It is Alive in the Lab

Project Vasari Talk 15: Conceptual Energy Modeling for Early Design Decisions

It's time for another talk in our series of talks known as Project Vasari talk. This is your chance to get together with the Project Vasari team and hear directly from them. You can regisier in advance and participate live, or you can watch the videotape after the fact. This next talk is:

Session 15: Conceptual Energy Modeling for Early Design Decisions

Date: August 22, 2012

Time: 11:30 AM Eastern time

Content: Understanding big picture energy implications can save time and money by identifying key energy drivers early. Architecture firms can assess the impact of early architectural decisions on energy use. In this episode Lura Griffiths, LEED^® AP BD+C, E.M.I.T Senior Energy Analyst at Glumac will showcase several examples of real building designs which were analyzed at early stages of design and explain how conceptual energy analysis was used to help guide the design and make significant impacts on energy use. HSW/SD AIA credit available.

To see the past Project Vasari talks, check out the Wiki:

Everyone is welcome.

Conversation is alive in the lab.

free technology preview of Maximo Integration for Autodesk Revit 2013 Products Now Available

Q: What can you make with an asset management tool, a building information modeler, and a little glue?
A: Maximo Integration for Autodesk Revit 2013 products

It's our newest technology preview. The free technology preview of Maximo integration for Autodesk Revit 2013 products extends the value of a Revit building information model (BIM) into the operations phase of the building lifecycle. Richly attributed data about building assets developed during design and construction (using Revit) can be published during commissioning or at handover (into IBM Maximo). How handy is that?

// Download Maximo Integration for Autodesk Revit 2013 products via Autodesk Labs

This is a new area for us. We'd like your thoughts on the effectiveness of extending building information modeling into the operational portion of the life of a build. You can provide feedback in many ways.

	Send an email message.
	Make a posting in the discussion forum.
	Write something on my Facebook wall.
	Retweet my messages or Tweet your own mentioning Autodesk Labs.
	Post a comment at the end of this blog posting.
	Leave a comment on the YouTube video.

Covering our assets is alive in the lab.

Are you expert enough for an early version of DesignScript?

Dr. Robert Aish and a team at Autodesk are developing DesignScript for a technology preview later in the year. For now, the core audience for this technology will be fairly limited.

To date there has been a small group of people (architects and designers) that the team has been working with for the past couple of years – who have participated in workshops based on preliminary versions of the technology. The team is now looking to expand that list.

DesignScript is a technology that, at this early stage, needs the user to be an architect or mechanical engineer with more than a passing interest in programming (familiarity with VBScript^® or JavaScript^™ and even C#). As such the team fully expects the audience to be limited. On the other hand, though the team would like to get more people to play with DesignScript, that would require more extensive help/tutorial/wiki support – something that the team is not in a position to do right now unfortunately. As an alternative, a sign up list is available on the Autodesk Labs site.

If you are an architect or designer with programming experience, you can sign up. a team member can contact you, and perhaps you can be added to the set of users playing with the early form of the technology. Only serious applicants need apply. When a slot is available, a team member will follow up with prospective users using the email list and gather additional information.

// Apply now for inclusion via Autodesk Labs

As mentioned, further down the road, a public technology preview, much like other technology previews on Labs, is planned. That may have more relaxed requiremets for programming expertise.

Yelling "pick me, pick me" is alive in the lab.

Updated free technology preview of Project Simulus Now Available

Project Simulus is a free technology preview that showcases a number of innovative approaches to mechanical simulation using geometry modification capabilities through embedding Inventor Fusion along with a very intuitive simplification environment to prepare various CAD models for different simulation studies. You should give this technology preview a try or you won't have a leg to stand on.

// Download Project Simulus via Autodesk Labs

The team provdied me with an update that I posted to the site. This new version requires a screen resolution of at least 1366 by 768 pixels. This update focuses on the simulation capabilities for Inventor, SAT and STEP based models by offering: Linear static stress offering a variety of contact types, loading, and constraint options; Modal frequencies and mass participation factors; Steady state thermal offering temperature, heat flux, convection, and radiation type loadings; Thermal-stress coupling; Buckling; and Fatigue. There is also a new read me with the very latest info. You may also want:

Download HowToForSimulus.pdf (1003.8K)

So please try this with your own data and share your resuls with us in the forum or by email.

Updated Simulation is alive in the lab.

Scheduled Autodesk Freewheel Down Time for August

This is my once-a-month copy/paste blog posting to let you know when Autodesk Freewheel will be unavailable. Months ago Project Freewheel graduated from Autodesk Labs. Project Freewheel users are now using Autodesk Freewheel - the production version.

To check it out for yourself go to:

http://freewheel.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Freewheel lets anyone view a DWF file using just a browser.

Several times during the year, new functionality is released into Autodesk’s Enterprise Information Systems to enhance the company’s services to partners / customers and help the organization run more efficiently. The next update is scheduled for three hours on August 18, 2011. To implement these changes, Autodesk Freewheel will experience planned downtime from 2:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, August 18 through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, August 18. In Greenwich, this would be 12:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, August 19 through 3:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, August 19. As I mention every time, 2012 should be much like 2011 in terms of server maintenance.

We realize that any systems outage impacts the operations of Autodesk, our partners, and our customers. We work diligently to minimize the duration of downtime and appreciate your understanding. So take a three hour break and enjoy the down time.

Updating servers is routinely alive in the lab.

August issue of Innovation Edge Now Available

There's another issue of Innovation Edge, the Autodesk Labs newsletter, available for your perusal. This brief publication highlights technologies and utilities available on Autodesk Labs. Something people don't always know is that technology previews are free. All we ask is that you try them and give us feedback on your experience. This applies to Subscription users, non-Subscription users, and students.

// Read the newsletter.

As I have mentioned in other blog posts, the Autodesk Labs site was recently ported to a new environment. I have recreated the mailing list for the newsletter from a variety of sources. If I have inadvertently included any new recipients, I am sorry. An unsubscribe link appears at the bottom of the announcement message. Our aim is not SPAM anyone to death. Opt-in subscribers will only receive 2 more email messages like this over the remainder of the year - one every other month.

To Subscribe:

1. Navigate to Autodesk Labs home page.

2. Click on the Sign In link that appears in the upper right.
   

3. Sign in using your Autodesk Single Sign-on user ID and password.
   
   

4. Click on Newsletter link that appears in the upper right after signing in.
   

5. Check the box to opt in to receive the newsletter and click on Update.
   

6. The Autodesk Labs newsletter sending process will use the email address associated with your Autodesk account. You will get one email message every other month.

