My last two blog posts have been about extensions to existing technology previews, so I figured it was time to repost an updated version of my milk carton blog article.
| Most technology previews are like milk cartons. They have expiration dates on them. When a technology preview expires, the technology preview no longer operates. A preview has a time-bomb in it that makes it stop working on a particular date. We do this so there is a sense of urgency to try a technology preview and get back to us. Our customers are busy people, and without this, they would just say "I'll get to that later." When a technology preview expires, any data that has been created by it continues to be valid. It's just that the data cannot be edited using the technology preview since the preview does not run anymore. Certainly new data can't be created either. This time-based approach allows us to get timely feedback, early in the technology life cycle, on the general idea, user interface, performance characteristics, and correctness of the results. |
Here is a list of active Autodesk Labs technology previews and their associated expiration dates. The list is sorted by expiration date - so act fast if you want to provide feedback on these technology previews before they retire or graduate.
| Expiration Date | Technology Preview |
|---|---|
| November 15, 2015 |  Project Kameleon Try new infrastructure model content authoring tools. |
| November 16, 2015 |  Solar Analysis for Revit Perform solar analysis on the faces of a mass in Revit. |
| Fall 2015 |  Corridor Optimization for InfraWorks 360 Use equations to find the most efficient roadway alignment. |
| Fall 2015 |  Suitability Maps for InfraWorks 360 Leverage mapping data with corridor optimization. |
| December 7, 2015 |  NextGen Learning Help us evolve the learning resources we supply. |
| December 7, 2015 |  Project PRAXIS Try workflow authoring/publishing via the cloud. (Part of NextGen Learning) |
| December 10, 2015 |  Project Harmony for Simulation Moldflow Try automatic model cleanup for simulation. |
| December 25, 2015 |  Project Expo for Revit Transform existing Revit models into immersive visualizations. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Autodesk Open Translation Project Help evolve and improve open learning. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Autodesk Raytracer (ART) for 3ds Max Create physically-based renderings with optional Cloud acceleration. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Export LMC for AutoCAD Drive your METABEAM laser cutter directly from AutoCAD. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Molecule Viewer Explore the tiny world of molecular design. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Project Aquila Try web-based facility energy management. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Project Boulder for InfraWorks 360 Match 2D flood simulations with 3D immersive models. |
| December 31, 2015 |  Wet Lab Accelerator Accelerate the design/build/test/learn cycle of synthetic bio. |
| January 1, 2016 |  Project VUE Viewing for Autodesk Navisworks Import Intergraph Smart™ / SmartPlant® 3D models to Navisworks. |
| January 2, 2016 |  Project Scandium for Simulation Moldflow Extend your simulation capabilities. |
| January 3, 2016 |  Project Dalton Conduct pipe flow simulation and analysis. |
| January 19, 2016 |  Project Scorch Perform fire simulations within a structure. |
| January 31, 2016 |  Dynamo Plug-in for Robot Structural Analysis Connect Dynamo to Robot Structural Analysis. |
| January 31, 2016 |  Project ECMFin Conduct financial analyses on the desired energy conservation measures. |
| January 31, 2011 |  Revit Credit Manager for LEED Manage your LEED credits with ease. |
| February 19, 2016 |  React Structures Connect your BIM process to intuitive structural analysis. |
| March 1, 2016 |  Project Arro Test and optimize your design ideas. |
| May 1, 2016 |  2D to 3D Tool for Inventor Create 3D models in Autodesk Inventor from 2D data. |
| June 30, 2016 |  Project EnergyPlus Cloud Experience EnergyPlus raised to the power of cloud. |
Technology previews have a specific end date so no one confuses them with perpetual functionality that is associated with a product offering or subscription service. In fact, technology previews are offered for free to Subscription, non-Subscription, and educational customers alike. A development team is focused on a technology preview for a project interval. While they are, they want the feedback and the ability to make a decision so they can continue development of the technology or quickly move on to something else. We appreciate it when we debut technology previews, people try them right away, and they provide us with an up or down vote. Your experience shapes the future of our technology indeed. As I always say, "Trying a technology preview, liking it, but not telling us, is the same as not trying it."
Checking the expiration dates to see what can still be tested is alive in the lab.
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