I was asked this today and pondered how best to respond. Perhaps the most complete answer;
But that means digesting (excluding this post) over four years of blogging;
Or maybe just one image to summarise them all!
Click the thumbnail for the full image, created in seconds by pasting all those posts into the totally brilliant Wordle
UPDATE 2008-10-11: Some alternate AU Wordles are here
If you want to keep in touch with AUGI at Autodesk University 2008:
* And say Hi to Mike Perry, who prompted this post, for me
I just got my invitation to pre-register* for Autodesk University 2008 and have been reading of others who have got in already, not without hassles, and made their choices. Sadly I am unlikely to be there this year, which is annoying because, having been to AU 2004 through 2007, I know what I will be missing
* AFAIK this was offered to all AU2007 attendees. Public registration opens 15th August, 2008.
The Autodesk University 2008 sessions are on-line so it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll go for when the registration opens. With hundreds of sessions and only a few days to attend them it’s important to plan your approach!
AU 2008 Session Catalog! : Autodesk University Blog (BLAUG)
Almost 1,500 sessions were submitted for AU 2008, and these have been whittled down to 621 sessions for presentation this fall.…
PS: Dear Autodesk, are your RSS feeds changing? In the last few weeks “Area”, AU, Civil and Manufacturing feeds have died in my reader and required re-adding. I hope this is just me because the whole point of RSS, content updates without visiting the sites, means a feed should never ever change!
If you’re a blogger, or considering blogging, it’s one good argument for using a separate feed service, like FeedBurner, for your RSS feed. I could change this blog from TypePad to another platform and my FeedBurner feed will still be the same.
On the way to Autodesk University 2007, during my S.F. stopover, I had the pleasure of catching up with Michael Scherotter over coffee. I first got to know Michael when he was with Mindjet and visited him there after AU2005. Last year he moved to a new role with Microsoft which seems a perfect fit.
After studying Architecture, as in buildings not software, Michael found his real love was developing software solutions for new uses/niches. If you asked me to cite one characteristic that defines Michael it’s his passion for new technology and sharing that knowledge.
That is apparent in this clip where he talks about Microsoft Silverlight 2.0 and how it’s soon to be used in major media projects.
Michael Scherotter of Microsoft Silverlight at SXSW Interactive 2008
Michael’s Synergist Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/synergist/default.aspx
I’ve been loading all my Autodesk University trip images to Flickr over the past few weeks. At a miserable 100kbs upload it’s a slow process! Click through to the collection if you’re interested!
Autodesk & CAD Related Travels Collection - www.flickr.com/photos/robinzblog/
The Autodesk University Technology Mainstage was a chance for Autodesk and AU Partners Intel, HP and Microsoft to share their vision of how new technology, services and software will impact the design world. I regretted missing it in 2006 so made sure to be there this time.
Computing “in the cloud” with Carl Bass:
It’s obvious Carl just loves technology. His talk, casually delivered and with no supporting presentation, covered everything from immediate challenges to future technologies and work methods. He spoke about big concepts, like technology's impact on society and the planet, but also got quite specific about challenges facing Autodesk today. He’s challenged Autodesk to deliver design software that offers the sort of interaction and graphics currently seen in games:
My son’s Xbox should not look better than a $5000+ design application.*
He also expressed frustration that his multi-core PC doesn’t really exploit the power it has today.
The challenge facing application engineers is creating software to exploit how ever many processors/cores are available.*
Shared processing and storage across multiple computers and networks, so called “computing in the cloud”, means this could be hundreds, even thousands, rather than the two, four or eight cores we use today. While modelling is now the accepted design method any simulation, analysis and high end visualisation is generally done in a separate post design process. The results may refine the design model but that is generally an iterative process, often requiring several applications. Vastly increased computing power will allow simultaneous design, analysis and high quality visualisation. Carl sees all that happening while you design, almost instantly, giving the designer much more feedback to use while refining their ideas..
This vision also takes computing and data off the desktop to become available on the tools that best suit the current task and location. It might be your office workstation, a Tablet/UMPC your smart-phone or even a table or wall. Imagine that with new user interfaces like the Perceptive Pixel "multi-touch" screen, as seen in the AU Exhibit hall, and “Surface computers” and we have an exciting future. The following speakers showed this future isn’t very far away.
