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Build Alaska BIM Event - July 13, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 4:00 PM

Build Alaska BIM Event July 13, 2011

Surveyors Exchange is pleased to announce the BuildAlaska event, a FREE day-long series of seminars that focus on Autodesk's Building Information Management (BIM) products. Autodesk BIM solutions help architects, engineers, contractors, and owners to explore a project's key physical and functional characteristics digitally before it's built. From familiar AutoCAD applications to purpose-built software for building information modeling (BIM), Autodesk provides a wide range of 2D and 3D design tools for architects and designers.
 
See the Events Page for details.
 
Autodesk Plant 3D - P&ID Lunch & Learn
Friday, June 10, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 3:29 PM

Autodesk Plant 3D - P&ID Lunch & Learn

Please join us for two hour event June 21, 2011 from 11-1pm that will include Demonstrations of P&ID and Plant 3D w/ Navisworks presented by Autodesk representative Harold Monk.

See the Events Page for details.

 Autodesk P&ID 

 

 

Position Opening - Chariot Group
Friday, June 10, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 3:01 PM
Job Opening: The Chariot Group, Inc.  
Title:  A/V Design Technician I  
To Apply, send resume to: employment@chariotgroup.com  

Position description and details:  Chariot Group - Position Details - Design Technician I

UAA AET Open House - Spring 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 2:22 PM

University of Alaska Anchorage
Architectural and Engineering Technology Open House- Spring 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011
11:00am – 3:00pm
University Center Mall, Room 121

About the Fair…. Come join us in showcasing your company and meeting our students.

  • The Fair is FREE to companies and includes the following:
  • One 6 foot table & 2 chairs
  • Lunch
  • Free Parking
  • Set up will begin at 10:00 am

Book your place, or have a question . . .
Contact Trudy James at 786-6465 or antjj1@uaa.alaska.edu to reserve a table, or ask a question.

AKAUG Meeting Summary – Jan. 19th
Friday, January 28, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 11:05 PM
A great meeting was held with lots of discussions and topics for future meetings.  Here's a summary.
 
SnagIt – Image Capture Application
SnagIt Image Capture Application
Brian Bennett gave a demonstration of a popular screen capture application with many bells and whistles. If you do a lot of screen capturing then this application is well worth it’s purchase price. Check it out here:
 
 
 
DWF’s & DWFx’s in ADR
 
Brian Lewis explained the difference between DWF and DWFx files, and demonstrated some of the capabilities of DWFx’s in Autodesk Design Review (ADR).
 
You can get more information about Autodesk Design Review from here:
 
Autodesk Design Review (ADR) is a FREE download application from Autodesk. ADR and DWFs offer capabilities PDF’s simply do not have.
 
DWF’s can be viewed in Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers.
 
  
Adaptive Components
 
Brian Bennett explained a very cool video of a demonstration on Revit’s Adaptive Components.
Here’s a link to the video, (5min./no sound):
 
What’s being shown is simply amazing, and clear proof that the capabilities of Revit are making huge steps forward. As the capabilities of Revit improve, I’m sure some of these new capabilities will find their way into plain AutoCAD in some form or fashion. Don’t believe me, look how far AutoCAD 3D capabilities have come. Keep an eye on emerging technologies, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this type capability in our CAD applications. Thanks Brian.
 
 
Future Meeting Topics
 
We began a list of topics for discussion and demonstration for future meeting. We’re always looking for interesting topics, so if you think of a topic you’d like to add to the list, please contact me and I’ll have it added. (Brian Lewis, AKAUG President).

We’re also looking for members to demo or present these topics. So, if you’d like to demonstrate any of these topics, please let me know and we can help you have a successful presentation.
  • EXCEL into AutoCAD – How many ways are there and which are best?
  • Images into CAD – How to bring various image types into CAD.
  • Viewing CAD Files without the creating software – What options are there?
  • Customization – The Ribbon and general CUI. What’s new?
  • Dynamic Blocks – What are they, and how can they improve what you do.

Brian Lewis
AKAUG President

ALL
all group's recent activity
AKAUG
alaska autocad users group
AKAUG Meeting Summary – Jan. 19th
Friday, January 28, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 11:05 PM
A great meeting was held with lots of discussions and topics for future meetings.  Here's a summary.
 
SnagIt – Image Capture Application
SnagIt Image Capture Application
Brian Bennett gave a demonstration of a popular screen capture application with many bells and whistles. If you do a lot of screen capturing then this application is well worth it’s purchase price. Check it out here:
 
 
 
DWF’s & DWFx’s in ADR
 
Brian Lewis explained the difference between DWF and DWFx files, and demonstrated some of the capabilities of DWFx’s in Autodesk Design Review (ADR).
 
