What's new in Revit 2012 by Scott Davis of Autodesk

The What's new session for Revit 2012 that was presented at BUGIE was recorded and is in the process of uploading to Vimeo. When finished you can view the video here: Vimeo link

Which graphics card do I pick?

I've heard this so often (again last night at a Revit user group) that I think it finally got through to Autodesk. They have finally launched a new page which will help you find the right card for multiple scenarios!
http://www.autodesk.com/graphics-hardware

RTC 2011 Conference open for Registration

Echoing Steve Stafford's blog post, RTC 2011 registration is open! I plan to be there -are you planning to be there?

Autodesk Media Webcast Part II

3ds Max 2012 delivers a new accelerated graphics core, mRigids for dynamic rigid-body simulations in the viewport and sculpting and painting enhancements. Also added is a new viewport technology called Nitrous which adds real-time viewport shade modes that some would call "Sketchup-ish". The great thing about this new feature is it can also render out images with this shade mode active. Now you have have one more reason to convince your designers to move from Sketchup to 3ds Max.

Autodesk Media Webcast

Watching the Autodesk Media Webcast and they are showcasing the new 2012 Autodesk products. The biggest news is the Building Design Suites. The basae software included is AutoCAD 2012, AutoCAD Architecture 2012, AutoCAD MEP 2012, AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2012, Autodesk Showcase 2012 and Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2012. The Premium edition adds Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012, Autodesk Revit MEP 2012, Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2012. The Ultimate edition adds Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2012, Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2012 and Autodesk Inventor 2012.

Additional AEC software-specific updates include:

• Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 enables users to create material appearance libraries to help standardize materials across projects and improve collaboration within the project team. Visualization enhancements give users the ability to display edges with more realistic views and shadows in consistent colors mode.
• Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 offers analytical model enhancements to help users create and manage the structural analytical model, enabling greater control and better consistency with the structural physical model. Reinforcement enhancements help users more easily define and visualize concrete reinforcement.
• Autodesk Revit MEP 2012 now enables users create custom systems, assign systems to ducts/pipes without requiring them to be connected to equipment, assign color and linetype by system without filters, as well as see total electrical load, air flow or pipe flow at any point within the system. New placeholders give users the ability to create conceptual level single line ducts and pipes early in the design process, and later convert them to 3D geometry.
• Autodesk Navisworks 2012 accelerates BIM project review through integration, analysis, and communication enhancements. File interoperability improvements help boost productivity by supporting workflows between the latest enhancements in Autodesk Revit products and third-party applications. New user interface and API (application programming interface) for the Timeliner tool provide greater control and flexibility when working with 4D simulations. New multi-sheet 2D DWF support enables users to open, review and explore 2D data sets alongside 3D models.
• The 2012 AutoCAD Family adds a more robust set of 3D modeling tools that enable improved surfacing and conceptual design functionality, expanded point cloud support and direct access to the AutoCAD WS application via the AutoCAD user interface to enable users to view, edit and share DWG drawings through a web browser or mobile device. Other enhancements provide faster start times, faster commands and overall improved product performance, and a premium graphics and visual experience. Product specific updates include:
• AutoCAD Architecture 2012 now offers faster startup and drawing load times for more immediate access to tools and large drawing navigation. A new corner windows capability makes it easy to add a single window in the corner intersection of two walls.
• AutoCAD MEP 2012 offers enhanced native productivity and utilities tools that make it easier to access dynamic and interactive 3D modeling for building system design. New Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) support from within AutoCAD MEP helps users manage and share data with others throughout the design process.
• AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2012 now offers the ability to display solid objects on structural drawings that include items typically supported by a steel structure. Users now also have the ability to present reinforcement and reinforced concrete element geometry in 3D views.

Edit: Autodesk also claims to have "One-click" install for these suites and will deliver the entire suite on a USB drive. Hmm... We'll have to wait and see on this one.

Finally - Confirmation on Revit usage of Video Memory

As I have suspected, Revit 2011 does indeed use the memory on the video card for realistic views.

Inside the Factory

3ds MAX Design 2012 new feature videos are out!

A press release from Autodesk today featured the new Digital Entertainment Creation products for their 2012 line of products!

Check out what we can do now with 3ds MAX 2012!