Autodesk Simplified Upgrade Pricing model

6/29/2009

There have been numerous reports, by the VAR’s, that Autodesk is moving to a ‘Simplified Upgrade Pricing model’ as of 3/16/2010.  CADD Centers of Florida just reminded me.  Subscription rates may not change, but any non subscription users will upgrade at 50% retail cost.  See why they call it simple?  ‘You simply gonna go to subscription or pay more’.

The old pricing model reflects how many years from current you are upgrading from, like a proration.  The new model will save you money if you renew every 3 years or so, and being on subscription is not a bad thing.  However, if you like to stay current with no strings attached, well your gonna get it. The fact is that Autodesk, and any other company like this wants you on subscription.  If you are used to paying it regularly, you are more likely to continue.  <snide and hilarious metaphor removed>

There is a last push to get you hooked on subscription campaign going with staggered 30-10% savings through January 15th, 2010.  The 30% stops July 17th.

We have all seen what is advertised ‘on top of the water’ and we know there are some twisted Autodesk mechanics ‘below the surface’ with the VARs.  Where in the food chain this cost actually hits is unknown, but the non subscription user needs to be prepared for a big pill to swallow.

Civil 3D – Export Group for CSO

6/25/2009

This is just an organization idea, not a revelation.  I was tired of posting problems, and wanted to post something useful.

Problem with exchanging construction data

I used to rewrite all the data out to the crews, and give them a new file.  I had to bring in the old file each time, recover all the check data for review, as well as any new control.  A genuine PITA.  I did not mind so much, but once in a while the crews would level through horizontal control, and revised elevations.  I’d miss those.  The next day was quite frustrating if they did not notice my mistake.

I decided to stop the madness by exporting only new data, and merging the data into their files.  They have 2 free ranges; 1 for control, and 1 for recollect checks.  I have 1 free range for calcs.  This way I can merge the points without worry of overwrite.  When I need the recollects, I pickup new control at the same time, so those control points show up on the calc plots.

Export Group

Each time I export the NEW data, I assign the NEW point to an export group, from which I export out of.  The trick is to use this as an organizational tool.  I have assigned sort point and label styles, and the group lies below the All Points group.

Civil 3D – 2010 Pipe Network Label BUG

NOTE: I have revisited this issue and article 4 times over now.  I am rewriting this…again…, but the images are old because I don’t have time to cut new ones.  I hope the article is still understandable.

I needed a fast certificate of completion letter, and the drawing to go with it.  I’ll just throw down some pipes here in 2010; it’s simple, no need to go to 2009. A good job to start getting a feel for this part of the new version.

I thought I would put down some simple structures, labeled automatically, edit the network, and spend the bulk of time messing with the profile (at least I hoped).  My styles are all formatted, and all work smoothly.

Things did not go as planned.  The profile was a lost cause.  Perhaps we’ll discuss that later.

Pipe Network Labels

I laid down this arrangement from my (imported 2009 template) Network Parts List. Notice the disgusting mismatched labeling on the pipes and structures.  The blue, while not labeled correctly, is formatted to what I thought I’d get by default.  The Red is useless.  You have to manually change the description.

Inventor – 3D Axis Calcs Part 2

When we left off the last part of this session , we had discussed the cone plane intersection, where the cone angle had to be calculated from a non radial intersection.  This wasn’t the end of the world, we had one angle to deal with, the pocket angle.  We even discussed how to do the job with less trig, and more Inventor Work Features.

This time we will cover throwing 2 axial rotations at the cone intersection:

The Insert Angle and the Axial Rake Angle

Last time we discussed having the reference point to axis relationship vary as it rotated on a plane.  What happens when we rotate the plane they are on?

We will cover the following topics:

• Another Angle
• More Trig
• The Results

Another Angle

Take a piece of paper, and stand it up in front of you, bottom edge flat on a table, arms out in front. Now rotate the paper to the left, keeping some edge or corner of the paper touching the table (that was our Insert Angle from last week).  The upper left corner’s height off the table has dropped.  Hold that position.

Last week that height was the key to solving our cone angle. 

Now rotate the paper away from you, while maintaining the side angle.