You can get more information about Autodesk Design Review from here:
 
Autodesk Design Review (ADR) is a FREE download application from Autodesk. ADR and DWFs offer capabilities PDF’s simply do not have.
 
DWF’s can be viewed in Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers.
 
  
Adaptive Components
 
Brian Bennett explained a very cool video of a demonstration on Revit’s Adaptive Components.
Here’s a link to the video, (5min./no sound):
 
What’s being shown is simply amazing, and clear proof that the capabilities of Revit are making huge steps forward. As the capabilities of Revit improve, I’m sure some of these new capabilities will find their way into plain AutoCAD in some form or fashion. Don’t believe me, look how far AutoCAD 3D capabilities have come. Keep an eye on emerging technologies, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this type capability in our CAD applications. Thanks Brian.
 
 
Future Meeting Topics
 
We began a list of topics for discussion and demonstration for future meeting. We’re always looking for interesting topics, so if you think of a topic you’d like to add to the list, please contact me and I’ll have it added. (Brian Lewis, AKAUG President).

We’re also looking for members to demo or present these topics. So, if you’d like to demonstrate any of these topics, please let me know and we can help you have a successful presentation.
  • EXCEL into AutoCAD – How many ways are there and which are best?
  • Images into CAD – How to bring various image types into CAD.
  • Viewing CAD Files without the creating software – What options are there?
  • Customization – The Ribbon and general CUI. What’s new?
  • Dynamic Blocks – What are they, and how can they improve what you do.

Brian Lewis
AKAUG President

HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 10:13 PM

Welcome to 2011!

Wow, what a year 2010 was. I think I can summarize 2010 in one word; Challenging. From all that we’ve read, heard, and experienced, 2010 was a bumpy ride, to say the least. With the economy the way it was/is, bumpy may be saying it too politely.

 

Now that 2011 has arrived, it’s time to use what we’ve learned in 2010, focus on new opportunities, and prepare to learn new and exciting things in the world of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

 

I’d like to give a very special, Thank You, to Surveyor’s Exchange and ACB Solutions for their commitment and support of the Alaska Users Groups. *clapping* Your participation is very appreciated and valued.

 

CHEERS TO ALL and let’s Have a GREAT CADing Year ! ! !

 

Brian Lewis
AKAUG President

AutoCAD WS - Mobile AutoCAD
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 8:56 PM

If you haven't seen or tried AutoCAD WS, then get moving and give it a try.  It's totally FREE (for now), and offers some great capabilities.

 

Seems Autodesk will be providing an update to include a highly requested feature, Offline Editing.  You read it right.  I haven't tested this myself yet, but definetly will.  So, check it out, and let us know what you think.  Oh, and remember, it's all FREE! 

 

AutoCAD WS  -  A mobile CAD application for iPhone, iPad, Mac, & PC.

http://autocadws.com/mobile

 

Open Drawing read-only from Explorer
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 1:26 PM

Open Drawing read-only from Explorer

Here's a nice trick I came across.  It adds the ability to add .DWG files from within Explorer as 'Read-Only'.  It will launch the file into the most recently used Autodesk application.  There's a small text batch file you create and save to your C:\ directory, then add a new action to Window's right-click menu.  Easy and quick to do.  Give it a try and let us know what you think.

  1. Create a file containing only the following three lines.
     
    attrib +r %1
    %1
    attrib -r %1
     
  2. Save it as "c:\acadro.bat"
  3. In Windows Explorer, go into Tools, Folder Options, File Types, scroll down to DWG.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Click New.
  6. Under Action, put "Open Read-Only"
  7. Under "Application...", put "C:\acadro.bat" "%1" (with the quotes)
  8. Click OK twice, then Close.
     

Now when you right click on a DWG file, choose Open Read-only.
 
I found this tip on the AUGI Forums here:
http://forums.augi.com/archive/index.php/t-36566.html

Another user added a reply to the original tip.  If you experience any problems, you might try changing the batch file to the following.
 

Tested with WinXP, Win2K, AutoCAD 2006, and Civil3D 2006R.K. I think this is a great tip too. However, I've seen the need to delay the resetting of the attribute.

