Hosted in Las Vegas in November, 2011, this year’s Autodesk University was a great time to discover and explore what’s new in the CAD world. There were so many classes and forums that highlighted how everyday people are doing extraordinary things with this software. The opening ceremony gave us a glimpse into how Autodesk is reaching into untapped resources such as America’s youth to explore the mysteries of outer space. There was this really neat forum that introduced three amazing individuals who were creating unique medical breakthroughs using Autodesk software. To sum it all up, their presentation brought back feelings of nostalgia for my freshmen biology class.
Highlights from Sin City
There’s so much to talk about in relation to Autodesk University in Sin City but, I will highlight the ones that stuck out to me the most.
1. Space Bound Robots
I was pleasantly surprised to see how Autodesk was utilizing the talents of young individuals to create robots that would go into outer space. The kids and young adults seemed equally thrilled to be a part of such an important mission. They actually had one of the inventors present during the opening ceremonies to speak about his role in this mission. He was confident and excited to be sharing his thoughts and experiences with the masses. I think we all shared a certain sense of pride for what this young man had accomplished using CAD software. Autodesk is really pushing to have the software utilized in schools across the country. If they are trying to ensure that they are relevant with the adults of tomorrow, then they are headed in the right direction.
2. Revolutionizing the Medical Community
We attended the Innovation Forum that showcased what they are doing in the medical community. It was amazing to see how these individuals are making a serious impact on how people will use science and medicine to educate the public and make the lives of the less fortunate better. There was a young man who gave a presentation about how he and his team were creating prosthetic limbs for amputees in third world countries. They were able to help this older gentleman regain mobility in his arm so that he could provide for his family. It was a very touching story. The next presenter showed us how he created an interactive educational video, using the musical talents of Bjork, to demonstrate how DNA is reproduced at the cellular level. It definitely gives students a new way to look at the processes that would normally be viewed under a super powerful microscope. The creation process takes a lot of time and patience but, the end result is absolutely amazing. I think we’ll see more kids getting A’s in their biology classes.
3. Entertain and Educate me Online First!
On the more technical side, there were plenty of forums about how to use CAD software in advertising and building design. The presenters were pushing the idea that customers are seeking to be entertained and educated through their online inquiries. For example, they showed how a customer looking to buy a car should be able to do everything online but test drive and sign the paperwork. This makes an interesting point because who likes spending hours at the dealership anyway.
I look forward to attending AU in the future not because they host this event at one of the best hotels and resorts on the strip but, because I can’t wait to see what’s new in the world of Autodesk.
Alongside AU, Autodesk also hosted AU virtual, where users who weren’t able to make it to Las Vegas could join online courses. These are all archived online here http://au.autodesk.com/Related Blog Posts
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Civil 3D Version Interoperability
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1. Training
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Download the eBook here!
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DLT Solutions
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DLT Solutions