Food for the Soul – A Little AEC Knowledge Shared goes a Long Way
2011 marked my 20th year working in the AEC space. In those 20 years I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked on projects great and small in the private and public sectors all over the world. One might assume my proudest moments would be related to massive projects like The Bay Bridge, The World Trade Center, etc. While I am proud that I have touched many, iconic mega-projects; whenever I am asked what is the work I am most proud of my answer is always the same. I love sharing my knowledge / experience / expertise with AEC technology with folks who in most circumstances might not ever be exposed to it.
I began working with KnowledgeWell back in 2006. Within two years I had given two BIM presentations on Guam, discussed GIS with government planners on Saipan, and I taught an AutoCAD Civil 3D class in Micronesia barefoot and in shorts! Sure I got to visit exotic places, and to see and do some amazing things but what keeps me coming back are comments like this: “You are the first foreigner to visit here who gave something to us. Everyone else takes. They take pictures. They take artifacts. They learn all about our history do all sorts of scientific study and take all that with them when they leave. You asked for nothing. You taught us things we can use to save our home.” The woman who told me this was in tears. So was I.
After an experience like that I was completely hooked. I volunteer to teach and share the things I am familiar with every chance I get. Whether it’s teaching a class on an Autodesk software, presentations to folks on workflows like BIM, the value of LiDAR and laser scanning, or connecting people with other people with similar needs, it’s rewarding, really fun, and great food for the soul.
On one trip as I got off the plane on a remote Pacific island I was handed a health warning about a dengue fever problem that was making a lot of people sick. I suggested that the mayor use AutoCAD Map 3D to determine where the sick people lived and then compare that data with standing water where dengue infected mosquitos could be breeding. An easy task from a technical point of view but the outcome profoundly increased the quality of life on the island soon thereafter.
On another visit I suggested using AutoCAD Civil 3D to help understand how the ground water might become contaminated by seepage from a local landfill. I have since heard that a geotextile was used to halt this potential health risk.
On Easter Island, aka Rapa Nui, I took my laptop to the elementary school and showed some great kids 3D models created with Autodesk solutions. They went absolutely wild. I had a fabulous day.
So take a chance and volunteer. Using your skills for these kinds of endeavors is an absolute blast.
About Pete Kelsey
Pete has been working with civil engineering, GIS, and measurement technologies for over 20 years. In that time he has been an end user, he has worked for an Autodesk reseller, he was an independent consultant, and he founded a leading AEC services company. Pete has been with Autodesk since 2006. He has been a worldwide technical evangelist and currently works with Autodesk Major Accounts as a Technical Account Manager helping the world’s largest AEC firms integrate Autodesk solutions into their complex workflows.
About this Blog Series
This is the first in a series of blogs that shares the extraordinary and sometimes life-changing stories and experiences of a group of CAD, AEC, GIS and BIM experts who have chosen to share their knowledge with under-served communities and nations. These volunteers work hand-in-hand with KnowledgeWell, a non-profit organization whose goal is to transform the barriers faced by under-resourced nations into opportunities for successful business enterprise and public sector programs. From Guam to Palau and beyond, KnowledgeWell helps these communities to become more self-sufficient, increase their visibility in the global marketplace and create awareness of sustainable, environmentally friendly business practices.
http://www.knowledgewell.org/
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Carly Bell
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Carly Bell
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There are two distinct factions when it comes to working from home: those who relish it and those who despise it. Before COVID-19, working from home was a perk. When the pandemic hit, work-from-home (WFH) became a necessity to combat the virus’s spread. One person’s dream; the other’s nightmare.
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Article originially posted to the GovDesignHub here.
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A new version of AutoCAD is now available.
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Article originally posted to GovDesignHub here.
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Article originally posted to GovDesignHub here.
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Holly Chapman
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In the words of one of our top contributors, Lynn Allen, of Autodesk fame:
Holly Chapman
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What do a Facebook data center, a railway, an expressway, an office building extension, and a cancer center have in common?
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Holly Chapman
Digital Design
Want to win a free pass to Autodesk University (AU) 2018? Earlier this summer, we announced that we’ll be awarding a full conference pass for you or a chosen nominee at your agency or department to attend Autodesk University 2018 in Las Vegas from November 13-15th.
