RobiNZ CAD Blog

Goodbye MyFeedback, hello beta.autodesk.com

1,683 days ago I joined the Autodesk beta portal MyFeedback.com. Today MyFeedback goes off-line forever, to be replaced by a new community on a new platform: http://beta.autodesk.com

I was just one of a huge community of users & Autodeskers who participated in product alpha/beta discussions in MyFeedback. While much of what went on remains hidden behind a cloak of NDA here are a few notable memories;

The AU Plane: A MyFeedback competition, sponsored by the AutoCAD Platform Group, resulted a paper plane that flew all the way from New Zealand to Autodesk University. My, then six year old, niece thought I had gone mad trying to film a paper plane flying around the garden in the rain!

Finding a bug: This screen-shot from my home PC shows even fellow insects helped to find bugs in MyFeedback. Seems fitting it was a Mantis!

The Avatar Horrors; Changing avatars presented quite a challenge, the subject. My last one (above right with my stats) was me at a "Royal Style Banquet" in Viet Nam. Others have included:

 

The Benefits: Beta does take some time but there are also real commercial benefits. Several times I have completely changed my plans based on what I knew from beta discussions & trials. The best example of that was canning a planned reorganisation of our Store CAD folder structures. It would have been completed just months before Architectural Desktop 2004's Project Manager feature arrived. The new structure was based on Projects, seen in the beta, and their content management features which have saved countless hours updating store projects as content has evolved.

A glimpse behind the scenes: It can be frustrating when you see problems reported in the beta appear in release code, along with the frustrated user cries of "Why didn't this get found in beta?". Often they were seen and debated intensely behind the NDA firewall. However, one other benefit of MyFeedback involvement has been a glimpse of the shear effort involved in creating, releasing and maintaining complex applications.

It's amazing how an apparently simple fix can impact many aspects of the application, partner applications and even localisation. If nothing else you see these applications are not the output of a faceless corporation, but rather hardworking dedicated people striving to deliver the best product they can. It's also apparent that many factors, not just technical, can impact their ability to do so...

The Community: Thanks to all who were involved running and participating in MyFeedback. It's been a privilege working with you, meeting some at Autodesk University and cad events closer to home. In fact I "met" several Kiwi cad users on MyFeedback long before meeting them in person! While most posts were project related MyFeedback really was a community of beta users with personal (wedding, baby etc) and off-topic threads tolerated by the beta teams. I hope some of that will happen in the new space.

The Future: If you are a MyFeedback user accounts will not be automatically migrated. Both existing and new people who want to be involved should sign up at: http://beta.autodesk.com

Autodesk license borrowed from... gone! What now?

I had an AutoCAD license borrowed while upgrading the server to a new license file. Handing it back proved to be a problem because the lic had gone. A quick trip to the Autodesk Discussion Group revealed a few solutions;

• Wait – At the end of the Borrow period the orphan license will die. On next launch the application gets a new one from the new lic.
• Change the date on the machine to after the borrow period – This is a time warp version of “Wait”.
• Delete the borrow key from the registry – Like any registry edit approach this with extreme caution. Removing the key elapses the borrowed license allowing the new lic to function.

Revit User Group "Ribbonisation" presentation links

Last week I presented to the Revit User Group Auckland about "ribbonisation". It was a background to the development of the Fluent User Interface, otherwise known as "the ribbon", based on several presentations I have seen over the years. I suspect it was possibly the only presentation ever given to a Revit User Group with more Microsoft Office and AutoCAD content than Revit!

All the content was drawn from public sources, mostly blogs and presentations. I had permission to use it for the presentation and can share those sources here. If you're interested in User Experience/Interface development there is plenty of reading/viewing to satisfy your curiosity. If you haven't seen Jensen Harris' "The story of the ribbon" Video & PowerPoint it's an excellent place to start. For Revit specific content look at the Autodesk "The factory" and "Dux" blogs.

