20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
A new open-source toolkit, That Open Engine 3.4.0, addresses long-standing issues in BIM workflows by offering an integrated 2D technical drawing system. It enables users to generate, annotate, and export plans directly from BIM models in a browser without relying on external CAD tools. This innovative solution eliminates licensing barriers, making it accessible for all.
The Accidental Empire
How a band of UNIVAC hackers, a borrowed plotter, and five long-shot bets became one of the most influential software companies ever built. The oral history Autodesk never officially told. Here are the Oral History of many early Autodesk founders and those in its early history.
In November 2013, Autodesk successfully ran full versions of its applications like Inventor and Revit in web browsers through a partnership with Mozilla, OTOY, AWS, and NVIDIA. Despite the groundbreaking performance, Autodesk chose not to launch the product due to pricing, internal politics, and fear of disrupting existing profits, ultimately opting for limited cloud features instead.
Oracle's acquisition of Sun shifted Java to a paid subscription model, increasing compliance risks for users with outdated versions. Many teams faced unexpected costs due to older Oracle Java installations. Open-source alternatives like OpenJDK offer safer, cost-effective solutions. Regular audits and proactive management can help minimize financial liability and compliance issues.
After 22 years on Typepad, the platform's sudden shutdown prompted a challenging migration to WordPress.com. Despite Typepad's early reliability, its decline made the shift necessary. With support from the community, the transition has rejuvenated the blog, embracing WordPress's modern tools and open-source benefits, marking a new chapter in the blog's journey.
Every weekday morning at 6:00 a.m. in Bend, Oregon, I log into one of my startup client’s virtual office with a strong cup of yerba mate tea and my sleepy silver labrador Coho at my feet. Across the Atlantic, Trey’s already deep into his afternoon in Belgium, mapping out go-to-market strategy and financial tasks. In Colombia, Troy’s checking notes, answering emails, and prepping for the next feature push. Thiago in Brazil and Tom in South Carolina are already writing code, while Cam and David are trading notes on sales conversations from yesterday.
This past week, I flew a UAS (drone) and captured orbiting video of the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch – Deschutes Public Library under construction here in Bend Oregon. I generated a low res interactive 3D model and cool…
Digital twins are instrumented virtual replicas of physical assets and are becoming essential tools for simulating and optimizing designs before construction and during operation. AI may enhance these twins by making them smarter, more adaptive, and more insightful. AI doesn’t…
Today marks a big blog milestone—21 years of "Between the Lines Blog." What started as a simple idea has grown into a fun and trusted source for those in the AEC and manufacturing design technology industry. It’s wild to look…
As we journey through the ever-changing landscape of technology, the challenge isn't just about adopting new tech; it's about integrating it seamlessly into our existing lives and workflows. Picture this: a person balancing delicately on a tightrope between two skyscrapers, old and new. This is our everyday reality in the modern world.