Also See:
Google and the Wisdom of Clouds - www.businessweek.com
Microsoft Follows Google Into Cloud Computing - Technology News World
New digital era is dawning, says Microsoft chief - Telegraph
Nano, Nano, Intel:
Intel spoke about their 45 nanometre “Penryn" technology. It gives more computing power (30% from memory) while using less power which means less heat and longer battery life. However they aren’t stopping there as mentioned 32 nanometre technology is planned for sometime in 2009.
“Intel has demonstrated its 32nm logic process with a functional SRAM packing more than 1.9 billion second generation high-k metal gate transistors”
In addition to ever faster chip/systems new modes of processing will bring more power to the user. I say “user”, rather than machine, as it’s likely you’ll be working across distributed remote PCs., virtual machines on your own PC and virtual applications. The line between desktop, servers, local network and web is becoming increasingly blurred. All of that’s happening now and it’s worth investigating how it will impact you. Both Microsoft and HP had more to say about that in their own presentations
BIM on a Blade with HP:
The HP presentation included their new “Blade Workstation Solution” (BWS). It’s enables workstation standard hardware to serve users powerful CAD/BIM applications with all the hardware, apart from monitor keyboard and mouse, located in the server room.
“Harness the power of your workstation environment and experience it anywhere”
The idea is BWS reduces operational overhead and allows more efficient use of the hardware. It’s an intriguing concept and worth investigating but I wonder how it handles with multiple profiles on a single box. We haven’t tried using roaming profiles for CAD users and I wonder if they are required in this model. The positive side is that all the grunt work, including graphics, is done on the BWS with only screen graphics and mouse/keyboard inputs being transferred. It looks to make high-end cad on a remote box much more viable.
HP also showed print isn’t dead and is getting easier with their “One Click” HP Instant Printing system. The idea is the user doesn’t need to manage print settings for various page sizes etc in a document set. Just click once to print the whole document set with the correct settings. You can try it with Autodesk Design Review 2008 today if you have compatible HP plotters (Tick “Use HP Instant Print” in the print dialog) but it may also turn up in other applications.
Microsoft’s Digital World – Life in the Cloud:
Microsoft had a very design oriented demo of how their technology, and services, can help with design collaboration. The scenario was of a company developing a new consumer product. Sharepoint was the main tool for storing, finding, monitoring and sharing info. Office live meeting was used with a cool new device for on-line meetings.
Microsoft Round Table looks a little like a table lamp without a shade but houses cameras and microphones. One camera shows a panoramic 360 degree view of the whole room so you can see everyone in the meeting. Another camera, rather eerily, follows the current speaker with automatic tracking and shows them in a bigger window. It looked like a slick simple answer for a small meeting compared to more conventional camera/mike meeting room setups.
A video showed Microsoft’s current concept of a digital lifestyle. Some used existing technology, others new, but it all depended on on-line storage and integrated networks to allow seamless transition across multiple devices. For example a call that started on a mobile phone at home transitioned to the car phone system, with integrated voice/location aware search/directions, then ended on the same persons tablet PC. Your data is not device specific and stored “in the cloud” being served to the device that best suits your current needs.
That’s not a new idea but the technology and networks are getting to the point its becoming viable. It’s also interesting to see how Microsoft, still considered “rulers of the desktop”, are responding to the mass of on-line competition. It’s a challenge facing all the “traditional” application companies, including Autodesk, as they struggle to work out the best “Software + Services” offer. While the data flowed seamlessly what I thought was missing from the “vision” was an integrated UI which works with keyboard, tablet, touch and voice on all types of devices; something like this!
I saw some of the location based search technology in action just before Autodesk University when I was in San Francisco. I met Michael Scherotter for coffee and he showed me voice driven, location aware search on his Windows Mobile phone. We were in San Rafael and asking for “Italian Restaurant” produced a list, and virtual earth map, of nearby Italian restaurants complete with reviews. Very cool!
If anything came out of AU, on the IT side, for me it’s a real need to learn more about server, machine and application virtualisation. I think these technologies along with dramatic improvements in, already impressive, hardware and graphics will radically change the way we all work in the near future. My works IT are currently "virtualisiing servers” so that part is done but there is real potential to simplify testing and deployment with virtualisation at the desktop level.
