Heidi Hewett's Blog

Make a wish with AUGI!

There are many ways to influence the future of AutoCAD (and other Autodesk applications), but one of the easiest and most powerful is to cast your vote on the AUGI (Autodesk User Group International) wishlist. The AUGI wishlist is the first place the AutoCAD development team looks as they're planning future AutoCAD functionality. Below is a special "wishlist" announcement from AUGI. Not an AUGI member? Why not? It's free!!!

Dear AUGI Member,

Time is running out. Take this opportunity to cast your vote for the features you’d most like to see in future versions of AutoCAD, Inventor, Civil 3D and Revit Architecture. These wish list ballots are now open, and will remain so until March 10, 2008. You have the opportunity to review and vote on the wishes posted by your fellow AUGI members for improvements they would like to see in future releases of AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Revit Architecture software. All you need to do is vote for your top 10!

It's Easy
The voting process is now easier than ever. Wishes have been categorized so you can quickly find the features on which you want to cast a vote. Then just rank your votes from 1 (the improvement you feel most strongly about) to 10. It’s that simple!

It's Valuable
The Wish List was established years ago because Autodesk saw the enormous value in getting feedback on its products from the people using these products every day. That tradition continues today, as Autodesk turns to AUGI again and again for continued feedback and ideas for improvement.

Where to Start
Click on the appropriate link below to enter the Wish List of your choice. In each section, you'll find more information about that Wish List as well as a handy guide to help you through the process.

AutoCAD Wish List
Autodesk Inventor Wish List
AutoCAD Civil 3D Wish List
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Wish List

Don’t Delay
The voting will continue until March 10th, but why wait? Go to the Wish List of your choice and vote today!

Another opportunity to help guide the direction of AutoCAD

Play the part of the AutoCAD Product Manager! Every year, we post a survey to the AutoCAD user community seeking your thoughts on future product directions, enhancements, and how to improve the product line. The results of this survey are one very important component of how our roadmap is developed. We oftentimes contact respondents about their answers.

If you're interested in helping to guide the next generation of AutoCAD products and technology, please take about 15 minutes and take the following survey:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=720Hm92

AutoCAD Design Research

Thanks to all of you that have participated in the various AutoCAD design sessions. The opportunity to participate in online sessions is not yet over! You can continue to sign up for the online study through September 28 and respond to the study well into October. Your input is highly valued and will contribute to a better AutoCAD!

Here is more information from the AutoCAD Product Design and Usability team:

The AutoCAD Product Design Team is working on new features for future releases of AutoCAD.
One of our current projects focuses on improving the User Interface. These improvements are designed to make you more productive and efficient.  However, to complete the project successfully, we need feedback from as many users as possible.  Please help us achieve this goal!

This project is rather challenging and will require about 3 hours of your time.  Fortunately, the project can be done in segments, for example one hour a day for three days. Participants will attend a brief online Introduction Meeting, and then can complete the rest of the project online at their own schedule. Participants will be required to electronically sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Autodesk.
This project will start on September 14, 2007 and last through October 5, 2007. Participation sign-up is now open!

Click on the following link to sign up:
http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=76M25l8
After signing up, you will receive an email with more information and instructions to attend an online Introduction Meeting.

Thank you for your time and interest in improving AutoCAD.  We are very grateful for your participation.

        -The AutoCAD Product Design and Usability Team

The Future of AutoCAD

If you are interested in helping shape the future of AutoCAD, consider the following request from the AutoCAD Product Design Team:

The AutoCAD Product Design Team is working on new features for future releases of AutoCAD.

One of our current projects focuses on improving the User Interface. These improvements are designed to make you more productive and efficient.  However, to complete the project successfully, we need feedback from as many users as possible.  Please help us achieve this goal!

This project is rather challenging and will require about 3 hours of your time.  Fortunately, the project can be done in segments, for example one hour a day for three days. Participants will attend a brief online Introduction Meeting, and then can complete the rest of the project online at their own schedule. Participants will be required to electronically sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Autodesk.

This project will start on September 14, 2007 and last through October 5, 2007. Participation sign-up is now open!

