The last couple weeks has been fast paced and exciting being able to finally discuss and show the new native AutoCAD for Mac. This week I have been in London for a few events with Apple and with Autodesk customers.  I love the reaction when people get their first taste of the new AutoCAD for Mac, they usually say something out of shock, then focus in and say how native the Mac Mac experience, but it is AutoCAD with the real native DWG.

Yesterday I met for lunch with Andrew and Hamesh of Styles & Wood in their part of London. Andrew has been using AutoCAD for Mac in a special beta program termed Alpha Gold where they agree to put the pre-release software in real production work with 24/7 assistance if needed by an AutoCAD team host. They were very excited and positive about their experience being able to use a native Mac version of AutoCAD.

Last night I met up with about 8 people at the worlds largest Apple Store Covent Garden for an AutoCAD for Mac Tweetup for Twitter users ( I am @mrcadman). I am sure many more would have attended had it not been such short notice and also a large ordeal to commute in London at 6PM. Many people said they wished they could attend but had other engagements or logistics prevented their attendance but asked for this type of opportuntity in the future to meetup and just talk and play.

Twitter Tweetup:

• Andrew Handley of Styles & Wood @reconfigured
• Marcello Martino @28_degrees
• Hamish Newling RIBA of Styles & Wood  www.stylesandwood.co.uk
• Paul Bray of Styles & Wood www.stylesandwood.co.uk
• Paul Munford @CadSetterOut
• Tom White www.tomwhite.me
• @Carrot_cad

@autodeskemea

We explored the store from the beautiful architecture to the many great Apple products. We climbed the spiral glass staircase to the top floor, then rode down in the all glass elevator. It was like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory tour and I was Charlie. Although I did not get to run the factory at the end of the tour and there were no Oompa-Loompas spotted, I had a great time. Oh well there is always another golden ticket in life to be had.

We finished up the evening in a Starbucks lounge playing with AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD WS on an iPhone and iPad. One funny unplanned event was there were two architecture students sitting in a table next too us that noticed we were using AutoCAD on a Mac. They were shocked and could not believe it. They were even more shocked when I told them as students they will get this free once it is released from http://students.autodesk.com. They were speechless and excited.

No evening in London is complete without bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes, but everything seems to come with peas whether mushy or whole.

London is a great city architecturally, as well as the people in it. Even the taxis are unique, spotless, and the drivers polite and know exactly how to get to any part of town without driving around pretending to not be lost. Although the ride can be like a carnival like ride as I found out the other morning. We raced through town weaving though traffic as Abba music was blaring from the front of the taxi.

Today is planned for media events and then a blogger event at the Autodesk office for those that have submitted an RSVP.

Date: Wednesday 15 September
Time: 6pm-8pm

Venue:
Autodesk Ltd
Ingeni Building
5-17 Broadwick Street
London W1F 0DE

Tomorrow I leave London headed for Paris to catch my 11 hour flight back home.

Cheers,
Shaan

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