The Dirt

Autodesk & Bentley Announce DWG/DGN Interoperabilty Initiative

This is great news!

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and EXTON, Pa., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At a joint press conference, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) and Bentley Systems, Incorporated, two of the leading providers of design and infrastructure software, today announced an agreement to expand interoperability between their portfolios of architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) software. Autodesk and Bentley will exchange software libraries, including Autodesk RealDWG, to improve the ability to read and write the companies' respective DWG and DGN formats in mixed environments with greater fidelity. In addition, the two companies will facilitate work process interoperability between their AEC applications through supporting the reciprocal use of available Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). With this agreement, the companies aim to improve AEC workflows by enabling broader reuse of information generated during the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure, and by enhancing the ability of project teams to choose among multiple software sources.

Interoperability has emerged as a critical issue for users of design and engineering software. A 2004 study by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology found that users bear direct costs of almost $16 billion annually from time wasted due to inadequate AEC software interoperability. By virtue of this agreement, and the interoperable offerings that it will enable, AEC firms will be free to employ software tools of choice from either Autodesk or Bentley to accept or submit either DWG or DGN files. By improving fidelity of work shared between the two file formats, users will be able to focus on being creative and getting work done, rather than being constrained by file-compatibility considerations.

Through supporting the reciprocal use of their available APIs, Autodesk and Bentley will enable AEC project teams to combine products from both providers within integrated workflows. For instance, a design team could use a mixture of Autodesk and Bentley software, such as Autodesk's Revit platform and Bentley's STAAD and RAM structural products, and simulate and analyze their designs or manage project information using Autodesk NavisWorks software or Bentley's ProjectWise.

Norbert Young, FAIA, president of McGraw-Hill Construction and former chairman of the International Alliance for Interoperability in North America, said, "This groundbreaking agreement directly addresses many of the critical issues detailed in the October 2007 McGraw-Hill Construction study on interoperability in the construction industry (http://construction.ecnext.com/mcgraw_hill/includes/SMRI.pdf). I applaud both companies for their foresight and leadership."

Added Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, CEO of global architectural firm HOK and a founder and current chairman of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), "As a longtime advocate of interoperability, I welcome this agreement as an important step toward enabling AEC information to be more broadly shared, increasing the value of BIM to our clients."

"Autodesk recognizes that many customers use our products in mixed environments, and this agreement will help to better support these firms," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. "As part of our commitment to provide technology that improves productivity and efficiency across the AEC industry, we're pleased to enter into this agreement with Bentley Systems -- Autodesk's largest development partner -- and together help customers design, build, operate, and maintain the world's infrastructure."

"Bentley and Autodesk share a goal of enabling the creation and operations of better-performing infrastructure," said Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems. "Realizing that our mutual users bear unnecessary costs resulting from lack of interoperability, we came together to finally make information reuse the norm. By raising its sights beyond file format issues, the resource- constrained AEC community can better serve us all."

About Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Bentley is the global leader dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Architects, engineers, constructors, and owner-operators are indispensable in improving our world and our quality of life; the company's mission is to improve the performance of their projects and of the assets they design, build, and operate. Bentley sustains the infrastructure professions by helping to leverage information technology, learning, best practices, and global collaboration -- and by promoting careers devoted to this crucial work.

Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 2,800 colleagues, offices in more than 50 countries, annual revenues surpassing $500 million, and since 1993, has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions. Nearly 90 percent of the Engineering News-Record Top Design Firms are Bentley subscribers, and a 2008 Daratech study ranked Bentley as the world's #2 provider of geospatial software solutions. For additional information about Bentley, visit http://www.bentley.com/.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, DWG, Revit, and NavisWorks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. Bentley, the "B" Bentley logo, STAAD, RAM, and ProjectWise are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)

   Press Contacts:

   FOR BENTLEY:
   Ron Kuhfeld
   +1 610 321 6493
   ron.kuhfeld@bentley.com

   FOR AUTODESK:
   Noah Cole
   +1 415 200 6310
   noah.cole@autodesk.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

CONTACT: Noah Cole of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-200-6310,
noah.cole@autodesk.com; or Ron Kuhfeld of Bentley Systems, Incorporated,
+1-610-321-6493, ron.kuhfeld@bentley.com

Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/
http://www.bentley.com/

Land Desktop 2009 - That's all folks!

