New Book - Delivering COBie Using Autodesk Revit

A team of authors led by Bill East (COBie inventor) has finished a book dedicated to COBie and Revit. His team consists of: Shawn O'Keeffe, Richard Kenna and Emma Hooper.

Bill writes:

"This is the first comprehensive COBie How-To Guide! We explain the implications of COBie requirements on your professional standard-of-care. Next, we describe the architectural and engineering design best-practices we adopted to help us capture COBie as part of our standard design process. We show you how to unlock the power of the Revit COBie Extension and Classification Manager Add-Ins to automate COBie file production details. And we show you how to share your new found knowledge with your team, company, and stakeholders."

David Philp, Global BIM Director, AECOM reviewed the book and had this to say:

"This book offers a comprehensive and real-world insight to the COBie value proposition but most importantly it demonstrates HOW this can be practically achieved. This book is an essential read for anyone that is interested in effectively capturing and using project information. If you want to better understand how to deliver COBie from a Revit environment then this book is a must.”

David Light, Autodesk Senior Customer Success Manager also reviewed the book and said this:

"Finally, the AEC industry and the Revit user has an unparalleled guide for helping you understand, as well as deliver COBie from Autodesk Revit!

Delivering COBie should not be scary, as noted, the guidance provided in “Delivering COBie Using Autodesk Revit'” is designed to help AEC industry deliver COBie on any building, as easily as possible.

East and the authoring team provide a detailed history of COBie, so you understand the background of why COBie? It helps demystify some urban myths around COBie, allowing you to better understand the value of this industry standard digital exchange format. The book runs through best practice tips for model development, model configuration and data preparation for Autodesk Revit.

The guide leads the user onto the configuration of the free Classification Manager and the COBie Extension. Lastly, 'Delivering COBie Using Autodesk Revit' teaches the reader how to apply various concepts on a Dormitory Project example, through shared best practice from recognized industry experts, explaining how to prepare the Revit model for repeatable COBie deliverables."

The authors of “Delivering COBie Using Autodesk Revit,” Dr. Bill East, Dr. Shawn O’Keeffe, Richard Kenna, and Emma Hooper look forward to showing you how to make COBie an integral part of the standard design process for yourself and your team, company, and stakeholders. The pre-release spiral-bound “workbook edition” is now available for individual Revit users. The version for purchase by libraries, institutes, and companies available 15-Sep-17.

You can Order your Copy HERE.

Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Book is Available

Ken Marsh published his first book dedicated to Autodesk' Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2013 (it's also the first book for it). He intends it to be your essential introduction to its features, functions, and workflow. He's confident that you will be able to master the tools you'll need to make Robot work for you.

Some of its highlights include:

• Demystify the interface
• Manipulate and manage Robot tables like a pro
• Learn how to use Robot's modeling tools
• Master loading techniques
• Harness Robot automated load combinations
• Decipher simplified seismic loading
• Discover workflows for steel and concrete design
• Gain insights to help troubleshoot issues

He's prepared easy guided exercises to help get you up to speed quickly.

Ken is a structural engineer and was, until recently, the Revit Structure Quality Assurance Analyst at Autodesk. He works hard to be a champion of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. In addition to writing this book he is currently working to promote fully integrated structural analysis, design, and documentation by developing custom Revit API add-ons, providing software training, and consulting services for firms as they transition to a more fully BIM-centric process.

I appreciate and admire his willingness to write about a topic, that must be a niche among niches, catering to structural engineers. I was also curious about whether a 2014 edition is going to be available, he replied that he's working on the 2014 edition now.

All the best with the book Ken!

Last Minute Christmas Gift Suggestion - Renaissance Revit

Still looking for one more great unexpected gift for your office library, co-worker, nutty Revit pal, boss, BIM mentor, Revit Family Advisor, brother, sister, "in-law", or in some rare (perhaps dangerous combination) cases your architect spouse?

Let me recommend Paul Aubin's new book, Renaissance Revit: Creating Classical Architecture with modern Software. It's a bit personal spiritual journey as well as his quest for Revit knowledge and enlightenment captured in his newest self published tome. He secured a fine Foreword by Andy Milburn too. I enjoy every post that Andy takes the time to share with us on his blog Shades of Grey. His writing sets a nice tone for the rest of the book.

When you get to read it you'll find you sense how important writing this book was to Paul. Granted he says so in the text but you can also perceive a sense of excitement or energy in his writing in each of the chapters. If you've ever met him and talked about Revit you'd also know that it's been many years in the making, even before he was particularly focused on Revit he was doing things that set the stage for writing this one.

