This is a blog about the people, utlities, and technologies that make up Autodesk Labs.
Dr. Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture
Our son, Steven, is a senior at Pinnacle High School. His career desire is to be a fireman. Firefighting is a very competitive field. It is common for candidates to be placed on a three year waiting list before landing a job. Steven has always felt a strong allegiance to his country. The United States Marie Corp offers a program where one can become certified as a firefighter and serve his country in the process. At the end of a four-year commitment, a Marine firefighter can often join a city firefighting company without the three year wait.
For Christmas we stayed at my wife Sheryl's parents in Houston. All of my wife's sisters and their families joined us. There were 24 of us all told. Naturally there was much discussion about Steven's decision to join the Marines given the real possibility that he may serve some time in Iraq. With regard to combat, the Marine infantry is the first line of defense. The infantry is supported air cover. The Marine firefighters put out the fires resulting from the air support.
Our daughter, Stephanie, gave me The Last Lecturefor Christmas. I read it on the plane as we traveled to and from Houston. For those unfamiliar with the book, the story chronicles a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor, Dr. Randy Pausch, who gives his last lecture after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Randy imparted life's lessons to his students:
- Dream big. Try to achieve your childhood dreams.
- Confront adversity - acknowledge the elephant in the room.
- Parenthood is the most important responsibility in the world.
- Teach people things they don't realize they are learning until well into process.
- Leadership is the ability to delegate with the passion to inspire.
- Obstacles are there to stop people who don't want something badly enough.
- Time must be explicitly managed, like money.
- You can change your plan, but only if you have one.
- Enabling the dreams of others is more fun even than fulfilling your own childhood dreams.
- When people exceed your expectations, let them set their next goal instead of setting a higher one for them.
- To work effectively in teams:
- Meet people properly.
- Find things you have in common.
- Try for optimal meeting conditions.
- Let everyone talk.
- Check egos at the door.
- Praise each other.
- Phrase alternatives as questions.
- Meet people properly.
- Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you want.
- Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other. Hand written thank-you notes really set one apart from others.
- Always keep enough cash in your wallet to handle any emergency. Often all you have is what you bring with you.
- A bad apology is worse than no apology. Proper apologies contain:
- What I did was wrong.
- I feel badly that I hurt you.
- How do I make this better?
- What I did was wrong.
- Tell the truth all the time.
- There is more than one way to measure profits and losses. On every level, institutions can and should also have a heart.
- Individual rights come from a community. In return, individuals have a responsibility to the community.
- To get what you want, sometimes all you have to do is ask.
- Optimism is a mental state that can enable you to do things to improve you physical state.
Near the end of the lecture, Randy brought his wife to the front of the class to thank her for her selflessness in taking care of him while raising their three children. Moved by his lecture, they kissed, and she whispered in his ear "Please don't die."
As we exchanged best wishes and families left Houston to return to Galveston, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Nashville, Sheryl's 8-year-old nephew, Brock, said good-bye to Steven with "Please don't die." He also mentioned "You need to practice." Steven goes to basic training in San Diego on September 16, 2009. Basic training lasts 3 months. This is followed by 10 days off and then 26 days of combat training. After combat training, he will then be stationed somewhere where he can learn firefighting. I am sure there will be lots of practice.
Dr. Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture
Our son, Steven, is a senior at Pinnacle High School. His career desire is to be a fireman. Firefighting is a very competitive field. It is common for candidates to be placed on a three year waiting list before landing a job. Steven has always felt a strong allegiance to his country. The United States Marie Corp offers a program where one can become certified as a firefighter and serve his country in the process. At the end of a four-year commitment, a Marine firefighter can often join a city firefighting company without the three year wait.
For Christmas we stayed at my wife Sheryl's parents in Houston. All of my wife's sisters and their families joined us. There were 24 of us all told. Naturally there was much discussion about Steven's decision to join the Marines given the real possibility that he may serve some time in Iraq. With regard to combat, the Marine infantry is the first line of defense. The infantry is supported air cover. The Marine firefighters put out the fires resulting from the air support.
Our daughter, Stephanie, gave me The Last Lecturefor Christmas. I read it on the plane as we traveled to and from Houston. For those unfamiliar with the book, the story chronicles a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor, Dr. Randy Pausch, who gives his last lecture after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Randy imparted life's lessons to his students:
- Dream big. Try to achieve your childhood dreams.
- Confront adversity - acknowledge the elephant in the room.
- Parenthood is the most important responsibility in the world.
- Teach people things they don't realize they are learning until well into process.
- Leadership is the ability to delegate with the passion to inspire.
