IMAGINiT News

IMAGINiT Builder 3D Released

Last May, IMAGINiT Technologies announced the release of IMAGINiT Builder 3D, a new lightweight building design solution for the AEC market. This software, developed by Cadsoft Corporation, has state-of-the-art technology that integrates Home Design, 3D Modeling, Interior Design, Landscaping, Working Drawings, Rendering, Animation and Estimating.

This software "is a perfect solution for introducing many small to medium size companies to the opportunities of working in 3D on smaller scale designs,” stated Bob Heeg, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations for IMAGINiT Technologies. This product is now available for purchase on the IMAGINiT Estore.

ProductivityNOW Support Service Launched

IMAGINiT Technologies recently announced the launch of its enhanced ProductivityNOW service, a combined technical support and eLearning web-based portal. This service supports users of AutoCAD®, Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, Autodesk® Inventor, Autodesk® Land Desktop, Autodesk® Revit and Autodesk® Vault software.

ProductivityNOW is available in three levels, ProductivityNOW SOLO, ProductivityNOW Plus and ProductivityNOW Premium, to best fit your company needs and budget.

Click Here To Read The ProductivityNow Press Release

Tour The ProductivityNOW Web-Based Portal

IMAGINiT Technologies recently acquired Redcoat 3D, a leading service provider in the virtual prototyping market. Redcoat 3D provides training, production services and technical support for Autodesk® Viz, Autodesk® Viz Render and Autodesk® 3ds Max®.

Customers from all targeted markets will now be able to get visualization software implementation and training, and virtual prototyping services on a contractual basis from IMAGINiT.

Click Here To Read More About This Acquisition

IMAGINiT Has The Highest U.S. Revenue And Sales

IMAGINiT Technologies had a successful first quarter with Autodesk. Congratulations to all the IMAGINiT U.S. offices for topping the charts for highest U.S. revenue for all three industries- building, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

We also congratulate the IMAGINiT Alberta offices for having the highest Canadian revenue for the building and infrastructure industries and to the IMAGINiT Ontario offices for being in the top five highest Canadian revenue for the building, infrastructure, and manufacturing industries.

Top

Autodesk News

Autodesk Building Solutions Webcasts

Due to the overwhelming response to her first series of webcasts, Amy Fietkau is back to showcase more of the benefits of Autodesk® Architectural Desktop:

July 13, 10:00 a.m. PDT -- If you're sick of wasting time creating tedious tags, this webcast is for you. Amy will show you a few cool tools and some shortcuts that will make your life much easier.

August 17, 10:00 a.m. PDT -- What's the proper way to create interior elevations? Learn tricks and tips for using 3D to automate your workflow.

Click Here For More Information On Autodesk Building Solutions Webcasts

Autodesk's Manufacturing Community

Take advantage of Autodesk's Manufacturing Community to stay up-to-date with the industry. By becoming a member of this free community, you can participate in member discussions, find local events, learn new tips, search the online resources, and read blogs by industry pros such as Kevin Schneider and Grant Rochelle. This online community is a great place for you to share you knowledge and to let your network grow.

Click Here To Join The Autodesk Manufacturing Community

Vespa Now in Beta

Vespa is the codename of a new software presentation graphics in hand-drawn styles. Starting from line drawings, you can add illustrative effects, such as line effects and fill effects -- including materials, gradients, and transparency. Vespa understands AutoCAD® blocks and layer information. You can use the pre-built styles that ship with the application, or can create your own custom styles.

You can beta-test it by signing up at myfeedback.autodesk.com using the Beta Code "Vespa01B."

Click Here To Learn More About Vespa

Top

Tips and Tricks

.NET 2.0 Prevents AutoCAD Installation
Applies to AutoCAD 2005 - 2007

When you install AutoCAD on a computer that has Microsoft's .Net Framework 2.0 installed, you receive this error message:

Serious error with the installation

The error occurs because Microsoft's .Net Framework 2.0 is installed on your computer -- instead of the v1.1. During the AutoCAD installation, the .Net Framework 1.1 Language Pack is installed, which conflicts with .Net Framework 2.0.