2009 will be the last release of Land Desktop.  See this LINK for the official word on Autodesk.com.

Many of you Land Desktop veterans, myself included, have already made the move forward to Civil 3D.  If you are still on the fence about why you should migrate to Civil 3D the answer is clear.

Land Desktop is a static, model based application.  Civil 3D is a dynamic, model based application.  You simply cannot compare the two . . . it's apples to elephants.  Those of you who have made the jump and are well aware of the competitive advantages that dynamic modeling provides.  If you are not clear about this I urge you to read the customer testimonials and success stories that can be found HERE.

For those of you who remember the DOS to Windows migration . . . could you imagine actually going back to DOS?  I can assure you that the same is true for moving forward from Land Desktop to Civil 3D.  Yes, there is a learning curve, but once you are through it your productivity will soar and you will never look back!

My New Team

I thought it was high time you guys met my new team.  Make no mistake these photos look like they are all about fun in the sun . . . but I can assure you these folks work even harder than they play.  At just about every gathering we find a way to get out and have some fun.

(Above) The North American Key Accounts Technical Managers:

(L to R in the back) Darryl McClelland, Mike Maibach, Mike Kotanian, Daryl Bookout, Me (Front) Peter Terwilliger

(Above) Most of the Key Accounts Team at Fenway Park in Boston, MA - sad as it is some are not Red Sox fans!

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Selects Autodesk 3-D Design Tools for Road and Highway Design

I have been waiting VERY patiently to send this out.  The Wisconsin DOT has selected AutoCAD Civil 3D.  Read the PRESS RELEASE HERE.

Fossil Fuels and Aviation

I was on yet another airplane this week and it occurred to me that aviation is, at present, completely and totally dependent on fossil fuels.

Naturally curious I started doing some digging about oil futures etc. on line and it comes down to this (yes, I am paraphrasing in a BIG way)  The optimistic view is that the world's oil reserves will be gone in 40 years.  The pessimists say 20 years.  For arguments sake lets say that the earth's oil supply will be gone sometime in the next 30 years.

This will no doubt have a profound impact on, well, everything.

There are electric cars, boats, lawn mowers, etc.  But electricity is simply no solution for aviation.  An electric airplane?  So my conclusion is that Aviation's present methods of propulsion are doomed.  To my mind there are no alternatives.  When you think about the impact that will have on the global economy it really is difficult to contemplate.  Suffice it to say that it is an intimidating thing to ponder.

I'm no conspiracy theorist and I have always considered myself an optimist but this has one has me stumped and a bit concerned.

I think an obvious solution is rail.  The advances in rail travel continue to significant.  However there is no economically viable rail solution for crossing oceans.  Most modern rail systems, including the high speed rail systems in Europe and Asia, are electric.

I've blogged about using AutoCAD Civil 3D as a design tool for rail design so to all of you way-over-the-horizon thinkers who's job it is to do long term market predictions specific to civil engineering I say think rail - and use your frequent flyer miles while you can!

At least until someone has a moment of clarity about an alternative to kerosene for turbines and AVGAS for piston engine aircraft.  Hydrogen perhaps?  Hmm, remember the Hindenberg?

Autodesk Unveils Autodesk Seek Web Service for AEC Industries

Autodesk’s New Web Services Empowers Architects, Engineers and Designers to Search, Select and Specify Building Products from within their Design Applications

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 7, 2008 — Driving the move to integrate rich information directly into building designs, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the launch of Autodesk Seek, a groundbreaking web service that allows architects, engineers and designers to search, select and specify building products using Autodesk’s advanced search technology.

