Autodesk Announces Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD

New Technology Preview on Autodesk Labs Enhances Efficiency by Providing Real-Time Feedback on Factory Layouts

What’s the News: Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today announced the availability of Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD software, a new free* technology preview available on Autodesk Labs enabling industrial engineers and layout designers to devise more efficient factory layouts for material handling. The AutoCAD plug-in helps manufacturers adopt leaner manufacturing methods, decreasing waste and improving overall factory efficiency.

What is Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD: The Factory Layout Optimization utility enables industrial engineers and factory layout designers to take existing 2D layouts created using AutoCAD and define the material flow paths and stations inside the factory. The new technology provides real-time feedback on optimizing layout from a material handling standpoint, enabling more precise evaluation of multiple layout scenarios earlier in the design process. The Technology Preview can be applied to new or existing 2D layout designs in AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD Architecture 2011, AutoCAD Mechanical 2011 and Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2011.

“This technology is an exciting addition to our factory design software capabilities,” said Scott Reese, senior director, Autodesk Manufacturing Industry Group. “The Factory Layout Optimization utility will enable our many factory customers to eliminate the guesswork from factory layout and have greater confidence in their decisions.”

Availability: Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD will be available on Autodesk Labs for a limited time. Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD is compatible with AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD Architecture 2011,AutoCAD Mechanical 2011 and Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2011 software; both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The user interface for Factory Layout Optimization for AutoCAD is in English, but the technology preview is compatible with non-English versions of the supported applications.

AutoCAD & M&E Keynote vs ME234-1P - Visual Qualitative Energy and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

I was really torn between attending a class vs the keynote. REALLY glad I choose the keynote. 15-20 preview of Tron Legacy was shown complete with Dolby Digital 3D glasses and earth shattering sound. Sooooo sweet and now can hardly wait to see it on IMAX 3D!!!! They really tie in nicely as a sequel too. Viewing of the original is a must in my opinion. Check out the attached Tron Legacy sneak peak photo - isn't the 3D just spectacular?!?! I really liked how they made the depth perception go INTO the depth of the screen instead jumping out at you. It made it feel like you were looking through a window or portal instead of something being thrown at you.

Autodesk Updates AutoCAD WS with Support for Offline Editing

Mobile Application Offers Viewing and Editing of DWG Files without Data Connection; Mobile App Downloads Pass 500,000

LAS VEGAS, Autodesk University, Nov. 30, 2010 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced updates to AutoCAD WS, a free* web application that uses cloud computing to enable AutoCAD software users to view, edit and share their AutoCAD designs and DWG files through web browsers and mobile devices. The updated mobile application, which will soon to be available through the App Store, helps to significantly increase usability and functionality in AutoCAD WS by making designs accessible even when users are not connected to the Internet, and offers support for opening email attachments directly into AutoCAD WS.

“AutoCAD WS has been overwhelmingly embraced by users,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business. “In just eight weeks, over 410,000 users have registered, 430,000 drawings have been uploaded and the mobile application has been downloaded from Apple’s App Store over 560,000 times. With the update to AutoCAD WS, we are directly responding to user feedback. We have added requested features, including the ability to access designs while offline. This will encourage even more designers to start using this free* and groundbreaking product.”

AutoCAD WS facilitates true anytime, anywhere design by connecting AutoCAD users across the globe through an online workspace that is accessible directly from their AutoCAD desktop software or on iOS devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad. The 1.1 version of the AutoCAD WS mobile application will expand design accessibility through features that include:

· Offline support: Most requested from existing AutoCAD WS users, designs can now be viewed and edited from mobile devices, without the need for Internet connectivity.

· Direct file uploads from an iPad: Users can now open an email attachment and upload it to their AutoCAD WS account directly from their device.

· Simplified gesture interface: Editing, drawing and markup has been enhanced to be more intuitive and similar to AutoCAD.

Availability

Version 1.1 of the free* AutoCAD WS mobile application for iPad, iPhone or iPod touch will soon be available on the App Store. Users of AutoCAD products including 2010 and 2011 versions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT software can download a free plug-in to upload and open files stored in AutoCAD WS accounts directly from their desktop. For more information or to download the plug-in visit www.autocadws.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries ¾ including the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects ¾ use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Certifications are in!

Well, Autodesk has approved me as a Certified Professional in AutoCAD, Revit Architecture and 3ds MAX Design, in addition to my existing certified expert status with AutoCAD Architecture. It's nice to have this under my belt after the tests they put you through!

Choosing computer OS / hardware to run Autodesk products

A common question I'm asked is, how do I choose the appropriate computer specifications (or specs for short) for my Autodesk software? Believe it or not, Autodesk has a wealth of information that goes beyond the usual minimum specs. The problem is, knowing where to find it. The following links are a short collection to a few of the more common offerings from Autodesk which you can use to help figure out the specs for your next system upgrade.

For those looking for a quick answer on how to do this, here it is in a nutshell. Everyone I've talked to recently such as Autodesk, other technology firms and IT professionals are saying to make the jump to Windows 7 64bit OS. It is of course up to you to verify that if you are running older hardware and software to ensure they will work on Windows 7 64bit OS. If you bought a new computer in the last year or two, there is a really good chance your hardware will be fine leaving you to ensure just software runs fine.

