In 2014, Lola Carbajal was ready for a change. After 16 years working as a structural technician in her native Spain, she knew she wanted to move into architecture. What she didn’t know was how’d she’d make the transition. Researching her options while also interviewing for new roles, she came across Autodesk University. “It seemed like the perfect way to learn about BIM,” she says. A New World Opens What she found at AU blew her away: “I’d never been to any conference before,” she says. “Not even a gathering of 30 people. So to see 10,000 people, it was like sci-fi, like a movie.” What ... READ MORE >

If you’ve been to AU, you know there are a range of session formats, from hands-on labs and instructional demos to industry talks, panels, and roundtables. Each has its appeal, depending on what and how you want to learn. But let’s face it, all of these sessions last 60-90 minutes. They’re a full mental meal. Sometimes, it’s nice to try something a little, well…lighter. That’s why we’ve added something new at AU this year: the Theater. It’s more like a mental tasting menu. The Theater is a dedicated space adjacent to the Hub and the Grand Foyer where we’ll be hosting shorter presentations thr... READ MORE >

Kate Morrical is the digital design manager for Robert Silman Associates, a structural engineering firm with offices in New York; Washington, DC; and Boston. She is also president of AUGI (Autodesk User Group International). Here we ask her 5 questions about AU and the role it has played in her professional development.  How would you describe your career path? My career path has been fairly traditional in some ways, and very nontraditional in others. I entered college as a structural engineering major, and never wavered from that. I also talked my way into some internships at desi... READ MORE >

AU isn’t just a conference, it’s also a community—one that helps people share knowledge, adapt to change, and advance industry practice. Where else can you meet 10,000 people just like yourself, wrestling with the real-world challenges of working in design and engineering today? And what better way to connect with the people at Autodesk building the tools you use all the time? Have opinions about what’s new in AutoCAD? Want to share your ideas on the future of Fusion? That feedback drives our product decision making throughout the year. What Autodesk learns from you is just as important as wh... READ MORE >

What are your favorite memories from AUs gone by? Was it sharing a beer with a celebrity like John Cleese? (That happens.) Or just a great moment with colleagues at one of the parties? (That happens a lot.)   Was it an exhibit or installation that influenced your work? (That happens all the time at AU. That’s actually what it’s all about.)   Or was it watching storm troopers wait to pee? READ MORE >