Advise the following:
@echo off
attrib +r %1
%1
ping -n 5 127.0.0.1>nul
attrib -r %1
  

64 Bit Revit and Stability - (3GB Switch vs. Graphics performance)
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 1:34 PM

64 Bit Revit and Stability - (3GB Switch vs. Graphics performance)
Poseted: 8/4/2010 by Brian Lewis 'AKAUG President'

Came across a blog entry on 64 Bit performance that I think may actually effect everyone, and not just Revit users, as the title may suggest. Clearly 64-bit system will provide better stability and performance overall, however, there is a very interesting statement in the article that 32-bit systems with the 3GB switch enabled should read. It refers to system graphics performance with the 32-bit switch activated.
Read on . . . 

64 Bit Revit and Stability  (The Revit Clinic blog) 
 

AKAUG
alaska autocad users group
AACMUG
alaska autocad civil/mapping users group
AACMUG Meeting Summary – Jan. 12th
Friday, January 14, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 9:22 PM
AutoCAD Secrets Revealed AU 2010 (AC220-3V)
 
Stephen Johnson showed a video from Au 2010 titled, ‘AutoCAD Secrets Revealed AU 2010’. The presenter quickly ran through a number of tips and tricks in AutoCAD that many did not know existed, or have been added in the 2011 release. Some are simply amazing.
 
This handout includes many additional tips and tricks not covered in the presentation video.
 
 
Civil 3D Tips and Info
Brian Lewis presented some tips and information on Civil 3D from some blog sites. Here are the links.
 
Projected Objects Show as Flat in Section View
 
Viewing AutoCAD Civil 3D Drawings Using AutoCAD WS
 
 
Don't Exit Civil 3D Before You Exit the Corridor Section Editor!
 
 
The Great Storage Debate – Average End vs. Conic
 
 
Conversation with an Engineer (Humor Video)
Brian Lewis showed a funny video he found of an Engineer discussing a roadway improvement to a homeowner. You’ll be laughing all the way through. It’s a very cute and funny cartoon video, here’s the link (8:34Min. w/ sound):
Conversation with an Engineer
 
(Note: The video is an advertisement for a particular community group.
 I/we have no connection to this group or it’s intents.)
 

Pon Farr: Dilbert needs an empathetic mate, quick!

George Monroy shared a funny Engineer related cartoon strip.
Seems Dilbert has a medical condition.
 
Dilbert's Pon Farr

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 10:13 PM

Welcome to 2011!

Wow, what a year 2010 was. I think I can summarize 2010 in one word; Challenging. From all that we’ve read, heard, and experienced, 2010 was a bumpy ride, to say the least. With the economy the way it was/is, bumpy may be saying it too politely.

 

Now that 2011 has arrived, it’s time to use what we’ve learned in 2010, focus on new opportunities, and prepare to learn new and exciting things in the world of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

 

I’d like to give a very special, Thank You, to Surveyor’s Exchange and ACB Solutions for their commitment and support of the Alaska Users Groups. *clapping* Your participation is very appreciated and valued.

 

CHEERS TO ALL and let’s Have a GREAT CADing Year ! ! !

 

Brian Lewis
AKAUG President

AutoCAD WS - Mobile AutoCAD
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 8:56 PM

If you haven't seen or tried AutoCAD WS, then get moving and give it a try.  It's totally FREE (for now), and offers some great capabilities.

 

Seems Autodesk will be providing an update to include a highly requested feature, Offline Editing.  You read it right.  I haven't tested this myself yet, but definetly will.  So, check it out, and let us know what you think.  Oh, and remember, it's all FREE! 

 

AutoCAD WS  -  A mobile CAD application for iPhone, iPad, Mac, & PC.

http://autocadws.com/mobile

 

Building Information Modeling Resources & Documents
Friday, May 21, 2010
Written by Revit Usergroup at 1:58 PM

At the BIM seminar on May 13, there were two BIM planning Guides mentioned: the Autodesk BIM Deployment Plan and the Penn State Project Execution Planning Guide.

 

Below are some other BIM resources I have come across: 

MEP Spatial Coordination Requirements for BIM (AGC BIMForum) 

The Contractors Guide to BIM (AGC of America) 

 

Lastly, there is an AGC of America/ Autodesk webcast A Practical Framework for Implementing BIM on May 26, 9 - 10:30 a.m. The webcast is available free-of-charge to both members and non-members of the AGC. You just have to go through and create an account in order to register. To register go to: http://www.agc.org/cs/event_details?eventId=2144

 

 

April 14, 2010 AACMUG meeting
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Written by Nina Kantarzis at 2:04 PM

 

The Alaskan Autodesk Civil & Mapping User Group (AACMUG) holds meetings the second Wednesday of every month.
 
