Autodesk University

Each year, Autodesk University brings together over 9000 Autodesk enthusiasts from around the world to learn, network, and celebrate the power of Autodesk technology and the international AU community.

As the largest gathering of Autodesk users, developers and partners, AU creates a unique setting where companies and institutions of all sizes can gain valuable information and learn strategies to help them thrive in today’s economy.

AU 2007 – The Training Trinity

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imageMine included, it seems that many of the AU Unplugged sessions had a lighter turn out than expected.  Even with the limited attendance, I must say my session provided a great platform for some discussion I am certainly bringing home with me.  The concept of a Training Trinity is one I have not seen much (if anything published on).

About a month ago I made a post centered on “Starting a CAD Standard“.  I’ll paraphrase for those of you who may not have read that post.  My “Starting a CAD Standard” post focused on the idea that the most important element to a CAD Standard is not the awesome DWT you have set up, it’s not the documentation (directly), not even the automated routine you may have programmed.  Instead what makes of breaks a CAD Standard is the unspoken (and undocumented element).  When starting a CAD Standard one must have a clear and concise goal, a mission statement even. 

Different elements of your CAD Standard shouldn’t be established as islands.  I can assure constructing bridges between your islands is not an option.  Instead each element of your CAD Standard must compliment the other elements of your CAD Standard.  While I have always aired on the side of defining procedures outside of the CAD Standard, your standard will certainly imply numerous procedures.  For instance if your file management standard is set up to have model files and sheet files, you are implying a workflow in which sheets are generated by xrefing model drawings. 

So what does all of this have to do with training?

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AU 2007 – Day 1

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DSC_7735 I actually arrived in Vegas yesterday (Monday).  Thankfully most of the post Thanksgiving travelers had passed, but Monday was still a pretty busy day to travel.  Naturally the rain throughout the eastern US didn’t help matters.  All things considered I presume my 1:30 delay in New York wasn’t all that bad.

I had planned to make an AutoCAD Civil 3D Power User Bootcamp, scheduled for Monday.  Unfortunately my flight delays resulted in me missing that session.  No less I was able to fill my Monday afternoon meeting numerous individuals, getting checked in, and the like.  Monday evening played host to what ended up being a rather informal meet and greet for My Feedback Users.  Autodesk’s My Feedback Program serves as the stage for its Beta testing program.  Anyone is welcome to submit an application to join the My Feedback Program.

This morning of course marked the official opening to Autodesk University 2007.  The opening, or General Session as they call it was a rather impressive display of what the future of Autodesk products look like.  Since there are more than 10,000 of us AU’ers here this year, the session was held in the round with everyone looking to the center of the venue.  Surrounding the entire room was more than 20 projection screens which served as the medium for one of the most immersive demos I have ever seen.  Using some yet-to-be-released technology, a full 3D model of Washington DC was displayed on the screens surrounding the audience.  Despite announcing it during the General Session, I am sorry to say Lynn Allen lied to us, www.lynnintroductions.com does not exist.  **Update**  Lynn didn’t lie to us, the URL is actually www.lynntroductions.com, and simply forwards to her blog. Perhaps Autodesk will launch the Lynn Allen introduction site in the same spirit as www.SaveTheMarkers.com.

With Autodesk University officially open for business, classes begun immediately after the General Session.  Apparently the first session I registered for, Demystifying Label Styles Within AutoCAD Civil 3D, was incredibly popular.  By the time I got up the escalator, and to the classroom, the session was already at capacity. Disappointed, I went on a quest to find another open session, but was unsuccessful.  Thankfully that was the only real glitch to my day.  My other sessions went off extremely well.  In fact a special thanks to J.C. Davis, Nick Harper, and Craig Parkinson for their presentation, DEA Path to AutoCAD Cvil 3D 2007 Migration.  Later in the day Icaught Scott McEachron of D|C|CADD Dallas’ presentation, Essentials of Roadways – Corridor Design.  Both presentations were packed with lots of useful information.

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Design Review – Beyond the DWF

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Design ReviewBy this time next week I will be among many of you, enjoying the Autodesk University 2007 in fabulous Las Vegas, NV. Being both the 25th anniversary of Autodesk, and the 15th anniversary of Autodesk University, it’s sure to be a spectacular event.  To that end I do look forward to meeting and chatting with those of you attending this years conference.  For those unable to attend this years conference; stay tuned to The CAD Geek Blog for my posts from AU 2007.  In addition to blogging I hope to upload as many photos as possible to flickr.  Shaan Hurley has created an AU flickr group which can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/au2007/.  In addition to some spectacular photos, perhaps a friendly Canon vs. Nikon competition will ensue during AU as well.

Like many of my posts, the inspiration for today’s post comes from a question one of my users recently asked me.  Basically he had received digital scans of a plan set.  The scans were in the TIF format, and while Windows has it’s Picture and Fax Viewer, it can be a little clunky at times.  Especially when trying to zoom and pan around in an image.  A simple search will naturally return an endless list of TIFF image viewers, but what about what’s already installed?

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Autodesk University & 25th Anniversary

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Autodesk University

http://au.autodesk.com/2007

For those who don’t know, registration for this year’s Autodesk University is in full swing. AU 2007 is definitely shaping up to be one of the biggest ever with a projection for nearly 10,000 attendees. Wow ? that’s a lot of people. AU 2007 is going to be my first AU, so I am naturally excited about the whole experience. While I personally will not be presenting any classes, my boss Eric Chappell will be. This year he will be offering two classes, one on Civil 3D, and another on CAD Management.

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