A common complaint among Revit users is the number of dialog boxes which do not allow for resizing. All of the dialog boxes would benefit from this concept, being resizable that is...
David Kingham brought this utility to our attention at AUGI some time ago. It is called Resize Enable, that is provided free via this website, comes in. "RE" hacks its way into the user interface and application programming interface of windows to allow us to resize dialogs that haven't provided a native way to do so.
The following text is an excerpt from the readme file included when you download Resize Enable:
It's a very ugly system hack that sits in your system tray and attempts to make windows that can't usually be resized, resizeable...
This small hack is completely and utterly free and we accept no responsibility if it causes something to misbehave! It -=IS=- a HACK! Theoretically the worst that can happen is that a window's contents will go a little AWOL, but re-opening the window should sort it out....
If you want features added, or fancy contributing a bit of cash to keep us in Beer and Ben&Jerrys, or just want to let us know that you use it, then get in touch...
via email: orm at digitallis dot co dot uk
As nice as this is there are a couple drawbacks. First is that you need to be careful when resizing some dialogs, like the Review Warnings dialog. You have to adjust the size a tiny amount first or else the buttons don't resize properly and you can't see all of them anymore.
The second is that the project browser begins to display a "box-frame" around any view name that doesn't fit in the current width of the browser. This frame also offsets or distorts the display of the name and it makes it a little harder to determine if you have the correct view selected.
Now these setbacks are what happens on my pc and a couple others I've used it on but it is possible that your configuration won't mind? Your "mileage may vary".
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Occupancy Calculations
A time consuming task for architects is the evaluation of the project's intended occupancy and its impact on egress from a building. It is possible to improve this process considerably with Revit by reporting data in Room schedules. However simply reporting this same information in a room tag isn't so trivial.
The fundamental problem is that we can not display data that we calculate inside the project in a tag yet. A tag family can not use the area value in an equation because it doesn't exist until you are in a project.
This FILE is an example of a strategy that reduces some of the drudgery of looking up data and having the numbers "crunched" but leaves us with manual data entry to get the information in tags so it can be display meaningfully in plan views as well as listed in a schedule. I did the work in this example but the inspiration goes to WLC Architects, where Scott Davis used to work. It is an imperfect example/solution but should serve as inspiration for your own approach to this issue.
Some of my thoughts about how this might change in Revit:
We need a way to tell Revit that a tag will use a project value, like area, once it is inserted and an object is tagged. A placeholder for AREA that will assume the true value when you tag a space but in the family itself substitutes a temporary value so the formula will "work".
Alternatively we need a system family tag type that can combine instance data like Area with other shared parameters to display calculations.
A third concept might be schedules that actually behave like tags and allow freeform placement of parameters and linework to look like a tag.
Yet another is to allow us to map one parameter to another within a project. Essentially allowing what we have done in these schedules manually to be done automatically, ala Excel...Cell A1 is equal to Cell J4.
In terms of value delivered, this sort of evaluation/calculation is a process that all firms go through to some extent. Evaluating occupied spaces and demonstrating how the design meets the code. This is a business problem Revit needs to help us resolve. Giving us greater ability to decide where and how information will be displayed is very important.
The bottom line is we need a way to display calculated data in tags.
The fundamental problem is that we can not display data that we calculate inside the project in a tag yet. A tag family can not use the area value in an equation because it doesn't exist until you are in a project.
This FILE is an example of a strategy that reduces some of the drudgery of looking up data and having the numbers "crunched" but leaves us with manual data entry to get the information in tags so it can be display meaningfully in plan views as well as listed in a schedule. I did the work in this example but the inspiration goes to WLC Architects, where Scott Davis used to work. It is an imperfect example/solution but should serve as inspiration for your own approach to this issue.
Some of my thoughts about how this might change in Revit:
We need a way to tell Revit that a tag will use a project value, like area, once it is inserted and an object is tagged. A placeholder for AREA that will assume the true value when you tag a space but in the family itself substitutes a temporary value so the formula will "work".
Alternatively we need a system family tag type that can combine instance data like Area with other shared parameters to display calculations.
A third concept might be schedules that actually behave like tags and allow freeform placement of parameters and linework to look like a tag.
Yet another is to allow us to map one parameter to another within a project. Essentially allowing what we have done in these schedules manually to be done automatically, ala Excel...Cell A1 is equal to Cell J4.
In terms of value delivered, this sort of evaluation/calculation is a process that all firms go through to some extent. Evaluating occupied spaces and demonstrating how the design meets the code. This is a business problem Revit needs to help us resolve. Giving us greater ability to decide where and how information will be displayed is very important.
The bottom line is we need a way to display calculated data in tags.
School of Hard Knocks - Keynotes and Linked Files
A client email and subsequent phone call yesterday advised me that they were "butting their heads into a wall" using the Keynote Feature with the linked files. Scott Davis, with Autodesk, was able to respond to them earlier than me because I was preoccupied elsewhere, thanks for being so responsive Scott!
The bottom line is that it is not possible to generate a keynote legend that includes elements in a linked file. I assume that this is because a keynote legend is able to "sense" what keynotes are in use on a sheet's views and generate the list of keynotes accordingly. I therefore assume that the linked file does not communicate this information to the host project. The only indication that this won't work or isn't possible is that the "Include Elements in Linked Files" check box is disabled in the schedule properties dialog.
The suggested workaround is to generate the relevant keynote legend in the linked file itself and then either capture the result as an image or dwg export which can be added to a view in the host project. Alternatively this documentation should/could, if possible, be done soley in the linked file instead. Unfortunately the manner in which clients link files together varies and it may not be a reasonable suggestion.
