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!

Autodesk Ed's Channel - Three New Student Video Collections

I was asked by Philipp Mueller, a student attending the Technical University Graz in Austria, to help spread the word about some training videos that he helped create. There are three sets of videos hosted on the Autodesk Ed's Channel at You Tube. By the way, Alan James Wooldridge posted about the Detailing videos earlier on his Revit Structure Learning Curve Blog.

• Getting Started Video Tutorials for Revit Architecture 2011 (14 Videos +/-85 minutes)
• Advanced Detailing Tutorial for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 (12 Videos +/- 65 minutes)
• Professional Mass Modeling & Render Video Tutorials for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 (12 Videos +/- 74 minutes)

I find You Tube's dump-it-all-in-there approach to video organization a bit frustrating so gratefully Philipp provided the following links for each video collection:

Getting Started Video Tutorials for Revit Architecture 2011
This tutorial is conceived to allow an easy start with Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 and to get an extensive overview of the power of building information modeling.

• Step00/14 Introduction (2:13)
• Step01/14 User Interface (4:07)
• Step02/14 Grid & Levels (6:50)
• Step03/14 Wall, Columns, Floor Modifications (6:06)
• Step04/14 Split Element, Match Properties, Attach Elements to Top (3:47)
• Step05/14 Interiors Walls, Trim / Extend Elements, Doors (5:42)
• Step06/14 Windows, Stairs, Shaft Opening (5:14)
• Step07/14 Railing, Modification of Curtain Walls (5:29)
  
• Step08/14 Import Site, Building Pad, Place Site Components (5:17)
• Step09/14 Groups, Rooms & Rooms Tag, Color Scheme (7:05)
  
• Step10/14 Dimensions (6:32)
• Step11/14 Wall Constuction & Wall Wrapping, Schedules & Tag Elements, Section (5:45)
  
• Step12/14 View Template, View Properties, Sheets (5:50)
• Step13/14 Freeform (6:13)
  
• Step14/14 Sun Path, Camera & Navigation Wheel, Render Properties (6:39)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Advanced Detailing Tutorial for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
This tutorial is dedicated to the detail planning. In the next 12 steps you will learn how to draw details and create detail components.

• Step 00/12 - Introduction  (0:48)
• Step 01/12 - Project settings (5:11)
• Step 02/12 - Override graphics in view, link a Revit project, import a dwg (3:39)
• Step 03/12 - Bearing structure (5:23)
  
• Step 04/12 - Roof and roof joins (7:12)
• Step 05/12 - Renovation plan (6:21)
  
• Step 06/12 - Wall sweep and reveal, create in‐place component (5:59)
• Step 07/12 - Sloped insulation, multi layered wall and wall joins (5:02)
  
• Step 08/12 - Lines, create line type, callout (4:40)
• Step 09/12 - Masking region, filled region, repeating detail component, detail component (5:03)
  
• Step 10/12 - Cut profile, tag material, element keynote (4:47)
• Step 11/12 - Linework, view range, plane region (4:50)
  
• Step 12/12 - Title block, legend component, print and export (4:42)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Professional Mass Modeling & Render Video Tutorials for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011In this Tutorial you will learn a variety of methods to sketch easy and complicated freeforms with Autodesk Revit Architecture. To be able to present effectively architectural drafts, we will also show several ways to visualize your architectural design.

• Step 00/12 – Introduction (1:21)
• Step 01/12 – Extrusion – Work Plane – Void (5:16)
• Step 02/12 – Conceptual Mass – Blend Mass – Edit Mass Profiles (5:31)
• Step 03/12 – Reference Lines – Freeform Surface – Revolve Mass (6:37)
• Step 04/12 - Swept Blend Mass – Dissolve Mass – Spline Through Points (5:02)
• Step 05/12 – Divide Surface – Surface Patterns – Adaptive Elements  (4:30)
• Step 06/12 – Panel by Pattern (Part 1) Type – Parameter (6:40)
• Step 07/12 – Curtain Panel by Pattern (Part 2) Instance – Parameter (5:38)
• Step 08/12 – Autodesk Mass Floors – Floor Area and Volume Calculations – Place Floor, Wall, Curtain System and Roof by Face (6:00)
• Step 09/12 – Walkthrough (7:03)
• Step 10/12 – Render Materials – Exterior Daylight Render – Background Image (6:49)
• Step 11/12 – Night Render – Adjust Exposure – Render without Textures (7.26)
• Step 12/12 – Graphics Display Options – Shadow Settings – Interior Daylight Render (4:59)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Video Training Option - Paul Aubin on Lynda.Com

