It is Alive in the Lab

MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course

Our technology preview of the MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course. The add-in no longer executes after December 31, 2008. Your feedback was both helpful and voluminous. You were bursting with ideas when we first launched the preview on the Autodesk Labs site in July:

It's been a great 6 months. Thanks to all those from the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing disciplines who provided feedback during the technology preview.

Without question, your feedback will be considered in planning the future of this technology.

We're on to something with Project Newport

At AU we billed Project Newport as a game engine for architects. Our Discovery Space was constantly buzzing with visitors who wanted to navigate Revit models using game controllers, Wimotes, or the KOMME®Z table. Even though it is not available yet, interest in Project Newport is so strong that we already have an Autodesk Labs page for it:

Autodesk Labs Project Newport Info Page

We recently got some feedback from Swift Horsman. Swift Horsman is a construction fit-out specialist contractor dealing mainly with building interiors, especially reception areas, toilets / washrooms and dryling / interior doors. They told us a little about themselves:

1. We are committed to 3D solid modeling and are in the process of migrating from AutoCAD to Inventor.
2. We design, manufacture, and install our own products using our own labor, utilizing components sourced from a supply chain from whom we hope to obtain solid component models.
3. We have a reasonable understanding of BIM and IFCs but need to be able to “drop” our own designs into models created by others, where we have no control of the technology they use. We also need the ability to pass the model on to suppliers to enable them to complete their part of the model. All of this has to take place without compromising the Intellectual Property Rights of every participant in the Design Chain.
4. Our vision is the client should sign off the model, rather than 2D drawings, and should make this decision based on a fully immersive visualization of our solution gained from the model.
5. We have already started to review improved visualization tools and have had a brief look at technologies such as CAVEs and 3D immersive screens.
6. One of our problems is that we use a significant amount of natural materials that need to appear as realistic as possible in the visualization we produce.

Does this sound like your firm? If so, Project Newport may be just right for you. Like many others, you can sign up to be notified when Project Newport is available on Autodesk Labs.

Sign up today!

Do It Yourself Multi-touch Development

At Autodesk University we had the Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall in the exhibit hall. Though I have not blogged about multi-touch in a while, this sparked renewed interest in this topic. A Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey wrote in:

I am working on an interactive application using multi touch screen technology. I am interested to know what kind of software packages or software development kits are available for the touch screen technology interface? I want to find an open source piece of software in this area to test some ideas out on. I am interested in smaller multi touch screens if you are aware of any.

Autodesk Labs Human Computer Interface Software Developer, Eddy Kuo, and Geospatial Senior Systems Developer, Hans Kellner, had immediate answers:

Here are sources for multi-touch and more
http://www.openframeworks.cc/
http://www.nuigroup.com/touchlib/

Here are cheaper and smaller size multi-touch displays:
http://touchkit.nortd.com/index.html
http://ssandler.wordpress.com/MTmini/

For a broad overview of this topic, you may wish to look at Dan Saffer's Book Designing Gestural Interfaces:

Designing Gestural Interfaces

Thinking about using just our fingers to tell a computer what to do is alive in the lab.

Happy Holidays from Project Newport

I got this from the Project Newport team. I thought I would share:

We wish you a wonderful holiday and a happy 2009!

We want to take this opportunity to thank you warmly for your collaboration and insights. We look forward to working together to create a great product!

The Newport Team

Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback at AU and for those who signed up to be on the mailing list.

Project Newport Email Sign Up

Happy holidays.

Happy Holidays

Since I had a turkey for Thanksgiving, I figured I might as well do a Christmas tree for today.

Christmas Tree DWFx. Zoom in!

This tree brought to you by Project Draw and Project Freewheel. No trees were harmed in the creation of this diagram. Happy Holidays to all.

Amanda Collins' Christmas Wish List

On the heels of AU, Autodesk Labs Marketing Manager, Amanda Collins, filed this report. All Amanda really wants for Christmas is customer feedback from experts like you.