The request/issue has been logged with support accordingly but if this is a concern for your firm too it would serve all of us if you share your concern with support as well.
The bottom line is that it is not possible to generate a keynote legend that includes elements in a linked file. I assume that this is because a keynote legend is able to "sense" what keynotes are in use on a sheet's views and generate the list of keynotes accordingly. I therefore assume that the linked file does not communicate this information to the host project. The only indication that this won't work or isn't possible is that the "Include Elements in Linked Files" check box is disabled in the schedule properties dialog.
The suggested workaround is to generate the relevant keynote legend in the linked file itself and then either capture the result as an image or dwg export which can be added to a view in the host project. Alternatively this documentation should/could, if possible, be done soley in the linked file instead. Unfortunately the manner in which clients link files together varies and it may not be a reasonable suggestion.
The request/issue has been logged with support accordingly but if this is a concern for your firm too it would serve all of us if you share your concern with support as well.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Return to Forever on Tour Again - Off Topic
The 70's fusion group Return to Forever returns to the road this month. They are appearing in 50 cities in the USA and Europe. This group helped define the jazz/rock/fusion genre of music. RtF combined the now well known musicians Chick Corea, Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White into a super group of jazz/Latin virtuosos. This tour coincides with the newly released re-mastered album "Return to Forever: The Anthology".
They released four albums between 1973 and 1976, separated and then briefly toured again in 1983. Each of them has enjoyed prolific careers apart from Return to Forever which is partly to blame for the 25 years between tours.
I worked as a lighting tech on one tour date when they appeared at the Rochester Auditorium theater (NY State) during the 1983 tour. It was really a dual pleasure to work and see the show. A classic, "I'm getting paid to do this?" moment! I even got to chat with Al after the show for a couple minutes while we tore down the lighting gear.
I became aware of their work well after their initial heyday even though I was aware of their contempories Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report. I also greatly admired the Dixie Dregs, who were heavily influenced by Mahavishnu Orchestra too.
As a "part time" drummer (meaning I always had a day job) I always aspired to be able to play that sort of music even though realistically I am too lazy to do the work to reach that level. That and that my natural sweet spot or "talent" is, I think, contemporary rock.
I was introduced to Al Dimeola's solo work by the sound engineer that I worked with for a few years in the early 80's. I own nearly all of his (Al DiMeola's) albums and still frequently listen to them to this day. I've managed to see him perform a couple times over the years and I'd encourage anyone who enjoys this type of music to do so. His solo work is a collaboration with many of the finest musicians to ever play. Naturally I became curious about the other places he practiced his craft which led me "back" to Return to Forever.
Sadly their tour dates don't coincide with my travel plans so I'll miss out on this tour. It took them 25 years to get around to touring again, so if you are a fan, do your best to catch their show! Who knows how long it will take for the next one?
They released four albums between 1973 and 1976, separated and then briefly toured again in 1983. Each of them has enjoyed prolific careers apart from Return to Forever which is partly to blame for the 25 years between tours.
I worked as a lighting tech on one tour date when they appeared at the Rochester Auditorium theater (NY State) during the 1983 tour. It was really a dual pleasure to work and see the show. A classic, "I'm getting paid to do this?" moment! I even got to chat with Al after the show for a couple minutes while we tore down the lighting gear.
I became aware of their work well after their initial heyday even though I was aware of their contempories Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report. I also greatly admired the Dixie Dregs, who were heavily influenced by Mahavishnu Orchestra too.
As a "part time" drummer (meaning I always had a day job) I always aspired to be able to play that sort of music even though realistically I am too lazy to do the work to reach that level. That and that my natural sweet spot or "talent" is, I think, contemporary rock.
I was introduced to Al Dimeola's solo work by the sound engineer that I worked with for a few years in the early 80's. I own nearly all of his (Al DiMeola's) albums and still frequently listen to them to this day. I've managed to see him perform a couple times over the years and I'd encourage anyone who enjoys this type of music to do so. His solo work is a collaboration with many of the finest musicians to ever play. Naturally I became curious about the other places he practiced his craft which led me "back" to Return to Forever.
Sadly their tour dates don't coincide with my travel plans so I'll miss out on this tour. It took them 25 years to get around to touring again, so if you are a fan, do your best to catch their show! Who knows how long it will take for the next one?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dept. of Subtle - Dimension Overrides and Openings
Hiroshi Jacobs shared this with me today. He came across it and thought I'd find it interesting. I did and do and figured I might as well share it and let him be my guest writer today! You may be familiar with Hiroshi already, or at least the little Revit site he started with his brother...you've heard of RevitCity right? He currently works as a designer with RTKL.
Here is what he wrote:
If you dimension both sides of an opening family (door, window, etc.) it won’t let you append a text value above or below the dimension:
Notice the 4’-0” grayed out in the below box? Well that is the height of the window being dimensioned… There is a checkbox parameter in the dimension style type properties which allows you to show the height of the opening family in the dimension string.
That’s cool, but what if I don’t want to show the height, I want to add “R.O.” below the dimension string – I can’t unless I dimension to something other than both sides of the window.
Thanks for the info Hiroshi!
Here is what he wrote:
If you dimension both sides of an opening family (door, window, etc.) it won’t let you append a text value above or below the dimension:
Notice the 4’-0” grayed out in the below box? Well that is the height of the window being dimensioned… There is a checkbox parameter in the dimension style type properties which allows you to show the height of the opening family in the dimension string.
That’s cool, but what if I don’t want to show the height, I want to add “R.O.” below the dimension string – I can’t unless I dimension to something other than both sides of the window.
Thanks for the info Hiroshi!
