Understanding Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage: Integration with CAD Software and Data Management Solutions

August 16, 2024

| Autodesk 360, Autodesk 360 Products, Autodesk Platform Services, Autodesk Products, CAD/CAM, CAM, Collaboration, Data Management, Data Management for Manufacturing, Fusion 360, Upchain, Vault, Vault

Understanding Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage: Integration with CAD Software and Data Management Solutions

Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage is a robust cloud-based Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency across various design and engineering processes. By integrating seamlessly with Autodesk’s suite of CAD software—including Fusion 360, Inventor, and AutoCAD—Fusion 360 Manage provides a comprehensive solution for managing product data and workflows. Additionally, it connects with data management solutions like Autodesk Vault, Upchain, and Prodsmart, creating a cohesive ecosystem that streamlines product development.

This blog post delves into the intricacies of Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage, its integration capabilities, and the benefits these integrations offer.

What is Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage?

Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage is a cloud-based PLM solution that connects people, processes, and data throughout the product life cycle. It offers a wide range of functionalities, including:

Project Management: Fusion 360 Manage allows teams to plan, execute, and monitor projects effectively. Users can create tasks, assign resources, and track progress in real-time, ensuring that projects stay on schedule.
Change Management: The platform provides tools to manage engineering changes, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and changes are documented and approved systematically.
Bill of Materials (BOM) Management: Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage allows users to create, manage, and track BOMs, ensuring that all components are accounted for throughout the product life cycle.
Collaboration Tools: With built-in collaboration features, teams can share information, communicate effectively, and work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.

By providing a centralised platform for collaboration and data management, Fusion 360 Manage enables teams to work together efficiently, leading to faster product development cycles and improved quality.

Integration with CAD Software

1. Fusion 360

The integration of Fusion 360 with Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage is one of the most significant advantages of the platform. Fusion 360 is a powerful 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool that allows users to design, simulate, and manufacture products. The integration provides several key benefits:

- Real-Time Collaboration: Users can manage design data directly within the PLM environment, facilitating real-time collaboration on design changes. This ensures all stakeholders can access the latest information, reducing the risk of errors and miscommunication.
- Design Iteration Tracking: Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage allows teams to track design iterations effectively. Users can see the history of changes made to designs, making it easier to revert to previous versions if needed.
- Centralised Data Management: All design data, including models, drawings, and simulations, can be stored and managed within Fusion 360 Manage. This centralisation simplifies data retrieval and ensures that everyone is working with the most current information.

2. Inventor

For users of Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage provides powerful tools to manage complex assemblies and parts. The integration between Inventor and Fusion 360 Manage offers:

- Enhanced Control Over Assemblies: Users can manage large-scale projects with confidence, knowing that they have a clear overview of the design hierarchy and dependencies. This visibility helps teams coordinate their efforts and avoid conflicts.
- Revision Management: Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage allows users to manage revisions and changes to Inventor files systematically. This ensures that all changes are documented and approved, reducing the risk of errors in the final product.
- Seamless Data Exchange: The integration enables seamless data exchange between Inventor and Fusion 360 Manage, ensuring that design data is always up-to-date and accessible to all team members.

3. AutoCAD

AutoCAD is one of the most widely used CAD software applications, particularly for 2D design and drafting. The integration of AutoCAD with Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage provides several advantages:

- Document Management: AutoCAD users can manage drawings and related documents within the PLM framework. This ensures that all design data, including 2D drawings, specifications, and supporting documents, are organised and accessible from a single location.
- Version Control: Fusion 360 Manage offers robust version control features, allowing users to track changes to AutoCAD files and ensure everyone is working with the latest version.
- Collaboration on Designs: The integration facilitates collaboration among team members working on AutoCAD designs, enabling them to share feedback and make changes in real-time.

Integration with Autodesk Vault

Autodesk Vault is a data management solution that ensures secure storage, version control, and tracking of design data. Although there is no native integration between Vault and Fusion 360 Manage, third-party tools like CoolOrange PowerPLM bridge this gap effectively, enabling organisations to leverage the strengths of both platforms.

How CoolOrange PowerPLM Works

PowerPLM allows for seamless data exchange and process synchronisation between Vault and Fusion 360 Manage. It acts as a bridge, enabling the transfer of data and workflows between the two systems. Key functionalities of PowerPLM include:

- Item and Process Transfers: PowerPLM automates the transfer of items and processes between Vault and Fusion 360 Manage, ensuring that data is accurately and efficiently transferred between the two platforms. This enhances data integrity and collaboration by eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors.
- Sample Workflows: PowerPLM provides predefined workflows that can be customised to suit specific organisational needs. For example, it can automatically create items in Fusion 360 Manage when items in Vault change states or synchronise Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) between both systems. This ensures that design changes are reflected across platforms, maintaining consistency and accuracy throughout the product development process.
- Bidirectional Synchronisation: The tool enables bidirectional synchronisation between Vault and Fusion 360 Manage. This means that changes made in one system can be automatically reflected in the other, keeping both platforms up-to-date and reducing the risk of data discrepancies.

Benefits of Integrating Vault with Fusion 360 Manage

The integration of Autodesk Vault with Fusion 360 Manage through PowerPLM provides numerous benefits:

- Improved Data Integrity: By automating data transfers and synchronisation, organisations can maintain high data integrity, ensuring that all stakeholders are working with accurate and up-to-date information.
- Streamlined Workflows: The integration simplifies workflows by reducing the need for manual data entry and minimising the risk of errors. Teams can focus on their core tasks rather than spending time on administrative duties.
- Enhanced Collaboration: With all design data accessible from both Vault and Fusion 360 Manage, teams can collaborate more effectively, leading to improved communication and faster decision-making.

Integration with Upchain and Prodsmart

While specific details on the integration of Fusion 360 Manage with Upchain and Prodsmart were not highlighted in the search results, both platforms are known for enhancing collaboration and data management in product development.

Upchain

Upchain is a cloud-based PLM solution that connects teams and data across the supply chain. Its integration with Fusion 360 Manage would likely facilitate better visibility and control over product data, enabling teams to collaborate more effectively and make informed decisions throughout the product life cycle. Key features of Upchain include:

- Centralised Data Repository: Upchain provides a centralised repository for all product data, making it easy for teams to access the information they need when they need it.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Teams can collaborate in real-time, sharing feedback and making changes to designs quickly. This agility is crucial in today’s fast-paced product development environment.
- Enhanced Visibility: Upchain offers tools for tracking project progress and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), providing teams with insights into their workflows and helping them identify areas for improvement.

Prodsmart

Prodsmart is a manufacturing execution system (MES) that provides insights into production processes. Integrating Fusion 360 Manage with Prodsmart can improve efficiency and data-driven decision-making throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Key benefits of this integration include:

- Real-Time Production Data: By connecting design data from Fusion 360 Manage with real-time production data from Prodsmart, organisations can optimise their manufacturing processes and identify bottlenecks.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The integration allows teams to make informed decisions based on real-time data, improving productivity and quality.
- Streamlined Manufacturing Processes: By aligning design and manufacturing data, organisations can streamline their processes, reducing lead times and improving overall efficiency.

The Importance of Integration in Product Development

The integration of Fusion 360 Manage with various CAD software and data management solutions is crucial for modern product development. Here are some reasons why these integrations are essential:

1. Enhanced Collaboration

In today’s globalised world, teams often work across different locations and time zones. Integrating PLM with CAD software and data management solutions enables real-time collaboration, ensuring that all stakeholders can access the latest information and contribute to the project regardless of their location. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and accelerates product development.

2. Improved Data Management

Managing product data effectively is critical for successful product development. Integrating Fusion 360 Manage with tools like Autodesk Vault, Upchain, and Prodsmart ensures that all data is organised, accessible, and up-to-date. This reduces the risk of errors, minimises data silos, and enhances overall data integrity.

3. Streamlined Workflows

Integrations help streamline workflows by automating data transfers and synchronising processes. This reduces the need for manual data entry and minimises the risk of errors, allowing teams to focus on their core tasks and improving overall efficiency.

4. Better Decision-Making

Access to accurate and up-to-date data is essential for informed decision-making. By integrating various systems, organisations can ensure decision-makers have access to the information they need to make timely and effective decisions, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.

Ready to Transform Your Product Development Process?

Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage is a powerful PLM solution that offers seamless integration with Autodesk’s suite of CAD software and data management solutions. By connecting with tools like Fusion 360, Inventor, AutoCAD, Vault, Upchain, and Prodsmart, Fusion 360 Manage provides a comprehensive platform for managing product lifecycles and optimising product development processes. These integrations enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve data integrity, enabling organisations to bring products to market faster and with greater success.

For design professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve, understanding and leveraging these integrations is crucial. By adopting a fully integrated approach to product development, organisations can achieve new levels of efficiency and innovation, setting themselves apart in today’s competitive market.

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AutoCAD vs. Autodesk Advance Steel: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Design Needs

July 12, 2024

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| Advance Steel, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Products

AutoCAD vs. Autodesk Advance Steel: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Design Needs

Imagine you’ve just spent hours meticulously designing a product in AutoCAD, only to realise there might be a more efficient tool for your specific needs. You’re not alone. With the ever-evolving landscape of computer-aided design (CAD) software, many professionals find themselves at a crossroads, wondering if they’re using the optimal solution for their projects.

Enter the AutoCAD vs. Autodesk Advance Steel debate. These two Autodesk powerhouses each bring unique strengths to the table, but which one is right for you? Whether you’re an architect sketching the next skyline-defining structure or a steel fabricator planning intricate industrial components, choosing the right CAD software can dramatically impact your workflow and output.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of AutoCAD and Autodesk Advance Steel, comparing their features, applications, and market positions. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which tool aligns best with your design needs, potentially saving you countless hours and resources in the long run. So, are you ready to optimise your CAD experience? Let’s get started.

Understanding the Basics

AutoCAD is renowned for its versatility, catering to a broad user base that includes architects, engineers, drafters, and designers across diverse industries such as construction, manufacturing, and product design. It offers robust 2D and 3D CAD capabilities, making it a go-to solution for professionals who require flexibility in their design work and need to create detailed technical drawings across different disciplines. AutoCAD’s general-purpose nature allows it to be used for a wide range of applications, from architectural blueprints to mechanical parts design, making it an essential tool for many design professionals.

Autodesk Advance Steel is a specialised software designed for structural engineers, steel detailers, and fabricators working on steel construction projects. It excels in creating detailed 3D models of steel structures, generating fabrication drawings, and producing bills of materials with high efficiency. The software’s automated features and steel-specific tools significantly reduce design time, making it invaluable for large-scale steel fabrication projects. By focusing on the specific needs of steel fabrication, Advance Steel offers features that streamline workflows and improve accuracy, ensuring that steel projects are completed efficiently and to exact standards.

Key Differences Between AutoCAD and Autodesk Advance Steel

1. Purpose and Specialisation

AutoCAD is a general-purpose 2D and 3D CAD software used across various industries for drafting and modelling. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from architectural design to engineering and product development. In contrast, Autodesk Advance Steel is a specialised software designed specifically for steel fabrication, detailing, and structural engineering. This specialisation allows Advance Steel to provide tools and features tailored to the needs of steel professionals, ensuring that projects are completed with precision and efficiency.

2. Modelling Capabilities

AutoCAD offers both 2D and 3D drafting and modelling tools, making it a versatile choice for professionals in various fields. It can handle everything from simple sketches to complex 3D models, providing flexibility for different design needs. Advance Steel, however, is purpose-built for 3D modelling of steel structures and components. It adheres to global steel standards, ensuring designs meet industry requirements. This focus on steel modelling allows Advance Steel to provide more accurate and efficient tools for creating detailed steel structures.

3. Automation and Efficiency

While AutoCAD provides some automation features, much of the drawing and detailing work is done manually, which can be time-consuming for large projects. Advance Steel, on the other hand, offers extensive automation specifically for steel fabrication. It can automatically produce detailed fabrication drawings in minutes, significantly reducing project timelines from weeks to days. The software includes a library of common connections and allows users to save custom connections for future use, enhancing efficiency and consistency across projects.

4. Drawing Production

In AutoCAD, most drawings and details are created manually, which can be labour-intensive and prone to errors. Advance Steel utilises purpose-built templates for creating drawings, tailored for steel fabrication. These templates account for different styles, processes, and views, streamlining the drawing process and ensuring consistency. Users can modify these templates to match their company standards, enhancing the software’s adaptability and efficiency.

5. Ease of Use for Steel Work

Advance Steel simplifies steel modelling with user-friendly features. Basic steel modelling is as straightforward as drawing lines in AutoCAD, with the added benefit of automated setup of layers and organisation of elements. This ease of use maximises efficiency in steel detailing, allowing users to focus on design rather than software intricacies. AutoCAD, while versatile, may require more manual setup and management, making it less efficient for steel-specific tasks compared to Advance Steel.

6. Integration and Workflow

Both AutoCAD and Advance Steel can be used in conjunction, but they follow different workflows. Models created in Autodesk Advance Steel can be exported and imported into AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor for further work in mixed design environments. This integration allows for seamless collaboration between different software, enhancing workflow efficiency and ensuring that all aspects of a project are covered. AutoCAD’s general-purpose nature makes it adaptable to various workflows, but Advance Steel’s specialised features offer a more streamlined process for steel projects.

7. Learning Curve

AutoCAD, with its broad application scope, may require more time to master all its features. Its versatility means that users must familiarise themselves with a wide range of tools and capabilities. Advance Steel, being more specialised, can be learned more quickly for steel-specific work. Some users report being able to handle significant projects after just a few days of training, thanks to the software’s focused feature set and user-friendly design.

8. Document Management

Advance Steel offers more integrated document management for steel projects. Changes made to parts can be quickly updated in parts lists using the “Force Update” option, ensuring that all project documentation is accurate and up to date. This level of integration simplifies project management and reduces the risk of errors. AutoCAD, while offering robust documentation capabilities, may require more manual updates and management, making it less efficient for complex steel projects.

Practical Applications and User Scenarios

AutoCAD’s versatility makes it an ideal choice for professionals who work on diverse projects across multiple industries. Whether you are an architect designing residential buildings, an engineer drafting mechanical parts, or a product designer creating prototypes, AutoCAD provides the flexibility and comprehensive toolset needed for a wide range of applications. Its general-purpose capabilities make it an invaluable asset for any professional who requires a reliable and adaptable CAD solution.

Advance Steel is the go-to solution for professionals focused on steel fabrication and structural engineering. Its specialised tools and efficiency are unmatched for those involved in large-scale steel construction projects. Structural engineers, steel detailers, and fabricators benefit from its ability to create detailed 3D models, generate fabrication drawings quickly, and produce accurate bills of materials. Companies that require interoperability with other Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and need to conform to global steel standards will find Advance Steel particularly beneficial.

AutoCAD or Autodesk Advance Steel, Make the Right Choice For Your Needs

Choosing between AutoCAD and Advance Steel ultimately depends on your specific needs and the nature of your projects. Both AutoCAD and Advance Steel are powerful tools within the Autodesk suite, each designed to cater to distinct professional needs. By understanding their unique capabilities and how they align with your project requirements, you can make an informed decision that enhances your design process and overall productivity.

That said, if you’re involved in large-scale steel construction, our recommendation is Autodesk Advance Steel, as its specialised tools can drastically reduce design time and improve workflow efficiency.

If you want to learn more about Autodesk Advance Steel and Autodesk’s other fabrication tools, click here.

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New Features in IMAGINiT Clarity 2025 That Revolutionise AutoCAD and Revit Automation

June 25, 2024

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Plant Design Suite, Utilities

New Features in IMAGINiT Clarity 2025 That Revolutionise AutoCAD and Revit Automation

IMAGINiT recently hosted a webinar to introduce the new features in their Clarity 2025 product. This webinar covered a range of updates designed to enhance the functionality, usability, and stability of Clarity 2025, with a focus on revolutionising AutoCAD and Revit automation.

Here’s an overview of the key highlights and improvements.

IMAGINiT Clarity Product Updates

IMAGINiT Clarity has a long history of bi-annual releases. Each spring, the focus is on supporting the latest versions of Autodesk software, and each fall brings additional feature updates to enhance the product’s capabilities. The latest Clarity 2025 release continues this tradition, providing a host of new features and improvements.

Caption: What to expect from Clarity 2025
Credit: IMAGINiT live webcast

Revit 2025 Support

Clarity 2025 offers robust support for Autodesk’s Revit and Revit Server versions 2021 through 2025. Additionally, there is limited support for Revit 2020, allowing users to run Revit 2020 tasks by connecting an older task server to a 2025 Clarity host server. This flexibility in mixing and matching task servers for different versions ensures that users can upgrade at their own pace.

A significant part of this upgrade involved adapting to Autodesk’s new .NET technology for Revit 2025. This required substantial effort to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Users with custom add-ins or Dynamo nodes should prepare for the additional work needed to support Revit 2025.

Quarterly Health Check-Ins

With the Clarity Plus subscription, customers benefit from quarterly health check-ins, which provide valuable feedback on what’s working well and what could be improved. These insights have driven several enhancements in Clarity 2025, aimed at increasing stability, predictability, and usability.

Revit Error Resolution

One of the notable enhancements in Clarity 2025 is the new user interface for managing Revit errors during task execution. When Clarity encounters an unresolved dimension reference, it offers more manageable solutions within the task tray UI, allowing tasks to continue without manual intervention. Additionally, options have been added to handle specific Revit pop-up dialogues centrally or per task server, reducing interruptions and increasing efficiency.

Common Task Targets

Managing tasks has been simplified with the introduction of common task targets. This feature allows tasks to run against defined sets of models, such as all MEP models, streamlining the process and reducing the potential for errors.

Health Alerts

To prevent potential issues, Clarity 2025 now includes health alerts for low disk space or RAM issues on task servers. These proactive notifications help ensure that your systems remain in optimal condition, minimising downtime and maintaining productivity.

BIM 360 and AEC Construction Cloud Path Migration Tool

For projects hosted by partners in BIM 360 or AEC Construction Cloud, a new path migration tool has been introduced. This tool ensures consistent path reporting, even if access to the top-level folder is restricted. It updates paths across Clarity projects, ensuring compatibility and accurate task targeting.

Unified Sync Task

Caption: Unified sync tasks
Credit: IMAGINiT live webcast

The unified sync task replaces older file synchronisation tasks, offering improved configuration capabilities. This new task can be triggered by web triggers for immediate response, ensuring that file synchronisation is timely and efficient. A tool is also available to migrate old-style file synchronisation tasks into the unified sync task.

Space Programming Module

Designed for architects in the early stages of planning and schematic design, the space programming module in Clarity 2025 includes enhancements for room requirements and custom parameters. The module now supports one-to-one room requirements, simplifying updates and allowing bidirectional capabilities. Additionally, calculated fields can be created from other parameters, both built-in and custom, updating dynamically.

Oracle Aconex Integration

Clarity 2025 introduces integration with Oracle Aconex, allowing two-way synchronisation and metadata mapping between systems. Due to the costs involved with Oracle, this integration comes with an additional charge.

Other Enhancements

Tracking Task Creation and Modification Details: Clarity 2025 improves the tracking of tasks and their modifications, enhancing project management and accountability.
Improved Metadata Mapping UI: The user interface for metadata mapping has been enhanced for better usability and efficiency.
Support for Revit 2025’s Sheet Collections: Preliminary support for Revit 2025’s sheet collections has been added, allowing for better organisation and synchronisation of project data.
Additional Metrics and Options for BIM 360/ACC Publishing: New metrics and publishing options for BIM 360 and ACC projects help improve project oversight and data management.