I only have one real reservation about life in the cloud. It requires reliable network connectivity and I wonder where you find that! What if “The Cloud” isn’t there?
* Most of this post was written somewhere over the Pacific on the plane heading home from AU but I’ve added relevant links from more recent times. The “pull lines” are not in “Quotes” as are from my notes/memory rather than a reference or recording.
Autodesk University AEC Keynote speaker William McDonough was commissioned by Fortune Magazine to design a “Tower of tomorrow” . It’s nice to see his ideas applied to a multi-story city building.
Tower of tomorrow | FORTUNE Magazine
The building of the future will not just sit on a lot – it will breath, sleep, and wake up in the morning. And it will be beautiful…
Imagine a building that makes oxygen, distills water, produces energy, changes with the seasons—and is beautiful. In effect, that building is like a tree, standing in a city that is like a forest.
Via inhabitat.com
I’ve posted my “Blogging Highlights” for the year on my other blog but a few are CAD related so excuse their repetition here:
RobiNZ Personal Blog: 2007 Blogging Highlights (Click for full post)
It’s time to do a Blog related review of the year so here goes…
Best Blog Event:
Well, it’s not really a blog event but Autodesk University probably brings together more bloggers than many dedicated events manage. I was fortunate to attend again this year and the real highlight is meeting fellow bloggers and readers. It was great catching up with old friends and meeting new ones I won’t name names for fear of leaving someone out but to all I met at Autodesk University thanks for reading and saying hello. I’m constantly amazed people all around the world invest their time in reading this stuff
It’s for that reason Autodesk University is again, as in 2005 and 2006, the best Blog Event I attended this year.
Biggest Surprise?
A year later and I’m still called “the Paper Plane Guy” at Autodesk University!
Blog Related Concern:
I need to do more for CAD/BIM related posts on my “Cad Blog”. If you’ve got any ideas for things to cover email me or leave a comment!
Best New Blog Tool:
Last year it was Camtasia, this year it’s SnagIt. It’s not new but recent add-ins for Blog Platforms (like TypePad & Wordpress), Flickr and MindManager make it a tool I use for virtually every post, including this one!
Boring Blog Stats – Only here so I can look back at them
RobiNZ CAD Blog [2006 figures]
Posts: 1,157 [860] | Comments: 674 [390] | TrackBacks: 74 [67] | Pages: 3 [New in 2007]
Page Views: Total 405,974 [284,009] | Average Per Day 298.07 [220]
Subscribers (via Feedburner): Avg: 576 [312] Max: 707 [640]
Most visited post of 2007: DWG to [Google] Earth, do you read me? - Autodesk Labs AutoCAD Google Earth Extension (from 2006)
Most Popular Post from 2007: Align, the forgotten AutoCAD hero
Thanks for visiting during 2007, Happy New Year for 2008!
It was great to meet Betsy Weber and the TechSmith team in the Autodesk University Exhibit hall. She told me I was featured on her blog, screencast of the week (26/11/2007), again! About this time last year a Camtasia Studio recording helped me get to AU 2006 and it seems that little video made quite an impression. It’s had about 1,350 views and I was amazed how many at AU 2007 still remembered “The AU 2006 Paper Plane guy”.
That presentation was a mix of AutoCAD, PowerPoint, Corel animation and live video but it was Camtasia Studio which pulled it all together. It’s a brilliant way to share/capture information and just before Autodesk University 2007 TechSmith released the latest version, Camtasia Studio 5.
I’ve only had a quick look at the trial version so far but one new feature alone justifies an upgrade for me. If you are not recording full screen Camtasia can now resize the application window and recording area to a selected size. This is brilliant when you are recording several clips to be merged especially if, like me, you run higher than average screen resolution.
It’s best for file size and compatibility to record screencasts at 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x800 resolution, or less. Previously this required fussing about with graphics settings or “hand sizing” windows which meant getting consistent sizes could be tricky. Now you just set your desired production size in the recorder, pick the target and let Camtasia coordinate the window and clip mask to suit. Very nice!
Jay Bhatt set the scene and, like the General Main-stage, the emphasis was on sustainable, green and ethical design. He introduced Phil Bernstein who, with a team of application specialists, walked through a demo of real world multi-discipline design collaboration today, a possible future and then handed over to keynote speaker William McDonough to outline how we must approach that future.
