Autodesk University

AU Twibbons—you know you want to

Are you attending AU this year? (You’ve already registered, right?) We know you’re not the bragging type. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to boast about attending AU without actually boasting. Just add an AU 2015 Twibbon to your profile image on your favorite social media network. Look smart, and let the world know you’ll be learning, connecting, and exploring The Future of Making Things—while still being subtle. (Also, green is totally your color.)

Spread the word: AU 2015 is coming.

Tell the world you're going to AU

Register for AU 2015 now

That’s right, folks. The wait is over. Registration for AU 2015 is now live—woo-to-the-hoo! Head to the AU registration website right now to secure your place in all the sessions you’re excited to attend. You can also sign up for evening networking events and special preconference events like DevDays, the Computational BIM Workshop, the Education Summit, and more.

If you’re going with a group, it’s time to lock it in and plan your schedules. You’ll also want to book your hotel to be sure you get in on our discounted block of rooms at either The Venetian or The Palazzo. And don’t forget if you’re traveling from out of state you can get a discount on airfare if you book through Southwest or Delta. Details about how to get the airfare discounts are on the AU website. If you’re coming from overseas, once you register you can let us know if you need help getting a travel visa. For details, see the International attendees section of the AU FAQs. (And of course, make sure you’ve got a current passport.)

If you haven't decided which classes to attend, start browsing the AU 2015 class catalog. With 650+ sessions to choose from, we’ve definitely got something to help you improve your workflows and learn new ways to design, build, and create. Make it easy on yourself by selecting 1 of our tracks, or a tailored experience for 3D Printing, Automotive, or Reality computing. Or if you know exactly what you want to learn and explore, you can cherry pick your classes and make your AU everything you want it to be. Check out last week’s blog for more info on what we’re offering this year.

What are you waiting for? We’ve got less than 100 days to go until AU Las Vegas 2015 begins—help us spread the word that it’s time to register. Tell your friends and colleagues, and share this post on your social media networks. Don't forget to use #AU2015. 

It’s go time. Register now. 

AU 2015. Class. Catalog. Here. Now.

Have you heard? The AU 2015 Las Vegas class catalog is now available for sneak peeks. Stop what you're doing and go check it out. (Seriously, put that muffin down and click on the link.) This year we’ve made it even easier to find AU classes that interest you. You can search or filter sessions by Autodesk product, industry, topic, or type (hands-on lab, industry talk, etc.). You can even filter classes by the date, explore curated tracks, check out pre-conference events, and much more. With nearly 700 classes to choose from, we definitely have something for you.

We’re covering lots of hot and trending topics this year—we’ve got classes on everything from working in the cloud and embracing BIM to Digital Prototyping and simulation. You can choose from the following tracks:

• Automotive Design and Visualization
• Automotive Production
• Design Visualization LIVE
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with Nastran
• Moldflow Power Track
• PLM Customer Solution Track
• Vault for Administrators

We’re also offering 3 tailored experiences, which include a schedule of sessions and industry activities that will help you get the most out of your AU. You’re welcome to opt out of any of the classes or events we suggest, but we think there’s a good chance you’ll love them. This year’s tailored experiences:

• Automotive
• Reality Computing
• 3D Printing

Choosing a tailored experience is an easy way to fill your schedule—and your AU—with rich learning and networking. Be sure to check out other exciting AU Las Vegas happenings like preconference events, industry summits, DevDays and DevHack events for developers, evening networking and social events, this year’s volunteer activity, and more. We’ve got a lot in store for you.

If you’ve already purchased your AU pass, you can start saving classes to your favorites and get ready for registration to open next Wednesday, August 26. Now is also a great time to start coordinating schedules if you’re bringing your whole team to Las Vegas. Make sure everyone gets the most out of their time, learning, connecting, and exploring from morning to evening. If you haven't purchased passes yet, it’s not too late to get the best price available. Purchase before September 25 and you’ll pay just $1,675—that’s $500 off the regular price. You can purchase your AU 2015 Las Vegas pass today and get ready to register for classes next week. (Next week!) Get in ahead of the rush, get the classes you want, and save yourself a pretty penny while you’re at it. We call that a win-win-win. 

