blads blog

2010 is at the door Remember Life  is short, break the rules, Forgive quickly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile. My warm wishes are for you all... Have a promising and fulfilling new year.

Merry Christmas,  Feliz Natal,  Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto,  Buone Feste Natalizie,  Froehliche Weihnachten,  Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!,  Nollaig chridheil huibh,  Feliz Navidad  to all...

In keeping with tradition, I'm happy to present the 2011 Edition of the CWC Calendar… apologies to all who missed out - I could only use the avatars I had on file… thanks to all at #AU2010 who participate "wearing" the AUGI "spiky-hat" Jan 2011 Edit: You can viewed on the AUGI Forums - Coffee Without CAD

Wow, I can't believe I'm been so busy since arriving in Las Vegas on Sunday morning to blog about #AU2010... its been almost non-stop A mix of AUGI meetings and events on Monday.  Last night was a mix of socials and mixer-style events that I was fortunate to attend, namely the AU Blogger Social and then later the AEC Mixer, both being held at the House of Blues venue at the Mandalay Bay. AU Bloggers Social AU Bloggers Social AU Bloggers Social Today's General Keynote Presentation was simply amazing!  AU General Keynote Session AU General Keynote Session AU General Keynote Session AU General Keynote Session AU Bloggers Social AEC Mixer AU General Keynote Session AEC Mixer AU General Keynote Session `

With so many things happening at this years' Autodesk University , here a brief list of what is happening with AUGI at AU. Monday, November 29 AUGI Leadership / Local Chapter President's meeting AUGI Board meeting AUGI Volunteer gathering Tuesday, November 30 Past President's gathering International Assembly Meeting AUGI Top Daug 2010 Challenge begins at the AUGI Booth Wednesday, December 1 Its AUGI Day today!!! Annual General Meeting AUGI Beer Bust Thursday, December 2 AUGI Writers & Volunteers breakfast AUGI TweetUp at the AUGI Booth AUGI Top Daug Finals AUGI Unplugged Be sure to catch up with all the info / photos at AU with AUGI's "HotNews Daily"

A utodesk product users in Australia may not be able to attend #AU2010 in Las Vegas,  so IMAGINiT Technologies are inviting you to join us and experience a Las Vegas-style AU event in Australia! All events will feature a Las Vegas theme , including a cocktail party and Las Vegas table games, providing valuable opportunity to network with your industry peers. Please mark these dates in your calendar to ensure you do not miss Australia's premier Autodesk University events and stay tuned for further details including how to register for these unique events.  For further information, please contact your local IMAGINiT Technologies representatives: Adelaide / Melbourne - Rob Fischer Brisbane - Deborah Manning

W oo Hoo, as commented earlier  I can now report that the  Project Vasari technology preview Is Now Available You can download Project Vasari via Autodesk Labs here Project Vasari is a design tool with analysis capabilities available via the cloud. Project Vasari is compatible with Revit in that files created by Project Vasari can be opened using Revit 2011, and Revit files can be opened by Project Vasari. There are some limitations in that, as a conceptual modeler, Project Vasari does not support some features (e.g., detailed model elements such as walls, windows, doors, etc.) The thinking is that you would start with Project Vasari and then continue with Revit 2011 to make more detailed models - not the other way around. In a nutshell… Project Vasari it's basically Revit for people who don't need all of Revit.  

Through Twitter I found out about this interesting site - BIM Stop It's free and you can gain instant access to all of the great content in a variety of formats. Current formats include: Revit, ArchiCAD, Autocad, Sketchup, Bentley. Register Now!

Just visited  David Light's blog  - he's done a simply awesome review on Project Vasari. WOW… I can't wait when this will be " Alive in the Lab "

For the 3rd time running Autodesk will be hosting the Blogger Social Event at #AU2010. The event is for bloggers who actively blog on Autodesk product and events. There will be a large group of bloggers and Autodesk employees attending in this casual social networking gathering. What:  Blogger Social for Autodesk product and industry related bloggers attending  Autodesk University  2010. When:  Monday November 29th, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. We will have a welcome and speaker at 7PM. Where:  Mandalay Bay Casino and Hotel How to attend : To get your official invitation, please complete the form linked below by November 19th, 2010.  We will review your information, blog, and start sending out the final invitations and event details November 22 nd , 2010.  If you are a member of the press or have been contacted directory regarding attendance for media events by Autodesk PR you do not need to complete this form. Autodesk University 2010 Blogger S...

You are invited to the  IMAGINiT Technologies Architecture and BIM networking function , Wednesday 1st December, 5-7pm.   Early registration is free!   This is a great opportunity for you to relax while enjoying the view and a few drinks with your industry peers.    Register now  and drinks are on us! IMAGINiT will provide a brief demonstration to keep you up to date with the latest in BIM technology.  For more information about IMAGINiT's range of Architecutre, BIM, Products and Services,  click here. When:         Wed 1 December Where:        Rydges South Park                   Skyline Events Centre                   1 South Tce, Adelaide Registration:  Click here

From the virtual network of Building Designers Australia (BDA), a BDANT colleague alerted me to the fact that Breezway Lourve Windows now have Revit Content on their site… Breezway Altair™ Louvre Windows are the energy efficent solution to bringing natural light, fresh air and a sense of space into your sustainable building designs, and to now have Revit content that I can use - is a blessing indeed… Thanks guys  Similarly, Big Ass Fans now also have Revit And AutoCAD content on their website  Likewise you can find great Revit content here - A&L Windows Miele Products

With out any doubt I love my SnagIt for Mac! So I was most pleased this morning to learn that Version 1.0 is now available for the Mac… and to celebrate this joyous occasion, the folks at TechSmith have have announced a competition to win great prizes - further details can be found here