As our opt-in page says, thank you for all of the downloads, site visits, email messages, forum postings, blog comments, and social media interactions. By the way, a list of all past newsletters appears on:

http://labs.autodesk.com/newsletters

Electronic delivery is alive in the lab.

free technology preview of Augmented Reality for Showcase Now Available

There was this one time, at band camp... Oh wait - that's another story. There was this one time, at Autodesk University, when CTO, Jeff Kowalski, pulled a 3D motorcycle out of the screen. Well it's time for more antics of that kind.

The newest technology preview on Autodesk Labs is Augmented Reality for Showcase.

// Download Augmented Reality for Showcase

The add-on works with Showcase 2013 or Showcase Professional 2013. Basically it works like this:

• You prepare your virtual object in Showcase (e.g. set infinite background, group objects).
• You associate a supplied marker (jpg file) with your virtual object.
• You scale the virtual object.
• You print a supplied marker (PDF) and place it in the real world.
• You enable the plug-in, point your web camera at the printed marker, and voila - Showcase displays what the camera sees augmented with your virtual object in place of the printed marker.

So please give this a try and let us know what you think (e.g., email, forum, video comments) using the feedback icons that appear on the page on the Autodesk Labs site. Even if you have no plans to try this technology preview, you might want to watch the video, This is just plain fun.

Augmentation is alive in the lab.

Attention Inventor Simplification users: Please complete a short survey

The Inventor Simplification technology preview gives you a new and easy way to simplify parts and assemblies for downstream consumption.   If you have not tried it yet: // Download Inventor Simplification via Autodesk Labs For those who have tried it, read on.

After a stint as a technology preview on Labs, the shrinkwrap feature was added to Inventor several releases ago. This same team is interested in feedback on various ways to improve its workflow. Whether you need to simplify a fully detailed model to import into Revit or remove intellectual property, the team believes Inventor Simplification can help which is why it is a techhnology preview on Autodesk Labs now. In their continuing quest for feedback, the team has put together a short survey. If you are one of our cutting-edge early adopters who has tried Inventor Simplification, the team would appreciate it if you would fill out this short survey.

Complete the survey.

Polling is alive in the lab.

Project Scandium for Simulation Moldflow 2013 Now Available

Yesterday I resurrected the free technology preview of Project Scandium for Simulation Moldflow on the Autodesk Labs site.

// Learn more about Project Scandium for Simulation Moldflow

This technology preview requires that you have a copy of Autodesk Simulation Moldflow 2013. The team gave me new builds that expire on January 1, 2013, so you have plenty of time to evaluate this technology and email feedback to labs.moldflow.scandium@autodesk.com or post comments on the YouTube videos or in the discussion forum. I received builds for 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I only posted the 64-bit because I figured most early-adopter-type users are on 64-bit systems. If you need the 32-bit version of the technology preview, just let me know.

Simulation is alive in the lab.

Structure Generator for Revit Now Available on Autodesk Subscription Center

Many of you provided feedback on the Structure Generator for Revit when it was a technology review on Autodesk Labs. Thank you for that. Based on its popularity, the technology is now available as an extension in the Autodesk Subscription Center.

Download from Autodesk Subscription Center

Graduation is alive in the lab.

An iconoclast for icons - the saga of icons on the Labs site

One of the goals of the Autodesk Labs site port to the Mosaic platform was to gain more flexibility. The old site had a feedback section that looked like:

One of the drawbacks of this was that each technology preview was required to have an email address and a discussion forum. If I wanted to try a technology preview using just a forum for feedback, I couldn't, because the Email Your Feedback text on the page had to link to something. I had considered this since in a forum, everyone gets to see the questions asked and the answers provided. Though emails get answered, only the recipients see them. Also, only technology preview team members can answer the emails. In a forum, anyone (team members and other users) can provide answers. In addition, the site had small icons for Facebook, StumbleUpon, Tumblr, and LinkedIn that site visitors never used.

Another thing I noticed on the old site was that there was a big chunk of white space on the right side of the page.

I thought we should try using that space. Since I have seen that email and the discussion forums are not the only ways technology preview users give us feedback, I thought I would make that explicit. The new site allows links on the right side for all of the possibilities:

I say "allows" because all or none of these can be present. Each one is optional. As I mentioned at the onset, the new site provides more flexibility.

So given this new set of things to click on to provide feedback, I needed some icons. To launch the site, I created some temporary ones. I made them 104 pixels by 104 pixels so no one could possibly overlook their existence when they come to the Autodesk Labs page for a technology preview. I even prototyped the ability to attach documents to pages:

Social media is very popular these days, and I wanted people to know that they can provide feedback via Facebook comments, Twitter tweets, blog comments, and YouTube video comments in addition to traditional email messages and forum posts. Those big icons make no mistake about that!

I knew these icons were big, but they were only temporary. I put in a request to our web team to get some icons professionally made. In the web team's professional opinion, my icons were too big. Way too big. They supplied me with a set of icons that were only 32 by 32 pixels in size.

Although they were beautiful, I thought the ones supplied were too small. They would get lost on the page. Site visitors would not use them just like the ones we used to have. Plus they wouldn't be using much of that wasted space on the right. So I decided to compromise and request icons that were 64 by 64 pixels in size. The web team denied my request. They hung to their artistic vision of the small icons. So I was left to my own devices.

Although the process I am about to describe was followed for all 6 icons, I will use just the Facebook icon as an example. Although I knew it would pixelate, the first thing I did was simply rescale the 32 by 32 icon from the web team to 64 by 64 pixels. I thought it looked fuzzy:

To avoid the fuzziness, I thought what if I kept the 32 by 32 part the same and just filled it to take up 64 by 64 pixels. I also added text so people could tell what the link pointed to:

The text was hard to read, so I went back to the fuzzy ones. When I actually added them to the Autodesk Labs site, they turned out to be even fuzzier than originally expected because the site template that incorporates the icons scales the images to 104 pixels by 104 pixels - the size of the original icons. It looked like this:

Since I now knew I needed an image that was 104 by 104 pixels, I decided to make images of that size. Since the background of the page was white, I could just take the 64 by 64 pixel images and surround it by white pixels.

