The reinforced concrete industry needs to find an easy-to-apply and complete Building Information Modeling (BIM)-ready fabrication workflow to link together the engineers, contractors, and fabricators. The objective is to streamline the BIM workflow to make this communication possible and provide huge productivity and safety ratio improvements. Come and see how GRAITEC’s 3D rebar design tools and Revit software and Autodesk 360 cloud-computing platform can help you produce 3D rebar ready for fabrication, as well as enable collaboration—including drawings, bar schedules, and quantities, published to the Autodesk 360 cloud system.

Back by popular demand—again!! One of Autodesk University’s highest-rated classes, this is intended for emerging 3ds Max software and Maya software users. This session will explore the world of image-based lighting for rendering images using high dynamic range (HDR) maps and NVIDIA mental ray / NVIDIA iray software. We'll begin with the process of capturing the existing real-world environment lighting. From there we'll see the steps involved in creating HDR panoramic image maps that are used within 3ds Max software and Maya software for photorealistic scene lighting. Finally, we'll employ camera techniques that will create very real images that combine computer graphics and real photographs for completely believable and seamless final imagery. What’s new this year? This year we will focus on graphics processing unit (GPU)-based rendering, specifically NVIDIA iray and others.

In this intermediary class I will build upon the theory presented in my class, Shading And Texturing Workflow, with a practical example that involves shading and texturing a high-resolution photoreal robot. The techniques presented can be used to texture any high-resolution hard-surface object, whether for visual effects, animated films, video game cinematics, or even architectural work. We will focus on how to efficiently shade thousands of individual objects without having to spend a lot of time UV shading everything. Blended box maps, projection paint, curvature maps, occlusion maps, and the building of a library of materials are just some of the topic that we will cover. I will use 3ds Max software, Chaos Group's V-Ray rendering engine, and Adobe Photoshop for this example, but you can apply the principals discussed to the 3D app, paint application, and renderer of your choice.

3D visualization has become a very important part of the practice in today's design industry; it is no longer limited to just the film and game studios who have long-established pipelines that deal with rendering and compositing. These critical techniques are little known by other design industries, or they are typically practiced to a very limited degree, utilizing available software such as Adobe Photoshop. There exists a common misconception that the Hollywood-like compositing workflow is too expensive or beyond reach. Design companies that have 3ds Max software or Maya software can get help from the Composite program from Autodesk, Inc. From 3ds Max software, you will learn how to render by element, separating important layers that can be used in a compositing workflow. From Composite software, you will learn how to assemble your rendered layers and make post-production changes that impact the look and feel of your final rendered image or animation.

As software innovation progresses, implementation strategies for all levels of experience must adjust. Millennials are demonstrating software fluency far beyond experienced professionals. While the millennial population is using the software to model in areas they have minimal experience in, the experienced generation is routinely trying to adopt the technology for traditional workflows. Where these trends intersect, organizations can maximize the abilities of experienced engineers, designers, owners, and operators, as well as recent graduates and new hires. This class will address how to implement strategies to transfer experience and knowledge from seasoned professionals to software proficient Millennials, and how to transfer technological capabilities from Millennials to those with decades of experience. This class will focus on addressing this trend in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) and Media & Entertainment industries, and provide strategies on how to address the challenge as a path toward future growth and innovation.

Robots are the most univeral machines in terms of manufacturing. At the cost of being harder to configure / use / program. As the CAM tools such as Fusion360 are improving on a regular basis, the potential to use robots in the machining world is steadly growing. The initially published postprocessor for KUKA (KRL - kuka robot language) is a first step to bring the power of fusion to a milling robot. Based on that post, I developed and tested a postprocessor for milling applications. Since robots are intrinsicly prone to vibrations, all cutting path should be as smooth as possible. This is achived by bypassing the regular motion planning algorithm in the kuka contol. The results are very promising.

