Eagle Point Software – Civil Engineering Solutions from Ideate, Inc.

Ideate, Inc. is proud to offer solutions from industry innovator Eagle Point:

LandSketch™
Complete residential conceptual designs in a fraction of the time.
Whether you are currently using paper sketches or a high-end engineering design application to do residential conceptual design, LandSketch produces your preliminary designs faster, easier, and provides an electronic transfer of the conceptual plans to your engineering design software.

Eagle Point LandSketch™ for Highways
Preliminary route design tool for Environmental Impact Analysis
A simple, yet comprehensive package, LandSketch for Highways dramatically improves the efficiency of the route creation and selection process with specific tools to quantify environmental impacts, area takes and rough earthwork.

Visit ideateinc.com/products/eaglepoint to learn more.

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Autodesk Revit MEP Tip: Render Ductwork Based on System Type (Supply vs. Return)

Question:
We are working on an interior rendering of an office studio that has exposed ductwork that we plan to paint in different colors (supply vs. return). How do we apply different materials to the ductwork based on duct system type in Revit MEP? We tried object styles but that changed all the ductwork, and the ‘filter’ tool only allows us to apply a color (not material).

Answer:
Very Simple! Just add a Project Parameter called ‘Duct material’ from under Manage>Project Parameters, and then select all the supply/return ducts and apply the materials needed.




Shruti Harve,

LEED AP, AEC Solutions Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

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eLearning – Upcoming Revit Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning - live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education.

Upcoming classes include:

3.1.11::Revit 201: Rapid Detailing
3.8.11::Revit 201: Converting Blocks
3.22.11::Revit 201: Worksharing Best Practices

Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

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SmartBIM – BIM + Revit Solutions from Ideate, Inc.

Ideate, Inc. proudly presents solutions from industry partner SmartBIM:

SMARTBIM® Library – Revit family content management tool provides a straightforward way to organize, find, and use Revit families in order to streamline design workflow and simplify storage. Improve the re-use of families across projects and decrease project risk.

SMARTBIM QTO® – Cost-effective solution powered by RSMeans that provides early cost checking for Revit projects.

Visit ideateinc.com/products/smartbim to learn more.



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Classroom Training - Open Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

Here are a few of the training opportunities Ideate has to offer in the coming days:

2.23-25::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals
2.23-25::San Jose
Revit MEP: Electrical Fundamentals
2.28::Portland
Revit MEP Families
2.28-3.2::San Jose
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
3.2-3.4::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

Autodesk Revit Tip - Use @IdeateExplorer to find & delete a dwg.

Q: How do I find and delete a dwg in Autodesk Revit if I don’t know which view it exists on? I would like to remove a dwg that was placed by another user. I can't find the dwg to right click on it - how do you delete a dwg from a project if you can't remember how to select it?

A: Ideate Explorer for Revit! www.ideateexplorer.com

Search. Filter. Finish.

Autodesk Design Suite Premium - Concept Sketching, Enhanced Visualization

Autodesk Design Suite Premium extends your familiar AutoCAD workflow by integrating Autodesk’s leading design and visualization software in a single, cost-effective package. With best-in-class workflows for design, sketching, illustration, and animated visualization, you can create powerful visualizations and interactive presentations that help you market and sell concepts before they are real.

The Premium edition of the Autodesk Design Suite features the 2011 versions of AutoCAD, 3ds Max Design 2011, Showcase and Alias Sketch and sells for $4,995. If these products are purchased individually they would cost $9,000!

Studies show that firms like yours are gaining workflow efficiencies, winning business, and saving money when they deploy this suite.

Contact your Ideate Account Manager today: sales@ideateinc.com

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eLearning – Upcoming Revit Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning - live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education.

Upcoming classes include:

3.1.11::Revit 201: Rapid Detailing
3.8.11::Revit 201: Converting Blocks

Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

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Navisworks Clash Detective Replacement? Insight on BIMsight.

Read the review by Ideate Inc.’s own Teresa Martin on BIMSight beta 1.1 from Tekla Corporation.