The next meeting will be on April 14,2010 at 7 p.m. at the Surveyors Exchange Training Center.
 
                            The pre-meeting dinner will be held at Pizza Plaza at 5:30 p.m.                           
601 East Northern Lights Boulevard Anchorage AK (907)274-1735
 
Please RSVP for dinner to nina nina@tse-ak.com.
AACMUG
alaska autocad civil/mapping users group
AK-RUG
alaska revit users group
AK-RUG Meeting Summary – January 5th
Friday, January 14, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 8:58 PM

Autodesk Design Review

Brian Lewis gave a short quick presentation on using Autodesk Design Review and .DWF files. You can get more information about Autodesk Design Review from here:

usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index

Autodesk Design Review (ADR) is a FREE download application from Autodesk. ADR and DWFs offer capabilities PDF’s simply do not have.
 

Adaptive Components

Brian Bennett showed a very cool video of a demonstration on Revit’s Adaptive Components.

Here’s a link to the video, (5min./no sound): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erYMC9nJa74

Revit Adaptive Components - Dinosaur Bones

What’s being shown is simply amazing, and clear proof that the capabilities of Revit are making huge steps forward. I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more about this capability. Thanks Brian.
 

Elluminate Live

Brian Bennett also presented an online service/application called Elluminate Live. It’s a virtual environment optimized for learning. It has a number of really cool tools and features to assist teaching and learning over the internet. Some have claimed it’s better than the Go To Meeting service. You can check the website out here:
 
Elluminate Live

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Written by Brian Lewis at 10:13 PM

Welcome to 2011!

Wow, what a year 2010 was. I think I can summarize 2010 in one word; Challenging. From all that we’ve read, heard, and experienced, 2010 was a bumpy ride, to say the least. With the economy the way it was/is, bumpy may be saying it too politely.

 

Now that 2011 has arrived, it’s time to use what we’ve learned in 2010, focus on new opportunities, and prepare to learn new and exciting things in the world of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

 

I’d like to give a very special, Thank You, to Surveyor’s Exchange and ACB Solutions for their commitment and support of the Alaska Users Groups. *clapping* Your participation is very appreciated and valued.

 

CHEERS TO ALL and let’s Have a GREAT CADing Year ! ! !

 

Brian Lewis
AKAUG President

AutoCAD WS - Mobile AutoCAD
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 8:56 PM

If you haven't seen or tried AutoCAD WS, then get moving and give it a try.  It's totally FREE (for now), and offers some great capabilities.

 

Seems Autodesk will be providing an update to include a highly requested feature, Offline Editing.  You read it right.  I haven't tested this myself yet, but definetly will.  So, check it out, and let us know what you think.  Oh, and remember, it's all FREE! 

 

AutoCAD WS  -  A mobile CAD application for iPhone, iPad, Mac, & PC.

http://autocadws.com/mobile

 

Next AK-RUG Meeting
Friday, August 27, 2010
Written by Revit Usergroup at 12:14 PM

Next Meeting:

ACB Solutions
Thursday, September 2
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Due to Scheduling conflicts, the Alaska Revit User Group (AK-RUG) has moved its meetings to the first Thursday of the Month. The fall meetings will take place on the following dates:

Thursday, Sept. 2
Thursday, Oct. 7
Thursday, Nov. 4
Thursday, Dec. 2

 

The AK-RUG is a forum for users of Autodesk Revit products to discuss new features, issues & problems, and share best practices. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m., hosted by ACB Solutions.

Complimentary pre-meeting dinners begin at 5:30 p.m. and are held at Elim Cafe. Please RSVP for the pre-meeting dinners to Christine Gibbs at cgibbs@akcbsolutions.com.

64 Bit Revit and Stability - (3GB Switch vs. Graphics performance)
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Written by Brian Lewis at 1:34 PM

64 Bit Revit and Stability - (3GB Switch vs. Graphics performance)
Poseted: 8/4/2010 by Brian Lewis 'AKAUG President'

Came across a blog entry on 64 Bit performance that I think may actually effect everyone, and not just Revit users, as the title may suggest. Clearly 64-bit system will provide better stability and performance overall, however, there is a very interesting statement in the article that 32-bit systems with the 3GB switch enabled should read. It refers to system graphics performance with the 32-bit switch activated.
Read on . . . 

64 Bit Revit and Stability  (The Revit Clinic blog) 
 

AK-RUG
alaska revit users group
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