Between the Walls

Free AutoCAD Architecture Webcast August 5, 2009 — 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

There is a free live webcast on AutoCAD Architecture.

Content Browser and Tool Palettes in AutoCAD Architecture
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 — 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

http://www.adskmedia.com/architecturewebcasts/

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Key Feature Series from AUGI

In reading through my AUGI Hotnews emails after returning from a lengthy vacation, I noticed a great article series for AutoCAD Architecture 2010 features. It was written by Tharakesh Ananthakrishnan of OMNIX International Dubai who is a very knowledgeable Autodesk Authorized Instructor that I had met while presenting in Kuwait last October at the Kuwait FOCUS Users Group meeting (Amazing event by FOCUS Kuwait Users Group Meeting). Tharakesh was also the first Autodesk Certified Professional in the Middle East. I hope to get back to Kuwait and UAE really soon as the people and experience was top notch in addition to some really mind blowing construction projects using AutoCAD Architecture.

If you are looking for a nice overview of AutoCAD Architecture 2010, then this three part series is definitely worth reading to get up to speed.

You may need to register for a FREE Autodesk User Group International “AUGI” membership. With AUGI at almost 100,000 members I am pretty sure most of the readers here are already members with all the great resources offered by AUGI membership.

• AutoCAD Architecture 2010: Key Features, Part 1 – May 2009
• AutoCAD Architecture 2010: Key Features, Part 2 – June 2009
• AutoCAD Architecture 2010: Key Features, Part 3 - July 2009

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD Architecture UI Cheat Sheet Tip

Mark Kiker pointed out a hidden gem on his CADDManager Blog. In the AutoCAD Architecture 2010 documents “The User Interface Overview”. Mark has posted the handy PDF file which is located like a hidden Easter egg on the CHM Help file located at:
C:\Program Files\AutoCAD Architecture 2010\Help\aca_ui_overview.chm. 

The CHM is a interactive based Flash overview of User Interface components or at the bottom left there is an icon for the PDF. One could argue if educating yourself is cheating.

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 - User Interface Cheat Sheet

Thanks Mark!

There are also the Cue Cards for AutoCAD included in both AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture. The Cue Card is located at :
C:\Program Files\AutoCAD Architecture 2010\Help\newfeatures\acad_cue_cards_2010.pdf.

 

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 - A fresh new look tied with a ribbon by Robin Capper

Nice in depth user interface tour of AutoCAD Architecture 2010.
AutoCAD Architecture 2010 - A fresh new look tied with a ribbon

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

AutoCAD Architecture Project Basics - Learn how the Project Browser and Navigator work.

A great introductory of the key concepts of AutoCAD Architecture’s (formerly Architectural Desktop) Project & Drawing Management tools by Bill Knittle of Synergis.  Click here for article.

Will render for food...: ADT - Applying Materials

Here is a tip from Beau Turner’s ‘will render for food’ blog about applying ADT materials.  As Beau describes:

“When migrating older legacy styles and drawings forward, one of the more time consuming tasks is dealing with any program changes and/or new features. A good example of this would be migrating an existing wall style library from ADT 3.3 and lower to ADT 2006.”

Will render for food...: ADT - Applying Materials

The Architect's Desktop: Door/Window Assembly With Half-Height Sidelight

Here is a nice tutorial from David Koch’s blog, ‘The Architect’s Desktop,’ on creating door/window assemblies with a half-height sidelight.

The Architect's Desktop: Door/Window Assembly With Half-Height Sidelight

Breaking Down the Walls: Using Divisions to Manage Design Options

Although there is no purpose-built workflow for handling design options in Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, Matt Dillon has posted a great tutorial of how to approach it using Divisions in an ADT project.
Breaking Down the Walls: Using Divisions to Manage Design Options

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