketching, we will move through the conceptualization of a boat. Conceptualization moves to surfacing and validation of the hull system in a Naval Architectural system. Then, the design begins to explode while parallel design will be done inside the AliasStudio ideation tool and engineering concept exploration performed in Inventor. Validation of the design is our focus throughout the design process and you will see advanced engineering before your eyes. Watch the design changes get updated automatically from Alias to Inventor. And from Showcase, the world's leader in advanced visualization, you will not believe your eyes when you see the realism of the boat's image. Autodesk’s Digital Prototyping tools bring boat building into the 21st century.

See it, experience it, understand it and build it. Autodesk.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Click here to register.

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Autodesk® Inventor® Webcast Series

You're invited to this series of FREE information-packed webcasts showcasing Autodesk® Inventor® 2009. ALACAD will be holding these webcasts the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. These live webcasts will be presented by ALACAD's Manufacturing Solution Specialist Scott Hallmark and VP of Manufacturing Solutions Jon Selzer.

Click here to register for the series. Then, you will be sent an email the day before each webcast inviting you to join us for that webcast.

To view all upcoming webcasts, click here.

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Inventor® Training Class in Jackson, MS: Autodesk® Inventor® Introduction to Modeling

ALACAD will be offering its "Autodesk Inventor Introduction to Modeling" class at its Jackson, MS, office on March 23 - 27, 2009. The cost of this class is $1,550. Classes are held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call Gwen Van Steenberge at 888-442-3100 to register for this class today. Work smarter, not harder.

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AutoCAD® P&ID Demo and Plant 3D Preview - Mobile, AL

8:30 - 10:30 am, February 17, 2009, The Bienville Club, Mobile, AL

Create, modify, and manage piping and instrumentation diagrams with AutoCAD P&ID software. Built on the popular AutoCAD platform, AutoCAD P&ID is easy to use and familiar to designers and engineers, so design teams can get started immediately with little or no training. Common tasks performed every day are streamlined to boost productivity, while component and line information is brought straight to drafters as they work. Join ALACAD at this FREE seminar to learn how AutoCAD P&ID, with simple reporting, editing, sharing, and tracking of design information, can help make your projects start easier, run better, and finish sooner. Then, get a sneak peek at Plant 3D, Autodesk's soon-to-be-released 3D plant design solution.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. Please NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Register here.

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AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users Group Meeting: "Stylin’ and Profilin’ in AutoCAD® Civil 3D 2009" - Mobile, AL

8:30 - 10:30 am, February 19, 2009, The Bienville Club, Mobile, AL

In this seminar we are going to discuss Styles and User Profiles. By now we all have probably seen AutoCAD Civil 3D and we were startled by these styles that have to be created to use the software effectively. We will look at some of the styles that are associated with different objects in Civil 3D; how to create styles from scratch and how to modify existing styles to get the visual representations that we desire. We will also take a look at User Profiles and give you some ideas on how to apply profiles in your workplace.

Please note: The dress code for this venue is business casual. NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES OR DENIM. Click here to register.

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AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users Group Meeting: "Stylin’ and Profilin’ in AutoCAD® Civil 3D 2009" - Pensacola, FL

1:00 - 3:00 pm, February 19, 2009, New World Landing, Pensacola, FL

In this seminar we are going to discuss Styles and User Profiles. By now we all have probably seen AutoCAD Civil 3D and we were startled by these styles that have to be created to use the software effectively. We will look at some of the styles that are associated with different objects in Civil 3D; how to create styles from scratch and how to modify existing styles to get the visual representations that we desire. We will also take a look at User Profiles and give you some ideas on how to apply profiles in your workplace.

Click here to register.

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For AutoCAD® Map 3D Users: Your Input ? or Help Design the Next Versions Layout

Have you ever wondered why a command or function is on that toolbar but not on that another? Do you find yourself having to click here, then there before you get access to a certain command you use all the time?  If you are like me I create my own tool bar or menus with the commands I use most often, so they are one click away.  Why not let Autodesk know about the commands you use most and how you access them? I’m not talking about emailing or calling them and voicing your preference but another way to pass that info on.

It’s call the Customer Involvement Program or CIP for short. If you did the install of the product the first time it’s fired up you get asked to participate but most of the time we click “No Thanks” and forget about it. Maybe you were told it tracks everything you do in AutoCAD and you want to keep your privacy.  Well you can participate  anonymously and not have to worry.