The art of the possible - Digital Collaboration and BIM Today:
This demo was based on a project in Brazil also seen in main-stage and visualisation presentations. It stepped through a number of platforms showing how shared data, from the best application for each task, could combine to complete an all-digital process. The intent was to show how applications available today interact and perform and, unintentionally, it did. The flow went something like this:
Revit Structure: This demonstrated a Structural model used for sizing and takeoff. Design loads and elements were tested with, recent acquisition, Robobat with the results updating the Revit Structure model. To show the versatility of the link, perhaps to validate using different calculation methods, they also showed links to ETABS and RISA 3D.It was impressive so much was packed into a short demo. Perhaps most interesting was the use of, recent acquisition, Navisworks to combine and analyse multiple discipline specific models in one project. What ever happened to the ideal of the “one model BIM” ideal? I don’t think that was ever viable but coordinated parametric models will do just fine.
“The Cool Wall* - Digital Collaboration and BIM Tomorrow:
A vision of the future was shown in the “Project Chicago” Video. It showed BIM with wonderful integrated design tools running on a multi-touch surface wall display. This technology has a proper name but I think “The Cool Wall”, from BBC Top Gear, is more appropriate . It’s easier to see it in action than explain and the video is available on the Autodesk Green Research site – http://www.autodesk.com/greenresearch. Check it out along with Roopinder’s post which has some background on the amazing technology seen at AU in the Autodesk Labs exhibition.
Sustainable is not good enough – William McDonough:
The session concluded with an inspiring presentation from William McDonough. I’m not a climate change skeptic but do get frustrated by those whose solution is to deny “the rest of the world” the privileged lifestyle we enjoy. You can argue our technology is the cause but I also think it’s our only hope for a solution. Perhaps that’s why his presentation was so inspiring. He challenged conventional thinking, shared thought provoking concepts, possible solutions and had real world examples of his approach making a difference. A few lines that struck me (not in quotes as from memory/notes scrawled in the dark):
Being less bad is not being good
Spaceship Earth: There is no “away” to throw things to
Recycle only what is safe to recycle, don't recycle cancer
I must I haven’t read his book “Cradle to Cradle” but it’s now on my to-do list. I also recommend checking out his presentation earlier this year at TED. It’s available on-line or as a download via his TED pages:
TED Speaker Details: William McDonough: Architect
TED Video: William McDonough: The wisdom of designing Cradle to Cradle
It was a great session which reminded me of the AU2005 Orlando Presentation in it’s “whole project” approach. Thats not a bad thing as it was one of the best but it’s amazing how far the industry and technology has moved in just two years. I can’t wait to see Autodesk University 2008!
* Hydraflow (www.intelisolve.com) was recently acquired by Autodesk, see “Finally – Civil 3D - Paving the Way” for more detail.
CCNTV were at Autodesk University and their current report shows a couple of interesting exhibits which suit video media. I can’t see much point in “talking head” videos, a podcast will do for speech, but seeing a product, especially hardware, demonstrated can be valuable. First they show the SpheroCamHDR from Spheron.com. It allows a space to be captured in a “spherical high dynamic range image” and allows 3D measurement within the resulting image. Later in the screencast you see the brilliant desktop 3D scanner from nextengine.com in action.
The concept of CAD video news is great but I think the current implementation has some problems:
Seems a pity to compromise a great concept, and content, with a poor player interface but it shouldn’t be too hard to fix. If the existing production software won’t allow it CCNTV should invest in a copy of Camtasia Studio 
CCNTV • CAD News and Reviews
CCNtv is a bi-weekly CAD news and information broadcast focused on what's happening in the industry.
James Van abandoned PowerPoint and used MindManager for his presentation. Robin used MindManager to take notes!
This is the result: File Attachment: AU2007 - Revit Effective techniques for large projects.pdf (376 KB)
Warning: The images below may require parental guidance for younger readers.
Scott Sheppard started this so direct all complaints to him. Inspired, if that’s right the word, by Lynn Allen’s 1982 AU photo he posted a image of himself in 1982 and challenged to Shaan Hurley, Melanie (Lynn 2.0) Perry and Myself to respond.
Why 1982?
AutoCAD is 25 years old and “Party like it’s 1982” was the theme of the recent Autodesk University 2007 conference.
