"Outsourcing, mass customization and global competitiveness are reshaping the manufacturing industry and the way companies design and manufacture products," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. "Every product that customers need to visualize, simulate and analyze for real-world performance -- early in the design process -- is available right now through Autodesk and its partner network."

Autodesk Inventor Certified partners deliver software and services in a variety of areas, including among others:

• Analysis and Simulation
• Mold Making
• NC Manufacturing
• Production Engineering
• Sheet Metal
• Tool and Die

For more information on Inventor-compatible products, visit partnerproducts.autodesk.com/compatiblewith/inventor.asp.

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IMAGINiT has launched podcasts for the manufacturing, civil, building, and design visualization industries. In each of these podcasts, you'll find industry news and information featured from our blogs, news feed, and iCommuniqué.

Click here to listen to the podcasts.

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RAND Worldwide announced on July 5, 2007 it completed the acquisition of CADVisions. With offices in Dallas, TX and Wichita, KS, they are an Authorized Autodesk Service and Support Center and leading provider of Autodesk software, training, consulting and support services.

Click here to read the press release.

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Mechanical Division Has New Home

Last month, Autodesk moved its Manufacturing Solutions division to a brand-new 44,000 square-foot facility in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The division had been at a smaller office in Tualatin, Oregon, since 1997.

The new building features an environmentally sustainable work environment. This fall, the office will open a state-of-the-art customer briefing center.

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As per the current Autodesk Subscription Terms and Conditions (article 2.4), subscription customers can install and continue to use previous versions during the term of a subscription contract and any renewal terms.

This is meant so that you have a time to ramp up to new software, and continue existing projects on old software. There are a number of conditions attached to using old software; contact your IMAGINiT Technologies office for complete information.

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As a result, Chrysler is significantly reducing the time and costs associated with the production of visually engaging, product- accurate marketing imagery.

Creative Bridge is a complete consulting solution: from the initial design and planning stage where members of the professional services division assess goals and existing digital assets to create a custom-tailored workflow roadmap; through to the implementation stage in which Autodesk consultants function as a seamless resource for CAD file preparation, virtual model assembly, data repair and optimization and ad/creative agency liaison. Specialized Autodesk services are offered to support the effective deployment of a Creative Bridge pipeline including training, workflow consulting, pipeline design, virtual asset management and program management.

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Autodesk has release Autodesk® Inventor™ 2008 Service Pack 1. It is an incremental update, which means you must install Inventor 2008, before you can install the service pack.

It updates Inventor Suite 2008, Inventor Routed Systems Suite 2008, Inventor Simulation Suite 2008, and Inventor Professional 2008 for all languages.

First read the readme file, and then download the 32MB inventor2008_sp1.msp file.

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Autodesk University 2007 Early Bird Promotion

Registration for Autodesk University 2007 begins Wednesday, August 22nd. If you register between August 15th - October 5th, 2007, you are eligible to receive early bird pricing. You can also receive a $150 discount when you register, by entering the promotional Code 150ATC.

Full Conference Pass Pricing

Autodesk University 2007
Location: The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas
Date: November 27, 2007 - November 30, 2007
Registration Information

Until October 15, 2007, you can crossgrade to current version of AutoCAD or a mechanical vertical for $1,995 USD. If you have licenses of AutoCAD LT 2005, 2006, 2007, or AutoCAD LT 2008 software, you can switch to the following:

• AutoCAD 2008
• Inventor Suite 2008
• Inventor Routed Systems Suite 2008
• Inventor Simulation Suite 2008
• Mechanical 2008
• Electrical 2008

You must provide a valid AutoCAD LT serial number for each AutoCAD LT Crossgrade Promotion product purchased. AutoCAD 2008 customers must be current on Autodesk Subscription on or before June 1 to qualify.

Click here to find out more about this promotion.

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Stay ahead of the competition and upgrade your Autodesk 2005 software to the 2008 versions of Autodesk products before October 15, 2007 to save up to 15%. On March 14, 2008, Autodesk will be retiring upgrades from its Autodesk 2005 product versions.

Contact your local IMAGINiT representative for more information.

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The Summer 2007 training course catalog can be downloaded from the IMAGINiT Technologies web site or you can contact your local office for a copy. Course descriptions and registration are available online for your convenience.

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