Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Autodesk Labs - eTransmit for Revit

Anyone who has to share their Revit project files with another entity knows that it can be a little tricky if you want them to have all the ancillary data that might be associated with the project file itself, like imported dwg files. Autodesk Labs released (yesterday) a new candidate for your consideration called eTransmit for Revit.


From the Lab's description:
...snip
    With eTransmit for Revit, you can:
  • Copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder for internet transmission. This removes the typical error messages when you copy central files using the operating system.
  • Locate dependent files automatically and include them in the transmittal folder, reducing the possibility of error. All dependent files are automatically converted to use relative paths to ensure that the dependent files can be located by the model.
  • Choose to include related dependent files such as linked Revit models, CAD files, DWF markups, decal images, and external keynote files. You can transmit any Revit (.rvt) model that has been upgraded to Revit Release 2012.
  • Transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing. eTransmit for Revit will also work with non-workshared Revit models.
...snip


They've got a Known Issues PDF you can check out too.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Model Medic 2012

I wrote about this diagnostic tool when it first appeared. The 2012 compatible version is now available. You can download the new features pdf HERE.


You can watch their promo video below:

Revit 2012 Update Available

I was able to download web updates to Revit 2012 products via Communication Center this morning (well when I turned on Revit anyway). I also saw that Luke Johnson posted links at his blog What Revit Wants. RevitForum.org also has a thread dedicated to the subject.


If you fire up Revit and visit the communication center you should find a notification. You can also follow the links provided at What Revit Wants or RevitForum.org but those seem to take you to the 64bit versions whereas the Communication Center will download the version you need on your pc. Of course if EyeTee has your computer locked down such that you can't update it yourself, time to chat with them I suppose?

New build number is: 20110622_0930

According to Matt Mason's post at his Cadd Application Development blog the update fixes a point cloud issue. A new option to place updated cloud import files called: Auto - Origin to Last Placed (meaning that it would make sure that the origin matched the origin of the previous model) was added for these files...but it didn't work. It does work in the new Web Update!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Low Walls

I was positive I wrote about this in the past but I can't find a post in the pile of posts I've made since the end of 2004. I suppose it could be buried in a post at AUGI...

If a wall is less than six feet (or 2000mm, no not exactly equal to six feet) it will NOT use the Cut line weight, it will only show using the Projection line weight. You can "force" Revit to show it as Cut by setting the Top Constraint to the level above and using a negative Top Offset value to drop it back down to it's intended overall height. A bit obtuse but it works! [Added this: Chris mentioned in a comment, "you can set the Top Constraint to the same level as the Base Constraint and then use a positive value for your Top Offset value."]


I posted this because it came up in a session at RTC (during Harlan Brumm's Troubleshooting class) and then was tweeted.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Mastering and Essentials - Revit Books at RTC

Wiley/Sybex provided six copies for RTC to give away to attendees today (Saturday). The books were so excited this morning that I found them lined up at the door waiting to head to the conference area at the hotel!


Thanks to Willem and Wiley/Sybex for the books...oh the authors too, for writing them!! Eddy Krygiel, Phil Read, James Vandezande (also their special chapter contributors).


Friday, June 24, 2011

Revit Technology Conference - USA 2011

A bit more than two hundred and eighty people are about to begin their third day at the conference. I've neglected posting because I'm a slacker blogger lately! Fortunately others are not so slack. So this post is a listing of those who aren't (slack), to which I add...ditto! and Thanks!


First, David Light (Mr. Reliable) has done a nice job of writing about his experience so far. He's also be a mad Twittererer and I'm sure those that couldn't attend and follow the hashtag #RTCUSA appreciate his "madness".

Jason Grant also wrote about his experiences so far.

Steve Bennett mentioned it on his blog.

Chris Price (aka Mr. Spot) also wrote about the conference.

Chris Heinerata (works for DIALOG) wrote about RTC too!

Jay Zallan too! Post, Another Post

Craig Barbieri has joined the RTC blogging adventure with his contributions. He took pictures of Jim Baldings collection of Revit distribution discs,


A few from before the first public release.


The folks who contribute to AUGI's blog, BLAUGI posted something too. AUGI has been very supportive of RTC and the conference is very grateful. RTC has always been supportive of AUGI too, a "mutual admiration society".

It's no secret that I've been working to help bring RTC to the North America. The committee that I've been part of has worked very hard to make it real, and it is very gratifying to walk around and see that it IS real...a bit melancholy on the morning of Day Three that it is nearly over.

There are conference photos at the Facebook page for RTC if you are interested. Jim Balding installed Revit 1.0 on the demo lounge computers. Quite cool to see that. It's an interesting "paradox" with that version running on a couple computers that have Wacom Cintiq's attached to them!


