Five Minutes with Shape Editing a Bay Roof

I posted this screencast in response to a thread at the Autodesk Forums. Figured I might as well share it here too. I used shape editing to create the bay roof condition shown in this image.

It's based on an image of a DWG roof plan that was shared in the original post in the discussion. The sketches of the main and bay roofs look like the following image. It also shows the sketched Split Line elements I added to make raising the bay ridge up easy.

Here's the screencast I created to post at the forums.


FWIW, I made the main roof partially transparent so I could see the walls more easily. In the video I commented about using the Two Cut Plumb setting with a 12" value. The Shape Editing disables that for the bay roof but it did start out with that setting in play so it all worked out as I intended even though I was confused about it at the time.

Revit Incompatible with Custom Display Scales

Revit appears to be incompatible with custom display scaling greater than 150%. If you've got a relatively new computer you may have a display that exceeds what Revit is currently designed to support, though I've seen reports of AutoCAD having difficulty with it too, FWIW.

I've been encountering complaints from people getting bizarre graphic display behavior when attempting to use scaling between 150-200%. It seems to be happening a bit more in the Apple camp of users that are running Windows via Boot Camp. I've even heard about a few that won't work above 100% at all.

If you're in this boat then I advise taking some Dramamine, set it back to 100%, and check your video card, settings, and drivers.

Video Settings and DPI

Be aware that Revit does not support increasing a computer's DPI (dot per square inch) video/graphics settings beyond 150%, assuming your computer permits it all. There are numerous cases where doing so causes either instability (crashing) or just poor graphic display quality.

Learn to Program the Revit API

If you are interested in learning the Revit API Harry Mattison (Boost Your BIM) created an online course hosted at Udemy (The Academy of You).

It's delivered in 33 video segments which vary from a few minutes to a little over fifteen minutes. It's also very reasonably priced at $149.00. Maybe I'll see you on campus?

Learn to Program the Revit API

Quirky Roof - Roofing Around

A recent thread at the Revitforum.org asked about this roof form.

Don't worry about the dimensions. I used them to make sure a roof would work if I was "careful". I later messed around with it a bit to see if I could reproduce the error the original poster described, like this.

The other day I was discussing roofs with someone and I brought this situation up. I used the arrow keys to nudge walls around and thought the result was worthy of a quick video to demonstrate how different proportions affect the roof outcome. It's certainly quirky, maybe even "buggy"?

Family Discussion at NYC RUG

James Vandezande tweeted last week about a You Tube posting of the New York City Revit User Group. I remember having a microphone but didn't remember that it was recorded. Is it universal that people don't like how they sound on video or recordings? :(

It's using Revit 9.1, yikes! The video runs 1 hour 41 minutes, James introduces me at about 7.5 minutes...I ramble for a bit until about 11 minutes in. This was the precursor to a class I did at Autodesk University in the same year.

Wow, such differences between then and now, only four solids/voids...no swept blend yet. The Design Bar...menus and toolbars.

Revit Equipment in Action

Just a little unsolicited plug for a friend's work in Revit. Who says Revit equipment families can't be "sexy"? :) Nice work Taylor!

Revit 2012 Adaptive Components and RTC Teaser

Check out this short video demo of using adaptive components on a facade to experiment with color fin treatment. Especially appreciate the plug for attending Revit Technology Conference to learn more about how to do it!

Laura Gets to GO!

This was my First Post about Laura wanting to go to Autodesk University. I also made these posts later on, Second Post, Third Post. I also mentioned that Bruce made a video in this
Related Post.

The votes are in and the results are in! (even though I didn't vote at Facebook, the non-joiner that I am). Laura Wood wins! She gets to go! Congrats!!

The other two winners are Joe Lee and Thomas McMillin.

Now Bruce Wants to Go to Autodesk University 2009

It was only a matter of time... Bruce posted his reason to go and his has Revit in it! I'm not trying to distract attention from Laura but he has another perspective. You can WATCH it at Youtube or listen and watch here.

Laura Wants to go to Autodesk University 2009

Laura created this video because she wants to go to Autodesk University. I liked the video, it is well done, I appreciate the effort and initiative. I think you should watch it and help her go too! I've embedded it here so you can listen and watch NOW!

Why did she do it?? Autodesk is running the AU 2009 YouTube Contest: Enter to Win!

Here’s your chance to win one of three (3) AU 2009 Las Vegas 3-Day, All-Inclusive Passes, each worth US$2,395 (regular rate). The All-Inclusive Pass includes conference, classes and hands-on labs, hotel, meals, and social events.

How to Enter
To enter, all you have to do is create and upload a “video response” to the YouTube video “Reasons to Attend Autodesk University”. In your video, tell us why you want to attend AU 2009 in Las Vegas.

How Winners Will Be Selected
On October 12, 2009, the five (5) most-viewed video responses will be posted to AU's Facebook Fan Page. AU Facebook fans will then vote for their favorite videos by using the "Like" feature.
On October 16, 2009, those individuals with the three (3) highest number of "Likes" will be declared the winners.

Each winning contestant will receive an AU 2009 3-Day, All-Inclusive Pass.

The more creative and entertaining your entry, the more likely you are to win!

Learn More
Visit the official Autodesk University 2009 YouTube Contest page for more information. Then get out your cameras, tap into your creativity. and go have some fun.

BTW, to vote for your favorite video submissions, be sure to become a Fan of AU on Facebook. Follow AU on Twitter for real time updates and contest announcements.

Conical Ceiling Condition

Another recent post at AUGI prompted this video. The question is how to make a cone shaped ceiling. You can listen and watch below.

This is the final result.

Video Bandwidth

If you've attempted to watch a video and got a bandwidth message, it has been fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Revit MEP Air Terminal - Troubleshooting

I received an email from client asking for a little assistance with an air terminal family. Apparently the diagonal line they wanted to indicate that the terminal is a "return" wouldn't play along when the family changed size.

Recently I was in Houston and David Baldacchino (Do U Revit? blog) and I had a chance to hang out. He told me about a new (new to me) video capture tool called Jing Project by Techsmith (makers of my favorite screen capture tool SnagIT) that allows you to do screen capture to video or images as well as audio. Then you can easily post the video on Screencast. This post is as much a test as an example of troubleshooting a family.

The issue came down to this. Revit constrains elements orthogonally. The diagonal symbolic line is constrained to the reference planes, not the edges of the neck opening that they wanted it to "follow". The video describes the process of using the Automatic Sketch Dimensions (ASD's) that Revit applies when we do not explicitly add our own dimensions or lock padlocks, for example. The ASD's will do the job nicely as long as well "tell" them what is important to us.

Here's a link to the video: (embedded it is too big to view on the blogger screen)

Download it HERE. (3.75mb)