To avoid this problem, manually install the .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 and the .Net Framework 1.1 Language Pack. These updates can be obtained from AutoCAD's \dotnetfx folder.

Visit The Autodesk Support Page For More Information

No Shift+key Shortcuts in AutoCAD 2006
Applies to AutoCAD 2006

In AutoCAD 2006, you're unable to create shortcut keystrokes with the Shift key. That's because Autodesk inadvertently left it out.

The workaround is to create a text file with macros for Shift keys, such as:

***MENUGROUP=SHIFT_ACCELERATORS
***ACCELERATORS
[SHIFT+"X"]'zoom p
[SHIFT+"Z"]'zoom w

Save the file. In AutoCAD 2006, use the Menuload command to add the definitions to the CUI file.

Click Here To Learn More About Creating Shortcuts

Importing Illustrator Images into AutoCAD
Applies to AutoCAD 2004-2007

Adobe's Illustrator software creates vector-based drawings that are saved in AI (Adobe Illustrator) format, which cannot be read in AutoCAD. You can export the illustrations to DWG format in Illustrator:

The exported file will have the following characteristics:

• DWG AutoCAD 2000 format
• Layer names based on Adobe Illustrator drawing layers
• Colors in AutoCAD assigned by object
• 256 Colors
• Solid colors converted into solid hatch patterns
• Raster images converted to JPEG
• Text converted to outlines (optional)

Autodesk does not recommend copying (with Ctrl+C) the illustration drawing from Illustrator and then pasting it (with Ctrl+V) in AutoCAD, because unexpected results occur and objects are lost.

Click Here For More Information

Top

Feature

Disney Mobile Powered by Autodesk

Disney Mobile plans to use Autodesk software for their forthcoming "Family Locator™" wireless location services. The service lets parents locate their children's handsets using GPS [global positioning system] technology.

“We selected Autodesk for its corporate strength, software development expertise and long-standing commitment to the wireless location services marketplace” said George Grobar, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Mobile.

Family Locator is part of Disney Mobile's Family Center™, a set of integrated features that also includes Family Monitor™, Call Control and Family Alert!™ wireless services. The Family Center features allow parents to set spending allowances and track usage for voice minutes, text messaging, picture messaging and downloadable content.

It also determined the hours of the day and days of the week when kids can use their phones. The system can be programmed to restrict and or set always-on phone numbers to limit with whom kids communicate. It also can prioritize important family messages.

Disney Mobile calls itself "the first national wireless phone service built to meet the unique communication needs of today's family." Disney plans to launch it this month.

Click Here To Read More On Disney Mobile Family Locator

Top

User Groups

User Groups Expanding

IMAGINiT Technologies support Autodesk product-related user groups all across North America. Participants of user groups will learn and discuss various topics, share product knowledge, and ask questions.

Upcoming User Groups:

Top

Workshops, Seminars & Webcasts

New Webcasts And Workshops

IMAGINiT Technologies has exciting new webcasts and workshops for you to attend. Get set to learn about the Autodesk family of products and what they can do for you! Contact your local IMAGINiT office for more information or visit our events page.

Upcoming Webcasts:

Click Here To View Webcasts And Workshops

Top

Promotions

Autodesk 2004 Retirement Promotion

Autodesk recently announced the retirement of AutoCAD® 2004, AutoCAD 2004-based products, and Autodesk Inventor® Series 8. Autodesk will discontinue support these products as of March 15, 2007. Now is the best time to upgrade your software to the latest release. Upgrade before July 31, 2006, and save up to 20%!*

Click Here For More Information On The Autodesk 2004 Retirement

Legacy Promotions

If you didn't  upgrade your AutoCAD R14-2002 software by the March 15, 2006 cutoff date, you can still upgrade at a discount:

• Until July 31, 2006 -- save 45% with subscription (40% without)
• Between August 1 and January 19, 2007 -- save 40% with the purchase of a subscription (35% without).

Qualifying products include applications based on AutoCAD 14 through 2002, as well as VIZ.