Movies do it, the most popular television series are basing most of their effects on it, and commercials love the opportunities, but what about architecture? Can it help the client to better understand their site, their design, and the direction and the impact of their company onto the community? This class will demonstrate the advantages of using the techniques of integrating computer graphics into live plates, the process, and the possible pitfalls—especially when using it with aerial footage.

Upskilling of people is a central theme of the future of making. As the tools we use to design the world of the future develop at an ever-increasing pace we understand the need to invest in our staff to make the most of these advances. At the end of 2017, 6 years after we published our first BIM strategy, we had reached an important milestone. For the first time, more than half the time our staff spent using Autodesk products was in 3D BIM software, and two-thirds of our global community of Autodesk users had used a 3D tool in the last 12 months. Although a cause for great success, it was also a time to reflect. What about the remaining third? What could we do to create better training opportunities? How could we ensure that capability was consistent across our business? How can we ensure the right people are working on the right project at the right time? This industry talk will explore these themes and share the lessons we have learnt delivering a training programme comprising 130 classroom courses, attracting 700+ trainees, and delivered in 20 counties by a network of 9 Autodesk partners, all in a 10-month programme.

This class will examine designing environments for visually capable Machine Learning Agents to train in. Looking at both modular, procedurally generated environments and non-generative spaces, the class will cover constructing environments to promote generalization and learning. Additionally, the class will give an overview of the design constraints imposed when training AI, including vision sizing, computing power, and graphic fidelity. The class will dissect the Unity Obstacle Tower Challenge environments, including their construction in Autodesk Maya, the modular structure, and procedural generation. The class will also survey the possible issues in adapting an existing digital environment to use with AI.

Join Chris Bradshaw Senior Vice President of Media & Entertainment, Education Experiences, and Impact at Autodesk to learn about the trends that will help create your future of making things. We’ll feature stories from companies around the world who are embracing new methods and technologies to catapult how they innovate. Foster + Partners’ Martha Tsigkari and Miles Walker will discuss the impact of computation and innovation on the design and delivery of projects such as Mexico City’s airport. Autodesk’s Mike Haley will give a peek into what’s on the technology horizon, including machine learning, AR/VR and robotics. You’ll leave inspired to embrace this future in your own work.

Bayer is creating—together with its partners—a virtual environment to enable training on packaging lines in virtual reality (VR). The goal is to efficiently deal with existing production issues to prevent bigger mistakes or even production downtime. The benefits of VR are that trainees don’t have to enter production areas (clean rooms), can make mistakes without any impact on production, and are never at risk.

Take your first steps into the world of machine learning. Learn how a neural network can be used to dramatically speed up the removal of noise in ray traced images. In this lab you will learn about noise in rendered images, use a network trained to denoise sample images, and iterate and modify parameters improving the quality of the denoiser. By the end of the lab, you will have the tools and the knowledge to build your own AI accelerated denoiser.

A transformation of an organization's legacy engineering design systems first requires a vision. This class will discuss the vision of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for 3D intelligent design to transform San Diego Gas & Electric's transmission and substation engineering design and construction process. The transformation includes the implementation of a number of Autodesk, Inc., Solutions in an integrated mosaic of engineering design workflows. We start with conceptual design using InfraWorks software. We will follow this with detailed design and analysis with AutoCAD Civil 3D software, Inventor software, AutoCAD Electrical software, and Substation Design Solution software. A fundamental concept is the adoption of 3D model components for engineering design standardization and construction standards publishing and training. The implementation of BIM 360 software for construction quality assurance / quality control management will complete the transformation. We will discuss a strategic 3-year plan, and we will demonstrate visuals that are being used to convey the vision and build consensus across the organization.

This class will start exploring the basics of the Forge platform through a simple yet representative workflow sample. We’ll first introduce you to the basics of model translations and metadata extractions, jumping then into custom viewer extensions. We’re going to walk you through real-time data sharing aimed at augmenting model usability. We’ll show you how to set up a Socket.IO web framework for multiuser collaboration sessions. At this stage, we’re able to deep dive into data-sharing processes between different environments. We’ll set up a bidirectional link between the Forge Viewer and a real-time crowd simulation made in Unity game engine. On the web side, we’re going to visualize the results and interact with the running simulation agents directly from our web app. At the end, we’ll use these interactions as a source for data mining and business intelligence insights. Through custom charts, we’ll design a dashboard to enable better-informed, data-driven design.

