It took three hours to connect to the Internet -- I guess 150 geeks overwhelmed the InterContinental Hotel's networking system.
Ya, so 150 media and analysts here from some 50+ countries. Right now we are watching Ford and GM showing how they use Autodesk software. Ford for vehicle designs, GM for buildings. (In a side note, GM announced today they will be laying off 74,000 employees -- ouch!)
This is the day Autodesk announces AutoCAD 2009 and related software:
-- enhancements to the user interface (the Ribbon).
-- automation tools that do not require programming knowledge (macro recorder)
-- new 3D navigational tools.
Sales slow? "In addition, AutoCAD 2009 subscription customers will receive Autodesk Impression illustration software to create presentation-ready graphics directly from AutoCAD DWF and DWG files," adds the email sent to we media.
10:30am
Jeff Kowalski is Autodesk's chief technology officer, and he's now on stage to tell us about "Experience it before it is real" -- the third stage of Autodesk software, he calls it. (The other two were The AutoCAD Disruption of the 1980s, and then 3D Digital Prototype stage.)
Where is he leading to with this? Visualize, simulate, analyze... Is he leading up to 2009 series of software?
Software gives back more information than what humans input -- such as drawing two beams, and the software warning of their clashing.
This morning we have seen numerous movies showing real-looking situations, from rebuilding a bridge to images from the movie Beowolf. Spiderman 3 had 70 minutes of computer simulation. Sigh, soon nothing will be real -- even if "they impart and emotional experience," as Mr Kowalski says.
Link.
[Disclosure: Autodesk provided transportation, hotel accomodation, some meals,and corporate gifts.]
GM didn't announce the layoffs of 74,000 today (thankfully) but another offer of buyouts or early retirements to workers which other car makers & I think GM has done before in an effort to reduce staff.
Posted by: Tim Zinkgraf | Feb 12, 2008 at 12:19 PM