Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Memory lane

LOL now I feel old... anyone remember when software came on these things?

Take a trip down memory lane and check out S. Hurley's gallery of memories

Friday, July 24, 2009

The best Revit deal ever!

And the best deal ever has just been announced.... got an old Autodesk product or on competitive software and want to move to one of the Revit Suites? then you can now do this for R 25K !!!! but be quick...pass this message on and spread the word.

email: beetied@worldsview.co.za

Revit the Frog

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Meet Andy and Ann

Fully parametric people.. meet Andy and Ann... you can position them anyway you like.... easy tiger... keep it clean! lol

Where's my command gone?

Just got your copy of Revit Architecture 2010 and faced with the new ribbon interface?

Well whether you love it or hate it, it’s here to stay and there are many reasons why Autodesk have made the transition to a ribbon style UI in the 2010 release, which include, ease of use and learning for newcomers, expandability for adding new tools and features, and aligning Revit with the other Autodesk products….

Anyhow if you are coming from a previous version of Revit then things are not where they once were. Many of the commands are easy to spot and are found under logical tabs, but a few will have you searching for a while and this is where a great little tool developed by a Nicholas Iyadurai from the Revit blog site Revitize comes in.

Simply download the utility – click here unpack the Zip and then open the .html file.

You will be presented with the previous Revit Architecture 2009 interface and when you select a tool you will then be shown where this now resides in the 2010 interface.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Autodesk Educational Software

Educad is Autodesks educational partner for South Africa and specialises in the sale and implementation / training of Autodesk educational software.

Recently launched is the new academic solutions for secondary schools

If you are a design student, or a educational lecturer you can contact lisa@educad.co.za to find out how you can get a free of charge 13 month license of any of the Autodesk products.

View DWFs in Firefox

You've been able to embed coed in web pages to enable DWF file viewing using Microsoft Internet Explorer for a long time..... well now by popular demand, the Autodesk team has created a Firefox Add-on for Autodesk Design Review that enables DWF file viewing in Mozilla Firefox for Windows!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Twitter me

Follow me on Twitter

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Update 1 Service Patch

Make sure you download Service Pack 1 for Revit Architecture 2010 (32 bit and 64 bit)

Solar Radiation Tool for Revit

Use the Solar Radiation Technology Preview to analyze the effects of solar radiation on various surfaces of your conceptual building model. Using the Solar Radiation Technology Preview during the conceptual design stage of your project can help you make fundamental design decisions about building shape, orientation, and surfaces early on, when changes are least expensive. The technology preview uses the geometry of conceptual massing elements from Revit and calculates the amount of solar radiation hitting the surfaces of the massing shapes, based on location and weather data. It is possible to display the distribution and availability of solar radiation over an entire building or even a city block. This can be particularly useful when considering shading requirements or assessing the best areas to place photovoltaics for maximum collection.

The output of the technology preview can be saved as images in the Revit project that contains the massing elements. After these images are added to the project, you can place them on sheets and print them. You can also export the images from Revit for use in presentations or for editing in external software applications.

To visit Autodesk labs click here

Autodesk Educational Software

Educad is Autodesk's Educational Partner for Africa and specializes in the distribution and implementation of Autodesk educational software. Autodesk's innovative educational programmes reflect commitment to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Autodesk has a deep commitment to meeting the changing educational and training needs of instructors, students, and industry and business professionals. We know that today's students are tomorrow's professionals, and we want to make sure that they have the chance to use the design tools they'll need for successful careers. That's why we're helping institutions invest in the future by offering substantial discounts, innovative subscription offerings, grant programs, training, and curricula.

Educad offers:

  • Specially priced software-purchasing options tailored for educational institutions, students, and faculty classroom support, including standardized curricula developed by educators, and a rich assortment of online learning resources.
  • For more information on our educational offering click here

Educad's mission

Through actively engaging our educational clients we bring innovation and enhanced creativity to the classroom and assist educational institutions in giving their students a head start on exciting careers!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Am I compliant with my Autodesk software?

To dispel misperceptions about software licence compliancy, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions we receive on the subject.

Q. When I bought my PC it already had the Autodesk software loaded on it. Is that legal?

A. If your hardware provider purchased an operating system for you, loaded, authorised and registered it to you – it’s legal. However, if your hardware provider’s software was loaded on to your machine – it's illegal. Autodesk software is very specialised and it is unlikely that you would have asked your hardware supplier to purchase and load it onto your PC. Be suspicious if you get a new PC with Autodesk software on it. There’s a good chance that it’s illegal.


Q. How do I know whether the software on my PC is legal?

A. There are several ways to verify the authenticity of your software.

1. Check to whom your software is registered. Press Help > About AutoCAD (or the name of your software). You will immediately see to whom the software is licensed and the product ID number.
2. However, if the serial number is 112-11 11 11 11, 123-45678900 or 000-00000000, it is illegal.
3. The foolproof way of checking the authenticity of your software is to call the Autodesk distributor, WorldsView Technologies, on (011) 805-1555 and check your serial number against those listed on the distributor database..