Get familiar and up-skilled with architectural metalwork detailing using Advance Steel. In this hands-on lab you will learn how to detail a balcony unit complete with custom user sections and glazed panels. I will show all the tools in Advance Steel Revit that can be utilised for architectural metalwork detailing. As part of the lab, we will create all the required fabrication drawings and bill of materials. I will also share my tips and tricks about architectural detailing to help you produce your fabrication details

If you really want to step up your grading game, then this is the class for you. We will be uncovering some of the most creative ways to grade a site. Our proven workflows were designed to ensure that over the lifecycle of the project that they would remain flexible despite the inevitable changes that always come during the design process. We will demonstrate how to use profiles generated from a surface that we can utilize to produce the site. Learn about plane and molded grading and how and why it can benefit you from conceptual all the way to detailed design. Learn how to utilize profiles you cannot even see and attach them to corridors for design grading. Learn how to perform complex grading operations, including ADA ramps all with corridors to develop a highly detailed site still flexible enough to make dramatic design changes as the project progresses.

This class will describe the benefits of dynamic Civil 3D design and living InfraWorks models. You will learn how to easily connect Civil 3D features to an InfraWorks model and publish for collaboration with engineers and stakeholders. As the design is progressing, the visualization updates for easy viewing and discussion. This simple process will impress management and clients alike. This workflow will decrease rounds of incremental edits during the feasibility and options phases of a project. The InfraWorks model makes it very easy to get quick measurements and volumes, and perform analysis. For many companies, it is important to work efficiently, show value in a process, and have ease of operation. Maintaining a living model checks all of those boxes.

Generative design is transforming the way that products are created by providing design solutions that are efficient, resilient, and visually striking. When thinking of generative-design aesthetics, two approaches are commonly used. The first resembles bones that provide structure with minimal use of material. The second approach uses complex algorithmic patterns, similar to fractal geometries and procedural textures, which can be used as bodies or applied to surfaces. This class will explore easy-to-follow workflows for the creation and combination of structures and patterns in generative design. We will create efficient structures with Fusion 360 software’s Autodesk Generative Design tool. We’ll use Maya software’s MASH tool to create intricate procedural networks, which we’ll then bring into Fusion 360 for further refinement. The use of MASH is a novel and innovative approach, far easier to achieve than other tools such as Dynamo or Grasshopper.

See a demonstration of how the Connector for ArcGIS can save you time accessing geographic information system (GIS) data from your Esri ArcGIS Portal in InfraWorks software and Civil 3D software for use in your infrastructure workflows. See how the GIS data can be modified and published back to your ArcGIS Portal, and learn how to export this data to an external GIS database. This demonstration will also go into detail about gravity networks and how they can be carried between Civil 3D and ArcGIS Portal to benefit design and plan production steps.

In the last years the architecture, engineering, and construction industry has adopted Building Information Modeling (BIM) as the main process for coping with project design, but often HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) engineers have faced waste of activities and creation of misleading project expectations. To avoid this, the Danish firm MOE has optimized the HVAC design process. This class will show the benefits of creating MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) models from project kickoff, where MEP geometry and data smartly increases its level of development (LOD) along all project phases, without losing information in phase transitions. It will show how to convert 2D lines into ventilation ducts and heating pipes, including their fittings via the Dynamo extension. It will show that dummy equipment families combined with Dynamo are capable of performing pressure loss and velocity calculations in early phases. It will publish a series of Dynamo nodes for HVAC design—for example, how to hook up open connections virtually via the Revit software API. Calculations are also available in intermediate phases. Moreover, we will show HVAC design quality control via Dynamo and BIM 360. This session features Revit MEP and A360. AIA Approved