It's offered in two versions; Black & White or Color. Naturally the color version is a bit more expensive to buy (and produce) but for your gift's recipient doesn't color say "I care about you" more than black and white? This is a capture of the Table of Contents from his book's page on his own website.

As a Revit author and blogger I'm both jealous and relieved he wrote this book. Jealous that it's so good I wish I'd written it and relieved that he DID so I don't have to, not that I could communicate his passion for classical architectural forms as he has done. Especially relieved because now I don't have to figure out how to model this from scratch all on my own!

Paul, congratulations for a job well done!!

As for you dear reader, it BELONGS on your shelf (or desk) complete with dog ear'd pages and highlighter smudges. Hmm, maybe that's a special edition version you could buy, rusticated or pre-worn like jeans? Nah, you should wear it out yourself. Come to think of it you should buy two now. One for your collection and one to abuse at work on your desk.

Oh, that's right I was recommending you buy it as a gift for someone else, now you need to buy three!

Paul Aubin Book Survey Seeks Input

Paul Aubin recently mentioned that he's working on a new book, title TBA. The title is one of the things he's asking about in the survey.

If you are interested in the subject and can spare a few minutes to

Click to Take the Survey

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014 Essentials

The release of this book introduces a new team of authors; Tobias Hathorn, Tessa Reist Hathorn and Ryan Duell. They have taken over the book from the team that first introduced it a couple years ago; James Vandezande, Eddy Krygiel, and Phil Read. You are probably already familiar with their other book, "Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 20##", the bigger brother to Essentials and the "Introducing" book that was discontinued after the 2012 release.

The Wiley site for the book tells us:

Beginners will get comfortable with Revit's core features and functions. Current users will have a valuable reference to refresh and hone their skills. And everyone can use this practical book to help prepare for the Revit Architecture certification exams. Essentials gets readers up and running on Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014, Autodesk's industry-leading building information modeling software:

• Explains core Revit tools, features, functionality, real-world workflows, and BIM concepts
• Covers schematic design, modeling, families, views, creating drawing sets, and more
• Features best practices, rendering and visualization, worksharing, documentation, and annotation
• Provides downloadable starting and ending files, so readers can compare their work to that of the pro's 

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014 Essentials is your perfect introduction to the powerful industry-leading BIM software.

Useful Links:
Description
Table of Contents
Author Information
Downloads

If you are just getting started out with Revit this book may be just what you need. If you have an office of Revit users it might just be a great addition to your library too!

Congratulations to the new team on the release of their book!

Only One Book is Allowed

I wrote a tweet the other day asking,"I wonder why the question, "Which Revit book should I buy?" seems to imply that we are only allowed one, one choice, one on our shelf?"

We all learn a bit differently, so options are good. I think it is a disservice to all of us to assume one source is sufficient or that we must only pick the "best" book. I learn stuff from all the things I read, even if some parts are useless to me personally or perhaps poorly delivered. We are talking about someone's living. Spending a few hundred dollars in the interest of making a better living seems easy math to me, and I'm not even very good at math!

Don't restrict your opportunities to learn! My $0.02

New Revit Family eBook

A new eBook is available for family editors out there. It's priced at $19.95 and weighs in at 16 chapters and 751 pages (virtual weight since it's an eBook). If you are familiar with the Little Details Count site then you are familiar with Michael Anonuevo's work. He's prepared a sampler PDF that you can download to evaluate before committing your Twenty. The sampler is 113 pages.

Seems to me that this book will undermine his content site? He's sharing his experience with everyone and now we won't need to buy his highly detailed content? :) His "loss" is our gain!

Click to Download the PDF.

Book Jinx

A little off topic today. I'm developing a complex. I've been involved with two books that are no longer getting published. The first book is Mastering Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 (Wiley/Sybex). I did the technical editing for it. The following year (and version of Revit) Wiley chose not to continue publishing it. The sales were too slight to justify the effort and expense unfortunately.

That could mean structural engineers are too smart for it, or just weren't interested in a book, or that the authors, editors and publisher didn't do a good enough job marketing it, or that it just wasn't very good. The authors were no slouches, the material was solid, the publisher has a little bit of experience so it seems to me that the only possible conclusion is me....that I'm a book jinx!

The second book is Introducing Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 (also Wiley/Sybex). I contributed four chapters to the 2011 and 2012 editions. The sales were too slight for this one too, the 2012 edition (2011 year). Same story as the other book, I've jinxed another book! It did take me longer to "kill" this one though. I wrote the foreword for the 2010 version and then contributed to 2011 and 2012.