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Autodesk Labs at AU 2008 and Beyond!

Think about the excitement that keeps Autodesk University going from start to finish. It’s generated by experts, like you. This year, you felt that excitement the moment you entered the Discovery Space in the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall.

We’ll try to capture a bit of that excitement in the copy and pictures below. If you like what you learn, we hope you’ll become a post-show early adopter and join the Autodesk Labs community.

AU 2008 Discovery Space

The hands-on Discovery Space in the AU Exhibit Hall was bursting with innovative ideas and new approaches to design technology. You could try your hand at a multi-touch wall. Use a Wii remote or a game controller to zoom into a building in Project Newport. Configure a photorealistic living space, online. Watch virtual reality buildings come to life - no headgear required. And talk with the engineers who are making it happen, perhaps to understand how and why Autodesk is developing software to take advantage of different interfaces and how those interfaces can be applied to 3D design.

The Discovery Space highlighted several tools and technology previews. Click below to find out more.

• Project Newport

• Project Showroom

• Project Freewheel

• Project Draw

• Multi-touch Interfaces

• Mixed and Augmented Reality

• Advanced Simulation

• Sustainability Tools

At the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall Opening Reception, more than 1000 experts, like you visited the Discovery Space. Over the next two days, thousands of you tried out the tools and technology previews. Hundreds of you stayed to talk with us and share ideas. We enjoyed every minute. Thank you.

Take a moment to flip through photos from the Autodesk Labs Discovery Space album.

What Happens in Vegas Doesn’t Have to Stay in Vegas

The Autodesk Labs team had such a ball at AU 2008 we’d like to extend you another invitation: Please join our community.

Would you like updates on all the exciting happenings in design technology from Autodesk - while they’re still in the concept phase? Join the community and you’ll stay plugged into fun and exciting new ideas.

Preview a free drawing tool over the Web. Learn how to use it without ever having to download any software. Discover free* utilities that Autodesk posts online for its products and why they’re valuable to you. Take a look into our crystal ball to see what technology Autodesk is exploring for the future.

Download our tools and technology previews at no charge, and send us your input. Your feedback helps us make better products.

It’s our way of saying thanks for stopping by… and be sure to visit us any time.

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Thanks Amanda.

AU FlipCam videos: YouTube and non-YouTube

In my haste of blogging while at Autodesk University, I did not post YouTube alternatives for the videos I created using my FlipCam. Since some of your companies block YouTube access, I am now providing alternative locations. I set some of videos to music using YouTube's AudioSwap capability. Hence the non-YouTube versions do not have this accompaniment.

Autodesk University

Title	YouTube	YouTube alternative	Duration	YouTube Views
AU Registration is as easy as 1-2-3		AU_registration_Sunday.mp4 (6867.7K)	01:05	81
Bellagio Dancing Waters		au_dancing_waters.mp4 (15605.8K)	02:26	152
Construction site on Las Vegas strip		au_construction.mp4 (6620.6K)	01:02	100
Software as a Service at AU		au_saas.mp4 (3323.5K)	00:42	153
AU Autodesk Labs Exhibit Hall Wii Winner		au_labs_winner.mp4 (7065.0K)	01:27	120

3D Printing / Augmented Reality

Title	YouTube	YouTube alternative	Duration	YouTube Views
excerpt of Autodesk CTO Jeff Kowalski from AU		au_jeff_augmented_reality.mp4 (39354.7K)	07:31	60
Autodesk Labs: Augmented Reality - 3D motorcycle		through_the_screen.mp4 (2940.1K)	00:45	56
Full Scale 3D Printed Motorcycle from Inventor		raising_motorcycle.mp4 (10245.5K)	01:36	713
Autodesk Gallery: Augmented Reality		Autodesk_Gallery_2008_Pene.mp4 (44320.6K)	01:53	new

Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Device

Title	YouTube	YouTube alternative	Duration	YouTube Views
Assembling the Multi-touch Wall for AU		assembling_touchwall.mp4 (15224.4K)	02:13	681
AU Exhibit Hall Opening Night: Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall		au_scott_multitouch.avi (21147.6K)	00:38	244

Microsoft Surface Device

Title	YouTube	YouTube alternative	Duration	YouTube Views
Unpacking and setting up the Microsoft Surface at AU		au_surface_setup.mp4 (10177.4K)	02:02	155
Microsoft Surface device in Autodesk Labs booth at Autodesk University		au_surface.mp4 (11857.5K)	02:18	204

Recapping AU is alive in the lab.

Autodesk Gallery: Augmented Reality Demo

Autodesk Labs Software Developer, Eddy Kuo, and Technical Evangelist from the office of the CTO, Brian Pene, have been working on augmented reality. Augmented reality is the ability to add 3D computer models to real world scenes. This is typically made possible by inserting a marker into a scene, viewing the scene with a video camera, and using computer software to replace the marker with an image of the model. As the marker is moved, the computer model is correspondingly moved, and the streaming video is updated. All of this happens in real time. By now you've all seen the motorcycle demo from AU:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXdjNofHgI
non-YouTube: Download through_the_screen.mp4 (2940.1K)

Prior to AU, Brian Pene filmed an architectural-based demo of this at our Customer Briefing Center at One Market Street in San Francisco. I placed a low quality version of his video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCtP8QOrjgM  

For you non-YouTubers or those who want a higher quality movie, you can see the view as:

Download Autodesk_Gallery_2008_Pene.mp4 (44320.6K)

Exploring another way to experience a design before it is real is alive in the lab.

These kids today...

I went to De La Salle High School in New Orleans. I am a computer scientist today because I took a BASIC programming class in high school. It was taught by our math teacher. I saved my programs as holes punched on paper tape. While on the computer, time flew by. I knew this would be a good way to spend 8 hours a day. Little did I dream it would some day become 13. :-)

I got this email today:

Scott

Last week we tried the Wii remote in class here at Wheeler High School. I got it installed, tried it out ahead of time, and then let the students use it to show off their creations. Everyone thought it was cool, but it did tend to crash if they moved too fast. I put some photos of us using it at

http://wildcatdrafting.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=324&Itemid=1

Keep up the good work. I enjoy reading about the things y'all are doing in the lab. When I can, I add it to the class.

Jack Reece
Engineering Drawing and Design
Wheeler High School, Room 002
www.wildcatdrafting.com

High schools have advanced way beyond paper tape. What a great gift for the Labs team. Thanks for your feedback Jack. I am delighted that potential computer scientists of tomorrow are getting exposure to new technologies today. Autodesk Labs is proud to do its part.

Autodesk Labs - rapid prototyping development

You can see from the press releases that IBM has announced its new Jazz technology:

• InfoWorld: IBM Rational offers Jazz-enabled project collaboration tools
• ARN: IBM Rational offers Jazz-enabled project collaboration tools

On Thursday the 11th I attended a briefing on this technology. At Autodesk Labs, we follow an Agile methodology. We're all about quickly developing prototypes that we can place on Labs for your feedback. Ideas whose time has not yet come are quickly killed. Those that garner positive feedback continue on. Many eventually graduate into our products and services.

The Jazz technology allows development organizations to integrate disparate systems. We use a combination of Microsoft Project (milestone scheduling), Confluence Wiki (technical info), Perforce (source code control), Jira (task management), and Clarify (defect tracking) in our rapid prototyping development. The problems that Jazz is intended to resolve really exist; however, many organizations like us have developed our own practices to integrate our systems. The process we already have in place is music to our ears. It will be interesting to see if companies continue with their home grown solutions or adopt this new technology?

Many of the readers of this blog are Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) members? Are you jazzed about this IBM announcement? Please share your experiences at thelabs@autodesk.com.