Properties Dialog Access
There are a multitude of ways to open the properties dialog. The most obvious is to select an element and click the Properties Button. Of course you can use the Edit menu > Properties. Doing that should make you aware of the "PR" keyboard shortcut (stock shortcuts).
If you are a "Right Clicker"...then you can choose Element Properties from the list, it's the one all the way at the bottom. Don't be fooled into thinking that View Properties is what you want, "View" in this case isn't a verb.
A couple less obvious items are to use Windows Keyboard shortcut combinations, and there are a lot. I find that I just can't remember enough of them which means looking them up counters their effectiveness. Unless you can manage to replace something else you want to remember with some new ones?
You can use this combination, Alt+Enter to edit the Element properties of your current selection. Once open this combination, Ctrl+Enter will toggle back and forth between the Element and Type properties dialogs.
I should also mention that there is always the ALT key plus menu letters combinations. Depending on your Windows settings pressing the ALT key should display little underlined letters in the menu. Pressing ALT then the underlined letter will expand that menu and then you can do the same for the next level until you get where you want to go.
For properties it would go something like this: select something
Press ALT, press E, press I (twice because I is shared with Resize and Properties)
Press Enter, Press E to open Type Properties dialog.
It is actually much quicker than it looks but no, I'm not suggesting it is faster than just typing PR (keyboard shortcut).
Got properties?
If you are a "Right Clicker"...then you can choose Element Properties from the list, it's the one all the way at the bottom. Don't be fooled into thinking that View Properties is what you want, "View" in this case isn't a verb.
A couple less obvious items are to use Windows Keyboard shortcut combinations, and there are a lot. I find that I just can't remember enough of them which means looking them up counters their effectiveness. Unless you can manage to replace something else you want to remember with some new ones?
You can use this combination, Alt+Enter to edit the Element properties of your current selection. Once open this combination, Ctrl+Enter will toggle back and forth between the Element and Type properties dialogs.
I should also mention that there is always the ALT key plus menu letters combinations. Depending on your Windows settings pressing the ALT key should display little underlined letters in the menu. Pressing ALT then the underlined letter will expand that menu and then you can do the same for the next level until you get where you want to go.
For properties it would go something like this: select something
Press ALT, press E, press I (twice because I is shared with Resize and Properties)
Press Enter, Press E to open Type Properties dialog.
It is actually much quicker than it looks but no, I'm not suggesting it is faster than just typing PR (keyboard shortcut).
Got properties?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Portland Revit User Group - Pub Crawl Update
We will meet at 7:00pm on Friday June 27th
Where:
Bridgeport Brewing
1313 N.W. Marshall
Portland, OR
Here's a link to a Google Map.
Where:
Bridgeport Brewing
1313 N.W. Marshall
Portland, OR
Here's a link to a Google Map.
Local Files and other Workset Thoughts
I have been advocating a number of workset habits for many years now. Do a search on this blog and see how many posts there are. Be prepared to read for a bit if you haven't already.
One of the things I've always suggested to people has been to automate the process of copying a local file and renaming it etc. This makes it easier, safer and predictable for the end users and tech support staff alike. Lately there has a been an "explosion" of firms doing this with more and more sophistication. The firms I first started pushing this idea on have nearly all finally done so or have been for some time now. In addition several members at AUGI have contributed their tools for others to use.
David Baldacchino has shared his both at AUGI and on his blog. David Kingham has shared his at AUGI too, in the same thread. You need to read through that thread carefully to find the final versions. Their contributions have both been built on AutoHotKey.
This is all great! Great for the general Revit community.
However I think it is long overdue that the Revit development team address the whole issue themselves. A Revit user once described the whole workset process as fragile. I first thought, "No! It's not fragile", but the word and its meaning slowly sunk into my pea brain. I've come to realize it is very fragile. Too many ways to screw up. Too many rules. Too many messages that require turning on our thinking cap or at least distracting us long enough to focus on Revit's needs instead of our own.
I'd like to encourage the Revit team to take a hard look at the entire workset workflow again now that they have so much more information available. Revisit from the typical user's perspective. Too much of software is written in such a way that it appeals to "techy" folks instead of people who just need to use the software to get something done. They want to know as little as they need to get "it" done!
Local Files, phooey. Who needs them? Why do we need to care? Make it invisible to us or at least invisible to the end user. Let the techy folks know what is going on behind the scenes.
Permission...we need to let people who know what they are doing do it and keep others out of harms way. A user permission strategy would provide that. Let us define who is a magnetic project manager (the person erases hard drives when he walks by) open a project but don't let him/her check stuff out or change things. Let us identify who the power user(s) is/are.
Make it easier to abandon changes. The need to close, don't relinquish, don't save, open the file, relinquish all mine...etc...is too many clicks and people start to look crosseyed at you when you explain why and how.
A friend half jokingly once told me that he believes that Autodesk employs a person identified as the "Complexifier". This person takes simple things and makes them complex to appeal to the techy in some of us. It is time that that the "complexifier" spends some quality time with a "simplifier" or two or three.
A long time ago I worked as a lighting tech for various touring bands. Every now and then I'd be standing behind the lighting console during a show and a fan would come up to me and tell me, "To turn up the vocals, NOW!" I suppose I could have told the fan, "I'm not the sound guy, he's over there!" Instead I'd just reach over to another part of the lighting console and push a slider up to full. Naturally this fan wouldn't notice the light coming on. Then I'd say, "Is that better?" The response was always something like, "Epithet Yeah!, COOL!. They'd go back to their fan friend and tell them they got it sorted.
