The fall is upon us…man, where did summer go? And it didn’t
even get hot here until this week…so much for local warming...
Speakin’ time…
I’m up to my ears and elbows the next few weeks. First up is
a trip to ASHRAE’s IBPSA conference in Atlanta, GA. The conference runs from
Sept. 9-12th, and covers how BIM, analysis and simulation affects
today’s engineering firms and designers. I got lucky and will be speaking at
the conference on Wednesday, Sept. 10th at 3:30. The session I’m
doing is titled BIM Integration Best
Practices for Today’s Engineering Firm. I’m covering these four topics:
• Planning
for and addressing staff issues for effective use of new technology, and
preparing a training program
• Reviewing
current hardware/software assets, and how to choose between traditional local
hardware configurations and cloud based services
• Understanding
the impact of BIM software on project schedules, standards, content and
deliverables
• Leveraging
BIM projects, associated engineering data and content beyond the typical
construction documentation deliverables
All of these came about as we moved into the more advanced
stages of our implementation of Revit. In some areas, we’re exceeding
expectations while others we seem to be falling off. The idea is to help users
address these issues to keep a firm from losing momentum, when it comes to the
culture changes and shock that accompany a BIM project.
While focus is on BIM in regards to using it for simulation,
analysis and more, the content can be relative to all users. I’ll get the
powerpoint available as soon as possible – since it’s an ASHRAE conference, you
want see anything specific to reference Revit, AutoCAD MEP or anything else we
use, but the points are still applicable.
Vegas Baby!
AU 2014 at Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas, Baby! It’s coming fast,
and this year marks more than a decade for me. The load is light,
unfortunately, for what may be one of my last AU conferences as a speaker. I’ve loved doing
these, but the direction and content is getting spread a little thin. I’m not
mad at Autodesk for it – it’s tough to press 175 applications into 700 plus
classes in 3 days, so I don’t envy the schedule. The only issue I would have is
the reduction in “tips and tricks” classes and labs that can really push the
user to the next level, in favor of the more “firm oriented” classes that
showcase specific projects. It’s almost like we need to break AU up into two
conferences now, since it’s gotten so big. I’m looking to present at other
conferences in addition to AU with a lighter load if possible, so let’s see
what happens this year.
But don’t think for a minute it’s not worth going – in fact,
only having two classes this year is giving me a chance to spend some time with
other instructors, something I haven’t been able to do much of. I’ve signed up
for a lot of classes this year, and am also planning on renewing my Revit
certification as well. Here’s my classes, in case you haven’t signed up yet:
MP5173 - Managing BIM Projects Without Going CRAZY
This
course (which is being recorded LIVE and will be broadcast as a part of AU
Virtual) covers effective practices for project managers, engineers, and
designers working on Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects for heating,
ventilating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, water/wastewater, and
other engineering practices. Learn how BIM and Revit software alter the
traditional design workflows and processes, and discover how to manage the
disruptive changes. The course will cover pre-project planning, dealing with
project components and content and understanding what tools can really help the
project bottom line. We will also cover where Revit software alters typical
project tasks. The course is well suited for the first-time manager and
experienced user. If you're ready for an energetic, fast-paced class that packs
in a lot of information, then sign up early and often.
MP6393 - Fast Content for AutoCAD MEP 2015
AutoCAD
MEP 2015 software, a world-class design and drafting application, is the Zen
master of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design software. The software
continues to lead the way in everything from design to fabrication to owner for
excellent workflows. In this fast-paced hands-on lab we will take a look at
creating custom content. We will start by using Inventor software to create a
more detailed model. Next, we will use this model to create a new multiview
part. Once the part is defined you will learn a quick way to use the new symbol
and annotation planes to add line-based symbols, and then you’ll create a new
catalog to store your custom content. Every AutoCAD MEP software user should
learn how to use the overwhelming volume of manufacturer’s 3D content; this lab
will help you learn how to do that.
So,
no labs this year – but that makes it easy for me…tell you what, I’ll have some
other stuff available for the masses as well – if you can track me down this
year, tell me you want the “good stuff – the really, really good stuff”…and I
promise I won’t send you outside to the street hawkers! Bring your own USB key,
that’ll be the only way to get it…sign up at au.autodesk.com, the early
registration period ends soon!
Coming soon…
If
you didn’t know this, I’ve been working in my off-time as an author for 4D
Technologies’ CADLearning series, which provides online training videos for
Autodesk products. My sessions for AutoCAD MEP 2015 and AutoCAD P&ID 2015
are already finished, and I’m working hard on AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015 right now,
with lots of new stuff included. I had a lot of people ask about the Plant 3D
series last year at AU, so check it out – you can find all kinds of cool stuff
at www.cadlearning.com. Check it out, and let me know what you think!
Happy
modeling! DB
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