Although it does not look so bad pictured above, all together on the page, the icons looked like they were floating, so then I figured I could use the white space to have more legible text.

That black text just looked out of place. I noticed that:

appeared right above these icons and was written in white text on a green background. So I tried to incorporate that for consistency. Boy did the resulting icons look big.

The extra green just took over too much of the page, so I decided to trim it.

I then noticed that I had used a 12 point font for the text but Download Now was in 11 point. So for consistency (and to make it fit better), I redid them using an 11 point font. I also reduced the amount of green to make the overall appearance on the page noticeable but not so big.

I was then able to use my Fotolia account, purchase some artwork, scale them down, and make them look better.

Looking back at the history, I see:

So that's how I got what you see on the site. I agree it is not great. I am not a designer. I don't even play one on TV. My background is software engineering. I now have a program management role which is more like marketing, so I am doing what I can with my untrained eye. It is quite possible ways to improve them will emerge in the days ahead. If you have visited the site before Friday night, you may need to refresh the page to see the new icons.

Paint.net is alive in the lab.

Autodesk Labs web site now on a new platform

I am happy to announce that the Autodesk Labs site is now supported by the same underlying that supports Mosaic at Autodesk.

http://labs.autodesk.com/

You may recall Project Mosaic as a technology preview on Autodesk Labs. In addition to the consistency with other communities such as the Manufacturing Community and overall robustness, you will see benefits like being able to log into the Labs community using your social media credentials. As part of the reconstruction, a stronger emphasis has been placed on collecting feedback. Please bear with us and we shake things out in the coming week.

• At initial launch I was working on "Referral Denied" errors when trying to download. This turned out to be a problem in my testing environment.
• If you are having trouble logging in as part of downloading, use the Sign In button in the upper left to log in BEFORE you click on Download Now. This has been reported to our platform vendor. If this happens to you:
  1. Go to the Autodesk Labs home page.
  2. Click on Sign In in the upper right.
  3. Log in with your Autodesk Single Sign-on user name and password.
  4. You should see a Welcome message at the top of the page.
  5. Go to the technology preview you wish to downlaod.
  6. Click on Download Now at the top right.
  This worked for me.
• My colleague, Ben Cochran, did not see nay image or navigation when using Firefox. I have asked him to clear his browser cache. We believe this one is login-specific and will not affect everyone.
• There is a "Acrobat is already running" error when attempting to view the "How To" and "Read Me" PDF files on the Project Simulus Getting Started page. This has been reported to our vendor. So far this only happens for me on my PC. On my iPad, it works great.

Evolution is alive in the lab.

Please do us the honor of voting for Project Geppetto

Architects, engineers, and designers can use Project Geppetto to enrich the context of their presentations with realistic crowds that autonomously navigate their designs. Project Geppetto comes with a set of animations and characters for use in common public settings like sidewalks, hallways, lobbies, and plazas. It is available as a free technology preview for 3ds Max / 3ds Max Design on Autodesk Labs. The latest update is from July 11, 2012.

// Download Project Geppetto via Autodesk Labs

I learned today that Project Geppetto is in the running for a 3D World CG 2012 Technical Innovation Award.

Vote for Project Geppetto.

With over 7,00 employees, Autodesk is indeed a big company, but our company is made up of small teams such as the one that created Project Geppetto. This handful of employees is not too big to appreciate an award like this. They would be honored to receive it. So if you have downloaded and tried Project Geppetto, the team would appreciate your vote. Please do so today. Voting ends tomorrow.

Lobbying is alive in the lab.

Project Vasari Talk 16: Using Visual Programing to enhance conceptual design and analysis in Autodesk Project Vasari

It's time for the third talk in our summer series of talks known as Project Vasari talk. This is your chance to get together with the Project Vasari team and hear directly from them. You can regisier in advance and participate live, or you can watch the videotape after the fact. This next talk is:

Session 16: Using Visual Programing to enhance conceptual design and analysis in Autodesk Project Vasari

Date: August 8, 2012

Time: 11:30 AM Eastern time

Content: In this episode, we will explore computational design workflows using Autodesk Project Vasari. Matt Jezyk, Senior Product Manager at Autodesk, will teach about the open-source Dynamo Visual Programming add-in and Python scripting which can be used to create advanced computational designs and automated feedback loops. We will explore workflows where changes made to the model cause changes in the simulation results, which then drive changes back into the model. We will investigate both out-of-the-box tools and add-ons currently under development for creating parametric building models that respond to environmental conditions through both automatic and semi-automatic feedback loops.

To see the past Project Vasari talks, check out the Wiki:

Everyone is welcome.

Conversation is alive in the lab.

Three Retirements from Autodesk Labs today

It's practically a retirement party around here.

Some technology previews are retiring from Autodesk Labs today. Though these technology previews will continue to run for a few more days for existing users, I have removed the Autodesk Labs pages today because we will be moving the Autodesk Labs site to a new platform next week, and I want to freeze the site.

The technology previews that are retiring today include:

• Project Factory.Modz() for Inventor (expires July 31)
• Point Cloud Feature Recognition for Revit (expires August 1)
• Project Silverstar for AutoCAD (expires August 1)

Thanks to everyone who participated in these technology previews. I have documented these for posterity on the graduates page. With your help, the Labs process is win-win. You get to help shape the future of our technologies so the end result meets your needs, and we avoid spending time and effort on technologies that are not critical to your business needs. In the future, the Reality Capture team may conduct another point-cloud-related technology preview based on the technology Autodesk acquired when we acquired Alice Labs. The Project Silverstar team may also conduct additional technology previews.

Cooperation is alive in the lab.

Project QuickShare graduates from Autodesk Labs

The technology preview of Project QuickShare put the power in your hands to quickly share design files from anywhere at any time. Participants could explore DWF files in real-time using a highly interactive online viewer. Project QuickShare used the power of the Autodesk cloud and modern browsers to deliver a high quality and intuitive viewing experience.

This technology preview has come to an end. Thanks to the dedicated faithful who took this technology for a spin and provided feedback. Admittedly the full feature set of Autodesk 360 provides a wider array of capabilities.

// Learn more about Autodesk 360

Graduation is alive in the lab.

Autodesk Labs Feedback: What should I say?

Autodesk Labs has a variety of feedback mechanisms for technology previews.

