CAD Manager's Newsletter (#167)

AutoCAD 2008: What's in it for You?

Some updates and refinements in the 2008 AutoCAD products can save you time and trouble.

Over the past few weeks I've had the opportunity to work with some of Autodesk's new 2008 series products (AutoCAD and the new P&ID application) and would like to give you a quick overview of some things I think will matter most to CAD managers who will be implementing this new software in the coming months.

I realize that not everyone uses AutoCAD or Autodesk products, but the overwhelming market dominance of AutoCAD compels me to at least mention it when a new version is on the horizon. Here goes.

Release Dates

The new AutoCAD and AutoCAD-related applications are slated for a late March release, and non-DWG based products (Revit and Inventor) will come roughly a month later. As usual, these dates could move a little, but at least you now know when to expect your new subscription CDs to start showing up.

Plan your research time accordingly.

Installation Tools and Vista Compliance

The installation wizard tool that is used to install AutoCAD has undergone a few modifications that will make network-version users happy, namely the ability to control which network license support tools to install and the ability to configure AutoCAD prior to creating a network deployment. Now it is possible to set up AutoCAD-based tools with correct profiles and write the settings to the network deployment rather than installing generic AutoCAD and then having to configure later or map to a startup profile. If you use standalone AutoCAD you won't notice much difference, but network users will enjoy the changes. Read more>>

:: CAD Manager's Q&A

We're rolling out 3D software in my company now and users are coming around to the new way of design. What kinds of items should I be concerned about now and how can I avoid making post-implementation errors in this new 3D world?

Robert Green replies: I started the answer to this question in the February 14 edition of CAD Manager's Newsletter. I'll continue my answer now with some ways to handle the user aspects of implementing 3D.

When you implement 3D software you can see a big shift in user attitudes. Some users will welcome the challenge while others may feel threatened by such profound change. Handling the positives and negatives properly can really help keep your implementation on track.  Here are the ways I deal with both ends of the user spectrum:Read more>>

Submit your questions to Robert Green atrgreen@greenconsulting.com.

:: Resources

AutoCAD and CAD Management Training Materials
A variety of reference books, training materials and white papers are available online from CAD Masters. The company, which offers on-site AutoCAD training, Webcasts, technical support, engineering services, hardware, software and more, serves the Northern California, Southern California and Nevada areas. 

:: Events

Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web site.

Webcast: Civil 3D Quickstart Class
March 5, 2007
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST
This Webcast by Ideate will show how to navigate the new Autodesk Civil 3D interface; adjust drawing, feature and command settings; incorporate Autodesk Civil 3D styles into CAD standards; and exchange design data between Autodesk Land Desktop and Autodesk Civil 3D. Read more

Application-Oriented CFD for the Aerospace and Defense Industry
March 8, 2007
Carlsbad, California
This workshop by CD-adapco will focus on the application of a variety of simulation techniques to a wide-range of aerospace applications and demonstrate how flow, thermal and stress simulation can reduce costs and increase efficiency of the design process and help to engineer products that will meet future technological and economic challenges. Read more

Plastic Parts Innovations Conference and New Product Design Competition
April 1 - 3, 2007
Memphis, Tennessee
The Plastics Parts Innovations Conference and New Product Design Competition provides a noncommercial forum for the advancement of technology. Annually, the industry's leaders meet and network with more than 200 international contacts to discuss what's new in part design, process selection, tooling, prototyping, material selection, finishing and assembly. Read more

Developing a Design/Simulation Framework
May 9, 2007
Atlanta, Georgia
Join industry analysts from Collaborative Product Development Associates (CPDA) and leading-edge users and practitioners for a one-day event that explores in depth the latest thinking on the critical issues facing simulation. Read more

23rd Annual CMSC (Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference)
Reno, Nevada
July 16 - 20, 2007
This 5-day event is the only North American conference that caters solely to professionals using portable 3D coordinate measurement technology on their factory floors. Attendees can network with a community of expert and novice users and learn about the latest trends and innovations in the field of portable 3D industrial measurement technologies. Read more

:: What's New at Cadalyst.com

Bug Watch (AutoCAD Tutorial)
This month, Cadalyst's Steve Johnson discusses why editing objects can make your dimensions demented. Read more

Cadalyst Labs Review: Sharing 2D Designs Is Easy with Today's Publishing Options
Cadalyst's Ron LaFon delivers an overview of file-sharing software from Actify, Adobe Systems, Autodesk, Bluebeam Software, CADzation, Informative Graphics and SolidWorks. Read more

New Way to Navigate Cadalyst.com
Cadalyst.com introduces new navigation tabs at the top of every page to help you easily find market-specific content and other popular features including Get the Code, Discussion Forums and Cadalyst Labs Reviews. Try it out!

Cadalyst Daily Update
For all the latest news and new products and updates about the newest features on Cadalyst.com, subscribe to the Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every Monday we bring you a full-length feature article you won't find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, interviews, event reports, AutoCAD tips and more! Here's a sample of what you missed recently:

• New Autodesk Maxim: Experience It Before It's Real: Company executives unveil new products and strategies -- including a sharp focus on digital prototyping -- at World Press Day 2007.