Microsoft Public Blogs:

• Jensen Harris’ Office UX Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/
• The story of the ribbon - This post links to PowerPoint and Video of Jensen's Mix Fluent UX Presentation. It's a comprehensive and fascinating look at the evolution of the Office User Experience.
• Office 2010 Team Blog – blogs.technet.com/office2010
• Engineering Windows 7 Blog - blogs.msdn.com/e7/

Autodesk User Experience Public Blogs:

• Autodesk blog Index (by product/team) - blogs.autodesk.com
• Designing the User Experience - dux.typepad.com
• Autodesk User Experience Team Blog with posts from many platform teams
• Inside the Factory - insidethefactory.typepad.com
• The Revit Factory Blog with lots of comment on the new Revit UX
• Autodesk Labs Blog – Technology Previews for existing and new applications/services. It's where the Inventor Ribbon was shared for trial/evaluation.
• The Building Coder –  Post about the Revit Ribbon API

You can participate in these blogs using comments. Click the comment link at the end of each post (article). Name and email address are required but email address will not be displayed with the comment. The optional TypePad Profile will auto-complete your sign in and soon offer other more community features.

Autodesk Beta Customer Feedback:

If you want to be involved in Autodesk Beta Feedback (private and subject to non-disclosure agreements) sign up at http://beta.autodesk.com

• You will need to fill out a profile with your hardware, products used, type of work, level of experience (they need all from novice to expert) and the level of participation you’d like to offer from completing surveys only to full application beta.
• Beta invitations are issued based on your profile and the product team requirements for various platforms.

Other resources shown:

• Autodesk Labs Project Dragonfly Web based AEC design
• Info; labs.blogs.com/its_alive_in_the_lab/project-dragonfly/
• Site; http://dragonfly.labs.autodesk.com/
• Revit 2009 to 2010 Command Guide - revitize.blogspot.com - Link to post with on-line and download versions
• Inventor Ribbon White Paper from IMAGINiT Technologies whitepaper posted to forums.augi.com/Inventor
• Matt Lombard on Solid Works 2008 Ribbon - www.dezignstuff.com
  

Remembering Korea, Incheon joins the Digital Cities Initiative

This Autodesk press release reminded me of attending a conference in Korea back in 2006. At that stage it was more about BIM and the new Songdo City, currently in construction. The next logical step after BIM is aggregating them in Digital City models. It seems Korea wants to be at the forefront of that with Incheon joining Songdo to be their second Digital City Model.

Maybe the new "Auckland Super City", a proposed amalgamation of several local bodies, should focus on building a digital city infrastructure model? Auckland doesn't have a huge population (~1.4 Million) but covers a large area. With infrastructure management rationalisation being one of the justifications for the change why not do it properly?

Autodesk Announces Incheon, Korea as Second City of its Digital Cities Initiative - Autodesk - Press Room
Company Working with IFEZ and IUDC to Build First Asian Digital City

ActiveWord for Wolfram|Alpha

This ActiveWord will query the new Wolfram|Alpha Computational Knowledge Engine. Execute the ActiveWord and this dialog appears, enter the search term, ActiveWords will launch your browser with the query entered in Wolfram|Alpha. It's early days for my use but so far just the city & date searches have been very useful.

Create a "Navigate ActiveWord" with this URL in the action field:

"http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=<INPUTBOX:"Ask Wolfram|Alpha:":Ask Wolfram|Alpha>"

UPDATE 2009-05-22: I've added the missing "|" to Wolfram|Alpha in the code but not updated the images

Tags: Wolfram|Alpha

New Zealand Autodesk Solutions Day 2009 (2010 Product Launch)

I'll be at the Auckland June 4th event, see you there! Here's the blurb:

The Autodesk Solutions Day 2009 is aimed at professionals' involved in the design, construction and management of government and commercial projects within the Building, Civil, Geospatial and Manufacturing market place. This all day event will showcase the latest products, services and technology.

They are happening in Christchurch late May, Auckland early June.

Contact your New Zealand Autodesk reseller for details and to register!

Sum time in Excel

If I ever resolved this in the past I'd forgotten how, so here it is for next time. Thanks to MrExcel for the cell format that makes sense of summed Hour/Minute time values in Excel. By default (at least in 2003 which I'm using at work) you get a meaningless number until the cell format is changed. Strange thing is the sum value in the status bar has the correct formatting/result!

How do I sum time values? www.mrexcel.com

I wonder why Excel 2003 doesn't apply this automatically?

Stubborn language settings in Office Outlook 2003?

It won't concern US readers but I had a problem where the language in Outlook defaulted back to US English. This was in-spite of setting the default language in other Office applications. The solution turned out to be setting the language in the separate Office Tools application rather than within the Office Application itself.

