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AutoCAD Design Contest – Win FREE AutoCAD Software

Justin — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:00:32 +0000

That’s right, folks, SoftwareMedia is proud to host our CADers Spring Fling Design Contest. To celebrate the release of Autodesk’s AutoCAD LT 2012, we are calling upon CAD professionals from all over to create a unique and interesting design to be entered in our Spring Fling Design Contest. Show off your drafting and design skills and come up with a SoftwareMedia.com-themed project and wow your fellow CADers. Entries will be judged by our panel of AutoCAD experts, and the top 3 designs will win a FREE copy of AutoCAD LT 2012!

Designs are open to just about anything you can conjure up. If you want to design a new SoftwareMedia office building, great! Have a nice outdoor garden/rec area? Fantastic. Even an ancient Egyptian obelisk shaped into a giant “SND” would be an acceptable submission. The contest rules are pretty simple: designs must be SoftwareMedia in theme; designs must be your own original work; submit your designs in approved CAD formats; and, most importantly, be creative and have fun! The complete rules can be viewed here.

Email submissions to snd@softwaremedia.com. All submissions must be received by 11:59 pm EST on 6/30/2011. Submitted files will not be returned.

Autodesk AutoCAD LT 2012 Officially Launched!

Justin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:14 +0000

Today, Autodesk has officially launched their 2012 product line. Engineers and designers rejoice! Autodesk is the leader in CAD software, and their products like AutoCAD LT 2012 continue the trend. Built for professional drafting, delivering genuine DWG compatibility, and providing powerful 2D drawing tools, AutoCAD LT is a top choice for drafters, engineers, and design professionals worldwide. AutoCAD LT 2012 adds many new features as well as improves on existing ones to provide users with powerful tools at the fraction of the cost for the full AutoCAD package.

Head over to SoftwareMedia.com and peruse our Autodesk options. On our AutoCAD LT page we’ve posted a PDF sent to us by Autodesk with more information on the new AutoCAD LT 2012 release and features. Be sure to check it out as well.

[UPDATE: AutoCAD LT 2012 is now in stock!]

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Shark Week (SoftwareMedia-Style)

Justin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:09:05 +0000

We humans are terrified of sharks. And it’s no wonder why: News organizations jump on any story regarding a shark attack. Discovery Channel devotes a whole week to the deadly, gray predators. Then there’s Jaws, Son of Jaws, Robo-Jaws…you get the idea. Well, what if instead of flailing and screaming at the sight of a shark, we use them to create great feats of engineering? No, I’m not talking about using sharks as part of the local labor union. I’m talking about Punch! Shark LT CAD software.

Shark LT allows architects, engineers, drafters, and other design-related personnel create professional drawings. With support for 25+ file formats, Shark LT allows you to share data with CAD programs like AutoCAD, Ashlar-Vellum, and others. We think professionals will really like this product. That’s why at SoftwareMedia we’re offering Shark LT at an unbelievable price! Why be a small fish in the pond when you can be a Shark?

A Brief History On – Punch! (the software company, not the delicious beverage)

Justin — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:27:05 +0000

This week for “A Brief History On,” we button up the plaid shirt and strap on the tool belt for some Bob Vila-style home improvement. This topic is really exciting for me to talk about as it hits close to home (no pun intended [and, yes, clichéd phrases are welcome]).

Punch! Software was founded in 1998 by Gary Jenkins, Pete Pierce, and Steve Davis with the idea that 3D design shouldn’t be a tedious task used as a means to an end, but rather a fun tool to help express one’s creative side. Based out of Kansas City, Missouri, Punch! delivers the one-two knockout of home and landscape design so ftware.