I'm a bit late mentioning this, sorry! Paul wrote to let me know that he recently finished a Revit Essentials training class in a video format that is offered at Lynda.com.

They specialize in video training for all sorts of things. Paul wants to get the word out so here's my little contribution.

Hope it sells well!

Revit Extensions for Revit Architecture 2009

Scott Latch (Revit Architecture Technical Product Manager) Announced the following today at the AUGI Revit forums.

Revit Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Grid Generator, Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, Elements Positioning, and Microsoft Excel®-based Model Generation.

Nice to see these tools shared with Revit Architecture! Be sure to check them out!

In order to access the extensions you must check in at the Autodesk Subscription site, log in.

Revit Architecture and MEP new builds posted - (20080602_1900)

As noted in the previous post for Revit Structure the new builds, termed WU-1 (Web Update), have been posted at Autodesk's site, build number 20080602_1900.

Revit Architecture
Revit MEP

There is only one download for Revit MEP as it is only sold as a "suite" but there are two downloads for Revit Architecture, standalone and "suite". The links take you to the "choose your language" page.

This is Architecture enhancements in the web update list at Autodesk.

Improves performance when modifying customer visibility settings for linked files, when many volumes exist that are bound by the linked file.
Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
Rooms will now export Revit internal parameters for IFC.
When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
“Intensity” on Decal Types dialog was changed to “Brightness” to match Help documentation.
Spot elevation with Display Elevation = Top & Bottom Elevation will now report the correct bottom elevation for sloped elements.
In plan view with medium or fine detail level, spot elevations now report the correct top or bottom elevation of a beam that is joined to a column.
Improves stability when changing the visibility of a link in a view template.
“Downlight – Spot” light family no longer has duplicate Tilt Angle parameter.
Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled by the deleted light group; instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog.
Improves stability when exporting to CAD formats.
Improves stability when closing SteeringWheels.
Improves stability when adding elements to a group.
Families that contain arrayed voids will now function properly in the project.
Improves stability for users with non-English operating systems when using the Open/Save dialog.
Notes created in Revit for a DWF markup object will now propagate to the DWF after selecting publish.
Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
Improves appearance of decals using cut-outs.
Corrects “Unable to Start” error when starting the application.
Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
Structural columns will now have a higher priority when joined to non-bearing and shear walls.
For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep returns.
Restores some structural components in SouthAsiaLibrary content bundle.

This is the MEP list:

Improves performance when modifying customer visibility settings for linked files, when many volumes exist that are bound by the linked file.
Improves stability when exporting complex views to AutoCAD DWG format, when the hidden lines in those views have a large gap width.
United Kingdom content is now included in the English installer.
Improves stability when editing a family in the System Editor.
Improves stability when upgrading previous release files that contain certain schedule configurations.
IES light fixture information exported to the IES now contains correct direction information.
Improves performance when opening views with multiple unconnected systems.
1 and 2 pole panels can now be assigned to 3 Phase Distribution Systems.
Wires in a view no longer impact the display of color fills.
Wires are no longer trimmed according to the extents of the light source geometry.
Light fixture preview images do not include the light source geometry.
Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
Improves consistency of panel schedule column sizes when panel name is changed.
Duct and pipe accessories can now change types without disconnecting from duct and pipe segments.
Rooms will now export Revit internal parameters for IFC.
When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
“Intensity” on Decal Types dialog was changed to “Brightness” to match Help documentation.
Spot elevation with Display Elevation = Top & Bottom Elevation will now report the correct bottom elevation for sloped elements.
In plan view with medium or fine detail level, spot elevations now report the correct top or bottom elevation of a beam that is joined to a column.
Improves stability when changing the visibility of a link in a view template.
“Downlight – Spot” light family no longer has duplicate Tilt Angle parameter.
Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled by the deleted light group; instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog.
Improves stability when exporting to CAD formats.
Improves stability when closing SteeringWheels.
Improves stability when adding elements to a group.
Families that contain arrayed voids will now function properly in the project.
Improves stability for users with non-English operating systems when using the Open/Save dialog.
Notes created in Revit for a DWF markup object will now propagate to the DWF after selecting publish.
Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
Improves appearance of decals using cut-outs.
Corrects “Unable to Start” error when starting the application.
Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep returns.
Improves the fidelity of printing and exporting of hidden lines shown in structural and MEP views.