• In Microsoft Windows XP, on the Windows Start menu:
  • Go to All Programs > Microsoft Office > Microsoft Office Tools
  • Click Microsoft Office [version] Language Settings
  • In the "Choose the language that defines the default behaviour in Microsoft Office Applications" section select the language you want, OK to apply

Notice of Revit User Group Auckland May Meeting

Details of the next Revit User Group - Auckland (RUGAKL) meeting:

 Wednesday 20th May
 
Please note Change in Location for this month again
 
At  BECA Vincent Street Offices 
Level 2, 132 Vincent Street

Please meet in the foyer on the ground floor to be guided to Level 2
Best Parking is in the Civic Carpark
 
Join us from 5.30pm for Drinks and Nibbles ($5 donation-receipts available)
 
AGENDA
 
6pm: Welcome, General Business and Presentation Introduction - Kerry Thompson
 
Presentations: 
 
1. Revit MEP - Otago Stadium  Presented by Roy Qian from Aurecon (formally Connell Wagner)  
2. Ribbonisation - a background into the Ribbon. Presented by Robin Capper from The Warehouse 

Please RSVP via the link on  the website - http://www.rugakl.org/ - by 5pm Tuesday prior to the meeting  (for catering  purposes)

Un-Inventor LT Technology Previewing

I removed the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview from my machine as it expired May 1st.

Important announcement for Autodesk Inventor LT users (posted March 1st)

Un-installing, via add/remove programs, was trouble free* except for one aspect. I found the file association for .dwg files was still trying to use Inventor when a file was opened from Explorer. Changing the association from Explorer didn't seem to help so I tried a repair install of AutoCAD Architecture which restored it's .dwg association.

Now it's not free, would I buy Inventor LT?

That's complicated by the rather strange product offer in our region. While the US & Canada get Inventor LT as a stand-alone product in New Zealand it's going to be bundled with AutoCAD LT. While there is nothing wrong with the junior AutoCAD I wouldn't want it when I already have a full AutoCAD license in the form or AutoCAD Architecture or Revit Architecture Suite.

While I found Inventor LT an interesting learning tool I didn't use it enough over the preview period to justify purchasing it. Within it's limitations, parts rather than assemblies, I can see it being a good value tool for a machine shop wanting to try 3D design, and they might want AutoCAD LT too!

* If you've had any problems removing yours this post on the Labs blog might be of help; 

Un-installing Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview 2009

Clearly, AutoCAD needs transparency so tell them why

Autodesk Design Review can do transparent fills, AutoCAD (& Revit too) need it. If you have an opinion on this have your say in this survey:

We Want Your Feedback on Transparency Support in AutoCAD - Between The Lines Blog

Presenting with Powerpoint, more to it than just great slides

Olivia Mitchell has great advice on how to deliver a PowerPoint based presentation that stands out from the crowd... 

Little-used methods to make the delivery of your PowerPoint stand out

There’s a revolution in the design of PowerPoint slides, but not the delivery.
Most speakers still rely on their slides to cue them. They click, they talk, click, talk, click, talk…
Here are five methods that will make the delivery of your PowerPoint presentation stand out...

Phil, the ribbon cuts?

In 2001 a guy walked into our office with a new design application. He passionately demonstrated it and left an impression. While the software was Revitlutionary the thing I really value from that day is knowing Phil Read. We've met occasionally over the years, both at AU and nearer home, and while I don't always share his opinions I have always left those meetings inspired by his passion, vision and ability.

It appears that those attending Autodesk University this year will be denied that opportunity:

Your Regularly Scheduled Programming Will Not Be Seen Tonight... Arch | Tech  

I was informed today by ADSK that my proposed sessions should not be a part of AU 2009 and someone else should manage Building Design Power Track...