If I try to deflect some blame I think Wiley's product offering for Revit Architecture is a bit crowded now. They offer Mastering Autodesk Revit 2013, Autodesk Revit 2013 Essentials and Autodesk Revit Architecture: No Experience Required. I don't see a 2013 version for "No Experience..." yet so I'm not sure there is one right now.

In this case (for Revit Architecture) it may just be that the strongest books survived. Can't deny that the Read/Vandezande/Krygiel team plus their supporting cast of specialty chapters and authors make a pretty formidable product!

Books that "expire" to some degree every 12 months because of new versions of Revit generates a cycle of create/sell that only leaves a very short window to sell before the next one needs to be ready. Frankly I'm amazed that any get published at all.

Feel like living dangerously? Like testing theories? Ask me to help with your book! It might be the best way to stop being an author. ;)

New Book for Revit and Interior Design

Daniel Stine teamed up with Aaron Hansen to write a new book with a focus on Interior Design. The formal title is "Interior Design Using Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012" and is published by SDC (Schroff Development Corporation).

They are offering a nice sample chapter on Materials if you want to get a better sense of the book. From the book's description:

"The overall premise of the book is to learn Revit Architecture while developing the interior of a two story law office. The reader is provided an architectural model with established columns, beams, exterior walls, minimal interior walls and roofs in which to work. This allows more emphasis to be placed on interior design rather than primary architectural elements. The chapters chronology generally follows the typical design process. Students will find this book helps them more accurately and efficiently develop their design ideas and skills."

Table of Contents consists of:

1. Introduction; Leveraging Revit for interior design
2. Project Navigation
3. Revit Jumpstart
4. Materials
5. Programming
6. Material Presentation Board
7. Reception, Lobby and Lounge Design
8. Office Spaces
9. Break Room and Work Room
10. Toilet room design
11. Floor finishes
12. Ceiling design
13. Schedules
14. Custom Content Creation
15. Detailing
16. Renderings
17. Sheets   

New Family Editor Resources

First Item of interest:

Paul Aubin recently completed a new video course for the Revit Family Editor, hosted on Lynda.com. These are the families that get attention during the video which is 6 hours and 44 minutes.

Course Highlights are (Table of Contents):

1. Introduction and high level concepts: covering what a Family is, the Revit element hierarchy, libraries and differences between model and annotation Families. Strategies and course focus are also covered.
2. Annotation Families: covering kinds of annotation, creating Generic Annotation and Tag Families and using Shared Parameters in Tag Families.
3. Simple Model Families: covering the overall model Family creation process, hosts and hosted, reference planes, constraints, labeled dimensions, work planes, flexing and testing.
4. Family Geometry: detailed look at: Extrusions, Blends, Revolves, Sweeps, Swept Blends and void form basics.
5. Beyond Geometry: includes coverage of identity data, Family Types, Type Catalogs, material parameters, visibility parameters and subcategories.
6. A Family in a Family: covering nested Families, Shared Families, Profile Families and parametric arrays.Families01 300x125 New Revit Family Editor Course on lynda.com
7. Controlling Visibility: explores symbolic lines, element visibility, level of detail display and controlling overhead display in plan.
8. Building Complex Parametric Families: begins tying together many of the previous topics to create a more complex whole. Covers planning, reference plane strategies, nesting components, arrays, parameters, formulas driving parameters and parameters.
9. Parametric Annotation Family: ties together many previous topics to create a more complex annotation Family. A parametric key plan Family using conditional formulas to drive visibility is showcased.
10. Driving Angular Parameters: Controlling rotation and angles can be a challenge. This chapter uses a Door Family as an example to showcase how to parametrically control rotation and angular parameters.
11. Advanced Strategies – Control a curve parametrically: Controlling curves can be a challenge. This chapter uses a brick arch Family to showcase how to parametrically control the flexing of curves in the Family editor. It also delves into advanced and complex formulas used to drive circle geometry. Advanced trigonomic functions are utilized to constraint the curve’s flexing behavior.

Second Item of Interest:

The Revit 2012 Family Standards and Best Practices version 2.0 has been released by CTC (CAD Technology Center).

Read the Table of Contents
Read Sample Pages
To find out more CLICK HERE.