The time here goes by so quickly! All for now, must prepare for our last day together here.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Extensions are Coming

They've arrived! Revit 2012 extensions (subscription only) have been posted so have at them! The Revit Clinic and The Building Coder both offer some detail about each as well as for downloading them.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Dept. of Flashback - Mark and Type Mark

This subject pops up now and then as I encounter people doing the implementation "thing". I wrote this little piece in March 2009. I've clipped it out and posted it here again:

...snip
Language...with Revit's parameter naming the follow is true:

Door Number = "Mark" (not the person but the signature, ID or identifying "mark")
Window "type" = "Type Mark"

Out of the box, Revit's tags are assigned to these as described above. A door number is unique for each door so its tag is using a label assigned to the "Mark" parameter. Windows, for the most part, are defined according to a "type", a common letter or number designation for each window of a given "type" or configuration, therefore a window's tag is assigned to the "Type Mark" parameter.

"Mark" is located in the Element properties dialog while "Type Mark" is located in the Type Properties dialog. Most of Revit elements have both. Some Mark values are automatically supplied based on the "last" value entered and many are not. Type Mark values are not supplied with the assumption that each project will have its own needs and will be defined accordingly.

If you don't approve of the out of the box setting, you can create your own tag so that you can properly identify an element according to your needs.
...snip

Thursday, June 16, 2011

RTC Competition

Just a reminder to readers that are attending the Revit Technology Conference next week in Huntington Beach. There is a competition segment to the event that offers some very nice prizes. To enter the work you and your firm has done you need to review the information on the web site regarding the competition.

Here's one of this year's RTC Goldcoast winner, Tony Hoffmann with Humphrey & Edwards Architects:



For reference you can take a look at the recent Goldcoast RTC competition as well as some images of previous submissions. You can also review the past RTC events: RTC 2010 - RTC 2009 - RTC 2008 - RTC 2007 - RTC 2006

The prizes have not been listed yet but they involve significant hardware and software I'd be very happy to win, but I'm not eligible...but "you" are!

Revit Content Standards - ANZRS

The Australia New Zealand Revit Standards (ANZRS) has been formally released. In March this year I wrote that they were drawing close to releasing it and that they hoped to do so at the Revit Technology Conference in Goldcoast. They did hold a meeting there but held off on the formal release a bit longer.


They made their first digital public version available for download. You need to register with modest information before you'll be able to download it. It is delivered in a PDF package that is comprised of these sections:
  • L1 Introduction
  • L2 How to use the pack
  • L3 Generic vs Specific
  • L4 Glossary of Terms
  • C1-C8 Compliance
  • R1-R2 Advanced Features and Best Practices
  • Full Pack for printing including shared parameter txt files

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Dept. of Off Topic - Signage

At a school nearby I saw the following sign regarding "Revitalization".


Their choice for the "swirl" logo reminds me of the original RTC (Revit Technology Corporation) logo.


It's also what the Revit Technology Conference logo is based on too.


Speaking of which, the conference opens in slightly over a week! Still some time to register if you haven't yet. Online registration remains open until Monday the 20th at the standard rate. Afterward it will be possible to register on-site at 4pm on Wednesday at the higher on-site rate.

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Neat Dimensions

I received a comment on an earlier post. The essence of the comment was that they like to dimension like this, where the dimension's witness lines don't extend to the model to keep things neat.


A friend's office does this too and they use the following settings to achieve the "look".


I find the technique a bit frustrating in the field because I can't tell what the lines are referencing sometimes. For particularly busy documentation they'll add a prefix/suffix to values so it becomes a bit clearer. Neat drawings still take skill and attention to detail even with Revit/BIM.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Dept. of Events - Extreme BIM at USC - July 8, 2011

The Fifth Annual USC Symposium on Extreme BIM: Parametrics and Customization

EXTREME BIM: Friday, July 8: (very, very small fee) – we noticed that if we don’t charge a small fee, some people sign up and then forget to show up. If you really can’t afford the $25, email kensek@usc.edu, and I will have it waived. DO NOT use the online system if you want to get your fee waived.

Please reserve your spot soon; our BIM Analytics event filled up last year.

The speakers for EXTREME BIM 2011 were instructed to give presentations that advance the idea of building information modeling, show things that most of the audience may not be aware of, and demonstrate that BIM is cool and cutting edge! We have put together a slate of speakers that includes representatives from architecture, engineering, construction, education, and owners. Explore a side of BIM that you have not seen before!



Speaking/presenting are: Mario Guttman, Ian Keough, Nathan Miller, Joseph Burns, Chandler Ahrens, Michael Kilkelly, Bradley Hardin, Team Gensler, Brian K. Stewart, Robert Cull, and Team CCC.