Nearly 40 AU Presentations and Over a Decade in the Making (Updated Again)

AU 2004 seems like a long time ago, but it was the first year in which I presented at Autodesk University and I was a nervous wreck; still even Today I would classify myself as a nervous speaker. The perfectionist in me almost did me in at AU 2004, as some know I drove to Kinko's hours before I had to present to fix a problem with my handouts. After being quoted one price, and then being told something that was well double the quoted price reality settled in and the mistake would remain; I don't even know if anyone even saw the mistake or cared it was in there. Rather than take a taxi back, I decided to hoof it back barely making it in time to get a different change in shirt as it was more than 4+ miles back (it is hard to gauge distance in Las Vegas at times).

Based on the way I was feeling up to and after the presentation at AU 2004, I figured I would be one and done. I guess I couldn't have been further wrong, as I have had the privilege to present every year since AU 2004 and impact the way people utilize the AutoCAD program. AU 2020 marked the 17th different AU I presented at and all of those have been over consecutive years. Below is a list of the sessions I have presented over the years:

Note: Session handouts and files from AU 2004 through AU 2010 can be found on the AUGI website.

If you have any areas of the AutoCAD APIs you would like to see improved in the developer documentation, covered in a future AU session, or written about in a blog article let me know.

Want to present at the next AU? Head on over to the AU website: https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/

Updated 12/3/2019: Added 2018 and 2019 sessions.

Updated 11/25/2020: Added 2020 sessions and inverted the order of latest to oldest. I have now presented 56 sessions (29 unique sessions) over 17 years.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 10:08 AM in AutoCAD, Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

What to Propose for AU 2014?

While AU 2014 is about 8 months away, proposal collection is just around the question and that brings up the question... What do I present this year?

I presented for the first time at AU 2004, and figured it would have been my last.  Fast forward to now and I am looking for what you might want to see presented.  Below is what I have done over the years:

  • 2004
    • CP35-2 What's new in the ActiveX API
  • 2005
    • CP15-1 Taking a Look at the Sheet Set Object
  • 2006
    • CP12-2 Pushing AutoLISP to the Limits
  • 2007
    • CP315-2 Digging Deep into the ActiveX API
    • GD311-2P Using Autodesk VIZ or Autodesk 3ds Max with AutoCAD 3D Models
  • 2008
    • CP201-1L & CP205-4L Working with Actions and the AutoCAD® Action Recorder
  • 2009
    • CP114-3L Going From VBA to VB.NET in 90 Minutes
    • CP308-1L Working with Actions and the Action Recorder
    • CP318-4 Taking a Look at the Sheet Set Object With VB.NET
  • 2010
    • CP231-3 Bridging the Gap, Extending AutoLISP with VB.NET
    • CP330-4L & CP336-1L From Open Paren to Closed Paren Basics of AutoLISP in 60 Minutes
    • CP416-5U & CP422-3U Transition Your VBA Development to VB.NET
    • CP433-4 Managing CAD Standards with VB.NET
  • 2011
    • AC417-4 AutoCAD Customization Boot Camp - No Experience Required
    • CP417-7 Leveraging ActiveX® Libraries with AutoLISP®
    • CP4164-L ObjectARX® for Beginners An Introduction
  • 2012
    • AC2075-L & AC6891-L AutoCAD Customization Boot Camp No Experience Required
    • CP2071 Plotting and Publishing Drawings with .NET
  • 2013
    • AC1542-L Autodesk® AutoCAD® Customization Boot Camp No Experience Required
    • CM1560-L & CM3911-L Introduction to Visual Basic® for Applications for Autodesk® AutoCAD®
    • DV1543 Going on a Bug Hunt Debugging and Handling Errors in AutoLISP®
    • DV1558-R A Venture Down the Rabbit Hole Getting Started with Programming in Autodesk® AutoCAD®

Some of my recent AU sessions can be found at:

http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/search?full-text=lee+ambrosius

It would be great hearing your ideas that you might have, submit any ideas as comment below.

Want to present at AU this year? Head on over to: http://au.autodesk.com/speaker-resource-center/cfp-notification 

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 08:45 PM in AutoCAD, AutoCAD based products, Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

(Time Machine * AU) + AUGI = AU Handouts

Okay so there really is no time machine to my knowledge, but that doesn't mean you can't get your hands on the AU handouts from past years.  However, until that day happens when we can step back in time, you can revisit your favorite AU classes that you might have missed or lost the handouts for by downloading the handouts from the AUGI website. On the AUGI website you can get your hands on the AU handouts from 2000 up through 2005, nope sorry no 2006 this year.  The handouts can be located on the Autodesk University Course Handouts page on the AUGI website.

Note: You will need to be a member of AUGI to access the website and the handouts, but membership is free though.

UPDATE (3/27/07): I was just recently tagged by Joseph at Autodesk that I forgot to mention that the handouts from AU 2006 are avilable on the Autodesk Univeristy website for download.  If you attended AU 2006, feel free to download the handouts to the classes that you missed or look them up on the CD that you should have received last year.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 11:55 AM in AUGI, Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

AU Top DAUG (Finally!!!)