Click on the following link to sign up:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=76M25l8

After signing up, you will receive an email with more information and instructions to attend an online Introduction Meeting. 

Thank you for your time and interest in improving AutoCAD.  We are very grateful for your participation.

     -    The AutoCAD Product Design and Usability Team

Attention San Francisco and Denver area AutoCAD users

If you are located in the San Francisco or Denver area, you have a rare opportunity to test drive some new features in AutoCAD and contribute your feedback to future releases. 

The AutoCAD Product Design and Usability team would like to invite you to join them for a sneak peek and test drive of a future version of AutoCAD, focusing on changes to the user interface and productivity enhancements.  Members of the AutoCAD team will be there to introduce you to new and enhanced AutoCAD features. 

In a casual focus group style, the design team wants to share with you their design-ideas-in-progress and ask for your input as they solidify their ideas for an upcoming release.  They’ll include time at the end of the session for general feedback and they’ll be happy to discuss any issues, future directions, or wish list items with you at that time.  Your input is critical in shaping the future of AutoCAD and the AutoCAD team depends on and values your ideas.  After this session the design team will make key decisions based on your input. 

Plan on spending the day (9am to 5pm) to meet the team and participate in hands-on sessions with the next release.  Snacks and lunch will be provided.

San Francisco Area (San Rafael) - September 5, 2007

Denver Area (Thornton) – September 11 or 12, 2007

Interested in attending the event?  Here’s what they are looking for:

• Day to day users of the software
• Users not proficient in LISP or scripting
• Users configuring the interface for other users
• All levels – beginning to advanced

Seats are limited so please contact Shari Nemerovski (415-507-8217) to register for this exciting event.

I hope to see you there!

Good Question: Windows Vista Support

Today's good question comes from Xavier. He asked about Microsoft Windows Vista support for AutoCAD 2006.

AutoCAD 2006 and earlier releases do not support the Vista operating system. AutoCAD 2008 does support both the Vista 32bit and 64bit OS. AutoCAD 2007 also supports Window's Vista if you install Service Pack 2. For more information view the AutoCAD 2008 Features and Specifications and the Readme for AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2.

Windows Vista Support for AutoCAD

With the recent release of Microsoft Windows Vista, many of you have inquired about our operating system support for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.  Autodesk is pleased to announce that AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008, scheduled for a March release, are compatible with the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business and Enterprise.  In addition Autodesk will release an update for AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 in the coming months that will add support for Windows Vista 32-bit versions.  Please consult www.autodesk.com\support for future updates on Windows Vista support.

AutoCAD 2008… The one you’ve been waiting for!!!!

AutoCAD 2008 is on its way to a computer near you and it’s packed with tools that can significantly improve your day-to-day drafting productivity! Some of my favorite tools include:

• Automated annotation scaling (Yeah!!!)
• Layer properties per viewport
• Multiline leaders
• Mtext column controls
• Table breaking controls
• Bi-directional datalinking between Excel spreadsheets and AutoCAD tables
• Object data extraction
• V8 DGN support
• Customizable dashboard including many new dashboard panels
• Multiline block attributes
• Photometric lighting support

To learn more about AutoCAD 2008 stay tuned to www.autodesk.com/preview2008!

The Future of AutoCAD… Beta Programs!

You can contribute to the future of AutoCAD and get a jump-start on learning the latest AutoCAD functionality by participating in the AutoCAD beta program. The participation of AutoCAD users is crucial for the development of stable and beneficial software functionality.

As a beta participant you gain access to the pre-release version of AutoCAD software while it is under development. You can read about the new and improved functionality, install and try the pre-release version, and provide feedback directly to the AutoCAD development team. You don’t have to be an expert to participate in the beta program because feedback from users with all levels of experience is welcomed and valued.

