When you need directions to a location, where do you go to find them? If you’re like most people, you go to Google Maps. It’s the most popular mapping application in the world. Its companion application, Google Earth, has been downloaded more than 950 million times. But these familiar tools aren’t just for personal use. They’re also being used in crisis response situations, helping city and county governments to make critical information accessible to their response teams and to the public. Google Maps Engine, formerly known as Google Earth Builder, is a combination of Google Maps, Google Earth and other tools organized to help government organizations streamline emergency management processes.

Earlier this month we formally launched the 2012 [acronym] Public Sector CAD Awards. Did you enter yet? Wondering what’s in it for you? In a nutshell, this is the only contest of its kind that gives public sector agencies (and the contractors that support them) an opportunity to share the creative ways they have used digital design/CAD software to improve the performance of their agency and enhance the delivery of citizen-centric services.

It’s that time again! We’re excited to announce the launch of the 2012 [acronym] Public Sector CAD Awards! If you work in the field of digital design – whether you use AutoCAD, or any other software – we want to know how these tools, combined with your skills and expertise, have helped your agency achieve its goals.

Last year, the public sector was given a unique opportunity to showcase its achievements in digital design thanks to the [acronym] Magazine CAD Awards. This contest was the first of its kind to give the government the opportunity to share the creative ways it has used digital design/CAD software to improve the performance of their agency and enhance the delivery of citizen-centric services.

Many state, local and municipality professionals surveying and AEC professionals are familiar with the tools of their trade, and perhaps less eager to embrace quickly evolving technologies – even though they can help them achieve more with less.

By Joe Hedrick, LS, EIT Infrastructure Solutions Team Manager, IMAGINiT Technologies Some of the largest states and construction firms in the United States have begun to adopt 3D modeling software such as AutoCAD^® Civil 3D^® software for engineering design. Many state departments of transportation are already looking at the benefits of 3D modeling over traditional 2D programs. This trend has also begun to percolate from the national and state level down to cities and counties. DOTs and engineering consultants who have made the move to 3D have begun to explore some of the opportunities for greater efficiency, improved designs and better cost management that the use of 3D models provide. Here are some of the ways modeling software has transformed large transportation project design and development.

Ever wished you could give project teams and stakeholders a better view of what a project will look like before it’s even built? Instead of using a combination of foam board, superimposed computer graphics and aerial photographs to present a make-shift model of future projects, what if you had access to sophisticated visualization tools that can help you truly convey design intent?

Back in June, I wrote a blog introducing the new Autodesk BIM 360 cloud offering. Available mostly to Autodesk Subscription customers, BIM 360 gives users “anywhere, anytime” access to design models and BIM workflows through a variety of services offered on Autodesk’s cloud-based platform.

Last year’s east coast earthquake was a first for many – including myself. Many are questioning whether or not the eastern seaboard will continue to experience earthquakes in the near future.

Do you need to access and edit AutoCAD files on the go? Did you know Autodesk has a free app for that? AutoCAD WS has been around for a few years now. If you’re not using it, then the new features that are yet to be released might just change your mind.