Exploring AI in Architectural Design
I gave Illoca's Plamo three photos of my house and a one-sentence prompt. Here's what the AI architectural modeler got right, what it got wrong, and why it feels like a smart SketchUp.
Between the Lines Blog
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
Between the Lines Blog
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
Read MoreExploring AI in Architectural Design
The Autodesk Release History and Codename List Is Updated Through 2027
I updated my AutoCAD Release History and Autodesk Product Codenames page, covering versions from AutoCAD 1.0 in 1982 to 2027. The new entries include AutoCAD 2027 with the codename Xenon. Notably, the Civil 3D 2027 codename remains unconfirmed, while AutoCAD 2027 continues using the AC1032 DWG format.
AU 2026 Las Vegas Thrive Guide – Part 2
Shaan will be in Las Vegas from September 13 to 20 for Autodesk University 2026, highlighting events and attractions beyond the conference. Key activities include his session on AI's impact on CAD management, immersive experiences at The Sphere, concerts by The Eagles and iHeartRadio Music Festival, as well as immersive art and outdoor activities.
The Habit That Breaks Civil 3D at Year 15
The post discusses common mistakes that beginners make when using Civil 3D, emphasizing that many experienced users continue to repeat these errors due to outdated habits from treating the software as a drawing tool rather than a modeling tool. It suggests that beginners have an advantage, as they haven't developed these incorrect practices yet. Establishing effective checkpoints can help users recognize and correct their mistakes, ultimately fostering better modeling habits.
Two Birthdays Today – Coho 5 and BTL Blog 23
Two milestones, one stubborn habit: I still write because figuring things out—and saving time—still wins the day, even as software fades and treats fall.
Testing Autodesk Assistant in Civil 3D 2027.1: Drawing Health, DREFs, XREFs, and the Future of Proactive CAD QA and Help
The content discusses the Autodesk Civil 3D 2027.1 update, highlighting the improved AI-driven Assistant in Tech Preview mode. The Assistant helps users identify complex reference issues in Civil 3D drawings, but still requires explicit prompting and verification. Importantly, it moves towards proactive monitoring of drawing health, enhancing workflow efficiency for CAD managers.
2D CAD Is the Swiss Army Knife of Design Communication
Jon Peddie Research puts the 2D CAD market at about 5.4 billion dollars in 2025 and calls it structurally strong. I am not in the 2D camp or the 3D camp. Both have real jobs, and the interesting problem is the handoff between them.
What’s New in Autodesk Civil 3D 2027.1: Essential Features & Fixes
Autodesk released the Civil 3D 2027.1 Update on August 4, 2026, featuring a 2.44 GB download with enhancements in drainage design, Data Shortcut management, and the API. Key improvements include a new DREF tab for better reference management and expanded drainage tools. The update aims to simplify troubleshooting and improve user control in project management.
Attend my Autodesk University 2026 Session and Braindates
The session "The Stack Inversion is Real" addresses the evolving role of CAD managers, highlighting how AI transforms workflows. It emphasizes that traditional CAD knowledge is less critical, while decision-making responsibilities grow. The speaker invites participants to discuss crash data and reference loops, fostering a collaborative environment to improve CAD management.
Doh! NVIDIA Driver Leaves acad.exe Running After Close
On Sunday morning, I debugged acad.exe lingering in Task Manager post-shutdown, linked to an NVIDIA driver. Disabling hardware acceleration in AutoCAD/Civil 3D resolved the issue. A clean installation of the driver also fixed the problem, which I confirmed through a newly found knowledge base article on the matter.