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Issue #583 : : December 2, 2008 |
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In this issue:
Tailoring AutoCAD 2009 |
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What are your CAD drafters good at? Where do they need to improve, specifically? These are questions that CADsmart figures they can answer with their testing software. There's a 10-minute test, suitable for checking the drafting claims of new employees. And then there's the one-hour version for in-depth testing, resulting in reports of employees' strengths and weaknesses. Rather than providing broad-based training, Rory Vance and Tony Brown of CADsmart are firm believers in "byte"-size learning: lunch & learn, short workshops. Drafters are taught a new skill, and then can immediately apply them to their work. To figure out what drafters need to learn, CADsmart's testing software is under $1000 for 2D AutoCAD or MicroStation, with tests for 3D software being developed. The emphasis is on the AEC market, because these firms tend to have larger groups of drafters than do MCAD firms. CADsmart has a chart of averages, that I found fascinating. It's based on the results of testing 7,000 drafters, and divides drafters into four groups:
Drafters are divided into the four groups by the average scores: 65% accuracy and 75 minutes. But those averages concerned me: "The average is that low, and a 60-minute test takes 75 minutes, on average?" I exclaimed. Tony Brown agreed, calling them "quite terrifying results." Averages are falling, he noted. When they first began testing five years ago, the numbers were 74% and 60 minutes. (There are variables that could affect the worsening average, such as the larger number of countries, and different grouping of drafters from year to year. CADsmart does not benefit from low scores, because they provide no training or consulting, just testing.) The company plans to expand testing to Revit [announced this week], and so I wondered how they go about setting up testing for it. They ask groups of users for 10 areas that should be tested, create the tests, and then go back for feedback. Vance and Brown figure that at 1% improvement in productivity pretty much pays for the cost of their testing software. Tailoring AutoCAD 2009 My 'Tailoring AutoCAD 2009' ebook is now available for purchase for US$42.00. The 8th Edition is 420 pages long, and has these changes:
For more information on this new edition, check out the Web page at http://www.upfrontezine.com/ta9 . The ebook can be purchased through PayPal or by mail. We accept purchase orders by email and mail. * PayPal Click the PayPal button on the http://www.upfrontezine.com/ta9 Web page. * By Mail Send cheque, money order, purchase order, or cash to: 'Tailoring AutoCAD 2009'
Note to Educators eBooks are a great way to fight back against the extreme cost of paper-based textbooks. On behalf of your students, upFront.eZine Publishing offers significant discounts for bulk sales. Contact editor @ upfrontezine.com for more information, and for tips on how to keep students from copying ebooks illegally. TIP: Wondering how to handle the ribbon? For students new to AutoCAD, the ribbon is no problem. For existing students, however, switch to AutoCAD's workspace to "AutoCAD Classic." This vanquishes the ribbon, and brings back the familiar menu bar and toolbars. CAD Systems Based on Hierarchical Data Schemes
Part 2: System data base Everything that concerns concrete designed objects must be stored in the system database. Currently, this database is called a "Building Information Model". Since buildings are hierarchical structure, the building model also should be hierarchical. 2.1. Objects The file that contains objects and information about hierarchical connections is the primary file of the database. Table 1 gives an idea of what an object file might include. All identifiers are used for distinctness; comments are enclosed in braces.
Table 1. Object file Object Object Object type Hierarchical connections
2.2. Object properties Any information attached to an object, or to several interconnected objects, can be generally called an object property. Examples of these types of properties include coordinates, dimensions, materials, loads, and reactions. Table 2 gives a more complete idea of an object properties file.
Table 2. Object properties file Object identifier Property type Property value
A character string can be the value of the "Concrete class" property for the beam. In this case, it is B25. A complex structure can be the value of the "Object coordinates" property for the beam. This structure contains beam determinant node identifiers and their coordinates. The original object identifier is the value of the "Object clone" property. In this case, the property inheritance scheme is changed. The second story inherits the properties of the first story and the properties of the first story ancestors. The usual scheme assumes that the object obtains the missing properties from its own ancestors.
2.3. Relations between objects "Relations between objects" refers to information attached to several interconnected objects. Thus, relation is a property of a pair (or, of a larger number) of objects. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the relations that reflect a constructive connection between constituent parts of construction. These parts are the support for adjoining elements, and these parts lean on the elements that they adjoin. Information regarding the constructive dependence relations sets the sequence of load transfer from one construction part to the other. It is the basis for step-by-step calculations of complex constructions. Table 3 demonstrates an object relations file.