Not only AutoCAD started in 1982!
Just before leaving for Autodesk University my employer, The Warehouse Limited, celebrated its 25th anniversary. While John Walker (& co) was creating AutoCAD in California on the opposite side of the Pacific, in New Zealand, Stephen Tindall opened the first “The Warehouse” store.
To commemorate this Support Office staff joined for a group photo outside our office (Store Development is the blue “stain” in the sea of Retail red uniforms). It’s funny that the software we use to design our stores is almost the same age as the company!
TWL Staff Photo Credit: http://www.kphoto.co.nz/
So where was RobiNZ in 1982?
I figured out I was 16 and still, just, at High School. This is the only photo I could find that is definitely from that year, scary eh! Although it looks like some sort of mug shot it was actually taken in my sister’s office (Don’t you love the 70’s fake wood partitions!). She worked for a camera retail company, in their head office, and it was to try a brand new high tech compact 35mm automatic camera. The Canon Snappy was also released in 1982 and I had a red one!
While searching for that I found this even earlier photo. It’s not really CAD related but shows me with Grandad's state of the art portable typewriter and, surely one of the first, LED digital calculator. This one is dated 1974…
Sorry about inflicting all this on you, it’s Scott’s fault!
A mixed bag of Revit, from Beijing Olympics to Supply-Chains?, then a dash to the airport for that relaxing 14 hour jaunt home. Leave on Friday, arrive on Sunday!
The Successful Implementation of Building Information Modeling in a Construction Project for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
8:00 AM-9:30 AM ME400-1
Lido - 3106
Revit® Architecture: Beyond Documentation -- From Rapid Prototyping to Supply-Chain Integration
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB404-1
Murano - 3303
I’ve been attending Autodesk University since 2004 but somehow never managed to meet Melanie, “The Mistress of the Dorkness”, Perry. I met her husband Mike last year (he’s the English Gentleman in the photo right) but AU2007 was the first chance to meet Melanie. I’ve known her virtually for a long time via the Autodesk Discussion Groups, AUGI, My Feedback, email and her world famous CAD blog: Mistress of the Dorkness. Meeting fellow Bloggers and blog readers is a highlight of Autodesk University. No matter how often it happens to me there is genuine surprise, and pleasure, that anyone actually reads all this stuff!
Last night, at the Subscription event, while Melanie & I were chatting one of her readers introduced himself. He was excited to meet her and said “I love your blog, you’re the next Lynn Allen”. Melanie was flattered and I was stunned when, with impeccable timing, the door near us opened and the current Lynn Allen walked in. I said “Melanie has something to tell you” and the story was told to an amused (real) Lynn Allen.
Mike has visited New Zealand before and I suspect Melanie is keen to see the land where they filmed “The Lord of the Rings” (which she loves). Maybe next time I see “The Mistress” it will be closer to home!
Mistress of the Dorkness
Melanie (Stone) Perry's [aka. Wanderer] CAD Blog! Well, this will mostly be dedicated to CAD/Technology (especially as it relates to Facilities Management [FM] and BIM), but, I'm sure other things will catch my fancy, and I'll share them here.
I’ve just started experimenting with virtual machines as a way to test software so the first session will be interesting. Other than that it’s a Revit day, notice a theme this year?, with everything from games to facilities management. The day ends with the “AU Dinner Party” whatever that means…
Running Revit® Architecture in Virtual Machines
8:00 AM-9:30 AM AB300-2P
Palazzo J-IAutodesk's Revit® Platform, AutoCAD® Architecture, and Autodesk® 3ds Max®: Real-Time Game Technology for Visualization
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB304-2P
Palazzo J-IArchitectural Building Information Modeling: Transferring Information into the Facilities Management/Asset Management Process
1:00 PM-2:30 PM FM310-1
Lido - 3002From Concept to Construction: Real-World Construction Management Techniques and Best Practices with Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB314-2P
Palazzo J-IAdvanced Massing Studies in Revit® Architecture
5:00 PM-6:30 PM AB318-5P
Palazzo J-IAU Dinner Party
Today starts with the AEC Industry presentation. It’s always cool to see how others use the software & get a peek into the future of AEC software. The day ends with a Technology mainstage and a look a the future of operating systems and hardware. I missed this last year and regretted it. TWL are in the midst of server virtualisation and contemplating application virtualisation. We have a great team looking after infrastructure, so it’s not a concern of mine, but it’s always useful background to help understand what they are talking about!
