Here is AutoCAD 2016; the last perpetual license you will ever get!

Introducing AutoCAD 2016! The latest! The greatest! The last perpetual license of AutoCAD you or anyone else will ever purchase! If there were ever a time to upgrade your AutoCAD license it is now! So what's new? Well there really isn't any one new thing but instead there are a lot of updates to many existing commands. One thing that isn't new is the DWG file type. Yep AutoCAD 2016 will still run on AutoCAD 2013 DWG. Autodesk has also removed the ability to password protect DWG files. It can open and use password protected files but it will not be able to create them. This update brings performance improvements, new ways to create dimensions, a few UI tweaks, a new osnap, additional point cloud tools, updated referencing options, a brand new 3D rendering engine, and a handy system variable monitoring tool.

Autodesk Goes Desktop Subscription Only in 2016!

Autodesk just announced that in 2016 they are making a move to Desktop Subscription. This change takes effect on February 1, 2016.

What does this mean? Next year if you purchase a new license of an Autodesk product you can only get it as a Desktop Subscription. This type of license is a pay-as-you-go model. Essentially you pay each month, each quarter, or once a year. Once you stop paying you no longer have the license. Stop paying and you can't use the software.

What happens to your current licenses? Nothing. they will continue to work just as they always have. All perpetual licenses are still perpetual meaning you can continue to use it as you always have. If you have a Maintenance Subscription License you will still receive your benefits accordingly as long as the subscription remains current. That means you will still be able to pay your yearly subscription fee to continue on as you have been. Nothing will change for you. You just can't get a new Maintenance Subscription after February 1, 2016 because you can't get a perpetual license.

BRACE YOURSELVES - AUTODESK 2015 PRODUCTS ARE COMING!!

That means so are the "What's New" posts and articles.

Stay tuned!

Review-HP EliteBook 8570w Mobile Workstation

I tested the HP EliteBook 8570w Workstation.  Here is my review.  It is broken down into two parts; Brief Overview and Full Review.  The brief review is short and covers the major points.  The Full review goes into far greater detail.  Sometimes you just want to know the basics and sometimes you need to know everything.

Brief Overview

Main Specs

The EliteBook 8570w that I tested was on the high end of HP’s spectrum.  Here is a list of the main specifications for the hardware:

• CPU:  Intel® Core™ i7-3740QM (2.7 GHz, 6 MB cache, 4 cores)
• Display: 15” LCD (15.6”) active color with built-in webcam (1920x1080)
• Memory:  16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
• Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K2000M 2GB 
• Storage: Seagate 750 GB 7200 rpm SATA
• Multimedia Drive: DVD read/write & SD Card slot
• Security: Fingerprint reader, Face recognition
• Operating System: Windows 7 Pro 
• Wireless/Communications: Wi-Fi, 56K v.92 Modem, Optional HSPA+ Broadband Radio

The Good

The HP EliteBook 8570w mobile workstation is just that.  It has the full power of a desktop workstation, good graphics, interesting security options (fingerprint scanner), plenty of ports (USB, VGA, Display Port, Esata), the keyboard was easy to use, good looking screen, possible broadband data connection (built in), wi-fi, DVD player/recorder, and a backlit keyboard.  This mobile workstation has everything.  It is very expandable (up to 32 GB RAM on quad core i7), has a PCI slot, SD Card slot, and a great industrial design look.  It is very sturdy and rugged feeling.  A bonus is that the keyboard is full size and has a full numeric keypad.  Most laptops lack this feature.

Autodesk Teams Up With Evernote

Autodesk is teaming up today with Evernote.  AutoCAD 360 Mobile is getting an update soon (iOS only, for now) that will provide users a way to insert Evernote Notes into AutoCAD 360’s Design Feed directly from the mobile app.  You will also be able to export an area of a drawing into an Evernote Note!  For AutoCAD and Evernote junkies this is huge news!  It streamlines a method of sharing relevant project data between users and provides a history of data exchange.

Autodesk recognizes that their customers are using multiple technologies throughout their workflow to stay organized, share information with co-workers and clients, store data, etc.  This is an effort on their part to make Autodesk (in this case AutoCAD 360 Mobile) products more compatible with other technologies.  Many users and companies use Evernote to organize their project information.  This new integration simplifies the process.