That's a mistake of epic proportions. Although it seems the decision has been made I've shown my protest by visiting AU On-line and voting for these two sessions: 

AU 2009 Session Proposals:
1. Insanely Great Stairs and Railings with Autodesk Revit
2. The Rise of the Phonix: The Design and Construction of NBC Universal Studios Backlot with Autodesk Revit  

Also see this comment from Guy: Grow up Autodesk

Notice of Revit User Group Wellington May Meeting

Details of the next Revit User Group - Wellington (RUGWELL) meeting and 60 second NZ BIM Content Survey

 27th May 2009 - Meeting No. 13 - Proposed Agenda

Location : Beca's Offices, 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington, New Zealand
5:30 pm : Doors Open
6:00 pm : Welcome and Presentation Kick off. 
CPD Points available : 15 (NZRAB)

Presentations:

1.      Presentation No1. "Automating Revit" - Review of the KiwiCodes (wall bracing and lintel tool) plug-in for Revit by Philip Miller (the Developer of KiwiCodes)
2.      Presentation No2. "Managing Revit Families" - A how to guide to building a "smart" BIM door and have it automatically generate door hardware schedules within Revit by Jason Howden.
3.      Presentation No3. "Navisworks for BIM" - Back by popular demand... Peter Davies of Beca will present how they are using Navisworks to coordinate the design of very large/complex projects.

Open session - Please email your Revit problems so we can answer them in the "Tips and Tricks" open session.

8:00 pm : Wind down

Click here to complete the 60 second NZ BIM Content Survey

If you would like to host an event please email me, it would be great this year to get around a few of the other practises to mix things up a little.
 
Please rsvp to Jason@archaus.co.nz so we can make sure there are enough seats. A suggested $5 donation would be appreciated to help to cover costs of the refreshments.

Align, now in AutoCAD LT!

Over on the AutoCAD LT blog Kate has a great post with demos of my favourite "forgotten" AutoCAD command. Why move, rotate, even scale, when you can just:

Align objects in AutoCAD LT* 2010 - ltunlimited.typepad.com

* Although it's shown in LT, new for 2010, Align works the same in AutoCAD

Augmented Lego Reality

Remember the cool Augmented Reality I saw at the Autodesk Gallery, and seen at Autodesk University  2008. The Gadgeteer  found it in a Lego Store!

Our Lego Store Goes High-Tech

"Imagine a magic mirror that when you hold a Lego box in front of it, a three dimensional hologram of the Lego model appears sitting virtually on top of the box"

David and the (AutoCAD Architecture 2010) Ribbon

David Koch is working through an extremely detailed tour of the new AutoCAD Architecture 2010 User Interface on his blog The Architect's Desktop. Part 3 concentrates on the Home Tab of the Ribbon, earlier posts on the Application Button and Ribbon modes.

AutoCAD® Architecture 2010 - UI Changes:

• Part 1 - The Application Menu
• Part 2 – Resizing the Ribbon
• Part 3 - The Ribbon, Home Tab

A few TypePad Tips...

I've been asked how I made some of the changes in my recent mini blog make over. I wanted to clean the design and make the layout more predictable. The honest answer is I knew what I wanted but wasn't sure how to get there. The simple answer was to find someone who did. It turns out the answers came from two sources, but one author!

Cleaning the Banner

I wanted to remove TypePad's default boarder around the banner image. TypePad has a good knowledge base but a recent series of posts is fleshing out the technical detail using a demonstration blog as the example:

Everything TypePad: Removing Your Banner's Margin
TypePad indents banners 15 pixels down and 15 pixels to the right. This leaves the background color (the green) showing around the banner while chopping off 15 pixels off the right-side. I don't want that for this blog. Let's get rid of it...

Give me space, and control!

I was using a "fluid" width was tolerable on normal screens but on wide/large monitors shorter posts "fluided" to one long line! TypePad offer. I'm not interested in becoming a CSS expert but a new service allowed me to ask someone who is:

Larger Main Column width? TypePad - www.getsatisfaction.com
Could we have more. wider, fixed main column widths in the standard template, 500pix is not enough...

It only took a few lines of custom code and the help of someone who knew.

More help with TypePad

While TypePad has a good Knowledge Base and Support Ticket System there are some great public forums which offer assistance. Add the "Everything TypePad" Blog to your reader and keep an eye out for the Tips & Tricks posts. If you have any TypePad questions head over to

Get Satisfaction/SixApart
Customer Support Community for Six Apart.
Supported by 823 customers like you, as well as the Six Apart team.

 If I know I'll be happy to help and if I don't know others will!

TYPEPADCAD10 is an unlimited 10% off for life discount, for new or old TypePad subscribers. This code can be used for any TypePad blog, not just CAD related, and shared with your colleagues, friends & family!

Click HERE for details