Phasing and Replacement Windows

Over the years people have often complained about trying to document replacing existing windows with modern windows but maintaining the existing opening. This means swapping windows with families that are the exact same size. This is related to the wall that Revit creates to infill a wall that has a demolished window. You may have encountered this warning message?

That message appeared when I attempted to place new windows in the New Construction phase after demolishing the existing windows first. I was careful to set up views assigned to different phases and phase filters so there wouldn't be any display conflicts.

I got interested in this issue again recently because of a thread at the Autodesk User Forums for Revit Architecture. A fellow member was sharing how much trouble Revit has been giving them trying to do this kind of work. After some back and forth I narrowed it down to one window family and another member realized that family uses a void to cut the hosting wall in the family itself versus the usual opening.

This led me to write some hypotheses for testing purposes. I wrote:

Hypothesis A: Within phasing we can replace Existing Window A with New replacement Window B using the exact same sizes (same size opening dimensions) IF they both use an OPENING in the family to cut the host.

Hypothesis B: Within phasing we can replace Existing Window A with New replacement Window B using the exact same sizes (same size opening dimensions) IF they both use a VOID in the family to cut the host.

If either of the above are false then...

Hypothesis C: Within phasing we CANNOT replace Existing Window A with New replacement Window B using the exact same sizes (same size opening dimensions) IF one uses an OPENING and the other uses a VOID, in the family, to cut the host.

I did some testing using the latest release of Revit, 2024.1 and I determined the following:

Hypothesis A is TRUE

Hypothesis B is FALSE

Hypothesis C is neither

I find that I can replace a Void based window with an Opening based window but not the reverse. Also any alterations to the hosting wall in the project; such as length adjustment, or top/bottom offsets, attach/detach will place the void type window at risk of being deleted. Weirder still is that it might not delete all of them, one or more.

It seems that the short answer is: eliminate window families that use a void to cut the hosting wall IF you intend to place identical sized windows in phased projects; to demonstrate existing window replacement without altering the existing openings. Windows created this way will not work for this task. A logical next hypothesis is to anticipate similar behavior in door families.

I speculate that this warning happens because an opening cuts fully through the host while a void (or combination of voids) might cut more and/or less of the host as it travels through it. I suspect that the infill wall can't abide the shape a void might create and that in turn means a void won't be viable as a window to alter the location of the infill wall. I think it's similar to curtain walls only supporting non-rectilinear panels with the system panel families.

I'd love to hear that the developers will test this against their own experience and expectations. I know that a lot of people rely on voids to shape the opening in a host wall to match a variety of actual construction techniques for openings. To eliminate voids in families as an option for this kind of project (replacement windows (and doors?)) is not ideal. They'd probably have to revisit the entire logic of infill elements where demolished hosted elements occur. Perhaps leave it up to us to fill in holes?

Easy Keynoter

Phillip Miller, the brains behind the Family Browser and Kiwi Custom Solutions has a new offering called "Easy Keynoter". Here's what his new site page for the product has to say:

Easy Keynoter for Autodesk Revit 2015 is not just another glorified keynote text file editor. Easy Keynoter can do that plus so much more. The main features of Easy Keynoter are:

• Fully integrated into the Revit UI
• All Keynote data stored within a Database. No reliance on Revit reading txt files or the need to have intermediary xml files. This means that there are no issues of multiple users editing the keynotes at the same time as with other systems.
• Add Edit and remove keynote changes are reflected immediately in the Revit project. No need to manual Load/Reload operation from within the Revit UI
• Drag and Drop Keynotes from the Palette directly onto Revit Elements to keynote those elements.
• Super fast search function. Easy keynoter will display all search compliant keynotes in seconds. We have tested this on a keynote file with over 20,000 keynotes and the results displayed within 1 second.
• Easily Import/Export your existing old Keynote.txt files into and out of the Database.
• User management. Create user groups and assign who is allowed to add/edit/remove keynotes from the database.
• One Revit power user that has seen this product commented. “Mate, looks absolutly awesome, bring it on.”

Looking forward to checking it out!

ARCXL Revit Details - Post Xmas Present

Mark Siever with ARCXL wrote to me recently to let me know that their business model has changed in a significant way. I wrote about what they started in May 2010. He tells me that their more than 41,000 details are now free to the end user, you (assuming you work for an architecture firm).

Keep in mind that I didn't count them to verify that very big number of details. Remember I'm a ex-lighting and sound guy so at best I could count to two, check one-two...maybe three? Check one-two-three...

From their web site:
...snip
ARCxl Revit® built free details have been created by architects to assist other architects using Autodesk Revit® for Building Information Modeling (BIM). ARCxl's intent is to enhance architect profitability and the use of BIM while also changing perceptions that discourage the conversion from CAD to BIM. Our core feature is a detail library designed to efficiently dispense completed parametric architectural details ready for Revit user customizing. The details are built entirely with Autodesk Revit® and are now provided free of charge to qualifying architects and architecture firms in the U.S. and Canada. They may also be purchased as a set in a single more convenient file ready for use in your Revit® projects. The sheer volume of the detail collection ensures that additional editing is minimized. For a comprehensive explanation please watch the video demonstration. You may also try ARCxl in demonstration mode
...snip

In the past it was necessary to pay for details as you needed them, either $12.95 per detail, $9.95 per detail for orders of more than 50 details or by defining a subscription package relationship. Since their start they've found that building product manufacturers (BPM's) have been willing to underwrite their effort because doing so puts their product information in your hands and your projects. This means "free" for you and me.

There are a few requirements to get them for free, they verify the following before activating an account:

• Firm based in the USA or Canada
• Valid firm email address (no generic accounts like gmail,yahoo etc)
• Valid office phone & address

They've got a few videos that help explain how it all works. Video One, Two and Three.