IMAGINiT Clarity Cloud

Caption: IMAGINiT Clarity Cloud
Credit: IMAGINiT live webcast

For small to medium-sized companies or those wanting to try Clarity with less expense, IMAGINiT Clarity Cloud offers a cloud-based solution. This supports projects in BIM 360 and ACC, with tasks executed in the Autodesk cloud or on-premise task servers. The hybrid model allows users to manage Clarity tasks on-premise and in the cloud, offering flexibility and scalability.

Want to Learn More About Clarity 2025?

IMAGINiT Clarity 2025 is packed with features designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of users.

Whether you’re managing tasks, synchronising files, or integrating with other systems, Clarity 2025 offers robust solutions to meet your needs. If you have any questions or need further assistance, the Design Consulting team is ready to help.

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autocad architecture vs autocad lt, AutoCAD LT vs AutoCAD architecture

Design Consulting Promoted to Autodesk Gold Partner

May 13, 2024

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| Autodesk News

Design Consulting Promoted to Autodesk Gold Partner

Autodesk has promoted Design Consulting to an Autodesk Gold Partner following continued growth since becoming an Autodesk Reseller in November, 2020.

Design Consulting would like to thank our customers, staff and Autodesk for all their support as we move at the speed of business!

Design Consulting provides tailored end to end solutions, expertise and specialisation in Autodesk’s offerings, aligning our solutions with our customers objectives and good old fashioned customer service.

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The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD vs AutoCAD Architecture

September 12, 2023

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Plant Design Suite, Utilities

The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD vs AutoCAD Architecture

AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture are both powerful CAD software programs that can be used for a variety of purposes, including architectural design, engineering, and manufacturing. However, there are some key differences between the two programs that can make one a better choice for your specific needs.

In this blog post, we will compare AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture in terms of their features, capabilities, and pricing. We will also discuss the factors you should consider when choosing between the two programs.

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a general-purpose CAD software program that can be used for a variety of purposes, including architectural, mechanical, and electrical design. It offers a wide range of features and tools, making it a versatile option for many different industries.

Some of the key features of AutoCAD include:

2D and 3D drafting
Dimensioning
Annotation
Rendering
Sheet metal design
Manufacturing
Import and export of CAD files

AutoCAD Architecture vs AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a general-purpose CAD software program that can be used to create 2D and 3D drawings. It includes a wide range of features for drafting, editing, and annotating drawings. AutoCAD also supports a variety of file formats, making it easy to share your drawings with others.

AutoCAD Architecture is a specialized CAD software program that is designed for architectural design. It includes a number of features that are specifically designed for creating architectural drawings, such as intelligent walls, doors, and windows. AutoCAD Architecture also includes a library of pre-built architectural objects, which can save you time and effort when creating your drawings.

Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture are capable of creating high-quality drawings. However, AutoCAD Architecture has a number of features that make it specifically suited for architectural design. These features include:

Intelligent objects: AutoCAD Architecture objects are intelligent, which means that they can be manipulated as a whole rather than as individual lines and curves. This makes it easier to create accurate and realistic drawings.
Architectural features: AutoCAD Architecture includes a library of pre-built architectural objects, such as walls, doors, and windows. This can save you time and effort when creating your drawings.
Parametric modeling: AutoCAD Architecture supports parametric modeling, which allows you to create objects that can be modified by changing their parameters. This can be useful for creating complex architectural objects.

AutoCAD Architecture vs AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT

Feature	AutoCAD Architecture	AutoCAD	AutoCAD LT
Intelligent objects	Yes	No	No
Architectural features	Yes	No	No
Parametric modeling	Yes	No	No
2D drafting tools	Yes	Yes	Yes
3D modeling tools	Yes	Yes	No
Annotation tools	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rendering tools	Yes	Yes	No
Schedules	Yes	No	No
Documentation tools	Yes	Yes	No
Standards compliance	Yes	No	No
Collaboration tools	Yes	Yes	No
Cloud integration	Yes	Yes	No

AutoCAD Architecture has a number of unique commands that are specifically designed for architectural design. These commands include:

AECWALL: This command creates a wall object. Wall objects are intelligent, which means that they can be manipulated as a whole rather than as individual lines and curves. This makes it easier to create accurate and realistic walls.
AECDOOR: This command creates a door object. Door objects are also intelligent, and they can be customized to fit your specific needs.
AECWINDOW: This command creates a window object. Window objects are also intelligent, and they can be customized to fit your specific needs.
AECROOF: This command creates a roof object. Roof objects are also intelligent, and they can be customized to fit your specific needs.
AECSCHEDULE: This command creates a schedule. Schedules can be used to track the quantities of materials, labor, and equipment used in a project.
AECDOCUMENT: This command creates a document. Documents can be used to create drawings, reports, and presentations.
AECSTANDARDS: This command ensures that your drawings comply with industry standards.
AECCOLLABORATE: This command allows you to collaborate with other users on projects.
AECCLOUD: This command allows you to access your drawings and projects from anywhere.

In addition to these unique commands, AutoCAD Architecture also includes a number of other features that are specifically designed for architectural design. These features include:

A library of pre-built architectural objects
A number of parametric tools
A number of tools for creating and managing schedules
A number of tools for creating and managing documentation
A number of tools for ensuring that your drawings comply with industry standards
A number of tools for collaborating with other users on projects
Integration with the Autodesk cloud

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AutoCAD Map 3D: The Perfect Mapping Tool for Engineering and GIS Professionals

August 30, 2023

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Utilities

AutoCAD Map 3D: The Perfect Mapping Tool for Engineering and GIS Professionals

AutoCAD Map 3D is a powerful GIS software that allows CAD professionals to create, edit, and visualize geospatial data. It is a comprehensive toolset that includes everything you need to work with maps, 3D models, and other spatial data.

AutoCAD Map 3D is a geographic information system (GIS) software that is part of the AutoCAD family of products. It is designed for CAD professionals who need to work with geospatial data. AutoCAD Map 3D includes a comprehensive toolset for creating, editing, and visualizing maps, 3D models, and other spatial data.

Features and Benefits

AutoCAD Map 3D includes a wide range of features for working with geospatial data, including:

Data management tools for importing, exporting, and managing spatial data
2D and 3D drafting tools for creating and editing maps and models
Visualisation tools for creating interactive maps and 3D models
Analysis tools for performing spatial analysis
Collaboration tools for sharing data and projects with others

There are many benefits to using AutoCAD Map 3D, including:

Increased productivity: AutoCAD Map 3D can help you save time and improve your workflow by providing a comprehensive toolset for working with geospatial data.
Improved accuracy: AutoCAD Map 3D can help you create more accurate maps and models by providing a variety of tools for data management, drafting, and visualisation.
Enhanced collaboration: AutoCAD Map 3D can help you collaborate with others more effectively by providing tools for sharing data and projects.
Increased flexibility: AutoCAD Map 3D is a flexible software that can be used for a variety of purposes, including engineering, construction, and environmental planning.

AutoCAD Map 3D Vs AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD Map 3D is a more powerful and feature-rich version of AutoCAD than AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD. AutoCAD Map 3D includes all of the features of AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD, plus a number of additional features for working with geospatial data.

Feature	AutoCAD Map 3D	AutoCAD LT	AutoCAD
Data management	Yes	No	No
2D and 3D drafting	Yes	Yes	Yes
Visualization	Yes	No	No
Analysis	Yes	No	No
Collaboration	Yes	No	No

The right version of AutoCAD for you depends on your specific needs. If you only need to:

Work with geospatial data, then AutoCAD Map 3D is the best choice.
Create basic 2D drawings, then AutoCAD LT is a good option.
Create basic 3D models or 2D drawings and don’t need any of the advanced features of AutoCAD Map 3D, then AutoCAD is the best choice.

Connecting AutoCAD Map 3D with other apps

AutoCAD Map 3D can be used with other Autodesk apps to create a more comprehensive and integrated workflow. For example, AutoCAD Map 3D can be used with AutoCAD Civil 3D to create 3D models of infrastructure projects. AutoCAD Map 3D can be used with Autodesk 3ds Max to create photorealistic renderings of maps and models.

AutoCAD Map 3D can be connected to a variety of GIS mapping data sources, including:

Shapefiles: Shapefiles are a common format for storing vector data. AutoCAD Map 3D can import and export shapefiles.
Geodatabases: Geodatabases are a powerful format for storing spatial data. AutoCAD Map 3D can connect to geodatabases hosted on a variety of platforms, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and IBM DB2.
Raster datasets: Raster datasets are a format for storing gridded data. AutoCAD Map 3D can import and export raster datasets.
Web services: Web services are a way to access spatial data over the internet. AutoCAD Map 3D can connect to web services that are hosted on a variety of platforms, including ArcGIS Online and Google Maps.

To connect AutoCAD Map 3D to a GIS mapping data source, you can use the following steps:

Open AutoCAD Map 3D.
Click the Map tab.
In the Data Sources panel, click the Add button.
Select the type of data source you want to connect to.
Enter the connection information for the data source.
Click the Connect button.

Once you have connected AutoCAD Map 3D to a GIS mapping data source, you can view and edit the data in AutoCAD Map 3D. You can also use AutoCAD Map 3D to perform spatial analysis on the data.

Here are some of the benefits of connecting AutoCAD Map 3D with GIS mapping data sources:

You can access a wider range of spatial data.
You can perform more complex spatial analysis.
You can share your work with others more easily.
You can collaborate with others more effectively.

If you need to work with geospatial data, then connecting AutoCAD Map 3D with GIS mapping data sources is a great way to improve your workflow and productivity.

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Coordinate System Update

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024 supports the new coordinate systems in the following categories:

SnakeGrid EWR2
NAD83(CSRS) / Alberta 3TM

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

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AutoCAD Mechanical vs AutoCAD: A Comparison for Mechanical Engineers

August 24, 2023

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Plant Design Suite, Utilities

AutoCAD Mechanical vs AutoCAD: A Comparison for Mechanical Engineers

AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical are both powerful CAD software programs that can be used for a variety of purposes. However, there are some key differences between the two programs that may make one a better fit for your needs than the other.

In this blog post, we will compare AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical in detail. We will discuss the features, interface, pricing, and best uses of each program. By the end of this post, you will be able to decide which CAD software is right for you.

What is AutoCAD?

Some of the key features of AutoCAD include:

2D and 3D drafting
Dimensioning
Annotation
Rendering
Sheet metal design
Manufacturing
Import and export of CAD files

What is AutoCAD Mechanical?

AutoCAD Mechanical is a specialised CAD software program that is specifically designed for mechanical engineering design. It includes a number of features and tools that are specifically useful for mechanical engineers, such as tools for creating and dimensioning parts, as well as tools for generating bills of materials.

Some of the key features of AutoCAD Mechanical include:

A library of standard parts and components
Tools for creating and dimensioning parts
Tools for generating bills of materials
Tools for 3D printing
Tools for analysis and simulation

Differences Between AutoCAD Mechanical vs AutoCAD

There are a number of key differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical. These differences include:

Features: AutoCAD Mechanical includes a number of features and tools that are specifically useful for mechanical engineers, such as tools for creating and dimensioning parts, as well as tools for generating bills of materials. AutoCAD does not include these specialized features for mechanical engineering design.
Interface: AutoCAD Mechanical has a more specialized interface that is designed to be more intuitive for mechanical engineers. AutoCAD has a more general-purpose interface that is designed to be more accessible to users from a variety of engineering disciplines.
Pricing: AutoCAD Mechanical is typically more expensive than AutoCAD.
Best uses: AutoCAD is a good choice for general engineering and design projects. AutoCAD Mechanical is a good choice for mechanical engineering design projects.

AutoCAD LT vs AutoCAD Mechanical

AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD Mechanical are both CAD software programs that can be used for drafting, designing, and documenting. However, there are some key differences between the two programs.

AutoCAD LT is a 2D drafting and design software program that is designed for general engineering and drafting purposes. It includes a wide range of features and tools for creating and editing 2D drawings, as well as for dimensioning, annotating, and rendering drawings. AutoCAD LT is a less expensive option than AutoCAD Mechanical, and it is a good choice for users who need a 2D drafting and design software program for general engineering and drafting purposes.

AutoCAD Mechanical is a 2D and 3D drafting, designing, and documentation software program that is specifically designed for mechanical engineering. It includes a wide range of features and tools for creating and editing 2D and 3D drawings, as well as for dimensioning, annotating, and rendering drawings. AutoCAD Mechanical also includes a library of standard parts and components, as well as tools for creating bills of materials, generating 3D printing files, and performing analysis and simulation. AutoCAD Mechanical is a more expensive option than AutoCAD LT, but it is a good choice for users who need a 2D and 3D drafting, designing, and documentation software program for mechanical engineering.

Feature	AutoCAD LT	AutoCAD Mechanical
Features	2D drafting and design	2D and 3D drafting, designing, and documentation
Interface	General-purpose interface	Specialized interface designed for mechanical engineers
Pricing	Less expensive	More expensive
Best for	General engineering and drafting	Mechanical engineering

Unique Tools in AutoCAD Mechanical

AutoCAD Mechanical Sheet Metal Tools: These tools are specifically designed for sheet metal design, and they include features such as the ability to create flanges, bends, and hems.
AutoCAD Mechanical Weldments Tools: These tools are specifically designed for weldment design, and they include features such as the ability to create weld symbols, weld beads, and weld joints.
AutoCAD Mechanical Electrical Tools: These tools are specifically designed for electrical design, and they include features such as the ability to create wire routings, connectors, and switches.
AutoCAD Mechanical Fluid Power Tools: These tools are specifically designed for fluid power design, and they include features such as the ability to create pipes, valves, and cylinders.
AutoCAD Mechanical Geometric Tolerance Tools: These tools are specifically designed for creating geometric tolerances, and they include features such as the ability to create datums, tolerances, and modifiers.
AutoCAD Mechanical Surface Modeling Tools: These tools are specifically designed for surface modeling, and they include features such as the ability to create surfaces, solids, and blends.
AutoCAD Mechanical Advanced Rendering Tools: These tools are specifically designed for creating advanced renderings, and they include features such as the ability to create realistic shadows, reflections, and materials.

AutoCAD Mechanical and Autodesk Inventor Professional Integration

Inventor to AutoCAD Mechanical

There are two ways to import 3D models into AutoCAD Mechanical:

Import a 3D model from a file: You can import a 3D model from a file that is saved in a supported format, such as STEP, IGES, or Parasolid. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click the Insert tab.
2. In the Import panel, click Import.
3. In the Import File dialog box, select the file that you want to import.
4. Click Open.
5. In the Import Options dialog box, select the options that you want to use for the import.
6. Click OK.
Create a 3D model in Inventor and then import it into AutoCAD Mechanical: You can create a 3D model in Inventor and then import it into AutoCAD Mechanical. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Create the 3D model in Inventor.
2. Save the 3D model in a supported format, such as STEP, IGES, or Parasolid.
3. Open AutoCAD Mechanical.
4. Click the Insert tab.
5. In the Import panel, click Import.
6. In the Import File dialog box, select the file that you want to import.
7. Click Open.
8. In the Import Options dialog box, select the options that you want to use for the import.
9. Click OK.

If the model changes in Inventor, the changes will be updated in AutoCAD Mechanical if the following conditions are met:

The model is saved in a supported format.
The model is imported into AutoCAD Mechanical using the Import command.
The Update Links option is selected in the Import Options dialog box.

If these conditions are not met, the changes will not be updated in AutoCAD Mechanical.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when importing 3D models into AutoCAD Mechanical:

The model may need to be scaled or positioned correctly in AutoCAD Mechanical.
The model may need to be converted to a different type of object, such as a block or a sketch.
The model may need to be edited or modified in AutoCAD Mechanical.

By following these steps, you can import 3D models into AutoCAD Mechanical and keep the models up to date with changes made in Inventor.

AutoCAD Mechanical to Inventor

Inventor has a feature called AnyCAD that allows you to import and work with 2D DWG files in Inventor part, assembly, and drawing environments. AnyCAD is a powerful tool that can help you to save time and improve the efficiency of your design workflow.

To import a 2D DWG file into Inventor, follow these steps:

Click the File menu.
Select Import > 2D DWG.
In the Import DWG File dialog box, select the DWG file that you want to import.
Click Open.

The DWG file will be imported into Inventor as a Reference Model. Reference Models are special types of Inventor models that are linked to the original DWG file. Any changes that you make to the DWG file will be automatically updated in the Reference Model in Inventor.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when importing 2D DWG files into Inventor:

The DWG file must be saved in a supported format, such as DWG or DXF.
The DWG file must be opened in read-only mode.
The DWG file must be placed on a Reference Plane in Inventor.
The DWG file must be updated regularly to reflect the latest changes.

By following these steps, you can import 2D DWG files into Inventor and keep the files up to date with changes made to the original DWG file.

Here are some additional benefits of using AnyCAD:

You can use Inventor tools to modify and edit 2D DWG files.
You can create 3D models from 2D DWG files.
You can create assemblies that contain both 2D DWG files and 3D Inventor models.
You can create drawings that contain both 2D DWG files and 3D Inventor models.

AnyCAD is a powerful tool that can help you to save time and improve the efficiency of your design workflow. If you are working with 2D DWG files, I encourage you to try using AnyCAD in Inventor.

Which CAD Software is Right for You?

The best CAD software for you depends on your specific needs. If you are a mechanical engineer who needs specialized tools for mechanical engineering design, then AutoCAD Mechanical is the better choice. If you are a general engineer or designer who needs a more versatile CAD software program, then AutoCAD is the better choice.

Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over Mechanical CAD Software

Mechanical CAD software is designed for the design of mechanical parts and assemblies. It does not offer the same level of features as AutoCAD Plant 3D for plant design, such as:

Industry-standard symbols
Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
Electrical diagrams
Structural drawings
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID vs Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks

AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID tools:

Industry-standard symbols: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include a comprehensive library of industry-standard symbols for pipes, valves, fittings, instruments, and other plant equipment. This makes it easy to create accurate and consistent drawings.
Powerful 3D modeling tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID offer powerful 3D modeling tools that allow you to create accurate and realistic models of piping systems.
Advanced design automation features: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include advanced design automation features that can help you to speed up the design process and reduce errors.
Integrated reporting and documentation tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include integrated reporting and documentation tools that can help you to create accurate and professional documentation.

Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks Pipe and Tubing Tools:

Parametric modeling: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks use parametric modeling, which means that the properties of pipe and tubing components are linked to each other. This can be helpful for maintaining consistency in pipe and tubing designs.
Clash detection: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks include clash detection tools that can help you to identify potential conflicts between pipe and tubing and other components in a design. This can help to avoid costly errors during manufacturing or assembly.
Generative design: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks include generative design tools that can help you to explore different pipe and tubing design options. This can be helpful for finding the most efficient and cost-effective pipe and tubing solutions.

