Autodesk

Last month, I wrote an article for the CADSPEED blog describing a great program where Autodesk and Lenovo teamed up to outfit a deserving small business with new hardware, software, and training - at no cost. Yes, you read that right. FREE software, hardware, software, and training. Who? How? When? Why? Check out the article and watch the YouTube videos linked on that page.

So why am I bringing this up again? Because Autodesk and Lenovo are going to do it again! Are you a small business in need of a "Technology Makeover"? Are you running "non-current" Autodesk software? State your case from now until February 23, 2012 on the AutoCAD > Tech Makeover Contest page on Facebook. Your small business could be the next recipient of this awesome deal which includes up to five Lenovo® ThinkStation® workstations and five licenses of the Autodesk® Design Suite software of your choice. Full details and all of the contest rules are available here.

Final winners will be announced on March 22. If you would like to speak with anyone from Autodesk or Lenovo about why they are doing this, leave me a comment and I will put you in touch with the right people. Read more »

Well, probably....if you are in the U.S. and unless you have to work on Friday or the weekend. I had planned on another informative AU2011 post today, but I'm finishing up work because I do have ZERO work days in between today and the week following AU.

So because time is short, I'll just leave you with Lynn Allen's latest AU Las Vegas 2011 Primer

 Read more »

Get ready for a BIG announcement from Autodesk tomorrow, August 16, at 10AM PDT.

You can get a sneak preview by checking out this Youtube video, and the AutoCAD facebook page. Read more »

Once upon a time, it was reported that the Autodesk assistance program which provides free software and training for "veteran or unemployed individual who has...previously worked in the architecture, engineering, design or manufacturing industries" was going to expire in January 2011.

At last check, there does not seem to be an expiration date for this program

The Autodesk Assistance Program provides FREE versions of the latest software, and free Autodesk product training. Click on the link below for important DETAILS.

Autodesk assistance program

Some of the products eligible for a FREE software license include:

• AutoCAD®
• AutoCAD® Civil 3D®
• Autodesk® Revit® MEP Suite
• AutoCAD® Architecture
• Autodesk® Alias® Design
• AutoCAD® Electrical
• AutoCAD® Mechanical

View the full list at http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=download_center Read more »

If you missed the Autodesk webcast this afternoon, some quick highlights are...

• Focus and attention swaying towards "Design Suites" and visualization.
• Some of the Design Suites available are for AEC, Manufacturing, Entertainment, and Generic.
• Design Suites will ship on a USB key.
• Design Suites will be available in three levels; Standard, Premium, and Ultimate.
• The Autodesk Design Suite will include the 2012 versions of AutoCAD, Sketchbook Designer, Mudbox, and Showcase, 3ds Max, and Alias Design.
• The Infrastructure Design Suite will include Map 3D, Civil 3D, 3ds Max, and Navisworks.
• You can still purchase individual software applications, you do not have to purchase a suite to get AutoCAD 2012 for example.
• Inventor Fusion will be included with AutoCAD 2012.

More details coming soon. Read more »

You may remember hearing about this a few months ago, but if you are still in the market for AutoCAD and some companion software at up to 44% off, you might want to take another look at the new home page for the Autodesk Design Suite

Autodesk Design Suite comes with the latest versions of AutoCAD, Autodesk 3ds Max® Design, Autodesk Alias® Sketch and Autodesk Showcase®, and a free trial is available.

I primarily work in the Civil/Survey world, but I would like to see your comments.... Are you using some or all of these products now? Is this a good deal for you? Is this a logical collection of applications for what you do? Read more »

Autodesk is conducting a poll/survey on your involvement with discussion groups, forums, and user communities in general. If you would like to participate, click here. Read more »

Autodesk, and specifically Kate Morrical, Technical Marketing Manager AutoCAD LT (above), would like your feedback regarding AutoCAD LT and Object Enablers, by responding to this very short survey.

If you have a success story with AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, and you would like to share it, click on this link and fill out a short questionnaire.

Autodesk Labs has a new labs project called Krypton. This product integrates with Inventor, Inventor LT, and SolidWorks, providing real-time feedback on the manufacturability, cost efficiency, and the environmental impact of the part being designed. I am not in manufacturing, but from what I have heard and seen of this, it looks pretty slick. There are some videos available at the link above.  Read more »

Autodesk is once more asking for your input, this time on MIGRATION. Now one of the things I have seen over the years in the various forums out there is people saying "Autodesk doesn't listen to me". Well, here is your chance once again, so speak up!

I found the Autodesk newsgroups back in 1995, and learned a lot from many people over the years. This was way before the forums of Augi, CadTutor, Cadalyst, etc. In fact the main reason for starting CAD Panacea (and my earlier, now idle Blogspot site), was to give back to the community for all of the information I picked up over the years in the Autodesk newsgroups.

Back to the subject.... Autodesk has decided to terminate the NNTP based newsgroups, and move 100% to HTML based forums. I'll reserve judgment until I see the new interface, but I don't see how this can be an improvement. NNTP is text based, isn't slowed down by avatars or advertising, and doesn't require registration. Here is an FAQ from Autodesk on the matter. Read more »