So what is the CIP and why should you joined in. First it lets Autodesk know what operating systems and hardware everyone uses. This can be helpful when they develop the next version knowing if most users are still using XP Pro 16 bit. The other thing is the information they track are the commands you use and how you access those commands.   So if you  use the Widget command 20 times an hour then it might get placed right in the middle of the UI but if the CIP reports no one uses it then it stays hidden in some command line version instead on a toolbar or on a menu.

Granted the toolbars and menus are slowing being replaced by the ribbon but what goes on the ribbon and where, is determined by the information  Autodesk gets from the CIP.  Yes you can still create your own toolbar and menu and not worry about it but what happens when there is no menu or toolbars? OK so you will learn to make your own ribbon tabs and panels and use those. But why not make it a little easier and let Autodesk make them the way “you” use them. 

So if you want a say on what the future versions will look like, turn on the CIP, just go to the help menu and click on the Customer Involvement Program, click Participate Anonymous if you want but click OK.

For more info on the program and their Privacy Policy click here.

View all of Murph’s articles at:
http://map3d.wordpress.com

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For AutoCAD® Civil 3D® Users: Vault or Shortcuts, You Decide

First things first. I have slapped my hand because I have not blogged in almost 3 months. Shame on me. I think I just got into a rut and had a little writer's block. So, with the next edition of our bi-monthly ALACAD newsletter coming out in a few days I felt that writer's block or not I needed to get something posted.

Since I began working with Civil 3D with the 2006 release and I learned about Vault I have been a proponent of using Vault to store my projects. In fact, I convinced the Civil Department at my previous employer to try Vault. I even talked the IT Department into giving me a dedicated server for my Vault database and filestore. I still have a local install on my laptop for work that I use occasionally. Notice here that I said occasionally.

I am not as big a proponent of Vault as I used to be. Why? Good question. When I first started using Vault it was me, myself and I. I had full control of how my projects were set up and I knew what files I should keep or delete. I was the only one working in Civil 3D and storing files in the Vault. Life was good. Then we hired a new draftsman. Teaching him to use the Vault was not as easy. I also considerably more data to manage because there were two Vaulters now.

One of the things that I loved about Vault at the time was that I could create references to my data without having to do a whole lot. When I checked a drawing into the Vault, I was prompted to add the shortcuts or not. I typically created the shortcuts as needed and on occasion I would create all of the shortcuts, just in case I needed the information down the road. So, now you may be asking, "What data can I make Vault Shortcuts out of?" That list would include surfaces, alignments, pipe networks, etc. Again, life wasn't too bad at this point, but I did find myself using a lot more of my time trying to manage the data in my Vault.

So, I decided to try using the data shortcuts and references for a while. I could create the data shortcuts and store them in our project folder. This began to create a few issues. I had to store the data shortcuts in the project folder on our server, not on my local machine. This wasn't that big of a deal until I needed to take my computer home to work on a particular project. When I got home all I was able to see was a "Broken Reference." Now I am at home trying to be productive and I can't complete the tasks that I needed to complete that night. (we didn't have a VPN server at the time.)

Then I left for ALACAD. I still had a few loose ends to tie up, so I continued using the same methodology for creating the shortcuts. I tried to keep them in the Project folder on my hard drive, so that when I took the projects back to the old company there would be no issues with the shortcuts. This was all fine and good until the project folder was moved to the file server and BAM!!!! All of the references were broken again.

Then I started working with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009. Man, what a difference. The folks at Autodesk gave us some tools in 2009 that are second to none. Now I have a Project Template that reminds me a lot of the file structure in Land Desktop, so there was a familiarity there. they also gave us a program called Data Shortcuts Editor. This is the tool that I had been looking for! Now, if my Data Shortcuts get moved to a different location I can use the Data Shortcuts Editor to "remap" the location of the shortcuts and all is well with my drawing file. I can use the Find and Replace tool to find the Shortcuts' original location on my hard drive or server and replace that address with the new address and update my drawing file!

So, now that I have finished my narrative on using both vault references and data shortcuts, I'll challenge you to give them a try and see which works best for you. Until next time.

View all of Whit McCormack’s articles at:
http://gettingtothedirt.blogspot.com

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