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Plant 3D Vs AutoCAD: Piping Design and P&ID Schematics

August 24, 2023

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Plant Design Suite, Utilities

Better Piping and P&ID's Designs with the AutoCAD Plant 3D Toolset

AutoCAD Plant 3D is a powerful toolset for plant design. It offers a wide range of features that are specifically designed for the needs of plant designers and engineers. These features include:

A comprehensive library of industry-standard symbols
Powerful 3D modeling tools
Advanced design automation features
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

In this blog we’ll explore the differences in using the AutoCAD Plant 3D Toolset over:

AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD
MCAD software such as Autodesk Inventor and Dassault Systemes Solidworks
BIM software such as Revit

Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT is a less expensive version of AutoCAD that is designed for 2D drafting and design. It does not offer the same level of features as AutoCAD Plant 3D, including:

Industry-standard symbols
3D modeling tools
Design automation features
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a more powerful version of AutoCAD LT that offers a wider range of features. However, it does not offer the same level of specialization for plant design as AutoCAD Plant 3D. AutoCAD Plant 3D includes features that are specifically designed for plant design, such as:

A comprehensive library of industry-standard symbols
Advanced 3D modeling tools
Design automation features
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over Mechanical CAD Software

Mechanical CAD software is designed for the design of mechanical parts and assemblies. It does not offer the same level of features as AutoCAD Plant 3D for plant design, such as:

Industry-standard symbols
Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
Electrical diagrams
Structural drawings
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID vs Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks

AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID tools:

Industry-standard symbols: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include a comprehensive library of industry-standard symbols for pipes, valves, fittings, instruments, and other plant equipment. This makes it easy to create accurate and consistent drawings.
Powerful 3D modeling tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID offer powerful 3D modeling tools that allow you to create accurate and realistic models of piping systems.
Advanced design automation features: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include advanced design automation features that can help you to speed up the design process and reduce errors.
Integrated reporting and documentation tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID include integrated reporting and documentation tools that can help you to create accurate and professional documentation.

Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks Pipe and Tubing Tools:

Parametric modeling: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks use parametric modeling, which means that the properties of pipe and tubing components are linked to each other. This can be helpful for maintaining consistency in pipe and tubing designs.
Clash detection: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks include clash detection tools that can help you to identify potential conflicts between pipe and tubing and other components in a design. This can help to avoid costly errors during manufacturing or assembly.
Generative design: Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks include generative design tools that can help you to explore different pipe and tubing design options. This can be helpful for finding the most efficient and cost-effective pipe and tubing solutions.

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Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over BIM Software

BIM software is designed for the design and construction of buildings. It offers a wide range of features for 3D modeling, clash detection, and quantity takeoff. However, it does not offer the same level of features as AutoCAD Plant 3D for plant design, such as:

Industry-standard symbols
P&IDs
Electrical diagrams
Structural drawings
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Advantages of AutoCAD Plant 3D over BIM Software

BIM software such as Revit is designed for the design and construction of buildings. It offers a wide range of features for 3D modeling, clash detection, and quantity takeoff. However, it does not offer the same level of features as AutoCAD Plant 3D for plant design, such as:

Industry-standard symbols
P&IDs
Electrical diagrams
Structural drawings
Integrated reporting and documentation tools

Tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D Vs Revit

AutoCAD Plant 3D Piping Tools

Industry-standard symbols: AutoCAD Plant 3D includes a comprehensive library of industry-standard piping symbols. This makes it easy to create accurate and consistent piping drawings.
Powerful 3D modeling tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D offers powerful 3D modeling tools that allow you to create accurate and realistic piping models.
Advanced design automation features: AutoCAD Plant 3D includes advanced design automation features that can help you to speed up the design process and reduce errors.
Integrated reporting and documentation tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D includes integrated reporting and documentation tools that can help you to create accurate and professional documentation.
P&ID Tools: AutoCAD Plant 3D also includes P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) tools that allow you to create accurate and consistent P&ID drawings.

Revit MEP Piping Tools:

BIM integration: Revit MEP is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software, which means that it integrates with other BIM software, such as Revit Architecture and Revit Structure. This can be helpful for coordinating piping designs with other aspects of a building design.
Parametric modeling: Revit MEP uses parametric modeling, which means that the properties of piping components are linked to each other. This can be helpful for maintaining consistency in piping designs.
Generative design: Revit MEP includes generative design tools that can help you to explore different piping design options. This can be helpful for finding the most efficient and cost-effective piping solutions.

Autodesk Revit and Fabrication Products (Estmep, CADmep and CAMduct) Integration

Revit MEP can connect to Autodesk fabrication products such as ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct:

ESTmep: ESTmep is a software that can be used to generate fabrication drawings and bills of materials for Revit MEP models. It can be used to generate drawings for a variety of HVAC components, such as pipes, valves, and fittings. ESTmep can also be used to generate bills of materials for these components.
CADmep: CADmep is a software that can be used to create 3D models of HVAC components. These models can then be used to create fabrication drawings and bills of materials. CADmep can also be used to simulate the flow of fluids through HVAC systems.
CAMduct: CAMduct is a software that can be used to create CNC machine tool paths for HVAC components. These paths can then be used to cut HVAC components from sheet metal. CAMduct can also be used to generate bills of materials for the CNC machine tools.

The Revit MEP can connect to these Autodesk fabrication products through the Autodesk Fabrication Connector. The Autodesk Fabrication Connector is a plugin that allows Revit MEP to export models and data to ESTmep, CADmep, and CAMduct. This allows Revit MEP users to take advantage of the fabrication capabilities of these products.

Here are some of the benefits of connecting Revit MEP to Autodesk fabrication products:

Increased efficiency: The Autodesk fabrication products can automate many of the tasks involved in fabrication, such as generating drawings and bills of materials. This can help to increase the efficiency of the fabrication process.
Improved accuracy: The Autodesk fabrication products can help to ensure that fabrication drawings and bills of materials are accurate. This can help to reduce errors and rework during the fabrication process.
Improved communication: The Autodesk fabrication products can help to improve communication between engineers and fabricators. This can help to ensure that the fabrication process meets the engineer’s specifications.

Plant 3D Setup and Training

To get the most out of Plant 3D, it is recommended to setup Plant 3D and P&ID templates, catalogs and specs and do training. Whether it’s software, training, setup or something custom, Design Consulting has the capabilities to achieve your objectives.

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AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024

Ortho Bill of Materials (BOM)

The Ortho Table Setup dialog box includes simplified options and more table capabilities for orthographic drawings. You can now add the Bill of Materials (BOM) for piping, equipment, steel, as well as nozzle and spool lists into ortho drawings.

Spec and Catalog Editor Enhancements

The Edit Parts and Edit Properties functions are enhanced in both Spec and Catalog Editors.

Edit parts within a selected parts family for inclusion in a spec sheet or catalog.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

View all parts available for a specific size in the selected spec. Use the search box to look for specific components in the Pipe Spec Viewer.

Any changes to the size and spec lists are both updated in Pipe Spec Viewer and the Part Insertion panel on the ribbon.

Ortho Single-Line Piping Enhancements

In this release, ortho single-line piping offers more enhancements including a new interface for some piping criteria providing better control when you display piping in a single-line representation in orthographic drawings.

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AutoCAD Vs AutoCAD LT

August 22, 2023

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Construction, Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Utilities

Benefits of using AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD® allows users to achieve a level of productivity for design creation that is not matched with AutoCAD LT®.

Autodesk commissioned a study that explored the productivity and commercial differentiations between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT when performing tasks ranging from creating geometry to creating plans and elevations, extracting object data, and applying and monitoring CAD standards.

Results showed that AutoCAD could allow a user to generate designs up to 3.9 times quicker* compared with AutoCAD LT, when these tasks were performed by an experienced AutoCAD user.

How AutoCAD Saves More Time Compared to AutoCAD LT

Parametric constraints – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 33%. AutoCAD offers complete geometric and dimensional constraint creation, editing, and management of parametric constraints.

Plans and elevations – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 46%. The 3D modeling tools in AutoCAD allow for easy manipulation to generate 2D plan and elevation objects.

Isometric drafting – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 61%. AutoCAD makes it easy to view 3D objects in isometric views and has visual styles that can be set to hide hidden detail.

Data extraction – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 90%. AutoCAD provides the functionality to extract data and create tables automatically, either in the drawing or in a Microsoft Excel® file.

CAD standards – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 81%. AutoCAD provides CAD standard functionality with a highly efficient method of checking standards against new and existing DWG files.

Text edting (Express Tools) – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 80%. AutoCAD includes Express Tools with advanced workflows when changing and manipulating text.

AutoLISP – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 50%. AutoLISP functionality is available in AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. Direct access to AutoLISP editors only from AutoCAD
saves time when editing the application.

Markup Import and Markup Assist – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 71%. Using machine learning, AutoCAD can interpret handwritten annotation and suggest conversions to AutoCAD objects, saving time and reducing errors.

Smart Blocks: Placement and Replacement – Time savings with AutoCAD up to 40%.
The Smart Blocks: Replacement tool in AutoCAD provides a simple interface where multiple blocks can be selected and replaced by a chosen block in one operation.

Application programming interface (API) and
the app store – AutoCAD offers an API not available in AutoCAD LT that allows users to automate tedious and time-consuming tasks. AutoCAD users are also able to purchase and download apps in the Autodesk App Store and develop apps to benefit
AutoCAD users on your team.

Autodesk AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT 2024 Highlights Video

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Tailored Functionality

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AutoLISP

AutoCAD LT now includes AutoLISP.

Leverage thousands of previously written programs created for use in AutoCAD-based programs. AutoCAD LT supports AutoLISP Source (LSP) files, compiled LSP files, Fast-load AutoLISP (FAS), and Visual LISP Applications (VLX) files.

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Faster cross-platform markup workflows through expanded machine learning capabilities & essential experience improvements

AutoCAD 2024 Vs AutoCAD LT 2024

AutoCAD 2024 offers more advanced features for 3D modeling, customisation with add-on apps and APIs, rendering, and CAD standards, among other features, while AutoCAD LT 2024 is a more affordable version that still offers many of the essential features for 2D drafting, annotation, and automation.

Features	AutoCAD 2024	AutoCAD LT 2024
Find and replace blocks based on other blocks in your drawing	Yes	No
Stay informed of relevant file changes with details of multi-user activities in a DWG file	Yes	No
Utilise AutoLISP programs to automate repetitive tasks and enhance workflows	Yes	Yes
Extend AutoLISP programs with third-party automation libraries, and utilize specialised editors to write and debug programs	Yes	No
Create and edit 2D geometry	Yes	Yes
Annotate drawings with traces, text, dimensions, leaders & tables	Yes	Yes
Customize the ribbon and tool palettes	Yes	Yes
Attach and import data from PDF files	Yes	Yes
Share and use data from DGN files, Navisworks, & Bing Maps	Yes	Yes
Create and edit 3D models with solids, surfaces, & mesh objects	Yes	No
Customize with add-on apps and APIs	Yes	No
Extract object data to tables	Yes	No
Create renderings with lighting, materials, & visual styles	Yes	No
Apply and monitor CAD standards	Yes	No
Automate counting objects and blocks	Yes	Yes
Share drawings with colleagues directly from AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT	Yes	Yes
Import feedback and incorporate changes with a click of a button	Yes	No
Learn new features and workflows to work faster with My Insights	Yes	No

What's New in Specialised Toolsets

AutoCAD Architecture and MEP 2024

AEC3DPRINT

With AEC3DPRINT command, you can natively export the AEC objects to an STL file format that’s compatible with 3D printing without converting to 3D solids.

Enhanced Design Center Content

New MVBlocks and block references are available in Design Center.

More than 200 new MVBlocks and block references are added to the AutoCAD Architecture (US Imperial) and AutoCAD Architecture (US Metric) content packs for Design Center. The added content is available in metric profile for non-English languages. The content includes external lighting, bathroom accessories, furniture, site, kitchen fittings, and more.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Mechanical 2024

ANSI/ASME Standard Revision Update

The section line symbol within AutoCAD Mechanical is updated to support the AWS Y14.3 – 2012 standard revision. To support AWS Y14.3 – 2012, all aspects of the section line symbol are revised to correspond with AWS Y14.3 – 2012.

AutoCAD Mechanical continues to support the AWS Y14.3 – 2003 standard revision to allow documents created in previous releases to be opened, edited, and saved without updating the section line symbol standard. By supporting AWS Y14.3 – 2012 and AWS Y14.3 – 2003, you can annotate new and as-built designs using the required standard revision.

ISO Standard Revision Update for Taper and Slope Symbols

The taper and slope symbol within AutoCAD Mechanical is updated to support the ISO 3040:2016(E) standard revision. To support the ISO 3040:2016(E), all aspects of the taper and slope symbol is revised to correspond with ISO 3040:2016(E).

AutoCAD Mechanical continues to support the ISO 3040:2009(E) standard revision to allow documents created in previous releases to be opened, edited, and saved without updating the taper and slot symbol standard. By supporting ISO 3040:2016(E) and ISO 3040:2009(E), you can annotate new and as-built designs using the required standard revision.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024

Ortho Bill of Materials (BOM)

Spec and Catalog Editor Enhancements

The Edit Parts and Edit Properties functions are enhanced in both Spec and Catalog Editors.

Edit parts within a selected parts family for inclusion in a spec sheet or catalog.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

View all parts available for a specific size in the selected spec. Use the search box to look for specific components in the Pipe Spec Viewer.

Any changes to the size and spec lists are both updated in Pipe Spec Viewer and the Part Insertion panel on the ribbon.

Ortho Single-Line Piping Enhancements

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024

Coordinate System Update

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024 supports the new coordinate systems in the following categories:

SnakeGrid EWR2
NAD83(CSRS) / Alberta 3TM

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Electrical 3D 2024

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

Create a schematic symbol table from schematic reports.

The schematic report lists the symbols used in the project along with its description in a table. You can also surf through a particular symbol that is used in various locations of the project.

Wire Type Synchronisation

Wire type can now be synchronized for all wires in the network with the same signal code across the drawings.

In previous releases, when you update the type of the wire connected to the source arrows, the destination wire type was not updated. In AutoCAD Electrical 2024 toolset, when the wire type is updated at the source arrow, all wires in the network are updated to the same wire type of the source. New wire layers are created along with its properties if the destination drawing doesn’t contain the new wire type.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Discover the Right CAD Tool for Your Engineering Needs

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Civil 3D Vs Infraworks – Workflows and Differences

August 10, 2023

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| Civil 3D

Civil 3D Vs Infraworks - Workflows and Differences

Civil 3D and Infraworks are two of the most popular civil engineering design software programs on the market. They offer a wide range of features and capabilities that can help civil engineers to design, analyze, and visualize infrastructure projects. However, there are some key differences between the two programs that can affect the best workflow for a particular project.

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Civil 3D and Infraworks in terms of their features, capabilities, workflows, and pricing. We will also discuss the SEO keywords that are relevant to this topic.

Features and Capabilities

Civil 3D is a powerful CAD software program that offers a wide range of features for civil engineering design. It includes tools for 2D and 3D drafting, surface modeling, land development, pipe networks, storm drainage, and much more. Civil 3D also integrates with other Autodesk products, such as AutoCAD and Autodesk Map 3D, to provide a comprehensive civil engineering design solution.

Infraworks is a conceptual design software program that is designed to help civil engineers to visualize infrastructure projects in the context of their surroundings. It includes tools for creating 3D models of terrain, buildings, and other infrastructure elements. Infraworks also allows users to simulate the impact of different design decisions on the environment and traffic flow.

Workflows between Civil 3D and Infraworks

Civil 3D and Infraworks can be used in a variety of workflows, depending on the specific needs of the project. However, there are some general differences in the way that the two programs are typically used.

Civil 3D is often used for detailed design and documentation of infrastructure projects. It is a good choice for projects that require precise measurements and calculations. Civil 3D can also be used for construction staking and as-built documentation.

Infraworks is often used for conceptual design and planning of infrastructure projects. It is a good choice for projects that require a high level of visualization and collaboration. Infraworks can also be used to create preliminary cost estimates and to identify potential environmental impacts.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between Civil 3D and Infraworks:

2D and 3D drafting	Yes	Yes
Surface modeling	Yes	Yes
Land development	Yes	Yes
Pipe networks	Yes	Yes
Storm drainage	Yes	Yes
Traffic modeling	Yes	No
Environmental impact analysis	No	Yes
Visualization	Yes	Yes
Collaboration	Yes	Yes
Cost estimation	Yes	No
As-built documentation	Yes	No

As you can see, Civil 3D and Infraworks have a lot of overlap in terms of the commands and features that they offer. However, there are also some key differences between the two programs.

Civil 3D is better suited for detailed design and documentation of infrastructure projects. It offers a wider range of features and capabilities for these tasks, such as traffic modeling and cost estimation.

Infraworks is better suited for conceptual design and planning of infrastructure projects. It is designed to help civil engineers to visualize infrastructure projects in the context of their surroundings. It also offers features for environmental impact analysis and collaboration.

The best program for a particular project will depend on the specific needs of the project. If you are looking for a program that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for detailed design and documentation, then Civil 3D is a good choice. If you are looking for a program that is designed for conceptual design and planning, then Infraworks is a good choice.

Feature	Civil 3D	Infraworks
Purpose	Detailed design and documentation	Conceptual design and planning
Features	Wider range of features and capabilities	More focused on visualization and collaboration
Cost	More expensive	Less expensive
Best for	Projects that require precise measurements and calculations	Projects that require a high level of visualization and collaboration

Working between Civil 3D and Infraworks

You can import and export data between Civil 3D and Infraworks in a few different ways:

Import an Infraworks model into Civil 3D. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Insert tab. In the InfraWorks panel, click Open InfraWorks Model. In the Open InfraWorks Model dialog box, browse to the location of the Infraworks model that you want to import and click Open.
Export a Civil 3D drawing to Infraworks. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Export tab. In the Export panel, click InfraWorks. In the Export to InfraWorks dialog box, browse to the location where you want to save the Infraworks file and click Save.
Link a Civil 3D drawing to an Infraworks model. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Data Sources tab. In the Data Sources panel, click Add. In the Add Data Source dialog box, select the InfraWorks DWG option and click Next. In the Select InfraWorks DWG dialog box, browse to the location of the Infraworks DWG file that you want to link to and click Open.

The specific steps for importing, exporting, and linking data between Civil 3D and Infraworks may vary depending on the specific version of the software that you are using. For more detailed instructions, please refer to the documentation for Civil 3D and Infraworks.

Here are some additional tips for importing, exporting, and linking data between Civil 3D and Infraworks:

When importing an Infraworks model into Civil 3D, you can choose to import the entire model or a specific selection of objects.
When exporting a Civil 3D drawing to Infraworks, you can choose to export the entire drawing or a specific selection of objects.
When linking a Civil 3D drawing to an Infraworks model, you can choose to link the entire drawing or a specific selection of objects.
It is important to make sure that the coordinate systems of the Civil 3D drawing and the Infraworks model are the same. If the coordinate systems are not the same, you may experience problems when importing, exporting, or linking data between the two programs.
It is also important to make sure that the versions of Civil 3D and Infraworks that you are using are compatible. If the versions are not compatible, you may experience problems when importing, exporting, or linking data between the two programs.

Which Program should I Use and When?

You can import and export data between Civil 3D and Infraworks in a few different ways:

Import an Infraworks model into Civil 3D. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Insert tab. In the InfraWorks panel, click Open InfraWorks Model. In the Open InfraWorks Model dialog box, browse to the location of the Infraworks model that you want to import and click Open.
Export a Civil 3D drawing to Infraworks. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Export tab. In the Export panel, click InfraWorks. In the Export to InfraWorks dialog box, browse to the location where you want to save the Infraworks file and click Save.
Link a Civil 3D drawing to an Infraworks model. To do this, open Civil 3D and click on the Data Sources tab. In the Data Sources panel, click Add. In the Add Data Source dialog box, select the InfraWorks DWG option and click Next. In the Select InfraWorks DWG dialog box, browse to the location of the Infraworks DWG file that you want to link to and click Open.

