AU 2016 Registration Opens Aug. 17th – Here Are Some Class Options

The registration for this year’s University is set to open on August 17th, and when it does you will have a ton of classes to choose from in all sorts of disciplines and software. I thought I would help out with the selection process by suggesting a few classes from this year’s course catalog.

Listed below are the 4 sessions that I will be delivering at AU, take a look and see if there is a session or two for you.

AR16178: Dynamo – Everyone’s doing it,  Tuesday, Nov. 15^th 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

This session is not for people who are heavy Dynamo software users. This session is for people who aren’t programmers (visual or other), but from time to time may need to use Dynamo as part of their workflows. It’s also for people who have heard of Dynamo, or visual programming, but never thought it was something they could do (but it totally is!). It’s also for those who just don’t think Dynamo can help them in their everyday workflows (don’t be so sure). By the end of this session, you will have an introductory understanding of Dynamo. You will learn that Dynamo can be used to create geometry with parametric relationships and that this geometry can then be pushed into a Revit software project or family using the Revit software database. You will learn that Dynamo can do more than just geometry. It can also help with everyday tasks like creating grids and levels, adding some trees to your site, performing an energy analysis, or even changing your text from sentence case to all CAPS. This session features Revit and Dynamo Studio.

AR16698-L: Revit + FormIt 360 + Dynamo Studio = AWESOME! (Hands-on), Wednesday, Nov. 16^th 8:00 am – 9:30 am

This lab session will focus on some of the newer features of FormIt 360 mobile and web app, as well as tips and tricks to help with your Revit software and FormIt 360 workflow. With FormIt 360, you can create conceptual designs and massing studies right on your iPad, Android tablet, and phone (if you are daring), and on any computer with a web browser, or you can use FormIt 360 for Windows. You will learn tips and tricks to help with this design process, using some similar commands and processes you may already use in Revit software. This session will also look at what the cool and useful FormIt 360 Pro features enable, like real-time team collaboration on a design, whole-building energy analysis, and solar analysis. We will also explore the new Dynamo Studio software workflow within FormIt 360 for Windows. And we will spend some time focusing on taking your project from conceptual design all the way to construction documents with these 2 connected products (Revit software and FormIt 360 mobile and web app) without having to leave the .RVT file format. This session features Revit and Dynamo Studio.

DP16577-R: Technical training for Revit – Roundtable Discussion, Wednesday, Nov. 16^th 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

This session will be an interactive roundtable discussion about tips, tricks, and user experiences with technical training for Revit building design software. These tips, tricks, and experiences will be suggested by the attendees and presenter alike, but will then be discussed and perhaps debated by all, with the end goal of an improved process at the close of the discussion. We will add all of the content collected during the session to the handout and share it with all attendees after the session has concluded. All topics are fair game as long as they pertain to Revit software and the training of Revit software. See some examples of topics in the learning objectives below. This session features Revit.

DP23758-R: Technical training for Revit – Roundtable Discussion (Repeat), Wednesday, Nov. 16^th 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

This session will be an interactive roundtable discussion about tips, tricks, and user experiences with technical training for Revit building design software. These tips, tricks, and experiences will be suggested by the attendees and presenter alike, but will then be discussed and perhaps debated by all, with the end goal of an improved process at the close of the discussion. We will add all of the content collected during the session to the handout and share it with all attendees after the session has concluded. All topics are fair game as long as they pertain to Revit software and the training of Revit software. See some examples of topics in the learning objectives below. This session features Revit.

AR16258: BIM as a Business vs. BIM as a Process, Thursday, Nov. 17^th, 1:00pm – 2:00 pm

During this roundtable, we will try to come up with definitions for both Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a business and BIM as a process. What goes into both philosophies, and how do they differ? Are there benefits to any particular sector of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry regarding ways of thinking? And, finally, is there a realistic way to have both different philosophies coexist? As a starting point, and only a starting point, here are 2 high-level definitions to help you pick your side in this debate. BIM as a business is focused on the big picture, driven by the return on investment (ROI) of BIM, always looking to jump on board with the latest and great technologies, and concerned with what’s best for the firm first, BIM second. BIM as a process is focused on the process of day-to-day production, on the improvement of ROI by refined and standardized processes, and on using the best technology available that has been tested and proven to increase production—and the needs of BIM are seen as equal to the needs of the firm.

Now if you don’t see anything that tickles your fancy in my 4 sessions, then maybe you will in one of these sessions below will be more your speed.

 

ES17317 – High-Tech Structural Engineering: Using New Technologies to Enhance Your Workflows, Tuesday, Nov 15, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

• Marcello Sgambelluri – Structural Engineer/Technician, JAMA

There are so many new technologies out there in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Which ones should your structural firm know? Which ones should you adopt into your office workflow? Which ones should you share with your clients? Join us as we go through a sample structural workflow using the latest technologies to solve issues along the way. We will take you from conceptual design, through documentation, through collaboration, and finally through CA—while taking advantage of Dynamo software, adaptive components, and advanced Revit software structural modeling and analysis. We will also show you how to use some of the latest game engine technology for presentations, quality control, and immersive design collaboration. Hold on tight—this is going to be a fast ride through the workflow of the structural engineer of the future. This session features Revit Structure

• Kimberly Fuhrman – BIM Manager, LSC Design, Inc.
• Dennis Mcneal – BIM Manager, AECOM

It’s early in the design process. Wouldn’t it be great if there was something that evaluated the benefit of adding insulation, the impact of installing heftier glazing, or the increased efficiency in rotating your building 10 degrees? Architects don’t want to get into energy “modeling.” That’s not their gig. Let’s leave that to the MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) professionals. Early energy analysis is the way to go, and tools within Revit software are available to help guide the process. In this session, we will investigate the tools available, including Insight 360 software, and the benefits of running energy analysis early in project design. We’ll discuss the fine line between energy “modeling” and energy “analysis,” as well as workflow implementation and documentation. This session features Revit.