I'm not suggesting we all need to be clueless and easily fooled but Revit ought to always strive to be pretty darn obvious. I know that the team does. I'm writing to encourage them to continue to "endeavor to persevere".
One of the things I've always suggested to people has been to automate the process of copying a local file and renaming it etc. This makes it easier, safer and predictable for the end users and tech support staff alike. Lately there has a been an "explosion" of firms doing this with more and more sophistication. The firms I first started pushing this idea on have nearly all finally done so or have been for some time now. In addition several members at AUGI have contributed their tools for others to use.
David Baldacchino has shared his both at AUGI and on his blog. David Kingham has shared his at AUGI too, in the same thread. You need to read through that thread carefully to find the final versions. Their contributions have both been built on AutoHotKey.
This is all great! Great for the general Revit community.
However I think it is long overdue that the Revit development team address the whole issue themselves. A Revit user once described the whole workset process as fragile. I first thought, "No! It's not fragile", but the word and its meaning slowly sunk into my pea brain. I've come to realize it is very fragile. Too many ways to screw up. Too many rules. Too many messages that require turning on our thinking cap or at least distracting us long enough to focus on Revit's needs instead of our own.
I'd like to encourage the Revit team to take a hard look at the entire workset workflow again now that they have so much more information available. Revisit from the typical user's perspective. Too much of software is written in such a way that it appeals to "techy" folks instead of people who just need to use the software to get something done. They want to know as little as they need to get "it" done!
Local Files, phooey. Who needs them? Why do we need to care? Make it invisible to us or at least invisible to the end user. Let the techy folks know what is going on behind the scenes.
Permission...we need to let people who know what they are doing do it and keep others out of harms way. A user permission strategy would provide that. Let us define who is a magnetic project manager (the person erases hard drives when he walks by) open a project but don't let him/her check stuff out or change things. Let us identify who the power user(s) is/are.
Make it easier to abandon changes. The need to close, don't relinquish, don't save, open the file, relinquish all mine...etc...is too many clicks and people start to look crosseyed at you when you explain why and how.
A friend half jokingly once told me that he believes that Autodesk employs a person identified as the "Complexifier". This person takes simple things and makes them complex to appeal to the techy in some of us. It is time that that the "complexifier" spends some quality time with a "simplifier" or two or three.
A long time ago I worked as a lighting tech for various touring bands. Every now and then I'd be standing behind the lighting console during a show and a fan would come up to me and tell me, "To turn up the vocals, NOW!" I suppose I could have told the fan, "I'm not the sound guy, he's over there!" Instead I'd just reach over to another part of the lighting console and push a slider up to full. Naturally this fan wouldn't notice the light coming on. Then I'd say, "Is that better?" The response was always something like, "Epithet Yeah!, COOL!. They'd go back to their fan friend and tell them they got it sorted.
I'm not suggesting we all need to be clueless and easily fooled but Revit ought to always strive to be pretty darn obvious. I know that the team does. I'm writing to encourage them to continue to "endeavor to persevere".
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Managing Columns in Revit Structure
A fellow AUGI member recently responded to a post that wanted help finding missing columns in the graphical column schedule (GCS). For a column to show up in the GCS it must occur at the intersection of two grids (keep in mind that RST 2009 permits off grid columns now though). You also need to be careful when placing/copy/pasting etc because a column may not "learn" which grid intersection it is supposed to live on.
Paul Andersen with Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates, Inc. has been using RST for quite some time now and his advice I feel is worthy of harvesting and sharing it here too! Here is what he wrote:
I'll just throw out a couple of tips that may help boost your confidence in the GCS or at least help you verify that all of the columns are accounted for.
On most projects I will typically create a grid plan and a 3D column view that I can leverage to verify the accuracy of the GCS.
Grid Plan
The grid plan is simply a duplicate of your base level plan with the top and cut plane of the view range set above the uppermost extents of your building and the bottom and view depth set to unlimited or an offset below the lowermost extents of your building. In the VV dialog toggle off all of the categories in the model tab except for the Structural Columns. In the annotation tab turn off all of the categories except for the Grid and possibly the Dimensions depending on your preference.
3D Column View
This is simply a 3D view that has all of the model categories toggled off in the VV dialog except for the Structural Columns.
Putting These Views to Work
Once you have generated the GCS that you are going to place on your construction documents and formatted it as you wish do the following: Window select all of the columns in the GCS. Go to the Grid Plan and/or the 3D Column View. Select the Temporary Hide/Isolate Tool (Sunglasses) and choose Hide Element. What you are left with at this point is a view that will display any columns currently not accounted for in the GCS. Repeat as necessary until you have all columns scheduled. I will typically verify the GCS in this manor prior to every submittal.
As a side note: the grid plan is also very useful for selecting whole column assemblies (top to bottom) with a quick window selection for the purpose of moving, copying or deleting.
He also shares a little about the effectiveness of the GCS at this time.
While the GCS is still missing some functionality that I'd really like to have (ability to add lines, symbols, text, sections, callouts and dimensions, user defined fields for base plate, anchor bolts, and other notes/information, more control over grouping, and the ability to report shared coordinates for the levels to name a few ) the ability to generate and maintain a schedule of this type with a few minutes and a couple of clicks as opposed to the hours it used to take to generate and maintain I think you'll still come out ahead even working through some of the frustrating hiccups that tend to arise throughout a typical project.
Thanks to Paul for sharing his wisdom!
Paul Andersen with Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates, Inc. has been using RST for quite some time now and his advice I feel is worthy of harvesting and sharing it here too! Here is what he wrote:
I'll just throw out a couple of tips that may help boost your confidence in the GCS or at least help you verify that all of the columns are accounted for.