Building the Future - AEC Industry Presentation
8:00 AM-9:30 AM MS200-1
Palazzo H-DApproaches and Processes of Using Revit® Architecture, Structure, and MEP in Complex Projects
10:00 AM-11:30 AM SE204-2
Murano - 3303Sustainable Design Systems Based on Revit® Architecture
1:00 PM-2:30 PM AB210-2P
Palazzo J-IDesign Options and Phasing in Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB214-1P
Palazzo J-IEffective Techniques for Large Projects in Revit® Architecture
5:00 PM-6:30 PM AB218-3P
Palazzo J-ITechnology Mainstage
7:30 PM – 9:30PM
Palazzo E-1
This year the main-stage was "in the round". A huge room with centre stage, giant screens facing in all directions, and seating (it seemed to me) for all. Mighty impressive when all is said to be about 10,000! On the outside wall a huge 360º continuous screen surrounded the room.
The presentations ranged from detail product design, recent Kiwi based acquisition MudBox featured, to Architectural Design with everything from Maya to Revit. Of real interest were conceptual applications for viewing a building in-context, at high quality, through to a complex complete city model.
The theme was green with the emphasis on design being a part of the solution to the challenges facing humanity. On that theme, the keynote from Yves Behar presented real world examples of design making a difference. This ranged from better products reducing energy consumption or, in the case of the $100 laptop, allowing more people to learn and participate in a digital world.
Thats a two three paragraph summary, tapped out between sessions, which really doesn't do justice to a stunning presentation.
It’s all Revit today including a Phil Read’s “Film & Stage” session. I first met Phil back in 2001 when he was the Implementation Architect for “Revit Revit” (prior to Autodesk buy out) and came to our office. This was when Revit “arrived” in NZ and Phil’s mission was to spread the word and assist with the migration to Revit. He was so convincing I had a to write myself a multi-page document about why it wasn’t a good idea to migrate to Revit. I still revisit that document and as Revit has developed nearly all those concerns about functionality or usability have been resolved…
PS: The image is from a children’s book: “The Story of BIM – Written for 3 year old Charlotte”, Kathleen Mellor, published. Melb. Georgian House nd.194-? I couldn’t find any other information but would be interested to know more!
General Session - Designing the Future
8:00 AM-9:30 AM (Conference Event) MS100-1
Exhibit Hall DEffective Collaboration with the Revit® Platform
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB104-2P
Palazzo J-IRevit® Architecture for Film and Stage
1:00 PM-2:30 PM AB110-5
Lido - 3002All in the Family: Creating Parametric Parts in Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB114-3P
Palazzo J-I
I made it to Vegas & know Trisha did too. We met up at San Francisco Airport where, as planned, I also met another Kiwi cycling friend for coffee. Have just registered which was a painless process. Seemed even easier than last year in-spite of about 1/3 more people.
If you're here and reading this, very likely I know... I'll be the guy in a red shirt and Kiwi cap tomorrow!
Today it’s off to Vegas and time for Autodesk University, proper. It’s a small world when a friend from the South Island of New Zealand happens to be passing through San Francisco airport, coming from Canada, at the same time I’m heading to Vegas. With a bit of luck, and airline schedules aligning, we’ll be able to meet for coffee on the other side of the Pacific!
I have a non-AU event planned tonight as couldn’t be just one casino away from SPAMalot and miss it. Wynn is next door to the Venetian but the size of things in Vegas means it’s still a bit of a hike!
It’s a feast of Python’ness this month as a couple of weeks after I get home from AU Eric Idle is visiting New Zealand with his show “He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!”. From one side of the world to the other, it’s all Python!
Today I travelled across the bay to Larkspur to meet with Michael Scherotter. I arrived at the ferry terminal to find the first one left about 90 minutes later than I thought so thanks to Michael for rearranging his schedule at short notice. It was a grey day so the ferry trip scenery wasn’t spectacular but I spent about half the trip getting a lesson in aerodynamics. A solitary gull worked out it could get a free ride across the bay by gliding in the “slipstream” just off the stern of the ferry. It was like one of those nature documentaries showing bird flight close-up as was within a metre or two of the stern, doing 10–15 knots, for 20–30 minutes without flapping it’s wings once. It reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the fable about a gull who was fascinated by flight, which I read years ago. It was a strange mystical book and I must admit I found Richard Bach’s books on his real aviation life as a barnstormer far better.
