The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will share key lessons learned from its journey toward using BIM, geographic information system (GIS), and asset management for better project delivery and capital planning. Large project and asset owners will learn how Massport turns project, spatial, and asset data into actionable insights for better decision making. This session will highlight how Massport manages more than 200 capital projects across five airport/seaport campuses using BIM-enabled workflows. You'll learn how Autodesk Forma is used as a common data environment to collaborate with design and construction teams, enable on-time digital delivery, and create a virtual campus as a single source of truth supporting Massport's broader digital transformation goals.

Most AutoCAD users never touch AutoLISP. So many small, repetitive design tasks stay manual. This session will show how AI-assisted AutoLISP workshops helped rail engineers who have little or no coding experience build useful automations themselves. You'll discover how to identify good automation candidates, prompt AI for workable routines, validate and refine the results, and add lightweight governance through version control and testing. The outcome? Faster design work, more self-sufficient teams, and a practical path from AI curiosity to repeatable workflow improvement.

This session is dedicated entirely to productivity techniques that will help improve your day-to-day operations when working with AutoCAD Civil 3D software. These tips include automating regular tasks, capitalizing on standard functions in new ways, exploring underutilized features, and even exploiting a handful of undocumented commands. We will present the information using a real-world problem solving context rather than simply going feature by feature so you can fully appreciate the “why” in addition to the “how.” Come join us during this 90-minute session as we show you numerous ways to help you get the most from your AutoCAD Civil 3D software investment. This session features AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map 3D.

ObjectARX technology is the premier API (application programming interface) that is supported by AutoCAD software, AutoCAD for Mac software, and the industry-specific AutoCAD software systems. If you need to access APIs that aren't exposed through AutoLISP programming language, if you want to create applications that are optimized for large data sets, or if you need to build efficient applications for Windows and Mac OS, ObjectARX technology may be the most effective API for you. This lecture will help you understand the basics of ObjectARX technology. We will discuss which development tools you need, how to interact with AutoCAD software, and how to create a very simple 'Hello World-esque' project. ObjectARX technology utilizes the C++ programming language, but this session does not require that you know C++. Prior AutoCAD software programming experience with AutoLISP programming language or Microsoft .NET is highly recommended. The second session of this series is a hands-on lab.

This lab will walk students through an introduction to some advanced AutoLISP concepts and practices. Students will get a taste of reactors, VBA-style programming in AutoLISP, and advanced function and processes.

This session is an introduction to Esri’s ArcGIS for AutoCAD software. You’ll learn how this free AutoCAD plug-in lets you easily discover and add geographic information system (GIS) content to your AutoCAD drawings. Add and query complete GIS maps within AutoCAD. Connect to GIS data sets for reference and editing. See how ArcGIS for AutoCAD can help you generate GIS-ready content and streamline interoperability between your ArcGIS Desktop and AutoCAD users.

We can extend AutoCAD software in a number of ways, but many users are unsure of where or how to get started. In this lab you will create custom desktop icons, modify the ribbon and Quick Access toolbar, create and modify command aliases that you can use to start commands, and define tools and tool palettes to reduce repetitive drawing tasks. This lab will give you a solid foundation in some of the available customization features that AutoCAD software offers to help you become more productive when you return to your office.

AutoLISP programming language has been around for decades, yet there are many functions that often go undiscovered or forgotten by veteran AutoLISP programmers. While there are hundreds of AutoLISP programming language functions (thousands, if you count ActiveX), this class will focus on 21 functions that new developers often overlook and that veteran programmers often forget. All of the functions fit into 1 of several different themes, including function execution, object creation and manipulation, and error handling. We will also discuss loading LISP files, accessing variable values, and configuring contextual help.