Table 3. Object relations file Object identifier Object identifier Relation type Type
A complex structure can be the value of the "Constructive dependence" between objects. This structure contains contact point identifiers, coordinates, and reactions (reactive loads) in contact points. Incidentally, the beam and column are adjoined at one point, and the basement story contacts the "Base" at points where columns and walls lean on the foundation plate. - - - This article continues next week with part 3: System Knowledge Base [Alexander A. Yampolsky is chief specialist at Stroyexpertiza of Tula, Russia] Avatech Solutions launches BIMreview (U$995 and up) for finding inconsistencies in Revit models. http://www.avatech.com/BIMreview Dassault Systemes introduces V6R2009x for "harnessing the collective intelligence of all participants in a products lifecycle." http://www.3ds.com Free Viewer for Lattice3D Reporter lets you view, rotate and play animations of 3D data. To create 3D spreadsheets, you'll need the full Lattice3D Reporter. http://www.lattice3d.com/products/products_reporter_3d_software.html Adobe updates its 3D translators for Acrobat through a no-charge download. Updates affect Inventor (up to 12.x and 2009), CoCreate OneSpace Designer (V3 to V2008), CATIA V5 (up to R19), NX (up to NX 6), and Parasolid (up to 19). http://www.adobe.com/go/apex3d_update Aftercad Online adds an online file management tool for their AJAX-driven CAD viewer, creating Aftercad Online SaaS [software as a service]. http://www.aftercadonline.com - - - These news items were posted during the last week at the WorldCAD Access blog <worldcadaccess.typepad.com>:
People/Companies on the Move Image Sensing Systems hires Kenneth S. Shain as vp of sales and marketing. Mr Shain is a former CEO of Cyco International. BlueCielo ECM Solutions (formerlly Cyco International) promotes Brian Sallade to chief operating officer. Mr Sallade is the company's former COO for North America. As well, the company opens a new office in Exton PA USA.
Computer News Summaries Good OS is previewing its new Cloud operating system that boots computers in seconds with a a compressed Linux OS and a Web browser, and optionally boots Windows. "...I'm Googling, Yahooing, and truly Living," exclaims CEO David Liu. www.thinkgos.com
Letters to the Editor Re: Autodesk Q3 Conference Call "Regarding the Autodesk call, I hope that this economic 'meltdown' (or whatever it's being called today) results in a serious re-examination of the intrinsic 'value' of software products. Many (most) have just gotten stupid with pricing."
"Re 'It's 2009 that's worrying them, for Autodesk executives would not predict revenues for the next fiscal year, as they traditionally do.' Isn't that a sign of sanity the financial analysts" should take a comfort from?"
The editor replies: "Well, no, because corporations have their internal analyses that helps them predict future revenue. When a public company won't do that, it is a sign that times are bad."
Mr Capper responds: "I remember reading, before the current troubles, of corporations who were reviewing the whole "predicted revenue" thing anyway. Given the number of revisions these forecasts are subject too in the current climate I suspect they are of little value anyway!"
"This comment confuses me: 'The company has $941 million in cash, but 80% is locked up in foreign banks due to the 30% tax the USA imposes on imported money.' Based on what my CPA tells me, there is no such thing as a special tax on 'imported money'. They are simply avoiding ordinary income taxes both in the other countries where they operate and in the US. Very patriotic. "Of course, I could be confused."
The editor replies: "The IRS apparently allows US companies to make 60-day loans from their foreign holdings, tax-free. I think that the 30% US tax might be mitigated by taxes paid in the foreign jurisdiction. Carl Bass was calling for the IRS to lower the tax so that he can bring home the cash. Here in Canada, we have a tax treaty with the USA, so all of upFront.eZine's earnings from US sources are taxed at Canadian rates."
Mr McNeel responds: "Exactly, he is trying to pay no income taxes. I would love this too, but I can't afford the lobbyist to push through the tax break for me. "Like you, we only pay the income tax on the money earned worldwide in the US, but we only have to report it when we bring the money into the US. It is a huge tax loophole for corporations only (we take advantage of it), and they are just asking Congress to make it bigger."
The editor replies: "Canadian corporations have to report income when it is earned, and not when it is received." - - - Re: A Few Comments to BIM Developers "We are at a critical time for the practice of architecture. Architects need to be leading the charge, not shying away."
"When it comes to collisions and conflicts in building design, there are some that are designed in. Mark did not seem to want to admit that but it happens. Yet most times, these are not catastrophic issues and often take a few minutes at a job meeting to resolve without significant, if any, cost to construction. "Spending much more money and time using BIM to avoid all design conflicts that generally cost very little to resolve does not seem cost effective."
"Probably this article about BIM appeared in the Technology Quarterly of 'The Economist' might be of your interest. - - - Re: AutoSketch 10 "AutoSketch has definitely been an afterthought for Autodesk. If it was really maintained the way it should be, it would probably have stolen some sales from AutoCAD LT. However it also could have taken sales away from many of the AutoCAD clones."
"Assume you have read the interview with John Walker:
The editor replies: "My assumption is that Autodesk will use ASketch like LT: sell it as cheapCAD, and bombard the customer with upgrade offers to Acad, ADT, Inventor, et all -- tied to mandatory subscription fees." - - - "This information has been very useful and helpful in the past. Keep up the good work."
Spin Doctor of the Moment "Lousy economy will force Apple to launch a $599 laptop."
Notable Quotable "We regular folks use [Google Earth, GPS and other tech devices] everyday to do our work, so it's not surprising these [Mumbai terrorists] do, too. Have we not wrapped our heads around the idea that data and technology can be used for good or evil? I guess not."
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