	Each technology preview has its own email alias such as labs.fusion@autodesk.com.
	Each technology preview has its own forum (e.g., Project Spark) or at least a thread in one of the design application forums (e.g., Project Basejump).
	Blog articles on It's Alive in the Lab or Between the Lines accept comments.
	Shaan Hurley and I routinely get comments on our Facebook walls.
	Shaan and I follow and are followed on Twitter.
	Videos related to technology previews on the Autodesk Channel accept comments. I read each one and pass them on to the team associated with the technology preview.

Although there are multiple ways to provide feedback, the key ingredient is the feedback itself. People sometimes are hesitant to provide feedback, because they are unsure of what to say. First let me say that silence is the enemy. Even just feedback with the words "I like it." helps. Although "I hate it." is also valuable, if you can add why you hate it, that is a big help. Here are some examples of feedback we received in June that were considered helpful. Thanks to our early adopters for providing this feedback.

• How do I get ISOs generated with Inventor Tbe and Pipe .pcf files. I have tried AutoCAD Isometrics WS but with no joy...
  Pieter van der Westhuizen

• I have been using Project Falcon for some basic flow analysis and have a quick question about the Save and Load options being greyed out in the Flow Lines Settings dialogue box. Is there a way to save my setup? Or load new settings?
  Hayden Borrie

• With BIM Coordinator for AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit, when I attach the new drawing to my original Civil 3D site drawing, the building isn't in the same location as where I placed the internal coordinate system drawing. Because my coordinate system is in the 3,000,000 10,000,000 range, there appears to be a conversion happening between US Survey Feet and International Feet.
  Tommie Richardson

• The Interactive Terrain Modeler for AutoCAD Civil 3D / Map 3D has a command “Create Pond Storage.” A more useful command would be to optimize the pond Depth with user-volume input, i.e., the pond depth updates automatically with a fixed Feature Line and a fixed volume input.
  Willy Luce

• Just wanted to touch base with you and find when you are likely to release a version of the 2D to 3D tool for Inventor 2013? It’s a great tool that I use to demo Inventor to prospects and clients and always goes over very well, particularly when up against competing software.
  David Wikinson

• I am testing Project Simulus thermal steady analysis with thin objects and I get an error. Any suggestion for analyses of thin layered plates with thermal loads and insulations?
  Mario Nivoli

• When I tried to use the Thread Modeler Plugin for Inventor for 1 ¼” – 11.5 NPT threads, I kept getting the “Failed to Create CoilFeature” error message….no matter what pitch offset I used. Any ideas on what could be causing this? I just tried it on ANSI Unified Screw Threads and it worked fine. Will it not work on NPT?
  Christine Baird

• eTransmit for Revit is awesome! There are many times in our companies production lifecycle that this product would be of great time saving value.
  Chad Ramsey

Thanks to everyone who provides feedback. Without you, we might as well develop software in a vacuum.

Feedback is alive in the lab.

Project Vasari Talk 14: Rhino/Project Vasari Interoperability

It's time for another talk in our series of talks known as Project Vasari talk. This is your chance to get together with the Project Vasari team and hear directly from them. You can regisier in advance and participate live, or you can watch the videotape after the fact. This next talk is:

Session 14: Rhino/ Vasari Interoperability

Date: July 25, 2012

Time: 11:30 AM Eastern time

Content: Revit Customer Success Engineer, Joe Kendersky, will join us to discuss workflow methods between Autodesk Revit Architecture and Rhino / Grasshopper. The use of Rhino / Grasshopper has become a popular solution to explore building form creation for initial design studies. The talk will cover how a team can leverage the capabilities of both solutions to quickly come up with several schemes at the conceptual / schematic level.

To see the past Project Vasari talks, check out the Wiki:

Make sure to horn in on the discussion. Everyone is welcome.

Conversation is alive in the lab.

Inventor Fusion technology preview for Mac: Be ready when the Mountain Lion is uncaged

Senior Principal Engineer, Kris Berg, let me know that the Inventor Fusion team had a new technology preview (TP) build for the Mac available. This build is just an update of TP1 with fixes for running on OS X Mountain Lion.

// Download Inventor Fusion for Windows or Mac via Autodesk Labs

So now Mac users who are providing feedback on the Inventor Fusion technology preview will be ready when Apple's Mountain Lion operating system is released.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom is alive in the lab.

free technology preview of Mesh Enabler for Autodesk Inventor 2013 Now Available

Software Development Manager, Wayne Catalfano, provided me with a new installer for the Mesh Enabler that extends the team's ability to get feedback from Inventor 2013 users.

Download Mesh Enabler for Inventor 2013 or 2012 via Autodesk Labs

This technology preview allows you to import files and convert the data to intelligent Inventor base features.

Installer		Expiration Date
	Mesh Enabler for Inventor 2013	01-31-2014
	Mesh Enabler for Inventor 2012	01-31-2013

To keep things simple, you download one zip file and then simply extract and run the installer that mates with your version of Inventor. We would love your feedback on the user interface and usability of working with meshes at labs.iv.mesh@autodesk.com or the Inventor Mesh Enabler discussion forum.

Keeping technology previews alive, so the feedback continues to roll in, is alive in the lab.

Scheduled Autodesk Freewheel Down Time for July

This is my once-a-month copy/paste blog posting to let you know when Autodesk Freewheel will be unavailable. Months ago Project Freewheel graduated from Autodesk Labs. Project Freewheel users are now using Autodesk Freewheel - the production version.

To check it out for yourself go to:

http://freewheel.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Freewheel lets anyone view a DWF file using just a browser.

Several times during the year, new functionality is released into Autodesk’s Enterprise Information Systems to enhance the company’s services to partners / customers and help the organization run more efficiently. The next update is scheduled for three hours on July 14, 2011. To implement these changes, Autodesk Freewheel will experience planned downtime from 2:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, July 14 through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, July 14. In Greenwich, this would be 12:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, July 15 through 3:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, July 15. As I mention every time, 2012 should be much like 2011 in terms of server maintenance.

We realize that any systems outage impacts the operations of Autodesk, our partners, and our customers. We work diligently to minimize the duration of downtime and appreciate your understanding. So take a three hour break and enjoy the down time.

Updating servers is routinely alive in the lab.

Project Geppetto for 3ds Max 2013 / 3ds Max Design 2013 Now Available

Re-animator is a 1985 movie that I really enjoyed. The story features a dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend who become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus. I watched it by renting a VHS tape from a local video store! Wow - those days are gone.

