Autodesk Synthesis - FRC Game Simulator

[BXD Autodesk]

Synthesis is a new product released by Autodesk in order to help the FRC community better design and program their robots by testing them in a realistic physics environment.

We have worked very hard to bring you this simulator which will be officially releasing on our website on Wednesday, November 18th.

To find out more information please visit:
BXD.Autodesk.com (http://BXD.Autodesk.com)

You can find our release video here:
BXD Promotional video (https://youtu.be/98koHKFbkGI)

Look for updates on our Facebook Page:
Built By Design Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/BuiltXDesignBXD/)

If you have any questions or suggestions please leave them on the forum that you can easily find through the webpage!

In addition, Synthesis will also be the first Autodesk product released with full Open Source access shortly after November 18th.

[Richard.Varone]

This looks pretty sick, can't wait to try it out!

[cad321]

Obviously with autodesk being the creator of the software this is going to revolve around autodesk products, however will there be support for importing from other cad software such as solidworks? whether it be the native files or step files.

[JohnFogarty]

This looks awesome. As a programmer and a Autodesk product user already I can't wait to try this out.

[JustinCAD]

I am super excited for this release! I've been following it's progress since September. There seems to be some really cool features that I can't wait to try out.

Currently, LabView isn't supported in this program, correct? Our team mainly uses LabView, and rarely uses C++ and/or Java.

Great work, and I can't wait till the 18th!

[gblake]

Is this really an Autodesk "product"?

If I go to the Autidesk home page, and find a list of their products, will this be in the list? With full customer service support, and all the other support, training and documentation that accompany an Autodesk product?

Blake

[JustinCAD]

Is this really an Autodesk "product"?

If I go to the Autidesk home page, and find a list of their products, will this be in the list? With full customer service support, and all the other support, training and documentation that accompany an Autodesk product?

Blake

I read that Autodesk Interns create this program, so I will assume that customer service support, and things in relation to that will not provided. Maybe, in the future, if the program gains some popularity, that these things will be implemented.

[gblake]

I read that Autodesk Interns create this program, so I will assume that customer service support, and things in relation to that will not provided. Maybe, in the future, if the program gains some popularity, that these things will be implemented.Thanks Justin - Let's see what the OP has to say before giving up hope. - I'm not optimistic that it will truly be a "product", but I'll be delighted to receive a pleasant surprise. - Blake

[Whippet]

This looks awesome! I'm curious to see how the motion of the various robot components will be implemented in the design exporter.

[courtney.john28]

Has anyone been able to access the download today?

[lucas.alvarez96]

Nothing yet..
*presses F5 frantically*

[RyanCahoon]

Fun fact - if you look at the source code for the Downloads page, there's a download link already there, just commented out.

http://bxd.autodesk.com/synthesis/Downloadables/SynthesisInstaller.exe

I get the first 3.1 MB downloaded very quickly, but then it stalls. Maybe they're still getting their CDN working.

[JustinCAD]

Nothing yet..
*presses F5 frantically*

I'm doing something similar.
I'm checking every hour on the dot if it's there.

No luck yet...

[mastachyra]

I know everyone is excited about Synthesis, but the Aftermath training is really cool. I would consider myself a novice and no one on my team is much better than me, so I'm super pumped that the training is in the form of a game. I know my team is going to go wild with this, because I see how Khan academy has switched students from wasting time on Netflix and social media to wasting time learning.

For some reason kids really dig earning imaginary, valueless points!:D

[lucas.alvarez96]

The download link might still not be available, so I neither confirm nor deny having already installed Synthesis on my computer. But I really need those tutorials though :confused:

[BXD Autodesk]

Fun Fact- That was the Alpha 2.0.0.0 version that was released to anyone willing to try it.

We are releasing the 3.0.0.0 version today.

[Team3844]

Excited about letting the Cad team loose on this.

[J_B_Wood]

Is there a download link up yet? I can't wait to check it out

[lucas.alvarez96]

Fun Fact- That was the Alpha 2.0.0.0 version that was released to anyone willing to try it.

We are releasing the 3.0.0.0 version today.

Will the tutorials on how to import robot CADs and code be available today as well?

[BXD Autodesk]

Hello guys, girls, and robots,

I am very happy to see that you are all excited and we are working very hard to make sure the first full release of Autodesk Synthesis will be bug free and everything you can imagine!

You may expect a downloadable link posted around 3:30pm - 4:00pm PST

[BXD Autodesk]

Will the tutorials on how to import robot CADs and code be available today as well?

You can look here for a pdf on how to use it,

http://bxd.autodesk.com/synthesis/?page=tutorialRobotExporter
http://bxd.autodesk.com/synthesis/?page=Tutorials

We will be releasing video tutorials shortly following the release.

[BXD Autodesk]

Hello guys, girls, and robots,

I am very happy to see that you are all excited and we are working very hard to make sure the first full release of Autodesk Synthesis will be bug free and everything you can imagine!

You may expect a downloadable link posted around 3:30pm - 4:00pm PST

We will have to be delaying the release for later on tonight, please check back for more updates.

[Thad House]

We will have to be delaying the release for later on tonight, please check back for more updates.

http://i.imgur.com/Dd6m2G9.jpg

[jgrindle]

http://i.imgur.com/Dd6m2G9.jpg

Same.

But in reality I am PUMPED, I really want to try this! And I already have a model and code for it!

