-
Posted August 13, 2007
Here's a familiar scenario: You’re sitting at your workstation preparing to finish the part design you began the day before. All systems are go with Autodesk Inventor up and running, the coffee you’ve consumed is producing the desired effect, and you’re ready to tackle the long “to do” list that sits before you.
All you have to do is finish the part when suddenly you move the cursor, you click, and notice that something isn’t right. You sit there, anxiety increasing, checking a setting here and a property there, struggling to remember what you learned in your Inventor training. You experience a total lack of recall.
That’s when you remember your co-worker, who is busy in the next cubicle. You ask for help and the co-worker happily comes to your aid. Your problem is solved and productivity is restored.
Now multiply that one co-worker by roughly 100,000 peers, and you have some idea of what awaits you as a member of Autodesk User Group International (AUGI). Many experienced Autodesk product users worldwide count on AUGI as a support resource. Support from AUGI comes in many forms, including:
* Publications, which include the AUGIWorld bi-monthly magazine and AUGI HotNews, a monthly e-newsletter. AUGI publications feature technical articles written by power users, instructors, and CAD managers. Hard copy editions of AUGIWorld are published for members in North America, Asia/Pacific, India, and Brazil, with an online “green” version downloadable worldwide.
* The AUGI annual CAD Salary Survey published in AUGIWorld magazine, with additional analysis available on the AUGI Web site.
* The AUGI Training Program (ATP), which provides online supplemental training for major Autodesk products.
* Tips, tricks, and usage advice through the online AUGI forums.
These represent only the support and information you can obtain without leaving your desk. If you want to kick it up a notch and put your physical self in the midst of seasoned veterans for some quality learning and networking time, you can attend an AUGI CAD Camp. These single-day learning and networking events are presented in an Autodesk University-style format. Every year, dozens of AUGI CAD Camp events are held in cities all over the world.
Regular Updates
Like the AUGI CAD Camp, which offers face-to-face contact with local peers and colleagues, AUGI Manufacturing User Groups provide similar benefits. But instead of attending a one-time event such as AUGI CAD Camp, AUGI Manufacturing User Groups enable users to meet regularly to learn, share, and network with others in their general geographic area.
AUGI supports the formation of these groups and fosters their growth. According to Michael Curry, director of community development for the AUGI organization, there are currently more than 100 AUGI groups supporting manufacturing product users in North America, with dozens more in development.
The good news for users of Autodesk manufacturing-related products is the diverse array of support and learning resources available to them, whether they prefer physical get-togethers such as user group meetings or Web-based discussion and support groups. Complementing the vibrant online Autodesk Manufacturing Community, AUGI provides additional materials and discussion groups from its primary Web site, and the sites for the individual AUGI Manufacturing User Groups.
Giving Back
Most AUGI members would say that the biggest benefit of being an AUGI member is the support that you get from other members. But think for a moment about what you have to give. In many instances, you have been there and lived to tell the tale. You’ve endured those uncomfortable impasses where you can’t seem to get something to work or at least to work right. Still, you persevered and (alone or with help from your experienced co-worker in the next cube) you figured it out. Why not share what you’ve just learned?
While you’re at it, why not share your experiences with Autodesk? If you’ve ever thought that it would be great if Inventor had certain features, then you’re the perfect candidate to contribute to the Inventor Wish List.
The Inventor Wish List contains dozens of product-improvement suggestions supplied by AUGI members and presented to Autodesk at key points in the Inventor development cycle. Three times a year, AUGI members are asked to vote for their 10 favorite product wishes from the list that has accumulated since the previous voting period. Following the vote, the ballots are tallied, and the top 10 are presented to Autodesk.
And, yes, Autodesk listens. After all, more than 100,000 users around the world know what they’re talking about. In every new release of Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, and other Autodesk products, there are seeds of AUGI wishes scattered among the new and enhanced features and functionality. How’s that for making a difference?
Why AUGI?
By joining AUGI, you are joining an organization that Autodesk officially recognizes as representing Autodesk product users worldwide. Through involvement with AUGI and with resources such as the Autodesk Manufacturing Community, you are putting yourself in the midst of thousands of experienced end users from whom the answers to your workday’s most pressing problems are readily available. Moreover, you are making your own finely honed skills and knowledge available to thousands who are just getting started with Autodesk Inventor.
David Kingsley, former AUGI board member, veteran Autodesk product user, consultant, and AUGIWorld columnist, sums it up this way: “New ideas often form when someone sees several seemingly unrelated concepts as related. People are quickly discovering that online communities give them access to the ideas of thousands of experts on every subject. These communities are a great place to access thousands of expert Autodesk users, share ideas and techniques, and synthesize new ones.”
Register today at the AUGI Web site to begin reaping the benefits.
You must be logged in to post a comment.