- Obstacles are there to stop people who don't want something badly enough.
- Time must be explicitly managed, like money.
- You can change your plan, but only if you have one.
- Enabling the dreams of others is more fun even than fulfilling your own childhood dreams.
- When people exceed your expectations, let them set their next goal instead of setting a higher one for them.
- To work effectively in teams:
- Meet people properly.
- Find things you have in common.
- Try for optimal meeting conditions.
- Let everyone talk.
- Check egos at the door.
- Praise each other.
- Phrase alternatives as questions.
- Meet people properly.
- Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you want.
- Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other. Hand written thank-you notes really set one apart from others.
- Always keep enough cash in your wallet to handle any emergency. Often all you have is what you bring with you.
- A bad apology is worse than no apology. Proper apologies contain:
- What I did was wrong.
- I feel badly that I hurt you.
- How do I make this better?
- What I did was wrong.
- Tell the truth all the time.
- There is more than one way to measure profits and losses. On every level, institutions can and should also have a heart.
- Individual rights come from a community. In return, individuals have a responsibility to the community.
- To get what you want, sometimes all you have to do is ask.
- Optimism is a mental state that can enable you to do things to improve you physical state.
Near the end of the lecture, Randy brought his wife to the front of the class to thank her for her selflessness in taking care of him while raising their three children. Moved by his lecture, they kissed, and she whispered in his ear "Please don't die."
As we exchanged best wishes and families left Houston to return to Galveston, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Nashville, Sheryl's 8-year-old nephew, Brock, said good-bye to Steven with "Please don't die." He also mentioned "You need to practice." Steven goes to basic training in San Diego on September 16, 2009. Basic training lasts 3 months. This is followed by 10 days off and then 26 days of combat training. After combat training, he will then be stationed somewhere where he can learn firefighting. I am sure there will be lots of practice.
Drawing plane and coordinate system web site
I have confessed many times on this blog to being a nerd. Here's a web site I love:
For those of you not working, enjoy the holiday.
Drawing plane and coordinate system web site
I have confessed many times on this blog to being a nerd. Here's a web site I love:
For those of you not working, enjoy the holiday.
Happy New Year
I hope this new year finds you well. My wish for you is a happy and prosperous 2009. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. Without you, there is no blog. It's like they say: "If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it, does it make a sound?"
Happy New Year
I hope this new year finds you well. My wish for you is a happy and prosperous 2009. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. Without you, there is no blog. It's like they say: "If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it, does it make a sound?"
MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course
Our technology preview of the MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course. The add-in no longer executes after December 31, 2008. Your feedback was both helpful and voluminous. You were bursting with ideas when we first launched the preview on the Autodesk Labs site in July:
It's been a great 6 months. Thanks to all those from the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing disciplines who provided feedback during the technology preview.
Without question, your feedback will be considered in planning the future of this technology.
MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course
Our technology preview of the MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP has run its course. The add-in no longer executes after December 31, 2008. Your feedback was both helpful and voluminous. You were bursting with ideas when we first launched the preview on the Autodesk Labs site in July:
It's been a great 6 months. Thanks to all those from the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing disciplines who provided feedback during the technology preview.
Without question, your feedback will be considered in planning the future of this technology.
We're on to something with Project Newport
At AU we billed Project Newport as a game engine for architects. Our Discovery Space was constantly buzzing with visitors who wanted to navigate Revit models using game controllers, Wimmotes, or the KOMME??Z table. Even though it is not available yet, interest in Project Newport is so strong that we already have an Autodesk Labs page for it:
We recently got some feedback from Swift Horsman. Swift Horsman is a construction fit-out specialist contractor dealing mainly with building interiors, especially reception areas, toilets / washrooms and dryling / interior doors. They told us a little about themselves:
- We are committed to 3D solid modeling and are in the process of migrating from AutoCAD to Inventor.
- We design, manufacture, and install our own products using our own labor, utilizing components sourced from a supply chain from whom we hope to obtain solid component models.
- We have a reasonable understanding of BIM and IFCs but need to be able to ???drop??? our own designs into models created by others, where we have no control of the technology they use. We also need the ability to pass the model on to suppliers to enable them to complete their part of the model. All of this has to take place without compromising the Intellectual Property Rights of every participant in the Design Chain.
- Our vision is the client should sign off the model, rather than 2D drawings, and should make this decision based on a fully immersive visualization of our solution gained from the model.
- We have already started to review improved visualization tools and have had a brief look at technologies such as CAVEs and 3D immersive screens.
