Happy New Year from Between the Lines and Cascade Technology Consulting! As we usher in 2025, I want to take a moment to thank my amazing clients who helped make 2024 such a fulfilling year. Your trust and collaboration have been instrumental in driving meaningful transformations, and I am excited to continue our partnerships as we move into this new year. Read more →

Having been both a customer and user of Autodesk products, and as a member of product teams, I’ve had the unique experience of seeing things from both perspectives. I’ve been the voice of the customer, advocating for their needs, interpreting their sentiment, and translating real-world use cases into product strategy. Whether you’re a startup or scaling up, here are some lessons that might help you focus on what really matters. Read more →

Computer-aided design remains one of the indistinguishable tools in mechanical and industrial design. Well, Windows has always been on pole position as far as computer-aided design is concerned because of its comprehensive computer-aided design packages. Mac users are therefore left with few native applications to choose from. The tides, however, are changing. Driven by increasingly powerful Mac hardware, developers are bringing professional-grade CAD solutions to the Mac operating system. Two of those leading the charge include Shapr3D and Autodesk Fusion 360. This blog post will briefly explore these two native CAD solutions for Macs, showcasing their features and capabilities and how they will increasingly change the design workflow for professionals and amateurs alike. Read more →

If you're an AUGI member who attended #AUGICON24, you should have received an email this morning containing instructions on how to access the video replays of our AUGICON 2024 event. You'll also be joining our new AUGI Community Platform! Not... Read more →

A few years ago in 2015, I wrote on this blog about the changing of the carpet design in the Portland Oregon International Airport. PDX Carpet Designs in AutoCAD DWG The new design was confusing and not iconic and fun like the classic design. Wikipedia on the PDX carpet design Well, roll forward to 2024 and they have finally heard my complaint, or the many others and are now returning to installing the old classic design carpet.The classic design was based on the airport’s North and South runways as seen by air traffic controllers at night in a nerdy artistic way. Read more →

In 1-hour, AUGI CON24 Day 2 begins with a fantastic lineup of speakers, including special guest Shaun C Bryant! I will be leading an 8-person AEC Software Industry panel later in the day and there are many great live sessions... Read more →

Mentoring is a powerful tool for professional growth and development, especially in the fast-paced and ever-evolving fields of design and technology. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting, having a mentor can provide invaluable guidance, support, and insights to grow and prosper as a person and in your career. Read more →

Esri and Autodesk have formed a strategic alliance to integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Read more →

I’m leading a panel on AEC Industry Software at AUGI CON 2024 on the 2nd day. This 90-minute panel is not aimed at marketing or sales pitches, nor will it be a debate. Instead, it is designed to be an informative and engaging 90-minute discussion that highlights various perspectives and experiences from industry experts and software developers. Our goal is to provide our live audience, primarily AEC software users, with valuable insights into the evolution of AEC software, its current challenges, innovative solutions, and a look into what the future holds.To ensure the session is as enriching and informative as possible, we are assembling a group of panelists (AEC Software, AEC Startups, and AEC Industry Experts) who can contribute unique viewpoints on these topics. Read more →

Digital transformation is sweeping through the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, bringing new technologies like building information modeling (BIM), reality capture, AI, XR, digital twins, generative design, cloud, automation, and data analytics. While these innovations offer exciting opportunities to boost... Read more →

SolidWorks 1995 marked the debut of SolidWorks as a computer-aided design (CAD) software. Being the first release, it laid the foundation for what would become a widely used tool in the engineering and design industries. Read more →

Explore how AI is revolutionizing architectural design, enhancing human creativity, and paving the way for sustainable, efficient buildings. Discover the challenges and potential of AI in architecture. Read more →

Explore the intersection of customer journeys and digital transformation in the AEC and manufacturing sectors. This blog post digs into how technologists, CAD, and BIM designers can enhance customer experiences and streamline processes through innovative digital strategies. Learn about integrating advanced technologies, customer-centric design, and the latest trends in CAD/BIM for improved project outcomes. Perfect for professionals in architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing looking to stay ahead in a digitally evolving landscape. Read more →

This Virtual Autodesk support assistant, offers tips, automation help, and coached training for Autodesk products. It uses content from the web and learnings abstracted from that to offer helpful info to trouble shoot issues or learn new skills for Autodesk products like AutoCAD, Fusion 360, and Revit. I also created several other assistants including one for SolidWorks and one to give love advice from a Dung Beetle named Lovebug. Read more →

What is Extended Reality (XR)? The advent of XR has been very helpful for many industries, including Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) and also Manufacturing. XR technology is revolutionizing the way we design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure, facilitating better communication, enhancing collaboration, inspection, and increasing overall productivity and efficiency. Read more →

Are you as excited about the latest tech trends as I am? One trend in the digital transformation of industries that's got me on the edge of my seat is Digital Twins. These virtual replicas can transform the way we work in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) world and the data we use to inform decisions and drive design. Let's dive in! Read more →

Is there still a future for flat two dimensional (2D) writing or drawings, yes. 2D drawings and written communication have been around since the beginning of time as evidenced on cave walls and papyrus. Today many use these flat 2D methods based on needs, medium, cost, and effort and will continue to rely on them, even in design using CAD (Computer Aided Design). CAD has dramatically changed the way we design and develop products, structures, and systems. CAD software today is more focused on 3D modeling, enabling engineers and designers to create three-dimensional representations of their ideas. However, amidst the dominance of 3D CAD, the question arises: Is there a future for 2D CAD? Read more →

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is one of the most rapidly evolving industries of the 21st century, and to me, it is feeling like the speed is accelerating. With the introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence), the industry is... Read more →

In the world of architecture and real estate development, the preliminary development and design process can be time-consuming, and costly. However, with the emergence of startups like Testfit.io, the game is changing. Read more →

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is no stranger to innovation, and disruption. We have seen new technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and 3D printing that have transformed the way we design and build. Now, Snaptrude, a relatively new AEC startup aims to further revolutionize the industry with its architectural design platform harnessing the power of intelligent automation and real-time visualization on the cloud. Read more →

The AEC Trend Nostradamus.. The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) design software and technology market has been rapidly evolving over the past two decades, with numerous trends shaping or morphing the industry. Here are some of the most significant trends... Read more →

The MFG Trend Nostradamus.. I have been deep dive researching in AEC and Manufacturing design software and the greater industry trends. Here is my overview of manufacturing design software trends. There are several trends in mechanical design software technologies that... Read more →

Join us for one or more of the sessions, bring your questions. Read more →

Last week we held 5 live events on the future roadmap of AEC products, and hundreds attended and asked their great questions using Slido. The annual event was to learn about highlights from recent releases, including Revit and the AEC Collection Ask product managers and experts about the future roadmap of the Autodesk AEC products. Thank you to all that participated and here are the recordings for those unable to attend. We will be posting a list of questions asked/answered very soon. Read more →

Just taking 15 minutes a day to go through Autodesk courses could make you far better prepared for your current role or advance yourskills for a new role. These curated courses cover Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Design and Manufacturing, Cross-Industry. Search over 500 available courses developed by the best in the industries. Read more →