Inspired by the success of Avatar and the role Autodesk MotionBuilder software played in that success, I visited the avatarizeyourself.com site and saw what I would have looked like had I been a part of the movie. Thinking back on the AutoCAD Elves post I did one holiday season (and Shaan's reply), I thought I would give it another try.

Lynn Allen
Heidi Hewett
Shaan Hurley

Having a wee bit of fun is alive in the lab.

The latest issue of AUGIWorld is available for download.

This month's issue features a cover story article from our own Kean Walmsley who talked about the ADN Plugin of the Month available for download from the Autodesk labs site. Previous months' plugins are still available on th updates page.

Check it out.

The latest issue of AUGIWorld is available for download. This month's issue features a cover story article from our own Kean Walmsley who talked about the ADN Plugin of the Month available for download from the Autodesk labs site. Previous... Scott Sheppard

The Feature Recognition for Inventor team has updated the technology preview for Inventor 2011. Recall that you can use Feature Recognition to convert neutral 3D CAD models, such as STEP, SAT, or IGES solids, into full-featured Autodesk Inventor models. Feature mapping can be executed automatically or interactively as needed to maintain your design intent. So now when Inventor 2011 becomes available, you can visit:

Free Download of Feature Recognition for Inventor via Autodesk Labs

and download a compatible version of the technology preview. This includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. We're ready when you're ready. Thanks for all those who continue to provide feedback to labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com.

Getting a technology preview on deck so it will be there when you need it is alive in the lab.

The Feature Recognition for Inventor team has updated the technology preview for Inventor 2011. Recall that you can use Feature Recognition to convert neutral 3D CAD models, such as STEP, SAT, or IGES solids, into full-featured Autodesk Inventor models. Feature... Scott Sheppard

Last year (FY10) was another banner year for downloads from the Autodesk Labs site:

This download thing is really catching on. Senior PR manager, Noah Cole, let all of us Autodesk bloggers know about a shift towards downloads at Autdoesk overall.

Starting this month, software download will replace CDs and DVDs as the default method of delivering software upgrades to most Autodesk® Subscription customers worldwide.

• If a customer would prefer to receive their software upgrade via CD/DVD instead of via download, customers can set their delivery preference to “box” by signing in to Subscription Center and updating their profile prior to March 12, 2010. (Date does not apply to Media and Entertainment customers.) [Your Subscription Center login is the same as your Autodesk Labs login.]

• After March 12, 2010 customers in countries affected by this policy change can still request a CD/DVD by submitting a request in Subscription Center and Autodesk will ship a CD/DVD at no additional cost.

Software download gives Subscription customers immediate access to the latest Autodesk software. It’s more convenient than installing upgrades from a CD or DVD. And, it’s a more sustainable choice. Autodesk will continue to ship CDs/DVDs to Subscription customers in some countries as the default delivery method; however, these customers will also have the option to download their Autodesk software upgrades.

Questions Additional information and a Customer FAQ can be found on the Subscription Software Download page. Or email subscription-team@autodesk.com.

Thanks Noah.

Last year (FY10) was another banner year for downloads from the Autodesk Labs site: This download thing is really catching on. Senior PR manager, Noah Cole, let all of us Autodesk bloggers know about a shift towards downloads at Autdoesk... Scott Sheppard

Q: What do cookies and design publishing have in common? A: I like them in batches. The March ADN plugin of the month is the DWF/PDF Batch Publish for AutoCAD utility. You can download it including source code at: Free... Scott Sheppard

Q: What do cookies and design publishing have in common?
A: I like them in batches.

The March ADN plugin of the month is the DWF/PDF Batch Publish for AutoCAD utility. You can download it including source code at:

Free Download of DWF/PDF Batch Publish for AutoCAD via Autodesk Labs

It seems that a Mr. Richard Feder from Fort Lee, New Jersey wrote in:

I am testing your Batch Publish add-on, and when I run it I get this error.

In response this update includes support for file path characters that are reserved in XML (like &, %, etc.). While they were at it, the developers changed the code to stop terminating when certain innocuous exceptions are thrown during PUBLISH of certain drawings and to more reliably add demand-loading entries on certain AutoCAD verticals such as AutoCAD Electrical.

Honing our sample source code and functionality based on user feedback is alive in the lab.

