Check Out Cool Uses for Autodesk Software

I stumbled across this link that was shot from the Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco, CA.  It quickly shows some cool examples of how Autodesk software is being used for design and more.  It has a high "cool" factor, so check it out:

CNBC Video - Tech Check

To read more about the Autodesk Gallery, check out the following page from the Autodesk website


Autodesk Gallery

Searchable Text Using Autodesk PDF Export

Do you export AutoCAD drawings to PDF? Want to search title blocks or notes in that PDF for certain words, or a name? This process is quite a bit easier than you may think. You don't need a fancy add-on or third party app, just the default Autodesk PDF export inside AutoCAD 2011.


There are a few general rules we must follow to get this to work properly.

1. Make sure the text style you are using (and want to search in the PDF) is set to a True Type Font. Non-TT Fonts are not searchable.
2. The width factor of the font must be left at default. If the width is changed it is no longer recognized as text when it is exported.
3. You must also have a PDF viewer that is capable of searching for text, such as Adobe Reader. (Ctrl + F starts the find command)
   

AutoCAD WS makes it to Droid
The new version of AutoCAD WS mobile for the Google Android platform devices such as the Android phones and Tablets is now available in the Google App Marketplace. It looks really nice on the Tablet devices where you have more screen real estate. There are some Android unique features in this Android version such as speech recognition where users can insert comments and text notations in the drawing by speech rather than typing.



Video: AutoCAD WS mobile for Android

Info: AutoCAD WS for Android Video

Direct link to AutoCAD WS mobile for Android in the Google App Marketplace https://market.android.com/details?id=com.autodesk.autocadws&feature=search_result

There is also the version of AutoCAD WS mobile for Apple iOS devices such as the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad in the Apple App store.
And of course the web based version of AutoCAD WS which has more features than the mobile versions of AutoCAD WS.
One thing they all have in common besides DWG viewing, editing, and markup is that they are all FREE.

Information for this post is also available on Between The Lines

Introducing the Autodesk "SIM SQUAD"

Autodesk has made a very large push over the last several years to bring their users the best of the Simulation and FEA software. Now, they are expanding that by Introducting the Autodesk "SIM SQUAD" as a resource to harness all the knowledge in areas such as Sturctural, CFD, and Plastic Injection Molding simulation.

The Autodesk "SIM SQUAD" website http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=16661243&siteID=123112 is comprised of 15 of the most experienced personal within the simulation feild that Autodesk could put together. This site will provide users with resources such as:

• Instructional Videos
• Upcoming Events
• Discussion Groups
• White Papers

Along with much more information for the world of simulation. So, if you are a PHD or just an infomation geek like myself definitely take adavantage of all the great information that the Autodesk "SIM SQUAD" is giving to you. Check it out!!!!

“It should be freaking amazing. All of the guys on the squad are experts who have spent their careers specializing in simulation.” – Jay Tedeschi, Technical Marketing Specialist for the Autodesk Manufacturing Division


Well said Jay, well said.

Go Go Gadget Vault

When I talk with clients and prospective clients about the benefits and features of Vault Professional, Change Order notification almost always comes up in the conversation.  E-Mail notifications have long been a part of Vault as well as "My Worklist" that is displayed in the Vault client.

Chris Sawicki and Brian Schanen, both from Autodesk, have just released a new gadget that interfaces with the Vault and displays your worklist information right on your desktop without the need to run Vault Professional.

It's features include:

• See the change orders in your worklist without running Vault Professional.
• Refresh timer - adjust how often Vault Gadget checks for worklist items.
• Click on a change order to view the properties.
• Click on the "Go To CO" link to launch Vault Professional and navigate to the Change Order. 

View article...

Click here to download

Up and Running with Autodesk Inventor Simulation 2011

If you're looking for a good training manual for Inventor Simulation, look here: http://vrblog.info/

Autodesk^® Inventor^® Simulation is an essential element in the Autodesk Digital Prototyping workflow that enables engineers, designers and manufacturers to transition from traditional design and physical prototyping methods to the innovative use of 3D modeling for evaluating form, fit and function. This allows virtual exploration and testing of objects, components and products before they are made, saving critical development time and cost. Autodesk Inventor Simulation provides the dynamic tools required to revolutionize the product design process, but these tools are complex to learn and use to their full potential.

Up and Running with Autodesk^® Inventor^® Simulation 2011 is dedicated to the requirements of Inventor users who need to quickly learn or refresh their skills and apply the dynamic simulation, stress analysis, frame analysis, and optimization capabilities of Inventor Simulation 2011. Providing clear guidance and all-important real-world tutorials, the step-by-step, heavily-illustrated approach of this book will help designers, engineers, and manufacturers of all skill levels become Simulation experts.

• Get up to speed fast with real-life, step-by-step design problems-3 new to this edition!


• Discover how to convert CAD models to working digital prototypes, enabling you to enhance designs and simulate real-world performance without creating physical prototypes


• Learn all about the frame analysis environment-new to Autodesk Inventor Simulation 2011-and other key features of this powerful software, including modal analysis, assembly stress analysis, parametric optimization analysis, effective joint creation, and more


• Manipulate and experiment with design solutions from the book using datasets provided on the book's companion website and move seamlessly onto tackling your own design challenges with confidence


• New edition features enhanced coverage of key areas, including stress singularities, h-p convergence, curved elements, mechanism redundancies, FEA and simulation theory, with hand calculations, and more

Sharing Data Between AutoCAD Files

Do you ever find yourself in the position of not having the data you need in your current drawing or project? Copy and Paste is a viable choice, but most of the options users have in AutoCAD these days for sharing data is often over looked.

• Xrefs (External References) - Attach an entire drawing as a reference drawing. Using this option will allow users to make changes to the referenced drawing, and have those changed be reflected in the current drawing.

• Linking/Embedding Data (OLE) - Object linking allows users to combine data from different applications into a single file, but still maintain the ability to edit the info from the original application. (Example: An Excel spreadsheet that is linked into an AutoCAD drawing).

• Design Center - Click and drag blocks, styles, even layers from one drawing to another inside AutoCAD. Design Center can also be used for updating legacy drawings.

These are just a few examples of some of the methods of sharing data users can take advantage of. Using these methods make it easier to manage your data as well as being more productive, not having to worry about updating multiple drawings making the same changes.