AutoCAD has been recognized as the industry-leading architecture and engineering documentation platform for thirty years now. The thing is, the last several years have seen the AutoCAD platform extend beyond simple 2D design documentation. AutoCAD 2010, 2011, and even 2012 each saw the introduction of some incredible 3D modeling tools. Beyond the AutoCAD platform itself, the introduction of Design Suites just last year means many AutoCAD users now have access to a portfolio of tools that were previously cost prohibitive.
Trouble is, despite all of these notable advancements, there’s the unfortunate truth that many of these tools become what I like to call “shelfware”. That is tools, which no matter how incredible they may be, stay affixed on the shelf, verses helping me achieve my design objectives.
Autodesk just last week launched “The Apocalypse Trigger”, which focuses on these lesser explored components of the AutoCAD Design Suite. Creating an account on The Apocalypse Trigger site challenges you to a series of missions to do just that – explore the AutoCAD Design Suite. Be it modeling and visualizing designs in 3D, or getting projects underway by using Design Suite tools to convert scanned images into AutoCAD Drawings, The Apocalypse Trigger lets you explore new components of the software in a fun and competitive way.
What’s that – competitive you say? Indeed, The Apocalypse Trigger isn’t just a bunch of tutorials, but also a competition. Completing “missions” (aka. step-by-step tutorials) also lets you earn points. At the end of the competition, you could win the “AutoCAD Dream Setup”. Autodesk has defined this dream setup as a Lenovo workstation, an iPad, and a full-seat of the AutoCAD Design Suite Standard. And just to clarify, I’m told the AutoCAD Design Suite Standard license is a full-license, not NFR license. That means you can take advantage of upgrade pricing as future releases come out.
Check out The Apocalypse Trigger at: http://proc.autodesk.com/apocalypsetrigger/