Since 2000, Punch! has been the #1 selling H&L design retail software brand in the U.S. and they do it with such great products as Home and Landscape Design Suite, Weekend Project, and more. As Computer Aided Design (CAD) is standard in engineering and architecture, CAD is becoming more and more common around the household, and with good reason. Why spend an entire weekend shuffling furniture, testing paint samples, and second-guessing yourself, when you can simply re-create your bedroom or kitchen in no-time? With easy-to-use tools, your virtual house becomes a blank canvas to create your masterpiece. Wanna see how that accent wall looks in lime? How about sky blue? A couple clicks and you’ll know.

My wife and I just bought our first house, and this program will come in very handy for our various updating and remodeling projects. With Home & Landscape Design Suite, those home-improvement projects don’t seem near as daunting. What’s even better; no exhausting manuals nor 4-year degree in Structural Engineering necessary!

Today, Punch! boasts a rather impressive, albeit similar, line of home-improvement CAD programs. They ship tens of thousands of units monthly all over the U.S., in addition to Canada, Europe, and even Australia. Whether you need to do some major backyard landscaping, or a simple bathroom touch-up, Punch! has already thought of your project and has a tool designed just for you. Summer’s right around the corner, and now’s the time to be planning those major projects. Follow our links to see what Punch! can do for you. I even think we’ve got some Punch! software deals going on right now, so don’t wait! Until next time.

enjoy.

Get Ready for AutoCAD LT 2011: 10 Reasons to Buy/Upgrade

Lansia — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:04:39 +0000

AutoCAD LT has been a staple in the world of computer-assisted design and drafting software. Actually, AutoCAD LT software is a leader in 2D drafting productivity and data reliability. And AutoCAD LT 2011 hits shelves TODAY with even more ways to take control of your drawing productivity.

Weighing your options? If not for our free shipping and satisfaction guarantee, check out this awesome showcase reel of what AutoCAD has accomplished. Proceeding the video, check out another ten reasons why you should buy or upgrade!

Improved Drafting Tools so there are… Fewer steps needed to accomplish everyday drafting tasks.
Better Communication of Design Intent giving you… Greater control over a drawing’s on-screen and plotted appearance and high-quality PDF output for more effective communication and sharing.
Windows 7 Certification so you can… Take advantage of the latest version of the popular Windows operating system.
Additional AutoCAD Functionality adding… More tools to enhance productivity.
File Format Compatibility for… Reduced risk of object incompatibilities due to file format changes.
Powerful External Reference Tools allowing… Increased control and flexibility when sharing files.
Dynamic Blocks to bring you… More efficient block libraries, featuring the advantages of regular blocks plus the flexibility of multiple shapes and sizes.
Flexible Annotation Tools to give… Easier, more intuitive dimensioning and text editing, and greater control over the display of annotations.
Better Layer Management resulting in… Faster viewing of layer properties changes and clearer drawings with fewer layers.
Streamlined User Interface and Online Help so there’s… Less time spent locating commands and switching between open drawings. Improved access to the most up-to-date help and support information.

AutoCAD LT 2010 Tutorial – Zoom and Pan Basics

Lansia — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:46:42 +0000

Learn how to zoom and pan by simply using your mouse wheel. This video tutorial quickly walks through zooming and panning basics to easily navigate your drawing in AutoCAD LT 2010.

If you aren’t so much for videos, here’s a text overview:

ZOOM IN: scroll up on your mouse wheel
ZOOM OUT: scroll down on your mouse wheel
PAN: click and hold your mouse wheel, then drag to desired location (let go of the mouse wheel when you are finished dragging)
REGENERATE: type “regenall” in the dynamic input to regenerate your drawing if arcs and circles lose their smoothness or there is limited zooming
CENTER: double-click your mouse wheel to center your drawing within the window

View more video tutorials for AutoCAD LT 2010:
Dimensioning | Getting Started and Align Command

Free Autodesk and SolidWorks Software for the Unemployed

Kevin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:19:12 +0000

This is a good week for recently unemployed CAD users in the architecture, engineering, design, and manufacturing communities. Both Autdesk and SolidWorks have released programs that give unemployed designers access to free software, software training, and discounted or free certification exams. Both programs are aimed at increasing CAD proficiency in unemployed designers to help them get back on their feet sooner.