Top_daug After 5 years of being in the Top Ten in AUGI's Top DAUG contest after the written portion I have finally made it to the top position, after being runner-up last year (2005) in Orlando during AU.  I placed in the top spot during the CAD Camp in Minneapolis in 2005. Congrats to Craig Black for coming in second place (for the second time) and also KaDe King for landing in third place after making it into the top ten two other times, but not knowing she did.  Also congrats to everyone else that participated in the top ten and the AUGI Top DAUG contest.

Now that I have won it, I am no longer eligible to participate, as AUGI doesn't allow past winners to participate again in future Top DAUG contests... some might feel this rule is unfair but it is the right thing to do in my opinion and has been a rule since the first contest 5 years ago. So good luck to both Craig Black and KaDe King, hope you both win the AUGI Top DAUG contest in the future as you both deserve it. Both Craig and KaDe have placed in the Top Ten multiple times each at past AU's, Craig has placed second twice now.

(I will post pictures of the top 3 and the trophy that AUGI handed out once my luggage has been found by the airport, one of the many reasons why I dislike flying so much.)

Update: My luggage has been found on Saturday sometime, but never received a phone call from the airlines that it was ready for pick up.

Top_daug_winners_1 
Left to Right: Me (Lee Ambrosius), Crag Black, and KaDe King

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 11:03 AM in Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (10) | TrackBack (1)

| | | Pin It! | | |

AU 2006 Blog

Au2006_logo
Do you have the yearning for some learning? Every year Autodesk helps put on Autodesk University (AU) which takes place in late November early December and is 4 days of non-stop classes and networking with 4,000+ attendees, and industry leaders. We are rapidly approaching the registration period for this years Autodesk University event which will be held this year in Las Vegas, NV at the Venetian. This year Autodesk is not only supporting the event with a website for registration, but it looks like they have launched a blog for the event as well which is a great idea. While the blog just went live at the beginning of the month, it is a perfect way to keep attendees up to date on the latest events and changes.

The AU Online blog can be found at: http://auol.wordpress.com/

Check out the new blog and don't forget to check out the AU 2006 website for the latest information on classes and registration.  See yeah in Las Vegas, now I have to go searching the couch cushions for some loose change so I can get out there.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 06:49 AM in Autodesk University (AU), Weblogs | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

Autodesk Offers AU Discount to All

Autodesk is offering a discount of 20% off all of is Autodesk courseware purchased through the eStore from now until December 15, 2005.  This was an offer that was introduced at this years AU and has been extended to include everyone.  There are many great titles that are being offered through Autodesk courseware and I can personally say that many of them are not just something that you will toss in the corner of your workstation and forget about.

Check them out on the Autodesk website.

Use the Promo Code "AU2005" when ordering.

The courses cover a wide variety of products that Autodesk offers including...
AutoCAD 2006
AutoCAD LT 2006
Autodesk Inventor 10
Autodesk Vault R4
Autodesk Revit Building 8
Autodesk Revit Structure 2
and others...

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 01:53 PM in 3DS Max, AutoCAD 2006, Autodesk, Autodesk University (AU), Books | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

Autodesk University Registration Opens in About a Month

The 13th Autodesk University is coming up quickly, so get your plans ready and call on the boss for all the favors that he/she owes you for the last year.  With just slightly over a month till registration opens on August 9th, are you ready?  The fees seem to be inline with what they were last year in Las Vegas which is very good news for many of us that make the annual trek.  Below is a breakdown of the posted fees on the Autodesk University website.  What are you waiting for... now is the time to get the training that will propel your career and company forward.  With over 4,000 attendees last year, this year could surely be a very fast sell out.

Autodesk University 2005 Fee Structure

All cancellations will receive refund minus $275 administration fee

AU 4-Day Full Pass (Conference and Accommodations)
August 9 - October 7, 2005 		US $1,395.00
AU 4-Day Only (Conference Only - no Accommodations)
August 9 - October 7, 2005 		US $1,195.00
AU 4-Day Full Pass (Conference and Accommodations)
October 8 - November 28, 2005 		US $1,795.00
AU 4-Day Only (Conference Only - no Accommodations)
October 8 - November 28, 2005 		US $1,595.00
Guest Pass (includes meals, evening receptions, AU party, and Exhibit Hall access) US $200.00
Autodesk Employee ($400 per day - without Accommodations) US $400.00

AU this year starts on a Monday instead of a Tuesday which will help with some and their travel plans and will be held from November 28 - December 1 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort in Orlando, Florida.

Hope to see you there in Mickeyville instead of Lost Wages.  It should be a great time... I have enjoyed my first 6 AUs and am looking forward to my 7th.  Maybe AU should have been in Las Vegas this year since it will be my 7th.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 03:52 PM in Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

AU 2005 - Orlando, Flordia

It’s never too early to start planning to attend the year’s largest week of learning Autodesk products and networking with new/old friends.  Last year, marked the 5th year of being in Las Vegas and it was the biggest turn out for AU yet.  Last year pushed the number of attendees over 4,000.  It was a lot of fun as usually and this year should be even bigger.  In favor of a different location Autodesk has chosen Orlando, Florida for this years AU.  So those that live on the East coats will have a short flight, while those on the west coast will get to experience the flight across the country.  Really doesn't matter too much for me as I am in the mid-West anyways.  So either direction isn't too bad.