• Jarod Schultz – Design Technology Director, initial.aec

Hitting a brick wall at your firm trying to get people to start using FormIt 360 software instead of the “other” design tool? We will look at strategies to help you win this battle. You will learn how to use Revit software add-ins to establish a library, how to best handle design changes between FormIt 360 software and Revit software, and how to take advantage of Insight 360 software to flush out the best facade design while hitting energy targets. This session features FormIt 360 and Revit.

• Brendan Nichols – Senior Virtual Building Engineer, The Beck Group

We’ve all seen the Dynamo extension used for twisting dramatic towers, and we’ve even seen it used to recreate some of our favorite Star Wars characters. But if you’re a general contractor or work in the construction industry, you may be wondering if Dynamo can do anything for you. In this class, we will demonstrate real construction problems that were solved with the Dynamo extension. You will see demonstrations analyzing slab flatness, cut-and-fill volume calculation, and installation simulation. With the skills and examples taught in this class, you will learn ways that Dynamo could be a game changer for your business too. This session features Dynamo Studio and Revit.

• Marcello Sgambelluri – Structural Engineer/Technician, JAMA

Have you ever built a family in Revit software and needed to create rotation and dimensional parameters because there were multiple moving parts? This class will show you how to create parameters within the Revit software massing, adaptive component, and traditional Family Editors so your families can move. Forget what you’ve learned about how to apply rotation and dimensional parameters to Revit software families. This lecture will show new and exciting methods that could be applied to most Revit software families and is intended to be Part 2 to the class titled “Families in Motion” in previous years at Autodesk University. The class is sure to be fun, exciting, and fresh. This session features Revit.

• Mike Engel – Designer, ESG

In architecture, technology and computers provide ways for us to produce and share design documentation. Until now, the profession has divided our work processes into a discovery phase with hand sketching and a production phase where the sketches are developed into computer-aided illustrations. Architectural design is currently experiencing a shift wherein there is an integration of hand sketching and technology into a single process. This course will demonstrate the ways in which computers can help us sketch and iterate our ideas, and how we can redefine sketching to include all drawing, direct modeling, and computational studies. “When I say artist I mean the man who is building things—creating molding the earth—whether it be the plains of the west—or the iron ore of Penn. It’s all a big game of construction—some with a brush—some with a shovel—some choose a pen”—Jackson Pollock. This session features FormIt 360, Dynamo Studio, and Revit.

• Brian Mackey – Owner, BD Mackey Consulting

Understanding railings in Revit software is difficult to begin with, but creating custom handrails is an additional challenge. Often the various railing components available, and the traditional methods to combine the components into a railing, are not adequate for the creation of desired handrails. For this reason, creating work-arounds, or hacks, is necessary to achieve the desired look. In this session, we will discuss some options regarding how to customize handrails and how they are created. This session will share several nontraditional procedures that you can use in projects to create customized handrails—be sure to be ready to share your hacks too! This session isn’t going to show handrails as trains, canopies, or anything else. It will show how to use the tools we have to make them meet our requirements. In the prerequisite session to this one, “Rationalizing Revit Railings,” we will discuss all the intricate facets and nested components that compose railings. This session features Revit.

• Kimberly Fuhrman – BIM Manager, LSC Design, Inc.

FormIt 360 software is a fairly new player to the Autodesk, Inc., field. FormIt 360 is a powerful design-visualization and simulation software that parties nicely with Revit software. Its mobile application and cloud storage make it easy for users to modify designs, whether they’re in the office or on the go. In this session, we will show you how to develop and use a FormIt 360 model for analysis. We will discover how FormIt 360 building models interact with Revit software and its materials. FormIt 360 software’s applications within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) realm, along with its built-in energy analysis functions, are sure to become much-used design tools. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll win over some other “sketchy” application users! You’ll want to RSVP to this design party! This session features FormIt 360 and Revit.

• Desiree Mackey – Structural Engineer, BIM Manager, Martin/Martin

The Dynamo extension is exciting, and the examples of its capabilities are awe inspiring, but are they practical in a real-world structural workflow? When an engineer creates a Dynamo script that resembles a bowl of spaghetti but will create some elaborate structure, is that practical and useful on a daily basis? While the farfetched and futuristic capabilities are exciting for probably 1% of projects, are they applicable to the other 99%? This session will focus on the other 99%. Due to the perception that it is only good for the crazy stuff, many structural engineers have not explored the Dynamo extension. Instead of ignoring a fantastic technology, engineers should learn ways to utilize Dynamo. This roundtable will offer an environment for structural engineers to share ideas for utilizing Dynamo to create innovative solutions to real-world, everyday problems. Note: This roundtable was created with structural engineers in mind, but all disciplines are welcome to come share practical applications of Dynamo extension. This session features Dynamo Studio, Revit, and Revit Structure.

Now you have a few ideas of sessions you can pick, head over to the AU website and get registered.

Hope to see you all there!

P.S. If you need some help convincing your boss to let you go to AU, check out this link from the AU website.

CONVINCE YOUR BOSS

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