Track Descriptions
Autodesk University welcomes proposals from instructors and top working professionals in the following industries and disciplines. The curriculum will be segmented into tracks that represent a key industry or market.
Classes in each of these tracks will be clustered in designated areas to make contact, interaction, and community among like-minded professionals easier.
In addition, we will also offer the following PowerTracks designed to focus on specific aspects of each product or industry, and to give attendees an in-depth learning experience:
Architecture and Building Design
Curriculum focuses on a wide range of 2D and 3D software and service solutions that connect and support teams in the building industry, with an emphasis on building information modeling (BIM) tools and techniques. We welcome classes on how to increase productivity around design and documentation. Topics range from advanced tips and tricks to implementation strategies.
For AutoCAD Architecture and other AutoCAD-based products, we invite proposals for classes mostly in the intermediate to advanced levels. For introductory-level users, classes that show how to ease the transition from AutoCAD to AutoCAD Architecture are also invited.
For Revit Architecture and other Revit-based products, we invite mostly advanced classes, a few intermediate classes, and a smaller number of introductory classes. Classes should be aimed at helping users move from pilot to production.
Business
The Business track moves away from hands-on product training to offer insights on running a design business or making money as a consultant. We encourage proposals on project planning, ROI calculation on technology investment, upgrading, and people management. Content is geared towards business owners, IT managers or CAD managers.
CAD Management and IT
The CAD Management track covers a wide range of topics including licensing, product deployment, 2D to 3D migration, personnel management, budgeting, user training, technology justification, and configuration of CAD tools.
The IT curriculum covers a wide range of topics important to CAD managers and systems administrators who work with and deploy Autodesk-based solutions and services. The focus is on using and integrating the most effective tools and techniques in such areas as migration and installation, customization, licensing, and network management.
Civil Engineering
The civil engineering and surveying curriculum covers a wide range of subjects including surveying, design and analysis, production drafting and documentation, and data management. We invite proposals for classes at all skill levels (beginner to power user) for Civil 3D in the following areas:
- Surveying
- Site/subdivision development
- Local road and highway design
- Pipe and utility layout
- Environmental projects (landfill design, dams)
- Machine control grading
- Production drafting
- CAD Management
- Civil 3D/Revit interoperability
- Migrating to Civil 3D from Land Desktop and other products
- Data management (vault, data shortcuts)
- Visualization
Collaboration and Data Management
Curriculum presents the latest techniques and important considerations for designing, evaluating, implementing, and maintaining design and engineering data management solutions. Courses cover the product and data management markets (PDM, PLM, EDM, etc.) and focus on such topics as vaulting, network configuration, legacy data migration strategies, online document hosting systems, and CAD integration.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
The Computer Integrated Manufacturing track should present the most current product and workflow solutions applicable to this subject matter. Proposals should be geared towards providing sound techniques, good design workflows, as well as strategies that highlight interoperability.
Construction and Real Estate
Curriculum focuses on the software, services and strategies that enable and support the plan, build and operate phases of the building lifecycle, with an emphasis on building information modeling (BIM). We welcome classes on how to use technology and implement best practices to increase productivity and leverage design data from design through construction and operations. Topics range from tips and tricks to implementation strategies.
For Construction, we invite proposals for classes, from introductory to advanced levels, that are focused on BIM in Construction and the portfolio of solutions that support it including; Revit, Inventor, Civil 3D, NavisWorks, Quantity Takeoff, and the Collaborative Project Management solutions Buzzsaw and Constructware.
For Real Estate, we invite proposals for introductory and intermediate classes. Classes should be focused on the implementation and use of technologies and practices that enable the effective management of the plan, build, and operate lifecycle including Revit, FM Desktop, and the Collaborative Project Management solutions Buzzsaw and Constructware.
Customization and Programming
In lectures and hands-on labs, this track covers a broad range of Autodesk product customization and programming topics. Basic AutoCAD-based customization focuses on the CUI and other user-related tools; for customization beyond the basics, there are classes on programming interfaces using Visual LISP, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, ObjectARX, and other languages. Other customizable Autodesk products will also be presented.