If you want to influence the future of AutoCAD by participating in the beta program, you can do so by signing up for a My Feedback account at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com. If you do not yet have an account at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com, you can request one. You should NOT sign up for another account if you already have one. If you do not yet have an account at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com:

1. Go to http://myfeedback.autodesk.com.
2. Click on the Sign Up link.
3. Fill out the information in the Sign Up form. This is your beta profile which Autodesk uses to evaluate you for specific beta programs. If you already know in which beta program(s) you want to participate, you can enter a beta code at the top of the form. Enter HHBLOG followed by the product you want to test.  For example, if you want to test AutoCAD, enter HHBLOGAutoCAD.
4. Select Submit at the bottom of the form.

Your beta profile will be evaluated by the Autodesk Beta team.  If your request for an account on http://myfeedback.autodesk.com is accepted, you will receive a welcome email with your login name and password. When you are accepted to a specific beta program you will receive a second email welcoming you to that program.

If you already have an account at http://myfeedback.autodesk.com:

1. Go to http://myfeedback.autodesk.com.
2. Select the User button near the top center of the page. This opens your Beta profile.
3. Update the information in your beta profile as necessary.  If you already know in which beta program(s) you want to participate, you can enter a beta code at the top of the form. Enter HHBLOG followed by the product you want to test.  For example, if you want to test AutoCAD, you would enter: HHBLOGAutoCAD.
4. Select Save at the bottom of the form.

When you are accepted to the specific beta program that you requested, you will receive an email welcoming you to that program.

The beta programs are a great way for you to contribute to the future of AutoCAD and other Autodesk products. Keep in mind, however, that beta programs are not active for every product all of the time.

Autodesk Impression Technology Preview

Autodesk Impression Technology Preview is available for you to download from http://labs.autodesk.com. This is the first full-blown application to be posted on Autodesk Labs. With this new technology, you can "create presentation-ready graphics directly from your CAD drawings. Open your DWG and DWF files with Autodesk Impression, and start to develop illustrations right away in an environment that is straightforward, yet flexibile enough to explore your creative side.  Use pre-built appearance styles to add everything from hand-drawn strokes to textured color fills, or produce your own distinct look by creating custom appearance styles.  Either way, the look-and-feel of your drawing is reusable – saving you time, and effort. And because Impression understands your DWG data, you can also take advantage of the power of blocks and layers."

The Future of AutoCAD… Design Validation and Usability!

You can contribute to the design and usability of future AutoCAD releases by participating in design validation and usability studies.

Design validation sessions are typically conducted early in the design of a new AutoCAD release. During these sessions, users are presented with concepts regarding future functionality and asked to share their thoughts. Does the idea make sense? Does it seem useful? What would make it more valuable? Most design validation sessions are conducted in person with small groups of AutoCAD users (5 to 12 participants per session) around the world. Additional design validation sessions are conducted via the Web using Web conferencing tools such as Microsoft Live Meeting (1 to 5 participants per session).

Usability studies are typically conducted later in the design of new AutoCAD functionality and continue even after the software is released. During these sessions, users might be presented with low fidelity prototypes (paper/Powerpoint mock-ups) or partially functional software. Rather than being told what the functionality is supposed to do, users are asked to describe how they expect the tools will work or, in the case of functional software, they are asked to perform tasks using the new functionality.

The participation of AutoCAD users is crucial to the successful design and development of new software functionality. You don’t have to be an expert to participate in design validation and usability sessions because feedback from users of all levels of experience is welcomed and valued.

If you want to influence the future of AutoCAD, you can do so by signing up for a My Feedback account at myfeedback.autodesk.com. With access to My Feedback and the Usability zone, you can view detailed information including compensation and schedules for upcoming design validation and usability studies.

If you already have an account at myfeedback.autodesk.com, you can add USABILITY to your list of zones.

1. Go to myfeedback.autodesk.com.
2. Log on using the username and password you were provided.
3. Select the User button.
   
4. Add USABILITY to your list of Beta Codes.
5. Choose Save.

After you add USABILITY to your Beta Code list, your request will be evaluated by the Autodesk Beta team.  If you are accepted, you will receive an email welcoming you to the zone and you will see the new zone (Usability Studies) the next time you log in.

If you do not yet have an account at myfeedback.autodesk.com, you can request one.