Here are some additional tips for importing, exporting, and linking data between Civil 3D and Infraworks:

When importing an Infraworks model into Civil 3D, you can choose to import the entire model or a specific selection of objects.
When exporting a Civil 3D drawing to Infraworks, you can choose to export the entire drawing or a specific selection of objects.
When linking a Civil 3D drawing to an Infraworks model, you can choose to link the entire drawing or a specific selection of objects.
It is important to make sure that the coordinate systems of the Civil 3D drawing and the Infraworks model are the same. If the coordinate systems are not the same, you may experience problems when importing, exporting, or linking data between the two programs.
It is also important to make sure that the versions of Civil 3D and Infraworks that you are using are compatible. If the versions are not compatible, you may experience problems when importing, exporting, or linking data between the two programs.

Civil 3D and Infraworks Use Cases

Here are some applications when a Civil 3D user should use Infraworks:

Conceptual design: Infraworks is a great tool for conceptual design because it allows you to visualize infrastructure projects in the context of their surroundings. This can help you to identify potential problems and to make better design decisions.
Planning: Infraworks can also be used for planning infrastructure projects. It allows you to simulate the impact of different design decisions on the environment and traffic flow. This can help you to choose the best design for the project.
Collaboration: Infraworks is a great tool for collaboration because it allows you to share 3D models of infrastructure projects with other team members. This can help to improve communication and to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Here are some applications when an Infraworks user should use Civil 3D:

Detailed design: Civil 3D is the best tool for detailed design because it offers a wider range of features and capabilities than Infraworks. This includes features for traffic modeling, cost estimation, and as-built documentation.
Documentation: Civil 3D is also a good tool for documentation because it allows you to create 2D and 3D drawings of infrastructure projects. These drawings can be used to communicate the design to stakeholders and to construct the project.
Simulation: Civil 3D can also be used for simulation. It allows you to simulate the behavior of infrastructure projects under different conditions. This can help to identify potential problems and to improve the design of the project.

Civil 3D Vs Infraworks Conclusion

Civil 3D and Infraworks are two powerful software programs that can be used for a variety of civil engineering design tasks. The best program for a particular project will depend on the specific needs of the project.

If you are looking for a program that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for detailed design and documentation, then Civil 3D is a good choice. If you are looking for a program that is designed for conceptual design and planning, then Infraworks is a good choice.

No matter which program you choose, it is important to make sure that you are familiar with the features and capabilities of the program before you start using it. This will help you to avoid any problems and to get the most out of the program.

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Keywords: Civil 3D, infraworks, Civil 3D vs infraworks, Civil engineering design software, Civil engineering, Conceptual design software, Infrastructure design, civil 3D modeling

Powerful Revit Automation in Clarity 2025

August 9, 2023

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| AutoCAD, BIM 360, CDE (Common Data Environment), Collaboration, Data Management for Architecture and Construction, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Egnyte, IMAGINiT Clarity, Revit, Vault

Powerful Revit Automation in Clarity 2024

IMAGINiT Technologies has unveiled IMAGINiT Clarity 2024, introducing a host of novel features and streamlined task automation processes to significantly cut down on time spent dealing with manual, low-value tasks.

This enhancement offers heightened workflow efficiencies and improved task dependability, user-friendliness, and integration. As a result, BIM Coordinators gain a more substantial capacity to automate processes across projects, potentially leading to savings of over 200 hours per project annually.

Bill Zavadil, President and Chief Operating Officer at IMAGINiT Technologies, remarked, “Irrespective of whether it’s a startup or a top-tier architectural firm in the Engineering News Record Top 100, our focus has consistently been on translating customer insights garnered from webinars, implementations, and support inquiries into features that effectively tackle the most prevalent challenges.

Our Clarity suite of solutions enhances productivity by liberating time through the automation of manual, time-intensive tasks and the streamlining of administrative procedures. This affords teams the time to collaborate on higher-value design tasks. This is exemplified by the fact that Clarity’s suite of tools has recently surpassed a cumulative saving of 2 million project hours across our customer base since its initial launch in 2012.”

IMAGINiT Clarity 2024 is fully compatible with Autodesk Revit® 2024 and offers comprehensive support for versions of Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Revit Server dating back to 2020, with limited assistance available for Autodesk Revit 2019. Clarity 2024 brings fresh innovations to AEC firms, their BIM Coordinators, as well as their partners and clients, aiming to enhance workflows and heighten team efficiencies. Among the standout features are:

Metadata Enhancement

Clarity 2024 now bolsters metadata support for both Autodesk Construction Cloud and Autodesk BIM 360. Novel time-saving capabilities encompass web-based triggers that automatically initiate tasks upon specific changes within Autodesk Construction Cloud and Autodesk BIM 360 projects. Clarity further facilitates the effortless publication of existing Revit metadata into Autodesk Construction Cloud and BIM 360, seamlessly integrating all available metadata into the model.

For firms adopting ISO 19650 principles for building information management, Clarity facilitates the integration of the latest workflows by leveraging file metadata, ensuring team members employ documents as intended.

Enhanced Unified Sync

Clarity 2024 introduces an array of features that enhance the Unified Sync process across teams and external partners.The innovative Unified Sync Task centralises the file synchronization procedure, replacing multiple steps and tools with a unified, consistent dropdown menu that harmonizes data across platforms. This simplifies and accelerates the process by eliminating the necessity for diverse tools or interim data storage during synchronisation across platforms.

Unified Sync Task now offers support for Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Egnyte, augmenting the already extensive list of supported tools, including Autodesk Construction Cloud, Autodesk BIM360, Network Folder, ProjectWise, Procore, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

In response to customer feedback, the Folder Name Mapping feature enables seamless synchronisation or backup of folders between cloud services, even when teams employ distinct folder structures. Users simply document the differences through an intuitive wizard, and Clarity subsequently ensures accurate mapping moving forward.

Further Integration Enhancements

Teams utilising Autodesk Desktop Connector version 16 are limited to 40 active projects per machine. However, Clarity 2024 now continually assesses the task queue that requires processing and automatically and dynamically activates or deactivates projects to accommodate the processing of all necessary tasks each day.

Operating around the clock, Clarity cycles through projects, guaranteeing that the maximum of 40 projects per machine is never exceeded, all while seamlessly managing tasks on each server to fulfill all required tasks.

Visit the IMAGINiT Clarity here or click here to visit IMAGINiT Technologies’ Clarity Page.

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DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

AutoCAD Vs Civil 3D Showdown

July 4, 2023

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| Civil 3D

AutoCAD Vs Civil 3D Showdown

AutoCAD and Civil 3D are two of the most popular CAD software programs on the market. AutoCAD is a general-purpose CAD program that can be used for a wide variety of tasks, while Civil 3D is a specialised CAD program designed for civil engineering applications.

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast AutoCAD and Civil 3D. We will discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and we will help you decide which program is right for your needs.

Features

AutoCAD:

2D and 3D drafting
Object-based drawing
Advanced editing tools
Dimensioning and annotation
Rendering and visualization
Data management
Collaboration tools

Civil 3D:

Civil engineering-specific tools
Alignments
Profiles
Corridors
Pipe networks
Land development
Surveying
Rendering and visualization
Data management
Collaboration tools

Piping and Drainage

Civil 3D has a number of features that make it well-suited for piping and drainage design. For example, Civil 3D has a tool that can be used to automatically create pipe networks, and it has a tool that can be used to analyze the hydraulics of pipe networks.

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Corridor modelling

A powerful tool in Civil 3D that can be used to create 3D models of roads, highways, railways, and other linear features. Corridor models are created by placing 2D sections (assemblies) at incremental locations along a baseline. The assemblies are then joined together to create a continuous 3D model.

Corridor modelling has a number of advantages over traditional 2D drafting methods. First, corridor models are more accurate because they take into account the vertical as well as the horizontal dimensions of the feature being modeled. Second, corridor models are more flexible because they can be easily modified to accommodate changes in the design. Third, corridor models are more efficient because they can be used to generate a variety of output, such as cross-sections, profiles, and surfaces.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of AutoCAD:

More general-purpose
Easier to learn
More affordable
Larger user community

Strengths of Civil 3D:

More specialised features
More powerful tools
Better integration with other Autodesk products
More comprehensive documentation

Weaknesses of AutoCAD:

Not as specialised as Civil 3D
Can be difficult to learn for civil engineers
Not as powerful as Civil 3D
Lacks some of the civil engineering-specific features of Civil 3D

Weaknesses of Civil 3D:

More expensive than AutoCAD
More difficult to learn
Smaller user community

Survey Surfacing

Civil 3D has a number of features that make it well-suited for survey surfacing. For example, Civil 3D has a tool that can be used to import survey data, and it has a tool that can be used to create 3D surfaces from survey data.

Surfacing and Parcels

Civil 3D has a number of features that make it well-suited for surfacing and parcels. For example, Civil 3D has a tool that can be used to create TIN surfaces, and it has a tool that can be used to create parcels.

Drawing Production

Both AutoCAD and Civil 3D can be used for drawing production. However, Civil 3D has a number of features that make it better suited for this task. For example, Civil 3D has a number of tools that make it easier to create and manage drawing layers, and it has a built-in drawing template that can be used to create consistent drawings.

AutoCAD Vs Civil 3D Conclusion

The best CAD software program for you will depend on your specific needs. If you are a civil engineer, then Civil 3D is the better choice. It has the specialized features and tools you need to create accurate and detailed civil engineering designs.

However, if you are not a civil engineer, or if you need a more general-purpose CAD program, then AutoCAD is a good option. It is easier to learn and more affordable than Civil 3D.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which program is right for you is to try both of them out. You can download free trials of AutoCAD and Civil 3D from the Autodesk website.

AutoCAD and Civil 3D are both powerful CAD software programs. They have different strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to choose the right program for your needs. If you are a civil engineer, then Civil 3D is the better choice. However, if you are not a civil engineer, or if you need a more general-purpose CAD program, then AutoCAD is a good option.

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What’s New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2024

March 28, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, BIM 360, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Revit

What's New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2024

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 is out with a focus on Accelerating Creativity, Tailored Functionality and a Connected Design Experience.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 Overview

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Accelerating Creativity

Focus on quickly creating and collaborating on innovative solutions using assistive machine learning technology to improve design workflows.

The performance enhancements in AutoCAD 2024 really stand out—both with how fast it opens and the speed of switching between models and view ports. It’s much faster than any previous versions.

Michael Shurgalla

Senior Design Technology Specialist, Merrick

Activity Insights

Bridge information gaps in collaborative AutoCAD workflows and stay connected to essential data throughout project lifecycles

My Insights Macro Advisor & Dashboard

Provides valuable information to you at the right time and in the right context to assist with steps that you can automate.

Count & Blocks Palette

Counting blocks is now up to 70% faster and reusing design content with blocks is up to 47% faster.

Smart Blocks: Placement and Replacement

Automatically place blocks in your drawing based on where you’ve inserted the same ones thus far, reducing the number of clicks and saving you valuable time in the process.

Quickly find the blocks you need with machine learning powered functionality, delivering powerful time-saving automations.

Tailored Functionality

Organisations can customise AutoCAD for their industries, empowering teams to build and run discipline-specific routines and workflows.

Ready to Get Connected?

Save up to 20% on Autodesk Software and Services

ACAD for Mac – M series chip

Added support for Apple Silicon increased AutoCAD for Mac’s overall performance by 2x*

Connected Design Experience

Autodesk creates an ecosystem of industry-leading design software and technology partners.

Web AutoLISP APIs

AutoLISP, a staple feature of AutoCAD desktop, now enables customisations to automate a sequence of commands in AutoCAD on the web

AutoLISP

AutoCAD LT now includes AutoLISP.

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Faster cross-platform markup workflows through expanded machine learning capabilities & essential experience improvements

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Faster cross-platform markup workflows through expanded machine learning capabilities & essential experience improvements

Migrating Custom Settings

The CUI, tool palettes, and templates have undergone enhancements to facilitate the transfer of customised files and locations.

To utilise personalized configurations:

Access the Autodesk AutoCAD <product and release> folder drop-down list from the Windows Start menu. Choose Migrate From a Previous Release.
In the resulting Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, specify the release you wish to migrate from.
Select the customized settings you want to transfer to the latest release.

Tab Improvements

The Start, File and Layout Tabs have been improved.

Trace Updates

Enhancements to the Trace environment continue, with the introduction of the COPYFROMTRACE command and additional settings controls on the toolbar.

Autodesk Docs Improvements

The following improvements have been made to Autodesk Docs:

Improved support and performance when viewing large files on Autodesk Docs.
Improved Desktop Connector resulting in improved performance displaying a drawing in the Start tab and opening a drawing from Autodesk Docs.
Improved navigation on the Start tab for drawings stored on Autodesk Docs

AutoCAD 2024 Vs AutoCAD LT 2024

Features	AutoCAD 2024	AutoCAD LT 2024
Find and replace blocks based on other blocks in your drawing	Yes	No
Stay informed of relevant file changes with details of multi-user activities in a DWG file	Yes	No
Utilise AutoLISP programs to automate repetitive tasks and enhance workflows	Yes	Yes
Extend AutoLISP programs with third-party automation libraries, and utilize specialised editors to write and debug programs	Yes	No
Create and edit 2D geometry	Yes	Yes
Annotate drawings with traces, text, dimensions, leaders & tables	Yes	Yes
Customize the ribbon and tool palettes	Yes	Yes
Attach and import data from PDF files	Yes	Yes
Share and use data from DGN files, Navisworks, & Bing Maps	Yes	Yes
Create and edit 3D models with solids, surfaces, & mesh objects	Yes	No
Customize with add-on apps and APIs	Yes	No
Extract object data to tables	Yes	No
Create renderings with lighting, materials, & visual styles	Yes	No
Apply and monitor CAD standards	Yes	No
Automate counting objects and blocks	Yes	Yes
Share drawings with colleagues directly from AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT	Yes	Yes
Import feedback and incorporate changes with a click of a button	Yes	No
Learn new features and workflows to work faster with My Insights	Yes	No

What's New in Specialised Toolsets

AutoCAD Architecture and MEP 2024

AEC3DPRINT

With AEC3DPRINT command, you can natively export the AEC objects to an STL file format that’s compatible with 3D printing without converting to 3D solids.

Enhanced Design Center Content

New MVBlocks and block references are available in Design Center.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Mechanical 2024

ANSI/ASME Standard Revision Update

ISO Standard Revision Update for Taper and Slope Symbols

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024

Ortho Bill of Materials (BOM)

Spec and Catalog Editor Enhancements

The Edit Parts and Edit Properties functions are enhanced in both Spec and Catalog Editors.

Edit parts within a selected parts family for inclusion in a spec sheet or catalog.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

View all parts available for a specific size in the selected spec. Use the search box to look for specific components in the Pipe Spec Viewer.

Any changes to the size and spec lists are both updated in Pipe Spec Viewer and the Part Insertion panel on the ribbon.

Ortho Single-Line Piping Enhancements

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024

Coordinate System Update

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024 supports the new coordinate systems in the following categories:

SnakeGrid EWR2
NAD83(CSRS) / Alberta 3TM

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Electrical 3D 2024

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

Create a schematic symbol table from schematic reports.

The schematic report lists the symbols used in the project along with its description in a table. You can also surf through a particular symbol that is used in various locations of the project.

Wire Type Synchronisation

Wire type can now be synchronized for all wires in the network with the same signal code across the drawings.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Discover the Right CAD Tool for Your Engineering Needs

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Connected Architecture Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

March 23, 2023

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| Advance Steel, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Navisworks, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Revit

Connected Architecture Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

The field of architecture has come a long way from hand-drawn sketches and blueprints. With the rise of technology, architects now have access to a wide range of software tools that can help them design and construct buildings more efficiently. One such tool is the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection, a suite of software programs designed to facilitate connected design and collaboration among architects, engineers, and other construction professionals.

Understanding Autodesk AEC Collection

The Autodesk AEC Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that includes tools for building information modeling (BIM), 2D and 3D design, visualization, and analysis. It includes software programs such as Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and Docs, among others. By using the AEC Collection, architects can create, manage, and share their design data more effectively, resulting in a more streamlined and efficient design process.

The Benefits of Connected Architecture Design

Connected design refers to the process of collaborating with other professionals involved in the construction process. By working together and sharing information, architects, engineers, and builders can reduce errors, speed up the design process, and ultimately create better buildings. Connected design also enables architects to incorporate feedback from other stakeholders, resulting in a more comprehensive and effective design.

Collaborating with Revit in AEC Collection

One of the key tools in the AEC Collection is Revit, a BIM software program that allows architects to design and collaborate on building projects in real-time. Revit enables architects to create a digital model of a building, complete with all the necessary information, such as dimensions, materials, and structural details. This model can then be shared with other professionals in the construction process, such as engineers and builders, to facilitate collaboration and ensure a more efficient design process.

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Connecting with Navisworks and Docs

Navisworks and Docs are two other software programs included in the AEC Collection that can help streamline the design process. Navisworks is a project review software that allows architects and engineers to visualise and analyse their designs in 3D. This can help identify any potential clashes or issues before construction begins, reducing the likelihood of errors and delays. Docs, on the other hand, is a cloud-based collaboration tool that enables architects to share and manage design data with other professionals in real-time, from any location.

AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD Architecture vs. Revit

While all three software programs are used in the architecture industry, they serve different purposes. AutoCAD is a 2D drafting and design software program, while AutoCAD Architecture is a 3D design tool specifically for architects. Revit, on the other hand, is a BIM software program that enables architects to create digital models of buildings with all the necessary information. While each program has its own strengths and weaknesses, architects can use them together in the AEC Collection to create a more comprehensive and effective design.

Tool/Command	AutoCAD	AutoCAD Architecture	Revit
2D drafting	✔️
3D design		✔️	✔️
Walls		✔️	✔️
Doors		✔️	✔️
Windows		✔️	✔️
Stairs		✔️	✔️
Roofs		✔️	✔️
Slabs/Floors		✔️	✔️
Structural elements			✔️
MEP/HVAC			✔️
Building Information Modelling (BIM)			✔️

Collaboration with Other Disciplines in AEC Collection:

The AEC Collection also includes software programs designed for MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineering and design. By working together with these professionals, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional. MEP/HVAC software programs such as AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP enable architects to create accurate and detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. This ensures that these systems are integrated seamlessly into the building design, resulting in better performance and energy efficiency.

Structural engineering software programs such as Revit Structure and Robot Structural Analysis can help architects design structurally sound buildings that can withstand various forces and loads. By incorporating these programs into the design process, architects can create more efficient and cost-effective designs that meet safety requirements.

Civil engineering software programs such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and InfraWorks enable architects to design roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure projects with accuracy and precision. By working together with civil engineers, architects can ensure that their designs are integrated into the surrounding environment and meet the necessary safety and regulatory requirements.

Connected Architecture Design

The Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection is a powerful suite of software programs that can help architects create better designs and collaborate more effectively with other professionals in the construction industry. By using programs such as Revit, Navisworks, and Docs, architects can create digital models of buildings and share them with other stakeholders, streamlining the design process and reducing errors. By collaborating with MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineers and designers, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional, resulting in better-performing buildings that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

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Connected Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

March 22, 2023

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| 3ds Max, Advance Steel, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, CADmep, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, estMEP, Infrastructure, Navisworks, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Reality Computing, Revit, Revit, Simulation, Vault, Visualisation

Connected Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

In today’s fast-paced world, the construction industry is continuously evolving with new technology advancements. As technology advances, it becomes essential to have an efficient and connected design process that incorporates design, analysis, and visualization. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that facilitate this process. This blog post will discuss how the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection can benefit various industries by connecting design, analysis, and visualization.

