Archive for June, 2008

As I was thinking about a subject to write about today, I was engaged in a discussion an Autodesker (who shall remain nameless) and he pointed out something that he wasn’t aware of in Civil 3D, and I can understand why - it’s kind of a hidden setting. So if someone very familiar with the program was unaware of it, he figured (as did I) that some of you might not be familiar with it either. It’s all about point styles.

Ever drag a point label away from a point marker and got really irritated because the arrow head didn’t EXACTLY touch the point? Follow the link to find out how to fix this pesky problem.

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I spent the earlier part of this week at an Autodesk Developer’s Camp. For portions of three days, we were presented information on working with different Autodesk product API’s (Application Programming Interface). During the process much about the future of software development was discussed. Would you like to know more?

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Part of a new occasionally recurring series, my friends Dave Simeone and Dan Philbrick have agreed to answer five interview questions from the Civil3d.com audience. Submit your best question as a comment, and we’ll edit and pass them along for their written answers. This might take a while to get back, but we hope to see future versions with other members of the Autodesk (and other CE industry folks even) team that perhaps you’re less familiar with.  Be nice and be professional if you want your question used! This doesn’t mean you have to throw softballs, but don’t expect flames to be passed along.

Follow the jump and post your questions!

Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time trying, and now finally succeeding at standardizing engineering firms.  A few years ago I decided to teach an AU class about what I’ve learned and this year will be the third appearance of “Evolution Not Revolution: The Key to Successful CAD Standards”.  Now I’ve got the opportunity to use Civil3D.com to spread the word and I just couldn’t resist.

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Since Jason is teaching Core Concepts this week in the mornings, and the EECast is scheduled to start at 11 AM our time (Central), there would seem to be a bit of conflict with him discussing point clouds during the EECast this week. Never fear dear readers, we have a plan! In a bold move (ok, in just a scheduling move,) I’m covering What’s New with Data Shortcuts in 2009.

In a quick hour, we’ll review the changes to using Data Shortcuts in C3D 2009. We’ll look at the Project Template, the Working Folder, the Shortcuts folder and the mechanics of using Data Shortcuts as part of your actual project. Additionally, we’ll look at the new Data Shortcuts Editor to repath your in-place shortcuts to new information as it’s available. Take a shortcut to 2009 with this nuts and bolts EECast.

See you then!

The EE CivilAccess calendar of training classes is now online and available to all CA clients. If you’re looking to train your staff all year long for less than a single class would cost at the usual sources, shouldn’t you look at CivilAccess too?

Check out the schedule by clicking the Training page above, and visit this page to see the full scope of CA services and get a preliminary cost. Less than $595 per person, live unlimited training from the people who wrote the book on Civil 3D, ready when you are.

What’s not to like?

A couple weeks ago, we told you about Autodesk’s plans to retire Land Desktop and to release a trimmed down verion of Civil 3D. On Friday, they went live with a few pages on their website with more info. Link after the jump.

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This is a test post. Please feel free to ignore it, we’ll have some real content up sooner than later.

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Last week, Dana presented a very informative webcast on surface modeling and TIN theory.  Personally, I’ve been building TINs now for almost 15 years and still learned a lot while watching her perform her magic. In two weeks, I plan on presenting what Mark and I have dubbed “Surfaces, Episode 1 - The Phantom Mesh.” This webcast will explore how to get the initial surface created in Civil 3D, and will showcase one of Engineered Efficiency’s solutions offering, VRMesh. This post isn’t really a plug for the webcast, even though we love when you sign up.  This is an effort to explain exactly how VRMesh can help you, especially if you are working with very large point files. Follow the link to find out more.

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In case you don’t read Between the Lines, Shaan Hurley’s superior blog on Autocad and all thing related, he’s been promoted (lateral moved?) to the position of PSEB Evangelist. In his words, “This means I get to concentrate more on the customers, the products, and solutions in the design world.”

Guy Kawasaki was one of the first tech evangelists in his role with Apple. His ability to communicate what the company was up to and relate to the everyday user made him an important part of their success, and in my opinion, really contributed to the Cult of Mac that exists today.

There are few people really up to the role of evangelist. To succeed, they have to have the respect of the user community, the ear of the development team, the backing of management, and the tech chops to play with the best. I’ve known Shaan for a decade plus now, and his honest enthusiasm for Autodesk and their products backed with his role in the community makes him the perfect candidate. Congratulations again, Shaan.