While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to Teresa’s blog: http://bimnewworld.blogspot.com/

About Teresa:
Teresa is a graduate of Cornell University and has over 20 years experience in the architectural and construction industry. She has spent her career pursuing her interest in 3D modeling and computer-aided-design having worked alternately as a designer, project manager, CAD manager, 3D modeler and educator. Teresa currently develops curriculum and customized content as an Revit Implementation Expert. As a trainer in Revit, Navisworks, and Ecotect, Teresa brings her real-world experience to the classroom.

About the Ideate Tech Team:
The experienced Ideate Team includes civil engineers, architects, designers, mechanical engineers and others with experience in facilities management, process piping, structural, and HVAC design. Learn more about them here.

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Quoted, Re: Ideate BIMLink: "Ideate BIMLink is mandatory…"

They said what? Don’t take our word for it - here’s what one AEC pro had to say about Ideate BIMLink for Revit:

“Ideate BIMLink is mandatory to maintain highest level of BIM implementation and adoption.”

–Jean-Paul Trehen
Autodesk AC AEC Senior Technical Consultant
Rennes Area, France

Ready to maintain the highest level of BIM? See what Ideate BIMLink is all about.

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Classroom Training - Open Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

Here are a few of the training opportunities Ideate has to offer next week:

2.23-25::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
2.23-25::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals
2.23-25::San Jose
Revit MEP: Electrical Fundamentals
2.23-24::Seattle
Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics

Know your software. Sign up now!

Autodesk 2008 Software Retires - Is Your Software Being Retired?

Is Your Software Being Retired?
After March 15, 2011, Autodesk will retire upgrades from a specific list of 2008 software products. To check for yours, check this Autodesk list.

If your software product is on the list, don't despair! You can save up to 20% by upgrading your Autodesk 2008 licenses by March 15, 2011. Customers with Autodesk 2008 version products may be able to take advantage of upgrade pricing at 50% off the new license MSRP.

And remember that as of March 16, 2011, you’ll no longer be able to receive upgrade pricing or Autodesk technical support for these products. If you want the latest software after that date, you’ll have to pay for a new license at 30% off MSRP.

Contact your Ideate Account Manager at sales@ideateinc.com to take advantage of the savings!

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Eagle Point Software – BIM + Revit Solutions from Ideate, Inc.

Ideate, Inc. is proud to offer solutions from industry innovator Eagle Point:

Siteworks for Revit® – Model a site with grading tools and components such as streets and sidewalks.

LANDCADD for Revit – Integrates elements of landscape plans directly into Revit.

LandSketch™ – Complete residential conceptual designs in a fraction of the time.

Eagle Point Pinnacle Series™ – Tools and techniques to define, publish and monitor everyday workflow processes.

Eagle Point LandSketch™ for Highways – Preliminary route design tool for Environmental Impact Analysis.

Eagle Point Data Reduction for Civil 3D – Streamline the AutoCAD® Civil 3D® survey transfer process.

Surveyors’ Companion – Simple and powerful surveying tools embedded directly inside of AutoCAD Civil 3D that streamlines the survey workflow.

Visit ideateinc.com/products/eaglepoint to learn more.



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Revit Leads SERA Architects to LEED Gold

Check out this feature on greenbuildingpro.com that summarizes the Ideate, Inc. Study in Success: Revit Leads SERA Architects to LEED Gold.

“The Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center opened for guests May, 2009 in the Portland, Oregon downtown urban core. Designed by BIM-focused Portland-based SERA Architects and developed by Sage Hospitality, the hotel stands where a vacant and deteriorating once bank/office building stood. As SERA’s market partner and source of software solutions, Ideate, Inc. assisted SERA in this achievement.”

Or download the entire Study in Success PDF here.

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eLearning with the Ideate Tech Experts - Upcoming Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning - live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education.

Upcoming classes include:

2.15.11::Revit 201: Design Options
2.22.11::Revit 201: Presentations
3.1.11::Revit 201: Rapid Detailing

Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

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Lessons in Integrating BIM – Webcast 2.24.11

Event: Lessons in Integrating BIM
From: SMARTBIM and Reed Construction Data
When: 11:00 AM PT on February 24, 2011
Where: Online (Webcast)
CEU Credits: 1.5 LUs (Webcast)

Successfully integrating new technologies and workflows takes tenacity, patience, and a sense of humor. Register now to listen to our experienced panel discuss how they are tackling the challenges of integrating BIM into their practices. This interactive discussion will allow the audience to ask questions of the panel.