On most projects I will typically create a grid plan and a 3D column view that I can leverage to verify the accuracy of the GCS.
Grid Plan
The grid plan is simply a duplicate of your base level plan with the top and cut plane of the view range set above the uppermost extents of your building and the bottom and view depth set to unlimited or an offset below the lowermost extents of your building. In the VV dialog toggle off all of the categories in the model tab except for the Structural Columns. In the annotation tab turn off all of the categories except for the Grid and possibly the Dimensions depending on your preference.
3D Column View
This is simply a 3D view that has all of the model categories toggled off in the VV dialog except for the Structural Columns.
Putting These Views to Work
Once you have generated the GCS that you are going to place on your construction documents and formatted it as you wish do the following: Window select all of the columns in the GCS. Go to the Grid Plan and/or the 3D Column View. Select the Temporary Hide/Isolate Tool (Sunglasses) and choose Hide Element. What you are left with at this point is a view that will display any columns currently not accounted for in the GCS. Repeat as necessary until you have all columns scheduled. I will typically verify the GCS in this manor prior to every submittal.
As a side note: the grid plan is also very useful for selecting whole column assemblies (top to bottom) with a quick window selection for the purpose of moving, copying or deleting.
He also shares a little about the effectiveness of the GCS at this time.
While the GCS is still missing some functionality that I'd really like to have (ability to add lines, symbols, text, sections, callouts and dimensions, user defined fields for base plate, anchor bolts, and other notes/information, more control over grouping, and the ability to report shared coordinates for the levels to name a few ) the ability to generate and maintain a schedule of this type with a few minutes and a couple of clicks as opposed to the hours it used to take to generate and maintain I think you'll still come out ahead even working through some of the frustrating hiccups that tend to arise throughout a typical project.
Thanks to Paul for sharing his wisdom!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Egress Example - Update
This single little contribution of mine to the Revit community has been the most continuously requested thing I've done. Something so seemingly simple borne out of a fellow user's request.
I'm glad that this has been useful to so many. Now I've updated it for 2009 and added another tag as well as a "schedule as tag" approach to displaying the total length at the end of a path. You can now download it freely instead of having to email me to get it! Happy Exiting!
Egress Path for Revit 2009
Egress Path for Revit 2008
Previous related posts:
Egress Path
Egress Regress
Egress Path Uh Oh!
I'm glad that this has been useful to so many. Now I've updated it for 2009 and added another tag as well as a "schedule as tag" approach to displaying the total length at the end of a path. You can now download it freely instead of having to email me to get it! Happy Exiting!
Egress Path for Revit 2009
Egress Path for Revit 2008
Previous related posts:
Egress Path
Egress Regress
Egress Path Uh Oh!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Scope Box Example Project Found - Now Available
I tracked down the example project file I referred to in my post about Scope Boxes the other day. If you are interested in it, I've made it available for download via that post and if you are in a hurry you can get it via this link now.
Scope Box Project Example version 2009 (2.8mb)
Scope Box Project Example version 2009 (2.8mb)
Linked Files - Room Bounding
This might seem simple and a little detail but large projects using linked files have needed this ability for a long time! Something so important but so subtle and little in just another dialog box among many.
This little check box means that your linked exterior curtain wall project can provide the room bounding your core/shell/interior project needs so you can avoid creating lots and lots of room separation lines. I'm also interested to see if users can harness the feature to enhance Unit Plan workflow perhaps. Happy Linking!
This little check box means that your linked exterior curtain wall project can provide the room bounding your core/shell/interior project needs so you can avoid creating lots and lots of room separation lines. I'm also interested to see if users can harness the feature to enhance Unit Plan workflow perhaps. Happy Linking!
Avatech's Utilities Update for 2009
This is a bit stale news but I thought I'd mention it nonetheless. Matt has announced the release of the updated routines they offered freely in the past for Revit 2008. If you found them useful before you can again with 2009! Thanks Matt and Avatech! Cheers!
Portland Revit User Group - Pub Crawl
In addition to me visiting this group's meeting on Friday, June 27th. The AUGI board is planning to arrange a social "pub crawl" at a local restaurant or brew pub. The location of this get together is to be determined at this time but I wanted to at least mention that we intend to do it.
It will be Friday, the 27th as well but after work, in the early evening. We hope that anyone who is interested in meeting with the board to talk AUGI, Autodesk...AutoCAD...Revit...whatever...will come out and "hang with the board"!
We are all looking forward to it! I will post again when a location is settled.
It will be Friday, the 27th as well but after work, in the early evening. We hope that anyone who is interested in meeting with the board to talk AUGI, Autodesk...AutoCAD...Revit...whatever...will come out and "hang with the board"!
We are all looking forward to it! I will post again when a location is settled.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Reviewing Warnings
A subtle improvement to this feature exists in the latest release. When you select an element which has a warning associated with it an Options Bar button appears which permits the user to see the warning.
This is a welcome improvement to be sure.
We can also export the warnings to an external file. This is something I posted about in the past and I'm grateful that it has been added.
Phil Read has a blog finally and he recently posted a succinct summary of issues and ideas related to making the warnings that Revit stores in response to a teams work...work better. His ideas are well written and provide insight into the depth of his experience working with many firms over the years. No surprise honestly. Naturally it is easy to agree with his assertions because they make sense and match with most if not all user's experience.
This is a welcome improvement to be sure.
We can also export the warnings to an external file. This is something I posted about in the past and I'm grateful that it has been added.
Phil Read has a blog finally and he recently posted a succinct summary of issues and ideas related to making the warnings that Revit stores in response to a teams work...work better. His ideas are well written and provide insight into the depth of his experience working with many firms over the years. No surprise honestly. Naturally it is easy to agree with his assertions because they make sense and match with most if not all user's experience.
