BIMBoy's Blog

Workstations: the HP way

2010-10-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited HP's Fort Collins, Colo., offices, the home of HP's workstation class PC division. In addition to seeing HP's rigorous testing for packaging, driver compatibility, signal integrity, Energy Star rating and hardware compatibility, we got to see HP's intricate electromagnetic compatibility tests. Yep, The ones held inside a radioactively-controlled, sealed 10-meter room. This was beyond cool. A styro-foam-clad radiation-resistant room used for testing the electromagnic signals that emanate from each HP workstation. These are the things that make the corner of your monitor turn blue when it's too close to your computer (that never happens with any of my HPs).

Behold, the 10-meter chamber

National regulatory agencies around the world require electronic equipment manufacturers to ensure that their products do not interfere with licensed communications, such as radio, television, air traffic control and police communications, to name a few.

The 10-Meter Electromagnetic Compatibility Chamber is a shielded room, consisting of a 65-by-52-foot steel box with a 30-foot ceiling and special doors with electromagnetic seals. This keeps outside radio signals from interfering with measurements. The chamber gives HP the ability to do on-site development, debugging and certification, which allows for speedy and accurate verification of quality and specifications. HP workstations are tested in this environment for signal clarity.

Among the other pleasures of my visit to Fort Collins, Colo., were meetings with HP's workstation team led by VP of R&D Terry Pilsner, a presentation by Jefferson Han of touchscreen technology developer Perceptive Pixel and a discussion of the latest advancements in GPU computing technology.

Pilsner also commented on the evolution of HP's business through its last two CEOs when asked if the then much-maligned merger of Compaq and HP in 2002 was successful. On the same day that HP named Leo Apotheker, the former CEO of SAP, as its latest leader Pilsner said this:

"Carly (Fiorina, then HP CEO) had the vision to see that acquiring Compaq was the right thing to do and Mark (Hurd, recently deposed HP CEO) had the vision to execute that strategy. I don't want to get into who gets the credit for it, but everyone in HP executed that strategy for the last seven years. "

Whether measured by market share, market leadership or increased shareholder value, the HP-Compaq merger has to be viewed as a success today. At the time it was much maligned in and outside of the company and eventually cost Fiorina her job after a shareholder revolt led by Walter Hewlett, son of co-founder Bill Hewlett. Today, HP is the number one PC manufacturer in the world and is neck-and-neck with Dell in the highly competitive workstation business when they were an also ran back in '02. While Mr. Hurd's management skills were essential in untangling the newly merged company, it does bear repeating. You were right, Carly. You were right.

AutoCAD WS graduates from Labs, let's you cloud-compute from just about anywhere

2010-09-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today Autodesk released AutoCAD WS, a new free web application that uses cloud computing technology to enable AutoCAD software users to view, edit and share their AutoCAD designs and DWG files through web browsers and mobile devices. In addition, the AutoCAD WS mobile application for iOS, which provides access to AutoCAD WS for users on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, is now available as a free download from the Apple iTunes app store.

The AutoCAD WS web application was previously available as “Project Butterfly,” a technology preview on Autodesk Labs that was used by more than 75,000 users to view, edit and share AutoCAD designs through their web browsers.

With the commercial launch of AutoCAD WS, users can upload and manage designs in their online workspace directly from their AutoCAD desktop software through a new free plug-in now available for download, or as part of the subscription Advantage Pack for AutoCAD 2011. The plug-in is compatible with both the 2010 and 2011 versions of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and other AutoCAD products. This capability will also be integrated into the soon to be released AutoCAD for Mac software.

"It's an extension of the desktop experience for whatever mobile device you choose, whether that's the iPad or the iPhone," said Guri Stark, Autodesk's vice president for AutoCAD and Platform Products. "The plug-in allows one-click upload to the cloud environment from your desktop so whether it's taking advantage of the portability of a mobile phone or using a product like the iPad on construction sites you can get the AutoCAD experience you need from the cloud."

Stark said that Autodesk plans to continue to keep Autodesk WS and its plug-in a free download for the foreseeable future.

Some of the features of AutoCAD WS include:

Web and mobile DWG viewer provides access to AutoCAD drawings from anywhere using a web browser or mobile devices.

Online DWG editor supports more than 100 familiar AutoCAD drawing and editing tools that are intuitive for CAD and non-CAD professionals alike.