The Autodesk Assistance Program offers a free 13-month software license of AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Autodesk Inventor Pro, and/or AutoCAD Civil 3D. In addition to access to these software titles, Autodesk is also offering free online training that is available anytime, reduced cost classroom training at various locations, and discounted rates on certification programs.

To participate in this program you must meet certain eligibility requirements and fill out an application online. For more detailed information and to apply, see the Autodesk Assistance Program website.

The SolidWorks Engineering Stimulus Package also offers a free download of their SolidWorks Student Design Kit software with a 90 day license. Unlike the Autodesk program, SolidWorks is offering its software to anyone looking to become familiar with their software or brush up on their skills; there are no eligibility requirements, and no one will be calling your old HR department to verify that you were laid off.

Even though the software is only good for 90 days, SolidWorks offers a variety of online learning resources and a one-time free Certified SolidWorks Associate exam to prove your knowledge of SolidWorks. Their goal is to help you gain the skills necessary to get ahead of the competition and get a design job.

For complete info and to download the SolidWorks software, see the Engineering Stimulus Package website.

Both of these programs are great moves by these companies. It prevents piracy by unemployed designers who have their weekdays free and nothing by time on their hands, and also gives them access to valuable training resources. It’s good to see companies embracing the fact that it costs them almost nothing to offer free downloads with expiration dates; it only builds their user base and will eventually increase the number of engineers purchasing full licenses.

If you have some time on your hands and want to learn some new software skills, there is no better time than now.

AutoCAD Deals You Can’t Pass Up

emily — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:13:33 +0000

The good people at Autodesk have set up some short-lived but high-impact deals that are really hard to pass up if you’re in the market for CAD software. With its 2010 product line freshly released, the manufacturer of the world’s top-selling 2D drafting and detailing products is helping you design without boundaries… including financial ones:

Save $200 via mail-in rebate for each new license purchased of AutoCAD LT 2009 OR AutoCAD LT 2010.
The price for AutoCAD LT 2009 has been reduced by $150 at SoftwareMedia.com.
Save an additional $25 instantly on AutoCAD LT 2009 at SoftwareMedia with code ‘LT2009′
Save an additional $25 instantly on AutoCAD LT 2010 at SoftwareMedia with code ‘LT2010′

This special pricing expires on 3/31 so don’t miss out!

See it in Action – Home & Landscape Design Suite

Kevin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:41:20 +0000

In my last post about the new Punch! Home and Landscape Design Suite I gave you a basic run-down of getting started and some of the new features in this year’s release. For this installment, I thought I would give you a visual presentation of just how easy this software is to use. It’s also pretty fun to play around with the QuickStart feature to come up with cool home designs.

Check it out in HD!

Where this product really shines is in its ease of use for the novice CAD user. Literally anyone can create their dream house or model their own home in a matter of minutes. The software gets a little more technical when it comes to creating the details of a house, but Punch still keeps things simple with intuitive and easy to use controls. After about 30 minutes with the software I was totally comfortable with most of the advanced tasks.

Online Training for AutoDesk Launched at Synergis

Kevin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:04:29 +0000

Yesterday, Synergis launched its new e-Learning courses for Autodesk software. These courses, geared towards engineers and designers, feature the latest training videos, demos and tutorials for a variety of Autodesk software platforms, inluding: AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit Architecture, Civil 3D and 3ds Max. Synergis has developed hundreds of lessons for each software platform. These lessons are designed to compliment hands-on training, which increases overall knowledge retention.

Since these courses are offered exclusively online, the cost is very reasonable when compared to other training systems or classes. A complete course for an individual software platform starts at $199, with access to the entire catalog topping out at $499. A subscription lasts for 1-year and includes anytime, anywhere access. For more information, see the Autodesk eLearning section of the Synergis website.

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