CAD News & Tips for Govies 5/22

Read how AutoCAD 2015 really focuses on user comfort. Meet the most compelling new feature of Civil 3D 2015, and more.

These and other stories are featured in this week’s CAD News & Tips for Govies -  a weekly feature on Acronym that scans thousands of industry articles to present you with a regular source of CAD and GIS news, tips, events, and ideas that impact the public sector:

AutoCAD 2015 Focuses on User Comfort

Could AutoCAD really get any better? Well, the updated workhorse CAD program features a passel of UI updates that will make your day-to-day work easier and more efficient. Read more in Lynn Allen’s latest post on Cadalyst.

Is This the Most Compelling New Feature in Civil 3D 2015?

The latest edition of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015 features several changes. Perhaps one of the most exciting is the ability to actually print (your?)Live Maps!  Head on over to this IMAGINiT blog to learn more about how it all works.

Autodesk to Inject a Spark into 3D Printing

Last week, Autodesk CEO Carl Bass announced two contributions to the world of 3D printing that he believes will accelerate the pace of it. First is an open software platform for 3D printing called Spark, which will make it more reliable yet simpler to print 3D models, and easier to control how the model actually prints. The second announcement was a 3D printer that will serve as a reference implementation for Spark. Read more from Shaan Hurley,

AutoCAD Cloud Integration is Pretty Neat

With each new version of AutoCAD, users see improved and new features.  Other than new features such as easier and flexible ways to access tools within the suite, the AutoCAD 2015 suite has a stronger cloud integration that’s worth a peak. Read more in this blog from Synergis Engineering Design Solutions.

How BIM Enhances Architectural Design

Most industry articles about BIM typically focus on the benefits to production (faster, more complete, linked drawings), coordination (data exchange with consultants, sharing files in the cloud, helping the client visualize the design via 3D models on mobile devices), or integration (using BIM data on the job site, handing models off to contractors, extending the life of the models by using them for Facilities Management, or even using the data for fabrication). But there is a fourth aspect of BIM, which should be of primary interest to architects: how BIM can enhance design. Read more from this AIA article: Making BIM the Best Tool for Design.

Fulfill the Promise of Building Energy Performance

Energy-efficient buildings are not living up to their promise. The problem is serious, yet somewhat puzzling. Read why at ENR.com.

How to Download Products From Autodesk Subscription Center

Looking for a faster way to download new Autodesk product releases? This post from CADsoft Consulting Inc. guides you through the steps.

Featured image of the new AutoCAD 2015 interface courtesy of the AutoCAD Architecture Blog.