Autodesk is using its own software in the design of a new 65,000 sq.ft. headquarters building for its AEC division. The interior of the building is designed and constructed using its Revit software for building information modeling. It is the first project in New England to use the Integrated Project Delivery model, an approach to design and construction that can accelerate project timelines and reduce errors.

In addition to Revit, Inventor software was used to create digital prototypes of pre-fabricated materials, such as the intricately-detailed wood ceiling. The builder and architect also used Autodesk's Quantity Takeoff and Navisworks software.

The new office space boasts state-of-the-art sustainable features allowing for the comfort and health of the employees. Some of the amenities of the building include a 4,000 square-foot customer briefing center and gallery, a cafe with a focus on local and organic offerings, and a high definition TelePresence video conferencing system that will be used to interact with other Autodesk offices around the world.

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.

February Schedule:

• BIM Presentation and Demonstration - 02/02/2009
• Revit Automated Specs Using e-SPECS - 02/06/2009
• Revit Demonstration - 02/06/2009
• BIM Tools for Green Building and Sustainable Design - 02/10/2009
• MEP Web Demonstration - 02/20/2009

March Schedule:

• BIM Presentation and Demonstration - 03/02/2009
• Revit Automated Specs Using e-SPECS - 03/06/2009
• Revit Demonstration - 03/06/2009
• MEP Web Demonstration - 03/20/2009

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:

Download free AutoCAD Architecture 2009 styles from Autodesk. They include Architecture doors, windows, walls, curtain walls, endcaps, window assemblies, multi-view blocks and more.

You can download these Architecture styles into your project or add them to your company standards with Content Browser | Tool Palettes. Use the AutoCAD Architecture Style Manager to review, edit, or create variations of these styles.

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

IMAGINiT's Manufacturing Solutions Blogger, Mark Flayler, shares his insight on Autodesk's manufacturing software including Inventor, Mechanical Desktop and Mechanical. In this month's newsletter, Mark shares an excerpt of his blog:

Come visit Radu in his new remote office! Recently one of our Manufacturing Application Engineers (Radu Stancescu from our Florida office) completed a task that not many have. Radu scaled Aconcagua: (7000 meters/23000 feet) the highest mountain in the Americas, in the southern and western hemispheres, and the second highest of the world's seven continental summits located in Andes mountain range, in the Argentine province of Mendoza.

While he was there he opened the newest branch in our global offices!

Pictures and Full story here

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

(Applies to: Revit 2008, 2009)

Using vector processing to plot complex views may result in display inconsistencies, such as lines that are missing or merged incorrectly, or shaded views that are plotted incorrectly, among other issues. You can often eliminate these issues by switching to raster processing when plotting from Revit.

Raster processing "rasterizes" the view by analyzing the dimensions of the view you are plotting and the amount of graphics displayed. Vector processing uses the number of views you are plotting and the complexity of those views when plotting.

Raster processing generally takes more time to complete than vector processing due to the rasterizing process, and it may also result in lower quality plots. You can improve the quality of plots by adjusting the Raster Quality setting in the Print Setup dialog box. Using higher quality settings will result in longer print times.

The plot quality when using raster processing may also be affected by the plot driver you are using. Verify that you are using the latest plot driver available for your device or when plotting to a file (for example, a PDF file) to ensure the best quality plot possible.

Autodesk has acquired all the assets of BIMWorld, a business that specializes in producing and distributing branded BIM [building information modeling] content for building product manufacturers.

Autodesk sees the acquisition as accelerating its engagement with building product manufacturers and expanding the content available in Autodesk Seek.

BIMWorld will be combined with content on Seek, Autodesk's online source for building product design information.

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

On March 14, 2009, Autodesk will be retiring upgrades from AutoCAD® 2006, AutoCAD 2006-based products, Autodesk® VIZ 2006, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 8 and Autodesk Inventor® Series 10 software.

Full Promotion details here

Still designing in AutoCAD® Release 14, AutoCAD® 2000, AutoCAD® 2000i, AutoCAD® 2002, AutoCAD® 2004 or AutoCAD® 2005 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 following e-SPECS promotions are available until March 31, 2009.

1 Free e-SPECS Revit Plug-Ins AND 1 Free e-SPECS Desktop Markup Tool with each e-SPECS for Revit License

For all e-SPECS for Revit orders the customer can deploy not just the one Revit Plug-In and Desktop license that is included with the e-SPECS for Revit license purchase but 1 more of each at no additional cost. These licenses are for the term of the e-SPECS for Revit license (TBL or Perpetual) after which normal maintenance or TBL renewal costs apply.

More e-SPECS promotions here.