Being Civil

Adventures at AU 2011

Greetings from Las Vegas! I was able to sit in for a bit on Jason Hickey's class yesterday, and everybody seemed to really enjoy it. For those of you not here this year, I would strongly recommend watching it when it is available online. He had one of the best power point graphics (if not the best) in his presentation. If you saw it already, then you will know what I am talking about. Just keep an eye out for the "school bus".

I grabbed a quick picture of Jason working his magic at the tail end of his class, and in just about 24 hours I will be presenting in the same room. I am very much looking forward to sharing all of the hard work I put into this presentation, and I hope everyone enjoys it!

Postcards from Las Vegas–Day One

It’s official – Autodesk University 2011 is in full swing, and the first day isn’t even close to being over (It’s currently 4:14PM and we’re looking at around 8 more hours of scheduled commitments.)

Today I taught Improving Performance with AutoCAD Civil 3D and then co-presented Why You Shouldn’t Close You Map Task Pane All the Time in Civil 3D with Katie Jaques. The one thing people took away from my first class is that the skinny Map kids on the bus need to be beat up! I had a blast doing what I love doing most – talking to my peers about a subject that I’m passionate about.

Picture this room packed to standing room only and you’ll see just how many people are interested in improving performance with AutoCAD Civil 3D!

 

 

You can find me tomorrow at the AEC Technology Lounge answering customer questions – come on by with any questions or just to say hi!

Autodesk Virtual Event - Register Now!

Create and deliver your projects faster and more economically with Autodesk. Join us to learn more on April 20, 2011. http://bit.ly/fcmGIV

Don’t miss this chance to learn how the newest Autodesk releases can help you make amazing things happen!

 

AutoCAD Civil 3D Performance Optimization Handout And a Handy Tip

Good morning from Autodesk University 2010 in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada! This morning, I am working in the AEC Lounge once again, where you can come meet the Autodesk employees that make Civil 3D possible – we have people from all parts of the company here including development team members, product support, technical marketing, consulting, and sales. If you’d like to come and put a face with a name, ask a question, or just try and stump the chump, we’d love to see you!

Now, to the meat of the post. I have two things that I would like to share with our readers this morning. First, Josh and I had some questions yesterday about where to find the handout for our session, AutoCAD Civil 3D Performance Optimization. The handouts will be available online next week on AU Online, but if you simply can’t wait you can download it here.

Second, it’s a widely known fact that hanging out with this many users of Autodesk products will eventually lead to you learning something you didn’t know – there are some smart people here! I found out a little tip last night at dinner that I thought I’d share…it enlightened me, maybe it will enlighten you as well:

Did you know that an ARG file (AutoCAD Profile) is a simple registry file? CAD Managers – do you want to deploy an ARG without importing into every session of AutoCAD? Simply change the extension of the file from ARG to REG and double click and watch the magic happen! OK, in all fairness, there’s no magic to watch. However, that new ARG will be imported into AutoCAD for your use!

Come visit us here at the AEC Lounge – who knows, you might just find a little nugget to take home as well!

Win a free trip to Autodesk University 2009!

Hey all, sorry I have been a bit absent of late, I was on vacation & working part time in the US for a month, visiting family.  Now I am back in the saddle and ready to ride.  The famous Lynn Allen with the fluffy dog tweeted this and I thought "who wouldn't want a chance at a free trip to AU'? 

All you have to do is fill out a survey... but hurry as the survey closes August 25, 2009, at 5:00 pm EST.  The winner will be drawn the next day, August 26th.  This is open to everyone around the world, as long as you are 18 years of age.

Per the rules, the prize includes:

1. One round-trip ticket to Las Vegas MaCarran airport from a destination within the continental United States. If the winner resides outside of the continental United States, it is that individual's responsibility to get to a US location first.
2. One free registration to Autodesk University 2009 for attendance from December 1, 2009 through December 3, 2009.
3. One hotel room (including cost of room, taxes and fees) at the conference hotel (TBD) from December 1, 2009; checking out December 4, 2009.

You are Invited! Autodesk Assistance Program Networking Event in Waltham, MA

Meet, greet, and learn.

Join Autodesk, the Boston Society of Architects, and Microdesk for a networking event at the Autodesk Gallery Boston on Trapelo Road.

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Time: 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 1560 Trapelo Rd, Waltham

In partnership with the Boston Society of Architects and Microdesk, Autodesk is hosting a networking event for job-seeking architects, engineers, and designers in the Boston Area. Meet potential employers in your field, network with peers and learn more about how you can benefit from the Autodesk Assistance Program.

Please RSVP to autodeskAAP@fleishman.com by Friday, July 17, 2009.

Registration is limited.

Gunslingers and rolling back OS or Program Updates and Hotfixes

I am in Paris this week attending a "Gunslinger" for the next release of Civil 3D (some GREAT stuff is coming; sorry I can't say more).  We all strap on our six shooters, put on our spurs and ten gallon hats and - well okay, I exaggerate.  This is where some customers/consultants/resellers come with their datasets and try to break the Beta, finding issues that Development can then work on prior to release - attendees also submit feedback on desired functionality too.  You may not all get to see the Beta upfront or go to a Gunslinger, but you always have the ability to submit feedback and requests on functionality right here.  Always good to provide constructive criticism, suggestions and hey, if you really like something, that is always nice too mention as well.  You can also log wishes on the "Wish" discussion group here, and AUGI has a Wish List here, where you can additionally vote on other's ideas too!

Here's a tidbit for those who haven't noticed…

Have you ever taken the time to look at your Add/Remove Programs dialog box in the Control Panel?  Note the “Show Updates” checkbox.  Click it and you will be rewarded with interim updates, which you can then uninstall if needed.  This comes in handy sometimes if for example, you think a recent Microsoft patch or update introduced something funky on your system.

First you don’t see it:

Now you do!

Of course your other option is using System Restore points; search for the word “System Restore” in Start > Help.

AUs (past, present and future) and the next release of Civil 3D

So another great AU finished up today; tired but enriched, I'm heading off to visit my sister in Seattle for the weekend.  For classes I missed, I'll be reviewing the materials and some of the presentations captured on video in just a few weeks at AU online.  You get free access to not only all content from AU 2008, but also for prior years as well (2006, 2007)!

Mark your calendars for next year, Dec. 1-4, 2009.  AU 2009 will take place at Mandalay Bay, which should be interesting, moving to the other end of the Las Vegas strip.

Another thing that happens each year is the Beta release of the next version of Civil 3D during AU.  You can go to http://myfeedback.autodesk.com and apply to become a member of the beta program if you would like to see what's coming up and get ready to leverage some really great enhancements.