Lynn Allen joined us as a speaker for Dimensions 2010 and presented on 60 CAD tips in 60 minutes, a class she has received a huge following for at Autodesk University every year. She wanted to make sure that all QuickPen customers had a chance to take advantage of her tips and provided us with the document to share, below is a link to those tips. Download and share the tips with your fellow detailers! Download her tips here:

Well, it may not be spring, but we've been doing our spring cleaning here at QuickPen over the last several weeks.  Our tech support group has moved offices, we're opening up a new training room, and shifting around some of our office space.  In doing so, we've found a few things that were squirreled away in a storage closet, that we don't need anymore.  But instead of just throwing them in trash, I thought we'd offer them up to our customers.  So, up for grabs, I have about 12 different custom smart menus from GTCO.  These are the "old" menus that QuickPen used to sell - these particular units were used in the Classroom.  They are serial port only.

Now, I have the actual boards, but I don't have the cables that it takes to hook them up to your computer or digitizer.  The cost of the cables to hook them up runs about $150 - $200.  If you'd like to purchase the cables, please let me know and I'll throw in the Mobile Menu at no cost.  You can reach me by e-mail by clicking This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

I can't believe it's that time already...but, yes, we are ready to do another Beta release of AutoBid SheetMetal.  This will be an extended Beta release to accomodate the upcoming holidays.  Beta for AutoBid SheetMetal 2011 v1 will run from November 29th - January 3rd. 
Are you game?  Here's what we've got included in AutoBid SheetMetal 2011 v1...

     - More OnScreen View (OSV) Enhancements including a multiple copy and improved TakeOff for counted items
     - Multi Add Drop / Rise for both OSV and Graphical TakeOff (GTO)
     - Ability to show the Assembly name instead of an "A" in GTO and OSV
     - Larger icons for the mouse menu and more user control over the size and appearance of the mouse menu
     - Ability to use up to 8 different labor books
     - New Power User view in Audit Trail TakeOff
 
If you are interested in participating, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Happy Estimating!

We're back and mostly recovered from Trimble Dimensions 2010.  QuickPen participated and used the venue to conduct our third Educational Users' Conference.

While attendance was down, we received the best feedback ever on content.  We mixed it up this year and offered a hands-on lab class for AutoBid® Mechanial and Trimble MEP, wildy popular breakout sessions for AutoBid Mechanical and AutoBid SheetMetal, and external speakers from ISAT, SMACNA, and Lynn Allen from Autodesk.

We also announced two major announcements - Trimble Design Link, a CAD made for HVAC Sheet Metal Contractors that utilizes native AutoCAD MEP objects and our Bim to Field initiative.    

If you attended, please e-mail us and give us your comments and thoughts.  And, to all my new blog readers, "hi!".  Be sure to check back soon for more AutoBid related announcements.   

This week we announced Trimble® Design Link, an AutoCAD MEP object based application that utilizes a shared database with Vulcan to link shop standards with the AutoCAD MEP duct program. This new approach means that you can take advantage of AutoCAD MEP’s key features, but also offers linking to several applications that are typically used throughout the phases of a BIM project. In addition to Vulcan, the first release offers links to AutoBid SheetMetal, Trimble MEP and Tekla. The product is a great example of merging technology, experience and partnerships. All of which have become more available since QuickPen has become a part of Trimble. Go to our product page to check it out! I will update this page soon with more information.