Autodesk Seek provides a consolidated online source for building product design information and delivers information-rich results – including relevant design files in multiple formats from within the customer’s design applications. Design files can be easily dropped directly into the designer’s building model or drawing, reducing the need to recreate individual components in the design. This embedded search functionality is now available in the 2009 U.S versions of Autodesk’s Revit-based software applications, as well as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP. The web service is also available through standard browsers at http://seek.autodesk.com.

“Autodesk Seek enhances designers’ productivity by helping to eliminate the pain of looking for specific building product information and their associated design files, which are often scattered across various sources such as catalogs and online libraries,” said Jeff Wright, director, Content Solutions, at Autodesk. “With this new Autodesk web service, architects, designers and building engineers can now more easily focus on what they do best – creating innovative building designs."

Today’s announcement around search reinforces Autodesk’s push to empower architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms by delivering new applications and technology solutions that build on the foundations of building information modeling (BIM), and that support its customers’ need to create, predict and deliver their ideas in increasingly more optimal and more effective ways.

The Autodesk Seek web service connects the millions of designers in the AutoCAD and Revit communities with the building products of manufacturers who understand the value of making their product information available to designers at the right time and the right place – in the design software application. Benefits to users and suppliers include:

· Access – Designers working in AutoCAD and Revit-based applications can quickly access specifications and design files among a universe of building products and insert them directly into their drawings or building models.

· Precision – Designers can find what they are looking for based on key product characteristics (e.g., dimensions, materials or “green” performance criteria) through the Autodesk Seek parametric search engine.

· Standards – Autodesk Seek supports industry data standards and design formats, allowing architects and engineers using any design package to access a breadth of product information from their desktops.

· Reusability – Designers can find and re-use models rather than searching for information each time they begin a new project. Manufacturers’ product information investments can be reused in other online initiatives.

Autodesk Seek is slated to be showcased at AIA Expo2008 in Boston, May 15-17, at Autodesk booth #20121.

In the months ahead, Autodesk Seek content and categories will continue to expand to support new industries and products, with the addition of further building product manufacturers (BPMs) and partners.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Revit, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.  Autodesk reserves the right tot alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trimble Link for Civil 3D 2009

Trimble Link for Civil 3D 2009 is now available.  That was fast!

Vote for the AU Classes You Want . . .

Something new this year—Autodesk would like you to help us select the best 500-plus sessions.

We have uploaded all of the sessions (that were submitted by the deadline) to AU 2008 Session site and we need your input. Topics are organized under 19 tracks, which are either an industry or a product.  If you are considering attending AU, please take a few minutes to vote for sessions that you absolutely want to see.

Over the next few weeks, we will review all those submissions and whittle them down to the number we can actually physically accommodate in the Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Registration for AU will start on August 15th, and one week earlier for AU members.  Class schedules will be available for review by August 1st.

Thank you in advance for helping us select the most interesting classes. The deadline for voting is Saturday, May 3, 2008

Vote now!

Alaska Gas Pipeline

Check out this PROJECT featured in the New York Times . . . it's likely to become the largest construction project in North America.

3DConfig Setting For Civil 3D

I am in Dallas at Autodesk Tech Camp.  I just spent 10 minutes with the guys from Nvidia video cards at their booth.  My Dell Precision M90 laptop has one of their cards in it so I wanted to know if they knew any tricks for speeding up video performance, etc.

What I learned I have to share . . .

1. At the command line in Civil 3D type 3DCONFIG.
2. Toggle off ADAPTIVE DEGRADATION
3. Select the Manual Tune button
4. Toggle on HARDWARE ACCELERATION
5. Pick OK twice to exit the 3DCONFIG command

Now enjoy the difference.  It made such a big difference on my laptop I had to run up here to room to make this post.  Thank you Willy Ortiz with PNY.  3D Orbit and the Object Viewer are once again a pleasure to use!

Forgive me if this is old news and I'm the last to know - that has happened before.