Autodesk Autotrack

While I am making announcements I may as well blow the trumpet one more time!

With the purchase of Autotrack by Autodesk from Savoy on 19^th August 2013, Amicus Technology, with their longstanding specialisation in Infrastructure and Road Design software,  have been recognised by Autodesk as one of only four Key Autotrack Partners worldwide for sales and support of the new Autotrack product, including the creation of new vehicles and swept-path analyses.

What does this mean for users? Well as in the previous post about the Civil Infrastructure specialisation it means that by engaging with us you are tapping into Amicus' knowledge, expertise and commitment to implement and support your use of Autotrack. We have been the sole Autotrack Authorised reseller here in Ireland for the past number of years. We have been selling and training Autotrack as well as undertaking vehicle creation and trackings for customers both here in Ireland and the UK during that time.

The most immediate thing that seems to have affected casual users of Autotrack since the purchase by Autodesk is the removal of the rental option. Casual users who maybe needed the software three or four times a years would previously have rented the software for a week and completed their work. Now that this option has gone under Autodesk it does not pay for them to purchase a full licence. Amicus Technology, as one of the recognised key partners, can (and have been) bridge the gap for Autotrack users by providing the vehicle creation or swept path analysis service direct to the user.

For queries or a quote please contact me on donal.mcmoreland@amicustec.ie

AutoTrack - Wind Turbine Transport Vehicles

There are a couple of wind farm vehicles in the AutoTrack library. These are under Specialist Vehicles (Worldwide) category, see below:

There are two types of vehicle - both have the same tractor component but have different trailers and loads. The first vehicle is a 24m long blade transporter and the second is a 50m long tower transporter with clamped trailer, see image above.

The vehicles are locked from editing by default. In order to modify these to suit your own requirements you will need to right click on the vehicle name and select edit a copy.

One of the features common to large vehicles such as these is secondary steering. This is where the axles on the trailers have their own steering. This secondary steering can be linked to the main steering (limits can be set on the amount of secondary steering) or it can be independent and controlled by the driver as he is turning. It may also be a combination of both of these and in that case you will want the option to have rear steering but be able to independently override this at time of turning.

To do this you will need to make a copy of the vehicle as mentioned above, then right click on it and select 'edit using advanced editor'. Highlight the trailer unit and click on 'edit'

In the edit dialog box click on the 'Rear Axles' tab and then click on the 'Steering' button, then tick the box shown below and enter your max secondary steering angle and lock to lock time as shown below (these will be vehicle specific):

Now when you are 'driving' this vehicle in AutoTrack you can override the rear steering and independently control it as you are navigating your vehicle. To override you can click on the option below or use the wheel on your mouse.