The Dan Miles Idea Factory

Autodesk University 2008

Autodesk has started registration for Autodesk University 2008 in Las Vegas from Dec 2-5, 2008.  I signed up myself this weekend.  Also during this year I will be teaching two classes as listed below.  These classes will cover all of the latest and greatest items including some of the new Autodesk Labs applications for Autodesk Inventor.

ML111-1P

Autodesk Inventor Best Practices for Working with Large Assemblies (Digital Prototypes)

ML305-3

Implementing Autodesk Inventor in Your Company

Sign up and hope to see you there

Dan Miles

AutoCAD Mechanical & Electrical 2009 Features

Not sure if you have seen the new features in AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 or AutoCAD Electrical 2009 or not.  Listed below are the new feature brochures from Autodesk.

AutoCAD_Mechanical_2009 Technical Whats New.pdf

AutoCAD_Electrical_2009 Technical Whats New.pdf

Dan

Microsoft Software to Create Tools for Free

Microsoft announced a new project called Microsoft DreamSpark that enables students to download Microsoft software at no charge.  The goal is to provide students tools to allow them to develop their skills and create new innovations.  The main product you can download is Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition.

Microsoft DreamSpark Website

With these tools you can learn to create some great programs to work with Autodesk Inventor using the Inventor API.  These are all the tools you need to build the next great tool or feature for Inventor in a way.  Here are a few other items to get you going.

Autodesk Inventor API 101 Video Class

Bill Gates interview about DreamSpark

Dan

The Ribbon Interface is Coming

Microsoft provided the ribbon interface with the launch of Microsoft Office 2007 to us.  Now just like the original dialog and menu based interfaces everyone is off and running with it.  Autodesk provides two user interfaces within the new release of AutoCAD 2009.  One is the standard interface we know and the other is a new ribbon based interface as seen below.

If you ask me it will not be long before you see this type of interface in more products.

Dan

New Autodesk DWFx Format

With all of the new 2009 Autodesk products coming out soon and a new version of Autodesk Design Review the new DWF file format is called DWFx.  This is a newer version of the DWF format that is now the default within just about all of the 2009 products.  One of the biggest benefits to DWFx is that on Windows Vista computers and Internet Explorer 7 systems (XP) you do not need to install a viewer.  Viewing the files within the free Design Review application offers some other benefits but is sure nice to share files without people installing viewers.

Dan

Importing Polygon Mesh Data Into Inventor

This could be very interesting!!!!  Yesterday SYCODE released several new import and export translators for Autodesk Inventor.  The new add-in translators allow you to import polygon mesh data into Autodesk Inventor and export polygon data.  Here are the new import options:

• STL Import (Rapid Prototpying)
• 3DS Import (3D Studio)
• 3DM Import
• OBJ Import (Wavefront Object File)

I have not tried this out yet but will very soon and let you know how they work.  I think there could be a very interesting workflow here to create what I would call a de-featured model or a srink wrap model for part components or assemblies.

Here is the a link to their site where you can download a free trail.

Stay tuned

Dan

How do you go 64-bit?

64-bit computing is not the future anymore and I believe will become mainstream for CAD use during 2008.  The two biggest advantages to using 64-bit are:

• Faster processing during true 64-bit applications and processes.
• Direct access to more physical memory than 32-bit system. (More then you can afford to buy!!!)

In order to go 64-bit you need a few things to take advantage of the power.  Here are the three key elements:

• Computer with a 64-bit processor
• Microsoft 64-bit Operating System (XP or Vista Only)
• 4GB or more of physical memory

So if you are in the market for a new CAD system get ready and go 64-bit!!  Also be on the lookout to hear more about this in the coming months from Autodesk.

Dan

Digital Coach the New CAD Manager

Seth Godin posted this weekend on something that you might be able to relate to on his marketing blog if you are a CAD Manager, trainer, or consultant.  He used the word "Digital Coach" which think is a great term I think with what is going on in the PLM marketplace today.  Over the past few years I have seen a decline in companies having full time "CAD Managers" like everyone had back in the 90's.  I think a "Digital Coach" would add tremendius value to a company.

Take a look at Seth's thoughts

P.S.  Seth Godin is the man I read his blog every day and have all of his books.

Dan Miles

Knowledge Capture / Screen Capture & Record

For the past few years I have been using the TechSmith products "Snagit and Camtasia" for various screen capture and screen recording needs.  These tools are great for capturing and sharing knowledge.  One of our consultants at work have been talking about TechSmith's new product or project called Jing Project for the past few months but I haven't loaded it myself until this weekend.  The Jing Project is an always ready program that instantly captures and shares images and video from your computer.  The capture features are very simple and nice but the cool part is they allow you to quickly share the files using a hosted site or other sites like Flickr.

This FREE tool is great for trouble shooting items and sharing best practices with your peers.  Give it a try I think you will like it.

Dan

Good Blog Site for Technical Computer Items

I have been reading a blog site called "Channel 10" for about a month now that a friend recommended.  The site content is from Microsoft employees mainly and highlights various new technical items and tips.  Check it out if you like.

http://on10.net/Default.aspx

Dan