As for choosing the right hardware, more is usually better - usually. Ask yourself, what do I work with on a day to day basis? Simple AutoCAD drawings that average in size at approximately 1-5 megabytes? Do I work with moderately sized Revit files in the 50-75 megabyte range or really big ones over 150 megabytes? Do I work on large scenes in 3ds MAX with millions of polygons and file sizes pushing the 200 megabyte range?

Each of you may have a slightly different answer which means I can't really give a one size fits all answer to hardware. I can help you understand what is what and where the different parts of the computer will help.

• CPU: This part will help process calculations that process math.The more CPUs you have and the faster they can run, the more that can be processed - provided your software is written to take advantage of them. AutoCAD can take a small advantage from a multiple core CPU. Revit will only take advantage of multiple CPUs if you render. 3ds MAX Design will take advantage of multiple CPUs for math related tasks as well as rendering.
• HD: There are three things to look at with a HD. Type, speed and size. Traditional HD's using a disk will be the least expensive option but the newer SSD HD's will not be. Traditional HD's offer larger a large storage space, SSD are catching up but not quite there yet. Traditional HD's offer varying speed which affect the rate at which data can be accessed - look for something at least 7200 RPMs or above. For SSD, data is access nearly instantaneously. Pick your poison!
  
• RAM: In the past, RAM wasn't so critical. Now, if you are trying to work with medium to large sized files like I mentioned, RAM will make or break your day. The bigger the file you are trying to open is, the more RAM you should have. I've heard on numerous occasions by IT professionals that you should strive for a minimum of 2GBs RAM per CPU Core on a 32bit OS and 4 GBs RAM per CPU Core on a 64bit OS. There is obviously a limit for your budget and perhaps how much your motherboard can hold, but that's a pretty good rule of thumb to follow if possible.
  
• Graphics Card: This is what helps your computer display information in your drawing viewport on your screen. For using Autodesk products, try and stay away from gaming cards as they typically are not certified or supported. The better the card and the more on board memory it has, the better things can look and perform in the viewport. Ever try to run 3D orbit on a model to have it skip or jump as it is spun? Most likely you had a card that wasn't up to the task. If you are trying to preview lighting effects, materials in a realistic shade mode or have a lot of data to display, the better the card, the smoother things will go.
  

For a more in depth bit of research, have a look at the following info to augment what I touched on above.

Here is a link to some Revit white papers, one of which is called the Revit Model Performance Technical Note. This has detailed recommendations regarding OS, CPU, RAM, HD, Network and other items in addition to keeping your Revit model running smoothly. In the version released for working with Revit 2010, they don't get into graphics cards in great detail so I've been recommending people take a look at the AutoCAD or 3ds MAX certified graphics cards (links to follow).
Revit White Papers: Model Performance Technical Note

Here is the link to AutoCAD Certified Hardware where you can look to see if a card you have in mind is certified or get the latest info to make sure AutoCAD runs smoothly with your graphics card. You can combine the Revit white paper above with a card in this list to ensure compatibility on into the future. Please, when choosing a card, be sure to select one that are Certified, Supported AND Recommended!
AutoCAD Certified Hardware

With 3ds MAX Design, Autodesk gets even more detailed in helping you choose hardware. This goes well beyond showing you which graphics cards are Certified like with AutoCAD. They go so far as to test specific configurations from major manufacturers that are currently available for Graphics Cards, Workstations/Laptops and Tablets. Since 3ds MAX Design is likely to place the most burden on your system, choosing products from the list in here will likely provide you with a system that will meet your needs for a long time to come.
3ds MAX Design Certified Hardware

Then of course there are specific requirements for running Autodesk Inventor and the other products it works with. Please check out the following link for a well put together site to help you choose the correct setup for working with Inventor.
Inventor Hardware Website

Ocean's 7

Yesterday I upgraded my work laptop OS to Windows 7 64bit. So far its been alright. Found my printer drivers fine - including my home printer. I was able to install most Autodesk 2010 applications and just finished installing AutoCAD Architecture 2009. So far that list includes AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Arch/Struct/MEP, Navisworks, Maya, Motion Builder, Mudbox and of course Design Review. Also just installed the latest version of MachStudio Pro (v1.4), Photoshop Elements 7.0 some Google apps and a slew of other unrelated apps. So far the only bust was trying to install Star Wars: Empire at War. It didn't like the key I input. It could be I've installed it too many times with that key or a problem with the OS. I'll research that later - I don't play it that much anymore so its not that important. But for now I'm rather happy.

Startup times for my laptop before ran in the 10 minute range before I could sit down and start opening apps and working. Now its booted, logged on and ready to go in well under 5 minutes. Plus everything just seems so much snappier - windows open/close faster, etc. A couple programs toss up an error message upon launch, but they don't seem to affect things so far. We will see how they go. The real test will be to see if I can install AutoCAD Architecture 2008. For now I'm going to save that for another day...

BIM City

This was a group effort by U.S. CAD Technical Specialists showcasing how Autodesk 2010 software solutions can help improve your business and add value to your existing workflow. The software used to complete the demo reel is: Revit Architecture 2010, Revit Structure 2010, 3ds MAX Design 2010 and Adobe After Affects CS4. Each of these help bring the latest value to your workflow and help in designing projects which are geared towards Building Information Modeling (BIM), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Sustainable Design (SD) initiatives. To learn more please visit www.uscadbim.com



P.S.- The embedded video is not! the special project I mentioned in a previous post - that is still in the works.