- One of our problems is that we use a significant amount of natural materials that need to appear as realistic as possible in the visualization we produce.
Does this sound like your firm? If so, Project Newport may be just right for you. Like many others, you can sign up to be notified when Project Newport is available on Autodesk Labs.
Sign up today!
We're on to something with Project Newport
At AU we billed Project Newport as a game engine for architects. Our Discovery Space was constantly buzzing with visitors who wanted to navigate Revit models using game controllers, Wimmotes, or the KOMME®Z table. Even though it is not available yet, interest in Project Newport is so strong that we already have an Autodesk Labs page for it:
We recently got some feedback from Swift Horsman. Swift Horsman is a construction fit-out specialist contractor dealing mainly with building interiors, especially reception areas, toilets / washrooms and dryling / interior doors. They told us a little about themselves:
- We are committed to 3D solid modeling and are in the process of migrating from AutoCAD to Inventor.
- We design, manufacture, and install our own products using our own labor, utilizing components sourced from a supply chain from whom we hope to obtain solid component models.
- We have a reasonable understanding of BIM and IFCs but need to be able to “drop” our own designs into models created by others, where we have no control of the technology they use. We also need the ability to pass the model on to suppliers to enable them to complete their part of the model. All of this has to take place without compromising the Intellectual Property Rights of every participant in the Design Chain.
- Our vision is the client should sign off the model, rather than 2D drawings, and should make this decision based on a fully immersive visualization of our solution gained from the model.
- We have already started to review improved visualization tools and have had a brief look at technologies such as CAVEs and 3D immersive screens.
- One of our problems is that we use a significant amount of natural materials that need to appear as realistic as possible in the visualization we produce.
Does this sound like your firm? If so, Project Newport may be just right for you. Like many others, you can sign up to be notified when Project Newport is available on Autodesk Labs.
Sign up today!
Do It Yourself Multi-touch Development
At Autodesk University we had the Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall in the exhibit hall. Though I have not blogged about multi-touch in a while, this sparked renewed interest in this topic. A Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey wrote in:
I am working on an interactive application using multi touch screen technology. I am interested to know what kind of software packages or software development kits are available for the touch screen technology interface? I want to find an open source piece of software in this area to test some ideas out on. I am interested in smaller multi touch screens if you are aware of any.
Autodesk Labs Human Computer Interface Software Developer, Eddy Kuo, and Geospatial Senior Systems Developer, Hans Kellner, had immediate answers:
Here are sources for multi-touch and more
http://www.openframeworks.cc/
http://www.nuigroup.com/touchlib/
Here are cheaper and smaller size multi-touch displays:
http://touchkit.nortd.com/index.html
http://ssandler.wordpress.com/MTmini/
For a broad overview of this topic, you may wish to look at Dan Saffer's Book Designing Gestural Interfaces:
Thinking about using just our fingers to tell a computer what to do is alive in the lab.
Do It Yourself Multi-touch Development
At Autodesk University we had the Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall in the exhibit hall. Though I have not blogged about multi-touch in a while, this sparked renewed interest in this topic. A Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey wrote in:
I am working on an interactive application using multi touch screen technology. I am interested to know what kind of software packages or software development kits are available for the touch screen technology interface? I want to find an open source piece of software in this area to test some ideas out on. I am interested in smaller multi touch screens if you are aware of any.
Autodesk Labs Human Computer Interface Software Developer, Eddy Kuo, and Geospatial Senior Systems Developer, Hans Kellner, had immediate answers:
Here are sources for multi-touch and more
http://www.openframeworks.cc/
http://www.nuigroup.com/touchlib/
Here are cheaper and smaller size multi-touch displays:
http://touchkit.nortd.com/index.html
http://ssandler.wordpress.com/MTmini/
For a broad overview of this topic, you may wish to look at Dan Saffer's Book Designing Gestural Interfaces:
Thinking about using just our fingers to tell a computer what to do is alive in the lab.
AU FlipCam videos: YouTube and non-YouTube
In my haste of blogging while at Autodesk University, I did not post YouTube alternatives for the videos I created using my FlipCam. Since some of your companies block YouTube access, I am now providing alternative locations. I set some of videos to music using YouTube's AudioSwap capability. Hence the non-YouTube versions do not have this accompaniment.