Survey Says?
There seems, to me, to be an epidemic of surveys. I must be wearing some secret Post-It note on my back saying, "Send this guy surveys". I can't go more than a couple of days without getting a request to complete a survey. Today I got one from Autodesk asking me to rate my relationship with my reseller. Last night I got two from the last two hotels I stayed in. Last week our car received its routine maintenance and sure enough we received both an email request to complete a survey and a follow up phone survey.
When I visit my car dealer or visit a hotel they seem intent on letting you know that you'll be getting a survey, as if that's a great thing for me, and that they really want to make sure I give them the highest score. So the conversation goes something like this, "Mr. Stafford we want you to know that you'll get a survey via email and it is really important to us that you give us all "Fives". If there is any reason you can't do that please let us know right away so we can fix the problem."
Maybe I'm old fashioned but isn't asking for praise a bit awkward? If I were to ask my past bosses, "Hey! I need you to fill out a survey and give me all fives!" I'd probably have been laughed at (nevermind what that says about me). What sort of reliable data is a survey that is first foisted upon the recipient and then the added emphasis on providing a perfect score?
The hotel cleaning person last night put a nice card on the center of my desk, XYZ Hotel's "Caught a person doing their best" form. I suppose this meant I was supposed to fill out that this person was doing an excellent job at doing their job? Are we supposed to catch someone we never see doing a great job? If my room looked just like it did for the last three times I was there is that excellent or above the call of duty? How many of these forms do I have to fill out? What about the poor person(s) I haven't encountered? Do I need to fill out generic forms saying, "I'm really sorry that I didn't catch "xxx" doing his/her job well today. I'm sure they are really doing their best and I was just preoccupied and missed it!"
Last week I needed help tracking someone down at the hotel and I couldn't remember their last name. The person at the front desk was awesome at helping me figure out how he could find them and still not divulge any private information. He also was really helpful all week for a variety of reasons. He deserved a card because I interacted with him and he did something out of the ordinary, more than his job description might actually say he needed to do.
Six months or so ago I even got a call from a woman in Berlin wanting me to do a survey. I agreed because her German accent was so strong that I couldn't help wonder how we'd manage get through the survey. I literally had to ask her to repeat every question and I wasn't trying to be a jerk either.
So I'm not replying to surveys anymore, I'm protesting. Call me obstinate. Leave me alone! I want my car company to leave me alone to enjoy the car. I don't want to get telephone calls to conduct a survey that won't, under any circumstance, give up. They call and call and call and call. They call at all hours. I programmed a special ring on my phone for their number just so I'd know it was them calling. So far I haven't given in but they are calling from another number now!
So would you mind taking a brief survey on what you think of surveys?
David posted this at his blog about working in a Central File (a little reference back to Revit) and it describes my feelings so well that I thought I'd steal it and use it here! Thanks for reading!
When I visit my car dealer or visit a hotel they seem intent on letting you know that you'll be getting a survey, as if that's a great thing for me, and that they really want to make sure I give them the highest score. So the conversation goes something like this, "Mr. Stafford we want you to know that you'll get a survey via email and it is really important to us that you give us all "Fives". If there is any reason you can't do that please let us know right away so we can fix the problem."
Maybe I'm old fashioned but isn't asking for praise a bit awkward? If I were to ask my past bosses, "Hey! I need you to fill out a survey and give me all fives!" I'd probably have been laughed at (nevermind what that says about me). What sort of reliable data is a survey that is first foisted upon the recipient and then the added emphasis on providing a perfect score?
The hotel cleaning person last night put a nice card on the center of my desk, XYZ Hotel's "Caught a person doing their best" form. I suppose this meant I was supposed to fill out that this person was doing an excellent job at doing their job? Are we supposed to catch someone we never see doing a great job? If my room looked just like it did for the last three times I was there is that excellent or above the call of duty? How many of these forms do I have to fill out? What about the poor person(s) I haven't encountered? Do I need to fill out generic forms saying, "I'm really sorry that I didn't catch "xxx" doing his/her job well today. I'm sure they are really doing their best and I was just preoccupied and missed it!"
Last week I needed help tracking someone down at the hotel and I couldn't remember their last name. The person at the front desk was awesome at helping me figure out how he could find them and still not divulge any private information. He also was really helpful all week for a variety of reasons. He deserved a card because I interacted with him and he did something out of the ordinary, more than his job description might actually say he needed to do.
Six months or so ago I even got a call from a woman in Berlin wanting me to do a survey. I agreed because her German accent was so strong that I couldn't help wonder how we'd manage get through the survey. I literally had to ask her to repeat every question and I wasn't trying to be a jerk either.
So I'm not replying to surveys anymore, I'm protesting. Call me obstinate. Leave me alone! I want my car company to leave me alone to enjoy the car. I don't want to get telephone calls to conduct a survey that won't, under any circumstance, give up. They call and call and call and call. They call at all hours. I programmed a special ring on my phone for their number just so I'd know it was them calling. So far I haven't given in but they are calling from another number now!
So would you mind taking a brief survey on what you think of surveys?
David posted this at his blog about working in a Central File (a little reference back to Revit) and it describes my feelings so well that I thought I'd steal it and use it here! Thanks for reading!
No Surveys!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Scope Boxes - Redux - Part Two
Last night I read a post by Jay B. Zallan regarding scope boxes plus I just went through this subject with a few folks yesterday.
All of which reminded me that I wrote something ages ago while I was working at WATG. The pdf's are shared in the AUGI Tutorials forum (have to login to download them).
