Point A, AutoCAD 2000 iX and other new Autodesk stuff
If you haven't yet taken the time to check out Point A, you really must. This is by far the best portal I've found for the building industry. Finally the guys over at Autodesk have done something right. The site is well laid out, well planed and loaded with tons of information. Something else that's on Point A is new software including AutoCAD 2000 iX - a new version of AutoCAD. I haven't tested it out yet, but looks interesting if you are wanting to work online, do collaborative stuff, or internet enable your drawings. To see some of the features, including the ability to use net meeting inside ACAD, check out their Feature List. Also here you can find the new Object enabler 2.11 if you deal with any people who use the Desktop versions of AutoCAD. There is also a Drawing Explorer plug-in for Windows Explorer that looks promising and a neat Java based conversion utility. In the coming weeks I'll be downloading and testing all the new stuff they are placing online and reporting back as to how each one fares.
VRML
For those of you who still think VRML is a viable 3D platform on the web you might find the programs at this link interesting. The VRML Repository has tons of programs that let you translate from DXF or 3DS into VRML. Now, what good is that you might ask? Well, if you create a 3D model in ACAD and you want your client to see it, be able to easily move around in it, you have limited choices. The client will need AutoCAD, possibly 3D Studio, or some other costly program to view the image or they can view it in 3D by using either a VRML plug-in or Volo View Express plug-in. If you are interested in trying the VRML approach there is even a 3rd party software for AutoCAD that adds a VRMLOUT command to ACAD by CAD Studio.
Autodesk wants input
If you live near San Francisco and would like to help improve upcoming products, Autodesk has a open standing request for something they call Usability Testers. I've been doing this now myself for about 6 months, and it's a nice way to give feedback on products that you'll be using yourself in the coming months. If you're interested in spending about 1 hour every other month at their headquarters in San Rafeal, then drop Sharon a note for more details.
If you haven't yet taken the time to check out Point A, you really must. This is by far the best portal I've found for the building industry. Finally the guys over at Autodesk have done something right. The site is well laid out, well planed and loaded with tons of information. Something else that's on Point A is new software including AutoCAD 2000 iX - a new version of AutoCAD. I haven't tested it out yet, but looks interesting if you are wanting to work online, do collaborative stuff, or internet enable your drawings. To see some of the features, including the ability to use net meeting inside ACAD, check out their Feature List. Also here you can find the new Object enabler 2.11 if you deal with any people who use the Desktop versions of AutoCAD. There is also a Drawing Explorer plug-in for Windows Explorer that looks promising and a neat Java based conversion utility. In the coming weeks I'll be downloading and testing all the new stuff they are placing online and reporting back as to how each one fares.
VRML
For those of you who still think VRML is a viable 3D platform on the web you might find the programs at this link interesting. The VRML Repository has tons of programs that let you translate from DXF or 3DS into VRML. Now, what good is that you might ask? Well, if you create a 3D model in ACAD and you want your client to see it, be able to easily move around in it, you have limited choices. The client will need AutoCAD, possibly 3D Studio, or some other costly program to view the image or they can view it in 3D by using either a VRML plug-in or Volo View Express plug-in. If you are interested in trying the VRML approach there is even a 3rd party software for AutoCAD that adds a VRMLOUT command to ACAD by CAD Studio.
Autodesk wants input
If you live near San Francisco and would like to help improve upcoming products, Autodesk has a open standing request for something they call Usability Testers. I've been doing this now myself for about 6 months, and it's a nice way to give feedback on products that you'll be using yourself in the coming months. If you're interested in spending about 1 hour every other month at their headquarters in San Rafeal, then drop Sharon a note for more details.
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