Dear [customer first name],

Welcome to the April issue of Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) News, the newsletter designed for professionals in architecture, building and civil engineering and construction.

In this issue, we witness how projects achieve high degree of Integrated Project Delivery using BIM software and the launch of The Leadership in Green Building Lecture Series in Singapore, jointly organised by the Building & Construction Authority and Autodesk Asia. We also reveal how BIM improves the designer’s ability to effortlessly visualise an emerging design and as always, share some useful tips & tricks from our resident experts.

If you would like to share your comments on how we can improve this newsletter, please send them to asean.marketing@mail.autodesk.com.

Happy Reading!

The AEC News Editorial Team

Community
Diary of a Revit User: Happy 2nd Anniversary
Paul Loreto, an avid Revit user, helms the Diary of a Revit User on AUGI HotNews, is celebrating the column's 2nd anniversary with this post recapping his top five entries which he considers are his best attempts of writing about Revit.

Focus on
Integrated Project Delivery Builds a Brave, New BIM World
Building information modelling is being touted by its advocates as a lifesaver for complicated projects because of its ability to correct errors in the design stage and accurately schedule construction. But can AEC firms unlock the full potential of BIM while still utilising design-bid-build contracts and work processes designed for 2D design and construction?

Read more about how three projects are achieving a high degree of integrated project delivery through the use of building information modelling and other software tools in this article by Building Design and Construction.

BIM and In-Process Design Visualisation
Seeing a design as it emerges can guide architects and designers to make better design decisions. This month's "1-2-3 Revit" column examines how building information modelling (BIM) improves the designer's ability to effortlessly visualise an emerging design and judge how it will delight.

Read more about it here in an article by Rick Rundell, director of product marketing for Autodesk Building Solutions as he shows how the built-in rendering capabilities in Revit Architecture allow architects and designers to produce their own visualisations to get quick, real-time feedback during the design process.

Tips and Techniques
Tip 1: Revit Architecture: Setting the Site, Part 1
This is the first of a multi-part series on creating a site plan in Revit Architecture. You'll find that there is more involved than just removing earth. Here are step-by-step instructions that'll get you started.

Tip 2: Revit Architecture: Setting the Site, Part 2
This second session will involve labelling and adding cuts and fills. You will also be subdividing and splitting the surface as well as starting a brand new site from scratch. Read more here.

These handy tips are provided by AUGI’s HotNews columnist, Eric Wing, who has been in the building, architectural design, and structural engineering field for 15 years and has been managing, teaching, and presenting Autodesk applications for 10 of them.

Tip 3: AutoCAD 2009: Fabulous Improvements to Everyday Commands
Check out the new capabilities for simple commands in this new release of AutoCAD which spells better productivity for you.

The handy tip is provided by Lynn Allen a Cadalyst columnist and worldwide Autodesk Technical Evangelist with over 20 years of experience with Autodesk software.

General News
Can CAD Market Grow in an Economic Downturn?
In the wake of weakening orders and rising prices of raw materials, how are the IT managers and CAD managers bracing for the inevitable economic slump? Some think loosening the purse strings for well-timed training and well-placed technology might help tighten their companies' operating margins. Read more here.

Subscription News
Practise at your own pace with e-Learning
Available for Subscription Customers only, e-Learning catalogue features self-paced lessons that are a quick and convenient way to learn Autodesk software. Each lesson usually takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete and includes hands-on exercises so you can practise what you've learned.

To access this catalogue, please visit the Subscription Centre www.autodesk.com/subscriptionlogin. Don’t have a login? Please email us at ap.subscriptions@autodesk.com for your login details.

Customer Success
Veridian Homes uses Revit Architecture and Autodesk Buzzsaw technology to build greener homes
"With Revit Architecture software, we can quickly make changes to our standard set of building designs, get more accurate cost estimates, and let our customers “see” their future homes."
Dan Gorski, Vice President of Estimating, Purchasing, and Design, Veridian Homes

Find out how Veridan Homes designers use Revit® Architecture software to create a 3D virtual prototype of a building that is used not only for documentation but also for quantity takeoffs, scheduling, area calculations, and design visualisations.

INDUSTRY EVENTS
The Leadership in Green Building Lecture Series
The Singapore Building & Construction Authority and Autodesk Asia are working together to conduct a series of lectures called The Leadership in Green Building. This lecture series provides a platform for practitioners to gain insight from exemplary projects with international award-winning designs.

Internationally prominent architects & engineers, visionaries and expert academics will be invited to share their approach and practical experiences and insights on the subject. The context of the series will focus on best practices, successful cases studies of landmark buildings and iconic developments, and the practical delivery of green solutions and technologies.

Conducted twice annually, this lecture series aims to motivate the industry towards environmental sustainability in buildings. The first seminar will kick off at 1.00 p.m on May 6 at Pan Pacific Hotel. A landmark MOU will be inked on the same day between the 2 organisers to:

1. Improve the skill-set of construction manpower to meet increasing demand for high value-added services.

2. Provide a platform to improve the quality, sustainability and safety of the environment of the Singapore construction industry with the use of Autodesk technology and design solutions.

3. Develop co-operation in the areas of education and joint-research and development in the next 5 years.

To find out more information on The Leadership in Green Building lecture series, please email Jerry tan @ jerry.tan@autodesk.com or Ms Wong Mee York @ WONG_Mee_York@bca.gov.sg