If you already have the basic knowledge of the Sheet Set Manager and want to take it to the next level, then this class is for you. We will build on the basics of sheet sets and move into more-advanced topics of the software. The Sheet Set Manager (SSM) in AutoCAD software is your ultimate document management tool. In this advanced class, we will create a standard template using fields and links to populate the data throughout the entire design package. We will organize all of the sheets, add views including labels, and publish the entire set to a PDF, DWF, or plotter output when complete. At the end of this class, you will be able to take your existing company title blocks and create a template to use on all projects, increasing your productivity and efficiency on all current and future design projects

Working with large sites and long roadways can be a challenging design task. Setting up sheets, checking the scales, and consistently creating viewports with content that flows through the design are all part of the project. With the plan production tools in Civil 3D software, you can automate the process of creating these types of sheets quickly. We will explore how to use these tools to create multiple plan sheets, plan and profile sheets, and sections on multiple layouts, which ties it all together in a sheet set ready for publishing your deliverable. Let’s get productive and learn how to optimize the production of final plans and profile drawings.

This class is filled with all the tips and tricks you'll need to create new linetypes in AutoCAD software. Yes, AutoCAD does supply us with several options for linetypes, including dashes, dots, and shapes. What about creating and designing custom lines based on your company CAD standards or specific project needs? In this class, you’ll learn how to create a compiled custom linetype library to be used for your company standard. Drawings need creativity and clarity. In this class, you’ll gain that innovative knowledge to create new linetypes that catapult your drawings to the next level. Most importantly, you’ll be able to bring value back to your employer and the knowledge to help you excel within your field.

In this class we will cover the essentials of data backup and restoration of critical design information, and we'll differentiate between normal backup strategies and archival technologies and methods. We will also discuss data retention policies and requirements. We will explore several different technologies, both local and remote, for backing up mission-critical data, and we will discuss the necessity of archival storage and we'll explore the appropriate media to meet data-retentions requirements. The class will also cover disaster recovery planning and techniques to maintain business continuation and data security in extreme circumstances, from fires, to natural disasters, to zombie apocalypses.

In this class you will get a look at the 10 most popular apps for under $100 available in the new Autodesk Exchange right now, including AutoCAD software plug-ins, web services, and content that you can immediately download and use to be more productive and solve pressing problems. The most popular apps available from Autodesk Exchange are AutoCAD software productivity enhancers that can help you and your team get the job done faster, eliminate boring repetitive tasks, wow the boss—all while getting you home earlier on a Friday afternoon.

Paper space and plotting using AutoCAD software applications can be overwhelming and frustrating. Paper space is often misunderstood and plotting is not necessarily the most intuitive task. This class will work through the process of setting up a drawing for plotter output using paper space layouts. You will learn about viewport scaling and viewport property overrides, as well as how to effectively use Page Setups to easily change plot settings.

Over the past 7 years, hundreds of Associated Engineering production staff members across our 23 offices have been using AutoCAD software’s Sheet Set Manager (SSM) to efficiently coordinate project drawing packages. Throughout that time frame, we have continually adapted and fine-tuned our Sheet Set Manager templates (and support files) to not only provide flexibility for utilizing internal, project, or client-specific CAD standards, but also for ensuring conformance and standardization for all AutoCAD (and AutoCAD software-based) software output. Sheet Set Manager can greatly impact productivity while reducing repetition, user frustration, project budgets, and schedules. Please join us for this class, as we will be discussing 6 “key” Sheet Set Manager strategies that have proven to successfully assist CAD managers, project CAD leaders, and production management through incorporating this powerful productivity tool throughout development, implementation, and ongoing support.

This session is dedicated entirely to productivity techniques that will help improve your daily operations when working with Civil 3D software. These tips include automating regular tasks, using standard functions in new ways, exploring underutilized features, and even exploiting a handful of undocumented commands. We'll present the information using a real-world problem-solving context, rather than simply going feature by feature, so you can fully appreciate the "why" in addition to the "how." Come join us for this 60-minute session as we show you numerous ways to help you get the most from your Civil 3D investment.

For transfomation of coordinates inside of Civil 3D / Map 3D there are two possible ways. The differences between parameter- and affine transformation is shown. The affine transformation is using NTV2 files. In many cases there file for download from surveying offices, but you can also create your own. How that works and the way to implement the NTV2 files into your system are shown.