RobiNZ CAD Blog

Microsoft Surface RT: A tablet or something more?

Unfortunately I’m just an interested observer of the Microsoft Surface/Windows RT release. Microsoft chose to omit New Zealand from the initial launch which is mildly annoying. It would have been more so I hadn’t already decided to postpone any purchase until seeing the full Surface Pro due (hopefully in NZ too) in a few months. Of the many Surface RT reviews I’ve read this one by Hal Berenson, a former Microsoft/DEC engineer, has me intrigued. His ‘sort of review’ has an interesting view of why Surface RT differs from current tablets and the influence of its versatile form factor: Understanding... Read more →

Has Mindjet lost MindManager, or its mind?

UPDATE 2012-11-17: Mindjet have responded to customer comments with a new individual package. See: Mindjet did listen - A New Option for Individual Consumers Recently MindManager, the premium mind mapping application from Mindjet, has seen some radical changes. It’s not the typical application centred change — like new feature set, controversial new interface or file format — but rather a transformation in how the application and services are offered to the user. Even if you’re not a MindManager user this post may be of interest as it highlights the user impact of a software developer reacting to technology and workspace... Read more →

Google reveals the internet is a series of tubes!

Remember that line about the Internet being "a series of tubes"? Some amazing photos of a place that is Google: Google reveals photos of its data centres - www.dezeen.com Read more →

Your chance to improve Revit construction modelling?

I got to ‘know’ Chris Yanchar via Architectural Desktop Beta, Discussion Groups and his Autodesk “Between The Walls” ADT blog but we first met at Autodesk University 2004 (right). I don’t usually post jobs on here but this morning a rather special request arrived in my inbox. If you’re a Revit user, doing construction modelling in particular, who thinks “this could be better” the role below might be for you: We're looking for a candidate to join the Revit User Experience team with very specific experience in construction modelling. We'd be most grateful if you'd consider sharing the below message... Read more →

Windows 8 explained, it’s not what you think

I like Paul Thurrott's take on Windows 8: Windows 8, Metro, and Mobile Apps - www.winsupersite.com “Windows 8 is a new mobile operating system and not an evolution of the previous Windows codebase. Yes, an evolution of that previous codebase is present, complete with an improved desktop environment.” “This is the single biggest change that’s ever happened to Windows -- and yes, I’m including NT in that assessment” Read more →

SolidWorks meets MindManager with PROJECTSCHEMA

A recent comment on an old MindManager post alerted me to this MindManager/Solidworks integration. PROJECTSCHEMA uses MindManager to visualize and interact with Solidworks Assemblies in a graphic format. It reminds me of the MindManager For AEC DWF part Michael Scherotter experimented with back in, oh my was that really, 2004! MindManager is ideal for visualising hierarchies and summarising task information. PROJECTSCHEMA uses MindManager topic & task features (icons, progress an date) to show/edit part status. You can view parts in the MindManager browser pane (using SolidWorks or its free viewer) and plan/report progress with MindManager (9+) Gantt View. I’m not... Read more →

CAD Notes Batik

One of the most amazing aspects of this whole “blogging thing” is the unexpected connections it brings. Primarily this has been meeting, both virtually and in person, some amazing people like the subject of this post. Way back in March 2010 Edwin Prakoso ran an AutoCAD Tips competition on his CAD Notes blog. He asked me to help judge it and I was happy to do so. A short time later an unexpected gift arrived in the form of a lovely piece of Batik art. After much procrastination — my weakness — the work is now framed and on display... Read more →