Last time I did this trip I visited Michael at the Mindjet Office (MindManager) near the ferry terminal. I got to know Michael via his blogging for Mindjet and was impressed by his enthusiasm for combining technologies to create new solutions. He developed a prototype combining MindManager and Autodesk DWF which was of interest to me. It was great to see him again and learn about his current role as a “Synergist” for Microsoft. It’s great to he’s still “Combining Software in Amazing Ways” and excited about using new combinations of technologies to help people solve problems. As you can imagine there are lots of technologies at Microsoft to keep him busy!
I wandered back to the hotel via downtown at dusk looking at some of the architecture, including The Transamerica Pyramid, and Christmas decorations. Tomorrow it’s off to Vegas, to get ready for Autodesk University.
I arrived here Friday and the weather was very similar to Auckland. When I left Auckland was experiencing an early summer and San Francisco is having a late one!
I had a late, very late, lunch or early dinner with Helga who I met on an Adventure South cycle trip. It was great to see her again. After dinner we checked out a recent art installation in the form of a huge spider!
Today I rented a bike and went around the bay cycle trail, over Golden Gate Bridge, which I’d done before but was happy to repeat. It’s a stunning structure and not to be missed, especially on a bicycle. Last time I’d spent too much time time exploring the south side, towards Ocean Beach & Golden Gate park, and had to rush to meet the ferry at Sausalito. This time I explored the Marin Headlands, towards Rodeo Beach, then carried on past Sausalito around Richardson Bay to Tiburon. It was a great ride on a near perfect day. It was strange riding a bike without the clip in pedals I’m used to at home and remembering to ride on the wrong (right) side of the road but had no problems. I thought I was being clever going around to Tiburon as there were hundreds of cyclists waiting for the Sausalito Ferry. It wasn’t as busy at Tiburon but then the Ferry carried on to pickup the mob at Sausalito before returning to the city. First on meant last off, not so clever eh!
There’s more photos here
By the time you read this I’ll be winging my way to Autodesk University. I’m leaving earlier than most as it’s a 14 hour flight and I have a weekend in San Francisco on the way. The plan is to catch up with some friends and, weather & legs permitting, rent a bicycle and explore the city, waterfront & Golden Gate Bridge/Marin Headlands. I ran out of time in 2004 and had to rush to meet the ferry so it will be good to revisit the area for a longer look around. I must pack my GPS and remember to ride on the wrong side of the road!
I’m typing this on a laptop while trying to decide if it’s worth the hassle of lugging it. I’d hoped to bring a slick little Tablet PC but that didn’t work out and while this HP8710w is an awesome beast it’s certainly not light! One way or another I’ll find a way to blog from Autodesk University.
Autodesk has “absorbed” renowned AutoCAD Guru\Blogger Lee Ambrosius. You may know Lee from his comprehensive AutoCAD website, Hyperpics, his blog, Beyond the UI, or AUGI contributions. Lee knows more about AutoCAD than any sane person would want too 
and it’s great to see his talent and dedication added to the AutoCAD team. It’s a winning deal for both sides. Congratulations Lee, see you at Autodesk University!
Between the Lines: Lee, Welcome to the Dark Side
“Lee Ambrosius will be [working for Autodesk] on the User Assistance Team in PSEB which does many things including the AutoCAD documentation.”
As Autodesk University rapidly approaches I suspect “James Van” has found a preview of what we may see in the AEC Industry Event...
When I booked for Autodesk University it seemed a long way off. Now it’s suddenly less than a week before I hit the road, well flight-path, for AU. I’ve had a busy week deploying new hardware and service patched 2008 applications*. Now it’s time to catch up with project work before getting on the plane next Friday…
All Things BIM: Green Design: Project Chicago
While buried in my preparation for Autodesk University (Nov 26-30), I overheard some of my colleagues reporting in from the GreenBuild conference in Chicago about a great presentation from Phil Bernstein, VP at Autodesk, on their latest vaporware effort code named "Project Chicago."…
*Only to see yet another round of Revit builds released!