You can upgrade AutoCAD 2004 with the following discounts:

• Until July 31, 2006 -- save 20% with subscription (15% without)
• Between August 1 and October 31 -- save 15% with the purchase of a subscription (10% without).
• Up to January 19, 2007 -- save 10% with the purchase of a subscription.

Click Here For More Information On The Legacy Promotions

AutoCAD LT 2007 Rebate

Until July 14, eligible customers who purchase AutoCAD LT 2007 new or upgrade licenses may be eligible for a rebate for each seat purchased (up to a maximum of 10 seats per invoice address). Multi-packs of both new and upgrade licenses are also eligible.

Rebate amounts range from $50 (US) for a single-seat upgrade to $870 (US) for a 10-pack new license. Valid in the US and Canada only (certain restrictions apply). Go to www.autodesk.com/LT2007rebate for more information.

Rev It Up Promotion

For a limited time, Autodesk® Architectural Desktop customers can purchase Autodesk Revit Building at a discount with the Rev It Up Promotion. If you have Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004, 2005, or 2006, you will get Autodesk Revit Building 9 and Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007 at a lower price.

If you already have Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007, you will receive a new seat of Autodesk Revit Building 9 and retain your current Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007 license. To learn more about this promotion, contact your local IMAGINiT Technologies Office.

Top

Academia

IMAGINiT Is An Autodesk Educational Reseller

IMAGINiT Technologies specializes in providing software and services for Vocational, Technical, engineering and animation programs for K-12, post-secondary Community and Technical Colleges and Universities. Contact an IMAGINiT Educational Representative today to find out how they can serve your educational needs.

Click Here To Learn More About IMAGINiT Technologies Academia

Engineering Students Practice Service Learning

In an article by Jeffrey Selingo titled "May I Help You?", he recognizes the new trend engineering schools are starting for its students: service learning. Schools are preparing engineers to operate and work in teams with other engineers and non-engineers by placing them in real-world engineering situations that assist local non-profit community organizations.

With this type of service learning, students learn to work in teams, organizations receive assistance, and employers hire graduates with both technical skills and soft skills. Selingo points out "the fact of the matter is that these days, engineers work in teams across time zones, solving complex problems presented by clients".

Click Here To Read The Full Article

Top

Technical Education Services

Summer 2006 Technical Training Course Catalog And Class Schedule Now Available

The new Summer 2006 training course catalog will be distributed to our clients soon. If you do not receive a copy, you may download it from the IMAGINiT Technologies web site or contact your local office for a copy.

Course descriptions and registration are available online for your convenience. If our course calendar conflicts with yours, we are able to arrange alternative course scheduling. Please contact your local IMAGINiT office to make arrangements.

Top

In the World of 3D

United Federal Courthouse Designed with Autodesk Revit

Autodesk's Revit software is completing the design, documentation, and delivery of the new United States Federal Courthouse in Jackson MS as part of the United States Government Services Administration Public Buildings Service building information modeling (BIM) pilot project.

H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture (H3) and their consultant engineers, Walter P Moore and Cooke Douglas Farr Lemmons, are using Autodesk Revit as the core modeling software to maintain cost control, track space requirements for multiple tenants, and to provide construction documentation of the 400,000-square-foot courthouse.

The architectural firm first intended to use standard 2D software and processes to design and document the project. But then the GSA's PBS provided money for a pilot project, and the firm selected Revit. "There's no question that BIM helps us maintain a competitive advantage,” said Matthew Jogan of Hardy Collaboration Architecture.  

The consulting engineering firm participated in a Revit Structure beta program, and then decided to apply the software to 25 projects. Jim Jacobi of Walter P Moore says, "Construction documents are created directly from the model, so if the model is correct the drawings are automatically correct. "

With new construction project funding of $1-$2 billion per year, the GSA design and construction program has the potential to benefit immensely from BIM's ability to reduce construction, operating, and maintenance costs. Through the use of BIM as part of the courthouse project, the GSA, their vendors and suppliers, will have the potential to use the courthouse design and engineering data for building operation and maintenance throughout the building's life cycle.  

 Top