Connected Design Workflow: How Software Programs Work Together

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection consists of multiple software programs that allow for a connected design workflow. The software programs in the collection work together seamlessly, allowing for efficient design, analysis, and visualization. The collection includes software programs such as AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and more. Each software program is designed to perform a specific task, and when used together, they create a comprehensive design workflow.

Designing with Precision: AutoCAD and Revit in the AEC Collection

The first step in any construction project is design. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes various software programs that aid in the design process. AutoCAD is a widely used software program that allows for 2D and 3D drafting. AutoCAD is used to create detailed drawings, and it is compatible with other software programs in the collection. Revit is another software program that is used in the design process. Revit allows for BIM (Building Information Modelling), which helps in creating a detailed 3D model of the building. By using Revit, the design process becomes more efficient, as the software program allows for collaboration between various stakeholders.

Revit and Civil 3D: Enhancing Infrastructure and Construction Projects with 3D Modeling and Efficient Design Collaboration

Revit and Civil 3D are commonly used in the AEC industry for infrastructure and construction projects. Revit creates 3D models of buildings, while Civil 3D designs infrastructure projects. Used together, they complement each other and improve the design process by identifying potential design issues in 3D models. Changes made in one software program are automatically updated in the other. This streamlines the design process and helps identify issues early in the design phase.

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How Revit and Advance Steel Work Together to Streamline Steel Design and Fabrication

Revit and Advance Steel are two software programs that can be used together in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Revit is a building information modeling (BIM) software that is used to create 3D models of buildings, while Advance Steel is a 3D modeling software that is used to design steel structures.

When used together, Revit and Advance Steel can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design process. For example, an engineer can create a 3D model of a building in Revit and then export it to Advance Steel to design the steel structure. The engineer can then import the steel structure design back into Revit to ensure that it is compatible with the rest of the building design.

In addition, when changes are made in one software program, they are automatically updated in the other software program. This means that any changes made to the steel structure design in Advance Steel will be automatically reflected in the building design in Revit, and vice versa.

Using Revit and Advance Steel together can also help identify potential design issues early in the design phase. The 3D models created in Revit and Advance Steel can be used to identify clashes or conflicts that may have been missed in 2D design drawings. This can help save time and reduce the risk of errors and rework later in the project.

In conclusion, Revit and Advance Steel are powerful software programs that can be used together to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design process in the AEC industry. The ability to export and import design elements between the two software programs and ensure that changes are automatically updated can streamline the design process and help identify potential issues early in the design phase.

Efficient Analysis with Navisworks and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes software programs that aid in the analysis process. Navisworks is a software program that allows for coordination and simulation of construction projects. Navisworks helps in identifying clashes, reducing errors and rework, and creating more efficient designs. Additionally, Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional is used to perform structural analysis of buildings. The software program helps in identifying structural deficiencies and optimizes the design process.

Bringing GIS Mapping and Connected Design Together: A Comprehensive Approach with Autodesk's AEC Collection

In today’s world, design and construction projects require a more comprehensive approach than ever before. With the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection from Autodesk, architects, engineers, and construction professionals have access to a suite of powerful tools that can help them collaborate and work more efficiently. One of the most valuable features of the AEC Collection is its ability to integrate with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, providing a more accurate and detailed view of project sites and landscapes.

AutoCAD Map 3D is a powerful software tool for GIS mapping, which allows users to access, manage and analyse spatial data. With AutoCAD Map 3D, users can easily import and export data from various sources, such as aerial imagery, satellite imagery, and other GIS data. This software also provides a wide range of tools for data analysis, visualization and editing, making it an essential tool for GIS professionals. Some of the key features of AutoCAD Map 3D include 3D modelling and visualisation, data query and analysis, and advanced geospatial analysis tools. By leveraging these features, users can create accurate and comprehensive maps and spatial data sets for a wide range of applications.

GIS mapping is a critical component of many construction projects, particularly those that involve large-scale developments or infrastructure. By overlaying geographic data such as topography, hydrology, and geology onto a digital map, project teams can better understand the context of their projects and make more informed decisions. The AEC Collection’s integration with GIS mapping tools allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to access this data within their design software, creating a more seamless and connected workflow.

With the AEC Collection, design professionals can also collaborate with each other in real-time using tools such as Navisworks and Docs. Navisworks allows teams to integrate and coordinate models from multiple disciplines, while Docs enables document management and sharing across teams. By using these tools in conjunction with GIS mapping, project teams can ensure that all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date information, reducing errors and improving overall project efficiency.

Enhancing Oil and Gas Plant Design with the AEC Collection and Plant 3D

The Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection is a powerful suite of software programs designed to facilitate connected design for the architecture industry. One of the key software programs in this collection is Plant 3D, which is specifically designed for oil and gas plant design.

Plant 3D is a comprehensive software program that enables users to design, model, and analyze piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) for oil and gas plants. With its intuitive interface and advanced tools, Plant 3D allows users to create accurate and detailed 3D models of plant layouts, equipment, and piping systems.

One of the key advantages of using the AEC Collection and Plant 3D for oil and gas plant design is the ability to collaborate with other disciplines in the industry, such as civil engineering and structural design. By working together in a connected design environment, designers and engineers can ensure that all aspects of the plant design are integrated seamlessly, from the initial concept through to construction and operation.

In addition, the AEC Collection and Plant 3D offer a range of powerful tools for data management and analysis, enabling users to track and monitor plant performance, optimize plant layouts, and identify potential safety hazards or operational issues.

Some of the key features of Plant 3D include:

Intelligent P&ID design and management tools
Comprehensive 3D modeling capabilities
Advanced piping and instrumentation analysis tools
Integration with other AEC Collection software programs, such as Navisworks and Docs

By leveraging these features, designers and engineers in the oil and gas industry can streamline their design processes, improve collaboration, and ensure that their plant designs are optimized for safety, efficiency, and performance.

Enhancing Visualisation with 3DS Max and InfraWorks

Visualisation is an essential part of any construction project. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes software programs that aid in the visualization process. 3DS Max is a software program that allows for rendering and animation of 3D models. 3DS Max helps in creating realistic visuals, which help in selling designs to clients. Autodesk InfraWorks is another software program that helps in creating visualizations of infrastructure projects. InfraWorks allows for collaboration between various stakeholders, and it helps in creating a more efficient design process.

Streamlining AEC Projects with Autodesk Docs

Autodesk Docs is a powerful document management tool that can help streamline AEC projects when used in conjunction with the Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection (AEC Collection) software. The AEC Collection includes several software programs that are essential for building design and construction, including Revit, Civil 3D, and Advance Steel.

By using Autodesk Docs to manage project documents, stakeholders can easily access and collaborate on project files from anywhere, at any time. This can improve project efficiency and communication, as all team members can stay up-to-date on project progress and changes.

Moreover, the AEC Collection software can be seamlessly integrated with Autodesk Docs, allowing users to store and manage their project files directly within Autodesk Docs. This integration makes it easier for teams to collaborate on project files and ensures that all project documentation is stored in one place, reducing the risk of lost or missing files.

For example, Revit models can be directly linked to Autodesk Docs, allowing team members to access and collaborate on the most up-to-date model at all times. Civil 3D designs can also be stored in Autodesk Docs, making it easy to share and collaborate on complex civil engineering projects.

Overall, by using Autodesk Docs in conjunction with the AEC Collection software, AEC professionals can streamline their project workflows, improve collaboration and communication, and ensure that project documentation is secure and easily accessible.

AEC Collection in Various Industries: Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is beneficial to various industries. Here are a few examples:

Architecture: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used by architects to design and visualise buildings. The software programmes in the collection allow for efficient design, analysis, and visualisation.

Engineering: Engineers use the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection to perform structural analysis and design. The software programmes in the collection help in identifying structural deficiencies, optimising designs, and creating efficient designs.

Construction: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used in the construction industry to coordinate and simulate construction projects. The software programmes in the collection help in identifying clashes, reducing errors and rework, and creating more efficient designs.

Infrastructure: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used in the infrastructure industry to design and visualise infrastructure projects. The software programmes in the collection, such as InfraWorks, help in creating visualisations of infrastructure projects. InfraWorks allows for collaboration between various stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and contractors. By using the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, infrastructure projects can be completed more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Manufacturing: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is also used in the manufacturing industry. The collection includes software programmes that aid in the design of manufacturing equipment and machinery. Autodesk Inventor, for example, is used to design and test products before they are manufactured, reducing errors and costs.

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection Connected Design Matrix

Software	Description	File Type	Command	Import/Export	Link
AutoCAD	2D and 3D computer-aided design software used for creating blueprints, schematics, and models	DWG, DXF, DWF	DRAWING, MODEL, VIEW, PLOT	Import: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, STEP, SAT, IGES, STL	Export: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, STL, OBJ, FBX
Revit	Building information modeling (BIM) software used for creating detailed 3D models of buildings and structures	RVT, RFA, RTE	OPEN, VIEW, EXPORT, PRINT	Import: DWG, DXF, IFC, SAT, SKP, 3DM, STL, OBJ, FBX	Export: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, IFC, SAT, SKP, 3DM, STL, OBJ, FBX
Civil 3D	Civil engineering design and documentation software used for designing, analyzing, and documenting civil engineering projects	DWG	CIVIL3D, C3D	Import: DWG, LandXML, Revit	Export: DWG, LandXML, Revit
InfraWorks	Infrastructure design and engineering software used for creating 3D models of infrastructure projects	IAM	OPEN, MODEL, VIEW, EXPORT, PUBLISH	Import: DWG, DGN, GIS, SHP, KML, FBX	Export: DWG, DGN, FBX, COLLADA, OBJ, IFC, KMZ
3ds Max	3D modeling, animation, and rendering software used for creating visualizations of buildings and environments	MAX	OPEN, MODEL, RENDER	Import: DWG, FBX, DAE, OBJ, 3DS, STL	Export: DWG, FBX, DAE, OBJ, 3DS, STL
Navisworks	Project review software used for 3D coordination, model analysis, and clash detection	NWD, NWF	OPEN, APPEND, EXPORT, PUBLISH	Import: DWG, DWF, DGN, IFC, SKP, FBX, 3DS, OBJ	Export: DWF, DWFx, NWC, NWF, FBX, 3DS, OBJ
Advance Steel	Steel detailing software used for creating structural steel models and fabrication drawings	DWG, DSTV	OPEN, MODEL, EXPORT	Import: DWG, CIS/2, SDNF, IFC, STEP, SAT, SKP	Export: DWG, DSTV, CIS/2, SDNF, IFC, STEP, SAT, SKP
Robot Structural Analysis Professional	Structural analysis software used for simulating and analyzing building structures	RST, RSA

AEC Collection: A Valuable Tool for Cost-Effective Design Processes.

In conclusion, the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that facilitates a connected design workflow. The software programs in the collection work together seamlessly, allowing for efficient design, analysis, and visualization. By using the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, various industries can benefit from a more efficient and cost-effective design process. The collection is beneficial to architects, engineers, construction professionals, infrastructure designers, and manufacturers. The collection is continuously evolving to meet the needs of these industries, and it remains a valuable tool in the construction industry.

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Connected MEP Design with Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

March 20, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor, Inventor Professional, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Connected MEP Design with Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Streamlining MEP Design with Autodesk: An In-Depth Look at AutoCAD MEP and Inventor's Tools and Benefits

MEP (mechanical, electrical, and piping) design is an essential part of building construction, and Autodesk’s Product Design and Manufacturing Industry Collection provides software tools to simplify and streamline the MEP design process. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Autodesk’s AutoCAD MEP and Inventor can be used for efficient and accurate MEP design

Using AutoCAD MEP for MEP Design

AutoCAD MEP is a powerful software tool specifically designed for MEP industry professionals. It comes equipped with a range of tools that make MEP design more efficient, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing content, tool palettes, space coordination, electrical circuiting, and data extraction. These tools make it easy to create, edit, and share MEP designs with precision and accuracy

Using Autodesk Inventor for MEP Design

Autodesk Inventor is a 3D mechanical design software tool that can be used for MEP design. Its tube and pipe routing features, assembly environment, XREF, and AnyCAD features make it ideal for designing and analysing piping systems. The software allows for the creation of intelligent 3D models that can be used for interference checking, stress analysis, and simulation, providing MEP professionals with the necessary tools to streamline their design process.

Benefits of Using Autodesk's Product Design and Manufacturing Industry Collection

Using Autodesk’s Product Design and Manufacturing Industry Collection provides many benefits for MEP design. It saves time, improves accuracy, and ensures compliance with industry standards. With this software collection, MEP professionals have access to a suite of tools that can be used for 2D and 3D design, simulation, and analysis. Additionally, the software integrates with other Autodesk products, allowing for seamless collaboration between teams.

Importing DWG Files into AutoCAD MEP and Inventor

Both AutoCAD MEP and Inventor allow for the import of 2D and 3D DWG files. In AutoCAD MEP, you can import 2D DWG files using the “Insert” command. You can also import 3D DWG files and use them as a reference to create a new MEP model. In Inventor, you can import 2D DWG files using the AnyCAD feature. This feature allows you to link the 2D DWG file to your Inventor model, allowing you to update your design in real-time.

XREFing an Inventor Model into AutoCAD MEP

In addition to importing DWG files, you can also XREF an Inventor model into AutoCAD MEP. This feature allows you to bring in a 3D model created in Inventor and use it as a reference for your AutoCAD MEP model. By doing so, you can ensure that your MEP design is accurate and coordinated with other building systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Autodesk’s Product Design and Manufacturing Industry Collection provides MEP professionals with a suite of tools that can be used to streamline their design process. AutoCAD MEP and Inventor are two software tools that provide MEP professionals with a range of features, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing content, tube and pipe routing, assembly environment, XREF, AnyCAD, and more.

You can also check out our Fabrication page to learn more about Fabrication workflows for MEP.

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Connected Structural Design with Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

March 19, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, Inventor, Inventor Professional, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Structural Steel

Connected Structural Design with Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Transforming Structural Design with Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

The Autodesk Product Design and Manufacturing Industry Collection is a comprehensive set of software tools for designing and manufacturing products across various industries. This collection includes software for 3D design, engineering, and production, and it’s ideal for product designers and manufacturers. In this blog post, we will explore the connected structural design tools in Autodesk Inventor and how they can be used to design and analyse structures. We will also discuss how the structural designs from Inventor can be used in Plant 3D to design production plants, oil and gas projects, and how to export dwg or adsk file formats to AutoCAD.

Structural Design and Analysis Tools in Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Inventor offers a range of structural design and analysis tools that enable users to create complex structures with ease. The software comes equipped with frame generator, sheet metal, and assembly modeling environment to facilitate the design of structural elements. These tools are ideal for designers and engineers who need to create robust and reliable structures.

Exporting dwg or adsk File Formats to AutoCAD

Autodesk Inventor offers the ability to export designs in dwg or adsk file formats to AutoCAD. This feature enables users to work with the designs in AutoCAD, which is useful for designers who need to create 2D drawings or for those who prefer working in AutoCAD. The process of exporting designs is straightforward and requires only a few clicks.

Structural Design in Plant 3D

Plant 3D is a specialized toolset of AutoCAD that allows users to design and analyse production plants, oil and gas projects, and other industrial structures. Users can utilise structural designs created in Inventor in Plant 3D to design various elements such as pipe supports, equipment, and structural steel. This feature enables designers to create a comprehensive 3D model that includes all the structural and mechanical elements of a plant.

Frame Generator

Frame Generator is a powerful tool in Autodesk Inventor that enables users to design and create structural frames with ease. This tool allows users to create complex frame structures using pre-defined structural shapes or custom shapes. The tool also provides the ability to create structural members with different cross-sections and apply various constraints to optimize the frame’s strength and stability.

Frame Analysis

Frame Analysis is a feature in Autodesk Inventor that allows users to analyse and optimize frame structures. This feature provides a comprehensive set of tools for analysing frames, including calculating the frame’s natural frequencies, calculating the stresses and displacements, and evaluating the frame’s stability. The tool also provides the ability to modify the frame’s design and re-run the analysis to optimise the frame’s performance.

Simulation

Autodesk Inventor offers simulation tools that enable users to simulate various types of mechanical and structural behavior, including structural analysis, motion analysis, and dynamic simulation. These tools allow users to evaluate the structural and mechanical performance of their designs, identify potential issues, and optimize their designs for better performance.

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Nastran Structural Simulation Analysis

Nastran Structural Simulation Analysis is a comprehensive simulation tool in Autodesk Inventor that allows users to simulate and analyse complex mechanical and structural behaviour. This tool provides advanced simulation capabilities for analysing stress, deformation, vibration, and other mechanical behaviours. The tool also provides the ability to perform finite element analysis (FEA) to optimize designs for better performance.

Structural Design Workflow

The workflow from designing a structural design in Inventor to performing a frame analysis and Nastran structural analysis study involves several steps, which are as follows:

Step 1: Designing the Structural Design in Inventor

The first step is to create the structural design in Autodesk Inventor using tools such as Frame Generator, Sheet Metal, or Assembly Modelling Environment. The design can include various elements, such as beams, columns, braces, and trusses.

Step 2: Preparing the Model for Analysis

Once the structural design is created, the next step is to prepare the model for analysis. This involves assigning material properties, loads, and boundary conditions to the model. Material properties include properties such as modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and density, while loads and boundary conditions can include forces, moments, supports, and constraints.

Step 3: Performing a Frame Analysis

The next step is to perform a frame analysis to evaluate the structural behaviour of the design. In Autodesk Inventor, Frame Analysis can be performed using the Frame Analysis Environment. This environment allows users to perform various types of analysis, including static, modal, and buckling analysis. Frame Analysis can be used to calculate natural frequencies, stresses, and deformations of the structure.

Step 4: Performing a Nastran Structural Analysis Study

If more advanced analysis is required, a Nastran Structural Analysis Study can be performed. Nastran is a finite element analysis software that is integrated into Autodesk Inventor. This tool provides advanced simulation capabilities for analysing stress, deformation, and other mechanical behaviours. It can also be used to perform more complex analyses, such as dynamic and thermal analysis.

Step 5: Optimizing the Design

Once the analysis is complete, the next step is to optimize the design based on the results of the analysis. This can involve modifying the structural design or adjusting the loads and boundary conditions to improve the performance of the design.

Step 6: Iterating the Process

Finally, the design process is iterated, with the model being adjusted and re-analysed until an optimal design is achieved. This can involve going back to Step 2 and re-defining the loads and boundary conditions, or adjusting the design in Inventor and re-analysing in the Frame Analysis or Nastran Structural Analysis Study environment.

In summary, the workflow from designing a structural design in Inventor to performing a Frame Analysis and Nastran Structural Analysis Study involves several steps, including preparing the model for analysis, performing the analysis, optimizing the design, and iterating the process until an optimal design is achieved. These tools in Inventor allow for the creation of complex structures and ensure their mechanical behaviour is analysed and optimized for performance.

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Autodesk Access Replacing Autodesk Desktop Application (ADA)

March 5, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk News, Autodesk Products, Building Design Suite, Inventor Professional, Plant Design Suite, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite, Revit, Uncategorized

On March 15, 2023, Autodesk Desktop Application (ADA) will be replaced by Autodesk Access. This will provide a firm foundation for future capabilities, making it simple to manage new Autodesk product updates.

The new Autodesk Access has been built with trust, security and choice in mind, providing many benefits, including:

Easy access to updates, new features, and defect fixes, keeping you productive without interfering with your workflows
Improved control over your user update experience
Enhanced security features while improving performance

How To Update To Autodesk Access

You will automatically receive Autodesk Access if you currently have the Autodesk Desktop App or if you install a new Autodek product on or after March 15, 2023.

