Happy Birthday Autodesk

January 30th 1982
Upstart developers launch and prepare to present at COMDEX a group of applications that included AutoScreen (a screen-based text editor,) AutoCAD, and an office automation system for small computers called Autodesk (which only later became the name of the company.)
A truly interesting read about these heady days can be had here.

AutoCAD REVIT Architecture Suite 2009.1

Autodesk announced to it's Reseller's sales staff that they are coming out with a point release for REVIT Architectural Suite. Currently that suite includes REVIT Architectural 2009 and Autocad 2009.

The 2009.1 Suite will include those applications as well as AutoCAD Architecture.This decision was made to allow those thinking of migrating to a true BIM product can make that move and still keep their old platform for current projects and future projects using existing files.

Ask your VAR for details. More information will be available on the Autodesk website as of Aug 22. Salespeople are being encouraged to market this point release starting now.

The above is my opinion of information given to me by an AutoDesk Value Added Retailer and is not implied to be a release by AutoDesk.

Paperspace, Layouts, and Viewports... Oh my!

Since paperspace was added to AutoCAD (in R12) users have been trying to wrap their minds around the concept. Long time users were of the opinion that they didn't need it and wouldn't use it (there seems to be a direct correlation between how long you've been using a product and how willing you are to accept new features.) Well paperspace is obviously here to stay. However, it still confuses its fair share of users. While brushing up on my AutoCAD skills through the AUGI Training Program I came across this explanation of the concept in the courseware for a class titled; AutoCAD 103-From Surviving to Excelling at AutoCAD (by Kenneth Leary):

"Paperspace can be explained like this. Imagine you have a blank wall, not a spectacular view is it? You would love to see your new Hybrid car outside so you cut a window in the wall. Now you can see the car, but you can’t see all of it. Cutting a bigger window would work but it’s a lot of effort so you go outside and back the car further away from the window. Now you can see the all of the car and all is good and right with the universe."

I want to take this opportunity to thank the folks who volunteer there time with AUGI. Whether it's moderating their forums or putting together courseware they are an invaluable resource for those of us using Autodesk Software on a daily basis. Thank you AUGI, Thank You.

Is this BIM? Ah, who cares.

(BTW, I have even resorted to cutting a hole in a piece of paper and placing it over a drawing to demonstrate paperspace. It explained panning in the viewport, but even this "visual aid" couldn't explain zooming.)

First Post

Welcome to my blog. This blog will be a place for me to share my ideas and vision about the Building Industry and the changes that are happening as the ideas of BIM (Building Information Modeling) and VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) are being explored and implemented.

A little about myself: From the time I left High School (that was quite a while ago) till now, I have done a lot of things. I was a restoration carpenter, a tree climber, a tallship rigger, I even worked on a lobsterboat in Maine for a while. But the majority of that time I spent working in Residential Construction. Recently I had the opportunity to stop using my back and start using my head more. I enrolled in a technical college to learn Architectural Drafting and Estimating and that is where I was introduced to BIM.

Currently I am working as an Application Specialist for an AutoDesk Retailer. So you can expect a bias towards AutoDesk products when I am discussing software, but I am certainly open to others opinions.

In response to the title of this Blog, Who's afraid of the Big Bad BIM? Not me! And I hope you won't be either. Stay tuned for a post about what BIM is and why we should use it.