Tale of a Round Trip - Revit MEP Family and RAC

Attended a local user group recently and an attendee asked if it was possible, and/or useful, to use a Revit MEP (RME) family in a Revit Architecture (RAC) model, for example a toilet. The answer given was yes, but we would lose plumbing engineering functionality of the toilet while working with it in RAC.

First the greatest advantage to using a RME toilet in a RAC project is if the RME team is going to actually work on the same project file. While this is certainly possible it might not be very likely for at least two reasons, separate firms doing the work and model/Revit performance (based on project size).

A second possible advantage is that RME users can Copy/Paste elements in a linked RAC file into their project. If it is already a RME toilet, using the same example, then it is now ready for pipe. The RAC user can decide if they want to keep their toilet or let the RME version stand in now, much like Revit Structure (RST) columns ultimately replace the ones the RAC user placed originally.

It was suggested that Revit might change the family if it was used in RAC and then returned to RME. I didn't think that would be the case so tonight, just for grins, I did two different tests:

1 - RME Toilet round trip between RME and RAC in the project environment to see if Revit did anything unkind to the family. Answer - no!

2 - RME Toilet round trip between RME and RAC in the family editor environment to see if Revit did anything unkind to the family. Answer - no!

The primary difference in both cases was that most of the RME specific features were visible but inaccessible to the RAC user. Here's the dialog box captures for each sequence, starting with the project environment.

RAC Project - Properties

RME Project - Properties

RAC Family Editor - Connector Properties

RAC Family Editor - Family Types

RME Family Editor - Connector Properties

RME Family Editor - Family Types

You can see that the family survived being opened and saved in both RAC and RME without harming the usability of the family in either version. In fact in RAC a few of the parameters, like Flow Pressure is still editable, while other engineering criteria are simply inaccessible.

So the question remains, what benefit is there to use RME families in RAC if you are not working within the same project file? Well apart from the Copy/Paste tool letting your RME consultant use your fixtures, I suppose not much!

Well that was fun!

Mastering Revit Architecture 2008

I'm so late mentioning this!! Not only do I let my ex-publisher down by not finishing the book but I'm late mentioning that the authors who DID write and actually finish the book have FINISHED the book. It became available during this past November and I saw the book in person finally at Autodesk University 2007.

So as the title of this post implies the title is Mastering Revit Architecture 2008.

Authors Eddie Krygiel, Tatjana Dzambazova and Greg Demchak finished their first book (Introducing Revit Architecture 2008) just before I dropped out of the contract with Sybex. This meant they could jump right in and finish the book nearly on schedule. They were so pleased that I left them lots of time, not likely. In fact when I examined the book at AU I was very impressed by how much they were able to accomplish in such a short time, just AMAZING to me.

It was meant to be I think, they were originally going to write both books but Sybex approached me to try to get the second book sooner. The final result means some continuity between both books, common voice and position as well as style and knowledge.

Thanks to the "three muskateers" as I called them in my earlier post. Job well done!!!

P.S. A little trivia...according to my source the description "Mastering" was first used in conjunction with Autodesk software by Sybex, "Mastering AutoCAD" etc.

