Friday, December 4, 2015

AU2015 Las Vegas: (the last) Day Three

Breakfast. Again. Same as yesterday. And the day before.

XI10614 - The Power of the Autodesk Community
The Autodesk Community serves up answers to millions of customers. Over 27 million customers in the last 12 months have visited the community. Are you an Autodesk Community user? The Autodesk Community shares product-use information that solves potential product issues and promotes best practices to proactively supply customers with the tools and information needed for successful product experiences. Come and join us for an engaging session led by the customer experts known in the Autodesk Community as Expert Elites. These customers will take you on a tour and share their insights to get the most out of the Autodesk Community forums.
Course Objectives: Learn how to navigate the Autodesk Community in its many forms, Learn about setting up user accounts and preferences, Learn how to effectively ask and answer questions, Learn general rules and guidelines of behavior.

The actual experience - An admirable job by four fellow Expert Elites and the Autodesk Staff that manage the forums. I think a little more rehearsal was probably in order, I always zone out if a presenter just reads from the slides being shown.
What I got out of it - Expert Elites are passionate about the Autodesk forums and want as many users to use this free tool for support.

GEN9992 - AutoCAD Super-Duper Click Savers
Learning objectives: Learn how to use some of the most effective tips and tricks that are out there for instant productivity, Learn secrets about AutoCAD software that trump repetitive steps and tasks, Learn how to use fewer picks and clicks and get work done faster on any AutoCAD software platform, Learn how to go from a click slave to a click saver.

The actual experience - So many good quality tips and tricks are offered in this course it's simply amazing. And they are all good, and totally relevant to the 2016 versions of AutoCAD/LT.
What I got out of it - many tips I simply forgot about were highlighted: this time I wrote these down so I would not forget. When it becomes avaiable at AU for all users for free you should seek this one out and download the PDF of the handout.

Expert Elite Summit Kickoff and Luncheon
Objective: Kick-off the Autodesk Expert Elites Summit which will reconvene on Friday, December 4th. Autodesk's Amar Hanspal will be joining the Summit Kickoff as very special guests for an open Q&A discussion.

The actual experience - Executive VP Hanspal introduced several future products that are about to be announced by Autodesk, and reaffirmed that the company is truly 100% focused on mobile and the cloud as the future of the company's software base.
What I got out of it - I enjoyed the real-food lunch and the open honesty from EVP Hanspal about were Autodesk is focusing.

GEN11219 - The Most Dynamic Class on the Block—Creating Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD
Learning objectives: Learn how to create Dynamic Blocks with the following abilities: stretch, mirror, array, rotate, align, multiple insertion points, Learn how to limit block variations through lists and increments, Learn how to apply constraints and parameters to control block behavior, Learn how to implement Block Tables as well as the Lookup Action to quickly select the desired block iteration

The actual experience - This was a very well run class introducing the basics of Dynamic Blocks creation. The instructor covered in one hour what I could not find online as a training resource as a single document or class.
What I got out of it - Quirks in some aspects of Dynamic Blocks creation and how to work around them was of real value. I will be blogging about these and other tips I picked up soon.

IT10908 - Drawing from Experience: Tell All of 4 CAD Managers with Over 100 Years of Experience
Learn from the experiences of this panel of diverse CAD managers (R.K. McSwain, Robert Green, Kate Morrical, Curt Moreno) who are widely respected as leaders in their field. Hear their unique perspective and solutions to challenges faced by CAD managers from organizations of all sizes and backgrounds. Topics include understanding CAD standards, keeping up with rapidly changing technology, managing users, communicating with management and other non-technical people, budgeting, and much more.

The actual experience - An honest discussion about Cad Management, Cad Managers and their bosses, and CAD drafting/production roles were reviewed by all four, each with their own take about each topic.
What I got out of it - These four talented folks offered so many good ideas that I ended up Tweeting about them in rapid fire succession. Check them out HERE look for hashtag #ASK4AUExperts.

11907 - Autodesk University Closing General Session
Closing Keynote: Presented by Amar Hanspal, Sr. Vice President, Products. Like many kids growing up in India, Amar Hanspal’s parents wanted him to pursue what they considered a noble profession: doctor, politician, or even Bollywood star.  But he believes there is a profession just as noble, that of the engineer.  Join him as he celebrates the incredible work of the engineers and designers who solve today’s epic challenges of transportation, healthcare, education and access to clean water. Before you head off to the Closing Celebration, discover how you might use your skills to imagine, design and create a better world.


11920 - Bash to the Future
The After Party Objective: Curious what the future looks like? Then don’t miss the Bash to the Future, AU’s final hurrah. You’ll be transported to another world where you can touch the stars, drink with aliens, and chat with robots. Enjoy games, music, cocktails, and a futuristic feast that’s out of this world.


The actual experience - Way more fun that I anticipated.

AU2016 was announced: Nov 15-17 of next year.

FitBit Count for the day: 11,211 steps (5.17 miles).

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