In the Pipes

It's Thursday it must be Holland.

I'm in the Netherlands for a software test drive.  They've given us a video camera.  It's not my thing to watch videos, preferring to read my news and entertainment, so I've already missed a ton of video opportunities.  On the way over here I took a few days in New Orleans - but sadly I have no video to share for there.  Wait, actually, I do have a minute of some street musicians singing one of my favorites standards, Saint James Infirmary.  I'll try to have more trip video to share in a post soon.

The main purpose of this trip is to get feedback from some of our European clients on Stella beta software.  We are looking to validate that we did not miss something big regarding this market's piping software needs.   Until now, most of our feedback has been from North America, so it was time to talk more to people in the Northern European market.  As a secondary aim we hope to gather input on enhancements desired for the next release.  Along the way, we will make a video postcard documenting our visit -- I do hope it turns out well!  We've been having fun with CADTEAM, the reseller here.  Damian (on the left) may even be having too much fun with CADTEAM's senior technical application manager B.J.

On the P&ID front, AutoCAD P&ID 2010 has shipped!  This release has several exciting new features such as curved schematic lines, improved inline equipment, end connections on instruments, and project specific tool palette setup.  You can learn more about P&ID 2010 by checking out "what's new" on the learning on the website.  Or you can get a copy via the download a trial link on the AutoCAD P&ID landing page.

AutoCAD Plant 3D - Beta 2 Available Now!

I guess I could have mentioned this earlier, but AutoCAD Plant 3D Beta 2 is now on the MyFeedback site and available for download.  Beta 2 contains many updates to the functionality of Beta 1.  One highlight is that Beta 2 now works with metric units.  We've also restarted the "Question of the Day" threads on the Stella discussion group.  But please, don't let that stop you from posting other concerns and issues! 

We pay great attention to what is on the MyFeedback site and appreciate all feedback we get. Just last week I did a requirements presentation to our VP staff that was peppered with Beta feedback quotes. It’s great to have quotes so they know the requests are from real users and not just something I made up ;-)

For our Beta users in the US and Canada, we've just kicked off a Model Creation contest. We are looking for models that best demonstrate the features and completeness of AutoCAD Plant 3D. Other criteria used will include the size and complexity of the project, the degree of innovation and the overall quality of the project story. Again, check out the MyFeedback Stella discussion group for details.  What would you do with a $250 Amazon gift card?   

Oh, and no, Beta 2 does not make isometrics . . . yet.  (sigh.)