Wrenches Gadgets & Hacks

Hello and welcome to the first episode of "Wrenches Gadgets & Hacks" or just WGH for short!
This episode also kicks off Series 1 “Technology, Innovation, and Curiosity On and Off the Clock.” It's all about those in AECO who love to geek out, tinker, and create - not just when they're on the clock. They're always diving into new ideas, exploring the latest tech, and finding ways to bring their hobbies and passion projects to life with cutting-edge tools.
Basically, we're celebrating the folks who live and breathe AECO innovation, and who are always finding new ways to push the boundaries of what's possible. So if you're a nerd for all things AECO, or just love hearing about cool new tech and ideas, this is the series for you!
Brace yourself, meme lovers, because the person we're geeking out with in this episode is none other than Dynamo superstar John Pierson! But before you start spamming the comments your favorite "surprised Pikachu" memes, let us tell you that we won't be talking about Dynamo or Revit Add-ins. Instead, we'll be focusing on John's love for making things like little boats called "Benchy" magically appear out of nowhere with the power of 3D printing!
So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the exciting world of 3D printing Wrenches, Gadgets, and Hacks style!
Full Show notes available on the WHG website under the Podcasts tab

Support the show

You can find all of the WGH links in one place with our 👉 BIO LINK
Also a BIG Thanks to Alex Grohl for our amazing intro and outro music "Indie Hey Song (Lost Fragments)" You can find more great royalty-free music from Alex on Pixabay

Welcome to another episode "Wrench's Gadgets & Hacks" where we explore the latest in technology and innovation. In this episode, we're joined by Daniel Peterson, also known as the Revit Wizard, a senior design technology coordinator at the Beck group.
Be sure to stick around to the end, after the outro music, for the bonus content, that covers point 5 below 👇

Key Discussion Points:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the AECO Industry: Daniel shares his experiences with AI in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry. He highlights how AI can streamline processes, eliminate busy work, and allow professionals to focus on more critical tasks.
2. Data Security in AI Applications: The conversation goes into the importance of data security in AI applications. The speakers note that higher-tier AI services often provide more robust data protection.
3. AI in Coding and Prompt Engineering: The discussion explores the use of AI in coding and the concept of 'prompt engineering'. This involves crafting specific prompts to get the desired responses from an AI system.
4. Introduction of the Revit Wizard: Daniel introduces the Revit Wizard, an AI tool he developed to assist with all things related to Revit, a software used in building information modeling (BIM). The tool can answer specific questions about Revit and provide step-by-step instructions for various tasks.
5. Preserving Industry Knowledge: The speakers conclude by emphasizing the importance of capturing and preserving industry knowledge, especially as experienced professionals retire. They suggest that AI could play a crucial role in this, serving as a repository for valuable expertise.

Join us for this insightful conversation as we jump into the world of AI and its potential in the AECO industry and beyond.
* The above was created with a helping hand from an LLM from the Podcast Episode transcript, which was transcribed by AI 😁
And remember to check out the Show Notes for all the episode links.

Support the show

You can find all of the WGH links in one place with our 👉 BIO LINK
Also a BIG Thanks to Alex Grohl for our amazing intro and outro music "Indie Hey Song (Lost Fragments)" You can find more great royalty-free music from Alex on Pixabay

Welcome to the finale of Wrenches, Gadgets & Hacks Series 3, "Guests' Choice: AECO Mavericks Unscripted." In this week's episode, it's less about the guest, because we don't have one, and more about the tech! Get out your pens and take notes as John and Carl give their suggestions for our first annual "AECO Tech Geek Gift Guide."

Join us for the final episode of the year as we dive into the AECO tech geek gift guide! From 3D printers to outdoor tech and even luxury tech, we've got 12 categories of must-have gadgets and tools for the holiday season, with recommendations for a wide range of budgets. Whether you're shopping for a tech enthusiast or looking to treat yourself, this episode is packed with innovative ideas and tips from your hosts for everyone in AECO tech. Don't miss out on making your holiday shopping a breeze! 🎄🔧

And if ever there was an episode to check out the show notes, this is it! You can find the full list with links from both Carl and John for all 12 categories there!

Enjoy the show, and remember to check out the Show Notes for all the episode links.

Support the show

You can find all of the WGH links in one place with our 👉 BIO LINK
Also a BIG Thanks to Alex Grohl for our amazing intro and outro music "Indie Hey Song (Lost Fragments)" You can find more great royalty-free music from Alex on Pixabay

Welcome back for the sixth and final episode of our second series, “AI in the AECO and Beyond.” Our host, Carl, speaks with Tannis Liviniuk, Digital Advancement Executive at Zachry Group, about the current state and future of AI in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry. What they discover during the discussion is that AI is a valuable assistant that can help with mundane tasks, such as sifting through millions of documents, and also serve as a tool for learning and exploration. The use of AI can lead to curiosity and deeper engagement with projects, ultimately providing real value and convenience.

Key Topics Discussed:

• AI in Construction: The evolution of AI and its current applications in the AECO industry.
• Data Management: The importance of data quality and the challenges of managing vast amounts of project documentation.
• Future of AI: Predictions on how AI will continue to shape project planning, risk management, and overall workflow efficiency.
• Practical AI Tools: How AI can assist in daily tasks and improve productivity without replacing human jobs.
• Corporate AI Policies: The necessity of secure and ethical AI usage within organizations.
• Educational Insights: Encouraging exploration and learning of AI tools to stay ahead in the industry.

The above was created with a helping hand from an LLM from the Podcast episode transcript, which was transcribed by AI 😁
And remember to check out the Show Notes for all the episode links.

Support the show

You can find all of the WGH links in one place with our 👉 BIO LINK
Also a BIG Thanks to Alex Grohl for our amazing intro and outro music "Indie Hey Song (Lost Fragments)" You can find more great royalty-free music from Alex on Pixabay

In this episode of Wrenches, Gadgets & Hacks, we continue our series on AI in the AECO industry. Host Carl welcomes Craig, the Director of Digital Technology at Ewing Cole, to discuss the transformative role of AI in rendering and design. Craig shares his journey from studying architecture and landscape architecture to leading digital media and design technology at a major firm. The conversation moves into the parallels between the rise of BIM and AI, the practical applications of AI in rendering, and the importance of crafting effective prompts for AI tools.

Key Topics Discussed:

• AI in Design: The impact of AI on the design process, including the use of tools like MidJourney, Veras, and Magnific.
• Rendering with AI: How AI is used to generate architectural renderings, the challenges of creating realistic images, and the importance of maintaining design authenticity.
• Prompts and Workflows: The significance of crafting good prompts for AI tools and the innovative workflows developed by designers at Ewing Cole.
• Security and Custom AI: The exploration of different methods for creating custom AI tools while ensuring data security.
• Future of AI in AECO: The potential and limitations of AI in the industry, and the importance of continuous experimentation and learning.

The above was created with a helping hand from an LLM from the Podcast episode transcript, which was transcribed by AI 😁
And remember to check out the Show Notes for all the episode links.

Support the show

You can find all of the WGH links in one place with our 👉 BIO LINK
Also a BIG Thanks to Alex Grohl for our amazing intro and outro music "Indie Hey Song (Lost Fragments)" You can find more great royalty-free music from Alex on Pixabay