Join us on Thursday, Feb 24, 2011 at 11:00 am PT for a live web event:

Lessons in Integrating BIM

Industry leaders from RLF and The Raymond Group will discuss their experiences with integrating BIM into their practice and share their insights into the successes and frustrations of adopting new technology and new business workflows.

This webcast will broadcast live and is free and open to everyone. Registration is required. Speakers Keith Holloway and Kim Lorch present their experiences in integrating BIM into their work processes and will accept questions from the audience.

Speakers:
Keith Holloway, AIA, NCARB – Project Manager, RFL
Kim Lorch – Vice President, The Raymond Group
Ashish Peters – BIM Director, The Raymond Group

Moderator:
Markku Alison, AIA

Register now.

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Classroom Training - Open Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

Here are a few of the training opportunities Ideate has to offer next week:

2.14-16::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
2.14-16::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
2.14-16::Seattle
Revit MEP: Electrical Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

Autodesk Revit Tip: Changing Width of Vertically Compound Walls

Many of you know that Basic Walls can have varying building finish materials applied vertically along a wall. This is accomplished by editing the Structure of a wall in a section view and using the Split Region tool. Once a region has been split, the Thickness value is grayed out and assigned a width that indicates “variable.” After assigning a new material to one of the split regions the original width of the initial layer if displayed but is still grayed out.


Did you know that you can change the width of regions after they have been split? To do so, press the Modify button in the Edit Assembly (Hint: Make sure the button appears depressed). Next pick the left edge of the region you would like to modify. A temporary dimension will display allowing you to modify the width of the split region. This still applies to both regions created from the original layer, but gives you the ability to adjust the width of a region you have split.






Ron Palma, Ideate AEC Solutions Application Specialist
Ron has 23+ years of experience in the AEC industry as a designer, lead project designer, trainer and CAD manager. His instructional background includes Autodesk Certified Instructor, trainer, support technician, educator at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College, and a U.S. Army certified instructor. Follow Ron @RonPalmaAEC.

People say the nicest things about our Revit instructor @RonPalmaAEC

We always appreciate when someone takes time to provide feedback!

I found the class Autodesk Revit Fundamentals class smooth and easy to follow. I really enjoyed the training and learning Revit. I think Ron Palma does a great job as instructor. I'll definitively recommend Ideate in the future.

- Claudia Ross, Architect, Lynnwood WA

Are you interested in Autodesk Revit training? We have five Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATC): San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Portland and Seattle. Our training labs are also Autodesk Authorized Certification Centers, providing globally recognized certification courses. Build your skills, promote your skills!

For more information on training or certification, visit www.ideateinc.com/educate

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AutoCAD for Mac Users- Have you changed your Autosave location yet?

No?

Like all versions of AutoCAD for Windows, AutoCAD for Mac saves backup copies of your drawings at regular intervals. These files end in “.sv$” and by default are saved to the /tmp folder on your Mac HD. So why should you change this location? On reboot all UNIX based operating systems, like Mac OS X, erase the contents of the /tmp folder. So previously saved backup copies of today’s work will no longer be available after you shutdown your computer for the night.

To change the Autosave location launch AutoCAD for Mac and go into Preferences from the Application Menu. Click Application, click Automatic Save File Location and click the “gear” icon below to select Change Path. Next, choose the location where you want to save your drawing backups. For example, I created a new folder in Documents labeled “AutoCAD Drawing Backups” so I can quickly find them without having to search through multiple folders in Finder.

Hopefully you’ll never have to find a backup copy of your drawings, but in case you do, this AutoCAD for Mac tip will make sure you’ll have the most recent copy and more importantly- right where you left it.

Derek Wielkopolski
Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions.

Seattle Revit User Group - Make Your Revit Project Excel

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
11:30am - 1:30pm
Seattle Public Library – Central Branch
Microsoft Auditorium – Level 1
1000 4th Ave (corner of 4th & Madison)


Feature Presentation
Make Your Revit Project Excel - Presented by, Derek Wielkopolski, Support Manager, and Glynnis Patterson, Director of Services for Ideate, Inc.

Your Revit model contains much more than the graphical representation of your ideas. It contains powerful data that will be used by estimators, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, building owners and facility managers. What’s the best way to control this data and ensure that the quality of your 2D graphics is matched by the integrity of your Revit data? How can we head-off file instability issues before they happen?

