Presenting Autodesk Showcase 2012

The newest version of Autodesk's Showcase takes the stage to standing ovations from users who appreciate its sophisticated features, innovative design tools and flexible interoperability. Autodesk Showcase 2012 meets the needs of today' s 3D CAD designers with highly intuitive, professional-grade presentation software.

The cost of the software and time required to master the application may seem prohibitive initially. However, it doesn't take long to see the potential benefits of incorporating Showcase 2012 into your 3D design visualization process. It simplifies and accelerates the task of creating compelling imagery from your 3D CAD data and accurately displays three-dimensional models in a realistic environment.

Features
Autodesk Showcase 2012 provides a dynamic interface for polishing and presenting CAD 3D models originally created in CAD drawing programs. Several desirable features have been included in this version such as a new user-friendly menu structure, an updated "in-canvas" user interface and a search filter field in the materials library. The latter is an especially attractive benefit of the upgrade considering there are hundreds of real-world materials to choose from in the library. Another welcome addition in this version is the availability of Simple Object Placement, which allows you to assemble objects in a scene with smooth snap-to action.

Showcase 2012 boasts enhanced interoperability from one application to the next and enables third-party workflows. When you import your CAD file into Showcase you'll find that not only is your organizational hierarchy intact, it's also alterable. So if you need to reassign or rename parts and objects, you have the power to do so without needing to go back to the original application. Showcase 2012 also supports the materials libraries available in other Autodesk applications. When you open your CAD file in Showcase 2012, your customized libraries appear in the window along with your model. Autodesk Inventor users will enjoy the added functionality of being able to transform a constraint into Showcase behaviors for even faster animation. Furthermore, Showcase 2012 will automatically create a scene for the model from the Inventor file using the new Import Templates action, saving you time and eliminating loss of data. It has also simplified FBX data exchange with Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max Design and now includes camera support.

Showcase 2012 intuitively adds and updates geometry-on-geometry shadows in real time as you move and manipulate your model within the scene you've chosen. It also creates ambient shadows for polygonal objects that are unique to the combination of your model and the environment of the scene. Showcase 2012's GPU-accelerated real-time progressive rendering is powered by RapidRT ray-tracing. This technology yields imagery that is so visually realistic, the software designers had to include non-photorealistic (NPR) effects as well so presenters would have a means for highlighting specific parts of the model during the presentation.

For architectural presentations, Showcase 2012 provides a means for walking naturally around the structure in the scene with SteeringWheel Walk. This tool allows you to navigate up or down stairs and explore your entire structure from every conceivable angle. Additionally, 2012 now offers 3Dconnexion support for input devices that manage motion control.

Design Tools
Showcase 2012's design tools empower you to create high-quality images and then set those images in motion in the form of an animated slide show, scripted storyboard or short movie.

From its impressive customizable scene library, to its sleek materials library overlay, to its responsive toolbar for setting keyframe animation and behavior triggers, Showcase 2012 delivers unlimited design possibilities and exceptional control. Overall, the palettes, toolbars and SteeringWheel tool featured in Showcase 2012 are incredibly engaging and relatively easy to master. You can select and modify objects, transform (move, rotate and scale) them, and change their view to create the perfect shots for use in your presentation.

Similar to other graphic design applications, Showcase 2012 accommodates your work style and increases productivity by making it possible to perform most actions in more than just one way. You'll find you can complete the same action by way of selecting the command in the menu, by accessing it on in-canvas libraries and palettes, or by utilizing keyboard shortcuts. To help you incorporate the latter, Showcase 2012 devotes an entire section in its user manual to its numerous available keyboard shortcuts.

Compatibility
One of the biggest advantages to using Showcase 2012 is the fact that you can effortlessly import almost any 3D CAD file and pick up right where you left off. Supported files include manufacturing and engineering models created in Autodesk's Inventor, Alias, 3ds Max Design and Maya. On the architecture side of CAD design, its Revit and AutoCAD files also find a home away from home. Showcase 2012 is an excellent host to third-party file formats as well, including CATIA products, SolidWorks solutions, JT, UGNX, Creo Elements/Pro, IGES, STEP-File, COSMO, Granite, STL, and Open Inventor toolkit.

Because Showcase 2012 is such an invaluable tool for creating highly realistic renderings for design review, marketing, and sales purposes, Autodesk has included it as part of five different Autodesk suite packages.

Additionally, Autodesk offers a free application that makes it possible for others to view your work from a remote location. Showcase 2012 Viewer allows anyone to view and navigate Showcase scenes. This can be especially useful when you'd like to share your designs with a customer without having to schedule a formal presentation meeting.

Showcase 2012 runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 Professional, Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional operating systems.

Ease of Use
The depth and breadth of functionality contained in Showcase 2012 can make the task of learning how to use it seem overwhelming. However, Autodesk has provided extensive resources to make the learning curve as painless as possible. The application contains links to a services and support page, essential skills videos, and quick start wizards. After just a few sessions, you'll be amazed at how quickly you are immersed in the creative process.

Showcase 2012 has a very polished and professional feel to it. The user interface is clean, and you'll feel comfortable showing your work at every step of production since it always looks presentation ready.

Help & Support
Autodesk knows how to give help and support to their customers. Showcase 2012 provides access to live support as well as a comprehensive help section within the application, which includes its detailed help manual and various tutorial videos. Showcase 2012 also offers a 10-page PDF of FAQs.

If you'd like to test-drive Showcase 2012 before actually buying the software, Autodesk offers a fully functional version for a free 30-day trial. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to download the application from the Autodesk site and another 15 minutes to install it on your computer. When you're ready to purchase Showcase 2012, simply activate a license via your trial version. If you've already decided to buy Showcase 2012 and don't need to try it out first, you can either download the full version directly from the Autodesk site or purchase it through an authorized reseller who is Autodesk-certified to provide training, implementation services and start-up support.

Each new Autodesk 2012 license includes both email and telephone start-up support for 30 days from the date of registration. This covers installation and licensing issues. For continuous online help that also provides user training, promises simplified upgrades, and covers configuration and troubleshooting questions, you can purchase an Autodesk subscription support and training package.

Additionally, you can take part in the Autodesk-facilitated online user-to-user forum called AREA. Here you can sign on and share designs, ask and answer questions, and participate in discussion threads.

Summary
Autodesk Showcase 2012 is a sleek and powerful tool that provides a high-performance arena for organizing, previewing, editing and sharing your 3D CAD designs. It has the power to bring your digital prototypes or architectural data to life with interactive real-time rendering and animated presentations that can facilitate team decisions, reduce the need for physical prototypes and impress customers. Architects, designers, engineers and managers alike will agree that the enhanced features included in this version make this application a great value for the money and definitely worth the learning curve.

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