AutoCAD WS - More Relevant than the Screaming Trees?

Secrets out... I heart AutoCAD. 


I grew up with it. I have used it since the 1900's. I do worry sometimes because I also love long haired, flannel wearing grunge bands. What is going to keep AutoCAD more relevant than the Screaming Trees? Let's face it, not a lot has happened with "move", "copy", and "rotate" since they were introduced.


The gamer changer for me is AutoCAD WS. AutoCAD takes a monumental step into the future with WS. What is kind of spooky is that it is obvious now that we need it, yet I did not think of it first. A system to share and access work through and with the internet. It opens so many ridculous opportunities and solves so many issues. It honestly reminds me of the introduction of email, iPods, and text messaging. We will never be able to go back once we cross this threshold.

I am going to be blogging about my adventures using AutoCAD WS for the next couple of months. Focusing on what is possible, how to do it, and what might be next.


But first, what does WS stand for. My ultra secret contact at Autodesk (code name "A.S." you know who you are) informs me it "officially stands for nothing". If that were the case, I am pretty sure it would be called AutoCAD N. So what does is stand for? here are some guesses...

• Wicked Sik
• Want to Share
• Well Shoot...
• What's the Story?
• Who's Sheet?
• Window Salad

It's harder than you think OK. If you can do better, post up a comment for me.


By the way the Screaming Trees are still Awesome and Relevant!

AU 2011 Classes Now Available Online

If you went in person or just virtually, you can now virtually relive the event or check out the classes you missed.

• AU Virtual classes are available to all AU members.
• AU 2011 Las Vegas attendees, Autodesk Subscription customers, and Autodesk employees with an Autodesk email address can access all class recordings and class materials from AU 2011 Las Vegas.
• AU members who did not attend AU 2011 Las Vegas can access class handouts, datasets, and other class documents, but not class recordings.
• Class recordings and class materials from AU 2009 and 2010 are available to all AU members

If you meet the requirements... go check it out.

AutoCAD WS is on Fire

Gosh, I hope I am the first to use that pun.

Autodesk just announced that AutoCAD WS is now also available for Kindle Fire through the Amazon App Store, allowing users to take designs with them anywhere. Use the Kindle Fire to view drawings, edit them and share them with colleagues. Also, you look really cool and less fortunate geeks will be jealous.

Ask Santa for a Kindle Fire and then download the app.

Final Thoughts on Autodesk University 2011

I am already missing all my AU friends old and new. I am not missing the sound of slot machines. Especially the one that yells out "Wheel! Of! Fortune!" at the airport. Tom and Brian from Virginia agree.

Other ways to know you are in Las Vegas.... Well you see a giant ad like this one in the airport!

I have to admit that I am still a little curious about what a "grease gun" is.

All that being said, mark you calendars, the place and time is set for next year.

Last Day of AU

Well, a lot of really cool things happened to me at Autodesk University this year.

I saw Lynn Allen. She turned and went the other way before I could say something stupid like "duh... I like AutoCAD too!" Thanks for that Lynn.

Santa Claus was looking at using Autodesk Inventor to crank up toy production. I am happy to report that only I am on the naughty list. My kids need only hold it together for a few more weeks in order to stay on the Nice list.

I ran into Kate Morrical author of LT Unlimited and said "Duh... I like AutoCAD LT too!" She was very nice and let me get a picture before enforcing that restraining order.

Lastly, a co-worker and I decided to go for broke and take the Revit Architecture Certification exams today.

I am proud to announce that we are both Revit Architecture 2012 Certified Professionals. Here is a picture of Andrea nailing it.

With all that, I have one more class, a nice meal, a short sleep and a plane ride home tomorrow. 


Next year, you come too and will get that picture with Lynn Allen.