Between the Lines

Autodesk FormIt 4.0 & Dynamo Announced at AIA 2013

Shaan Hurley — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:22:26 -0600

Autodesk’s free conceptual tool for the ipad, Autodesk FormIt was just updated as version 4. FormIt is the 1st Architectural Form Modeler for the iPad. In addition to new features, there is a web based version of FormIt coming so that you will be able to use it from many more platforms. Before the Android tablet users fire up my comments section asking where is the Android version, the team is looking towards an Android tablet version sometime in the future.

Place your DWG File on a Diet

Shaan Hurley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:13:42 -0600

I received an email from blog reader Steve Roberts with a suggested tip topic on how to reduce the size and clean up DWG drawing files using four AutoCAD commands. I wrote a quick blog post in the topic.

The Innovation of Innovation

Shaan Hurley — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:31:00 -0600

Autodesk’s Bill O’Connor created this nice short video on Innovation. This is very fitting since I have given two keynotes on innovation recently from an Autodesk perspective from taking CAD from the mainframe to the PC, BIM, digital prototyping, and cloud computing technologies. The path to innovation is paved with seven questions. Bill O'Connor, Founder of the Innovation Genome Project, shows us how these questions have been used in innovations throughout history—from fire to flight, writing to recycling, and everything in between.

Autodesk Project Blink Beta Opportunity - Run Remote Apps from PC & iPad

Shaan Hurley — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:31:59 -0600

Project Blink gives you the power and flexibility to run software installed on your computer from a remote computer or tablet with lower latency than other solutions, and optimized for some Autodesk software. I wish I could say more, but this is a beta and you need to apply and get in the special beta to find out how amazing this cutting edge technology is compared to traditional remote hosted application technologies.

The Very First AutoCAD Logo from 1982

Shaan Hurley — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:37:59 -0600

I have one of the first AutoCAD manuals with this old logo and showed it at my keynote on the topic of Autodesk and Innovation #AutodeskInnovation at the ProSoft Powerlaunch event Thursday.

Autodesk Team OCTO pi in Fitness Race

Shaan Hurley — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:14:19 -0600

Autodesk is a firm believer in healthy employees equates to happy employees as well as reducing healthcare costs as a side benefit. Autodesk has for the second year joined the Global Corporate Challenge where employees form seven person teams to compete within the company as well as against other companies. Team members record their daily pedometer steps and exercise in a competition over a three month period. The teams virtually race around the globe based on their recorded steps & distances. Last year the program was a huge success for me as I lost 50 pounds (More Active = Less Shaan), and have kept it off using my FitBit One unit to help track and motivate me to keep moving. I even built a treadmill desk and stand up desk as opposed to a sit down desk. This year I am on team “OCTO-pi” with members of our Office of the CTO “OCTO” including our fearless leader Autodesk CTO Jeff Kowalski.

AutoCAD Tip - Create a Seamless Wood Grain Hatch

Shaan Hurley — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:07:00 -0600

SUPERHATCH is a former AutoCAD Express Tool that is now included in the core AutoCAD product. You can create a hatch pattern from most anything without having to learn how to write a hatch pattern definition file. This AutoCAD tutorial is by Autodesk’s own Cliff Young of the AutoCAD Test Development Team. If any readers have a tutorial on an Autodesk product they want to be posted to this blog and read by thousands of readers please email me.

AutoCAD 2014 & Revit 2014 Free Book Titles Released

Shaan Hurley — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:26:00 -0600

Longtime AutoCAD, Revit and Architecture veteran, writer, trainer, consultant, photographer,and friend David Cohn sent me a note that he has released some iBooks on AutoCAD 2014 for those of you with Apple devices. These iBooks are multimedia rich with text, images, and video. There are also Point Cloud and Revit Architecture 2014 titles available free in the iBook store by CADLearning™ by 4D Technologies.

Friday Fun - A Few Days on the Mexican Riviera

Shaan Hurley — Fri, 31 May 2013 06:03:00 -0600

I am still getting back to speed after returning this week from 5 amazing days on Cozumel Island in Mexico. Cozumel is one of the top scuba and snorkel diving locations in the world with the worlds second largest barrier reef. I had a ladder into the Caribbean from located just 10 steps from the condo where I was staying in the Northern region of the island. I found the amazing condo on AirBnB.com which was all new to me but I will most definitely use it more often as the location was like living in the property instead of a hotel or resort experience. Cozumel MexicoIt was a great deal of fun to go snorkeling on the reef within 5 minutes. I did hit other locations up and down the island but honestly preferred the abundance of coral and sea life behind the condo units. I took many underwater photos using my iPhone in a special Seashell brand case that was rated to 100 feet depth and luckily there were no leaks.

AutoCAD Tip: How Can I Restore the "Classic" AutoCAD Interface, with Menus and Toolbars?

Shaan Hurley — Wed, 29 May 2013 05:18:00 -0600

So you like to have AutoCAD look and feel like previous classic release. This is one of the powerful traits of AutoCAD and that is it can be customized seven ways from Sunday.

An Insider's View of the Myths and Truths of the 3-D Printing 'Phenomenon'

Shaan Hurley — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:30:58 -0600

Autodesk CEO Carl Bass discusses the myths and truths of 3D printing in opinion editorial in Wired. “What are its real life applications?” ”Will it bring back old manufacturing?” ”Has it reached the Hype point”?

AutoCAD 2014 Tips & Tricks Book by Lynn Allen

Shaan Hurley — Mon, 27 May 2013 07:19:00 -0600

If you want to get the latest tips and tricks for the current AutoCAD 2014 then Lynn Allen's Tips and Tricks booklet is the prescription the Doctor ordered.