The height of the upper left corner off the table is continuing to drop.  Inevitably, when the angle away from you reaches 90° flat on the table, that corner height will be 0.  Keep in mind that the known Insert Angle from last week has not changed, yet H is now 0°.

 

Civil 3D – 2010 Point Label style BUG REPORT

I logged a Bug Report on Civil3D.com, and you can check it out HERE.

I wanted to thank James Wedding and the staff at EE for putting up with me, and always being willing to assist.  I always know I’ll get some relief when I call.

I want to thank my VAR, Applied Technologies Group, for some outstanding dedication and support.  The entire team was at a remote function.  I called John Sayre who was driving in a hail storm at the time.  He insisted on getting all the details and reassured me, when most would have backed out for obvious reasons. The bug confirmation came within 10 minutes, and the support case was already logged in to Autodesk by the time I got the message. Rob, you better hang on to that guy, he means business.

Thank you Dana, for always trying to help.

Civil 3D – Create Point in Gap Crash

6/12/2009

Life without strife would be boring.  It’s the occasional issues that give the good times meaning.  Civil 3 is an example of this reality.

…Its kind of like playing ball with your kids before cleaning up after the dog.  It can be really enjoyable….if you are quick footed and observant.

Point Error

This instance occurred while trying to create a point in the numbering gap left by one of my oversights.

The result was not friendly.  As soon as I picked the location for the point placement, Civil proceeded to smack me about, and left me on the Vista desktop.

I have not had the heart to repeat this process in multiple situations, but even if this does not happen every time, I suspect it will get you eventually.

AU 2009 – Speaker Confirmation Update

6/11/2009

Autodesk sent out a notice last night stating that the AU speaker confirmations would be forthcoming.  All those hopeful people that submitted their proposals, be prepared. 

Just as soon as the confirmations come out, you will need to flip the handouts back to them quickly.  Get ready!

Autodesk University 2009

Inventor – Sketch Block Webinar

I received the invitation to the Autodesk Inventor Users Group webinar a bit late today. 

…During any event there is that guy that shows up after everything gets rolling, and tries to slip in unnoticed…….That was me today.

It was worth it.  John Krause gave a great presentation.

Some of the highlights I felt like mentioning were:

• Sketch Blocks
• Flexible Block option
• Make Components
• Layout Constraints
• 3D Kinematics

John Covered Sketch Blocks quite well, and touched on how these ease the interaction of new users coming from the AutoCAD environment.  Considering the limited timeframe, he covered this topic very well.

In case anyone was a bit behind, Sketch blocks allow the user to create blocked rigid sketches that exist in the fluid sketch environment of Inventor.  Each block is designated separately in the model browser, and are held in place by various sketch constraints, allowing the rigidity (and usefulness) of blocks, with the dynamics of constraints.

Using the combined constraints and block’s flexible option in the 2D sketch environment allows for dynamic and fast design concept modifications.

Inventor – 3D Axis Calcs Part 1

I often get wrapped up with ‘having to know the solution’, and I’m a sucker for a design challenge. My wife just loves it. If I just learned some equations, I wouldn’t understand the process.  That’s only useful in 1 instance, and not adaptable.  I gotta know how and why. Like when I was figuring center of gravity while calculating the direct material volume replacement for differing densities to achieve a target combined mass. That was the pinewood derby, using Inventor. (I established the equation using linear vector intersection,  and yes it is linear)

That’s what brings us to our current discussion, “arriving at the resulting angle of the edge of a cone as it passes through a plane that is neither radially or axially orthogonal to the centerline axis of the cone”. The farther off plane you get, the narrower the angle becomes.

We will cover the following topics:

• The Angle
• The Facts
• Model References
• The Trig

The Angle

I need to cut a truncated cone out of the head to create a skirt.  it needs to lie exactly on the edge of the dashed construction geometry line at the base of the pocket. 

 

We know that the Insert is angled at 30°, so why not feed that to it. So we will.

Chief Airey Laid to Rest at Arlington

The first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Airey was buried at Arlington national cemetery, in Virginia, May 28th, 2009.

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Chief Airey died March 11 at his home in Panama City, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked people to consider donations to the Air Force Memorial Fund, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society.