Douglas R. Seidler

SketchUp 7 was released today and includes the following improvements:

• Improved integration with the 3D warehouse
• Improved handling of overlapping lines on a surface (edges automatically split other edges where they cross)
• New smart / dynamic components that will readjust themselves when they are scaled (rather than stretching or distorting. For example, you can create a dynamic ladder or stair component that will adjust the number of treads as you make it taller or shorter.

Learn more about what’s new in SketchUp 7 or watch the video below.

Adobe is now offering trial versions of its CS4 applications including Acrobat 9 Pro, Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4, InDesign CS4, and Dreamweaver CS4. You will need to set up an Adobe account before you can download these 30 day trials.

Most programs are now close to 1GB in size which might mean extremly long download times depending on your internet connection.

On Nov 13, 2008 Russ Juskalian of the New York Times wrote a good article explaining the significance of digital camera resolution.

IT happens to all of us: the moment when one finds out that more megapixels and better photographs aren’t always the same thing. To be disabused of the Megapixel Myth — this decade’s analog of the Megahertz Myth — can lead to an existential buyer’s crisis in miniature.

Disbelief, at first, gives way to a sort of embarrassing self-questioning: You mean, 15 megapixels isn’t three times better than 5 megapixels? This year’s model isn’t better than last year’s? I spent all that money upgrading — for nothing?

…there is more to a digital camera’s sensor than resolution. Understanding some of the basics may just convince you that, at least this year, buying last year’s model is a smart move.

Anyone in the market for a new digital camera should read this article.   Read the full article at nytimes.com

Earlier this week Adobe announced Creative Suite 4. From what I can tell, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign received minor updates… probably not worth the upgrade. Dreamweaver - Adobe’s web editing software - received the most attention this time around and is now available for trial as beta software. If you do not currently own CS3 or CS2, I recommend purchasing the Design Standard Edition which costs about $400 (for students).

The official date for the launch of Firefox 3 is June 17, 2008. Help the folks at mozilla set a guiness world record by downloading Firefox 3 today.

(note: as of 7:43AM EDT there is no link to download from Mozilla’s website)

The folks at Mozilla are try to set a new world record for the number of downloads in a single day.

All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours - it’s that easy. We’re not asking you to swallow a sword or to balance 30 spoons on your face, although that would be kind of awesome.

The official date for the launch of Firefox 3 has yet to be announced. All you can do right now is pledge to download Firefox 3 on Download Day.

Are you looking for a good, free replacement for Microsoft Word? Are you tired of e-mail word documents between your home and school? Google Docs now allows you to view and edit your documents offline, without an internet connection. (You can currently only edit word documents offline; you can only see spreadsheet and presentations offline)

When you are working without an internet connection, you can access all of your Google Docs by typing http://docs.google.com into your browser or by clicking on the desktop shortcut that is installed with your first sync.

When you’re offline, your edits are stored on your computer until you re-connect to the internet, at which point your changes are synced with Google Docs’ servers.

Read more

With Adobe Photoshop Express (beta) you can upload, sort, polish, and store up to 2GB of photos for free. The software is in beta and is not a replacements for Photoshop, but may be a good tool for those of you who cannot afford the real thing.

AutoCAD 2009 is now available for trial download. To receive your free 30-day trial complete and submit the form at autodesk.com.

New features in 2009 include:

• Ribbon - With the ribbon interface, overall drafting productivity is increased as the number of steps to reach a command is decreased. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format. allowing you to quickly select commands based on the work you’re doing . Moving between applications is now quick and intuitive. The ribbon is both customizable and expandable so that it can be optimized for each user and meet each company’s standards.
• Menu Browser - Reviewing and working with several files is no longer a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface allows you to browse files and examine thumbnail images and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.
• Action Recorder - The new action recorder saves time and increases productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a professional CAD manager. Users can quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, then quickly select and play back recorded files.
• Layer Dialog - The new layer dialog makes creating and editing layer properties faster and less prone to error. Changes are instantly reflected in the drawing as they are made in the dialog. The manipulation of the dialog box has been simplified, and columns in the dialog can be individually resized so the contents of that column or its title are not truncated. Individual columns can be fixed in place so that the rest of the columns can be scrolled through and referenced to a fixed column such as the layer name.
• Quick Properties - The easily customizable quick properties menu increases productivity by reducing the steps to access properties information, ensuring that information presented is optimized for that particular user and project.
• Quick View - The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, making opening the correct drawing file and layout faster and decreasing the time spent opening incorrect drawing files.

Suffolk University has partnered with Apple to publish audio content from course lectures through iTunes U.Doug Seidler will podcast lectures from his Advanced Interior Design Communication studio in the Spring 2008 semester.  Students can download free archived lectures through iTunes. These audio archives can be played on any computer and any mp3 player.To access the lectures:

1. Download and install the newest version of iTunes
2. Log in to Campus Cruiser
3. Click the BlackBoard link at the top of the page
4. Click our course link from your list of courses
5. Click the iTune U link

Once you setup the podcast, iTunes will automatically download new lectures after each class (you will not have to follow the steps above).