Mastering Autodesk Navisworks 2012

As I just wrote about Navisworks concepts yesterday. I should mention a great new source of information on the product. Wiley/Sybex just published the hard work of two Autodesk Navisworks guys, Jason Dodds and Scott Johnson. Naturally there is a host of people involved in getting a book finished but the guy they relied on to check their claims and recommendations is Michael Smith, their technical editor.

Jason has been supporting Navisworks for many years as well as in his current role as Autodesk Construction Solutions Engineer. Scott also toils at Autodesk, he's a Senior Technical Account Manager. These guys both get called in to make things work. Michael works for C.W. Driver as their BIM Manager in Pasadena, CA. These three together provide the necessary depth to get a book like this finished.

Navisworks can be learned pretty quickly, but it takes some time behind the wheel to really master it. As with anything you tend to learn enough to get by and probably don't really dig deeper. This book provides practical examples throughout in "Real World Scenarios" (a part of the Wiley/Sybex Mastering series format).

There is no shortage of settings in Navisworks and fortunately the guys took enough time to dig into even some of the more arcane stuff, with an eye toward what you are likely to need most of the time. For example in Chapter 4 there is a bit more than page dedicated to the subtlety of exporting from Revit with one option checked or not (Convert element Properties). Unchecked there are six properties exported and checked there are 18...that's just for a roof element.

You can read the Table of Contents and there are three sample chapter excerpts in PDF format; Chapter 2, Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. It's also available as a EPUB E-Book and Adobe E-Book. Here's the table of contents so you can review it directly. There's 456 pages from inside the cover to the back, including the index etc.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Getting to know Navisworks.
Chapter 2: Bringing it all together: Files and File Types.
Chapter 3: Moving around the Model.
Chapter 4: Climbing the Selection Tree.
Chapter 5: Model Snap Shots: Sections, Viewpoints and Animations.
Chapter 6: Documenting Projects.
Chapter 7: 4D Sequencing with TimeLiner.
Chapter 8: Clash Detection.
Chapter 9: Creating Visualizations with Navisworks.
Chapter 10: Animating Objects.
Chapter 11: Give Objects Life and Action with Scripter.
Chapter 12: Collaborating Outside of Navisworks.
Chapter 13: Other Useful Navisworks Tools.

Some other Links
Book Description
Author Information
Supporting Files

If you are a Navisworks person you'll probably want this in your collection, check it out!!

Introducing Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 Shipping

I worked with Patrick Davis, Martin Tauer, Charlie Busa and Angela MacDonnell on the update to the previous book. I've been told that "my" copy has been shipped which usually means that it is available for shipping to everyone.

It wasn't just a replace 2011 with 2012 exercise. Each chapter got looked at with fresh editor eyes which in some cases generated some fairly substantial rework/freshening. Naturally there are some new features in 2012 that needed to be covered. The chapters were shuffled and even replaced/added. Bottom line is that it isn't the same old book...retouched and shipped. It's still focused on general knowledge and concepts so it plays well as the "little brother" to Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012.

You can read more about it at the Wiley site as well as ordering it. Naturally you can get it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble too.

Here's the Table of Contents:
1 - The Revit User Interface
2 - Navigations Tools, Views, and View Properties
3 - Constraints and Dimensions
4 - Modeling Basics
5 - Advanced Modeling
6 - Visibility Controls
7 - Introduction to Families
8 - Creating Families
9 - Massing
10 - Groups
11 - Rendering
12 - Working with other files
13 - Rooms and Ares
14 - Tags, Schedules, and Keynotes
15 - Detailing
16 - Sheets
17 - Design Options
18 - Phasing
19 - Revit for Interiors
20 - Worksharing

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).

Revit Essentials and Revit Handbook

Revit book shelves are getting filled out these days. Time to plan for room for two more books.

Book One is Revit Essentials which will be published by Wiley/Sybex and authored by the same team that brought you the most recent Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture, Phil Read, Eddy Krygiel, James Vandezande and a number of other special contributors.

That isn't the final cover, just a placeholder until they've selected final artwork etc. For more information on this book be sure to keep an eye on the blog Arch | Tech. There is a Facebook page for Mastering but I'm not aware of one for Essentials yet.

Book Two is called The Revit Handbook.

It too is not yet ready but underway and is intended to be distributed as an eBook. Author Adam Simmons has a web site up for the book the web site Simple Design Sense has a blog page that mentions the book too. You can CLICK THIS to add your name to their mailing list to be notified when it is ready.

