Graphics Processing Units (GPU), or graphics/video cards, are easily the most confusing aspect of any computer. This applies to both notebook and desktop machines. GeForce, Quadro, Radeon, FirePro, GT, GTX, FX, EyeFinity, TrueVision, OpenGL, DirectX, CUDA…what does it all mean? In the instance of notebook GPU’s, how is an M6770 different from an M5990 or a GTX 560m different from an m3800 card? While I won’t break down a full-on comparison of the hundreds of available graphics cards, I will provide some clarity it what to look for in a …

Here is where we pick up the CAD hardware discussion on mobile workstations, or notebooks, given that I’ll throw in a few consumer-grade options that should get the job done on  your next project as well. All things are not created equal when comparing desktop hardware and notebook computers. The form factor is different, components must be shrunk down to fit in a small space, power hungry devices are toned down to suit the battery supply, and heat becomes an issue with electrons blasting a light speed in such confined …

It has been released and available for over a month now, but I’d be remiss to not mention it; the August 2011 issue of AUGIWorld contained an article I wrote. It is a great issue, chock full of content about collaboration with different disciplines and using many different Autodesk products. There are a lot of great articles in it and it is definitely worth checking out.
My article, “Collaboration in a Multi-Disciplinary/Multi-Firm Environment,” goes in depth on different methods of saving, exporting, modifying, and sharing Civil 3D files with other software …

Autodesk software system requirements. That sentence is enough to make hairs stand on the back of a CAD Manager’s neck. It’s something early adopters and Subscription customers are concerned about annually and for good reason; if Autodesk updated your favorite software package with loads of new resource-hungry features, you’ve got to find a way to support those features if you ever plan on using them. Although I can’t change the process of the release cycle, nor do I want to, I can make it a little easier in finding that …

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, but I think this is a subject that interests many, so let’s get back into it with a bang! Investing in hardware for your CAD productivity is an intensely debated issue. Whether you label your work as CAD, Modeling, BIM, GIS, or FM you are dependent on 2 things working hard for you: your design software and the hardware it’s running on. Buying a CAD workstation (whether desktop or notebook) is a major investment in you, your data, and your firm’s future.
Let’s …