Starting March 15, you can download Autodesk Access here

Important Notice: User Permissions

Please note that when Autodesk Access is installed, by default, users will have access to install updates if they have administrator rights. To prevent users from manually installing updates via the new Autodesk Access, use the following Registry Key. We recommend completing this step before March 15th. For more guidance on how to set this key for your users, please see this support article. See key details below:

Create a new key in the HKCU/Software/Autodesk/ODIS folder.
- Key name: DisableManualUpdateInstall
- DWORD value: 1

This is Autodesk’s first step in an exciting roadmap to give customers a simple, transparent update experience with full control and easy access to new product features. Stay tuned for further updates from Design Consulting as Autodesk continue to release new features and improvements.

More Information

Contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below to get more information on how to best manage your Autodesk software. Our team of experts have saved our clients thousands of dollars by helping them make smart decisions around how to best structure their investment in technology for maximum return on investment. We’d be happy to audit your existing technology and recommend any changes that you could benefit from.

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer – Renaming Files

February 18, 2023

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| CDE (Common Data Environment), Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Data Management for Manufacturing, Vault, Vault

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer - Renaming Files

This Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer post looks at the common workflows in both systems when it comes to renaming a file. Typically when a a file is renamed it is either named differently because their is a variation, or perhaps the design intent has changed and there may be a need to modify the filename or it is copied and the requirement to have a unique filename exists.

File Management

Renaming Files in Windows Explorer

When renaming within a Windows Explorer environment, as long as the file is not opened, you can simply left click or right-click > rename and change the filename as long as the same filename does not exist in the same file path.

There are 3rd party tools to batch rename as well of you need to change a filename in bulk.

Windows Explorer File Renaming Challenges

Using Windows, users experience the following challenges:

Reference management may fail as the filename in the reference file path has changed
Changing multiple files can be time consuming
Updating the part number or other metadata, properties or attributes within the file. While we can rename the file, if we need to also rename the metadata within that file, we need to go into each file that needs to be modified, make the changes, save, exit and repeat for each file that needs a similar metadata change.

Renaming in Vault

With Vault, you can rename files and metadata within the file a couple ways:

Rename Wizard
Edit Properties
Copy Design

Rename Wizard

By selecting a file or files, then right-clicking the mouse button, you can select the rename command to launch the rename wizard.

Autodesk Vault’s Rename Wizard gives you the following options:

Add more files to rename
Add a Prefix and/or Suffix or Increment
Modify the filename
Update the Part Number
Numbering Scheme (for Vault Professional environments)

Edit Properties

Like the Rename Wizard in Autodesk Vault, you can bulk update properties through the Vault Explorer without needing to open files individually.

Opening Files That Have Been Renamed

Windows Explorer

The issue with opening referenced files that have been renamed is matching the file reference. No big deal when it’s one, but if there are hundreds or more, the process can be mind numbing and time consuming.

Autodesk Vault

When files are renamed in Vault and opened in CAD, Vault tracks the change and ensures the reference to any other files are maintained, giving users more time to focus on design rather than file administration.

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows - File Renaming Video

Watch the video below to compare file remaming in Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer.

Learn More about Autodesk Vault

Check out the rest of the Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer Blog Series or click on a button below to learn more about having Vault to manage your data on-prem or in the cloud.

Free 90 Day Vault Trial

If you are interested in trialling Vault or just want to discuss your data management requirements further, feel free to fill out the form below or contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

February 2023 Autodesk Update: What’s New

February 15, 2023

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| 3ds Max, Architecture, AutoCAD, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk News, Autodesk Products, Building Design Suite, Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Defence, Fusion 360, Infrastructure, Inventor, Inventor Professional, Manufacturing, Maya, Plant Design Suite, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite, Revit, Revit, Uncategorized, Utilities, Visualisation, Visualisation

Discover the latest news and new features from Autodesk, Click the links below for more information.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Update to AutoCAD 2023.1 – see what’s new (blog post)
Get bite-sized fixes, shortcuts, advice & tips (AutoCAD Community)
Subscribe to the AutoCAD podcast (blog post)

Architecture, Engineering & Civil Engineering

Revit update: see what’s new in Revit 2023.1 (blog post)
See what’s New In Civil 3D 2023.2 and InfraWorks 2023.1 (blog post)
Sheet Set Manager for Civil 3D updated to be cloud-first (blog post)

Design & Manufacturing

Inventor update – What’s new in 2023.2 (blog post)
Fusion 360 update – What’s New November 2022 (video)
Share ideas for future product features directly with the Inventor team (forum)

Media & Entertainment

See What’s New in Maya (timeline)
New learning courses for 3ds Max, Maya & Arnold (courses)
Level up your Games Studio with ShotGrid (webinar)

Admin resources and more

More Information

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer – File Management

January 12, 2023

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| CDE (Common Data Environment), Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Data Management for Manufacturing, Vault, Vault

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer - File Management

In the first post of the Autodesk Vault vs Windows Explorer Blog Series, we take a look at the differences between Autodesk Vault and Windows Explorer when it comes to file management and how users store, find files, create files and folders.

File Management

Windows Explorer File Management Processes and Techniques

When managing CAD or BIM data using AutoCAD, Inventor or Revit in a Windows Explorer, Network Server or even Cloud Storage environment, users typically:

Store data in folders
Sort data or projects by folder
Descriptive filenames that are complex and long are used to understand what the file is and what it contains
Find files by clicking through folders and sub-folders or searching by file name
Have a centralised library of content center files, xrefs, blocks, templates, etc.
Create multiple ipj files (for Inventor) to manage projects or isolate project specific files
Updating files and the file metadata on a batch scale using 3rd party tools, such as Inventor task scheduler

Windows Explorer File Management Challenges

Using Windows, users experience the following challenges:

Complex folder and sub-folder structures based on agreed upon rules or company standards
Understanding what a filename means to know what the file contains
Having to open the file or multiple files to find the right file/s.
Managing folder and filenames characters when the 255 character folder/filename limitation becomes an issue
Wasting time looking through folder structures to find the ‘correct’ file
Understanding which files reference the file you want to modify.
If there are duplicates, which file is the right file.
Using files across projects. In an Inventor environment, doing this while managing ipj files and reference errors can also become challenging.
Renaming or updating files on a batch scale can be laborious
The time it takes windows to search and find the files is time consuming
Windows finds other files that may not be related
You can’t see the metadata or file properties that are stored within the CAD file
Unless the filename includes the version or revision, it’s difficult to understand if it’s the latest file

Vault File Management

Using a SQL database, Vault managing folder and file entries, queries and file attributes, changing the way files are managed from relying on manual standards, file naming and folder structure procedures to leveraging file metadata and visualisation.

Using Vault, users can still use traditional folder and file naming methods to find files or by using advanced searching criteria, metadata and visualisation, users can the right file.

In the scenario below, we know the file name contains 558, it’s an ipt file and who created it, so by using this criteria, we can filter through the folder structure very quickly to isolate which file/s we are looking for. Search results can also be saved for future use too.

Folder Management

Like Windows, using the Project Explorer interface, users can create folders, sub-folders and (also new files) also use numbering schemes, Vault properties, datasheet, categories, version controls and lifecycles to manage the folder and its contents.

Tools to find the right file in Vault

Now that we have found what files have met the search criteria, amongst other tools in Vault, we can use these tabs to give us more insight into the file:

Search Results – view the results, file category, stage, compliance and any other associated metadata you want to view
Properties – displays all the properties associated with the file
History – provides an thumbnail, it’s version, revision, historical state and other meta data
Where Used – Lets you know which files are referencing the selected file before you start editing it and making changes to the file.
View – without needing to open the file, a user can view a 3D model (pan, rotate & zoom) or 2D drawing, measure, see markups, create cross sections and utilise all the other tools available in the Autodesk Viewer that is used in other Autodesk management tools such as Fusion Teams and Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Autodesk Vault File Management Video

Watch the video below to see how easy it is to find files in Autodesk Vault.

Learn More about Autodesk Vault

Autodesk Vault can be deployed on-premise or cloud. To learn more about Autodesk Vault click one of the buttons below.

Free 90 Day Vault Trial

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer

January 11, 2023

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| CDE (Common Data Environment), Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Data Management for Manufacturing, Vault, Vault

Autodesk Vault Vs Windows Explorer

When using CAD software such as Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, the natural choice is to use the Windows Explorer environment and store files and manage projects and data in Windows folders.

User who use Windows folders can experience limitations and need to do more manual operations compared to using Autodesk Vault to manage their data, however, what are the differences between these two ways of working and is the time and money spent on implementing a new system less than the time spent working in Windows folders?

The answer an overwhelming yes from Vault users, and this blog series will demonstrate the differences, so if you are unsure of why you should stop how you are managing your CAD data in Windows, this blog should answer those questions.

What's the Difference?

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

File Management – How do you store and find files and metadata
Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed
Concurrent Design – How do you work on the same project and files
Collaboration – How do you collaborate with other team members

File Management

Windows Explorer File Management Processes and Techniques

When managing CAD or BIM data using AutoCAD, Inventor or Revit in a Windows Explorer, Network Server or even Cloud Storage environment, users typically:

Store data in folders
Sort data or projects by folder
Descriptive filenames that are complex and long are used to understand what the file is and what it contains
Find files by clicking through folders and sub-folders or searching by file name
Have a centralised library of content center files, xrefs, blocks, templates, etc.
Create multiple ipj files (for Inventor) to manage projects or isolate project specific files
Updating files and the file metadata on a batch scale using 3rd party tools, such as Inventor task scheduler

Vault File Management

Using Vault, users can still use traditional folder and file naming methods to find files or by using advanced searching criteria, metadata and visualisation, users can the right file.

Autodesk Vault vs Windows Explorer - File Management Blog Post

Click the button below to learn more about how Autodesk Vault manages files compared to using Windows Explorer

Reference Management

Windows Reference Management

When files are referenced within a file such as an xref in AutoCAD and Revit or iam, ipt and idw in an Inventor iam

Windows Vs Vault

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

Renaming Files

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

Copying Files

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

IPJ File Management

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

Attributes/Properties

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

Version Control

Here’s the main differences when working in Autodesk Vault and Windows:

Reference management – How the systems manage file references such as when files like dwg xrefs are linked into a dwg in an AutoCAD project or with Inventor Assemblies, how sub-assemblies, parts and drawings are managed.
Renaming Files – How do you rename a file or a batch of files and how it affects other files that reference the renamed file.
Copying Files – Copying existing files from existing projects and re-using designs.
IPJ file management (Autodesk Inventor) – Inventor uses IPJ project files and the way they are used in both systems differ.
Attributes/Properties – How users modify the attributes/properties of files
Version Control – How versions are managed

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Plant 3D Toolset Now Included With AutoCAD

December 20, 2022

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| AutoCAD, Plant Design Suite, Utilities

The 2023 Plant 3D Toolset Is Now Included With AutoCAD

The 2023 Plant 3D Toolset allows you to create and edit P&IDs and 3D models and extract piping orthographics and isometrics. You can now get access to this industry-specific toolset for plant design with your AutoCAD subscription.

With the 2023 Plant 3D toolset, you can:

Collaborate securely in a cloud based common data environment
Automate and speed up P&ID drafting and 3D modelling with in-context commands
Automate creation of piping isometric drawings directly from the 3D model

Plant 3D Toolset Features

See how you can improve efficiency and achieve more with the following AutoCAD Plant 3D toolset features:T

COLLABORATION & P&ID TOOLS

Collaboration For Plant 3D

Collaborate on plant design models across project teams and maintain compliance requirements – all in a cloud-based common data environment.

Quick P&ID Drafting

Make P&ID drafting easier with in context AutoCAD commands. View the video to learn more.

Industry Standard Symbol Libraries

The Plant 3D toolset is delivered with standard symbol libraries in the tool palettes. These symbol libraries include PIP, ISA, ISO/DIN and JIS libraries.

Data Validation

Quickly identify possible errors by scanning P&IDs for data consistency according to user-definable rules.

3D MODELLING TOOLS

Rapid Plant Modelling In 3D

Watch the video to see how you can quickly create 3D plant models using parametric equipment modelling, structural steel libraries and project specific piping specifications using industry standard piping catalogues.

Parametric Equipment Templates

You can create and edit equipment with parametric templates, allowing you to build plant layouts more efficiently.

Structural Modelling

Lay out structures, stairs, ladders and railings using industry-standard steel sections including AISC, CISC and DIN.

Create Project Specific Piping Specs

Customise your piping specifications to meet project specific requirements. You can include industry standard components as well as include customised components.

PIPING DOCUMENTATION

Create And Edit Piping Orthographic Drawings

Extract piping orthographic drawings directly out of your 3D model and update them as the 3D model is being updated.

Automated Production Of Piping Isometrics

Create industry standard / project standard piping isometric drawings directly out of your 3D model.

Automated Project Specific Reporting

You can define the required report formats for your project and automatically populate the data directly out of your 3D model.

BIM Model Documentation

Collaborate other industry disciplines to create Building Information Modeling (BIM) models for the entire plant.

Get A Free Consultation

Book a free appointment with one of our Plant 3D experts. Discover how Design Consulting can help your organisation solve problems and take advantage of opportunities with seamless integration of the latest technology into your workflows.

Contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below to book in a free consultation. We have a team of experts ready to help improve your workflows for maximum return on your technology investment.

What’s New in Clarity 2023.1

November 16, 2022

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What’s New in Clarity 2023.1

IMAGINiT Clarity the automation, analytics and access system for AutoCAD, Revit and construction management systems is set to release 2023.1 with enhancements and features in:

– Task Management
– Project Templates
– Project Management
– Unified Sync
– Data Enhancements
– Space Programming

Check out the video below to learn more

Learn more about IMAGINiT Clarity here

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Save Time and Money with Autodesk Vault for AutoCAD

November 16, 2022

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| Vault, Vault

Save Time and Money with Autodesk Vault for AutoCAD

If you are wondering if Autodesk Vault can help you manage your AutoCAD projects and collaborate with team members, then check out these top reasons for Autodesk Vault for AutoCAD.

Benefits of Using Autodesk Vault

Autodesk Vault comes in two version, Vault Basic and Vault Professional and Design Consulting can deploy these systems on-premise or in the cloud.

Data Centralisation
Versioning
Search
Change Management
Revision Tables
Sheet Set Manager
Copy Design
Rename
View and Markup

Data Centralisation

Whether it’s Vault Basic or Vault Professional, your engineering data and related documents are stored centrally.

Files are stored on the Vault Server and users check them out which creates a local copy on their computer and when they are ready, they can check the file/s back into Vault and the latest version is stored on the Server.

Versioning

Managers can audit and track the revision history of data files from a single location. This helps reduce the chance of design and construction errors by enabling the proactive release and tracking of files throughout the project lifecycle.

Team members access only the correct revision of data. As the project evolves, Autodesk® Vault Professional software captures predefined milestones in the project lifecycle, making it easier for users to revert back to a previous state and keep track of design
changes.

Search

Vault users can use a range of methods, such as saved searches and shortcuts, to find and organize data. A user can search for a file name or search on attributes and custom properties to find the right file/s.

Change Management

Control design data access with revision management. Audit and track the revision history of your data files from a single location. Reduce the chance of design and manufacturing errors by securely releasing and tracking files throughout the design cycle, helping make sure that team members access only the correct revision of data.

Revision Tables

The process of manually updating the revision tables on drawings can be time-consuming, especially for changes that require simple property updates throughout the drawing’s lifecycle. The Vault Revision Table feature enables you to automatically update a drawing’s revision table data. Since multiple revision tables may exist in the same drawing, the Vault Revision Table feature tracks and updates all tables.

Sheet Set Manager

Sets of drawings are the primary deliverable for most design groups. Sets of drawings communicate the overall design intent of a project and provide the documentation and specifications for the project. However, managing sets of drawings manually can be complicated and time-consuming. The Sheet Set Manager integration enables you to store your sheets in a vault. You can also work on vaulted sheet sets online of offline.

Copy Design

Stop manually recreating or duplicating complex models and drawing sets, saving hours of design time. Using Autodesk data management software, you can copy a digital prototype—including all related files and documentation—for use in a new design. It’s easy to configure the files you want to replace, reuse, or copy.

Rename

Drawing files containing external references or links can be renamed and reorganized without breaking links between parent and child documents. Users are able to specify a new name and new numbering scheme based on a configurable set of tables.

View and Markup

Vault enables easy sharing and collaborating. Multisheet drawings are supported in the markup environment, which provides a rich feature set of tools. Once a markup is created, it can be shared and managed by Vault.

Summary

Vault provides a number of benefits for Autodesk AutoCAD users and all features except change management are found in Autodesk Vault Basic. Vault Professional offers revision control, lifecycle management, automatic numbering schemes a job processor to automate publishing of PDF, DWG and other file typ.es plus many other features with support for AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Mechanical, Electrical, Civil 3D and Factory Design Utilities.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Unifying Project Data at All Phases with Egnyte and Autodesk

October 6, 2022

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Unifying Project Data at All Phases with Egnyte and Autodesk

A successful building project requires vast data, from architects’ drawings to engineers’ calculations to builders’ material lists. Projects can quickly become chaotic without a platform to unify and manage this data as important information gets lost in the shuffle. That’s why it’s vital to have a system for unifying design and construction project documents. By unifying all the data in one platform, everyone involved in the project can easily access the information they need when they need it. This not only saves time and prevents frustration but also helps to ensure that the project is completed on schedule and within budget. In short, unifying project data is essential for ensuring the success of any building project.

As anyone who has ever worked on a building project knows, architects, engineers, and builders often work with many different information sources. In the past, this data was usually stored in separate applications, making it difficult to get a holistic view of the project. By integrating those applications you are helping to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that no critical details are overlooked. This also helps to streamline the construction process by eliminating the need for manual data entry. As a result, building projects run smoothly from start to finish.

Egnyte Autodesk accelerates the pace of project activity. When integrated with Autodesk’s Revit, AutoCAD, and Construction Cloud, Egnyte’s solution unifies, protects, and controls all project data, making it easy for architects, engineers, and builders to collaborate on projects and ensure that everyone is working with the most up-to-date information. Working in concert, Egnyte and Autodesk improve project coordination, reduce errors and omissions, and accelerate project delivery.

The Egnyte Autodesk integration provides capabilities to access files at any time and any place:

For Revit files

Preview files without using specialized software, including the ability to quickly rotate, zoom, and measure within the file.
Develop custom workflows.

For AutoCAD files

Users access, update, and create new files all from within AutoCAD.
Users can save drawings back to Egnyte for enhanced file sharing and management.
Users leverage Egnyte’s robust versioning control and security settings to ensure you are constantly working on the right file at the right time.

For Construction Cloud

Create custom integrations that intelligently synchronize documents between Egnyte and your PlanGrid, BIM 360, Pype, and Autodesk Build projects. This helps teams organize information and stay updated.
Automatically push marked-up drawings from Autodesk Construction Cloud into Egnyte.
Ensure all project documents are in a single location and enforce compliance and governance policies across your organization, including archive and retention policies.

Egnyte’s native integration with Autodesk is a dream come true for architects, engineers, and builders who want to unify their data. By integrating the two systems, accuracy is increased, efficiency is gained, and time is saved. Architects can easily find the files they need with the help of the search function, and engineers can quickly retrieve the data they need for their projects. In addition, builders can use the revision history to see which drawings have been changed and make it easy to stay updated on the latest changes. Thanks to the Egnyte Autodesk integration, working with data is now easier and more efficient than ever.