Not to mention the competition too loudly but you may be familiar with the other Revit "Mastering" book produced by Thompson/Delmar Learning and authored by Paul Aubin with Robert Mencarini? His book is titled "Mastering Autodesk Revit Building" and he is working on "Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture

New Builds - Revit Architecture, Structure & MEP - (20071109_2345)

A new build has been posted for each:

Revit Architecture, DOWNLOAD HERE!
Revit Structure DOWNLOAD HERE!
Revit MEP DOWNLOAD HERE!

This is the text from the pdf file listing the issues addressed by the new build.

Allows the ability to array face-based families placed on a vertical face.
Allows the ability to maintain face-based instances on curved surfaces of a Revit file linked into Revit Architecture software when the link is unloaded.

Improves stability when selecting sections.
Allows the ability to insert an electrical receptacle into a legend view.
Improves stability when accessing the Help menu in Revit Architecture on a computer with the Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system.

Improves stability when applying a view template to a sheet.
Improves performance when views contain many objects with overridden graphics by element.

New Build - Revit Architecture 2008

Build Number 20070810_1700

The following is the text from a pdf file posted at the Autodesk Site, click THIS LINK to visit the "choose your language download page".

Improvements made in the current Web Update SP2 build (20070810_1700):

Improves stability after receiving a corrupt element warning when opening a project.
Publish to DWF™ functions when Rooms are present and are clipped by the viewport.
Improves stability when saving a Project with a linked DWG™ file that contains an image.
Improves stability when applying a view template to a sheet view.
In Windows Vista™ operating system, allows the ability to write to revit.ini, licpath.lic, KeyboardShortcuts.txt, and the Journals folder.
Line based families contained in a group are no longer flipped when the group is mirrored.
Improves stability when importing group into Titleblock family.
Allows the ability to export renderings to TIFF format.
When temporary dimension text is too small to read, user can adjust the size of the font through Revit.ini.
Linked DWG added by another user will now show up in Manage Links after reload latest.
“Relative” spot elevation updates automatically with the change in Level elevation.
When exporting to DWG, overlapping lines that share a point are no longer missing in the resulting DWG file.

Improvements made in the previous Web Update SP1 build (20070607_1700):

Improves stability when importing .dwg or .dxf with the presence of an older version of DWG TrueView™ installed on the computer.
For a selected Line, Hide Category in View no longer affects all Categories of Lines.
Some Detail, Plan, or Section Callouts are no longer erroneously hidden in cropped views.
Masking Regions in Tag Families will now obscure elements in project and in exports.
Filled Regions containing Solid Fills, which are overridden to be Transparent, now print consistently between Vector and Raster modes.
Improves stability with Overlay Planes turned off in Graphics Settings.
Crop Regions which were previously missing are now visible in Views in upgraded files and templates.
Display problems in a view no longer occur when zooming with OpenGL® hardware acceleration turned on.
Copying nested links from the Project Browser places the Link and its nested components.
Elements refresh in views when deselected.
Product Registration for multiple products in Subscription no longer returns “Invalid Serial Number.”

Revit Architecture 2008 - New Build (20070607_1700)

To synchronize the recent update of Revit Structure, Revit Architecture now has a newer build. This list is the text posted at the Autodesk site:

This build, (20070607_1700), addresses issues related to:

• For a selected Line, Hide Category in View affects all Categories of Lines.
• Some Detail, Plan, or Section Callouts are erroneously hidden in cropped views.
• Masking Regions in Tag Families do not obscure elements in project and in exports.
• Filled Regions containing Solid Fills, which are overridden to be Transparent, print inconsistently between Vector and Raster modes.
• Instability with Overlay Planes turned off in Graphics Settings.
• Some Crop Regions are not visible in Views in upgraded files and templates.
• Display problems in a View when zooming with OpenGL® hardware acceleration turned on.
• Copying nested links from the Project Browser places only the Link and not its nested components.
• Elements do not refresh in views when deselected.
• Product Registration for multiple products in Subscription returns “Invalid Serial Number.”

Download it Here!