Built-in sharing provides the ability to generate a unique URL and invite stakeholders to view DWG files online, as well as set permission controls for how others can view, edit or download drawings and folders.

Convenient online storage organizes DWG and DXF files, image files and other related documentation in project folders, with support for multiple file types, including DOC, JPEG, PNG and PDF.

Real-time collaboration can enable people to work on the same DWG file simultaneously and to see changes reflected in the file as they are made.

Design timeline captures and tracks all changes made to drawings for version control and auditing.

Autodesk adds conceptual energy analysis; large team server to Revit products

2010-09-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Autodesk is releasing a subscription update for its Revit 2011 family of 3D design software products this week that includes a new “Revit Server Extension” WAN collaboration utility and a new energy analysis capability in Revit MEP and Revit Architecture 2011.

The Revit Climate Service technology gives users data from 1.6 million global weather stations and allows that information to be used in conceptual design decisions such as building orientation, glazing options and other whole-building energy analysis calculations. The service also links to Google Maps and allows the latest map information to be used in design. This weather and climate information was previously only available to Autodesk’s Green Building Studio subscribers.

“There is really now no excuse not to move forward with whole-building energy analysis,” said John Kennedy, senior manager, sustainable analysis products for Autodesk AEC Solutions. Kennedy was president and CTO of Green Building Studio prior to its 2008 acquisition by San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk. “Revit will now also be able to export its analysis information directly to E-quest and the DoE’s EnergyPlus program, so Revit is also the first to be able to export directly to engineering.”

The reports generated by Revit Climate Service can be generated as lists or graphical representations for easy comparison and are available in 14 languages.
The Revit Server Extension is an update to the Revit Server collaboration utility that synchronizes servers in offices around the world to communicate over a WAN and update changes to a central-server model file rather than new complete versions of each local model again and again. This allows Building Teams to maintain an integrated model on a central server that team members can access from their local servers without making the central model file larger than necessary. The local server copy is silently requesting updates from the central server in the background. Those updates are stored on the local server so that they are immediately available when the user requires them. When a Reload Latest is performed, the local model is automatically updated with the data stored on the local server. At the same time the local server connects with the central server and requests any additional updates.

AutoCAD returns to the Apple Mac platform

2010-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

After a 19-year absence, AutoCAD is coming back to the Mac platform. San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk announced last month that it is releasing a new version of AutoCAD 2011. Autodesk last produced a native Mac version of its flagship product in 1992. Autodesk is also bringing an AutoCAD app to the iPad and iPhone. This app will let professionals import, modify and export CAD files on the go.

"We've seen a strong resurgence fo the Mac platform in our instal bas and the public at-large," said Rob McGuire, AutoCAD Mac product Manager at Autodesk. "With the introduction of the Intel processor and fancier graphics cards for the Mac that made this the right time to go back."

McGuire also said Autodesk is looking closely at how the AutoCAD for Mac performs as well as its other products available for the Mac in the virtualization space. Mac users in the AEC space, Autodesk representatives said, tend to be medium to small-sized firms that do a lot more with their software purchases than some bigger firms might.

The latest BIMBoy stuff

2010-08-28T05:29:00.000-07:00

Hey faithful readers. Sorry I've been MIA for awhile. I'm currently in talks to move BIMBoy's blog back to Building Design + Construction so, hopefully, soon we'll have a much more robust blogging experience to share with you at BD+C's relaunched site.
Also, check out my article on Newforma 7th edition at Architectural Products.
Later, homies.

Autodesk Seek expands McGraw-Hill Sweets partnership, "de-emphasizes" others

2010-06-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Autodesk Seek will now be included as part of a new McGraw-Hill Sweets BIM Package for building product manufacturers, enhancing Autodesk's BIM object partnership with McGraw-Hill Construction. With this new package, BPMs can now have high-quality BIM objects of their products created through a network of Autodesk Content Service Providers and include these objects in both the Autodesk Seek web service and the Sweets network. The announcement was made at the American Institute of Architects' Annual Conference and Design Exposition in Miami.

"Manufacturers seeing the two leaders in the space (Autodesk and McGraw-Hill) deepening their relationship will mean more manufacturers creating BIM content, putting that content on Seek and having it promoted by both Autodesk and McGraw-Hill," said Aubrey Catell, head of products for the Autodesk Content Network. When asked about Autodesk's other existing BIM content partnerships, particularly its relationship with Reed Construction Data's SmartBIM service, Catell said "We are de-emphasizing that relationship and really emphasizing the McGraw-Hill one."