Here's the preface of the pdf:
The purpose of a Scope Box is to limit visibility of datum to a specific portion of your project.
Scope Boxes actually go a little further by:
• Automatically controlling the extents of a view’s crop region and orienting the crop region to be aligned with the scope box boundary.
• Automatically and globally affecting the length of “their” levels, grids and reference lines when the scope box boundary is changed.
• Effecting change vertically as well as horizontally (you can isolate specific floors or areas within a bldg)
• Hiding annotation for other related views (Sections/Elevations) if the cut plane of that view is not within or does not cross the scope box for that view.
Three concepts apply to scope boxes: (Also see the Sample Scope Box project file)
• Creating a Scope box
• Applying a Scope box to datum and views
• Controlling the visibility of Scope Boxes
I too really like using them to manage a consistent cropped boundary for multiple floor plan views.
If you'd like to download the pdfs and example project now:
Scope Boxes (276kb)
Scope Boxes Example (350kb)
Scope Box Example Project 2009 version (2.8mb)
Note: These were written while I was employed by WATG so attribution goes to them.
All of which reminded me that I wrote something ages ago while I was working at WATG. The pdf's are shared in the AUGI Tutorials forum (have to login to download them).
Here's the preface of the pdf:
The purpose of a Scope Box is to limit visibility of datum to a specific portion of your project.
Scope Boxes actually go a little further by:
• Automatically controlling the extents of a view’s crop region and orienting the crop region to be aligned with the scope box boundary.
• Automatically and globally affecting the length of “their” levels, grids and reference lines when the scope box boundary is changed.
• Effecting change vertically as well as horizontally (you can isolate specific floors or areas within a bldg)
• Hiding annotation for other related views (Sections/Elevations) if the cut plane of that view is not within or does not cross the scope box for that view.
Three concepts apply to scope boxes: (Also see the Sample Scope Box project file)
• Creating a Scope box
• Applying a Scope box to datum and views
• Controlling the visibility of Scope Boxes
I too really like using them to manage a consistent cropped boundary for multiple floor plan views.
If you'd like to download the pdfs and example project now:
Scope Boxes (276kb)
Scope Boxes Example (350kb)
Scope Box Example Project 2009 version (2.8mb)
Note: These were written while I was employed by WATG so attribution goes to them.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Portland Revit User Group Meeting - Friday, June 27th
I get to attend this local user group meeting a week from Friday because the AUGI board is meeting in Portland at the Autodesk offices in Lake Oswego. I'll be sneaking out of the meeting for a little lunch time visit as a representative of the board. Here's the announcement they shared with me.
The next Portland Revit User Group meeting will be Friday, June 27th, 2008. Be sure to join us for a great presentation and some good food thanks to IMAGINiT! And this meeting will be extra special, as we will have AUGI Board member & Reviteer Steve Stafford in attendance, speaking a bit about AUGI and adding to the general discussion.
Please be sure to RSVP by end-of-day Tuesday, June 24th if you plan to attend, so we have an accurate number for lunch.
What: Portland Revit User Group
Why: To create a local community where Revit users can learn from their peers, build technical skills, exchange ideas, resolve challenges, share successes, and elevate their capabilities with the Revit suite of products.
When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Where: Multnomah County Library / 801 SW 10th Avenue / Portland / US Bank Room
Who: For Autodesk Revit Users, and those just interested in learning more about Autodesk Revit. Please pass this invitation along to any of your colleagues.
Agenda:
11:30 Lunch & Steve Stafford on AUGI
12:00 Revit 2009 New features
1:00 Q&A
1:30 Close
RSVP
If you live in this area I hope you'll be able to make it to this meeting. I look forward to meeting the PRUG members and those who will be members!
The next Portland Revit User Group meeting will be Friday, June 27th, 2008. Be sure to join us for a great presentation and some good food thanks to IMAGINiT! And this meeting will be extra special, as we will have AUGI Board member & Reviteer Steve Stafford in attendance, speaking a bit about AUGI and adding to the general discussion.
Please be sure to RSVP by end-of-day Tuesday, June 24th if you plan to attend, so we have an accurate number for lunch.
What: Portland Revit User Group
Why: To create a local community where Revit users can learn from their peers, build technical skills, exchange ideas, resolve challenges, share successes, and elevate their capabilities with the Revit suite of products.
When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Where: Multnomah County Library / 801 SW 10th Avenue / Portland / US Bank Room
Who: For Autodesk Revit Users, and those just interested in learning more about Autodesk Revit. Please pass this invitation along to any of your colleagues.
Agenda:
11:30 Lunch & Steve Stafford on AUGI
12:00 Revit 2009 New features
1:00 Q&A
1:30 Close
RSVP
If you live in this area I hope you'll be able to make it to this meeting. I look forward to meeting the PRUG members and those who will be members!
Revit Technology Conference - Sydney, Australia
This post is overdue, late etc...sorry!
It's that time again! June 26-28, 2008.
If you have the good fortune to have the time/money/desire you don't have much time left to make plans to attend this year's Revit Technology Conference in Sydney, Australia, hosted by Revit User Group Sydney.
Stealing a little text from their site:
Now in it's fourth year, the Revit Technology Conference has already established itself as the premiere BIM-based event in the Asia Pacific region.
Following the success of our Roadshow in 2007 (Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne, and Perth), the RTC Committee have pleasure in inviting you and your team to attend the Annual Conference to be held in Brighton Beach, Sydney. The Conference aims to draw attendees from throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as other Asia Pacific regions.
The 2008 Annual Conference is to be held Thursday 26 June – Saturday 28 June at the Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney.
Want to REGISTER?
