Autodesk User Group International

www.augi.com � the AUGI website. My number one choice for AutoCAD�-related news and info and getting my questions answered. Here are a few links to check out. You must be a member to get to these, but you should be if you are reading this.

The AUGI Forums � a great place to post a question and get an answer.

First, read the FAQ for the forums. Then you are ready to go into the forums. When you get there, do a search first for the keyword of your concern. You may find that others have the same questions you have. If you find nothing, then post your question and wait for the response.

Next go to the ATP � AUGI Training Programs � A wealth of training material awaits you.

Check out the International sites � Japan, Europe and Australia

Lastly, go to the Publications page and see all of the archived publications that AUGI provides.

From Autodesk

Moving to Autodesk, you may get a lot out of the following online discussion groups. These have been around forever and have a depth of information that may not be found anywhere else. www.autodesk.com is not only the direct link to Autodesk, but is a good place to do some research.

Autodesk Press Releases
I read Autodesk press releases to find out what Autodesk is saying to the world. I often find out what is coming and what Autodesk is pushing by reading the press releases. I know that a lot of it is marketing hype, but read it anyway. You get a perspective from the global view as you look at the overall progress and movement of Autodesk products.

Autodesk Products pages
I read these to see what is in the products I use everyday. There is so much here. Best practices, free webcasts, trial downloads, and more. Check it out.

Autodesk Subscription page
If you are on subscription, this is a treasure chest of value. Web support, e-learning, extensions. Wow.

Autodesk Solutions page
Each industry has a need and here is where solutions are provided.

Enough said. If you aren't frequenting the Autodesk website, you are missing a great deal of information that impacts your firm.

Other online resources

www.CADDigest.com
www.Tenlinks.com
www.caddepot.com
www.upfrontezine.com

I cannot say enough positive things about what Roopinder Tara has put together. These sites include news, reports, reviews, directories, shareware, and online magazines. It would take too long to list out the benefits of these sites, so click on the links and find out what they have in store for you.

Blogs � the newest and most dynamic information

First up, AUGI's official blog � found at www.BLAUGI.com.

From Autodesk

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/ (Between the Lines � AutoCAD blog by Shaan Hurley of Autodesk)
http://adt_blog.typepad.com/ (Between the Walls � Architectural Desktop blog by Chris Yanchar of Autodesk)
http://lynn.blogs.com/ (Lynn Allen's Blog � AutoCAD, Inventor, user meetings, more, from Lynn herself)
http://in_the_machine.blogs.com/ (In the Machine � Autodesk Inventor weblog, by Autodesk folks)
http://heidihewett.blogs.com/ (AutoCAD Insider � AutoCAD Concepts to the next level by Heidi Hewett)

And more�

http://bimguru.blogspot.com/ (All things BIM � Diary of a 21st Century CAD Manager)
http://acecivil3d.blogspot.com (Angel's Civil 3D 2005 Thoughts � Autodesk Civil 3D)
http://architects-desktop.blogspot.com (The Architect's Desktop � Autodesk Architectural Desktop)
http://area31.blogspot.com/ (area31 � custom programming)
http://autocad.davidhardin.net/ (AutoCAD Tutorials � tutorials and techniques)
http://autodeskinformer.blogs.com/ (Autodesk Informer � Autodesk products, links, tutorials, related software, news)
http://www.bazzacad.com/ (BAZZACAD CLOG � AutoCAD information framed in a AutoCAD interface)
http://www.integr-8.com/besidethecursor/ (beside the cursor � AutoCAD related, by Richard Binning, 2006 AUGI president)
http://bethscadblog.blogspot.com (Beth's CAD Blog � AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Building Systems, Revit, Autodesk VIZ)
http://modocrmadt.blogspot.com (Breaking Down the Walls � Architectural Desktop, Revit)
http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com (CAD Panacea � AutoCAD links, tips and more)
http://cadshack.blogspot.com (CAD Shack � Autodesk Building Systems, AutoCAD, and Revit Systems)
http://www.caddmanager.com/blog/ (CADDManager.com Blog � my blog on CAD management)
http://cadgneto.blogs.com/cadgneto/2005/12/generic_paper_s.html (CADgneto � AutoCAD Electrical)
http://cadrebsd.blogspot.com/ (The CADRE BSD Blog � Building Systems)
http://www.cadtrainer.biz/ (CADtrainer � education and business on CAD)
http://changeagents.blogs.com/thinkspace/ (Change Agents � BIM methodologies)
http://c3dpavingtheway.blogspot.com/ (Civil 3D � Paving the Way � Autodesk Civil 3D)
http://www.eatyourcad.com/ (EatYourCAD � for all users)
http://ellenfinkelstein.com/ (Ellen Finkelstein � Tips, Tutorials, Books, Downloads, Links)
http://mdouglas.blogs.com/in_the_dynamic_interface/ (In the Dynamic Interface � AutoCAD and DWF technology)
http://jtbworld.blogspot.com/ (JTB World � tons of stuff, tricks, programming tips)
http://themadcadder.blogs.com/ (The Mad Cadder � tips & tricks and other information)
http://mistressofthedorkness.blogspot.com/ (Mistress of Dorkness (Wanderer's CAD Blog)� CAD technology with an FM twist)
http://revitrants.blogspot.com (Revit Rants � about using Revit, various work processes and tricks)
http://revitit.blogspot.com/ (Revit It � about Autodesk Revit, in French)
http://www.revitoped.com/ (Revit OpEd - OPinion EDitorial � Revit, both real and imagined)
http://revit-alize.blogspot.com/ (Revitalize � A Revit Blog. Know How, Know Way)
http://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/ (RobiNZ Blog � CAD and design)
http://scottdurkee.blogspot.com/ (Scott Durkee � CAD management topics)
http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/ (WorldCAD Access � commentary on CAD subjects)
http://rndr4food.blogspot.com/ (will render for food � using CAD and digital media for design, renderings, and more)

Whew! That was a long list, but in no way exhaustive. There are so many more sites that can be read. Have you discovered another site for people to check out? If so, click on the "Discuss This" button at the bottom of this article and share your sites with other AUGI members.

(Discuss this Article! in AUGI's Discussion Forums.)

Submitted by Mark W. Kiker, a member-at-large on the AUGI Board of Directors. Mark is a National CAD Standards Project Team Member and president of the Core Technology Group, a consulting firm. He is the General Editor of BLAUGI and also publishes caddmanager.com, the CADD Managers Journal, and the caddmanager.com blog. He is currently Director of Technology for HMC Architects in Ontario, California.