Building Information Modeling (BIM) has taken the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by storm. Architects, engineers, and contractors alike have adopted new technology into their business and adapted their processes to realize a return on investment. Owners, on the other hand, are still struggling to keep pace. AEC firms try to educate owners on the value of BIM, but the things that bring value to design and construction processes may not provide the biggest bangs for owners' bucks. Lifecycle management and facility operations are areas where the real value of BIM will likely reside in the not-to-distant future. This round-table (unconference) discussion gives attendees the opportunity to weigh in on the real value of BIM for owners. These discussions will help steer the way owners require BIM deliverables on future projects so that they can get the most value.

In this roundtable session, attendees discuss the implications of the ever-changing world technologies on running a business. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): purchasing, implementation, training, and promoting or marketing their value. This discussion is open to virtually any topic, but we start with BIM, cloud, mobile, digital fabrication, and augmented reality. Attendees are encouraged to contribute to the conversation. Be prepared to not only air dirty laundry, but provide insight and possible solutions to the issues that might arise. This class is suitable for any size office, it is assumed that those with a larger technology budget will be more interested and involved.

Laser scanning and point clouds are quickly becoming essential tools in the engineering/design/construction workflow. This class will examine a real-world scenario that will show you how to achieve typically needed workflows from within Plant Design Suite 2015 software and Kubit PointSense Plant software. It will also show how to create intelligent piping models, including catalog piping and structural design, tie-in point extraction, clash reporting, isometrics, and equipment all from point clouds. This class will give you a solid foundation for how to turn your laser scanning into accurate construction drawings.

This session will highlight several exciting Autodesk partnership programs available to educators to inspire students to participate in design based learning, projects and competitions across science, coding & engineering. You will learn how our partnerships with Project Lead the Way and F1 in Schools engage students in developing the skills necessary for achieving academic and future career success.

We hear a lot about disruption in the business world. What do we mean by disruption and what drives disruption? The formal name for disruption is 'disruptive innovation.' Market disruption is generally not a result of the technology itself, but rather it is a result of the way in which the technology is applied. For example, designers and builders use Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in different ways and the technology is impacting the market differently. At its core, disruption is driven by innovation. Innovation comes from innovative people who possess a skill known as 'associative thinking.' This round-table discussion will focus on answering the following question: Is the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry being disrupted? This discussion will also address the question of how AEC firms drive innovation that enables the firms to thrive in a disruptive and highly competitive business environment. Finally, we will discuss how the AEC industry is being transformed and what other transformation is needed.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has given the artist an exceptionally unique tool for storytelling. Elevating our view from ground level gives us a chance to show architecture both in scale and context. This interactive discussion will begin with a brief introduction to examples of the types and applications of UAVs used in architectural storytelling. After discussing how the various class attendees use UAVs in storytelling, we will talk about best practices in craft operation and in storytelling techniques. We will then wrap up by collaborating on how the various class attendees work in post-production with the footage. This session features 3ds Max and Revit.

Wondering how BIM 360 software can improve design workflows for an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor? This class will showcase how worldwide general contractor Maire Tecnimont has planned the implementation of BIM 360 on projects, and its disruptive impact on the traditional workflows. The session will analyze the platform strengths and limitations, and will demonstrate how to redesign the traditional waterfall approach in order to get the most out of the BIM 360 features. Attendees will discover how to do the following: effectively design the document management structure; manage both Autodesk and third-party models; maximize the design collaboration process; set up document approval workflows; and capitalize on the cloud repository for developing custom applications. In conclusion, through the showcase of an industrial plant project, we will explain why BIM 360 is the solution that lets team members effectively collaborate to maximize efficiency and project quality regardless of where they are located.

In this class, we will present several workflows for customizing Autodesk Inventor software Content Center libraries. The topics we will cover are based on the most common questions from Inventor users about customizing Content Center libraries. We will focus on the Material Guide and how to transfer family properties in custom properties; synchronize part number and description; and set the file name, browser display name, and part number for Content Center parts on insertion. We will also cover editing Content Center standard and custom family templates and updating the components already inserted.

Ever wondered why Inventor works the way it does? Ever had a question about a specific workflow or piece of functionality? Now is your chance to interact with a senior developer of the Inventor product. Ask them 'why,' 'how,' or 'can you' about any aspect of Inventor. Receive technical explanations to your questions that may help you find another way to accomplish your task or understand the reasons for the current functionality. Explain your point of view directly to the people who make Inventor work and implement changes. Join us for an honest conversation on the hows and whys of Inventor workflows and technical details.

