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Announcement
April 3, 2014

Autodesk® Infrastructure Design Suite is a comprehensive software solution that provides a Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Infrastructure workflow to help you gain more accurate, accessible, and actionable insight throughout the lifecycle of your transportation, land, utility, and water projects. With unique access to the Autodesk portfolio and intelligent model–based tools—both on the desktop and in the cloud—customers can explore more design alternatives, achieve better results faster, and collaborate more effectively while benefitting from:

  • comprehensive workflows not possible with individual products alone
  • an expanded, industry-specific toolset and a more consistent user experience
  • more economical and convenient access

In 2015, there are even more features to smooth out your design process.  There are three editions of the Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite: Standard, Premium and Ultimate.  We’ll discuss the updates to the products to each of them.

Standard Edition

Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2015

AutoCAD has many new features this year.  To see the details of the new features, see our post “What’s New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2015?”  There we also list videos for the new features to see them in action.  Here are just a few updates to give you the idea:

  • New Tab Page
  • New Ribbon Galleries
  • New Help Tools and Search
  • New Interface
  • Connect your workflows across integrated desktop, cloud, and mobile AutoCAD solutions
  • Reality Capture
  • Darker theme to reduce eyestrain and make lines and text stand out

AutoCAD_Map_3d-Infrastructure_Map_Server_2014_h.jpgAutodesk® AutoCAD® Map3D

With AutoCAD Map 3D, you can apply industry-specific standards and business process requirements, using configurable data models for electric, gas, water, and wastewater.
Mapping and integrated spatial and network analysis make it easier to create stylized drawings and maps that highlight specific features, such as service areas, zoning districts, land usage, pipe and cable installation dates, diameter, and more.  AutoCAD Map 3D also supports design to as-built data flow to GIS, and other applications. AutoCAD Map 3D can integrate with other operational systems such as customer care, ERP, outage, and work and asset management systems.
Learn more on the AutoCAD Map 3D webpage.

Autodesk® Navisworks® Simulate 2015

The new features for Navisworks® Simulate includes tools to enable project tracking, coordination, construction simulation, model review, and whole-project analysis.  To read more, see our post specific to Autodesk Navisworks solutions.

Autodesk® AutoCAD® Raster Design 2015


Convert raster to vector with powerful tools that help you create higher-quality drawings while using standard AutoCAD commands. AutoCAD Raster Design 2015 helps you to:

  • Save time using image display features that help you embed, insert and export images, and display image subsets with a polygonal mask boundary.
  • Improve image quality with editing and cleanup tools that help you despeckle, bias, mirror, and touchup scanned design information.
  • Easily erase raster images, lines, arcs, and circles using standard AutoCAD commands on raster regions and primitives with raster entity manipulation (REM).
  • Create lines and polylines from raster images with vectorization tools.
  • Incorporate geospatial raster data with image transformation functionality. Display and analyse geo-referenced images when the software is used with AutoCAD®, Civil 3D® and AutoCAD® Map 3D software.

For more information, contact us or go to the Autodesk Raster Design page.

Autodesk® ReCap™

Capture and integrate reality directly into your design process with ReCap reality capture software. ReCap point cloud and image-based 3D modeling software and services work seamlessly with Autodesk design and creation suites, so you can start your design with accurate dimensions and full photo-quality context rather than a blank screen.
Here’s a video overview for Autodesk ReCap workflow for Infrastructure:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOKeVUmFI0A]

Premium Edition

In the Premium Edition, you receive all the solutions in the Standard, plus these additional:

civil3dAutodesk® AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2015

Autodesk® AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2015 civil engineering software supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows by extending the value of the model. With a focus on optimizing transportation design workflows, Civil 3D 2015 offers improved usability and greater efficiency during corridor modeling, profile layout and production drafting. Additionally, project teams can help improve collaboration with the ability to open and edit AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015 drawings in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 and 2013 software.
There are too many updates to put all here, so go to our full post, “What’s New in Civil 3D 2015?”

Autodesk® AutoCAD® Utility Design 2015

Autodesk AutoCAD Utility Design software combines design and documentation with rules-driven workflows and analysis for electrical distribution design. Improve design accuracy, analyze and optimize network designs for greater performance and reliability, and deliver more consistent and coordinated documentation.
We haven’t had a chance to explore new features, but here is a video that will help you better understand how AutoCAD Utility Design fits in your workflow.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQADmFSEzLw]

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2015

Better predict performance prior to construction with tools that help engineers create structural analytical models and maintain consistency in the structural physical model.

Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2015

This year 3ds Max Design has so many additions to the features, we just want to name a few:

  • Scripting to Python tools
  • Modeling tools: Placement Tool, Quad Chamfer, Point Cloud
  • Character animation tool to populate
  • ShaderFX Editor
  • ActiveShade Improvements

To see all the details, read the details in “What’s  New in Autodesk 3ds Max?” posted by the AREA, the site for Autodesk visualization and animation.

Autodesk® InfraWorks™ 2015

Autodesk® InfraWorks™ has only been around for a couple years and has already been transforming civil infrastructure design processes.  Manage larger-scale infrastructure models created from existing data sources and generate proposals and early design concepts more effectively in the context of the built environment.  Rapidly generate data-rich proposals to better predict how design alternatives may perform in the existing environment.
See our full post on “What’s New in InfraWorks and InfraWorks 2015?”

Ultimate Edition

In the Standard Edition, you receive all the solutions in the Premium, plus these additional:

Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage 2015

The new features for Navisworks® Manage include tools to enable project tracking, coordination, construction simulation, model review, and whole-project analysis.  To read more, see our post specific to Autodesk Navisworks solutions.

Autodesk® Revit® 2015:

Revit 2015 increases data-driven design for architecture, building and construction.  We have a whole update on “What’s New in Revit 2015” here.  However, there have been enhancements to:
Platform and Architectural Enhancements:

  • Sketchy lines
  • Anti-aliasing improvements
  • Ray trace usability improvements
  • View references

Structural Engineering Enhancements:

  • Enhanced analytical modeling
  • Reinforcement numbering
  • Single fabric sheet placement

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Engineering Enhancements:

  • Calculation methods for pressure drop
  • Tapped duct and pipe tags
  • Electrical API enhancements

See “What’s New in Revit 2015?”

Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis Professional 2015

Robot Structural Analysis Professional allows you to more quickly perform simulation and analysis of a variety of structures.
See the video below for an overview:
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Autodesk Subscription Modules

(Available to Premium and Ultimate Autodesk Subscription Customers only)
With Autodesk Subscription you are entitled to additional tools to help smooth the workflow in your process.  You can find them in your Subscription Center account.

  • Geotechnical Module
  • Rail Layout Module
  • Bridge Module
  • River & Flood Analysis Module

Autodesk Subscription Value

Autodesk is increasing the value of the Subscription by offering three types of offerings: Desktop Subscription, Maintenance Subscription, and Cloud Services Subscription. Read more about the changes in Autodesk Subscription in our post, “What’s New in Autodesk Subscription 2015?”
This was a lengthy overview and we look forward to help ing you stay ahead with your solutions.  Have questions on your software or entitlements?  Contact us by phone (800.836.5440) or email.
Contact us, visit the Synergis website or subscribe to our blog.