Project Geppetto is our free technology preview for easily adding realistic crowds to 3ds Max scenes. Project Geppetto helps bring your designs to life. Shaan Hurley had some real fun with this one when he "extended" its capabilities to create crowds of Autodesk Reality Capture VP Brian Mathews (see Shaan's blog article).

The other day I got an update from the Project Geppetto team. In turn I updated the Autodesk Labs site.

// Learn more about Project Geppetto on Autodesk Labs

This update includes:

• Support for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 (Update 3) and Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2013 (Update 3)
• Inclusion of the Evolver technology
• Extension of the technology preview period until January 15, 2013.

Industry Marketing Manager, Chrysoulla Srabian, shared some screen shots.

1. Create Flows
   

2. Define Idle Areas
   

3. Add People
   

4. View as Stick Figures
   

5. View Detailed People
   

6. Close Up
   

To date users have really enjoyed working with Project Geppetto and have provided great feedback on how to incorporate improvements like Evolver. Keep it up at labs.3dsmax.geppetto@autodesk.com.

Re-animation is alive in the lab.

FABmep Import for Revit MEP: A picture is worth 1,000 words

Yesterday I had a blog post:

• FABmep Import for Revit MEP Now Available on Autodesk Labs

I decided to capture the workflow that Steven Butler described:

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I would share it. The technology preview on Autodesk Labs:

• // Download FABmep Import for Revit via Autdoesk Labs

is highlighted in red. Please continue to send your feedback to labs.revit.fabmep@autodesk.com.

Pictionary is alive in the lab.

FABmep Import for Revit MEP Now Available on Autodesk Labs

There's a new free technology preview available for Revit MEP users.

// Learn more about FABmep Import for Revit MEP

Do you need to import Autodesk Fabrication FABmep models into Autodesk Revit MEP? If so, this technology preview is for you. Note that the import is intended to support geometry only and does not maintain design or fabrication information. Is this enough to make this technology useful? Please try it, and let us know your thoughts at labs.revit.fabmep@autodesk.com.

Autodesk BIM Globalization Product Line Manager, Steve Butler, provided some insight behind this technology preview.

---

Autodesk Fabrication FABmep provides an export from Revit MEP to FABmep. From FABmep users can further detail the model, using manufacturers specific content, estimate and export to fabrication. The FABmep Import Technology Preview allows users to re-import the final FABmep model, back into Revit MEP 2013. One is an export, supporting downstream construction activities, the other is an import for record drawing/model purposes in Revit.

The Autodesk Fabrication FABmep application consists of two parts:

1. Part 1 is a plug-in to Revit MEP 2013 that allows users to export the model.
2. Part 2 is a proprietary application that reads the exported model, allowing users to map the generic Revit elements to manufacturer specific components.

Users (typically contractors and sub-contractors) can then detail the model further (in FABmep) for fabrication, preparing spool diagrams and modular pre-assembly layouts. Finally, users can estimate directly from the model using our ESTmep product, or export to manufacture via our CAMduct product. This offers users a complete end-to-end workflow from design to fabrication.

What we do not support, is the re-importing of the final FABmep model, back into Revit MEP 2013. This is something the industry requires to be able to deliver an as-installed, or as-built model back to the client. There are several challenges associated with this process however:

• Revit MEP does not currently provide the same level of model construction intelligence as FABmep. As such, we aren't able to reproduce the final model accurately in Revit MEP. Is the model that Revit MEP produces therefore sufficient for industry? We would love feedback from the technology preview users.
• It's not clear what the final model is intended to be used for. Some users merely need a static record of the as-built condition. Others want to be able to use the model for FM, creating an as-maintained model. Some have even suggested re-using the model for future renovation work. Users can share their usage plans with us.
• We need to understand market expectations as these will determine what level of intelligence resides in the final model. We don't currently persist design data from Revit MEP to FABmep for example. This may be required however, if users want to use this model for future renovation work. Users can provide feedback.

Hence the need for an import tool, and user feedback.

In summary, the FABmep Import Technology Preview allows users to re-import a FABmep model back into Revit MEP 2013. The resultant model is a full Revit MEP model, but has no design or fabrication information associated with it. What we need to understand is how suitable is this model for industry.

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"Central Services! Troubles with your ducts?" ^{source: oilempire.us}

Central service is alive in the lab.

Happy 4th of July

It's July 4 - Independence day - recognition of the day the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly by Colonel John Nixon. (Actually it occurred on July 8, 1776.) The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time, nor did they sign on July 4, 1776. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it. The names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were withheld from the public for more than six months to protect the signers. If independence had not been won, the treasonable act of the signers would have, by law, resulted in their deaths. ^{source: PurpleTrail.com}

Autodesk employees in the United States have the day off to celebrate the founding of our country. So for those of you submitting feedback on our technology previews on the Autodesk Labs site, fear not, we will answer tomorrow. For now, we will enjoy the day.

Only relaxation is alive in the lab today.

Corridor Solids for AutoCAD Civil 3D Graduates to Subscription Center

Corridor Solids for AutoCAD Civil 3D provides functionality to create AutoCAD solids from AutoCAD Civil 3D Subassembly shapes that are contained in an AutoCAD Civil 3D Corridor Model. By creating solids from subassembly shapes, representative real-world objects such as tunnels, retaining walls, and pavement layers can be easily used for visual analysis, design verification, and construction coordination.

For users who have already downloaded the technology preview for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012, the technology preview will operate until August 1, 2012. For new users, or users who wish to make the change before the expiration, the technology is available as an add-on for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 in the Autodesk Subscription Center:

With regard to the technology on Subscription Center, the team has made a number of improvements based on feedback from Labs users and would like to thank the Labs users who’ve been so engaged with providing guidance.

Graduation ceremonies are alive in the lab.

Bridge Modeler for AutoCAD Civil 3D Will Graduate to Autodesk Subscription Center

The Bridge Modeler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 technology preview focused on 2 workflows: (1) Purpose-built workflow for modeling bridge road, barriers, piers, abutments, and bearings for bridge types and (2) the ability to extract strings along a bridge and create Civil 3D alignments which can be then used to display key bridge elements onto Civil 3D profiles.The technology preview will cease operation on July&mnsp;1.

