In the Pipes

AutoCAD P&ID 2009 now in Japanese

We've just shipped our first foreign language version of AutoCAD P&ID - Japanese.  First customer ship was on 15 December, 2009.  It's pretty cool to see this application in a different script.  I was going to do my Autodesk University breakfast subscription demo in the Japanese versions, but then it was 7 AM and I figured there was no reason to make it more challenging that it needed to be.  I imagine our Japanese clients are thinking the same thing now that they no longer have to parse the English version.

A number of Autodesk offices observe a "week of rest" between Christmas and New Years.   This year, by adding 3 days of vacation, it becomes 2 weeks of rest.  I am looking forward to two weeks off before what is shaping up to be a intense 2009.  It will nice to have some quiet down time, with nothing to do but rest.  Well, nothing except for a 5 day trip across country to Delaware.  And New Years Eve festivities.  And that Monday nightclub that I've been wanting to check out.  And a few other things here and there.  Good thing we have that leap second this year so I can get in that extra bit of time to rest!

Since I'm not artistic enough to draw my own Christmas wishes, I'm recycling one from Dorkboycomics (with Damian's permission of course).  Happy Holidays!

Skweeee !!

Autodesk University (AU) was, as always, exhausting but wonderful.  We had six classes, all well attended.  We even had 200+ people show up for a 7AM breakfast demo.  We had a number productive and promising client meetings, a great cocktail party, and lots of good feedback.  And of course, everyone is looking forward to AutoCAD Plant 3D.  If you want to get involved, please check out My Feedback for the Stella beta and the Stella discussion group. 

One of the cool things about working for Autodesk is that they have this tendency to give out shirts and jackets when you support an event.  I gathered my collection as I was packing for Autodesk University a few weeks back.  I seem to be missing 3 button downs and a couple of T-shirts (wonder where they got to ?), but still the stack is impressive from my three year stint.

And just today I got the another shirt - this was a T-shirt designed for this year's AU entitled "When Pigs Fly". 

This shirt is in the running for my favorite, right up there with last year's "nice tee".  These both were designed by one of our super creative software designers, Damian Willcox.  At some point I hope to convince him to design me a Pipe Wench shirt.  In his free time, Damian writes Dorkboy Comics.  I'm hoping he has time to make another cool calendar this year, but we've been keeping Damian pretty busy on 3D Piping designs lately.  I'm already looking forward to see what shirt design he comes up with for AU 2009.  (No pressure Damian).   Skweeee !!

Autodesk University, Day ummmm 3?

As always, Autodesk University becomes a blur as the days go on.  I think I've been here 3 days now, but frankly I've lost track.  Classes, keynotes, receptions - just overwhelming.  It's not even midnight but I'm turning in.  (I've caught a cold so I'm trying to take it easy.)  There is apparently some drum competition outside my hotel window so I'm regretting not packing earplugs -- ah Vegas, gotta love it.

Tomorrow 10 AM I'm teaching a course on "Successful AutoCAD P&ID Projects".  I have to say I picked that topic back last April figuring I could talk about whatever I felt was interesting.  This turned into plans to talk about whatever people asked me about across the year.  Turns out people are interested in setting up project graphics & data and also integrating AutoCAD P&ID with external databases.

Subsequently, my class has turned into "The 6 things you need to know about setting up AutoCAD P&ID, plus databases".  In particular, these 6 things are:

1. Titleblock setup
2. Adding your own Symbols
3. Configuring Layers & Colors
4. Adding Properties (data fields)
5. Setting up Tagging Formats
6. Creating Annotations

 And then toward the end I will be covering different database options - namely how to setup AutoCAD P&ID projects to use a SQL Express database, and how to integrate with external databases via an OLEDB connection.  Interesting stuff, no? 

The class is my last "official" assignment at AU.  So afterwards I plan to find out how long it takes to lose $125 of winnings at a $5 craps table.

Autodesk University - Day 1

Hello from Autodesk University in Las Vegas!  As always this is a mind boggling event.  Classes upon classes, sessions, labs, receptions, meetings  -- plus this is Vegas, so there are the typical share of casino distractions.  So far I've been to one surreal lunch, two client meetings, one reception, missed one reception, attended a birthday dinner, presented at a 7 AM session, and I'm up $12.  Along the way I've already chatted with dozens of clients and answered lots of questions.  And I haven't even been here 24 hours yet!

The Autodesk University 2008 Conference give-away this year is a messenger bag made with recycled vinyl banners from previous events.  (Banners this year are cardboard and fabric.) They come in a rainbow of colors reflecting the various banner colors across the years.  I'm scoping the crowd to see if I can trade my blue one for a pink one.

That's it for now.  I need to go prep for my first class.  And for booth duty.  And for the blogger reception.  And for the exhibit hall opening reception.  And for the plant cocktail reception.  Considering tonight's schedule, it's good thing my first session isn't until 11:30 AM tomorrow.