The Forge Viewer is built on the three.js library and can be easily extended and mixed with three.js functionality. This class will demonstrate just how flexible and customizable the Forge Viewer is by walking you through a set of code samples. Topics covered will include WebVR support, mixing your model components with custom graphics, changing the appearance of your components by adding custom materials and shaders, and animating your models.

Solomon Rogers, founder of Rewind.co a world-renowned and award-winning virtual reality production agency, will take you through a brief history of a technology that seems to be have been around for decades, yet has never really got traction…until now. Delve deeply into the various technologies, techniques, and strategies used to create amazing immersive and commercially viable content. Sol will focus on examples of 360 immersive video in work for Björk, the high-octane Red Bull Air Race VR simulator, and the stunning interactive showrooms for Lexus vehicles. Rewind worked directly with Red Bull to create the world’s first Red Bull Air Race Virtual Reality Simulator. The experience enables members of the public to sit directly in the pilot’s chair and experience the blistering pace and quick turns of an Air Racer, putting them as close to the action as possible. Rewind will bring hardware and demonstrations to experience and explore and try firsthand. http://rewind.co/portfolio/red-bull-air-race/

How can you create a team of people who will champion technology strategy inside your firm? In this panel discussion, we'll explore techniques and ideas for preparing innovative teams within an established company, focusing on how to get your change strategy off the drawing board. We will present findings from last year's session on this subject and share what the audience had to say. Finding like-minded individuals who share your vision is critical, but there are many more important steps when vying for a better process. We'll explore a multitude of strategies from Autodesk software and the real world that have worked in the past, as well as look at what to avoid. How do you follow through? How do you propose a business case? What staffing do you need? If you are struggling to learn how to adapt your business to the fast-paced, ever-changing climate of technology implementation, this is the panel for you!

Bercella will present a case study about utilizing composite design and manufacturing processes for critical parts such as the chassis, and other key components.

This roundtable is an extension of the class entitled Customizing Fusion 360 Using its Programming Interface. It is an open forum where we can address questions related to the class and any other Fusion software API. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the future of Fusion software’s programming interface and to voice your opinion about the functionality needed and priorities.

As BIM & technology is further adopted around the world, the inherent benefits to construction have become obvious to anyone involved. Whether it’s providing time savings, deeper project insights, reduced waste, or safer site conditions, the value is just waiting to be reaped. This class is meant to take a look at the value that technology provides and begin to think outside of the box. By compiling all of the other benefits and looking at them together, is there a common trend that emerges? Yes—efficiency. Technology driven workflows provide contractors and designers with exact quantities for materials extremely quickly, but way more importantly, models provide the right data, empowering intelligent, informed decisions. This improved decision making and precise information can reduce materials waste, reduce rework, and even reduce emissions produced by trucking things to the site. We will discuss all of this and more while we look at technology driving sustainability, including how industry leaders around the world are already seeing the benefits today.

Customers are building bigger, better, and more-complex designs. These models not only take a very long time to open, but they are also cumbersome to view, manipulate, and work with. The performance and capacity ramifications are significant, and ultimately lead to significant loss in productivity and affect overall user experience. Even with high-end systems, working with such large assemblies becomes a cumbersome task. This proposal introduces the audience to Express mode—a faster way of working with very large assemblies inside Inventor software. The presentation will cover many topics, including the concept of large models; behind-the-scenes look at the architecture of Express Mode functionality; workflows involving viewing and editing of models using Express Mode; the pros and cons of using Design Views versus level of development (LOD); the creating and updating of drawing views; the optimization of model design for performance and productivity; and hands-on workflows with real examples.

To transition from prototype to production at scale, it’s essential to understand and control the manufacturing triangle:  Cost, Quality and Schedule. In this session, we’ll provide you with a framework to evaluate and control these variables through a first-hand narrative of an iRobot Roomba teardown.

Manufacturers are under more pressure than ever to deliver better products faster, at lower cost, and with less waste. Join us to explore future manufacturing trends and technology that can help you succeed in this rapidly changing era of digital transformation. Better product design and manufacturing start here

Share and learn about the challenges of getting designs produced at scale by contract manufacturers.

Endless possibilities, that’s what we can do with the Forge Viewer. Want to learn the basics? This class will explore how to create custom extensions to interact with the Viewer. To attend this class, make sure to have a running Forge application with the Viewer, or you should have attended either "Upload and View Your Models with Forge" or "Connect to Fusion Team and BIM 360 Data.” Bring your own laptop or use the lab. This class requires basic knowledge of JavaScript.