The combination of migrating our project data to Egnyte, and then integrating Egnyte with our Autodesk environment, improved our operations so much that our executive team took notice. That success gave us the credibility to propose other ambitious IT projects.
Blaine Crawford l Director of IT, C.W. Driver Cos.

C.W. Driver integrated Egnyte and Autodesk Construction Cloud to ensure project teams both in the office and on project sites work with the most current information. By deploying this integration, they connect the project teams and share information more efficiently. As a result, they can deliver better results to our clients in a shorter amount of time. And that’s something everyone can benefit from. Read their case study to learn more about C.W. Driver’s journey.

One trusted platform to secure and govern all your company’s files, no matter where work happens.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Revit Audit and Compact with IMAGINiT Clarity

September 16, 2022

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| Architecture, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Construction, IMAGINiT Clarity, Revit

Revit Audit and Compact with IMAGINiT Clarity

If you need to audit and compact files on demand or schedule, then IMAGINiT Clarity can automate it for you!

1. To setup the task, select the Revit Audit and Compact task

2. Select the project, rvt files, worksets and if you want to purge

3. Select if you want the file to go to a storage service

4. If so, select where you would like it saved

5. configure the frequency and user options

Clarity is the leading automation and analytics system that provides access for CAD and non-CAD users to view/edit project data, run CAD, BIM Management, IT related tasks and project analytics.

It works with Revit, Revit LT and AutoCAD-based software (Specialised Toolsets, Civil 3D, Advance Steel, etc.) and connects with major Construction Systems and Cloud Storage Providers to run tasks and sync data, saving time and money on every project.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Vault Cloud

Autodesk Vault Cloud

Access Vault in the Cloud for Vault Basic, Vault Professional and Vault Professional with JP Pro Job Processor Editions

Save time and increase productivity with Autodesk Vault's data and file management tools in the cloud.

Design Consulting offers Autodesk Vault on-premise and now in the cloud to give greater flexibility

Benefits of Vault Cloud

Save time and increase productivity with Autodesk Vault's data and file management tools in the cloud.

Design Consulting offers Autodesk Vault on-premise and now in the cloud to give greater flexibility

Benefits of Vault Cloud

No IT costs

Up and running quickly

Access data over the internet

No upfront costs

Pay monthly

Compare Vault Cloud Editions

Choose from Vault Basic, Professional or add-on an advanced job processor to off-load and automate repetivitive tasks for AutoCAD and Inventor projects.

Vault Basic

$299.00

p/mth*

Secure Data Management with:

1TB Storage
Standard Setup, Configuration and Training
Administration, Support and Maintenance
Check in / Check-out
Version Control
Fast Data Searching
AutoCAD and Inventor Integration

Vault Professional

$599.00

p/month*

Everything in Vault Basic plus:

Revision Control
Lifecycle Management
Automatic Numbering Schemes
Duplicate Search
Unlimited Thin Clients

Vault Professional with JP-Pro

$1,349.00

p/month*

Everything in Vault Professional plus:

Dedicated Job Processor Machine
Automate Jobs On-Demand
Automate Jobs on Change-State
Publish IDW/DWG to PDF
Publish DXF Flat Patterns from SM ipt
Publish IDW/DWG to AutoCAD DWG
Publish to STEP, IGES and other 3D Models
CSV/XML BOM Export
Publish PDF for Word and Excel
Email Notifications

Vault Basic
Vault Professional
Vault Professional with JP Pro

	Vault Basic	Vault Professional	Vault Professional with JP Pro
	$$29900 /month*	$$59900 /month*	$$1,34900 /month*
1TB Storage 500/500GB Data/Back-Up
Standard Setup, Configuration and Training
Adminstration, Support and Maintenance
Check In / Check Out
Version Control
Copy Design
Bulk Property Renaming
Concurrent Design
Fast Data Searching
AutoCAD and Inventor Integration
Revision Control
Lifecycle Management
Automatic Numbering Schemes
Duplicate Search
Unlimited Thin Clients Access Vault via web browser to search, print, view and download
Dedicated Job Processor Machine Off-load jobs on-demand or on change-state
Publish IDW/DWG to PDF
Publish DXF flat patterns for Sheet metal from Inventor sm ipt files
Publish Inventor IDW/DWG to AutoCAD DWG
Export to STEP, IGES, STL and other 3D formats
Export to STL
Export CSV/XML from Inventor BOM
Publish PDF for Word and Excel
Email Notifications
	Add to Cart	Add to Cart	Add to Cart

*Pricing is based on 36-month contract. Vault licencing, standard setup, configuration and training, Vault administration, maintenance and support is included. Pricing is higher for additional configuration. Terms and conditions apply. Contact us for more information.

Vault Cloud Options

Vault Basic

Vault Basic Cloud 2025 Additional 500GB
$25.00
- Add to cart
Vault Basic Cloud 2025 Additional User
$49.00
- Add to cart

Vault Professional

Vault Professional with JP-Pro

Get in Touch

Synch Large CAD Datasets with Egnyte

July 6, 2022

| No Comments

Synch Large CAD Datasets with Egnyte

Is your cloud system taking to long to synch large CAD or Point Cloud datasets?

Intelligent File Cache

Eliminate performance issues by automatically caching frequently accessed files in remote, limited bandwidth locations. Sync only the edited parts of files to the cloud, to conserve bandwidth, while spending less time waiting for the document you need.

Large File Collaboration

Password-protected download links remove file size limitations, so you can safely share large files even over email. Securely collect files from external parties using upload folders – your partners only see files in their assigned folders.

One trusted platform to secure and govern all your company’s files, no matter where work happens.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Hire a full time BIM Manager for $347 pw

June 24, 2022

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Building Design Suite, IMAGINiT Clarity, Revit, Revit

Hire a full time BIM Manager for $347 pw

Based in Australia, duties Include:

Publishing PDF, DWG, NWC, IFC, etc.
Batch run dynamo/python scripts
Monitor errors, health and performance issues across projects
Update project standards
Clean, audit, purge, and transmit rvt files
Fix errors and broken links
Daily backups, schedules, reports, diagrams, datasheets and metrics
Batch upgrade projects and Families to required release
Copy/upload/download files to required folders
Works 7 days per week, available 24 hours per day

Yes, it is too good to be true...

But time is money and in these inflationary times, you need to automate mundane repetitive tasks...

Get IMAGINiT Clarity for only $347 per week to automate and analyse AutoCAD and Revit Projects with BIM 360, SharePoint, ProCore, Egnyte, DropBox integration and more.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Hire a full time CAD Manager for $325 pw

June 24, 2022

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Inventor, Inventor Professional, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite, Vault, Vault

Hire a full time CAD Manager for $325 pw

Based in Australia, duties Include:

Managing revisions
Publishing PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP files, etc.
Batch update properties/attributes
Managing file references
Finds latest files
Change Orders
Exports Bill of Materials
Finds Duplicates
Copies projects and files for new projects
Works 7 days per week, available 24 hours per day

Yes, it is too good to be true...

But time is money and in these inflationary times, you need to automate mundane repetitive tasks...

Get Vault Professional from $325 per week to automate and manage AutoCAD and Inventor Projects plus more.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Synching AutoCAD and Inventor Layouts with PDM Collection

June 14, 2022

| No Comments

| Architecture, AutoCAD, Construction, Factory Design Suite, Inventor, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite

Synching AutoCAD and Inventor Layouts with PDM Collection

The ability to select a conveyor, draw hundreds of metres in polylines and within seconds convert it into an Inventor assembly of thousands of parts and a bill of materials is a game changer.

Whether it’s a conveyor system for a factory or chutes for the resource sector, the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection has unique AutoCAD 2D and Inventor 3D synchronisation tools to get the job done faster.

With the Factory Design Utilities in the PDM Collection, users can:

Layout and synch between AutoCAD and Inventor
Access 1000’s of smart Factory assets
Create your own custom factory assets
Chain assets – 3D models from an AutoCAD polyline
Process analysis – create layouts and simulate, optimise and report on assembly lines

Check out the Autodesk Factory Channel here to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUK_zCI5A1rbi4O3b_VVv5g

Design Consulting offers Factory Design Utilities setup and training, so contact us if you’re interested in seeing how Factory Design Utilities works.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

What’s New in IMAGINiT Clarity 2023 for Revit and AutoCAD

June 14, 2022

| No Comments

| Architecture, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Construction, IMAGINiT Clarity, Revit

What's New in IMAGINiT Clarity 2023

IMAGINiT Clarity brings more features in BIM 360 and Revit and improvements to UI and Task management.

Here’s some features that stand out:

Map Revit parameters to BIM 360 Attributes
Auto create IMAGINiT Clarity project upon new BIM 360 Project
New Audit, Purge and Compact Task
Improvements to Python and Dynamo task scheduling
Improvements to UI for AutoCAD DWG and NWC from Revit model task
Improvements to Datasheets
ProjectWise IMS account support
New Metrics
Plus more!

Check out the video below to learn about the full list of features in 2023 and past releases.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Construction Data Control, Threat Management and Collaboration with Egnyte

May 20, 2022

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Construction Data Control, Threat Management and Collaboration

Too many systems and services to manage?

Save time and money by consolidating your IT systems and sync data with other services such as BIM 360, IMAGINiT Clarity and other construction platforms.

One trusted platform to secure and govern all your company’s files, no matter where work happens.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

File Sharing & Collaboration

Confidently share files and collaborate with anyone in real-time.

Lifecycle Management

Reduce complexity and mitigate risk while managing large data volumes.

Access Governance

Manage access permissions to files and folders based on user right to know.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Save Hundreds of Hours on Revit and AutoCAD Projects

May 18, 2022

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, BIM 360, Data Management for AutoCAD, IMAGINiT Clarity, Revit, Vault

Save Hundreds of Hours on Revit and AutoCAD Projects

Are you spending more and more time on admin and less on design? Stop Wasting Time in Revit and AutoCAD.

There's a Better Way...

Clarity is the leading automation and analytics system that provides access for CAD and non-CAD users to view/edit project data, run CAD, BIM Management, IT related tasks and project analytics.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Autodesk Vault Migration Best Practices

May 18, 2022

| No Comments

| Vault, Vault

Autodesk Vault Migration Best Practices

A Vault migration occurs where the Vault environment is being migrated from one release to a later release (e.g. 2022 to 2023).

Migrations need to be planned out and not left too long between releases and from the current release to avoid issues with data and config migrations which ultimately leads an increase in the time and cost to migrate Vault to the designated release.

Planning the Migration

If Vault migrations are left too long between releases or is migrated to a release that is more than 3 releases from the current, issues can arise in a migration where there are errors in configurations and database relationships due to:

Double and triple migrations
Autodesk integrating too many changes between releases and the old configuration not being supported in the new release.
Users may miss issues during testing and handover phase, etc.
Release is end of life and no longer support from Autodesk
Forced to do a double migration
Cyclical problem of too many changes between releases (being too far apart) and errors, can’t go forward until issues are resolved.

What is a Double Migration?

Vault can only be migrated within 3 releases. A Vault environment on 2020 can only be migrated to 2022. If the current release in this scenario is 2023, then another migration is required to go from 2022 to 2023.

A triple migration is basically when the Vault release is far back from the desired release. In one example, Design Consulting migrated Vault from 2015 to 2017, 2017 to 2019 and then 2019 to 2021.

The time taken and steps involved to migrate are virtually replicated, resulting in a duplication in costs every time a migration is required, so planning your Vault migration is important to get the best value for money when migrating and also have users take advantage of the additional productivity features in the new releases of Vault and CAD software.

On one hand IT may want to delay the inevitable for as long as possible to reduce their workload on a 1, 2 or 3 year interval, however, the user base can lose out on new features that makes the business more productive and if there are issues with the migration due to unforseen errors in data and configuration, any time savings in IT may be minimal compared to these aforementioned factors.

Vault Migration Best Practices

While things get busy and there may be budgetary constraints, however, if possible, the best practice for Vault to optimise the migrations are:

To ensure backups are scheduled, not failing and up to date
Vault Server and CAD System Requirements are being met
Try migrating within 3 releases to avoid a double migration (2019 to 2021, 2021 to 2022 double migration costs the same as 2019 to 2021, 2021 to 2023)
Stay 1 release behind the latest or wait for the major service pack release to avoid any unforeseen issues.
Test environment – Have a compatible server, job processor (if required), CAD-level workstation, etc. as a test environment for the migration that users can connect to, before rolling it out the migrated Vault release into production.
For larger environments of 50x users or more, having in place a more formal ITIL framework or similar.

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Automate Revision Control with Vault Professional

May 18, 2022

| No Comments

| Vault, Vault

Change Management Slowing Down Engineering?

Focus on design and less on admin with Autodesk Vault Professional.

Automate Revisions, Lifecycles and Change Management with Autodesk Vault Professional

Revision Schemes

Setup schemes and rules

Automated Revisions

Work on the latest revision

Lifecycle Management

Automate workflows

Compliance

Lock files when released

BOM's

Manage bills of materials

Job Processor

Automate PDF, DXF, STEP, files and more

Autodesk Vault Professional

Vault Professional offers data security, compliance, audit trails and many automated data and file administration tools to speed up the design and engineering process

Get in Touch

DC is an authorised Autodesk Reseller providing products and services for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Sectors.

Feel free to contact us on 1800 490 514, [email protected], by live chat or fill out the form below.

Is the Automotive Industry just Big Tech on Wheels?

June 18, 2021

| No Comments

| Autodesk Labs, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Products, CAM, Collections, Fusion 360, Information Technology, Inventor, Manufacturing, Maya, Visualisation

Is the Automotive Industry just Big Tech on Wheels?

With more and more tech going into cars with connected systems suing IoT, global positioning systems (GPS) and the technology for semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, will the automotive industry and big tech converge into one.

Transformation of the Automotive Industry

With the push for greener vehicles, more and more electronic systems and sensors, a connected digital supply chain, robotics, digital design, virtual reality and other technologies, it seems like we are already there.

Connected Automobiles

Our smartphones are already connected to vehicles via bluetooth and many cars have sim cards and these software platforms are all connected and can be used for consumer and industrial applications that can benefit the driver, passengers and payloads with a huge growth potential.

With these connected system, comes big data and analytics feeding into a centralised system give automobile manufacturers insights into how automobiles are being used and IoT diagnostics on component wear and tear, maintenance and failure

Manufacturing Big Tech Automotive

Most automotive factories are already using digital prototyping, design, machining and analysis software where the CAD models and metadata are used to in manufacturing processes, systems and machines to manufacture.

In the concept and design phases, virtual reality and high-end visualisation systems are used as standard, however, the automotive industry needs to be more agile and innovation to connecting not only cars to human interface devices but also other cars and systems and infrastructure that connect to cars.

Automotive Needs More Programmers

With today’s cars packed full of tech, the industry needs more programmers than ever to create in-built applications and integrate systems with external devices and applications.

“Today’s car infotainment systems use more than 10 million lines of code,” said Audi’s Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales, Hildegaard Wortmann, speaking at NVIDIA’s GTC21 event this year. “That’s as much code as an entire vehicle needed just a few years ago.”

While the advantages of technology in cars and trucks is self-evident, the overhead to innovate, design and manage applications for essentially what is a mechanical smartphone device on wheels, adds to the cost of manufacturing and development.

What Does the Future Look Like for Automotive and Big Tech?

The Hollywood vision of driverless hybrid flying cars running on a anti-gravity fuel system is still far away but if we look at the gains we have made in the last 5 years, it’s probably not as far away as you think.

With over 50% of the workforce wanting to work from home these days, do we really need a car with all that tech if the days of being stuck in traffic for an hour or more are gone but we only have to imagine the magical drive down the ocean or trekking to the mountains and the justification of paying for all that tech and comfort makes sense in a car full of screaming kids.

Contact Us

If you would learn more about Autodesk software, please contact us by calling on 1800 490 514, by filling out the form or clicking the live chat in the bottom right-hand corner.

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AutoCAD Vs AutoCAD LT

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Up to $1,100 off Autodesk Revit

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Up to 20% off Autodesk Revit LT

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Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Autodesk PDM Collection

Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection is a complete set of tools for the design, analysis, visualisation, documentation and manufacturing of products for manufacturing, industrial design, fabrication and defence.

Inventor Professional

Professional grade electromechanical 3D CAD software that can design products, plastics, sheet metal, weldments, automate, simulate, produce bills of materials, 2D fabrication level detailing and documentation.

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AutoCAD

Specialised toolsets for Architecture, Mechanical, Plant, Electrical,GIS design and drafting.

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Fusion 360

Powerful cloud based 3D CAD/CAM software for product design

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Inventor CAM

2.5 to 5 axis CAM

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Inventor Nastran

Non-Linear FEA simulation

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Navisworks Manage

Model coordination, project review, 2D/3D quantity take off, 5D scheduling and clash detection

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Overview

What is the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection?

Compare

Compare the PDM Collection to Inventor Professional and Inventor LT.

Included Software

See what software is included in the PDM Industry Collection.

Add-ons

Programs and plug-ins to boost productivity.

Blog

Learn about products, workflows and related products.

PDM Collection Overview

The Autodesk PDM Industry Collection is a compilation of software titles for the manufacturing industry which gives the ability to 3D model, design, automate, visualise, animate, simulate, document and draft designs in 2D.

Create high-tolerance, fabrication level detailed designs for electromechanical products and fabricated structures.
Optimise designs with analysis, generative design, visualisation and simulation tools.
End to end CAD/CAM digital prototyping solution.

Integrated CAD/CAM and Nesting

The Product Design & Manufacturing Collection comes with Inventor CAM and Inventor Nesting, being one of the few, if only product set in the market with the exceptional 3D CAD modelling and detailing features of Inventor with integrated 2.5 to 5 axis CAM and Nesting..

Inventor and AutoCAD Workflows

Use the right tool for the right job. Reference AutoCAD 2D CAD data into Inventor designs and drawings and detail Inventor models in AutoCAD.

Inventor and Fusion Workflows

Use Fusion 360 generative design studies to explore design alternatives and optimise product preformance or cost.

Inventor and Revit Workflows

Reference Revit projects and use Inventor BIM interoperability tools to publish BIM data to Revit and other sources.

Included Software

The most comprehensive selection of cutting-edge BIM and CAD design, visualisation and analysis software and cloud tools comes within the AEC Collection.

Inventor Professional

Tools for parts and assembly modelling, automation, sheet metal, weldments, electrical, tube & pipe, bills of materials and 2D detailing.

Fusion 360

Cloud based CAD/CAM for PC and Mac with simulation and PCB design.

Inventor Tolerance Analysis

Analyse tolerances and the impact of variations in dimensions.

AutoCAD

2D/3D design and drafting software with specialised toolsets for mechanical, electrical schematics, plant design, GIS and more.

Inventor Nesting

Integrated parametric nesting software for Inventor Professional.

Navisworks Manage

Project coordination, data aggregation, 5D scheduling, quantification, simulation and visualisation software.

Inventor CAM

Integrated 2.5 to 5 axis CAM for Inventor Professional with automation and simulation.

Recap Pro

Reality capture, photogrammetry and 3D scanning point cloud software.

Inventor Nastran

Non-Linear FEA integrated into Inventor Professional.

Factory Design Utilities

Process analysis and 2D/3D layout tools for AutoCAD, Inventor Professional and Navisworks.

HSM Works

Integrated 2.5 to 5 axis CAM for Solidworks.

