Between the Walls

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Demo Video

This is a nice 5 minute demonstration of the upcoming AutoCAD Architecture 2010 product by Autodesk’s ACA Ninja Kelcey Lemon.

Excellent Free Product Training Resources

Autodesk University Online http://au.autodesk.com

Register for a free account and then look at all of the great classes for most Autodesk products. These classes are by some of the best in the industry that taught at Autodesk University.

I am currently brushing up on my AutoCAD Architecture “ACA” skills. I found some really good classes like ACA experts Charlie Busa’s  AutoCAD® Architecture: Advanced Modeling Techniques and Paul Aubin’s AutoCAD® Architecture 2009 Tips and Tricks classes where there is a video screencast, audio podcast as well as the handout material.

AU Online is a excellent resource and there are many other like AUGI and of course the AutoCAD Architecture: Online Resource Center where you can even ask Amy a question but currently Amy is busy with her new baby son.

Just a little training will result in increased productivity and time savings which is always a good thing.

Cheers,
Shaan

AEC CAD Standards and Projects in Autodesk Architectural Desktop

A well-done tutorial of how to leverage the Project Standards feature in Architectural Desktop.

AEC CAD Standards and Projects in Autodesk Architectural Desktop: AECbytes Tips and Tricks

I’ll comment on one common misconception made however…

“Those using it will be all too familiar with the abundance of drawing files the process creates: Constructs, Elements, Views, and Sheets are all independent drawing files of the ADT project environment. When coupled with multiple users, this creates a management nightmare, making it all the more critical to maintain a consistent standard of content.”

The Projects feature allows people to work in different ways depending on their needs.  One workflow, independent of the Project Navigator tool, is to break up the collection of project drawings as follows:

1. Base drawings (containing the building geometry and for some firms, devoid of any annotations)
2. Composite drawings (xrefs of various base drawings to create the various plans in the project and where annotations can exist)
3. Plot sheet drawings (merely xref in composite drawings for the purposes of being plot-ready;some firms will annotate in sheets)

These concepts were transferred into the much beloved  terms: Constructs/Elements, Views, and Sheets.

The Projects feature in Architectural Desktop allows one to segregate design work into as many individual .dwgs as required for the project and user’s workflow.  If for coordination reasons, one wishes to break up a project into multiple dwgs to faciliate file sharing based on area of work, this is supported.  If this type of workflow is not necessary, than the Projects feature supports this as well.

Chris

Detailing and Keynote Demo by Ideate, Inc.

I came upon a nice demo of the Detailing and Keynote functionality in Architectural Desktop 2006, by William Johnson , Application Specialist in Architecture for Ideate, Inc.  Click here.

"Create Custom Tags in Archtitectural Desktop the Easy Way"

An tutorial, by Peter Gehring of Synergis, on using the new ADT 2006 Tag Wizard Peter writes:

“Thanks to the new Define Schedule Tag command in Architectural Desktop 2006, the creation of custom tags has become faster and easier. In the past it was a painful process that yielded unsuccessful results if you neglected certain steps. Today in ADT 2006 and ABS 2006, the process is actually pleasant.”

Click HERE for tutorial.

– Chris

TechCamp 2005: What's New in Architectural Desktop 2006

Recently Bill Glennie, QA Manager for Architectural Desktop, and ‘ADT User Number One,’ along with Chronis Loulakis, Architect & ‘CAD Tamer,’ presented some of the new features in ADT 2006 at TechCamp 2005.  TechCamp is the annual technical conference for Autodesk partners from Europe and the U.S.

Click Here to download their PowerPoint presentation along with the before and after sample files.

Enjoy!
Chris

Integrating LEED and Architectural Desktop

Fascinating step-by-step by Tomislav Zigo of Hagerman & Company of how to leverage ADT to perform basic LEED analysis.  Click here for the article: Integrating LEED and Architectural Desktop

Chris

ADT 2006: Help More Interactive

In Architectural Desktop 2006, the Help system now has a few gems to make the Help system a bit more interactive.  Our Technical Publications group has introduced a few Flash-based “Show Me’s” and “Try Its.”  Click Here to see a sample of the Drape “Try It.”

Other modules are:

• Understanding the Workspace in the Workspace section
• Adding Objects in the Workspace section
• When to Start with Constructs in the Drawing Management section
• Working with Layer Keys in the Layer Management section
• Creating a Drape Mass Element in the Creating Conceptual Models section

The way these have been created, a simple xml file is used by our Localization group to allow these modules to be translated to all the languages that ADT is translated into.

Let us know what you think of these by submitting your feedback at: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=1073289And don’t forget the other learning and training offerings such as the Tutorials (which includes an all new residence example), the New Features Workshop, and the e-Learning for subscription members.

Thanks -
Chris

January ARCHIdigm Tips and Tricks

The ADT tip and trick site, ARCHIdigm, has some excellent tutorials.  Here are three posted in January:

Adding Artwork to Architectural Desktop Renderings - learn about Curtain Walls, Materials and VIZ Render while make picture frames with art in them, ARCHIdigm, January 28, 20

Downspouts in Architectural Desktop - learn how to use a Structural Member Style to produce a dynamic 3D downspout, ARCHIdigm, January 28, 2005 05

Advanced Profiles in Architectural Desktop - learn how to use Profiles to make a Railing Style into a Trellis, ARCHIdigm, January 31, 2005

 

Don't Fence Me In

For those of you that have visited ARCHIdigm, I am sure you'll agree what a great ADT resource it is, offerring tips, tricks, and awesome tutorials.  The latest tutorial kit is very slick and focuses on Railings and includes some very sophisticated railing styles (Chain Link, Picket, Palisade, Post and Board, Post and Rail, etc) that display varying levels of detail.

Check it out...
http://www.archidigm.com/classroom/adt_3_ekits/adt_5_fences_ekit.htm

Cheers -
Chris