Plan It Autodesk

A Digital Sketching Environment

If you were in attendance at the opening AU 2006 main stage when a member of the Alias team demonstrated the ability to use a digital sketching tool to design the next Mercedes I think you must have been impressed. Drawing in a symmetry mode where as you sketched the right half of the car the left half was automatically created the intuitive nature of designing seemed to be preserved if not enhanced through a powerful, intelligent user interface.

What was even more impressive was how the sketch was somehow automatically turned into a 3D solid model. Mind boggling. To learn more go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6871498

I am sure many of the planners out there are skeptical when they see the term digital sketching. It's the old right brain vs. left brain, scientist vs. artist, engineer vs. architect argument rearing it's ugly head, but from everything that I am reading and seeing the basis for these differences is beginning to be overcome if not obliterated, particularly for the younger generation that has grown up on video games.

A digital sketching environment like that found in AliasStudio is what young designers expect. They will not work with anything else. If your firm does not believe in this technology you will not be able to attract and retain the best young talent. If firms truly are all about their people then this issue is critical to your future.

Next time - Digital Sketching Cont'd.

Land Planning SIG

AU 2006 set the record for attendance. Say what you will about Vegas in general, but the Venetian in conjunction with the Autodesk team did one incredible job. If you have never attended you may want to consider AU 2007. In case you like to plan ahead, don't all planners, then mark your calendar for November 27 - 30, 2007  http://www.autodeskevents.com/au2006_new/index.cfm?CFID=523646&CFTOKEN=81607870

The Land Planning SIG luncheon had about 25 people in attendance, of which 3 people identified themselves as planners. After a short presentation on the challenges of automating the land planning profession a very spirited discussion followed with a number of requirements being identified. As most of the people in the audience were either engineers or CAD managers the key issue was how to improve the quality of conceptual planning so that the process becomes much more streamlined, and less frustrating for all involved.

If you have a planning background and would like to be involved with the possible development of a focused land planning solution please contact me so that you can become part of our Land Planning SIG.

Next Time - A Digital Sketching Environment