Computer Software Looks to the Cloud Computing Horizon

Several new technologies were discussed on the first day of the Autodesk University conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Epoch Times covered the event via an online “virtual press pass.”

Autodesk is one of the leading manufacturers of technology for entertainment, product design, video games, and architecture. Their technology was recently used in the creation of James Cameron’s Avatar.

During a Dec. 1 keynote speech, Autodesk President and CEO Carl Bass took the stage to introduce where technology is going and what this means for the rest of the world.

“I think it’s clear that the world is changing and the way we do work is changing as well,” said Bass.

He explained the stream of development that new concepts move through: the impossible and the impractical moves to what is possible and expected, and finally to what is required. Examples of computers and the Internet, which have become required tools in many fields, are everyday reminders of this pattern.

The “sweet spot,” Bass said, is right in the middle—on what is possible—and that if companies can stay there and look to what could be possible, they'll always be ahead of the game. “You can see the importance of getting the timing right,” he said.

Cloud computing is technology that is based online and is regarded as the future of computer technology. It includes computer applications that use the Internet to access virtual memory and processing as well as web-based applications that allow multiple people to collaborate on projects. A computer could conceivably have very little in terms of memory and technology, but use cloud-computing to pull in the power of a super-computer.

Google’s recently released Chrome OS uses cloud computing.

Bass said the significance of cloud computing to the world is the kind of “shift that happens every 10 to 12 years.”

“Design is all about exploring different ideas to see where they lead,” said Bass. “The more times we can play ‘what if,’ the more ideas we can pursue.”

Project Twitch

Mac users can look forward to some new tools. Bass stated that “the Mac is a very important platform for us.” Autodesk recently released several applications for the Mac, including Maya 2010 and MudBox 2010. “To get everyone excited, we’re working on quite a few more we will be announcing soon,” said Bass.

Bass went from his Mac hint right into addressing the experimental “Project Twitch.” Whether there is a connection here was not specified.

Project Twitch will allow users to access Autodesk software using the Web. It will also use powerful off-site computers to run the bulk of the applications, so they can be run well on computers that don’t have a lot of processing power.

Tools for better collaboration will play a large role in the future of technology. Web-based programs where multiple users can work on a project are growing in popularity. Bass introduced how Autodesk is looking to integrate this technology.

This will allow users to use Autodesk software online and have multiple users work on it together simultaneously, with real-time edits. “They can kind of co-edit the drawing,” said Bass, adding that the software will allow users to “work as if you were in the same room.”

Another addition to this technology will be ways for entire teams to collaborate on a project, each using different software applications. A “clash detection service” which will alert the project participants if they are overlapping with another participant’s work.

Storytelling is an interesting element that is beginning to display itself more and more for companies. “Storytelling is one thing that makes us uniquely human,” said Bass. The wide availability of technology once available only to the entertainment industry has opened new doors for smaller companies to present concepts and brand themselves.

Bass added that currently, Autodesk is developing technology for marketing and development companies that integrates video game technology, such as rendering character interaction. This could be used in commercials, promotional online environments, or in project concept materials.