Quick recap:

The AU 2015 class catalog is now available.

Act fast to purchase AU 2015 passes at the lowest price available.

AU 2015 registration opens 1 week from today. 

AU Las Vegas is getting closer every day…

The future of making things: 3D printing

In the last 5 years, 3D printing has come a long way. In fact, the FDA just approved the first 3D-printed drug signaling that we could be on the brink of a major change in the way we make, and take, medications. No longer the sole domain of rapid prototyping, 3D printing is now being used to make everything from a beautiful bridge in Amsterdam to custom-fit earphones and more. Check out how a student saved his school more than $10,000 by 3D printing an outdated, unavailable part for an old heater—preventing them from having to replace the entire system.

Still not impressed? How about 3D-printed organs? Or the possibility that we’ll soon be 3D printing (and eating) healthy, living snacks? NASA even put a 3D printer on the International Space Station so the crew can print their own parts and tools, rather than wait months or even years for replacement parts to arrive from Earth. That’s pretty much the coolest thing ever. (Not to brag, but Autodesk was in on this from the start—watch Dr. Yvonne Cagle speaking at the AU 2014 Las Vegas Closing Keynote Address and see for yourself. Yep. We’re light years ahead.)

If you’re a CAD user—and are as excited about these developments as we are—be sure to check out the 3D Printing Tailored Experience at AU 2015. Learn everything you need to know about 3D printing from how to get started, to legal issues you need to consider, to creating your own customizable app using the new Autodesk Spark Open API platform. Plus, you’ll get a chance to connect with like-minded professionals in your field from all over the world at the 3D Printing Meet and Greet Breakfast. Check out a list of AU 2015 Las Vegas 3D printing classes you can attend. Trust us, you’re going to love this experience. You’ll leave inspired, excited, and educated. 

If 3D printing is among your top interests, you’ll love this year’s volunteer activity benefiting the e-NABLE Group. This global network of volunteers uses 3D printing to make mechanical hands and arms for children who were either born without them or lost them due to illness or trauma. Stop by the Exhibit Hall and spend an hour or two making a real difference in a child’s life. Check out e-NABLE’s incredible work for yourself. (Warning: your eyeballs may 3D print some tears while you’re there.)

You don’t have to wait for AU Las Vegas to dive in to 3D printing. You can check out last year’s 3D printing classes at AU online right now to get your gears turning. Registration for AU 2015 opens in 2 weeks—let’s do this! 

Make AU online yours

We’ve been hard at work this year improving the AU online experience across the board. (Or should we say the screen). As part of this extreme makeover, we’ve added some new features to improve the AU online learning experience for users around the world. Make AU your own—your learning, your way.

Personalize your AU account with the new AU dashboard, plus download class videos to watch anytime, anywhere. You can keep track of which classes you’ve already watched and build your own personal library of learning. Pressed for time? No worries. If you find a class you want to watch but don’t have time right now, save it for later and it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready. Now you can learn on your own time—whether you’re an early bird, a night owl, or somewhere in between. We’ve got even more tools and features coming soon. Stay tuned.

Another great way to make AU your own is to get involved—and you don't have to wait until AU Las Vegas. We have an incredible community worldwide and we stay connected all year long, online. Why don't you join us now by sharing your work in the Autodesk online gallery? Designers, engineers, and makers from around the world post their work and find inspiration in the gallery. Get in on the AU action by using the tag “AU 2015.” Share your work and build your Autodesk cred with AU speakers, attendees, and anyone else interested in the innovative work showcased at AU each year. Get a sneak peak of what’s to come—and get excited. Let’s get this party started.