In the past six months, traffic on Autodesk Seek, Autodesk's BIM content website, has doubled, due in large part to the increase of high-quality building information model objects of building products available via the service.

“The combination of the McGraw-Hill Construction Sweets brand coupled with Autodesk’s Seek web service and deep understanding of BIM represent powerful tools for architects and design professionals,” said Per Lofving, senior director, McGraw-Hill Construction in a press release. “This new offering enables designers to discover, preview and download branded BIM models directly into their designs, while providing building product manufacturers with a unique, targeted method to connect with designers early in the design process.”

Autodesk also announced the results of its first internal survey of Seek users, nearly 50% use Seek on a weekly basis, more than 60% recommend or specify products and 77% consider it likely that the products that they recommend or specify will be purchased.

Autodesk releases AutoCAD Freestyle

2010-05-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Last month Autodesk released AutoCAD Freestyle, a simplifed 2D drawing and sketching software package for users who aren't professional architects or designers.

" It's intended for entry-level & casual users who do not have training in technical drawing," said Lisa Crounse, project manager for AutoCAD Freestyle. "We didn't want to create a cheaper version of AutoCAD LT and that's not what it is. We had three groups that were underserved, specialty contractors, DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists , and sales and landscape design."

Freestyle, known as Project Cooper went it was tested on Autodesk Labs, still creates and saves files in the DWG format of AutoCAD but with a limited set of drawing tools and an easy to use graphical user interface. In the beginning of every project, the user is asked to specify the size of the project her or she is drawing in feet and inches or meters and centimeters. From there, it's very much like drawing on paper with a mouse. Standard geometry such as lines, arcs, and circles are available as top navigation drawing tools. Annotations, such as changes to dimension, accompanying text, and space fills are also in the top nav. Erasing is as simple as selecting the large eraser tool.

The software comes pre-loaded with a full library of symbols and images including landscape images such as trees and rocks and all manner of interior symbols (appliances and kitchen and bath are just two of the categories). A Flash tutorial greets new users and explains how to use these simple tools and symbol objects.

The AutoCAD Freestyle community site allows drawing sharing through DWG upload. The site also gives novice users support and help through how-to articles and monitored discussion group. Homeowner Robert Elliott, for example, lives on a lake whose coast is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. Elliott wanted to extend his dock further into the lake and had to submit a plan to the Corps for approval. He used Freestyle to create his plan, which the Corps of Engineers approved.

Autodesk Freestyle is initially being distributed only in US and Canada. The software is being offered for a free 30 day trial. available in Autodesk eStore. Initial recommended price is $149, although promotional prices on the website have been as low as $79.

Newforma 7th Edition re-engineered to support any e-mail program

2010-04-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Newforma released the 7th edition of its Newforma Project Center e-mail and project information management software last week. The robust release includes support for non-Outlook e-mail applications such as Novell Groupwise, Lotus Notes, and even web-based e-mail applications such as Google's Gmail. The other big news is that Newforma has completed its migration of Newforma Project Center data to MySQL providing better performance for remote access, more server capacity, and increased scalability. Newforma started migrating its XML database to an enterprise SQL database in its 4th edition. With this release the database is now entirely SQL.

"We've been working on this migration for 24 months," said Bob Batcheler, VP of product management for Manchester, N.H.-based Newforma. "We had skip-release development going on for last two product cycles."

In 7th edition the Newforma server, which piggybacks a company's primary file server(s), now offers support for 10 terabytes of e-mail and project information storage. In prior releases, a single Newforma server could effectively support approximately two terabytes of project information. 80-customer-specific requests were also addressed in the release. And, yes, AutoCAD 2010 and 2011 are supported in this release.

Remote access

By moving to a MySQL database Newforma has given its users the ability to mirror project data from their primary location to a remote office. This gives a user faster access to Newforma Project Center and addresses a major pain point of sharing information across offices. Using a "My" filter in NPC now returns only records and e-mail messages that that user is involved in.

Newforma's Info Exchange application now offers even richer access to information over the web. Users can access a "project e-mail center" from public internet kiosks or even from smartphones (it works best with the iPhone). E-mail attachments can be downloaded from any browser and can be saved to your mailbox via a "copy to my My Mailbox" option that allows you to respond to the email thread.