Design Visualization
The Media & Entertainment division presents a broad range of design visualization classes for architects, designers, engineers, and visualization specialists to improve their skills using Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Combustion, and Cleaner. The curriculum will focus on two broad areas: visualization classes supporting vertical tracks and visualization techniques.
Visualization classes supporting vertical tracks help architecture, civil engineering, manufacturing, government, defense, and plant design professionals better integrate visualization into their design activities. These classes will be cross-referenced in the appropriate industry tracks. Topics might include:
- Visualization for architects: visualizing data for design review with 3ds Max
- Best practices for moving data from Revit to 3ds Max
- Conceptual modeling for consumer product designers
- Use of Civil3D/Map3D to convert GIS and DEM data into 3ds Max context models
- Advanced free-form modeling and script-generated design for architects
Visualization technique classes focus on specific techniques applicable to all industries and target all user skill levels. Topics might include:
- Learning advanced scripting with 3ds Max
- Enhancing visualizations with characters and effects
- Applying compositing techniques for visualization
- Managing a render farm
- Using mental ray rendering with 3ds Max
Education and Training
Curriculum focuses on the latest trends, technologies, strategies, techniques, and specific solutions available to technical trainers and educators to help them create and deliver effective technical instruction. Topics include tools for curriculum development and resources to help educators create ideal learning environments as well as to integrate emerging technologies into their programs.
Electrical and Controls Engineering
The Electrical and Controls Engineering curriculum offers classes that cover use and integration into the larger electrical design environment. We welcome proposals that cover not only use of AutoCAD Electrical, but especially those that highlight interoperability with Inventor Professional and Routed Systems, and show a workflow that results in time savings and increased productivity.
Facilities Management
Classes in this track enable facility drafters and managers to help their organizations maximize facilities ROI. In addition to welcoming your ideas for sessions we haven’t even dreamed of, we specifically welcome proposals in the following areas:
- The relationship between BIM and facilities management
- The migration of design Information and construction submittals, especially graphic data, into maintenance management
- The use of FM applications by general office managers and small businesses
- Best practices for the implementation and use of FMDesktop. Ideas include:
- Determining which processes and data most benefit the organization
- Obtaining and maintaining good floor plans in small organizations without CAD skills
- Defining CAD standards for FM
- Configuring service request processing for small organizations
- Implementing area measurement standards when using AutoCAD Architecture or Revit Architecture
- Presenting case studies or analyses showing when it makes sense to move existing facility operations to BIM
- Using FMDesktop to manage IT assets
General Design and Drafting
Curriculum covers a wide range of topics emphasizing such areas as drafting, detailing, documentation, and publishing with AutoCAD. Class content offers productivity tips and techniques related to publishing, CAD standards management, and key AutoCAD features.
Geospatial
Curriculum explores Autodesk Geospatial as a powerful engineering/GIS platform. Classes will highlight technologies including FDO, the open-source data access technology shared by AutoCAD Map 3D and Raster Design and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise and Topobase, and the API shared by Map 3D and MapGuide Enterprise. Sessions may also pay special attention to municipal government and utility segments and should incorporate the language of the geospatial value chain.
Government
Curriculum focuses on applying Autodesk technology and techniques to help engineers, contractors, program managers, facilities managers, maintenance managers, military personnel, and other government workers more effectively achieve their agency mission and program objectives.
Topics might include:
- Facilities management—the design, construction, management, and protection of government buildings, schools, airports, military bases, installations, and other facilities, as well as associated assets.
- Utilities—public utilities development and management including design, operation, and maintenance for water, waste water, electric, and gas utilities.
- Transportation—the design, creation, and maintenance of safe, secure, and efficient public transportation including roads and highways, air transportation, water transportation, and transit and parking facilities.