Since today is a Friday, I typically shy away from technical blog posts, So here is something intended to be humorous. I was searching for a relative I have not been in contact so I typed in her name on Facebook. I found a few people with the same name but not her. I was amused at how many people had the same name. So I decided to try my own name. Here's what I found on the other Scott Sheppards:

• National Scott Sheppard Day is November 8
  This is a tribute to a sophomore at Eisenhower High School from years gone by. Apparently current students dress like this Scott Sheppard on this day every year. Attire includes khaki pants. By pure coincidence my wife, Sheryl, and I celebrate this day as our first date was on 11/08/1975.

• The Scott Sheppard Appreciation Society
  Here's a guy who makes unhappy people feel better. He has a fan club of 50 members.

• Dr. Scott Sheppard
  In the 80's when I was working on my masters thesis in computer science, I would run across these publications by an astronomer named Scott Sheppard. He has made some great discoveries. Oh to be an astronomer.

  The night is clear.
  When the stars appear,
  I recite their names.
  The farthest lights
  Only now arrive
  Wonder how they've changed
     Freedy Johnston, "Farthest Lights," Blue Days Black Nights.

So then I tried Autodesk Labs Software Architect Ben Cochran. Here's what I found on other Ben Cochrans:

• Elect Ben Cochran mayor of Worthington
  This group has 104 members that would like to see this Ben Cochran become mayor of a city in Ohio.

• I like the IDEA of ben cochran
  This is a very exclusive group of 11 members who "were there that faithful night when I say things without thinking, and ben cochran finds them funny."

• Ben Cochran and Abby Kitchener are the Best Parents Ever!
  "This is for all the cool kids of family 11 who think that Ben and Abby are the best parents!" Though this is a different Ben Cochran, this one might actually apply to our own Ben.

You should try this with your own name. You might be surprised.

Keeping the topic light on a Friday is alive in the lab.

Since today is a Friday, I typically shy away from technical blog posts, So here is something intended to be humorous. I was searching for a relative I have not been in contact so I typed in her name on... Scott Sheppard

As Autodesk MotionBuilder software was integral to the success of Avatar, I felt compelled to try avatarizeyourself.com. I think I'll stick with being human.

As Autodesk MotionBuilder software was integral to the success of Avatar, I felt compelled to try avatarizeyourself.com. I think I'll stick with being human. Scott Sheppard

The technology preview of the Multi-Threaded Solver for Robot Structural Analysis has ended. The functionality no longer operates as of March 1. This preview leveraged modern Intel CPU architectures to analyze designs more quickly. Thanks to everyone who downloaded the... Scott Sheppard

The technology preview of the Multi-Threaded Solver for Robot Structural Analysis has ended. The functionality no longer operates as of March 1. This preview leveraged modern Intel CPU architectures to analyze designs more quickly. Thanks to everyone who downloaded the preview and provided feedback.

Quite honestly this was not our most popular preview. Regardless, we value the lessons we learn from all Autodesk Labs technology previews. For those interested in continuing with this functionality, please contact us at labs.revit.rsa@autodesk.com.

This past weekend Graphics Programmer/Software Engineer, Mauricio Vives attended the 2010 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games, known more simply as "I3D." It is sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH, and was held this year in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington.... Scott Sheppard

Many people visit the Autodesk Labs site. A subset of them (you) read this blog. To reach out to Autodesk customers who may have only been to the Labs site once or twice and/or those who do not read this blog, I have taken a stab at creating a newsletter. In true Labs fashion, I am sharing my draft with you now to get feedback before I send it out.

http://labs.blogs.com/march2010/innovation_edge.htm

The name Innovation Edge is from Senior Strategic Designer Doug Look. I think it's a catchy name, so I stuck with it. With the idea that the person who will read the newsletter will not have been to the Labs site for a while and probably doesn't read this blog, I was going for brevity and more of a marketing orientation. This newsletter will be sent to Labs visitors who opt in by doing so on their Labs profile. If you are logged into the Labs community, the newsletter link to allow you to "opt in" appears in the upper right portion of the Labs home page.

So what do you think? Let us know at thelabs@autodesk.com.

Getting our best ideas from the people who know us best is alive in the lab.

Many people visit the Autodesk Labs site. A subset of them (you) read this blog. To reach out to Autodesk customers who may have only been to the Labs site once or twice and/or those who do not read this... Scott Sheppard

The login redirection problem has been fixed. Thanks to our IT department for their swift action. Please do let us know at thelabs@autodesk.com should any of you still encounter the problem. Scott Sheppard

The login redirection problem has been fixed. Thanks to our IT department for their swift action. Please do let us know at thelabs@autodesk.com should any of you still encounter the problem.