[cad321]

Has there been any word on when we might expect Labview support with Synthesis (if any)?

[Greg McKaskle]

I don't believe there was any word regarding LV support. NI was aware of the development at various points, but the intern students wanted to focus on the other languages first.

I suspect that LV support will not be too hard to add, but I'm as eager as anyone to see how it works and how to plug into it -- our plate runneth over, so unfortunately we weren't able to be involved in the development.

Greg McKaskle

[Thad House]

I don't believe there was any word regarding LV support. NI was aware of the development at various points, but the intern students wanted to focus on the other languages first.

I suspect that LV support will not be too hard to add, but I'm as eager as anyone to see how it works and how to plug into it -- our plate runneth over, so unfortunately we weren't able to be involved in the development.

Greg McKaskle

I'll definitely be digging into the system to figure out how to plug into it. I'll for sure be adding C# support before the season starts, and if that goes well LabVIEW and python shouldn't be too difficult to add. Expecislly since LV on windows would be able to plug directly into the .NET plugin interface if interfacing at a lower level is difficult.

[lucas.alvarez96]

http://i.imgur.com/tG26bqw.jpg

Nothing yet :(

[EmileH]

http://i.imgur.com/tG26bqw.jpg

Nothing yet :(

Yes. I am so ready to throw our Robot CAD and code on this thing and actually get to simulate driving our robot.

[Sperkowsky]

I assume no Solidworks support

[JustinCAD]

Has there been any word on when we might expect Labview support with Synthesis (if any)?

On the forums for BXD Synthesis, it is stated:
"Currently, we only support C++ and Java code interpretation, but we certainly plan to also support LabVIEW in the future."

You can find the thread stating this here. (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bxd-synthesis-general-discussion/what-is-bxd-synthesis/m-p/5451021#M1) Please note that this thread was posted on the 22nd of December, 2014.

I assume no Solidworks support
To my knowledge, no, there will be no Solidworks support. This is not based on facts, just my opinion.

Inventor is a program made by Autodesk, and so is BXD Synthesis. I don't think they would use another company's product when they have their own.

Who knows? Maybe It'll happen in the future.

[first3234]

Any new updates yet I would really like to try out synthesis and explore the program

[lucas.alvarez96]

Yes. I am so ready to throw our Robot CAD and code on this thing and actually get to simulate driving our robot.

I'm so ready to throw my team's robot CAD and code and fail my exams cause I was testing the simulator! :D

[BXD Autodesk]

Unfortunately because of last minute fixes and testing we will have to push off our release for another day or two at the minimum.

We are not in the business of releasing unfinished products and we hope to make a application that will result in overall performance without skipping out on any particular idea.

But we have decided to remake our launcher as a last ditch effort and it will bring a new style for those who have previously seen the simulator!

Please check back for more info that we will be posting each day!

[BXD Autodesk]

Has there been any word on when we might expect Labview support with Synthesis (if any)?

Labview is not currently supported by Autodesk Synthesis, and for the time being there is no plan to add it.

[Munchskull]

I assume no Solidworks support

Having seen this software demoed and having asked this question myself, I feel confident relaying that there will not be solidworks support. WPI is however working on a solidworks equivalent. That said you can get Inventor for free and convert your files from solidworks to Inventor to synthesis. I know that 955 did that with their 2015 robot.

[J_B_Wood]

Looks like the site is down. Any news on when the download will be up?

[orangemoore]

Looks like the site is down. Any news on when the download will be up?

Read post #34.

[audietron]

We will have to be delaying the release for later on tonight, please check back for more updates.

Our robot is in the tutorial, that is pretty neat to see!

[JustinCAD]

For anyone who questioning if the site is down:

The main BXD site for Autodesk is down, but you can still access the BXD Synthesis downloads pages by clicking here! (http://bxd.autodesk.com/synthesis/?page=Downloads)

[tab1a]

Obviously with autodesk being the creator of the software this is going to revolve around autodesk products, however will there be support for importing from other cad software such as solidworks? whether it be the native files or step files.

Yes you can import files from solidworks or the likes, at least that's what I remember hearing at Girls Engineering Day and Oregon FIRST Faire.

[EmileH]

Any news on a projected release date?

[BXD Autodesk]

To the FIRST community:

Depsite our inital release date set for November 18th, we pushed back our release date to ensure the quality of Synthesis version 3.0.0.0. Sorry for the delay, we will be releasing within next week or so. After the official release, the code will be released to the public on GitHub.

Additionally, we will be releasing additional downloadable content after the release of the simulater. This will include more example robots to test with on the simulator, more sample code, and more tutorial content as questions arise. So, keep in touch for future content.

Please post all comments, questions, concerns on the BXD: Synthesis forums page instead of on Chief Delphi. We have Autodesk employees and Autodesk FIRST interns regulating the Synthesis forums on a regular basis. This also keeps the information and ideas more organized. All future answers to questions will be listed on the Synthesis forums page. We will continue to direct FIRST members to this link:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bxd-synthesis/ct-p/97 (Which is found on the BXD: Synthesis webpage)

Thank you,
- BXD Team

[BXD Autodesk]

Sidenote:

We are trying really hard to get this to you guys! And we can't wait for you to try it and give us feedback on what you think. Hopefully we will be updating the website sooner then later with the release :)

[Poseidon5817]

In case anybody was waiting on this (like me), this has been out for a while now.