Autodesk University App

This year, like last year, Autodesk University has an App. The application is available for iOS or Android operating systems. In addition there is an HTML 5 version available on pretty much any other operating system, such as Windows or Blackberry, with a modern browser.

Last year Autodesk gave out a pass for this year’s event based on the overall total points at the end of the conference. After building a huge lead starting out during Thanksgiving I was overtaken by @The_Mini_Guy barely at the end (here are the current results: pic.twitter.com/4Et08gfGtm). I suspect since we took such a commanding lead over the rest of the field, this year it’s a bit different. Rather then taking the top leader at the end a pass will be given out for each day. Now the top point leader won’t be selected, rather the top 25 at the end of the day will be put into a hat and one will be drawn to determine the winner of the prize.

I haven’t been able to find an official scoring guide from the app, but here’s how it works (if I remember correctly). A check in gets you a maximum of 7 points. Points vary based on if you’ve checked in to the location before. If you have you don’t get as many points. Included in the possible 7 points is if you added some text to the check in. If you create a new location that isn’t in the App you get an additional 2 or 3 points. That means you can make your hotel room a check in location and get some additional points. Don’t post too often, because if you post too often then you don’t get points for the post. I found last year the time interval was about every 5 to 10 minutes.

Since this a social app intended to get conversations going you get points for when people comment on your post (2 points) or give it a thumbs up (1 point). So if you have a friend you want to be pushed  to the top of the list, make sure to comment and thumbs up their posts.

Currently the point system is quasi turned off. People are still getting points for the comments and thumbs up, but not for the actual posts. The point scoring should start off when AU starts officially or a few days before, I haven’t heard when exactly it will start. The current leader has lots of activity, I suspect he’ll have trouble keeping up if he’s checked in everywhere before points starts.

Ascent Webcast Series

Evidently I’m still procrastinating and continuing on a string of posts about products and services. Well not wanting to break the streak here is a press release from Ascent regarding a series of webcasts for users and instructors using their manuals.

FRAMINGHAM, MA — November 6, 2013 — Rand Worldwide (OTCBB: RWWI), a global leader in providing technology solutions to organizations with engineering design and information technology requirements, announced that its courseware division, ASCENT– Center for Technical Knowledge, is introducing a new webcast series designed to provide an interactive experience to help Autodesk software users and instructors, make the most of their Autodesk Official Training Guides.

In each webcast, the authors of ASCENT’s Autodesk Official Training Guides (AOTG) explore a specific chapter from one of their books. Webcast participants are treated to a step-by-step walk through of the chapter as well as an accompanying software demonstration that depicts how the training guide and software go hand in hand. Webcast topics were selected by the authors and address common questions users and instructors had about how to use the software alongside a particular chapter of the training guide.

“As the official developers of Autodesk training guides, we’re always looking at innovative methodologies, processes and technologies that enhance the learning experience as well as increase the retention of the knowledge gained when training with ASCENT’s curriculum,” says Paul Burden, director of product development, ASCENT. “These new webcasts demonstrate how to effectively pair the training guide with the software and are led by our distinguished authors.”

Upcoming Webcasts

• Model Simplification using Autodesk Inventor 2014 (November 6)
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Inventor 2014: Advanced Assembly Modeling, this session takes a closer look at the simplification tools that are available for use in the Autodesk Inventor software.
  • The webcast presenter is Jennifer MacMillan, ASCENT's lead Autodesk Inventor curriculum developer.
  • Register for this webcast now.

• Mastering Component Stairs in Autodesk Revit Architecture (November 14)
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Revit Architecture Fundamentals, this session examines creating stairs of varying height and creating designs complete with railings, runs, landings and supports.
  • The presenter for this webcast is Martha Hollowell, ASCENT’s lead Autodesk Revit curriculum developer.
  • Register for this webcast now.

• Using Multi/Sub-Object materials in 3ds Max Design (November 21)
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2014 Fundamentals, this session explores how to create a Multi/Sub-Object material and assign these sub-materials to different faces of a single object.
  • This session will be delivered by Renu Muthoo, ASCENT’s lead 3ds Max Design curriculum developer.
  • Register for this webcast now.