The team has plans to make this same technology available for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 as an add-on in the Autodesk Subscription Center. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback during the technology preview. This will help shape the technology as it continues to move forward.

Commencement is alive in the lab.

Vasari Talk Session 13: Scripting with Python in Project Vasari

Project Vasari is our free technology preview for conceptual design and cloud-based analysis that is compatible with Revit.

• Join the Project Vasari team for a Webinar on July 11, 2012.
• Space is limited.
• Reserve your Webinar seat now.

Project Vasari Talk is back with a sizzling summer season! In their first episode, they will discuss how to use the Python script language to extend the capabilities of conceptual modeling in Project Vasari. Nathan Miller will share some examples from his web site The Proving Ground. Then the team's own Lilli Smith will share an example of a Python script for studying building programming inspired by Nathan's work. This session will be recorded and posted on the Project Vasari Wiki.

• Title: Vasari Talk Session 13: Scripting with Python in Project Vasari
• Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 
• Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. The plans is to have 4 episodes this season.

System Requirements

• PC-based attendees
  Required: Windows 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

• Macintosh-based attendees
  Required: Mac OS X 10.5 or newer

Visit the Autodesk Project Vasari site.

Snake charming is alive in the lab.

Updated Dynamo for Project Vasari Now Available

To misquote Van Morrison: "Oh, oh, Dynamo."

Project Vasari is our free technology preview of a design tool for creating building concepts. Project Vasari goes further, with integrated cloud-based analysis for energy and carbon, providing design insight where the most important design decisions are made. And, when it’s time to move the design to production, Project Vasari design data is compatible with Revit.

// Learn more about Project Vasari on Autodesk Labs

Project Vasari has some optional add-ins. Today I received an update for one of the add-ins from the Project Vasari team. I have updated the Autodesk Labs site.

Dynamo for Vasari Build parametric functionality on top of Project Vasari with a graphical user interface. Autodesk has significantly extended the open source effort of Ian Keough, added additional nodes, and packaged it in an installer for Revit and Project Vasari to make it easier to get up and running. We have also provided 8 new example workflows. // download Vasari installer // download Revit installer // get help via the Wiki

Extending functionality is alive in the lab.

Project Basejump for AutoCAD Map 3D / AutoCAD Civil 3D Retires from Autodesk Labs

Autodesk no longer has an agreement with Google to distribute the free technology preview of the Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD. We brokered an agreement with Microsoft to conduct a technology preview of AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D with the Bing web mapping service. That agreement is in effect until June 30. As such, Project Basejump will no longer operate after that date since the technology preview will have run its course.

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the technology preview. You were particularly impressed with the speed of the technology. This is good to know as the team considers its options moving forward. The team is even considering conducting another technology preview after incorporating some feedback.

Finishing is alive in the lab.

eTransmit for Revit graduates from Autodesk Labs to Subscription Center

The technology preview for eTransmit for Revit has ended. As of June 30, the add-on downloaded from the Autodesk Labs site will no longer operate. Thanks to everyone who participated. The technology is now available as an add-on for Revit 2013. You can download it from the Subscription Center.

With eTransmit for Revit, you can: copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder, locate dependent files automatically and include them in a transmittal folder, include related dependent files in a transmittal, and transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing.

// Download the 2013 add-on from Subscription Center

Celebration is alive in the lab.

Project Artoo for AutoCAD Map 3D Now Available in 13 languages

Project Artoo is our free technology preview for AutoCAD Map 3D that helps you perform geometry cleanup operations on geospatial data stores to improve the quality and accuracy of your geospatial data. The cleanup tools let you correct common errors that can be introduced during digitizing, importing, surveying, scanning, and drafting. You can do this on FDO-connected data stores, including SDF, SQLite, Esri SHP, and geodatabase files, as well as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle databases. How cool is that?

When launched on May 31, the technology preview and read me were only available in English. It has since been translated to 12 other languages. So now the process for getting started is:

1. Ensure that you have AutoCAD Map 3D 2013 installed.
2. Click Download Now on the Autodesk Labs Project Artoo site to download the Geospatial Clean Up utility.
3. Review the read me for Known Issues. The read me is available in 13 languages.
   • Chinese (Simplified)
   • Chinese (Traditional)
   • Czech
   • English
   • French
   • German
   • Hungarian
   • Italian
   • Japanese
   • Korean
   • Polish
   • Russian
   • Spanish
4. Based on your desired language and platform (32-bit or 64-bit), unzip the installer from ProjectArtoo.zip file to your local drive.
5. Run the executable and follow the onscreen instructions.
6. In AutoCAD Map 3D, type mapgisclean at the command prompt to invoke the Geospatial Clean Up wizard.

So get started now and let us know what you think about this technology preview at labs.map3d.artoo@autodesk.com.

Localization is alive in the lab.

Project Spark technology preview extended to October 1, 2012

Project Spark is our gateway drug to Autodesk Revit. I kid. I kid. Actually Project Spark is our free technology preview of a simplified 3D building information modeling (BIM) solution. Using Project Spark, building professionals can create designs efficiently with real-world building objects, produce more reliable documentation faster, and share files with consultants using Revit or AutoCAD-based products.

The technology preview of Project Spark was originally scheduled to expire on July 7, 2012. Have I got a deal for you! The technology preview has been extended to October 1, 2012. No action is required on your part. No download. No re-install. No nothing. All we ask is that you keep the feedback rolling in to labs.revit.spark@autodesk.com.

For those who already have Project Spark, you are all set. If you have not obtained Project Spark yet:

// Download Project Spark via Autodesk Labs

Rolling in the deep is alive in the lab.

Wordle is an easy way to make an image for a blog posting

As a quick way to get something interesting to look at for my blog, I often use Wordle to create my own word clouds. Wordle will accept text you type in, copy/paste, or the URL of an RSS feed. Today I noticed that the randomly created one using the Autodesk Labs RSS feed looked particularly stellar.

Using Wordle is a really easy thing to do. You should try it.

Decoration is alive in the lab.

June 2012 issue of Autodesk Labs Newsletter, Innovation Edge, Available

The Autodesk Labs newsletter is called Innovation Edge, coined by Senior Strategic Designer, Doug Look, and is published every other month. Users who opt in will only get 6 email messages a year - that's all. We don't want to spam you to death. The latest issue was sent out earlier this month.

