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 weeks:

4.17-19::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.23-25::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
5.1-3::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

4.3-5::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals
4.17-19::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.23-25::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

3.20-22::Sacramento
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals
3.26-28::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.2-4::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.3-5::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

3.20-22::Sacramento
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals
3.26-28::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.3-5::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

3.6-8::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
3.6-8::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
3.11-12::Sacramento
Revit Beyond the Basics
3.13-15::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

3.5-7::Sacramento
AutoCAD Fundamentals
3.6-8::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
3.11-12::Sacramento
Revit Beyond the Basics
3.13-15::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

Get the Edge in 2013, Get Autodesk Certified!

Autodesk certifications are a reliable validation of your skills and knowledge. They can lead to accelerated professional development, improved productivity, and enhanced credibility in your field. 

Ideate, Inc. is an Authorized Certification Center (ACC) offering Autodesk Certified User exams for AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit Architecture. 

In 2013 Ideate will be sponsoring three (3) Autodesk Certification days: March 29th, June 28th and September 27th at our Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and San Jose offices. 

You can purchase your exam(s) online at: http://ideateinc.com/educate/certification.html

*No same day retakes. Ideate is not responsible for exam score.* 

For more information email education@ideateinc.com or call 888.662.7238 x1012.

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 weeks:

2.25::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Families
3.5-7::Sacramento
AutoCAD Fundamentals
3.11-12::Sacramento
Revit Beyond the Basics
3.13-15::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

2.25::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Families
2.26-27::Sacramento
AutoCAD Beyond the Basics

Know your software. Sign up now!

Get the Edge in 2013 – New Year’s Training Bundles from Ideate

Competition in today’s marketplace is fierce, and technology advances in the New Year stand to demand even more of AEC professionals. Being well-qualified and skilled in real-world applications of software solutions helps position you for new projects and industry recognition. Let these New Year’s Training Specials from Ideate, Inc. give you the edge.

Revit Architecture – Special New Year’s Bundle
• Revit Architecture Fundamentals
• Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics
• 6 Revit 201s – Online
• 1 Revit Architecture 2013 Professional Certification Exam

--->All for $2013  

 AutoCAD Civil 3D – Special New Year’s Bundle
• AutoCAD Fundamentals
• Civil 3D for Beginners – Online
• Civil 3D Fundamentals or Civil 3D for Surveyors
• AutoCAD Update Course
• 1 AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Professional Certification Exam

--->All for $2013  

AutoCAD – Special New Year’s Bundle
• AutoCAD Fundamentals
• AutoCAD Beyond the Basics
• AutoCAD Update
• 1 AutoCAD 2013 Professional Certification Exam

--->All for $2013  

Phone: 888.662.7238
Email: education@ideateinc.com
Expires: Training must be purchased by March 29, 2013.
Classes must be taken one year from date of purchase

---

Rules and Restrictions:
• Training bundles must be purchased by March 29, 2013.
• No refunds for unused training.
• Classes must be taken one year from date of purchase. No extensions.
• Good for (1) individual. No substitutions.
• Certification tests offered in four locations: San Francisco, San Jose Portland, Seattle
• One test per individual. No retaking of exam unless paid for by individual. Ideate not responsible for passing grade.

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 weeks:

1.30::San Francisco
Revit for Project Managers Workshop
2.4-6::San Jose
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
2.6-8::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
2.11-13::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
2.13-15::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

12.26-28::San Francisco
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.7-9::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
1.14-16::Sacramento
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.14-16::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals
1.16-18::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
1.16-18::Seattle
Civil 3D Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

12.26-28::San Francisco
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.7-9::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
1.14-16::Sacramento
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.14-16::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals
1.16-18::Seattle
Civil 3D Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

12.26-28::San Francisco
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.14-16::Sacramento
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
1.14-16::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals
1.16-18::Seattle
Civil 3D Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

Civil 3D 2013 Pressure Network Parts - Part 3

In our previous two Pressure Network Part blogs, my Ideate, Inc. colleague and friend Matt Miyamoto wrote about how to create a pressure network part from an AutoCAD 3dsolid object and export it to a .CONTENT file, then import the .CONTENT file into the content catalog. In Part Three, we go over the process for adding the new part to the Pressure Network Parts List for use in your Civil 3D drawing.
 
