Inside Track

The theme of this issue is industry focus, so I have come up with some apps (some free, some not, and some in trial mode) that apply to the Autodesk industry silos; AutoCAD (platform technology), Revit (AEC), Fusion 360 (D&M), and 3ds Max (M&E). All the highlighted apps provide you with extra tech that will enhance your use of each of the products in their respective industries.

The Autodesk App Store is full of these types of apps, not just the ones I have mentioned, so make sure you search the store, as I’m sure you will find many apps that will help you work smarter, not harder.

Here are this month’s picked and mixed opportunities to advance your skills, processes, and workflows with the most current industry-related software and hardware updates available.

ARCHBLOCKS HATCH PATTERNS (AUTOCAD – PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY)

https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Inde x?id=2366502996612760335&appLang=en&os= Win32_64

Autodesk AutoCAD Version: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical Version: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical Version: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

The ArchBlocks Hatch Patterns library for Autodesk® AutoCAD® gives you 376 hatch patterns for architectural, interior, geological, mechanical, and landscape designers. These hatch patterns are compatible with ALL versions of AutoCAD, and Autodesk® AutoCAD LT® from the newest version AutoCAD 2020 back to AutoCAD Release 14.

This library of AutoCAD hatch patterns includes the following patterns:

• Natural stone CAD hatch patterns

• Tile hatch CAD hatch patterns

• Roofing material AutoCAD hatch patterns

• CAD Flooring hatch patterns

• Lattice and chain link fence hatch patterns

• Geological AutoCAD hatch patterns

This app provides you with an extensive range of AutoCAD hatch patterns. It is not a free app and retails in the App Store at $79.00. A great app even at that price!

LUMION® LIVESYNC® (REVIT - AEC)

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Ind ex?id=1257010617153832891&appLang=en&os =Win64

Autodesk Revit Version: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

Always get a real-time view of your Autodesk® Revit® 3D model in Lumion’s breath-taking, full context environments, with LiveSync for Revit.

The free Lumion LiveSync plugin lets you set up a simultaneous, real-time connection between your 3D model in Revit and Lumion 10.3. Change the model’s shape in Revit to test a modified design, and you’ll instantly see the model updated in Lumion so you can view it with accurate lighting and shadow, surrounding contexts such as urban neighbourhoods or rural settings, and beautiful, realistic materials.

Lumion LiveSync for Revit includes:

• Realtime model synchronization between Revit and

Lumion

• Camera synchronization between Revit and Lumion

• The ability to add and save Lumion’s beautiful materials to your LiveSync project

• Real-time materials synchronization and visualization

• Automatic model importing into Lumion (no need to separately import a model)

• Collada (*.dae) files exporter

Lumion is a world leader in 3D viewing applications, and this one is one of the best!

FM GEARS (FUSION 360 – D&M)

https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/ Detail/Index?id=6294804001663532834&app Lang=en&os=Win64

Autodesk Fusion 360

A single command is added to the Model Create menu from which Spur Gears, Internal Gears and Rack Gears can be created.

Diametrical Pitch (in English units) or Module (in Metric units), as well as Pressure Angle, Number of Teeth, Root Fillet Radius and Gear Thickness (for extrusion), are common properties for all gear types.

Bore Hole Diameter can be specified for Spur gears, Outer Diameter for Internal gears and Height for Rack gears.

The new version 1.1 adds a ‘clearance’ property to provide additional backlash clearance.

Numerical values are displayed for pitch circles and heights and sketches for pitch alignment are also provided.

A superb app that provides a great interface for gearing in Fusion 360!

AR-MEDIA (3DS MAX – M&E)

https://apps.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/en/ Detail/Index?id=4081607145537256692&appL ang=en&os=Win64

Autodesk 3ds Max Version: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

The AR-media Plugin allows you to export Autodesk® 3ds Max® models directly into the AR-media Studio platform where you can create Augmented and Virtual Reality experiences, add events and interactions, add new digital assets and media to enrich the user’s experience of your 3D models and projects.

Leveraging on the AR-media Plugin, you can:

• Make a building to stand out of a blueprint or see it in the real environment where it is meant to be built

• See your best designs coming to life on your desk or in the workshop

• Create and deploy engaging experiences for your clients or friends

In order to export and deploy your models into the ARmedia Studio platform, you need to register (for free) on the platform’s website. For more information, visit: https://www. inglobetechnologies.com/ar-media/

To visualize the exported models, you can use the free AR-media Player mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices.

(Please note this is a TRIAL version of the app).

The plugin allows you to freely upload a limited number of models, in order to increase the number of uploads you should upgrade your AR-media account. You can create a FREE account or upgrade it from here. Also, note the upload limits will be removed soon even for free users, so stay tuned for the next update.

An incredible app for those wishing to move towards VR and AR!

AUGIWorld brings you recent developments in Autodesk and related software items

If you have some news to share with us for future issues, please let us know. Likewise, if you are a user of a featured product or news item and would like to write a review, we want to know. Drop me a line at: shaun.bryant@cadfmconsult.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!

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