Q. How do I ensure that I’m buying my Autodesk software from an accredited Autodesk reseller?

A. In South Africa, Autodesk sells its software through a channel of authorised resellers. These resellers display authorised Autodesk reseller logos on signage and documentation. Their names are listed here (click – hyperlink to listing) and also on the Autodesk web site – www.autodesk.co.za. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of your reseller, contact Shareen Rhone on (011) 805-1555 for verification.


Q. I have been offered second-hand software at a really good price. Why shouldn’t I take it?

A. As per the Autodesk End User License Agreement, ownership of software isn’t transferable. It can only be used by the person/company to whom it is registered. Someone can’t sell you second-hand software. For example, companies that sell old computers to their staff should remove all software from the machines. According to the regulations, the new owners should purchase and install their own software.


Q. My company is using illegal Autodesk software. How do I rectify the situation?

A. Autodesk’s sub-Sahara Africa distributor, WorldsView Technologies, has established a unit to flush out users of unlicensed software. You can report illegal use of software anonymously to the team – simply email: legalisation@worldsview.co.za, or select the "Report Illegal User" option on the menu. An investigative team from WorldsView Technologies will initiate communication with suspected illegal software users, giving them the opportunity to either refute the allegations or legalise their software. Companies that fail to respond to the unit’s communications are handed over to the legal authorities.


Q. Nobody is ever going to catch me using illegal software so why shouldn’t I continue using it?

A. Many illegal users believe they are doing nothing wrong, but using illegal software is theft. If you believe it’s wrong to steal, then don’t use illegal software. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) and software developers in South Africa are committed to rooting out unlicensed software users. To date, we have legalized numerous companies across the continent and our work continues to gain momentum.


Q. We have bought a few legal licences of Autodesk software. Surely it’s not illegal to share them around the office.

A. Software over-use is illegal. When you purchase a licence, it is for one specific user only. This is even applicable to Network Licenses.


Q. I sometimes work at home. Can I copy my workstation software onto my notebook for use at home?

A. Yes, as long as you are the only user. You would have a ‘floating’ licence, which would give you, and only you, access to one of your machines at a time. For more information about the “PLU” or Portable License Utility, click here. (Hyper link to Autodesk Website) See Attached


Q. Using illegal software costs me nothing. Why shouldn’t I carry on using it?

A. Predominantly because using illegal software is theft. If you believe that theft is wrong then don’t use illegal software Also the costs of using unauthorised software are greater than you imagine. Firstly, you don’t have access to Autodesk support and backup, which seriously hampers your productivity if your system goes down. Secondly, a corrupt file in the software you loaded on your machine/machines puts the integrity of your data at serious risk. The legal costs and bad publicity you’ll incur when you are caught outweigh the initial cost of the software.

However, legal users who audit and monitor their software, have 24/7 access to Autodesk technical support, ensuring that productivity is never impeded.


Q. I have looked on the Internet and want to buy my software from an e-store based in the USA. Can I do this?

A. Autodesk software is licensed for specific regions. (America, EMEA, Asia Pacific) It is illegal to use software purchased in another region. Therefore software that is going to be used in Africa must be purchased from an African authorised Autodesk reseller. This is why e-stores will not allow users outside of the USA to purchase the software.

In cases where a company is transferring an office to another region, ‘country transfer’ licences can be purchased, legalising your licence in the country of transfer. Click here to contact your Autodesk Channel Partner to “transfer you licence” (Maybe put licence transfer documents as a download for the users?)

Revit MEP for Mechanical, Electrical and Piping engineers

In these turbulent times, you’re probably looking for ways in which to avoid the impact of the crashing global economy, and you’re turning your sights from ‘nice to have’ to ‘need to have’. Survival is the crucial concern, through cost savings, pricing, productivity, risk aversion, the competitive advantage ...

Building information modelling (BIM) is the way ahead for those engaged in the design of buildings and service systems. BIM the Autodesk way.

Revit MEP helps professionals experience their designs before building starts, enabling more accuracy in the creation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within a BIM (building information modelling) environment.

Autodesk NavisWorks helps design professionals to unite their contributions into a single, synchronised building information model. By enabling team members to reliably share, combine, review, and perfect detailed 3D designs of any size or format, NavisWorks is the heart of BIM workflow.

Revit MEP - the BIM solution for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering and design

Revit MEP software works the way engineers and designers of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems think. Created purely for building information modelling (BIM), Revit MEP helps minimise coordination errors between the engineering and architectural teams working on integrated projects. All changes are automatically coordinated everywhere in the project. Design and documentation stay coordinated, consistent, and complete. Partner applications and built-in analysis software support cost-effective and environmentally sustainable design.

Revit MEP allows you to communicate your design intentions through the intuitive creation of building-services systems with real-world information. The suite of software is a powerful solution that allows collaboration between the designers and the builders, streamlining communications and business processes to help ensure successful project completion. Revit MEP meets the demand for integrated practice, sustainable solutions, globalisation, customer loyalty and more, ensuring greater productivity and return on investment.