Derek and Glynnis will share their strategies for managing Revit projects to improve performance, stability and data quality. We’ll take a look at real world examples, review how to solve pesky problems, and streamline your workflow using Revit Model Check, the Review Warnings tool, Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Explorer for Revit.

Attendee Note: This presentation is suitable for CAD, BIM, and Project Managers for all disciplines.

About the Presenters:
Glynnis Patterson, N.C.A.R.B.
Glynnis is a Registered Architect and has worked within the BIM industry since 1998. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, she has worked as an architect, educator and construction site manager. Glynnis is currently the Director of Development Services at Ideate, Inc. and continues to work with AEC clients across the nation, developing, and implementing best practices solutions. In her spare time Glynnis is a member of the Morristown Environmental Commission and builds Lego projects.

Derek Wielkopolski
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions.

Register Now!

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BIM Solutions from @IdeateInc - Detail Manager for Revit from @adeptdev

Ideate is pleased to announce that we now offer Detail Manager for Revit by Adept Development.

Daron Denton of Adept Development, LLC says of the new relationship with Ideate, Inc., “Adept Development is proud to have Ideate, Inc. as a sales partner for Detail Manager. Being a part of an expert line of Revit solutions and support staff with AEC industry history of Ideate, Inc. is a high-water mark for any application developer.”

Detail Manager for Revit was created to help individuals and firms save time and money when reusing DWG detail libraries. Are you transitioning from AutoCAD to Autodesk Revit software, but do not have the resources to recreate details in Revit all at once? Instantly view all your AutoCAD details in high resolution. Save hours of time as you quickly select multiple details to be linked/imported, and set all link/import properties for all details and drafting views within one property grid.

• View all your AutoCAD dwg details from within Revit
  
• Zoom and pan in the detail preview
  
• Select viewed details for Linking or Import into Revit
  
• Filter imported detail layers with profiles
  
• Set all detail properties before they are brought into Revit
  
• Arrange layouts for sheets before Revit Views are created
  
• With one click, create Revit Views and Sheets
  
• Detail properties are saved for re-use on your next project

For complete information, check out Ideate, Inc. today.

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Quoted, Re: @IdeateBIMLink: "…about 24x faster. Really amazing!"

Such flattery leaves us speechless, so we’ll let Francois be frank about Ideate BIMLink for Revit:

“Ideate BIMLink came just at the right time! We finally found you after trying many other solutions to help with Autodesk Revit projects. I would define Ideate BIMLink as simple, easy and quick. On a billion dollar project, we had to link over 2,700 rooms and 400 surfaces with 15 custom parameters each in 10 different linked files - that would be 46,500 manual entries. It would take weeks to enter manually in Autodesk Revit software! We were able to do the work in a matter of hours. Later in the project, 50 changes were done manually within multiple files, it took 3 hours. However, with Ideate BIMLink, I did 300 changes in 45 minutes - that’s about 24x faster. Really amazing! Thanks again to Ideate BIMLink, it has became our new teammate.”

—Francois Dionne, BIM Manager, Buscom
The project Sainte- Justine University Hospital Center
Our customer Lemay Associés Architecture & Design

Need a new teammate? Visit ideatebimlink.com to find out more about Ideate BIMLink.

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Bob Palioca, @IdeateInc President, talks about events and community. @aiasf #SFRUG

We received an inquiry about the upcoming San Francisco Revit User Group and wanted to share a little insight on this, and other, Ideate events.

Q: Can you explain how your guest presentation by Stuart Cohen will relate to BIM/Revit? I was a long-time member of the [- -] RUG and have recently moved to San Francisco. [- -] RUG meetings were typically hosted by an AEC firm one evening every month. Local software vendors would provide some pizza and drinks. A couple of people from the AEC firm would present their current work and talk about software and workflow issues particular to their projects. Additionally there would often be another volunteer presenter who showed some tips or gave a tutorial on how to use some advanced features of Revit, or solve technical issues.

A: I wanted to personally answer the question about this month's San Francisco Revit User Group. The reason I have encouraged working with Transform is that I expect Ideate to lead beyond the products and processes we deal with on a day-to-day basis. We make connections with the greater issues our customers live in.

