20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
My session "The Stack Inversion Is Real" was accepted for Autodesk University 2026, focusing on AI's impact on CAD management. While I'm disappointed my favorite submissions were declined, this presentation will reflect my current role as a practitioner. Attendees will learn about AI's changes in CAD functions and strategies for evolving expertise.
AI in AEC is not a technology problem - it's a data problem. Shaan Hurley recaps the AUGICon 2026 Applied AI in AECO panel: what's working, what's amplifying the mess, and why AEC is heading toward specialized tools on shared platforms.
The Autodesk Assistant in Civil 3D 2027 Tech Preview shows promise, effectively handling large data and summarizing complex drawings. However, it can generate non-existent commands, which erodes trust. Users are encouraged to leverage AI for efficiency while verifying its outputs and ensuring accuracy in commands to avoid confusion.
AUGI CON26 is just under a week away. There’s still time to register. Go here for the Main Stage and Lounge links:
AutoCAD 2027, released on March 25, 2026, emphasizes AI-assisted workflows, featuring the Autodesk Assistant for enhanced user interaction with DWG files. Key updates include multi-user DWG editing, a Geometry Cleanup tool, improved layout tab switching, and significant upgrades in Civil 3D, especially in drainage tools, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.
Updated 9/6/2026: The PowerShell scripts in this post have been rewritten and tested end to end. The original versions captured the decoder with 2>&1, which fails silently in any PowerShell script that sets $ErrorActionPreference = ‘Stop’: the decoder’s stderr output…
AI tools are increasingly prevalent across various fields, yet many users lack proficiency. Anthropic has launched a valuable free training portal for its Claude AI models, offering structured courses for all skill levels. Completing courses grants certificates, enhancing users' AI literacy, which is vital for effective collaboration and skill development in technology and design industries.
Autodesk privacy settings are often misunderstood, but knowing where to look can simplify them. Start with your Autodesk Profile to manage desktop product privacy linked to your account. Be aware of toggles for required and optional data collection, understanding both are part of using Autodesk software.
From CAD to cloud and AI, Autodesk's journey is a testament to evolving with technology while maintaining its core mission: empowering creativity and design.
The constant pressure to adopt new AI tools and tech updates can enhance efficiency but cannot replace human expertise. While tools streamline tasks and identify problems, they cannot replicate the nuanced understanding that experienced professionals provide. Effective use of technology requires judgment, skill, and clear awareness of potential risks and challenges.