Aaron's post on math, trig and Revit reminded me of a recent conversation. I’d been working with Parameter formulas which meant stretching the memory back to fundamental math like trigonometry. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there…
I warned a friend, who’s a math teacher, she may get a phone call one day if things got too complex for my mathematical abilities*. Lynn [last name withheld] read Aaron’s post in preparation for that call. You may have to earn the next load of Butterfingers!**
Malleristic Revitation: Trigonometry, Revit Parameters, and Scheduling...
I couldn't wrap my head around how i multiplied degrees and Length, to come up with a mathematical unit (besides degree-inch, lol). So i called in a favour:
My good friend Brian (last name withheld) is a Math Specialist at a local school district….
* I liked Math but always did far better at Physics, which often required the same math. This frustrated my Math & Physics tutors. I think it was because Math was abstract while Physics just made sense!
** For reasons only Nestlé can explain Butterfingers are not sold in New Zealand. Guess who has to bring them from the US to satisfy Lynn [last name withheld]’s addiction to peanut buttery junk food. Last time I forgot and saying it was for her own good wasn’t appreciated! She’ll thank me for it on the hills of the ‘Round Taupo.***
*** The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (Round Taupo) is New Zealand's largest cycle event. It covers a scenic course on 160 km (100 miles) of sealed road around beautiful Lake Taupo. The official website omits mentioning that for a ride around a lake it has lots of hills. This includes a long cruel one towards the end, right where you don’t want it. It’s held at the same time as AU and I have been accused of attending AU just to avoid it. There is some truth to this…
I’ve posted my Autodesk University class schedule to a static page, rather than a post:
RobiNZ Autodesk University 2007 Schedule – http://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/AU2007-Schedule.html
It’s confirmed, but still subject to change, so I’ll keep it current with any revisions.
There are two significant firsts for me at AU this year:
If any readers will be there would be great to meet. Email me or leave a comment on this post.
Robert Green: What CAD managers get from AU - AU BEAT Podcast
Size: 12.7 MB Duration: 10:48
Robert Green, founder of The Robert Green Consulting Group, and a 12-year veteran of Autodesk University, talks about the exciting suite of courses that he's presenting at AU this year, designed to help CAD managers do their job better.
Click through for the full story of a remarkable school project. It’s a Building Model of a city.
When I was a kid an inspiring teacher let me make hundreds of paper planes as part of a school project. Years later, one of them helped me fly across the Pacific to AU 2006 where they showed “virtual city super models”. I wonder if Julian would be interested in CAD/BIM? Give that kid a computer and student edition design application, where would it lead...
Rag & Bone Blog: Julian Bencito's Paper City
Here's an inspiring story:Californian Canyon Middle School art teacher Mike Bennett gave an extra credit assignment to his students this summer: Build a paper craft model of the former Twin Towers in New York. And if you have even more time, try the Empire State Building. He often taught Paper Modelling to his students as a way to learn about craftsmanship, architecture and following detailed instructions. But Mr. Bennett was a little curious as to why student Julian Bencito kept asking for more cardboard to make his extra credit paper models…
Via Ogle Earth
Stumbled on this podcast tonight while on the Autodesk University site. Looks like it will be the first of many in the wind up to AU2007. I’ve booked the conference but trying to decide between a short stay in L.A. or S.F. on the way there/home.
Autodesk University Podcast
Welcome to the Autodesk University 2007 podcast series. These short audio interviews help you gear up for this exciting event before you even leave home. In these podcasts, you hear from Autodesk insiders, the world's top instructors, and other industry experts who share information that can benefit you, your company, and your career.
Podcast Feed: http://au.autodesk.com/2007/blogs/view/LynnA_CarlB/?__ajax=BlogsBlogFeed&id=131348
Like thousands of others I’ve been sorting out arrangements for Autodesk University 2007 and, by all reports, the hotels are filling up fast, already overflowing....
I got into Treasure Island but hope this Savage Chicken ‘toon isn’t a sign for those staying at the other overflow hotel…
Click thru the link/image to view Joseph Wurcher’s nightmare…
About this time of year, except last year, I write a post about Autodesk University which ends with a decision to trek across the globe to the best cad user event there is…
Yep, I’ve done it again… See you in Vegas!