Autodesk University
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
AU Registration is as easy as 1-2-3
AU_registration_Sunday.mp4 (6867.7K)
01:05
81
Bellagio Dancing Waters
au_dancing_waters.mp4 (15605.8K)
02:26
152
Construction site on Las Vegas strip
au_construction.mp4 (6620.6K)
01:02
100
Software as a Service at AU
au_saas.mp4 (3323.5K)
00:42
153
AU Autodesk Labs Exhibit Hall Wii Winner
au_labs_winner.mp4 (7065.0K)
01:27
120
3D Printing / Augmented Reality
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
excerpt of Autodesk CTO Jeff Kowalski from AU
au_jeff_augmented_reality.mp4 (39354.7K)
07:31
60
Autodesk Labs: Augmented Reality - 3D motorcycle
through_the_screen.mp4 (2940.1K)
00:45
56
Full Scale 3D Printed Motorcycle from Inventor
raising_motorcycle.mp4 (10245.5K)
01:36
713
Autodesk Gallery: Augmented Reality
Autodesk_Gallery_2008_Pene.mp4 (44320.6K)
01:53
new
Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Device
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
Assembling the Multi-touch Wall for AU
assembling_touchwall.mp4 (15224.4K)
02:13
681
AU Exhibit Hall Opening Night: Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall
au_scott_multitouch.avi (21147.6K)
00:38
244
Microsoft Surface Device
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
Unpacking and setting up the Microsoft Surface at AU
au_surface_setup.mp4 (10177.4K)
02:02
155
Microsoft Surface device in Autodesk Labs booth at Autodesk University
au_surface.mp4 (11857.5K)
02:18
204
Recapping AU is alive in the lab.
Amanda Collins' Christmas Wish List
On the heels of AU, Autodesk Labs Marketing Manager, Amanda Collins, filed this report. All Amanda really wants for Christmas is customer feedback from experts like you.
Autodesk Labs at AU 2008 and Beyond!
Think about the excitement that keeps Autodesk University going from start to finish. It???s generated by experts, like you. This year, you felt that excitement the moment you entered the Discovery Space in the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall.
We???ll try to capture a bit of that excitement in the copy and pictures below. If you like what you learn, we hope you???ll become a post-show early adopter and join the Autodesk Labs community.
AU 2008 Discovery Space
The hands-on Discovery Space in the AU Exhibit Hall was bursting with innovative ideas and new approaches to design technology. You could try your hand at a multi-touch wall. Use a Wii remote or a game controller to zoom into a building in Project Newport. Configure a photorealistic living space, online. Watch virtual reality buildings come to life - no headgear required. And talk with the engineers who are making it happen, perhaps to understand how and why Autodesk is developing software to take advantage of different interfaces and how those interfaces can be applied to 3D design.
The Discovery Space highlighted several tools and technology previews. Click below to find out more.
At the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall Opening Reception, more than 1000 experts, like you visited the Discovery Space. Over the next two days, thousands of you tried out the tools and technology previews. Hundreds of you stayed to talk with us and share ideas. We enjoyed every minute. Thank you.
Take a moment to flip through photos from the Autodesk Labs Discovery Space album.
What Happens in Vegas Doesn???t Have to Stay in Vegas
The Autodesk Labs team had such a ball at AU 2008 we???d like to extend you another invitation: Please join our community.
Would you like updates on all the exciting happenings in design technology from Autodesk - while they???re still in the concept phase? Join the community and you???ll stay plugged into fun and exciting new ideas.
Preview a free drawing tool over the Web. Learn how to use it without ever having to download any software. Discover free* utilities that Autodesk posts online for its products and why they???re valuable to you. Take a look into our crystal ball to see what technology Autodesk is exploring for the future.
Download our tools and technology previews at no charge, and send us your input. Your feedback helps us make better products.
It???s our way of saying thanks for stopping by??? and be sure to visit us any time.
Thanks Amanda.
Happy Holidays
Since I had a turkey for Thanksgiving, I figured I might as well do a Christmas tree for today.
Christmas Tree DWFx. Zoom in!
This tree brought to you by Project Draw and Project Freewheel. No trees were harmed in the creation of this diagram. Happy Holidays to all.
Happy Holidays from Project Newport
I got this from the Project Newport team. I thought I would share:
We wish you a wonderful holiday and a happy 2009!
We want to take this opportunity to thank you warmly for your collaboration and insights. We look forward to working together to create a great product!
The Newport Team
Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback at AU and for those who signed up to be on the mailing list.
Happy holidays.
Happy Holidays
Since I had a turkey for Thanksgiving, I figured I might as well do a Christmas tree for today.
Christmas Tree DWFx. Zoom in!
This tree brought to you by Project Draw and Project Freewheel. No trees were harmed in the creation of this diagram. Happy Holidays to all.
Happy Holidays from Project Newport
I got this from the Project Newport team. I thought I would share:
We wish you a wonderful holiday and a happy 2009!