We know your time is valuable. Each issue highlights only 3 technology previews (out of the 30 or so active technology previews on Autodesk Labs) in as few words as possible to give you a sense of what it does. If you would like to receive our newsletter about our technology previews, you can opt in by:

1. Visit Autodesk Labs.

2. Click on the Sign In link in the upper right.

   

    

3. Log in using your Autodesk Single Sign-on credentials.

   
   
   This is the same user name and password used for Labs, Subscription, Education, Manufacturing, and other communities.

    

4. Once logged in, click on Newsletter in the upper right to reveal a dialog where you can opt in.

   

    

5. Check the Newsletter box to be added to our list.

   

    

It's just that easy.

Extra, extra! Reading all about it is alive in the lab.

How should we organize the technology previews on Autodesk Labs?

When I think of community, I think of providers and users sharing information around an organizing principle. So communities based on the industries we serve come to mind.

• AEC - Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
• MFG - Manufacturing
• M&E - Media and Entertainment
• Consumer - creative non-professionals

But then I also think of communities like Education. In some cases separating out communities based on industry is rather straightforward, a community like Education includes members from the various industries. In fact there are several communities that span industries:

• Education - teachers and students
• Autodesk Research - research scientists, university professors, and graduate students
• Autodesk Labs - early adopters
• Autodesk Beta - release testers
• Product Support - problem solvers and customers

I guess the proper way to envision this is more of a grid where some commnities are industries and other communities span industries:

As a ponder a redesign of the Autodesk Labs web site, I am interested in your thoughts in how you would like to see the technology preveiws grouped on the site. You can reach us at thelabs@autodesk.com. I mention our email address becuase that is the form of feedback most often used. Next would be the discussion forums, and social media. The rating button on each technology preview seldom gets used.

Live and learn. I will drop that from the next design of the Labs site.

Categorization is alive in the lab.

Scheduled Autodesk Freewheel Down Time for June

This is my once-a-month copy/paste blog posting to let you know when Autodesk Freewheel will be unavailable. Project Freewheel has graduated from Autodesk Labs. Project Freewheel users should now be using Autodesk Freewheel - the production version.To check it out for yourself go to:

http://freewheel.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Freewheel lets anyone view a DWF file using just a browser.

Several times during the year, new functionality is released into Autodesk’s Enterprise Information Systems to enhance the company’s services to partners / customers and help the organization run more efficiently. The next update is scheduled for three hours on June 16, 2011. To implement these changes, Autodesk Freewheel will experience planned downtime from 2:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, June 16 through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, June 16. In Greenwich, this would be 12:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, June 17 through 3:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, June 17. As I mention every time, 2012 should be much like 2011 in terms of server maintenance.

We realize that any systems outage impacts the operations of Autodesk, our partners, and our customers. We work diligently to minimize the duration of downtime and appreciate your understanding. So take a three hour break and enjoy the down time.

Updating servers is routinely alive in the lab.

Project Artoo for AutoCAD Map 3D Now Available

"I don't always cleanup my Map 3D data, but when I do, I prefer Project Artoo. Stay clean my friend."
-- The Most Accurate Man Alive

Project Artoo for AutoCAD Map 3D is our free technology preview that lets you cleanup your geospatial data to improve the quality and accuracy of the data. You can use the cleanup tools to correct common errors that can be introduced during digitizing, importing, surveying, scanning, and drafting. With Project Artoo, you can perform cleanup operations on FDO-connected data stores, including SDF, SQLite, Esri SHP, geodatabase files or Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle databases.

// Download Project Artoo for AutoCAD Map 3D

Please try cleansing your own data and let us know of your successes or failures at labs.map3d.artoo@autodesk.com or the discussion forum. Do it today. You have until February 1, 2013 to do so - based on the day we grabbed the build of the technology preview from our software development environment.

Accuracy is alive in the lab.

Vault 2013 Integration for MicroStation Available in Subscription Center

The technology preview of the MicroStation integration for Vault has ended. This technology enables MicroStation V8i users to connect to an Autodesk Vault Collaboration AEC from within MicroStation, permitting MicroStation users the ability to manage their data within the context of their design application. The technology preview was conducted with Vault 2012. A Vault 2013-compatible version is available in the Subscription Center.

// Download Vault 2013 Integration for MicroStation from Subscription Center

Thanks to everyone who participated in the technology preview. You helped shape the technology from its preview state into its emergence on Subscription Center.

One vault for all (even competitor products) is alive in the lab.

LaunchPad for Product Design Suite Graduates from Autodesk Labs

The technology preview of LaunchPad for Product Design Suite 2012 has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated. Your feedback helped shape this technology into its inclusion as part of Product Design Suite 2013. I love it when a technology preview results in a happy ending.

Graduation ceremonies are alive in the lab.

Examples of Project Geppetto in Action

"I see dead people" is the famous line from the hit movie, The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis. When it comes to Project Geppetto, the opposite is true. Project Geppetto is our free technology preview where you can easily add life-like people to your 3ds Max scenes. Recently technical visionary, Josh Pabst, provided some feedback with some images of a West Loop Office Tower in Chicago.

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enlarge

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• Design Credits: Architecture firm SMDP (Sarver Minn Design Partners) // more
• CGI: Josh Pabst // more
• Modeling: AutoCAD 2012 // more
• Rendering: iray^® and 3ds Max 2012 // more

You too can try this too. Please so and share your results at labs.3dsmax.geppetto@autodesk.com.

Signs of life are alive in the lab.

 

 

^* iray is a registered trademark of NVIDIA Corporation.

Maker Fair: 123D Catch Booth

The Maker Faire was held in the Bay Area on May 19 and 20. It is billed as a two-day, family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. Autodesk has participated in this event for some years now.

123D Catch Booth

This past weekend, Senior Deircetor of Reality Capture Engineering, Keshav Sahoo, was on hand. He noted that our 123D Catch Photo Booth was a big hit.

It was as crowded as the Arc Stage.

You too can start the process of making something with 123D Catch.

// Check out 123D Catch

Our own 3D electricity is alive in the lab.

Sualp Ozel Video: Project Scout and Feature Recognition Tool

Design, Lifecycle, and Simulation Product Manager, Sualp Ozel, created this video that demonstrates how two free technology previews available on Autodesk Labs, Feature Recognition for Inventor and Project Scout, can be used together.

Feature Recognition for Inventor converts neutral 3D CAD models, such as STEP, SAT, or IGES solids, into full-featured Autodesk Inventor® models.

