RobiNZ CAD Blog

Well, that's saved me a fortune! | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

As a Surface Book 2 (SB2) owner I watched the launch of its replacement, the Surface Laptop Studio (SLS), this morning with some interest. Although the specification mostly impressed* the new form factor doesn't really appeal. It looses the iconic Surface Book hinge and ability to detach the display that is, for me, a great feature of the current design. Detaching the display means the SB2 loses access to its graphics card, left in the base with secondary battery, but becomes a light weight high powered large tablet as the i7 chip, integrated Intel Graphics and storage are all in... Read more →

BaseQi Ninja Drive - The best Surface Book accessory not made by Microsoft

The Surface Book standard SD memory card slot is a great feature. My SLR & Compact cameras both use them but my phone, bike, and car cameras use Micro-SD. It is easy enough to use an adaptor for them but it sticks out so bagging, travelling, with it in is risky. I noticed PB Tech stocked the “BaseQi Aluminium Micro SD Adapter” which takes a Micro-SD. It fits flush, with a recess to enable easy extraction, so I can leave the adaptor in the slot. It’s a convenient way to always have an adaptor available but in future, should I... Read more →

The @Enscape3d 2.4 update Web Standalone is stunning

I got a chance to try the latest Enscape3D 2.4 update Web Standalone sharing feature this evening and was very impressed. It offers a no plug-in model interaction very similar to the full desktop Enscape application or the previous .exe packages. The big advantage is “no install” as although the package.exe’s worked well many environments prevent use of them. Creating the export is, typically Enscape, a simple button click and short wait (impressively short) while the model uploads. All the assets in the Revit file transfer so no concerns about losing custom materials etc. The browser does have to be... Read more →

Microsoft Font Maker captures your hand writing as a PC font!

Install the Microsoft Font Maker Windows 10 application from the Store. Then just write, with Windows Ink, these characters & symbols: Then these sample sentences: Adjust, if needed, a few simple sliders to fine tune: Save your writing as a True Type Font to use in any Windows application. Read more →

Revit to (Surface) Go?

You think he'd* be more impressed, Revit 2019 running on a Surface Go! * Surface Pen and (small) dog for scale Read more →

Making my Perfect PC? A peak beneath the Microsoft Surface at Autodesk University #AU2017

It was more by chance, than planning, that I ended up in Jeff Stewart’s session at Autodesk University 2017 (AU2017) last November. I was talking to some Microsoft representatives in the exhibit hall and they mentioned it was on the following day. Somehow, I had overlooked it while setting up my schedule but that was soon rectified. Jeff started his career as an electrical engineer, in avionics, and is now the Senior Director, Product Line Manager for Surface Book at Microsoft. The chance to learn more about the Surface line was not to be missed! Surface & Me At work... Read more →

My perfect computer - Did Microsoft just reinvent the design office?

Way back in 2009 I wrote a spec for a design PC. It was inspired by the discovery of my 1980s design toolkit in the back of a wardrobe. + + + Long made obsolete by computers there are still some aspects of these tools I miss. Today Microsoft released a new Surface device which met or (far) exceeded most of those 2009 requirements: So what is My Perfect PC (for now)? Based on technology that's available today, or nearly here, I'd like: Powerful processor, memory, disk spec for CAD, BIM, Engineering Modelling. [Yes] High quality separate graphics [Yes] Touch,... Read more →

Microsoft Surface Book Headed To NZ

Tomorrow is today as the Surface Book is already available for pre-order in New Zealand from $2,749.00 (i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB) to $4,899.00 (i7, 512GB SSD, 16GB) at the Microsoft NZ Store. Surface Book Headed To 10 New Markets, Pre-Orders Starting Tomorrow - Petri “Below is the breakdown of when the devices will be available in each market: China and Hong Kong availability beginning January 15. Australia and New Zealand availability beginning January 28. Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom availability beginning February 18.” Read more →

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 →

A Tablet PC for CAD/BIM?

As it’s an evolution from “the drawing board” combining CAD/BIM software and Tablet PC seems natural. I wonder why it hasn’t been done by the major market players? In the early days hardware was a rea... Read more →