Ideally, a dedicated software development team, skilled in the software development lifecycle, handles the task of customizing Autodesk, Inc.'s, products to meet your business needs. More often this task is handled by the advanced CAD user or manager who started off tinkering with a few lines of script but now spends nights and weekends wrestling a mountain of now-mission-critical code. If this scenario sounds a little too familiar, please join me as I give you a crash course in effective software development practices while sharing some tips and tricks that should make your code-wrangling days more enjoyable.

Ideally, a dedicated software development team, skilled in the software development lifecycle, handles the task of customizing Autodesk products to meet your business needs. More often, however, it is the advanced CAD user or manager who handles this task, starting off by tinkering with a few lines of script-but ending up spending nights and weekends wrestling a mountain of now-mission-critical code. If this scenario sounds a little too familiar, please join us for a crash course in software development best practices, and discover some tips and tricks that should make your code-wrangling days more enjoyable.

Whether you’re developing web- and mobile-based solutions, customizing Autodesk desktop software, or building integrations into your enterprise workflows, Autodesk is fully committed to supporting your software development efforts. In fact, there are 10 ways you can get Autodesk support and we keep adding new channels. In this class, we’re going to talk about how to get the best out of the support resources, and how to fit them to your needs as quickly as possible. You can choose from open and community support for Forge in StackOverflow, our advanced Accelerator program, our most recently added tool “The Doctor is in,” Autodesk Developer Network support for your desktop challenges, “ADN Open” online resources, and much more.

Do you ever ask yourself these questions: I’m still working in 2D, how can I get myself to the third dimension? What are the best workflows for schedule and budget to model my site? Well, you’re not the only one. Speed and accuracy in our files is crucial, and it can be difficult to coordinate across disciplines if we aren’t working in 3D. This session will guide the audience through different workflows and the best ways to develop a site using BIM (Building Information Modeling). We will examine case studies where sites were modeled using Revit software and 3ds Max software. We will journey through best practices on modeling techniques that encompass the design process from documentation to visualization. By the end of this course, you will understand the process of implementing BIM software for site development.

 Making and Learning coupled with academia’s culture of research and development has traditionally been the cornerstone of higher education especially at the graduate level. This tradition is however changing and the culture of innovation is beginning to spread across other levels of education ranging from secondary up through postsecondary. Students and educators empowered with cheaper and easily available digital technologies are inventing new computing solutions for various applications. Autodesk’s recently introduced Forge platform helps students and educators nurture innovative ideas and transform them into real and viable solutions. Forge offers academic entrepreneurs a network of experts, a rich community of practice, software development platform and resources to catalyze innovation.   Join this panel presentation and learn how educators and students have already benefitted from Forge’s features to enable the Future of Making.

This class will discuss using the 3ds Max software development kit (SDK) for automating common tasks within 3ds Max software. We will spend time discussing the .NET API and the Python environments, and we’ll compare them both. The Python SDK is using a newer API called MaxPlus, but it is not fully exposing the C++ API. While .NET API is exposing most of the C++ API, it can sometimes be more difficult to work with. We will compare them and show techniques for automating common tasks, and creating user interfaces to control your tools. This session features 3ds Max. AIA Approved

The aim of this round table is to discuss the common issues that occur when we're masterplanning mixed-use developments and how we can use InfraWorks software to address these issues. Maybe you're familiar with some of these issues regarding the early stages of a project: you need to do the outline design of roads and drainage but you only have a PDF version of the masterplan; there isn't enough room to accommodate sustainable urban drainage features; you need to know the potential impact on buildings from a given flood event. Once we have established the key problem areas, we will discuss how we can harness the power of the visualization capabilities available within InfraWorks software in order to demonstrate to our clients the potential issues and the possible solutions to those issues. We will then discuss the problems we have had when trying to create development models in InfraWorks software, and we'll explore how we can overcome these problems.

This will be a guide to understanding how CAD data benefits print, digital, and immersive deployments involving augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). We will look at a strategic and tactical approach to implementing CAD data into CG visualization and immersive developments for training and technical communication within manufacturing. This talk will focus on the benefits and pitfalls of translating CAD data into functional CG assets for print (ILT), digital (WBT), and immersive (AR/ VR) deployments. Topics will include: better utilizing your product lifecycle management (PLM) and specific export formats into 3ds Max software; and creating Levels of Development (LODs) to target high-resolution output (print and animation) and low-resolution for real-time environments (AR/VR). We’ll also discuss why UV unwrap is painful but necessary for “the bake” and methods that embrace it. Lastly, building immersive experiences doesn’t always mean its training material.

Come to this PowerTrack class to hear Class-A surface expert Simon Alford talk about how using Alias industrial design software for Class-A modeling provides streamlined design development and delivers valuable business and technical benefits. He reviews internal and external challenges facing automotive design and describes the business and technical advantages of using Alias for Class-A surfacing. Finally, he discusses barriers and misconceptions that are encountered when spearheading adoption of Alias at a design studio.

Vault product data management (PDM) software helps designers and engineers better organize design data, enhance documentation management, and streamline revision processes of their product data. Product data is not exclusively used by development teams, but should also be available outside the engineering department. On the other hand, the engineers require data from upstream processes such as sales orders and specifications. And that's where a product lifecycle management (PLM) system like Fusion Lifecycle software comes into the play. Fusion Lifecycle serves as a companywide information source for activities before, during, and after development actions, supported by automated processes. In this class, we will have a look at how both worlds (PDM and PLM) can be tied together to streamline the workflows throughout the whole product development cycle.

