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Permasteelisa of Italy uses Autodesk architectural and manufacturing software for its global curtain wall creation process. The new Permasteelisa Moving Forward system (code-named PMF) is a custom suite developed with Autodesk to serve 5,000 users in 50 locations; users at up to five sites can work simultaneously on the same project.

As an example of how the initiative works, Permasteelisa designs new curtain walls based on 3D models created in Revit, and then transfers the data to teams working on materials and manufacturing to create a single 3D digital model in Inventor and Mechanical software.

Decentralized production and project management enables Permasteelisa to be effective locally, while maintaining high quality standards in all markets. Via four research centers, Permasteelisa promotes the development and application of innovative eco-compatible technologies that ensure significant levels of energy saving and improve the quality of internal environments.

Major architectural works by Permasteelisa include the Sydney Opera House, the Canary Wharf development in London, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the airports serving Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

IMAGINiT Technologies has implemented a rigorous certification program for IMAGINiT application specialists who take their clients through TakeAIM, IMAGINiT's four phased Assured Implementation Method program.

Read the full Press release here

IMAGINiT Technologies invites you to join our monthly informational webcasts.

April Schedule:

• Revit Automated Specs Using e-SPECS - 04/03/2009
• Revit Demo - 04/03/2009
• BIM Presentation and Demonstration -04/06/2009
• IMAGINiT 2010 Virtual Event - 04/07/2009 - 04/09/2009
• MEP Web Demonstration - 04/17/2009

May Schedule:

• Revit Automated Specs Using e-SPECS - 05/01/2009
• Revit Demonstration - 05/01/2009
• BIM Presentation and Demonstration - 05/04/2009
• MEP Web Demonstration - 05/15/2009

For more information and to register for the following webcasts click here.

IMAGINiT's Architectural Blogger, Daniel Hughes, shares his insight on Autodesk architectural software including Revit Architecture and AutoCAD Architecture. In this month's newsletter, Daniel shares an excerpt from his blog:

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 adds to the substantial list of new AutoCAD 2010 features:

• Room Separator
• Polyline Tools
• AEC Dimension Enhancements
• Enhanced Wall Cleanup and EndCap Tools
• IFC Export Enhancements
•  Import Inventor Files to Create MultiView Blocks
• Ramp Tools

Read details on new features, and watch videos of them in action here

To find out what Daniel will be sharing next, visit his blog at: www.rand.com/imaginit/architecturalblog

Blog: Troubleshooting Display Issues

IMAGINiT's Visualization, Mark Gerhard, shares his insight on Autodesk's visualization software including 3d max, Maya, and Alias. In this month's newsletter, Mark shares an excerpt of his blog:

Sometimes you'll find that 3ds Max viewports don't act the way they are supposed to. If you are experiencing something strange in the viewport such as the grid lines disappearing, or other objects not being displayed correctly, it may be your graphics card drivers. You can test this by changing to the plain-vanilla Software mode.

Go to the Start menu and choose Programs > Autodesk > Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2009 > Change Graphics Mode. When you run this, a dialog appears. Click the "Revert from Direct3D" button at the bottom of this dialog, and then choose "Software" in the subsequent dialog box that appears. If your problem goes away you'll know that it is related to your graphics card driver.

To find out what other solutions Mark has found, visit his blog at: www.rand.com/imaginit/VisualizationBlog

Tip: Unicode Multiline Text Fix

(Applies to: all 2008 software)

When non-unicode mtext lacks font information, it displays incorrectly in AutoCAD 2008-based products. This hotfix has to be installed in the AutoCAD 2008 installation folders. For more information please see Readme.

For Inventor Professional 2008 and Inventor Suite 2008, apply this patch only if the installation includes AutoCAD Mechanical 2008 or Mechanical Desktop 2008.

For AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2008 and AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2008, apply this patch only if the installation includes AutoCAD 2008. For AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2008, apply this patch only if the installation includes AutoCAD MEP 2008.

• Learn more about the patch: Readme
• Download path for 32-bit software: non-unicode_mtext_hotfix_32bit.zip (4.3MB)
• Download path for 64-bit software: non-unicode_mtext_hotfix_64bit.zip (6MB)

Green Design: Getting Started with Green Building Studio

Autodesk's Green Building Studio is a Web-based energy analysis service. Architects and designers can evaluate how building components impact energy consumption. It operates with Revit Architecture, Revit MEP software, and other compatible energy-analysis software.

Subscribers  directly access the Web service from within Revit using a plug-in. Here is how to get started:

1. Register with Autodesk Green Building Studio web service at www.autodesk.com/greenbuildingstudio .
2. Create a new project.
3. Download and install plug-ins for Autodesk Revit Architecture or Autodesk Revit MEP.
4. Start your Revit application, open your model file, and save it with a new name.
5. Add room or space objects and ensure upper limits completely enclose upper level surfaces.
6. Launch the Green Building Studio plug-in from the Tools/External Tools menu and log in to the Autodesk Green Building Studio Web-based service.
7. Use the Revit plug-in to upload model to the web service.
8. View your results within minutes.
9. View your building in 3D using the VRML link to check that it is correct.
10. Use Parallel Graphics VRML Client or Apple FreeWRL VRML/X3D Viewer.

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Design and engineering productivity is a key component to how well business thrives. That's why IMAGINiT Technologies provides ProductivityNOW, a resource and service for Autodesk®, AutoCAD®, and select CAD/Design software users. Our service is designed to get the answers you need for your program and IT challenges, when you need them. Whether your team needs assistance with an installation, access to technical tips, or simply an answer to a question, IMAGINiT's ProductivityNOW program is the ideal solution for you.

ProductivityNOW

Still designing in AutoCAD® Release 14, AutoCAD® 2000, AutoCAD® 2000i, AutoCAD® 2002, AutoCAD® 2004, AutoCAD® 2005, AutoCAD® 2006 or other retired Autodesk software? Keep your software current with the Autodesk Legacy Program, which gives loyal customers, like you, an easy way to keep your software up to date.

Autodesk Legacy Program

The Autodesk Maya 8 Promotion is a three-phase discount program for customers using Autodesk® Maya® Complete 8 software and Autodesk® Maya® Unlimited 8 software who want to move to the latest Autodesk Maya version available. This promotion offers up to a 20% discount on eligible Maya product purchases from August 11, 2008 until April 17, 2009.

Autodesk Maya 8 Promotion

The Autodesk® Maya® Legacy Program is an offer running from August 11, 2008 through April 17, 2009 which provides customers in the United States and Canada with valid licenses of Autodesk® Maya® Complete 7.0.1 software or Autodesk® Maya® Unlimited 7.0.1 software, the opportunity to purchase new licenses of the latest Autodesk Maya Unlimited product available at time of purchase at up to 30% off when purchased with Autodesk® Subscription.

Maya Legacy Promotion