For those of you who cannot get time away or have little funds to get to Autodesk University 2010 this year - fear not… Autodesk University has you covered—from anywhere in the world. Autodesk University Virtual 2010 will broadcast high quality, relevant, live streaming and on-demand classes and keynotes right to your desktop.  The classes are recorded especially for this event and AU virtual instructors are from the same pool of high calibre professionals who present at Autodesk University 2010 in Las Vegas . AU 2010 conference attendees are automatically registered for AU Virtual, and Autodesk Subscription customers, Autodesk Student Community members, and Autodesk employees can register for free. Sign up for a Premier Pass and get full access to the entire AU Virtual class curriculum and all other AU Virtual offerings for only US$139. Join us online at AU Virtual 2010 from Tuesday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 1, 2010. You can register here For those attendi...

Halloween isn't particularly celebrated here, so mrs blads & I felt quite privileged to celebrate our "first real" halloween last year with friends Heather, Richard and Trevor in Atlanta, GA USA.  Whilst the weather was overly kind we had a blast… Earlier in the day - we won the Halloween Kart Decoration competition... Later that night... Great decorations Even black cats abound Back home safe n' sound with Heather, Richard, Trevor & friends After last years exciting Halloween event, we thought of trying to recapture some of that halloween spirit buy applying some decorations to our house that was brought back from the US… behold our Halloween "scary pumpkin"… Trouble is methinks… the pumpkin is too scary as we haven't had one single "trick or treater" yet…  Regardless whether you celebrate it or not… Happy Halloween everyone…  

Only a few hours remain on the last day to save $500 on AU 2010 Las Vegas registration. Take advantage of the current fees before they go up on Oct. 27th. (US time) Register NOW!!!  What are you waiting for!!!

Just took delivery of my new hybrid bike… a FOCUS "Blue Ridge" from the ever-so helpful guys at "The Bike Station".  Thanks Noel, you attention to detail and service was fantastic.  Highly recommended to anyone wishing to get into cycling… Come on weekend… Post Edit: Couldn't wait for the weekend… been on a ride every day since... Tues 26th: around Hallett Cove Wed 27th: Seacliff to Glenelg South & back Thurs 28th: Daw Park to CBD / parklands and back

Well joining the blogger bandwagon and restating the obvious… overnight (for me at least), Autodesk announced that AutoCAD for Mac is now shipping as of October 15, 2010 (US time).   There is a plethora of new information and blogs a plenty and you can download a 30 day full trial from   http://www.autodesk.com/autocadformac . Similar related blogs… Shaun Hurley's "Between The Lines" -  AutoCAD for Mac is now available, Download Now Rick Graham's "MacACAD" - the marriage IS indeed back! Steve Johnson's "blog nauseam" - AutoCAD for Mac is out Geeky Gadgets "AutoCAD Returns to the mac After 18years (video)" 9to5 Mac "After 18 years AutoCAD returns to the Mac"

News from the TechSmith group... Camtasia, that wonderful screen recoding and video editing software has been updated.  This product assisted me greatly when I was producing my TAA presentation files. For windows users - Camtasia Studio 7 has also been updated 

As noted on Shaan Hurley's blog " Between the Lines ", its only 50 days to go until  Autodesk University 2010 #AU2010 Also reported via Twitter & Facebook earlier today - Autodesk University 2010 #AU2010 Bloggers Social Event will be Monday Nov.29. More details coming later this month. Something special at 7PM

To celebrate the completion of the year of the reformed R evit U sers G roup SA (RUGSA)  we'd like to extend an invitation to you all to the RUGSA Christmas function on 9th November 2010 - join us for a few drinks, some nibbles and a great chance to meet fellow REVIT users in SA. As part of the Christmas show there will be some fun competitions - see the website for full details. RSVP your attendance by 26th October to RUGSA

Just got back from a 20km bike ride… from Brighton to West Beach & back again Family photo shoot with my sister...

Its Nominations time again at AUGI.com… Nominations are NOW open and this could be just the beginning of what could be the start of a fantastic, rewarding experience for any hardworking volunteer… AUGI members will be given yet another way to be involved with AUGI.  You can do this either by nominating someone for the Board of Directors or throwing your own hat into the ring for the next term. B eing an AU GI Director requires some work, effort and carries responsibility but it offers many rewards as well.  So how do I apply, you ask.  All the details, can be found on the AUGI website, located here This year, after election each Director will take on a Directorship role. A directorship is a specific manager of a unique area of AUGI administration.  Under these directorships are the programs that are either managed by the directors by them directly or though a program director who reports to them. If you are considering running, please keep in mind that ...

Whilst "entertaining" the neighbours earlier today when gardening outside I noticed my AR speakers a little "off".  Upon inspection... I was horrified after 25 years of listening enjoyment my speakers were falling apart...   Thankfully after a google search, Adelaide Speakers were open and close by and can repair my beloved speakers to their former glory...

On checking my Nambu tweets this morning - Revit 2011 Web Update 2 has has released. Details can be on the links below…  I'm downloading now :)

I MAGINiT Technologies are launching their new Online Revit Users Group for all those interested in building a virtual Revit Community.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept 23 2010 @ 2:00pm - 4:00pm ET.   You can register here...

I finally got around to doing something about protecting my Macbook Pro - and it arrived to today… seeing how I missed out on getting an "IronMan" decal for my mac, I set about getting Gelaskins I can't believe how easily it was to install… highly recommended. If you can't find any designs that they have (…and I found too many) you can upload an image you want… Now if only I could get this pattern in printed material to make a vest I'd be a very happy Mac-ite :)