There are so many things to consider when developing assets for Factory Design Suite. Creating functional assets for your factory layouts can be challenging unless you have a detailed checklist for asset development. This class will provide a step-by-step approach to developing fully functional assets. We will discuss everything from iProperties to Inventor iLogic software. Join us as we explore the process of asset development while examining each step on the checklist.

All too often the sharing of product and project-related information from product/project development teams into manufacturing is a very manual and inefficient activity, typically driven by people creating, searching for, and chasing data and then relying on individuals to pass the right information to the right people at the right time. As we hear on many occasions from manufacturers, this can be fraught with delays and errors which ultimately impacts delivery time and cost. There is a better way. In a first of its kind, this class will bring together the worlds of product development and product execution to provide examples of how these two disciplines can actually take advantage of each other to reduce the risk of late delivery, increased costs, poor quality etc through poor information, data and processes. Whether it be 3D models, 2D drawings, Bill of Materials data, specifications, procurement, quality management, change management, project management etc we want to show you how you can share and re-use that information to downstream users.Adam Freeman from UK-based CRM & ERP vendor The Access Group has been working with manufacturers for more than 15 years on how they can streamline and remove waste within their make, buy and resource transactions. Autodesk Solutions Specialist Steve Bedder has been doing a similar thing with manufacturers but within the product/project development processes. Together Adam and Steve cover pretty much the complete value stream of how information, data and processes are created, managed and shared and in this class will share some of the best practices on how you can improve the way your business integrates from product development to product execution.

BuildingSMART International describes itself as the industry body driving the digital transformation of the built-asset industry, committed to the creation and adoption of open standards and solutions for infrastructure and buildings. While the buildings sector has been relatively well served by buildingSMART’s Industry Foundation Class (IFC) standards for more than 10 years, the infrastructure industry has had limited support. A program of developments under the buildingSMART InfraRoom is preparing new schemas for roads, bridges, ports, and waterways and tunnels, with the RailRoom preparing a new schema for rail working on the harmonization of the common asset types, testing, and deployment project. Autodesk has supported the development of the new schemas that are scheduled for release in 2021. This presentation will highlight the InfraRoom projects, industry engagement activities, and some early concept implementations of schemas within Autodesk software.

Implementing new technologies in a business can prove to be difficult, specially if we don't have a clear idea of the benefits it can provide. This session will cover the why, where, and how to start empowering almost any AEC or product development with the latest real-time 3D visualization technologies. Today, game engines are faster and more powerful than ever, allowing architects, engineers and scientists to visualize, interact and review their projects like they were finished; featuring rich graphics, custom functionalities and real-world scale naturally perceived by using a VR headset. While all that may sound difficult, continuous advancements in 3D tools are making it possible for you to create real-time, VR-ready projects in less time - and in a cost-effective way.

In this presentation, we will illuminate how Autodesk's design tools have revolutionized development endeavours, specifically within the context of our customer's story in Africa. Through real-world examples and proven methodologies, we will illustrate how Autodesk's software solutions are becoming catalysts for progress in diverse sectors across the African continent. By delving into our customer's journey, you will gain an understanding of how these tools are fostering innovation, driving sustainable growth, and addressing unique challenges faced in Africa. We will closely examine how Autodesk's design tools are instrumental in propelling Africa's development in vital sectors such as infrastructure, Data Management, engineering, and manufacturing. This session offers valuable insights into how technology is shaping Africa's future, making it a dynamic and thriving hub of innovation and progress.

Mayo Clinic is currently engaged in a major expansion of its Phoenix, Arizona, campus, which involves multiple interdependent projects. To manage the design process, we used the model development specification (MDS) for the project, first mapping architectural and engineering standard milestones and critical project milestones to the AIA/BIMForum levels of development (LODs). The MDS process enabled the teams to use lean principles to identify specific systems for which design needed to be accelerated to accommodate the design and coordination schedule, minimizing the acceleration of all areas. This approach enabled the team to meet milestone dates without impacting design. The MDS process supported team member communication by identifying what was needed by each team member, when it was needed, and how it impacted the project schedule. The class concludes with a demonstration on the MDS documentation process and coordination tools involved.

In this informative and engaging talk, we'll explore the powerful capabilities of the AutoCAD Architecture toolset in the context of schematic design development. AutoCAD Architecture, a leading software system for architectural design and documentation, offers an array of tools and features to aid the design process. We'll delve into the key aspects of using AutoCAD Architecture to develop schematic designs efficiently and effectively. We'll discuss how the software enables architects, designers, and drafters to create and refine initial design concepts, transforming them into comprehensive schematic representations.

This class helps you explore the actual application of industry BIM standards, such as Industry Foundation Classes, COBie, and Levels of Development. How do these standards affect professional services agreements and deliverables? How will they affect design team collaboration? How will they support healthy competition while increasing quality and reducing costs for owners? We demonstrate examples of IFC and COBie exporting from Revit®-based software as well as samples of levels of development for use in model-sharing agreements. Extended discussion explores the actual application of industry BIM standards and the effects they have on professional services agreements, project delivery, and collaboration.

Autodesk, Inc., design software provides great tools for building complex designs that range from mechanical to civil, and 3ds Max Design software is a great tool for generating visually striking rendered animations. This round table will discuss topics related to the use of 3ds Max Design software for the rendering and animation of CAD models from other Autodesk design software systems. We will discuss importing and linking models from programs like Revit software and Inventor software, and we'll cover the use of the Civil View feature set for visualizing AutoCAD Civil 3D software geometry. We will examine strategies for working efficiently within 3ds Max software, and we'll look at the animation of specific moveable parts. We'll also discuss the tools that are available for editing keyframes and tweaking the overall look and timing of the animation. To wrap up the discussion, we will review the multiple rendering options available in 3ds Max Design software and discuss which option can be best suited for which particular task.