I was able to speak with Autodesk’s Amy Bunszel, Vice President, AutoCAD Products and Mayte Zavaleta, Product Line Manager, AutoCAD Products about this new collaboration.

I Spoke With Autodesk About Their New Rental Plans

Autodesk has released details on its new rental payment plans.  These plans offer a new way to gain access to most of Autodesk’s design suites and a few standalone products.  I had the opportunity to speak with Autodesk’s Jeff Wright, Vice President, Cross-Industry and Marketing Services, ISM (Industry Strategy and Marketing) about these new Rental Plans (sometimes referred to pay-as-you-go plans).

Lenovo Announces the ThinkStation E32 Entry Level Workstation

Lenovo announces its latest addition to its Thinkstation line of workstations the Thinkstation E32.  This new model comes in a SFF (Small Form Factor) as well as a Tower case.  The ThinkStation E32 features Intel’s® Xeon® E3 1200 v3 product family, the option of NVIDIA’s latest Quadro graphics cards (up to K4000 in the tower and K600 in the SFF) as well as Intel P4600 HD graphics, up to 32 GB of Error Correcting Code (ECC) RAM in both models that feature 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory DIMMs and sports six USB 3.0 ports.

More Cloud Based Software-Autodesk InfraWorks 360 Pro

Autodesk has announced their release of Autodesk InfraWorks 360 Pro.  This is a cloud based version of InfraWorks that utilizes cloud based data storage and simulation.  It is available now on a quarterly license basis.  You do not have to purchase the full version; just “rent” it for three months at a time.  This will make it easier for design companies to “test drive” InfraWorks before they fully commit to it.

Autodesk Introduces Rental Plans for Design Suites

Autodesk has launched rental plans for a few of their design suites; Autodesk AutoCAD Inventor LT Suite and Autodesk AutoCAD Revit LT Suite.  Both are monthly plans and both will cost $95 (U.S.D.) per license.  For an extra $20 (U.S.D.) per month you can add Advanced Support.  Payment can be made through the website where you order the suites via credit card or PayPal.  You can set up your rental agreement to automatically renew itself.

Autodesk Homestyler App for iPad Released

Autodesk has released another free iPad design app.  This time it is their Homestyler home design software.  Homestyler has been around since 2010 as a browser based program.  This program provides a 2D or 3D design tool that helps in interior design and floor layout.  Contractors can use it for remodels, architects can use it to quickly generate a floor plan, and interior decorators can choose from a multitude of commercially available appliances, furniture, doors, windows, and other finishing touches in a range of colors and designs.

What’s new in AutoCAD 2014?

Autodesk is about to release the latest version of its flagship design program AutoCAD 2014.  AutoCAD 2014 is the 28th release of AutoCAD and is noted as being version 19.1.  It continues with the AutoCAD 2013 .dwg file type and format and is supported on Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems.  No official support from Autodesk will be given for Windows Vista.  AutoCAD 2014 continues Autodesk’s reach for the clouds with its integration of Autodesk 360, new geographic location tool, reality capture, design feed (my personal favorite new tool), and increased control for Autodesk Exchange Apps.  Autodesk also makes an attempt to protect us from malicious files with the Secureload tools.  We will take a look at these new features.

The Future of AutoCAD WS: My interview with the AutoCAD WS Project Managers

Autodesk is best known for its flagship design program AutoCAD.   But did you know Autodesk has a mobile version of AutoCAD called AutoCAD WS?  I had a chance to talk with the great people at Autodesk that manage AutoCAD WS; Ilai Rotbaein (Manager, Product Management, AutoCAD Products) and Dusty DiMercurio (Marketing Manager, Small Business).  What they had to say was very interesting.

Autodesk to announce 2014 Portfolio March 26

Autodesk is having a live webcast on March 26th at 8am Pacific (11 am Eastern, 3pm UK and 4 pm Europe) to announce its lineup of 2014 products.  Everyone is invited to attend.

You can watch the webcast on Facebook or LiveStream.

If you are blocked form those sites try viewing the event on my website here:

http://cadablog.blogspot.com/p/webcasts.html

They are also having a two day celebration event called Unfold.  It will feature Autodesk’s 2014 animation software tools.

http://area.autodesk.com/2014unfold

Autodesk Adopts a New Logo

Autodesk has officially announced their new logo.  It’s not the first time they have done this and it will not be the last.  I like it.  I don’t feel the need to go on about it but I felt it was definitely worth mentioning.  Chris Bradshaw, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk, discusses the new logo in a blog post titled “Not Your Father’s Autodesk”.

