Navisworks was originally a research project of mine at Cambridge University. I went with it when the technology was spun out as a startup. I joined Autodesk when Navisworks was acquired.
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Autodesk
Navisworks
Computer Graphics
Autodesk Viewer SVF File Format
SVF is the native format for the Autodesk Viewer. As well as the standalone web app, the viewer is embedded in other Autodesk web apps like Construction Cloud, desktop products with components that use web technology like Fusion, and available as an SDK for third parties to integrate into their web apps.
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Navisworks
Computer Graphics
Navisworks File Formats
Recently, I’ve become aware of just how many different CAD/BIM design review file formats are out there. Autodesk has Navisworks and SVF, and before that DWF. Bentley has iModels. There are lots of smaller third parties with their own formats. I’m thinking of things like dotbim, VIM, Speckle and Resolve. And now, there’s lots of noise around OpenUSD as the new do everything format for large scale 3D models.
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Cloud Architecture
Cambridge University
Navisworks
Autodesk
Choosing a Language Stack
First off, let’s get our terms straight. What do I mean by Language Stack? Is that the same as a Tech Stack, or is it more like a Software Stack? Then again, what’s the difference between a Tech Stack and a Software Stack?
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Cambridge University
Navisworks
Autodesk
A Career in Business Cards
I have a lot of business cards. Every significant change in my career was accompanied with a new set of business cards. Business cards came in sets of 500 or 1000. I used at most 50 out of any set, which means I have lots left over. I’ve used them to play games when the kids were young, to scribble notes on, and as cue cards when public speaking.
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Computer Graphics
Navisworks
From Navisworks to Nanite
The Navisworks Graphics Pipeline last got a serious overhaul more then ten years ago. I want to find out how you could implement something like Navisworks with a modern pipeline. As a starting point, I’ve decided to have a look at the Nanite pipeline introduced with Unreal Engine 5.
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Navisworks
Computer Graphics
Autodesk
The Navisworks Graphics Pipeline
Last time we looked at the evolution of the graphics pipeline over the last 30 years or so. Given that framework, what does the Navisworks graphics pipeline look like?
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Organizational Anti-Patterns
Autodesk
Navisworks
Organizational Anti-Patterns #6: The 800lb Gorilla
What do you give an 800-pound gorilla? Whatever it wants.
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Navisworks
Autodesk
Spreadsheets
Tools vs Solutions
James Awe is the first Software Architect I met at Autodesk. He was involved in the acquisition process for Navisworks, where I was then CTO. Some years later he shared the story of how he first became aware of Navisworks.
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Autodesk
Navisworks
Cambridge University
You've left Autodesk ... now what?
OK, Tim. You’ve described the ethos behind The Candid Startup, you’ve explained why you left Autodesk. You think you’ll have more fun working on your own projects. So, what are those projects?