Industrial Design
The Industrial Design curriculum offers a full scope of classes covering software techniques, design methodology, and creative inspiration. We are welcoming proposals that satisfy these topics, including proposals geared towards providing design insight for product engineers and strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration within product teams. For technical classes we are particularly interested in intermediate and advanced training to cover the different aspects and workflows of AliasStudio as well as visualization training for Showcase & Realizer.
Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering tracks will offer a range of classes that cover product use and workflows, interoperability and design strategy. We encourage proposals that focus on market segment driven solutions as opposed to single product use. Multi-discipline subjects should devote a significant percentage of time to topics of interoperability.
MEP Design and Engineering
For AutoCAD MEP classes, we welcome proposals aimed at intermediate and advanced users, such as advanced tips and tricks for increased drafting productivity and efficient implementation. We also invite introductory classes, such as how to ease the transition from AutoCAD to AutoCAD MEP.
For Revit MEP classes, we invite proposals for intermediate classes focusing on design to production. We also invite proposals for beginner and advanced classes with topics such as advanced tips and tricks as well as implementation strategies.
Plant Design
Curriculum provides an in-depth look at Autodesk's vision for the plant design industry and includes plant design products and processes. We welcome proposals focusing on AutoCAD P&ID software for all skill and experience levels, as well as examples of customer successes. Autodesk offers solutions for process plant design professionals and CAD managers working for owner operators and EPC firms.
Structural Design and Engineering
Curriculum presents topics important to structural engineers, as well as to drafters and CAD managers working for structural engineering firms. We invite proposals for Revit Structure classes, mostly for intermediate and advanced users, as well as a smaller number of introductory classes (quick-spin lab, the benefits of BIM for structural engineering, etc.).
We also welcome panel formats in which two or more advanced Revit Structure users discuss a specific subject or a specific type of project. Intermediate classes help users move from pilot to production. For CAD technicians and managers, classes will show how to ease the transition from AutoCAD to Revit Structure, or manage the integration of the two products. We welcome advanced tips and tricks as well as implementation strategies. We invite classes explaining workflows between structural engineering firms and architectural firms, as well as between MEP engineering firms embracing BIM. We invite analysis partners, whose software links to Revit Structure, to teach structural engineers about the integration of the their product(s) with Revit Structure.
AutoCAD PowerTrack
- 3D—Create, Modify and Visualization
- Customize—CUI, Action Recording & Scripts
- Programming—AutoLISP, AutoCAD .NET, VBA
- Intelligent Annotation—Tables, Fields, Data Extraction and Annotate Scaling
- Managing Content Standards—Dynamic Blocks and Tool Palettes
- Sheet Sets
Civil 3D PowerTrack
- Surveying—Raw Data to Existing Ground Surfaces
- Subdivision and Parcels
- Grading and Roads
- Pipes and Storm Water Design
- Project Management and Collaboration
- Production Drafting
- Visualization and Simulation
Geospatial PowerTrack
- Map 3D Foundation—Geo-referencing, AutoCAD drawings for GIS, Classification, and Drawing Cleanup
- GIS Skills for Engineers—Topology Creation, Geospatial Analysis, Metadata and Querying
- Beyond the Box—Map 3D for Emergency Response, Natural Resource, Environmental, Utility Implementations, and Workflows
Industrial Design PowerTrack
- Technical Surfacing
- AliasStudio Workflows
- High-end Visualization
Inventor PowerTrack
- Assembly Design—Adaptivity, Content Center and iAssemblies
- Digital Prototyping—Design Process, Downstream Uses, Integrating AutoCAD Data
- Extended Capabilities—Simulation, Routing Systems, Sheet Metal, Skeletal Modeling
Revit PowerTrack
Revit Architecture
- Component Creation—Advanced Geometry Macro and Micro
- Design Analysis—Sustainability, Graphic Rendering Techniques
- Workflow Solutions—Design to Delivery, Real-Time Collaboration
Revit Structure
- Structural Analysis
- Creating Structural Content
Revit MEP
- Creating MEP Content