NavisWorks - the way to achieve complete software-coordinated project control

Autodesk NavisWorks software solutions enable professionals engaged in project design and building to unite their contributions into a single, synchronised building information model. The product helps team members to reliably share, combine, review and perfect detailed three-dimensional design models of any size or format. Autodesk NavisWorks solutions are at the heart of your building information modelling (BIM) workflow.
Autodesk NavisWorks consists of four products to help you and your extended teams experience enhanced control, confident collaboration, and information aggregation on even your most complex projects.

NavisWorks facilitates real-time, whole-project view for effective 3D coordination, 4D planning, photorealistic visualisation, dynamic simulation and analysis. With is you can stream large models and content intelligently from disk or Internet, enabling navigation around the design as the model loads. NavisWorks permits the combining of models, regardless of file format, into a single unified model. It gives you smooth, real-time navigation with a range of tools and provides gravity, collision detection, and customisable third person avatars. Navigation through models without moving through walls is yet another advantage.

Autodesk Subscription Features & Benefits

Software Upgrades

Autodesk Subscription protects your investment in your design technology and helps you stay competitive by keeping your design software up to date. For the term of your subscription contract, you are entitled to receive all software releases and updates at no additional charge for products on subscription.

Feature Extensions

Features extensions provide new functionality and/or feature enhancements between major releases. Extensions are frequently added and can be downloaded from the Subscription Centre – the single, online location where you can quickly access the many features of Subscription.

Web Support

With web support you get direct, one-to-one communication with Autodesk support technicians for answers to your installations, configuration, and troubleshooting questions. Web and email communications deliver support straight to your desktop.

Exclusive License Terms

Autodesk Subscription makes managing software licenses easier. You’ll have added flexibility to allow your employees to use their Autodesk software in the office or at home. Better yet, designers are entitled to run previous versions of the software concurrently with the latest release under certain conditions, so customers can chose which version to use.

e-Learning

e-Learning lessons give customers a quick and easy way to learn about the features and functionality of most current products and previous versions. Choose from a range of online tutorials by logging into Subscription Center or by accessing e-Learning directly from your products. These short lessons are available on demand and complement more in-depth training provided through Autodesk Authorized Training Centers or Autodesk Authorized Resellers.

Autodesk Subscription - Contract Manager, Coordinator & User

Did you know that as a subscription member, the person whose name appears on the Autodesk contract will need to register to Autodesk Subscription Centre to give access to all users?

Not sure where to start?

A Contract Manager receives renewal notices and has full contract related privileges within Subscription Center. They give access to named users.

The Software Coordinator is named by the Contract Manager to receive email notification to order or download applicable new releases or extensions and to receive shipments of upgrades. They can also name users to access the Subscription Center.

A User is any person invited by the Contract Manager / Software Coordinator to access the member only Subscription center, including e-learning and web support. They may also be granted download privileges for upgrades.

How do I change user(s) or change user access to downloads etc.?

Access the Subscription Center and click on View / Edit Users found under Manage users in the Subscription Administration.

Survive the economic tsunami

AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite
Preserve your current investment in technology and training and gain the competitive advantage of building information modeling—all at your own pace.

AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite
Get all the latest AutoCAD functionality and preserve your investment in technology and training, while adding the competitive advantage of building information modeling that comes with automatically coordinated construction documents.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing
AutoCAD® Structural Detailing software, built on the AutoCAD® platform, enhances productivity with precise detailing and fabrication shop drawings for steel and concrete structures

AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite
Autodesk combines AutoCAD® software-based documentation productivity with the competitive advantages of building information modelling in one solution for MEP engineering design and documentation.

Design Brief 23

The recently launched 2010 products from Autodesk offer unprecedented functionality, including hundreds of innovative features that allow you to better experience your ideas digitally.

Industry news letters:

Step-up, Subscribe & Save

Wring every cent of profit from your projects, especially if you’re finding business slow right now. And if it’s the skills shortage you need to beat, summon peak efficiency and output from your team. You can do it by creating, documenting and communicating your ideas before they’re real.

Give yourself the best advantage possible by using the latest digital modelling tools now – rather than later.

We’re making upgrades possible – even in the tough times – by offering big savings. Get 30%* off, with Subscription, before 15th  September 2009.

If an outright purchase is beyond your reach right now, investigate our long-term financing option. But don’t delay - buy now for the best savings.

Either click here for a reseller to contact you, or phone Bettie Deetlefs on
+27 (0)11 805 1555 for assistance.

Don’t wait to upgrade!
  • If you have Autodesk 2007 products that are retiring you have a limited time to upgrade.
    As of 16 March 2010, you’ll no longer receive upgrade pricing or technical support for your products.
  • 2008 and 2009 software holders should upgrade before 15 March 2010 to lock into the
    current upgrade pricing. After that date, upgrades from your software will cost 50% of the full price
    of a new licence.
Upgrade with Autodesk Subscription and you gain from all the other productivity-boosting benefits of Autodesk Subscription, including:
  • Home licence use or previous version use*
  • Extensions and bonus tools
  • Web support
  • Instant access to training
  • Exclusive knowledge base.
Now is the time to upgrade! Click here and register for more information, demos, hands-on tests and trial CDs. You can also contact Bettie Deetlefs on +27 (0)11 805 1555 for details about how best to upgrade.