• Connecting to Geospatial Data (November 22)
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Civil 3D 2014 for Surveyors (Imperial), this session takes a closer look at utilizing the Planning and Analysis workspace to start a new drawing, assign a coordinate system, and connect to GIS data sources.
  • This webcast is led by Michelle Rasmussen, ASCENT's lead Civil Infrastructure curriculum developer.
  • Register for this webcast now.

Registration

All the webcasts are complimentary, however advanced registration is required. Archived webcasts will be available for those who are unable to attend the live sessions.

Recently Archived Webcasts

• Designing Roads Using Autodesk Infraworks, delivered by Michelle Rasmussen.
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2014 BIM Workflow for Roads and Highways, this session provides an in-depth look at the tools available to design roads constrained by design criteria using Autodesk InfraWorks software.
• Searching your Database using Autodesk Vault, led by Barb Nash.
  • Based on the Autodesk Official Training Guide, Autodesk Vault 2014 Data Management for Autodesk Inventor Users, this session outlines Autodesk Vault's Quick Search capabilities, the Basic and Advanced Find tools, as well as the options available from within the Navigation Pane to locate your designs.

About ASCENT

ASCENT- Center for Technical Knowledge develops professional training courseware and technical documentation for engineering applications including Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes and PTC. ASCENT is an Authorized Author, Publisher and Developer of Autodesk curriculum and the official provider of Autodesk Official Training Guides. ASCENT training guides, eBooks and Instructor Tools are available to educational institutions and training centers, individuals and corporations and can be purchased directly from the ASCENT eStore (for volume sales, contact an ASCENT representative). For more information visit the ASCENT website and follow ASCENT on Twitter at @ASCENT_CTK.

About Rand Worldwide
Rand Worldwide is one of the world’s leading providers of professional services and technology to the engineering community, targeting organizations in the building, infrastructure and manufacturing industries. www.rand.com

Wireless 3D Mouse

I’ve been carrying around a Wireless 3D Mouse from 3DConnexion throughout the State of California for the past month or so, hoping to find time to write a review about it. Well I finally found the time to write something about it, well I finally have time to procrastinate doing other work.

For some reason my mind associates wireless with mobile. I guess it’s because I use a laptop with a wireless mouse, wireless headphones, and now a wireless 3D mouse. I’m travelling quite a bit and I carry all of these things with me in my travel bag. Now when I first was told about the wireless 3D mouse my thoughts definitely was thinking light and mobile. My expectations were not met, and I found the 3D wireless mouse quite heavy for it’s small size. Now this isn’t a bad thing, it just frames what the device is for in a different manner. In order to use the six degrees of motion, one of them is pulling up on the device to move up in the 3D world or model one is exploring. In order to counteract the force of the user pulling up another force needs to be applied to keep the device planted on the desk or table, or at least that’s what I learned in college. The weight provides for this counter force. For a mobile specific solution you’ll want to check out the 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator for Notebooks.

Despite it’s wireless moniker it does come with a wire to facilitate charging of the device. The fob provided is of the small type, which is nice in the use of a laptop storing in a bag in that I don’t have to worry too much about breaking it off or having to detach it after use to make sure I don’t loose it. The product exhibits a design that is pleasantly appealing and fits well in the hand. I could see using this device in a presentation setting in exploring a 3D model. The listed specifications is the ability to use the device up to 10 meters (3.24077929 × 10^-16 Parsecs) from the fob.  It comes with two mouse buttons on the device.

The 3D navigation performs the same as the other 3D mice in the 3DConnexion line of products and doesn’t replace any of the other products.

As with any wireless device battery if is of paramount concern. The specs indicate a charge lasts up to month with regular use and only takes 2 hours to recharge fully. The USB wire utilizes a micro-USB cable. A replacement fob costs $10 which appears to be Logitech’s/3D Connexion’s standard pricing for them. I usually purchase two of them after I loose one of them.

If I was in the market I’d definitely purchase this 3D Mouse due to my not currently having a permanent desk. If I wasn’t clear in the opening paragraph I received this 3D Mouse from 3DConnexion (and all of the other 3D Mice I’ve reviewed) free of charge. If you want to make this more profitable for me, use these links to purchase one from Amazon:

Wireless 3D Mouse
SpaceNavigator for Notebooks
SpacePilot Pro
SpaceNavigator

So far I’ve had total earnings of $0.00 from the Amazon Associates program over about five years.