We want to take this opportunity to thank you warmly for your collaboration and insights. We look forward to working together to create a great product!
The Newport Team
Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback at AU and for those who signed up to be on the mailing list.
Happy holidays.
Amanda Collins' Christmas Wish List
On the heels of AU, Autodesk Labs Marketing Manager, Amanda Collins, filed this report. All Amanda really wants for Christmas is customer feedback from experts like you.
Autodesk Labs at AU 2008 and Beyond!
Think about the excitement that keeps Autodesk University going from start to finish. It’s generated by experts, like you. This year, you felt that excitement the moment you entered the Discovery Space in the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall.
We’ll try to capture a bit of that excitement in the copy and pictures below. If you like what you learn, we hope you’ll become a post-show early adopter and join the Autodesk Labs community.
AU 2008 Discovery Space
The hands-on Discovery Space in the AU Exhibit Hall was bursting with innovative ideas and new approaches to design technology. You could try your hand at a multi-touch wall. Use a Wii remote or a game controller to zoom into a building in Project Newport. Configure a photorealistic living space, online. Watch virtual reality buildings come to life - no headgear required. And talk with the engineers who are making it happen, perhaps to understand how and why Autodesk is developing software to take advantage of different interfaces and how those interfaces can be applied to 3D design.
The Discovery Space highlighted several tools and technology previews. Click below to find out more.
At the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall Opening Reception, more than 1000 experts, like you visited the Discovery Space. Over the next two days, thousands of you tried out the tools and technology previews. Hundreds of you stayed to talk with us and share ideas. We enjoyed every minute. Thank you.
Take a moment to flip through photos from the Autodesk Labs Discovery Space album.
What Happens in Vegas Doesn’t Have to Stay in Vegas
The Autodesk Labs team had such a ball at AU 2008 we’d like to extend you another invitation: Please join our community.
Would you like updates on all the exciting happenings in design technology from Autodesk - while they’re still in the concept phase? Join the community and you’ll stay plugged into fun and exciting new ideas.
Preview a free drawing tool over the Web. Learn how to use it without ever having to download any software. Discover free* utilities that Autodesk posts online for its products and why they’re valuable to you. Take a look into our crystal ball to see what technology Autodesk is exploring for the future.
Download our tools and technology previews at no charge, and send us your input. Your feedback helps us make better products.
It’s our way of saying thanks for stopping by… and be sure to visit us any time.
Thanks Amanda.
AU FlipCam videos: YouTube and non-YouTube
In my haste of blogging while at Autodesk University, I did not post YouTube alternatives for the videos I created using my FlipCam. Since some of your companies block YouTube access, I am now providing alternative locations. I set some of videos to music using YouTube's AudioSwap capability. Hence the non-YouTube versions do not have this accompaniment.
Autodesk University
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
AU Registration is as easy as 1-2-3
AU_registration_Sunday.mp4 (6867.7K)
01:05
81
Bellagio Dancing Waters
au_dancing_waters.mp4 (15605.8K)
02:26
152
Construction site on Las Vegas strip
au_construction.mp4 (6620.6K)
01:02
100
Software as a Service at AU
au_saas.mp4 (3323.5K)
00:42
153
AU Autodesk Labs Exhibit Hall Wii Winner
au_labs_winner.mp4 (7065.0K)
01:27
120
3D Printing / Augmented Reality
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
excerpt of Autodesk CTO Jeff Kowalski from AU
au_jeff_augmented_reality.mp4 (39354.7K)
07:31
60
Autodesk Labs: Augmented Reality - 3D motorcycle
through_the_screen.mp4 (2940.1K)
00:45
56
Full Scale 3D Printed Motorcycle from Inventor
raising_motorcycle.mp4 (10245.5K)
01:36
713
Autodesk Gallery: Augmented Reality
Autodesk_Gallery_2008_Pene.mp4 (44320.6K)
01:53
new
Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Device
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
Assembling the Multi-touch Wall for AU
assembling_touchwall.mp4 (15224.4K)
02:13
681
AU Exhibit Hall Opening Night: Perceptive Pixel Multi-touch Wall
au_scott_multitouch.avi (21147.6K)
00:38
244
Microsoft Surface Device
Title
YouTube
YouTube alternative
Duration
YouTube
Views
Unpacking and setting up the Microsoft Surface at AU
au_surface_setup.mp4 (10177.4K)
02:02
155
Microsoft Surface device in Autodesk Labs booth at Autodesk University
au_surface.mp4 (11857.5K)
02:18
204
Recapping AU is alive in the lab.