So, in short, the summary of the previous process:

1. Create an AutoCAD 3dsolid or import a block that contains 3dsolid object for the part required.
2. Insert/Create Autodesk Connection Point (ACP) object/(s)
3. Publish the part and save it in its .CONTENT file
4. Open Content Catalog Editor from Windows Start menu and import the .CONTENT file in the and save the pressure network catalog database .SQLITE file (before importing be sure to backup the out of the box original .SQLITE file)

Pressure Network blog post Part 1 encompasses step 1, 2 and 3 above and Part 2 elaborates on step 4.

In this post I will show you Step 5 -  i.e. how to import the catalog part into pressure network parts list within Civil 3D so you can use it in your design.
 
Importing the Custom Part into Civil 3D Pressure Network Parts List
 
1. Open a drawing within Civil 3D and navigate to Home > Create Design > Set Pressure Pipe Network Catalog.

2. Set the appropriate Pressure Network Catalog (.SQLITE file that you saved earlier in step 4 per our blog post Part 2). Hopefully you have backed up the original - you can see I backed up mine.

3. Edit the existing Part List or create a new one. I am editing the existing pressure network parts list “Water” (found in the default Civil 3D Imperial template) in this example. Go to Toolspace > Settings > Pressure Network > Parts Lists > Water: right click and chose Edit.

4. I am trying to create a fire hydrant so I will be adding it in the Pressure Network Parts List > Appurtenances tab

5. Right click on Water and click on Add type, pick “hydrant” or whatever name you gave to the part family. Right click on the hydrant and add the hydrant/part you created.

6. Finally, choose the hydrant/part you created by creating a new or editing an existing pressure network; under Plan Layout tab click on Add Appurtenances

You can find more information in the Part Publishing Wizard User Guide saved with the default Civil 3D install at the following location: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013\Sample\Civil 3D API\Part Publishing Wizard\PartPublishingWizardUsersGuide.docx.
 
Lastly, please keep in mind that customization is generally unsupported by Autodesk and Ideate Technical Support so a lot of trial and error and testing may be involved in the Pressure Part creation process.
 

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist


Gaurav is a well rounded Application Engineer and Project Manager for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 15 years experience in construction industry and has been helping numerous small, medium and ENR 500 firms maximize their CAD investment for the last ten years. Gaurav is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He has taught at several conferences, CAD Camps and Autodesk University. He has taught AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Land Desktop and Map 3D to thousands of students and helps Ideate develop the Infrastructure Services curriculum and courses. With his extensive CAD technology background he helps Bay Area engineering and surveying firms analyze and improve their design and drawing production process thereby improving productivity and the bottom line. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

Get it. Know it. Use it.

What the Heck is Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2013?!

If you bought any Autodesk Suites product, and I mean, any: Building, Infrastructure, Product , Plant, Factory, Entertainment or General Design. And any flavor: Standard, Premium or Ultimate - you own SketchBook Designer 2013. Ideate has been reviewing what Sketchbook Designer can do.
 
So again, if you bought any suite from Autodesk you have a copy of SketchBook Designer.

Now the question is: What is it? And how do you use it? Read on to find out.

What It Is and How It Helps
In simplest terms, SketchBook Designer gives you tools to create conceptual not-to-scale freehand sketches on top of your AutoCAD plans/linework or photographs.

Click here for more information from the Autodesk SketchBook Designer product page on autodesk.com.

That was simple! Right. So let’s delve deeper.
 
What is SketchBook Designer Ribbon Tab Within AutoCAD?

You will see a SketchBook Designer tab within AutoCAD if you installed the standalone product or via any of the suites. And you guessed it, it’s that simple - SketchBook Designer LT embedded in AutoCAD. Well, sort of! The Sketchbook Designer tab actually gives you tools to create and edit a canvas and that’s it. For any further conceptual sketches you would need to open the drawing file (.DWG) in standalone SketchBook Designer. Here is an extract verbatim from SketchBook Designer Help:
 
Welcome to SketchBook Designer for AutoCAD, an AutoCAD add-in application. Create canvases in AutoCAD, bring them into SketchBook Designer, to create sketches and creative concepts. Eventually, bring your content back into the AutoCAD environment, where you can interact with it.

