New tools like AI are automating tasks and giving us ways to analyze big data in new ways. But what does this mean for the CAD manager? Is the role more important than ever? Or is it outdated and headed for extinction? This award-winning panel is back to share insights on the digital transformation and important lessons learned from decades of experience. Learn from this panel of diverse CAD managers that are widely respected as leaders in their field. Hear their unique perspectives and solutions to challenges facing CAD managers from organizations of all sizes and backgrounds. The panel will discuss how new tools can make you more effective, while sharing where you need to enhance the human element. Hear how they've worked to embrace the future, while not forgetting the past and being productive today. Join us for a panel discussion that has become an anticipated AU tradition. Take this opportunity to learn from four CAD managers who have been there and done that.

This session will delve into the transformative journey of African manufacturing, focusing on resilience, innovation, and sustainability. We will explore how Autodesk's digital tools, including BIM workflows with Revit, have empowered African manufacturers to overcome challenges, innovate their processes, and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Additionally, we will highlight the critical role of sustainable practices in ensuring long-term success for manufacturing in Africa.

The process of managing factory design layout data and fostering collaboration between the design team and external reviewers using Vault software and Autodesk Construction Cloud to handle clashes in Navisworks software is an integrated procedure. The design team can use AutoCAD software or Inventor software to develop the factory design layout, which is then stored in Vault. Vault acts as a secure, centralized storehouse for design data, enabling the team to access the latest information, reducing potential mistakes and rework. It also tracks version history and documents updates, offering clear accountability. Once the design is finalized, it can be disseminated to external reviewers through Autodesk Construction Cloud. Autodesk Construction Cloud serves as a shared data environment, allowing teams to collaborate and exchange design data in real time. It also supports model coordination, document management, and design review, augmenting collaboration between the design team and external reviewers.

Advanced nuclear is challenged to design and construct on short timelines, with smaller budgets and fewer workers. Digitalization can help companies overcome these constraints. Unfortunately, a digital twin (DT) is often presented as a monolith. This results in organizations abandoning DTs as having benefits that are minimal or unrealized in time. Many perceive DTs as too large an undertaking to even begin. However, digitalization isn't a track meet; it's a marathon of incremental milestones. And, like all races, it has a starting line. This session will summarize a journey that Argonne National Laboratory and Implexus Lab made to digitize the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL), a test facility for advancing sodium fast reactors. Components were designed with Inventor software and assembled in Navisworks software, and AutoCAD software generated construction documents. Integrating with Revit provided a DT foundation. Ultimately, the suite of Autodesk tools enabled the creation of a DT boasting live data visualization within a virtual reality (VR) environment.

Climate change is the issue of our generation. How do we scale up the deployment of biogas upgrading plants that can help society decarbonize the energy sector? During this session, we'll explore how Greenlane Renewables is tackling climate change through the use of Autodesk Fusion Manage software to help implement renewable natural gas plants internationally. The speakers will discuss the transition from being primarily project-based to product-based by using Autodesk PLM (product lifecycle management) software to manage product, process, mechanical, and electrical design data in an asset-lite model to increase efficiency, automate traceability, and reduce error. This session is part of the PLM Summit, a dedicated learning pathway and networking experience on Tuesday, October 15. To see all related sessions select the "PLM Summit" track filter. To request attendance at the private luncheon and reception, please email plmsummitau@autodesk.com.

If you joined us at last year's AU and attended "A Factory Design Utilities Discussion with Peers on a Successful Deployment," you know the group discussed best practices and what to avoid when implementing Factory Design Utilities software. The information we discussed helped people who'd already implemented it by validating the experiences of others, and helped the people who were planning on implementing it soon. In this session, we'll pick up where last year's ended and focus on best practices for maintaining a successful deployment. We'll especially focus on using simplification workflows to keep file sizes smaller, managing simplified models, and understanding how to update the simplified models automatically when changes happen to the main file. After this session, you'll be able to integrate smaller models into your designs and keep them updated as changes occur.

In this session, we'll present a study showing the process for implementing Vault Professional software with Autodesk Fusion Manage software with bidirectional integration. See what went well, and what didn't go well and why. Discover what lessons we learned. Explore how much can be implemented at one time for users to absorb, understand, and gain ROI from.

GEA is constantly working with its Mission 26 to improve customer experience and increase efficiency and quality. Dive into a compelling case study where Factory Design Utilities software, part of the Inventor and iLogic capabilities, radically transformed factory design from the sales stage to engineering / project execution and beyond! This course will explore GEA's groundbreaking transition to Factory Design Utilities, which reduced engineering time by up to 80% and simplified complex plant layouts. Discover the transformative approach that synchronized 2D and 3D designs, significantly benefiting sales and engineering processes, and delivering profound accuracy improvements. Join us to explore this shift as we explore how using Factory Design Utilities can help companies win more business, reduce design iterations, allocate time to critical tasks, manage more projects more efficiently, and ultimately improve overall factory design productivity and profitability.

Keeping your projects on schedule, addressing issues promptly, and staying within budget is a significant challenge. This session will explore our strategies and tools for effectively achieving these project goals—from the design phase to field installation.

In today's engineering and design landscape, collaboration between Inventor software and AutoCAD software has become essential for efficient project execution. Both software platforms offer distinct advantages, but harnessing their combined power necessitates a strategic approach. This presentation will explore practical strategies and best practices for optimizing workflow integration between Inventor and AutoCAD, enabling seamless collaboration and maximizing productivity. Participants will learn about integrating AutoCAD geometry into Inventor models, and easily managing design changes, optimizing performance, and creating better technical documentation for manufacturing.

In the design process of highway projects, applying building information modeling (BIM) technology, using parametric design methods, and delivering complete project models is a challenging task. During the design process, issues such as efficient design workflow, data exchange, model segmentation, WBS info, and digital delivery need to be addressed. With parametric design tools like Dynamo software, engineers can automatically create models and complete property assignments based on project requirements, significantly reducing repetitive work and allowing them to focus more on the design itself. This case study will show you the complete parametric design workflow and data exchange for this highway expansion project, with a focus on parametric modeling using Dynamo and Python. Through parametric modeling via programming, stakeholders can achieve efficiency gains of two to three times compared to manual modeling methods for roadbeds, pavements, bridges, and tunnels.

Discover how Viewrail, a leading stair and railing manufacturer, is harnessing the power of iLogic within Inventor software to redefine its engineer-to-order operations. Through a comprehensive demonstration, we'll illustrate the streamlined process of designing custom orders, enabling customer interaction through a dedicated portal, generating both customer and production facing prints, and seamlessly transferring manufacturing data to the shop floor. Gain invaluable insights into how Viewrail's strategic adoption of iLogic enhances efficiency and accelerates production timelines. Join us for an engaging conversation, and walk away inspired to revolutionize your own approach to engineer-to-order.

Become an adopted member of our design team for the session. Encounter a hands-on experience of the different stages of our transition from AutoCAD software to Revit software, and discover the benefits and potential pitfalls along the way. SSEN Transmission projects play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions through infrastructure investment. We're embracing technology to help deliver the large-scale infrastructure growth required to make a decarbonized electricity network a reality. For the design teams, this involves growing our digital design and collaboration capabilities using the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection and Autodesk Construction Cloud. This workshop will focus on our design process for high-voltage substations across a portfolio of live projects. The SSEN Transmission team will demonstrate steps taken to grow a more traditional 2D AutoCAD design process into a collaborative design approach using Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud. There will be opportunities to interact with models using various applications and hardware.

Navigating the imminent growth in the renewable energy market presents challenges around skills and project data quality. Autodesk tools enable customers to overcome these challenges by investing in upskilling and ensuring high-quality data for their projects. AutoCAD files are critical in this, providing the precision needed, especially with the shift toward 3D designs for energy yield modeling. Well-optimized and structured preconstruction stage designs in AutoCAD can make or break a potential project's funding and eventual construction, thus driving customer value. This panel will explore how Autodesk software can empower customers to unlock the renewable energy sector's potential, overcome bottlenecks, and mitigate risks. By addressing these challenges, users can contribute significantly to achieving the ambitious Net Zero emissions targets and combat climate change, driving positive outcomes for their businesses and the world.

Join our transformative session on integrating manufacturing into building information modeling (BIM) workflows for prefabricated buildings. Through the case study —the Charlotte Main Library —we'll showcase how our BIM and parametric design expertise revolutionizes construction. Explore our use of Autodesk tools such as Revit, Dynamo, Inventor, AutoCAD, and Navisworks software for seamless integration. Discover how we overcome challenges, ensuring precision and efficiency. Learn from our experiences—highlighting enhanced integration between Inventor, iLogic workflows, and Revit-BIM—meeting project needs efficiently. Gain insights into streamlining project coordination and achieving superior outcomes. Experience tangible benefits, including efficiency gains and improved timelines. Elevate your understanding of integrating manufacturing into BIM workflows at AU.

Learn how field teams can complete construction layout ten times faster with a higher degree of accuracy, while providing more depth of information used for building at a higher quality level directly from your AutoCAD or Revit models. Hear directly from a large general contractor about experiences delivering improved project quality with better collaboration from design to layout to construction, and get a live demonstration of the Dusty Robotics FieldPrinter system.

In this session, we'll use an interactive design-thinking approach to tackle this problem: How do you elevate both your tech staff and your tech stack to drive productivity and profitability across a digitally transformed project lifecycle? We'll consider the "What If" scenarios: What if we flip and elevate our perspective? What if, in addition to considering information as knowledge, knowledge is considered information and this big data is compiled, managed, and analyzed as an IT tool? What if we consider knowledge management as a productivity enhancement tool that integrates with any existing learning technology and acts as a catalyst to elevate technology adoption? What if we adopt AI power to augment human input and get faster at developing custom workflow training to develop industry skills and solve real-world challenges? We will identify insights into team engagement and productivity with a direct relationship to competitiveness, project planning, profitability, and ROI.

This workshop for CTE (career and technical education) teachers and industry professionals will focus on fostering innovation, collaboration, and partnership within the CTE community. By enhancing lesson plans, building industry partnerships, and engaging post-secondary educators, we can better prepare our students for success in the ever-evolving workforce. Industry personnel are encouraged to attend to lend expertise in designing exciting hands-on activities and industry-specific lesson plans. Help us establish a network of STEM teachers and industry partners across the nation.

Join us to unlock the power of AI in AutoCAD Toolsets, revolutionizing CAD by enhancing efficiency, precision, and innovation. Autodesk's AI empowers users to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and augment design intelligence. Features such as intelligent object recognition and predictive analytics accelerate the design process, reduce errors, and foster creative exploration. These tools not only automate dimensioning and optimize material usage but also can help preventing design issues, significantly speeding up the design cycle from concept to completion. AI-driven analysis tools evaluate performance, simulate real-world scenarios, and facilitate data-driven decisions for optimal outcomes. Enhanced interoperability with other Autodesk products and third-party applications promotes seamless collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, marking a transformative step for intelligent CAD design.

Human capital development is a critical component of success, both for Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) firms and the individuals they employ. In this session we will review Autodesk research related to talent development, discuss today's in-demand skills, and which skills will be needed in the future. We will provide an overview of our Autodesk Learning Partner Programs that support upskilling and share success stories from our Learning Partners related to the training challenges they face and opportunities they've uncovered when providing workforce development services. Please join us as we share key insights on how to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive industry.