3ds Max

3D modelling, rendering, animation and simulation software.

Autodesk Rendering

Cloud based rendering for Revit, 3ds Max, Navisworks and AutoCAD.

Autodesk Drive

Cloud storage and collaboration for CAD.

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Compare the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection to other products such as Inventor Professional, AutoCAD Inventor LT suite and Inventor Professional LT.

PDM Collection
Inventor Professional
AutoCAD Inventor LT Suite
Inventor LT

	PDM Collection	Inventor Professional	AutoCAD Inventor LT Suite	Inventor LT

3D Parametric Part Modelling B-REP surfacing, solid body and multi-body part modelling
Direct Editing Direct editing (push-pull) part modelling environment
Freeform Modelling NURBS with T-Splines part modelling environment
Plastic Part Design Mold and die modelling environment
Local Rendering Ray-trace rendering on your PC
2D Design 2D design functionality in AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT
2D Drafting 2D views, annotations, leaders, etc.
3D Parametric Assembly Modelling Place multiple parts in an assembly file and use constraints and joints to assemble
Weldments Weldment assembly environment used with frame generator to model structural frames
Sheet Metal Modelling Tools for sheet metal design, flat patterns and 2D symbols and annotations
Electrical Cable and Harnessing Tools tools to route electrical cables, harnesses and detail nailboards
Electrical Schematics Design electrical control systems and switchboards with reports such as from/to and wire lists
EMX Project Synch between AutoCAD Electrical schematicsand Inventor Professional cable harnesses
Tube and Piping Tools to design flexible hose, tubes and pipes
Design Automation Simplified code and forms to automate 3D model, drawings and connect to Excel
Content Centre Library Customisable library of parts such as steel profiles and fasteners
Draft Analysis Analyse drafts
Clash and interference detection Detect clashes or interferences between parts in assemblies
Material cost/impact Ability to select a material based on the environmental/cost impact
BIM Interoperability Prepare models and export to RFA, adsk or IFC
Point Clouds Import point clouds via Recap
Point Cloud Pre-Processing Tools found in Recap Pro
Bill of Materials Create bills of materials and tabvles from parts and assemblies
AnyCAD Associative import of CAD parts and assembly files
Application Programming Interface (API) Install plug-ins, create plug-ins, macros and run Dynamo scripts
Linear FEA Linear and Dynamic FEA simulation studies
Non-Linear FEA FEA tools in Inventor Nastran
CAM Features found in Inventor CAM and HSMWorks
Nesting Nesting tools in Inventor Nesting
Tolerance Analysis Features found in Inventor Tolerance Analysis
Architecture Design Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
GIS Mapping Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Raster Tools Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Plant Design Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
P&ID Schematics Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Clash Detection Features found in Navisworks Manage
5D Scheduling Features found in Navisworks Manage
Project Review and Coordination Features found in Navisworks Manage
Production Rendering and Animation Features found in 3ds Max
Process Analysis Bottleneck simulation and reporting for factory and assembly line layouts
Synch AutoCAD and Inventor Professional 2D/3D Factory Assets to synch AutoCAD 2D layouts with Inventor Professional 3D models

PDM Collection Add-Ons

Check out these programs and plug-ins to boost productivity even further.

Enterprise data management.

Additive manufacturing simulation and optimisation.

Cloud Collaboration with Fusion 360 Team Participant

Machine tool probing software for on machine verification and inspection.

Computational Fluid Dynamic software to simulate loads, air and fluid flows.

Injection mold simulation software

Autodesk Inventor vs. Advance Steel: A Detailed Comparison

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Maximising CNC Efficiency with Autodesk Inventor and Fusion CAM Setup and Training Services

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, please contact us by calling on 1800 490 514, by filling out the form or clicking the live chat in the bottom right-hand corner.

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

A complete set of BIM tools for the design, analysis, visualisation and documentation of buildings and infrastructure designs and projects.

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection
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Revit

Cutting edge BIM software for Architectural, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical 3D modelling, documentation and drafting.

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AutoCAD

Specialised toolsets for Architecture, Mechanical, Plant, Electrical,GIS design and drafting.

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Civil 3D

Civil engineering design and analysis

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Infraworks

Civil infrastructure concept and analysis

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Advance Steel

Parametric structural steel design and drafting

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Navisworks Manage

Model coordination, project review, 2D/3D quantity take off, 5D scheduling and clash detection

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Estore

Get the Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection on an Annual Subscription

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Overview

What is the Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection?

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Included Software

See what software is included in the AEC Industry Collection.

Add-ons

Programs and plug-ins to boost productivity.

Pricing

Subscription pricing and comparison to standalone subscriptions.

Blog

Learn about products, workflows and related products.

Overview

The Autodesk AEC Industry Collection is a compilation of software titles for the architecture, engineering, construction and infrastructure industries which give the ability to 3D model, design, visualise, animate, coordinate, simulate, document and draft designs in 2D.

Create high-quality, detailed designs for building and infrastructure projects.
Optimise designs with analysis, generative design, visualisation and simulation tools.
Improve predictability in the field by coordinating and simulating projects and schedules.

The Autodesk AEC Industry Collection is a compilation of software titles for the architecture, engineering, construction and insfrastructure industries which give the ability to 3D model, design, visualise, animate, coordinate, simulate, document and draft designs in 2D.

Create high-quality, detailed designs for building and infrastructure projects.
Optimise designs with analysis, generative design, visualisation and simulation tools.
Improve predictability in the field by coordinating and simulating projects and schedules.

Add to Cart

Architectural BIM Workflows

Combine Revit and Insight to improve environmental performance to guide you towards better outcomes using robust analytical tools.

Model in Revit and visualise analysis in Insight such as indicators, benchmark, ranges and specifications on factors such as infiltration, operating schedule, building orientation, lighting efficiency, HVAC, plug load efficiency, payback limit, surface coverage, panel efficiency and effect on construction materials.

Once you have viewed results, you can make design changes in Revit to optimise the building performance using comparison scenarios and viewing the results through the analytical model and produce a calculation summary report to validate design choices.

Infrastructure BIM Workflows

Combine Revit, Civil 3D and Infraworks for bridge analysis and design. Use Civil 3D road geometry to create the initial bridge and develops the design further in Infraworks using parametric rules to change the characteristics of the bridge by individually changing parameters or automate by connecting parameters to a spreadsheet to layout the bridge. Run integrated analysis and design tools to provide feedback during the optioneering phase.

Any changes in Civil 3D can be updated in Infraworks thereby providing connected design tools. The bridge structure can be publish to Revit and design work can continue concurrently using 3D structural design tools and 2D documentation.

Generative Design

Create generative design studies to quickly view alternate designs

Structral Design and Analysis Workflows

Combine Revit, Advance Steel and Robot to design, engineer and fabricate structural projects.

3D Scanning BIM Workflows

Pre-process point cloud data for Revit and import 3D scans and work in a hybrid reality capture BIM environment.

Design Automation Workflows

Automate routine tasks that normally take hours into minutes by running Dynamo scripts with applications such as Revit, Civil 3D, FormIT and Advance Steel .

MEP Fabrication Workflows

Connect Revit and CADmep to reduce duplication in designs allowing fabricators to create production designs and documentaion..

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Included Software

The most comprehensive selection of cutting-edge BIM and CAD design, visualisation and analysis software and cloud tools comes within the AEC Collection.

Revit

Architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical 3D modelling and drafting BIM software.

Civil 3D

Civil engineering design and construction documentation software.

AutoCAD

2D/3D design and drafting software with specialised toolsets for AEC, plant design, GIS and more.

Infraworks

Conceptual design, visualisation and analysis software for civil infrastructure.

Navisworks Manage

Project coordination, data aggregation, 5D scheduling, quantification, simulation and visualisation software.

Advance Steel

Structural steel design and detailing software that works with beamline machines.

Recap Pro

Reality capture, photogrammetry and 3D scanning point cloud software.

Insight

Building energy analysis software.

Formit Pro

3D sketching and design and energy analysis software with Revit and Dynamo interoperability.

Dynamo Studio

Visual programming design automation software for Revit, Formit and Advance Steel.

Robot Structural Analysis Professional

Non-Linear structural analysis for Revit and Advance Steel.

3ds Max

3D modelling, rendering, animation and simulation software.

Vehicle Tracking

Swept path analysis software.

Fabrication CADmep

Cloud storage and collaboration for CAD.

Autodesk Rendering

Cloud based rendering for Revit, 3ds Max, Navisworks and AutoCAD.

Autodesk Drive

Cloud storage and collaboration for CAD.

Exceptional Value

Compare buying the AEC Collection to buying each title separately. If you need more than one application, getting an Industry Collection is the best value choice. Please note that all prices quoted below exclude GST.

Compare

Compare the AEC Collection to other products such as Revit, AutoCAD Revit LT suite and Revit LT.

AEC Collection
Revit
AutoCAD Revit LT Suite
Revit LT

	AEC Collection	Revit	AutoCAD Revit LT Suite	Revit LT
	$Call for Price /year Inc. GST	$Call for Price /year Inc. GST	$Call for Price /year Inc. GST	$Call for Price /year Inc. GST
3D Modelling 3D CAD Modelling functionality in Revit
2D Design 2D design functionality in AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT
2D Drafting 2D views, annotations, leaders, etc.
Architectural Modelling Tools to model architectural elements such as floors, walls, doors, etc.
Structural Modelling Tools to model structural steel and concrete elements			Limited	Limited
MEP Modelling Tools for mechanical, electrical and piping elements
Parts and Assemblies Ability to break up designs in Revit into parts and assemblies
Solar Studies Conduct solar studies in Revit
Global Parameters Drive other parameters in Revit
Conceptual Massing Fast way to model 3D mass objects
Local Rendering Ray-trace rendering on your PC
Cloud Based Rendering Off-load rendering to the cloud. High resolution renders cost cloud credits.
Analysis Area, analytic model, structural loads, boundary conditions, heating and cooling loads, massing studies
Schedules Create schedule and material take-off reports
Collaboration Interference checks, copy/monitor, worksharing, share coordinates among projects and Revit server
Copy/paste elements in linked Revit files Ability to copy/paste elements between Revit files that are linked into the Revit project.
Linked Revit file visibility customisation Control the visibility ofelements of Revit projects that have been linked
Point Clouds Import point clouds via Recap
Standard Revit Exporters Export to DWG, DGN, DWF, Images, FBX, NWC and reports
Additional Revit Exporters SAT, ADSK, gbXML, ODBC, family types
Application Programming Interface (API) Install plug-ins, create plug-ins, macros and run Dynamo scripts
Energy, lighting, solar analysis Features found in Insight
Non-Linear Structural Analysis FEA tools in Robot
Civil Infrastructure Design Tools in Civil 3D and Infraworks
Structural Steel Detailing Features found in Advance Steel
Electrical Schematics Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
GIS Mapping Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Raster Tools Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Plant Design Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
P&ID Schematics Features found in AutoCAD specialised toolsets
Clash Detection Features found in Navisworks Manage
5D Scheduling Features found in Navisworks Manage
Project Review and Coordination Features found in Navisworks Manage
Production Rendering and Animation Features found in 3ds Max
Bridge loading, analysis and code checking Features found in Structural Bridge Design
Generative Design Explore design iterations generated from a study based on goals, constraints and inputs
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AEC Collection Add-Ons

Check out these programs and plug-ins to boost productivity even further.

Cloud based worksharing, collaboration and model comparison. Includes BIM 360 Docs.

Revit enhancements for BIM management, renumbering, Excel, sheets, MEP, parameters and more.

Cloud based construction management with document control, collaboration.

Civil 3D enhancements for piping, polylines, maps, points and more.

Computational Fluid Dynamic software to simulate wind loads, air and fluid flows.

Revit Automation, Analytics
and Access.

Design Consulting Joins NVIDIA Inception Program to Propel Innovation in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Manufacturing

Leveraging Autodesk Prodsmart for Operational Excellence: A Comprehensive Guide for Manufacturing Professionals

The Comprehensive Guide to Autodesk Fabrication Software: CADmep, CAMduct, and ESTmep

Maximising CNC Efficiency with Autodesk Inventor and Fusion CAM Setup and Training Services

Untitled design 36 Moving at the Speed of Business

Unlock Seamless Project Migration to Autodesk Construction Cloud’s Australian Hub with IMAGINiT Clarity

New Features in IMAGINiT Clarity 2025 That Revolutionise AutoCAD and Revit Automation

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If you would learn more about Autodesk software, please contact us by calling on 1800 490 514, by filling out the form or clicking the live chat in the bottom right-hand corner.

What’s New in Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2017

April 20, 2016

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Factory Design Suite

Building on the Factory Design Suite 2016 Feature Update Pack, the new Factory Design Suite 2017 release has a focus on Speed: faster asset publishing, quicker response times when placing assets, quicker synching between AutoCAD and Navisworks and Asset Management: improvements in the lighter assets, working with parameters, better Vault integration and more functions and editing capabilities of assets. Here’s the list Included Software…

Autodesk Releases Advance Steel for Structural Detailing

May 6, 2014

| 1 Comment

| AutoCAD, Construction, Manufacturing

Parametric Connections, NC File Support, Revit & Robot Structures Interoperability plus more. Built on the familar AutoCAD, Autodesk Advanced Steel brings a lot of features and functionality missing in Autodesk’s portfolio of design products. Anyone who had experience with AutoCAD Structural detailing knew of it’s limitations, so to have this product released is a step in the right direction. When you…

Mockup 360 Now in Product Design Suite 2015

April 2, 2014

| 2 Comments

| Autodesk 360, Autodesk 360 Products, Autodesk Inventor, Manufacturing, Product Design Suite, Visualisation

Open Collaboration Services Added to the Suite’s Subscription Services. If real-time open collaboration (regardless of CAD tool), large scale 3D visualisation, clash detection analysis and project management ticks boxes as benefits in your design workflows, then take a look at Mockup 360. Product Design Suite Services are cloud based services such as Autodesk 360 (Document Hosting, Sharing, Editing & Collaboration), Optimisation Studies for Inventor…

What Are The Best Tools For Factory Design and Management? Pt. 2

February 20, 2014

| No Comments

| 3D Scanning, Factory Design Suite, Manufacturing, Visualisation

The Foundation of Factory Design Suite Part 1 summarised the challenges and some of the tools used in designing and managing a Factory/Facility. This part focuses on Autodesk’s solution that addresses these challenges and subsequent posts will cover working with existing layouts, creating new layouts, analysis (process analysis, machine utilisation & energy consumption), visualisation and linking Factory Design Suite with…

What Are The Best Tools For Factory Design & Management?

February 9, 2014

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Factory Design Suite, Manufacturing, Simulation, Uncategorized, Visualisation

A Way To Address Factory Layouts, Engineering, Sales, Lean Manufacturing, Made to Order, Scheduling & Production Planning Challenges. The design and management of a factory involves many tools and stakeholders. Engineers can design the facilities layout with architectural structures, conveyors, materials handling, process equipment, safety equipment, office furniture, storage, building utilities (MEP), robots, spray booths, pits, platforms freezers, forklifts and humans,…

How AutoCAD Products Work With Inventor

February 4, 2014

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Manufacturing, Plant Design Suite, Product Design Suite, Uncategorized

Interoperability, Associativity, Synch and Exchange Explained. With currently 13 AutoCAD Branded products available, how do they work with Inventor and to what capacity? With all that legacy AutoCAD data out there and users still engineering design on various AutoCAD Products, working with DWG is an important issue and using Autodesk products make it easier. All those time saving features…

What Do You Mean it’s a Parametric Video?

January 24, 2014

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Autodesk 360, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Labs

Project Chronicle: Bringing CAD and Video into One. This Free Technology Preview from Autodesk is really ingenious. It’s a recording utility for CAD & Design Programs that not only records video screen capture and voice narration but also records and shows below the video software gestures too with a timeline chronicle of the sequence of commands, dialogue boxes, files and…

Associativity Between Autodesk Inventor & AutoCAD

December 18, 2013

| 1 Comment

| Alias, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Product Design Suite

Associativity is great, when the 3D model changes, the 2D drawing and Bill of Materials updates automatically. Associativity between programs is even better. So you may ask why do I need to use AutoCAD to detail my 3D model when I already have Inventor? Autodesk Inventor can create a DWG drawing and detail 3D Model which saves time exporting from…

AutoCAD 360 – CAD on Any Device, Anywhere, Anytime

December 16, 2013

| No Comments

| AutoCAD, Autodesk 360, Manufacturing

Autodesk lead the way in Cloud-Based CAD Solutions. In today’s world where projects needed to be completed last week, AutoCAD 360 is a handy tool for any CAD user that needs to communicate and design at the speed of business. The industry has been screaming for an access anywhere, anytime CAD system for years now and while other CAD vendors…

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Understanding Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage: Integration with CAD Software and Data Management Solutions

What is Autodesk Fusion 360 Manage?

Integration with CAD Software

1. Fusion 360

2. Inventor

3. AutoCAD

Integration with Autodesk Vault

How CoolOrange PowerPLM Works

Benefits of Integrating Vault with Fusion 360 Manage

Integration with Upchain and Prodsmart

Upchain

Prodsmart

The Importance of Integration in Product Development

1. Enhanced Collaboration

2. Improved Data Management

3. Streamlined Workflows

4. Better Decision-Making

Ready to Transform Your Product Development Process?

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AutoCAD vs. Autodesk Advance Steel: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Design Needs

Understanding the Basics

Key Differences Between AutoCAD and Autodesk Advance Steel

1. Purpose and Specialisation

2. Modelling Capabilities

3. Automation and Efficiency

4. Drawing Production

5. Ease of Use for Steel Work

6. Integration and Workflow

7. Learning Curve

8. Document Management

Practical Applications and User Scenarios

AutoCAD or Autodesk Advance Steel, Make the Right Choice For Your Needs

Contact Us

New Features in IMAGINiT Clarity 2025 That Revolutionise AutoCAD and Revit Automation

IMAGINiT Clarity Product Updates

Revit 2025 Support

Quarterly Health Check-Ins

Revit Error Resolution

Common Task Targets

Health Alerts

BIM 360 and AEC Construction Cloud Path Migration Tool

Unified Sync Task

Space Programming Module

Oracle Aconex Integration

Other Enhancements

IMAGINiT Clarity Cloud

Want to Learn More About Clarity 2025?

Contact Us

Design Consulting Promoted to Autodesk Gold Partner

Contact Us

The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD vs AutoCAD Architecture

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD Architecture vs AutoCAD

AutoCAD Architecture vs AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD including specialized toolsets Annual Subscription

Product Design and Manufacturing Collection

AutoCAD Essentials Training Course

AutoCAD Mechanical Essentials Training Course

Discover the Right CAD Tool for Your Engineering Needs

Tailored Functionality

Ready to get AutoCAD with the Architecture Toolset?

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

AutoCAD 2024 Brochures

AutoCAD Map 3D: The Perfect Mapping Tool for Engineering and GIS Professionals

Features and Benefits

AutoCAD Map 3D Vs AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Connecting AutoCAD Map 3D with other apps

AutoCAD including specialized toolsets Annual Subscription

AutoCAD LT 2024 Annual Subscription

AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2024 Annual Subscription

AutoCAD P&ID Training Course

AutoCAD: Advanced training

AutoCAD Electrical Training Course: Fundamentals

Tailored Functionality

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024

Coordinate System Update

Discover the Right CAD Tool for Your Engineering Needs

Ready to get AutoCAD 2024?

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

AutoCAD 2024 Brochures

Better Piping and P&ID's Designs with the AutoCAD Plant 3D Toolset