1. Go to myfeedback.autodesk.com.
2. Click on the Sign Up link.
   
3. Enter USABILITY for the beta code.
   
4. Fill in the required information.
5. Select Submit at the bottom of the form.

After you submit your request to sign up for a My Feedback account with access to the Usability zone, your request will be evaluated by the Autodesk Beta team.  If you are accepted you will receive an email with your username and password, welcoming you to the portal. You will receive a second email welcoming you to the Usability zone.

Once you see Usability in your list of available zones, you can click on the Usability Studies link. You will be prompted to read and accept the user agreement before you can view the Usability Studies information.

1. From the MyFeedback Zones list, select Usability Studies. The User Agreement is displayed the first time you access a new zone.
2. Read the User Agreement and then select I Accept (at the bottom of the page).

Autodesk Design Validation and Usability Studies are a great way for you to influence the development of AutoCAD and get a sneak peek at the future!

The Future of AutoCAD… Autodesk Labs!

Autodesk Labs (http://labs.autodesk.com) is a new site that provides free, early access to prototypes, and experimental and beta applications/technologies. You can download everything from drivers and plug-ins to new applications, enabling you to provide feedback that will help Autodesk product development teams.

The first four beta tools offered are diverse, but their impact is similar: All four tools address an aspect of making drawings and related data easier to use across applications and users:

• Google Earth Extension (beta) provides a wizard-driven interface to publish 3D models from AutoCAD 2007, Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007, Autodesk Civil 3D 2007 and Autodesk Map 3D 2007 directly into the Google Earth interface. Architects and engineers can offer contextual insight into projects and concepts from the planning stage to public approval.
• Autodesk DGNV8 Translator (beta) lets users share AutoCAD DWG and Bentley MicroStation 2D V8 DGN files among engineers, architects, and extended team members. Built into Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Land Desktop and Autodesk Map 3D products, now users of any AutoCAD 2007-based application can submit and work with DGN and DWG files interchangeably.
• Project Freewheel (technology preview) offers browser-based access to view and navigate DWF file-based CAD drawings in Web pages or on a mobile device without requiring the installation of viewing software.
• Autodesk Vault Mirror Utility (beta) provides a simple way for companies to create a duplicate copy of their vaulted data that will allow them to provide external access to the files from locations either internal or external.  Companies can also use this utility to schedule regular updates to their “mirrored” data to ensure that changes made to one vault are reflected in a “mirrored” version.

Autodesk Labs includes the option for you to subscribe to an RSS feed to get automatic notification of new applications posted for trial. Due to the early-stage nature of applications and technology offered at Autodesk Labs, the software is not intended for mission-critical projects, nor is it supported. Your feedback, however, will play a crucial role in further development of these technologies as well as their possible incorporation into commercial products. You are encouraged to comment via dedicated e-mail feedback which goes directly to the development teams.

The Future of AutoCAD… Making your wishes come true!

AutoCAD customers often tell me their AutoCAD wishes and, while I’m always happy to relay them to our development team, there is a better way! With so many customer requests, how does the AutoCAD development team decide which ones are most important to the greatest number of AutoCAD users? They look at the AUGI Wish List! This is the first place the AutoCAD team looks when they start defining a new release of AutoCAD. Trust me, it’s true! I might personally know the people that define, design, and program the software, but if I want to make my AutoCAD wishes come true, I submit them through the AUGI (AutoCAD User Group International) wish list!

To make your wishes come true:

1. Visit www.augi.com. If you are not already an AUGI member, why not?? There are many benefits to joining AUGI and it’s FREE!
2. After you log in, select the AutoCAD Wish List link.
   

You can view the current list of top wish list requests and you can submit your new wishes.

The Future of AutoCAD

Just like you begin planning and designing your projects long before they are built, so do we! Future releases of AutoCAD are always under development and we rely on feedback from you, our users, to help us continually improve software functionality.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend an AutoCAD design event at our headquarters in Northern California where a small group of valued users provided suggestions and constructive criticism to the AutoCAD development team.

There are many ways you can contribute your ideas to the future of AutoCAD including the AUGI wish list, design validations, usability studies, and beta programs.

More to come!!!!