20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
Autodesk was founded in 1982 not to create AutoCAD, which emerged later from a product initially called MicroCAD, but to develop various software products. The pivotal moment came at COMDEX when the founders chose to focus solely on AutoCAD after its strong reception, leading to their success in the CAD industry.
The article discusses the differences between the Overlay and Attach methods in AutoCAD and Civil 3D. While Overlay is preferred for managing references, Civil 3D introduces complexities with data shortcuts, creating potential mixed loops that can disrupt project workflows. Users must understand file dependencies to avoid creating loops before referencing drawings.
This podcast episode explores Autodesk's unexpected origins, focusing on its evolution from a UNIVAC hacker network to a billion-dollar enterprise. Key themes include the challenges of early software development, strategic decisions that shaped AutoCAD, and the company's growth trajectory. The narrative underscores the significance of primary sources in understanding this tech history.
Why cascading data references and circular loops degrade Civil 3D performance and stability, how to prevent them, and what Autodesk could build to kill the problem.
Autodesk updated the Civil Infrastructure Public Roadmap after the 2027 release. Here's what launched, what's actively being built, what's coming next, and how to make sure your priorities are on the list.
Shaan has developed a Civil 3D plugin in C#, functioning as an audit tool to analyze AutoCAD drawings efficiently. It captures essential data on references and project health, providing detailed reports and insights. The plugin can run in headless mode, enhancing performance for large batches of drawings. Future enhancements will address sheet set detection and layer audit calibration.
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.
Managing a Civil 3D shop can lead to complex issues with circular data shortcuts that obscure visibility and hinder performance. Many users unknowingly create tangled reference chains, resulting in file corruption and slow operations. The author seeks insights from other CAD managers on preventing and managing these challenges for better collaboration and efficiency.
A Saturday loop through Dufur, Tom McCall Preserve, Hood River, Solera Brewery in Parkdale, and dinner in Maupin. Wildflowers, an unexpectedly great organic market, and two very tired dogs.
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: