Cloud Takes Center-stage at Autodesk University 2012

By DE Editors

Autodesk showcased its broadening line-up of cloud and mobile design, engineering and visualization tools at Autodesk University this week.

“Autodesk is the first company to bring you a full set of professional-grade, cloud-enabled tools that span the entire design process,” said Autodesk president and CEO Carl Bass, while addressing more than 7,000 attendees in Las Vegas. “We are leading the industry’s shift to cloud-based design and engineering software. From conceptual design, to simulation, to taking information to the factory floor or the construction site, all of this is being done today with our tools in the cloud.”

Bass demonstrated the company’s portfolio of cloud and mobile products,  and unveiled several new additions including the company’s next-generation civil infrastructure design software and a cloud-based 3D modeling offering for mechanical and industrial design.

Autodesk Fusion 360 allows designers to create 3D product designs and collaborate with others in the cloud. The BIM 360 offering helps design and construction teams by moving computation-intensive tasks to the cloud.

Bass was joined on stage by Autodesk Chief Technology Officer Jeff Kowalski; Christine Furstoss, who is head of research and development for manufacturing and materials technologies at GE; Dezso Molnar,  inventor of the Gyrocycle and co-founder of Molnari; and 12-year-old maker and engineer Schuyler St. Leger.

“We are experiencing connectivity schizophrenia,” Kowalski said. “In our personal lives, we’re very connected.  But in our professional lives, we’re very unconnected.  How do we address this?   Through a series of cloud-connected tools. What we are bringing you today is consistent connectivity.”

“The great thing about this next generation of tools is that you don’t have to embrace them all at once. Not at all. We built them to complement how you already get your work done. You can adopt them at your own pace,” Bass said.

For more information, visit Autodesk.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.