No more Autodesk Visualization Award?

[Kevin Thorp]

Maybe Autodesk will post a design challenge and allow teams to use whatever Autodesk software they want (3ds Max, Maya, Inventor, Autocad, Revit, etc.) to create their entry. I assume all these programs will be available free to FRC teams.

If you have a strong animation team you'll use Max or Maya. If you have a strong CAD group you'll use Inventor or Autocad. Or (and I'll bet this is what Autodesk is hoping for) the sub teams will work together on a project, the way professional engineering & marketing groups work together.

It might be a good idea to learn a little more about how CAD & visualization software can work together. Or more importantly, how the CAD & visualization sub-teams can work together.

But I'm just guessing here. Autodesk will be posting more "hints" as we get closer to the Kickoff.

[Lil' Lavery]

This isn't the first time this has happened...

[Dancin103]

Well this is interesting. I would love to see the details and hear the reasoning behind this one. It sounds as though they are trying to emphasize more on the "Inventor" portion of the old Autodesk awards and do away with the actual animation of it all, or maybe they will make it geared towards still 3D modeling and animation of your robot. If any of what I just said makes sense.

Cass

[Andrew Schreiber]

Or maybe we should wait for details before flying off the handle? Yes BB said there would be a restructuring but that was all. Wait until the Awards section comes out and THEN make a call for the reasoning.

[Ted Boardman]

>>Or maybe we should wait for details before flying off the handle? Yes BB said there would be a restructuring but that was all. Wait until the Awards section comes out and THEN make a call for the reasoning.<<

Hi All,

Andrew has the right idea here. There are changes coming, but nothing is cast in stone yet, so it would be premature to speculate too much.

You will be able to compete with Inventor, Max, or Maya.

Now, having said that, please don't hound me for details, but stay tuned to www.autodesk.com/first for announcements.

Thanks for your patience.

P.S. I will be trying to monitor this site this year to help with 3ds Max related topics. I don't use Maya or Inventor, though.

Later
Ted

[inventor_phild]

Hi All,

Just adding onto Ted's posting. I will also be monitoring the site this year and will provide help on Inventor related topics.

Phil

[Madison]

My team's experience has been that the Autodesk Visualization Award provides a fantastic, creative outlet for team members that are uninterested in or intimidated by more technical work.

I hope that, whatever changes come, some consideration is given to the success that the program has had in the past by engaging students' creative goals and technology simultaneously.

I love CAD work, but it's not for everyone and I'd hate to see that, by eliminating the awards recognizing these unique skills, y'all ascribe higher value to one over the other.

[Ted Boardman]

>>but it's not for everyone and I'd hate to see that, by eliminating the awards recognizing these unique skills, y'all ascribe higher value to one over the other<<

That's what keeps me coming back every year, Madison. This opens up the process to those who use the other half of the brain (can't remember which is which!!!!).

This is "communication" of ideas rather than hands-on technical stuff and it appeals to a group of people usually that would not feel comfortable getting involved with robots, per se. It's actually tougher to do because it's so subjective, but it doesn't matter how good something is if you can't get the word out.

A prize should not be the goal, although there's no doubt that's certainly an incentive to try and I hope everyone keeps it in perspective.

Thanks for your input.

Ted

[Rich Kressly]

Phil and Ted in the same CD thread (I'm not trying to rhyme, I'm really not ). Welcome guys, and thanks for being here.

(and on a side note let me publicly state that working on the Autodesk VEX curriculum project with Phil awhile back was one of the coolest things ever. He's soooo darn good it's mind-blowing)

[Ted Boardman]

>>Welcome guys, and thanks for being here<<

Thanks much, Rich.

Ted

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

This isn't the first time this has happened...

Well, at least the wording is a little different this time around. To retire an award shows a respect for the historic aspects of it with regard to previous competitions. That's always nice.

[ChrisH]

Autodesk will retire both the Visualization Award and the Inventor Award in order to introduce the Excellence in Design Award (with expanded software options).

It sounds to me like they are putting more emphasis on CAE (Computer Aided Engioneering) than what we have seen as classical animation. It is very possible to animate your robot designs using Inventor. I used the capability a couple of times to show robot concepts.

It sounds like this new competition is focused more on designing the robot you want and figuring out how to make it work before you start building.

[BuddyB309]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!! THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!!!!!

If it weren't for the Autodesk Visualization award I would have never found my passion.

This is just....ugh!......ANGER!!!

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by BuddyB309

WHAT!!!!!!!!!! THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!!!!!

If it weren't for the Autodesk Visualization award I would have never found my passion.

This is just....ugh!......ANGER!!!

Easy Chicken Little, the sky may not be falling. :-). It looks like teams will still be able to use an array of Autodesk software, including 3DSMax. How these teams use it, and what they use it for, is certainly likely to change some here, but I'm sure we'll still be able to help students "find their passions" - we're a resourceful bunch, aren't we? Let's stay tuned and see where this goes.

[Dancin103]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

Easy Chicken Little, the sky may not be falling. :-). It looks like teams will still be able to use an array of Autodesk software, including 3DSMax. How these teams use it, and what they use it for, is certainly likely to change some here, but I'm sure we'll still be able to help students "find their passions" - we're a resourceful bunch, aren't we? Let's stay tuned and see where this goes.

Agreed. I think we all just need to wait and see what's going on.

Cass