Here are a few links to learn about who we are connecting our community with at the February event:

> A bit about the Stuart Cohen, the speaker
> The basics of the TransForm organization
> The innovative certification process
> Key people and agencies linked to TransForm

Part of the value that we at Ideate bring to our community is "thought leadership”. Many times that will mean going beyond the project, model or BIM process and providing access to larger, more provoking discussions that are relevant in our communities. And as "information" for BIM matures, we will all be able to form a more tangible connection, driving more value for our mutual communities.

One reason that we are especially pleased to have Stuart join us for this event is because it is a key issue in all of our communities. And even though this particular event is being held in San Francisco, we challenge ourselves to work with similar organizations in San Jose, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle. Our events throughout the region are a way for us to serve our AEC community and provide value beyond just picks-and-clicks.

My goal is that once per quarter we continue to raise the bar with thought-provoking subjects that will help us to build strong links and strong communities. We will also continue with our core user groups that focus on AEC firm work, software and workflow issues.

Look forward to seeing you on February 9.

- Bob Palioca, President

Thank you, Bob. (We subsequently asked the writer who submitted the question to present at an upcoming user group. We'll keep you posted!)

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Wow - nearly 30k Revit family types free in SMARTBIM Library

SMARTBIM now has 5,720 Revit families with 29,270 Revit family types available for free download through the content update service which is part of the SMARTBIM Library software.

SMARTBIM Technical tip:
Creating reference copies of models will greatly reduce will management times, as only pointers to the source files are used, instead of the actual, physical file.

Learn more about SMARTBIM from the pros at Ideate, Inc.

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San Francisco Revit User Group - TransForm the Built Environment - 2.9.11

TransForm the Built Environment
Join Ideate and our special guest Stuart Cohen of TransForm to kick off the 2011 San Francisco Revit User Groups.

As architects and design professionals, you are uniquely aware that your work doesn’t exist solely as a digital concept in Revit. It becomes real in the built environment around us, in neighborhoods and communities across the Bay Area.

Stuart Cohen is co-founder and Executive Director of TransForm, the Bay Area's leading advocacy group working to promote world-class public transportation and walkable communities. Stuart will talk about their innovative projects that are engaging communities in supporting a vision of friendly, diverse places, where new development can enhance and respect existing neighborhoods, and bring new amenities and needed services.

This includes the Great Communities Collaborative, a partnership of five non-profits, three community foundations, and 24 community partners engaging communities in planning for sustainable, equitable development near transit. Their new Bay Area property acquisition fund, to ensure affordable homes near transit, has raised over $50 million in the last 6 months and will launch this year. In addition their innovative new GreenTRIP certification, funded by the Air District, is helping developers and cities reduce excessive parking and traffic mitigation requirements, helping infill homes become more financially viable.

Founded in 1997 (as the Transportation and Land Use Coalition), TransForm has spearheaded campaigns on county transportation sales taxes, RM 2, the toll increase to fund public transit and other funding measures that have raised over $6 billion for sustainable and socially-just transportation. Stuart is now working with regional coalitions throughout the state on SB 375 implementation. He is a highly respected analyst and advocate; and was appointed by the California Air Resources Board to the Committee charged with developing Greenhouse Gas Reduction targets under SB 375. Stuart received a Master's Degree in Public Policy (MPP) from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley. TransForm is based in Oakland with offices in Sacramento and San Jose.

Who Should Attend
Architects and design professionals working and living in the Bay Area.

San Francisco Revit User Group

DATE/LOCATION
2.9.11
AIA SAN FRANCISCO
130 Sutter Street
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104

Taking public transportation to the event is highly encouraged!

TIME
11:30am to noon: networking + lunch
Noon to 1:30pm: presentation

REGISTER ONLINE
**Registration required. We’ll have your seat reserved and lunch ready.**

For more information Email Moe Kress or call 888.662.7238 x4151

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Save up to $3,000 on Autodesk Software for Construction

Project Coordination and Cost Visibility: One Low Price

Are you ready to reduce change orders, costs, and waste on your building projects?

Experience the benefits of more accurate material quantity counts with a free seat of Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2011, available for a limited time when you purchase Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2011 project review software. Get both software applications for only $8,995 SRP -- a $3,000 savings.

Contact sales@ideateinc.com today to learn more.

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