Project Center changes

In Newforma 7th Edition users can send their messages to a single project email address for faster filing and sharing with other team members.

"Our users wanted to be able to create a separate email address that exists on the server FOR a project," said Ian Howell, CEO of Newforma. "IT guys don't have to get involved. A project administrator can do it in NPC by simply creating that email address themselves as a project setting. It's a quick way to inform everyone and create a project record."

Sending the message to or CCing it to the project e-mail address will instantly copy the message to the project email activity center where all internal team members can access it.

Moving your e-mail messages to Newforma Project Center is as simple as drag-and-drop for Groupwise and Lotus Notes users. For gmail users you have to select your messages and move them to Newforma, but it's still only a two-click operation.

New Keyword Activity Center, construction improvements

Newforma now gives users the option of adding keywords or metadata to their e-mail messages and project files. Any keywords or metadata added to a message are automatically saved to the new Keyword Activity Center which makes it searchable by those words or data.

Since Newforma was initially developed with a focus on the design team, its RFI and change order processes were not originally optimized for construction companies' processes.

"Only more recently have we started winning construction clients," Howell said. "Previously we had handled RFIs from the design perspective. What we've done here is taken the contractors’ perspective and added that piece as well so looking across A, E, and C."

You can also now close an RFI or submittal without responding to the sender. Users can also relate any object to any other object. For instance, you can relate an action item to the project timeline. Every object also now has a standard change log tab associated with it. AutoCAD 2010 and 2011 support, indexing, viewing and mark up are available in this edition as well.

Administrative enhancements
Improved management tools for indexing and searching
Project settings wizard changed to tabbed based user interface
A My Projects list for each user stored in the database
Batch update projects with additional project folders
Easier to change project names

System environment support
Including 64-bit server OS support
Microsoft Exchange 2010 support
Microsoft Windows 7
Including 64-bit client OS support
Support for virtual servers

Adobe adds more 3D features in Photoshop CS5

2010-04-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Adobe launched the fifth edition of its combined Creative (Master)Suite last week, a collection of software that includes digital compositing and editing tools that stretch back to its pre-Macromedia acquisition days and includes standards such as Fireworks, Photoshop, Acrobat, and InDesign. While I’ve been beta-testing the entire suite, the application that will most impact architects and engineers is Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended. The program’s new native 64-bit support makes working with large renderings and images much faster and easier. Enhancements to Photoshop CS4’s already impressive OpenGL engine speed the delivery of 3D content to your computer’s graphics card and leave your CPU mostly alone.

Since Photoshop is such a mature program (it is almost of legal drinking age, as it turned 20 this year), many of the upgrades are based on workflow performance and ease of use for repetitive tasks. It seems as if Adobe went down the checklist of user gripes and came up with holistic fixes for power users like architects and engineers, such as the ability to drag and drop a file into an open document to create a new layer, something digital rendering experts have been clamoring for since Photoshop CS2. The 3D tools and content are more robust in this release, too, building nicely off of the limited 3D tools in previous releases.

Painting and Rendering
Photoshop CS5 has a new Mixer Brush that gives users an artistic way of blending colors on the screen. The Mixer Brush allows you to define multiple colors on a brush tip and then mix and blend them naturally with colors on your digital canvas. You can use the Mixer Brush on any photo or rendering to create painted effects without adding colors. Brush bristle properties such as shape, stiffness, thickness, and length are all customizable. You can also adjust your bristle tips and save your tip configurations for future use, so your tools are REALLY customizable for you.

Repoussé and 3D
CS5 Extended offers a number of improvements to the program’s 3D capabilities from CS4. The new Repoussé feature allows you to work interactively to style your 3D objects. You can use the feature to extrude text or to paint real life textures on walls and signs.

The “Create New 3D Object” option on the 3D panel allows you to convert 2D objects to 3D. You can then use the Repoussé dialog box to tweak extrusion properties such as depth, scale, bend, shear, twist, and inflate. Photoshop CS5 Extended ships with a much more robust library of 3D content than CS4 had to use in your images. More 3D content is available on Abobe online (linked with one click in Photoshop).
There are whole sections of photo editing enhancement that I’m not even mentioning in this blog (including a more powerful HDR Pro feature) since my audience mainly uses Photoshop for rendering and visualization, but if you buy it, I suggest you explore HDR Pro and the new Camera Raw fully. You’ll be impressed. BIMBoy 4.18.2010