SketchBook Designer and SketchBook Pro
Yes! There are two flavors - what are they and which one to use? When you open the SketchBook Designer 2013 you are given an option to choose between the two flavors as below.

SketchBook Designer 2013 has the option to import a drawing file as you can see from the image below. Think of SketchBook Designer at Autodesk SketchBook Pro LT.

Autodesk SketchBook Pro opens image files as below. It is a full blown image editing software - actually more for illustrations and conceptual sketching. For the purpose of understanding, an example of similar image editing software is Adobe Photoshop.

Where Autodesk SketchBook Pro delivers a powerful toolset and fluid freehand drawing experience for professional artists, designers and illustrators helping them sketch, paint, draw and unleash their creativity, SketchBook Designer is a hybrid paint and vector environment, helping enable greater precision and powerful modification capabilities that are ideal both for mouse-based interactions as well as freehand pen-based input.

SketchBook Mobile and Sketchbook Mobile Express for iPad, iPhone and Android
SketchBook Mobile is a paint and drawing application offering a full set of sketching tools and a streamlined and intuitive user interface for your iPad, iPhone and Android devices. Click here to get more information. Sketchbook Mobile Express is a Free app giving you a small subset of the Sketchbook Pro functionality.

Conclusion
 
To conclude here is a summary of this discussion:
 
Sketchbook Pro is a full-blown image editing software.
 
Sketchbook Designer 2013 is “similar” to Sketchbook Pro LT.
 
Sketchbook Designer 2013 is embedded ribbon tab within AutoCAD 2013 lets you create/edit a canvas.
 
Sketchbook Pro is available on iPad, iPhone and Android in 2 flavors - Sketchbook Mobile and the free version Sketchbook Mobile Express.
 
Now remember the reason we are talking about this is because if you own any Autodesk Suite product you have Sketchbook Designer 2013. Now Click here to find out more about it and Use it.

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist


Gaurav is a well rounded Application Engineer and Project Manager for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 15 years experience in construction industry and has been helping numerous small, medium and ENR 500 firms maximize their CAD investment for the last ten years. Gaurav is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He has taught at several conferences, CAD Camps and Autodesk University. He has taught AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Land Desktop and Map 3D to thousands of students and helps Ideate develop the Infrastructure Services curriculum and courses. With his extensive CAD technology background he helps Bay Area engineering and surveying firms analyze and improve their design and drawing production process thereby improving productivity and the bottom line. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Bitonal Images in AutoCAD 2013

Many of our customers, especially those using Civil 3D, use bitonal images in their AutoCAD drawing. In a recent support case submitted to Ideate, Inc. these images were not appearing correctly in 2013. The foreground and background are reversed, effectively displaying the image in reverse. This has been identified as a bug by Autodesk, and is, as of the writing of this post, not resolved. It can cause a large headache for our customers so we wanted to alert those that we could to the issue before you decide to upgrade your files to 2013.

It affects only images in the bitmap format (.bmp). It will affect both existing images and any newly inserted images.

The current workarounds are to:

• Use an image format of ‘tagged image file format’ (.tif) or ‘portable network graphics’ (.png).
• Use the Raster Design software to inverse the image (command IINVERT).
• Use an image editor to invert the bitmap image.

The third option may cause additional work if the bug is resolved as they will then reverse again.

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Jesika DiGregorio
Ideate Technical Support Specialist
Jesika received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon where she worked on construction of a student-designed structure. Her work experience includes Junior Designer at an award-winning firm specializing in architecture and land planning, and Intern Architect at a firm that provides services in planning, design, construction documents and construction administration for projects of all sizes. Jesika provides online and phone technical support to Ideate clients from the Ideate Authorized Training Center in Portland, Oregon.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

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 weeks:

8.23::San Francisco
AutoCAD Update
8.27-29::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
8.28-30::Portland
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
8.28-30::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

8.6-8::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals
8.8-10::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
8.13-15::San Francisco
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now!

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 weeks:

7.25-27::Portland
AutoCAD Fundamentals
7.30-8.1::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
7.31-8.2::Seattle
AutoCAD Fundamentals
8.1-8.2::Seattle
3ds Max Design for Architects
8.6-8::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals

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