This is the Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 Project Work-flow
Chapter 2 Folder Structure
Chapter 3 Naming Conventions
Chapter 4 Project Settings
Chapter 5 Importing and Linking
Chapter 6 Project Organization
Chapter 7 Design Options
Chapter 8 Worksets
Chapter 9 Phasing
Chapter 10 Submissions and Milestones
Chapter 11 Families
Chapter 12 Tips & Tricks
Template Overview

Revit MEP Book - The Aubin Academy Master Series

I received a review copy of Paul's latest effort. He teamed up with three other guys, Darryl McClelland and his other brothers Larry and Darryl. Sorry couldn't resist the Bob Newhart reference (dating myself). Actually his partners were Darryl but also Gregg Stanley and Martin Schmid. I know of Martin because of his role at Autodesk. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Gregg or Darryl yet. Enough meandering...

My first honest reaction was, "Uh oh! This book is thin!" It may be disappointing at first glance but don't let that dissuade you. Despite weighing in at just 368 numbered pages include front and back matter it packs a lot in. The book format is a bit larger than other books, a tiny bit smaller than a full sheet of standard letter size paper (8.5x11 inches).

It isn't intended to be the complete story on Revit MEP either. It's a solid introduction that tackles basic stuff like the user interface (do we really have to do that with every book? I guess so!) and digs into worksets, linking files, copy/monitor...murky stuff fearlessly too.

I can see someone starting from scratch with this book and getting off to decent beginning with enough exposure to more involved things that it won't intimidate them as much when that stuff gets real for them on a project. It helps that it is bolstered with lots of exercises that delve into practically everything it discusses.

There a some things said that I might quibble with but considering the audience it is focused on I get their purpose. Paul's compiled a great deal of experience and information into a small package that delivers. I'd say it's a must have for anybody looking to add to their Revit MEP resources and library.

Amazon show its list price at $76.50 but they tell me I could have it for just $48.20 and free shipping using Super Saver Shipping.

[Added: February 3, 2011 after a comment about finding the data set]
Visit the book's Webpage at Paul's site
Download the Data Set
Download the Readme file

Dept. of Off Topic - Introducing Pins Mastering in a Wrestling Match

In sports news this morning:

Despite the difference in their weight classes Introducing Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 managed to pin Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 in a brief battle lasting just 20 seconds. IARA said in a short interview after the match that, "it all comes down to diet and preparation". MARA was too shocked to reply to questions simply saying, "We'll be looking for a re-match".

The match began with IARA leaning into MARA innocently.

A few seconds later the crowd was stunned as MARA landed heavily and IARA maintained its control for the three count. IARA was declared the winner to a silent crowd that took a moment to regain its composure, then erupted into a victorious cheer for the underdog.

More on ESPN Book Wrestling highlights tonight at 6pm.

This blog post has been inspired by WWF and the clever MARA in the wild posts at Arch | Tech. IARA and MARA...a match made in... oh never mind, that's pushing it.

Revit MEP gets a book!

Wiley recently published their book for Revit MEP: Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2011.

It has been a long time coming. It started out with different authors, got postponed due to schedule conflicts and finally settled in on the current author team of Don Bokmiller, Marvin Titlow and Simon Whitbread. I don't know Don or Marvin personally but I've known Simon for many years now. It takes a lot of time and effort to write a book and that they accomplished it must be a relief and satisfying. A least the terror (I know I've felt terror) is past them...for now.

If you are getting started with Revit MEP then you'll want to check out their book. If you've been using it for a few years you might wish for more depth but I'm certain you'll still find useful information throughout.

Here are some links you can review:
Description
Table of Contents
Author Information
Downloads
Contents
Part 1 General Project Setup
Index

Introducing Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 is Available

I got an email today from a friend letting me know that my book arrived today. I say my because the book is Patrick Davis' project. Charlie Busa, Beau Turner and I contributed chapters to the book earlier in the year. I was a bit surprised to get asked to contribute considering a few years ago I bailed out on Willem and Wiley/Sybex. No hard feelings retained, lucky me! I haven't mentioned it until now because I'm slack and I lost track of where it stood in the publishing process.

This book is meant to be a lighter text than the heavier (literally) Mastering Revit Architecture 2011 book, its bigger brother. Here's a few details:

ISBN: 978-0-470-64971-8
Paperback
544 pages
Listed Price: $49.99 USD (Wiley site price)

If you'd like to see a bit more of the book you can review the following:
Author Information
Table of Contents
Description
Downloads

Excerpts (PDF):
Contents
Chapter 1
Index

Speaking for myself, and I imagine for the others, I sure hope that it meets the needs of people getting started with Revit!!