Autodesk’s List of Officially Supported Products (so far) for Windows 8

Autodesk has provided a list of their products that they have officially tested to run on Windows 8.  It’s a short list but here it is:

• Autodesk 3ds Max 2013
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2013
• Autodesk Maya 2013
• Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013
• Autodesk Mudbox 2013
• Autodesk Softimage 2013
• Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2013

CAD-a-Blog – October Posts you may have missed but shouldn't have!

Here are links to some posts from the month of October 2012 that you might have missed.



Autodesk news:

Is Autodesk going to release a Windows 8/Windows RT/Windows Phone 8 version of AutoCAD WS?

Confirmed: Autodesk is making Windows 8 Apps

Autodesk Releases 3Dconnexion Hotfix for AutoCAD 2013 and Verticals

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for MAC Service packs for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion now Available


AutoCAD News/Tips:

AutoCAD 2013: The Welcome Screen

Quick Tip: Save before using AutoCAD Etransmit


IMSI/Design news:

IMSI/Design announces TurboSite, a mobile solution in field and site survey visits



Printing/Printers:

Review-HP Designjet T2300 eMFP

Epson announces new T-Series line of large-format color plotters


Drafting/Design/CAD Discussions:

Civil Project Workflow, Base Files, Proposed Linework and As Builts-How do you handle it?




For all of the posts from October 2012 for CAD-a-Blog.

Autodesk Releases 3Dconnexion Hotfix for AutoCAD 2013 and Verticals

Autodesk has released a hotfix that corrects several issues with 3Dconnexion devices in AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD verticals.  Those issues are:

• Zoom speed varies in perspective view
• Pivot point position is far from the model causing the model to go off the drawing area when rotated
• High zoom out speed after zooming in a small area of the drawing

Make sure to check out the README before installing as there are certain steps to take.

If you use AutoCAD 2013 or any AutoCAD 2013 based verticals (Civil 3D 2013, Architecture 2013, MEP 2013, etc.) along with a 3Dconnexion 3D mouse then you will want to install this hotfix.  The point to a 3D Mouse is to speed up your design process so nothing is worse than software bugs.  This hotfix is meant to improve the 3D mouse experience in AutoCAD 2013.

Autodesk’s website notes that you need to make sure to install the AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.1 before you install this hotfix.

Links:

Autodesk Hotfix 3Dconnexion
Readme

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for MAC Service packs for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion now Available

Autodesk has released service packs for AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac that will make them both compatible with Apple’s latest version of OS X 10.8, a.k.a. Mountain Lion.  This is great for any Mac user that has updated to Mountain Lion or has been waiting for Autodesk to update to Mountain Lion.  Mountain Lion was available for download in July so this update to AutoCAD is a welcomed one.  The service pack also addresses some bugs and other issues as well.

HP Announces new Entry Level, Low Budget Designjet Large Format Printers; the T120 and the T520

HP has introduced its two latest large format printers in its Designjet series; the T120 and the T520.  Both models are meant to be lower budget, entry level, large format color inkjet printers.  Both models are color, web-connected printers that include the HP Designjet ePrint & Share web service.  The T120 has a list price of $1000 (USD) and the T520 has a list price of $1800 (or $2500 for a 36” print size).

HP is targeting small office and home office users.  They hope that AEC, GIS, and MCAD students, freelancers, and entrepreneurs that have not had access to large format printing will purchase one of these new products.  HP also wants smaller AEC (and other design fields) firms will pick up extra printers for remote offices, or as back up units.

Autodesk Removes Inventor 2013 SP1 just days after it is Posted

Autodesk has removed their Inventor 2013 SP1 patch just days after it was posted.  The entire page containing the download file seems to have been removed.  Evidently SP1 was “taken down this morning due to an unforeseen memory management regression” per Chris Mitchell’s (Autodesk Inventor Quality Assurance Team) post in the Inventor Forums.

He goes on to say “It will be re-posted shortly. If you have already installed SP1 & are experiencing random instability you can uninstall it & wait for the updated version; otherwise you can leave it as-is & add the hotfix once it is released.”