The New St Paul's Cathedral

North Beach library a test of preservation movement By John King San Francisco’s North Beach branch library is a case study in where the preservation movement is going — and how, in some cases, it’s in danger of going too far. The 1959 structure resembles an oversize ranch house, albeit one with thick brick walls and too few windows. It can’t expand without disrupting the playground that hems it in on three sides. And far from being unique, it is one of eight branches designed by the firm Appleton & Wolfard between 1951 and 1965.

A Change of Venue and Success

So, after multiple attempts (well 2) at the Civil 3D Associates Exam, I decided to try it at Ideate Inc here in the city, and lo and behold managed to pass. Third time really is a charm.

So in theory should anybody in the area be looking for a Civil 3D expert, they could go to the Autodesk Certification website and find me.





The only Civil 3D 2010 Certified Professional in the Bay Area.

Of course now that I did pass it, I do have a hankering for getting more certificates. But even moreof course I don't really have the money to follow that up right now.

Ah, Ms Lynette we meet again.

I'm looking at making another go at the Civil 3D Associate Certification, even though I'm still debating the usefulness of the piece of paper and its attendant online listing.

I've looked through the cheat sheet again from Autodesk and I'm still yet to be convinced. In particular its claim that the Associates certificate requires 100 hours of use and the Professional certificate requires 400 hours of use when the Associates certificate is much more difficult to achieve. Oh well, I'm sure Autodesk has this noted.

Autodesk Webcast on BIM

Many firms market their use of BIM, when in fact they may only use BIM for visualization and presentation, performing basic 3D CAD modelling, and producing traditional 2D paper drawings or CDs. BIM is more than just 3D modeling software--it is an integrated process that allows professionals to explore a project's key physical and functional characteristics digitally, before it is built. BIM allows builders to rely on coordinated, consistent information to visualize, simulate, analyze, document, and deliver projects on time and within budget. In this webcast, Adam Lega and Connor Christian of McCarthy Building Companies will demonstrate how McCarthy chose Autodesk BIM solutions for their construction projects to help them work more productively and win more business. They will discuss five practical tips that can help you recognize the hype and set expectations that meet reality, illustrated by real-life examples of BIM projects from McCarthy’s portfolio. Register today to learn more!

We'll see if this teaches me anything new since I'm already sold on the idea of BIM.

---

Yeah. Well. Um.

Actually that was pretty useful, stressing the importance of BIM in the new project world, whilst not minimizing the difficulties in the practical implementation of the software. Refreshingly honest.

are we there yet ... ???

BEIJING—A massive traffic jam in north China that stretches for 100 kilometres and hit its 10-day mark on Tuesday stems from road construction in Beijing that won't be finished until the middle of next month, an official said. Bumper-to-bumper gridlock – with vehicles moving little more than a one kilometre a day at one point – has improved since last weekend, said Zhang Minghai, director of Zhangjiakou city's Traffic Management Bureau general office.

Some drivers have been stuck in the jam for five days, China Central Television reported Tuesday. But Zhang said he wasn't sure when the situation along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou highway would return to normal.

from Toronto Star

trains guys trains

Old San Francisco News Doyle Drive

One of PB’s current infrastructure projects, funded by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, is the new US$1.045 billion Presidio Parkway in San Francisco. The roadway will replace Doyle Drive, a 1.5-mile road that runs from San Francisco’s Marina District through the Presidio to the southern access of the Golden Gate Bridge. Built in 1936, the existing Doyle Drive has reached its useful lifespan and is being replaced.

To create a virtual project model, PB imported the Caltrans roadway design data into Civil 3D model-based software. Once PB had aggregated the design data in a Civil 3D model, the team used the 3D DWG format to more seamlessly transfer this infrastructure model to 3ds Max Design software for design visualization. PB was then able to use the modeling features of 3ds Max Design to enhance the existing design information, adding surrounding city features and landscape details to create near photorealistic visualizations and animations. "We also transferred the Civil 3D model to Navisworks and developed a 4D project model that integrates the 3D virtual model and the construction schedule," explains Nadell. "And we have started to link cost information to our 4D model, creating a 5D model for cost estimating."

Autodesk Site

Well, a little more up date, in that more tree clearing starts today.

Oh, and I applied for a engineering position at PB, looks like the sort of place I'd want to work, even though their entire web presence seems to be down.

Random News - Sudan

The government of Southern Sudan this week unveiled urban blueprints to rebuild cities in the shape of animals, raising eyebrows across the globe. The man behind the plan, Housing and Physical Planning Ministry undersecretary Daniel Wani, says the attention has given his ambitious proposal a boost of new energy. CNN

"Cabbie, take me to the knackers."

Much as I'm a fan of New York' grid and much that I'm a fan of Paris' hubs, this has 'em beat. I need to find some higher resolution images.

Random News - Virginia

Arlington County has added a new name to its controversial civil rights lawsuit against Virginia's high-occupancy toll lanes project: that of a federal government employee in charge of highway planning, an unusual move critics say is designed to stall the $2 billion road widening. Federal planning official newest defendant in Arlington's HOT lanes lawsuit By Derek Kravitz Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, August 22, 2010

The civil rights section of the suit claims Virginia failed to properly balance the added convenience afforded to the white, mostly suburban drivers in Spotsylvania and Stafford counties -- who would have "unimpeded access" to the toll roads -- with the needs of the more racially and socioeconomically diverse drivers who endure congestion in Arlington.

Washington Post

This is why we can't have nice things.