• Download Feature Recognition for Inventor

The technology preview of Project Scout is compatible with Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics and Autodesk Simulation Mechanical and includes additional simulation capabilities: Parametric design studies, Drop Test Wizard, and a New AMG Solver (AMG-MF).

• Download Project Scout via Autodesk Labs

Sualp imports a STEP file, recognizes two holes as features, and analyzes the effects of various hole sizes in the design. The video is available in two places:

• Watch on SimulationTV
• Download from Buzzsaw.com

Thanks Sualp. Please try both of these technology previews and let us know of your successes (nudges us to make these bonafide features) or failures (helps us hone the technology) at labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com or labs.scout@autodesk.com. Thank you.

The power of two is alive in the lab.

Feature Recognition for Inventor 2013 Now Available

Feature Recognition for Inventor is a free technology preview application to convert neutral 3D CAD models, such as STEP, SAT, or IGES solids, into full-featured Inventor models. You can apply feature mapping automatically or interactively as needed to maintain your design intent.

// Download Feature Recognition for Inventor via Autodesk Labs

The latest update adds to the list of Inventor releases that the Feature Recognition team is requesting feedback from.

• Autodesk Inventor 2013
• Autodesk Inventor 2012
• Autodesk Inventor 2011
• Autodesk Inventor 2010
• Autodesk Inventor 2009
• Autodesk Inventor 2008
• Autodesk Inventor 11

Please do try converting some of your designs and let us know of your successes (sways us to convert this to an in-the-box feature) or failures (helps us perfect the technology) at labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com.

Expanding the target audience is alive in the lab.

eTransmit for Revit 2013 Available in Subscription Center

eTransmit for Revit is a free technology preview of an add-in application for Revit Architecture 2012, Revit Structure 2012, and Revit MEP 2012. With eTransmit for Revit, you can: copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder, locate dependent files automatically and include them in a transmittal folder, include related dependent files in a transmittal, and transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing. The technology preview is active until June 30.

// Download the 2012 technology preview from Autodesk Labs

A 2013-compatible version is available now in the Subscription Center.

// Download the 2013 add-on from Subscription Center

Progression is alive in the lab.

Graduated Point Cloud Feature Extraction for AutoCAD Civil 3D Available in Subscription Center

The technology preview of Point Cloud Feature Extraction for Civil 3D was held from February 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012. The technology provides an intelligent point cloud shape extraction solution that allows you to import, load, and extract civil-specific shape and geometry information from point cloud data in AutoCAD Civil 3D. The technology is now available as an AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 add-on in the Subscription Center.

// Download the add-on from Subscription Center

Continuity is alive in the lab.

Updated Project Simulus Now Available for Download on Autodesk Labs

Project Simulus is our free technology preview that offers geometry modification capabilities to prepare various CAD models for different simulation studies. Project Simulus exploits the power of cloud computing that leaves your desktop free of much of the computational burdens.

// Download Project Simulus via Autodesk Labs

Thanks to your feedback, the team provided me with an update that I posted to the download server. This update contains corrections for the issues you brought to our attention.

• Incorrect .NET4 install
• Inventor files (created with localized OS settings) import issues
• Browser still shows all components set to "Steel, Alloy" but all components have "Copper, Alloy" override in Material Overrides dialog
• Isn't possible to re-submit running job in case that four jobs are running
• Remove extraneous messages from the Study log file
• Solver improvements
• Log-in issues
• Compare view arrangement issues
• Simulus crash when creating a new simulation study using an existing share sim. model
• Missing pill command/HUD for LSS-loads after double-click to the glyph
• Only one component highlighted in the scene for material overrides and components are not categorized by material type
• Broken video links
• Post processing performance improvements

Please continue to experiment with Project Simulus and share your feedback with labs.iv.simulus@autodesk.com. Thanks so much for putting this technology preview through its paces.

Incremental improvement is alive in the lab.

Scheduled Autodesk Freewheel down time for May

This is my once-a-month copy/paste blog posting to let you know when Autodesk Freewheel will be unavailable.

Several times during the year, new functionality is released into Autodesk’s Enterprise Information Systems to enhance the company’s services to partners / customers and help the organization run more efficiently. The next update is scheduled for three hours on May 12, 2011. To implement these changes, Autodesk Freewheel will experience planned downtime from 2:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, May 12 through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, May 12. In Greenwich, this would be 12:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, May 13 through 3:00 a.m. UDT on Sunday, May 13. As I mention every time, 2012 should be much like 2011 in terms of server maintenance.

We realize that any systems outage impacts the operations of Autodesk, our partners, and our customers. We work diligently to minimize the duration of downtime and appreciate your understanding. So take a three hour break and enjoy the down time.

Updating servers is routinely alive in the lab.

Update to Project Vasari 2.5 Now Available

Project Vasari is our free technology preview that is focused on conceptual building design using both geometric and parametric modeling. It supports performance-based design via integrated energy modeling and analysis features.

// Download Project Vasari via Autodesk Labs

Today I posted an update. According to Principal User Experience Designer, Lillian Smith, this update contains:

• Perspective view navigation fixes including more accurate zoom in and zoom region.
• Fixed problems running some external API applications.
• Google Earth satellite images are no longer saved in the project. Instead, they update automatically from the internet when the file is opened.

As always, please try the technology preview and provide your feedback to labs.vasari@autodesk.com. It's why we host technology previews. If we didn't want your feedback, we'd go straight to market.

Updates are alive in the lab.

BIM Coordinator for AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit Now Available

Autodesk Consulting helps customers solve their business problems, enhance their productivity, and optimize their operations by transforming the way they do business. Working with a global network of partners, Autodesk Consulting provides best practices and expertise to help customers fully adopt and integrate Autodesk technology for design innovation and business operational excellence.

Brought to you by Autodesk Consulting, the BIM Coordinator for AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit is a free technology preview to assist in the smooth and error-free exchange of model data. This includes AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012, Revit Architecture 2012 / Revit MEP 2012 / Revit Structure 2012, and Navisworks 2012.

// Download BIM Coordinator for AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit via Autodesk Labs

The Autodesk Consulting team is looking for your feedback on this technology preview. Please send your stories of success or failure to labs.civil3d.coordinator@autodesk.com or post them in the discussion forum. They are eager to see how this technology shapes up.

Coordination is alive in the lab.