Dynamo is a free-to-access visual programming extension which effectively takes Autodesk Revit to the next level by opening up the world of computational modelling. Computational BIM allows Revit users to:

• Apply behaviours and logic to a model
• Add rules via visual interface
• Build a system, not just a model
• Extend to other applications

An increasing number of Cadassist clients are using Dynamo with exciting results, saving large amounts of time by improving the transition from concept to design, exploring more design alternatives and introducing more automation to reduce rework.   Take a look at our webinar on Dynamo that includes real-world examples from Kohn Pedersen Fox, AHMM, BDP and Grimshaw Architects.

To help Revit users take advantage of this transformational technology, we launched a new range of Dynamo courses in November 2015.  So far, the feedback has been terrific.  Here is an example:

“Absolutely fantastic . . . the Advanced Data Management course in particular has huge…

As you may know the Autodesk applications manager is a content delivery solution for all of your product updates.  It sits in the bottom corner of your PC popping up every now and again with a big list of all of the updates available for your products, which is great.  It kept your Autodesk software up to date with service packs, hotfixes and security updates, unfortunately it lumped everything together in one long list and could be quite frustrating if you only used Inventor from your product design suite but there were updates for all of the other software packages in the list that you had to go through to get to the ones you actually needed.

With the release of Autodesk’s 2017 (and backwards to 2015 releases) product offerings this system is being replaced with the Autodesk Desktop Application. It’s the same thing; content delivery, but different, granular updates…

Generally when you buy a suite of something you get more “Bang for your buck”.

Standard room vs a Suite 

Microsoft Word vs Microsoft Office

Inventor vs Product Design Suite

It’s clear that you get more for your money, but what are the real life advantages?  Here are my top 5 reasons for buying a Product Design Suite over individual component software.

•  Full Product Lifecycle – With individual software packages you generally complete one segment of a process, maybe 30% at a push; write a report in Word, calculate in Excel, present in PowerPoint, etc. The individual programs get a job done but a suite enables you to complete the whole process; from concept sketch to marketing and sales data in one set of products.
•  Electrical and Mechanical integration – With Product Design Suite Ultimate you can design a harness in Inventor and create an electrical schematic in AutoCAD Electrical…