October 15, 2008

Standards

I like being a CAD Manager, I don't love it.  I love doing architecture and working on projects, but I like organization that's how I got involved in being a CAD Manager.

I've been working on our template, I've realized I'll need more than one and I do and don't like that.  More for me to manage, and I'm not a control freak so I'd rather have less to manage.  I've started a Basic Practices document to give to all my users, and I'm starting to create a Standards Manual, which isn't very long  and for now it's more of a "what not to do" document.

I thought I'd list some of the few things I've found to be important: (in no particular order)
  • Purge the model, often
  • Review warnings (often!)
  • Close hidden windows (we have a shortcut for that=XX)
  • Create a workset for each linked file
  • Create working views (one for each user)
  • Recreate the local file weekly
  • Local files should be created by copy/paste in windows explorer not by opening the central file and doing a save-as
There's more, especially with families.  Fun part is I'm learning so much as I go along, as far as setting standards that my list is 3 pages now!  I don't like it's length but I like that I'm learning and especially understanding!

October 13, 2008

New toy - ILoveSketch

This link was forwarded to me by a fellow co-worker, a designer of course.
This is really neat, it would be great to use something like this with Revit, I could convince more designers that Revit can be a tool used for schematic design!
If anyone knows more about this tool, please let me know, this is the first I've seen of it.


Thanks for reading!

October 10, 2008

AU Updates


From Shaan Hurley:

·         AU is going to be bigger and better than ever! We have already exceeded 7000 registrations and I project we will see over 10,000 attendees this year.

·         We have a record number of exhibitors in the exhibition hall at over 650.

·         Design Leadership including Gensler Program http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass/leadership/

·         Keynotes, Carl Bass, Eddie Paul , Burt Rutan and more http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass/keynotes/

·         AU Unplugged  http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass/unplugged/

·         Free Autodesk product certification offered on limited basis http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass/certification/

·         AU Design Slam - http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass-event/AU_Design_Slam/

·         Community Leadership Conference http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass-event/

October 9, 2008

My First Post

I started my blog because I signed up as a Blogger at AU, I was curious about what that was about because I have been keeping up with many many blogs now, so I wanted to be included with them :o)  So my first post will be about AU.
For those of you who haven't attended before, you're missing out. I've attended 4 times now, because of Revit, once it was purchased by Autodesk it was a must to attend at least that year.  But once I was there, amongst other fellow coworkers it was obvious it was a necessity to attend every year!  There is so much to learn, not just from the sessions and lunches and dinners but from other attendees.  I didn't get to know very many people, or keep in touch with anyone I did meet but I did learn something from most of the people I came in contact with.   The last couple of years I've attended I've been able to gauge how well I know Revit, because I can help others and answer their questions! That's been a great feeling, to know I can help others as I was helped when I first started.
Reading and subscribing to many blogs about Revit, this year I hope to meet some of the authors I've learned from.   AU is a great event to attend, no matter how well you know any of the Autodesk software.  I think it's a must especially for CAD/BIM/IT managers to attend.