Holly Chapman
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Autodesk introduced its Autodesk Collections a couple of years ago and there’s never been a better time to make the switch from individual product subscriptions to a collection. Thanks to a limited time offer from Autodesk, your agency can save 20% on the remaining months of your existing term if you switch by October 25, 2018.
But what’s the buzz about collections and why make the move?
Why Make the Move to Autodesk Collections?
Holly Chapman
Digital Design
It’s that time again, when agencies rush to spend their remaining year-end budget before the September 30th “use it or lose it” deadline. One-third of federal budget dollars are spent in the last quarter of the year, often in a wasteful manner. But for those in the field of digital design – there are many opportunities to make value-based investments using taxpayer dollars before it’s too late.
1. Training
Holly Chapman
Digital Design
Download the eBook here!
If you’re one of the millions of people who’ve been lucky enough to hear Lynn Allen present, you’ll know her as the queen of AutoCAD tips and tricks and all-round Autodesk technical evangelist, but she also knows quite a bit about the latest disruptive technology – BIM.
Caron Beesley
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Building information modeling (BIM) is poised for greater adoption by federal, state, and local government agencies. In Wisconsin, for example, publicly-funded projects over $5 million are required to incorporate BIM and 3D software from initial planning concepts to bidding documents and project closeout. Many DoTs, including MassDOT, FDOT, and CALTRANS are also embracing BIM for infrastructure projects.
Grace_Bergen
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It’s hard to imagine a world without digital. But as you look around you, much of the physical world was designed and constructed using traditional 2D blueprints and is yet to be captured in a digital format. This creates a challenge for AEC professionals to incorporate these as-built designs into re-build or renovation projects.
Traditional imaging techniques like photogrammetry aided in this process by allowing engineers to piece together photographs of as-built conditions and weave in GPS coordinates to create interactive 3D models, see below:
Grace_Bergen
Digital Design
As the demand for geospatial data grows, mobile mapping technology has advanced significantly in recent years allowing AEC professionals to collect extremely accurate, precise data from LiDAR sensors mounted on the back of a vehicle while driving at speeds up to 70 miles an hour.
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Rich3D, GovDesignHub explain how they delivered complex helicopter and military vehicle 3D virtual training via a ubiquitous tool – an Adobe Acrobat document.
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Grace_Bergen
Digital Design
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Grace_Bergen
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Grace_Bergen
Digital Design
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Grace_Bergen
Digital Design
Civil 3D 2019 is here. But what’s new and should you make the upgrade? Look out for webinars, blogs and insights from the civil community in the coming weeks that will no doubt make the case for the 2019 release. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a quick digest of what’s new and notable, we’ve pulled together thoughts and appreciations from a couple of industry experts who’ve already had a sneak peek at Civil 3D 2019.
Here’s what they’re telling us:
Civil 3D 2019 – “Things I Appreciate Out of the Gate”:
DLT Solutions
CAD General, Digital Design, Technology, Tips and How-Tos
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But what does the relationship mean for government infrastructure projects?
Taking 3D Contextual Design to the Next Level
DLT Solutions
Digital Design, IT Perspective, News, Technology, Tips and How-Tos, Uncategorized
The CAD and digital design sector is vast and growing at breakneck speed. It’s expected to reach $11.21 billion by 2023.
Many end-use industries such as automotive, aerospace, entertainment, industrial machinery, civil and construction, electrical and electronics, pharmaceutical, and healthcare, consumer goods, and others, widely use CAD and 3D design-based tools in their development processes.
DLT Solutions
CAD General, Digital Design, Technology, Tips and How-Tos
The holidays have arrived early to the government CAD community. Lynn Allen is coming to town and online in a city near you!
DLT has partnered with everyone’s favorite Autodesk evangelist and tips and tricks queen to bring you a series of tech breakfasts and webinars.
Starting this May and continuing over the next few months across the U.S., Lynn will share what’s new with AutoCAD 2019 (aka One AutoCAD) and dive into trends and happenings in the world of government digital design.
Here’s what May has in store:
DLT Solutions