CAD Manager's Newsletter #147
22 Mar, 2006 By: Robert GreenGet ready to help your staff transition to a new interface
AutoCAD 2007 for CAD Managers, Part 1
Get ready to help your staff transition to a new interface
and 3D command set
In the last edition of the CAD Manager’s Newsletter (click here for archives), I promised that I’d look at the new AutoCAD 2007 product suite from a CAD manager’s perspective. My hope is to bring you the highlights of the new version, what to look out for, what to get on top of now and which new features can bring you some great functionality.
Here goes.
Wow, This is Different!
If you attend a demo for AutoCAD 2007 or spend any amount of time poking around in it, you’ll see that the main changes are a big difference in the interface and a substantial new 3D command set.
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| A totally new 3D command set and interface are the main changes you’ll notice in AutoCAD 2007. Note the Performance Tuner display at lower right. |
It’s kind of ironic that after years of touting the 3D benefits of its other software platforms -- Revit, Inventor, Land Development Desktop, Architectural Desktop and Building Systems -- Autodesk would go to such great lengths to put 3D into its flagship 2D product. I draw a couple of preliminary conclusions about this, based on what I see in the new 3D feature set and interface:
This substantial 3D upgrade portends a 3D future for AutoCAD that we probably wouldn’t have guessed a few years back, which means AutoCAD will be a vibrant tool for years to come.
he visualization differences (some are apparent in the previous figure) also show that Autodesk realizes that what matters isn’t just the design, but how you show off the design. Read more >>
I’d like to go out on my own but have no idea where to start. Could you give me some pointers on how to get into business for myself?
Robert Green replies:A very cool question -- and a subject that I’m passionate about because I’ve been on my own for 15 years now. I’ll actually need a few newsletters to answer this question. We’ll go ahead and get started in this issue and continue with the next one. Read more >>
Submit your questions to Robert Green atrgreen@greenconsulting.com.
Windows Might Not Remember Birthdays, But … Having trouble remembering to run an antivirus scan on your computer? Or maybe you just want to get an extra productivity boost by running certain routine tasks when you’re, say, at lunch? Windows offers built-in functionality you can use to accomplish specified tasks when your computer is idle. The how-to comes from PCMag.com.
Send us the address of your favorite Web site or other resource and a few words about why you like it. If we publish it, we'll send you a Cadalyst t-shirt! E-maileditors@cadalyst.com.
AUGI Manufacturing Conference
April 4, 2006
Santa Clara , California
Hosted by Ideate, this conference will explore best practices for implementing and managing the transition into 3D with Autodesk Inventor.
For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here.
Cadalyst Daily Update: For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won’t find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more! Here’s a sample of what you missed in the past week:
- ATI Launches 1GB Graphics Card : FireGL V7350 for workstations is said to be an industry first.
- Design Tools of Tomorrow: Sculpt on Screen: Touch-and-feel haptic devices now in the works could revolutionize how we shape products.
CAD Manager (Column) — Battling Burnout: Hate your job? Here's some help.
Cadalyst Labs Review — Autodesk Building Systems 2006: MEP for big projects.
First Look Review — MSC.Software SimDesigner Enterprise: Software works within CATIA to provide powerful simulation capabilities for automotive suspensions and other assemblies.