This year’s event will be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort from November 28 - December 1.  This year marks the conferences 13th year, it will be interesting to see what is in store for the attendees.

Visit the AU 2005 web site for more information
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin website

I have been at AU for the past 6 years and have enjoyed every minute of the experience.  The first year is typically hard to digest the amount of information that is taught in the hundreds of classes that you can choose from over the 4 days.  If you are a first time attendee don't expect to not be overwhelmed and prepare for lack of sleep.

If you attended last years event for the first time you have a good idea what I am talking about.  Hope to see you there as it is truly something that every user of an Autodesk product should experience at least once.  Don't wait until registration in August opens to ask the boss to attend AU, you might want to slowly work it in over the next couple of month's.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 10:14 AM in Autodesk University (AU) | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

AU Handouts and Materials On-line

The course handouts have been posted to the AU site so for those that did attend AU this year in Las Vegas watch your e-mail inbox closely.  The link below will take you to the AU 2004 site for the Course Handouts.  Please don't ask me for the password.

AU 2004 Course Handouts

How to see those that attened this year and hope to see many more of you there at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in Orlando.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 11:34 AM in Autodesk University (AU), Training | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

I Survived AU 2004... a Week in Review

  After what has been a very busy last couple of weeks recently; I was able to rebound from my recent departure from where I was working for the past 8+ years.  The recent job change was not going to stop me from attending AU this year as I committed to teaching a class this year.  It was my first year as an instructor and it seemed to go well, after the slight A/V problems were resolved.

  I assisted in a one class this year; along with teaching a class called "What's New in the ActiveX API?" which covered the many changes in the API from 2002 through 2005 for those that haven't used them or have not migrated to the newest version of AutoCAD yet.  The same day that I was teaching my class I also had to appear in the finals for AUGI's Top DAUG contest as I scored the highest score during the first phase of the contest.  I had 28 out of 35 questions correct with the fastest time.  Over the last couple of years I have placed in the Top 10 for questions, but have never done well on the final drafting portion.  I was close to third place after the finals, but came in about fourth instead.  This year was much more promising than the past couple of years.

   This year was a very busy year in general at AU because there were events on each of the nights.  Monday was the ADN/ATC Conference with many different topics being covered.  The ADN group had a guest speak from Microsoft talk to us.  It was Bernard Wong and he talked about .Net now and the future of it.  Monday night was a party at the ESPN Zone at New York New York for the ATC and ADN members.  This was a great party to network and just have some fun.  Even caught some of the Monday Night Football game which the Packers beat the St. Louis Rams.

  Classes started on Tuesday morning with the night being filled with the opening of the Exhibit Hall and the AUGI Beer Bust.  The Top DAUG contest also kicked into gear with a total of just fewer than 400 people taking place in the event from Tuesday through Wednesday night.

  Wednesday was a day of classes and in the past was a night off from events;   this year unlike past years had no open night.  The BSD (Building Solutions) group had a Mad Scientist themed party while the GIS group held their own reception.  After the BSD party everyone was invited to attend the GIS after party with live music by Dr. Ruth, they played at AU during the Autodesk Event two years ago.

  Thursday was another day of classes and the Autodesk Event.  This years Autodesk party had a Magician and an Engineer turned Comedian.  The event was a lot of fun with many great laughs from both entertainers.

  Friday held one last class and then it was time to say good-bye to AU for this year.  Like years in the past it is both hard to say good-bye, but I was ready to get back home to my family.  Autodesk once again put on a great event that about 4,400 people attended and AU 2005 should be another great event next year.  AU 2005 will be in Orlando Florida at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts on Disney property.

  I learned many new things, networked with a lot of AutoCAD users out there and received some great feedback on this blog and my website.  Of course with the good comes some bad... I typically like to do my very best at everything I set out to do.  Before my class I was going to make some changes to my handouts due to recent changes in my career.  I went to Kinko's to have the handouts reprinted, but decided not to make changes to them in the end.  On my way back to the hotel I thought to myself; What would my
attendees think of the current handouts?  It was a very long walk back to the MGM Grand Conference Center.

  So I learned that one doesn't need to be perfect or near perfect all the time, it is about doing a good job no matter what the situation is.  My classes went well even though I knew of a couple minor imperfects in the handouts.  Like I mentioned earlier it was my first time so I was being extra difficult on myself.  Hope you enjoyed yourself at AU this year if you attended and hope to see many old/new faces at AU 2005 in Orlando.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Posted at 04:00 PM in Autodesk University (AU), Training, Travel | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

| | | Pin It! | | |

Next »
My Photo

My Other Accounts

Subscribe to this blog's feed

Search

Twitter Updates

    follow me on Twitter

    Recent Posts

    Recent Comments