Let me encourage you to go! I attended two years ago and I had hoped to attend this year but must attend a board meeting for AUGI instead, prior commitments trump! My loss...maybe next year!
It's that time again! June 26-28, 2008.
If you have the good fortune to have the time/money/desire you don't have much time left to make plans to attend this year's Revit Technology Conference in Sydney, Australia, hosted by Revit User Group Sydney.
Stealing a little text from their site:
Now in it's fourth year, the Revit Technology Conference has already established itself as the premiere BIM-based event in the Asia Pacific region.
Following the success of our Roadshow in 2007 (Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne, and Perth), the RTC Committee have pleasure in inviting you and your team to attend the Annual Conference to be held in Brighton Beach, Sydney. The Conference aims to draw attendees from throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as other Asia Pacific regions.
The 2008 Annual Conference is to be held Thursday 26 June – Saturday 28 June at the Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney.
Want to REGISTER?
Let me encourage you to go! I attended two years ago and I had hoped to attend this year but must attend a board meeting for AUGI instead, prior commitments trump! My loss...maybe next year!
Radiant Cooling and Heating "Mats"
I had the opportunity to meet Elio Scotti, President of BEKA USA last week. His company sells radiant cooling/heating "mats" or micro capillary tubes. Aside from the fact that it is an interesting technology, I mention this because they have created a Revit Family for their product.
There is just one family and it is intended for Revit Architecture users for layout/design consideration. It is resizable via grips and it is a representation of its proportions. They are considering the MEP implications for Revit. I'm sure they would be receptive to any suggestions that Revit users offer. If you use this sort of system as part of your "green" goals (that's all of us right?) then be sure to check it out. Either way...check it out!
To download the family look for the CAD Files/Downloads link at the top of the page and choose the Revit link. It will run a script to download the file. Here's an image from part of their slide show presentation available from their site.
This product poses an interesting challenge to Revit because it can technically follow nearly any contoured surface. Making a family that could do that is probably beyond a practical solution at present.
There is just one family and it is intended for Revit Architecture users for layout/design consideration. It is resizable via grips and it is a representation of its proportions. They are considering the MEP implications for Revit. I'm sure they would be receptive to any suggestions that Revit users offer. If you use this sort of system as part of your "green" goals (that's all of us right?) then be sure to check it out. Either way...check it out!
To download the family look for the CAD Files/Downloads link at the top of the page and choose the Revit link. It will run a script to download the file. Here's an image from part of their slide show presentation available from their site.
This product poses an interesting challenge to Revit because it can technically follow nearly any contoured surface. Making a family that could do that is probably beyond a practical solution at present.
Must Read List: 2009 Help File
If you are like me you've been slowly digging into the new Help documentation for Revit 2009 "ASMEP"? Then you have already noticed that a lot of effort has been applied to it. In some areas a complete rewrite (family editor for example) and in others some serious sanding and polish. If you aren't like me, don't worry about that...just make sure you do check it out!
Overall I find it much better. I'm not sure it is really possible to make it perfect or perhaps even great (for everyone). If it were then we wouldn't need books? Naturally incorporating more short tutorial videos is a recurring wishlist item. With the consistent use of them on Kyle's blog I imagine we'll see the addition of such effort in the future.
To the unsung documentation people...you are now sung! You've got my thanks! Keep up the good work!
Overall I find it much better. I'm not sure it is really possible to make it perfect or perhaps even great (for everyone). If it were then we wouldn't need books? Naturally incorporating more short tutorial videos is a recurring wishlist item. With the consistent use of them on Kyle's blog I imagine we'll see the addition of such effort in the future.
To the unsung documentation people...you are now sung! You've got my thanks! Keep up the good work!
Dept. of Subtle - Worksharing Message
This is really really...really subtle but I find it funny and interesting nonetheless. For the longest time the message that Revit offered when saving a project file for the first time after enabling worksets read this way (Emphasis highlighted).
In 2009 this has been caught and dealt with. It now reads.
I figure that since I've been pointing it out for so long to others that I might as well publicly acknowledge it is fixed. I'm no English major so I should be careful "throwing stones" eh?
In 2009 this has been caught and dealt with. It now reads.
I figure that since I've been pointing it out for so long to others that I might as well publicly acknowledge it is fixed. I'm no English major so I should be careful "throwing stones" eh?
New Label Feature - Easier Prefix/Suffix
With 2009 comes a new Label Dialog which permits the joining of multiple parameters into a single label. In addition you can include a suffix and/or prefix. This provides a graceful way to add the prefix "EL:" to a Level annotation, something that wasn't so graceful in the past. Here's an example of the new dialog with the prefix added to my label in a Level Head family.
This is an example of the resulting level in the project:
This is an example of the resulting level in the project:
Friday, June 13, 2008
York RTU Content - Revit MEP
Joel Londenberg with Design West Engineering shared this information at AUGI today and I thought I'd echo it.
This information is posted at REZINE.net, a HVAC Engineering Information dedicated site. It is very nice to see this happening more often!
Software
YORK EQUIPMENT NOW
AVAILABLE ON REVIT
We are pleased to announce that all the York rooftop package units from 3 to 5 tons are now in the Revit families and ready to be downloaded in your software. This tool will save you and your company hours of CAD work. The rooftop units have been completed with accessories, real time dimensions, voltage, capacities, etc. The 6.5 to 12.5 tons are in design and should be ready to be downloaded anytime now! Please let us know if you have any problems installing this package. Enjoy!
These are the links to the content:
Revit Files Gas Elec ZH0078-150
Revit Files Gas Elec ZJ036-060
Revit Files Heat Pump XP0078-150
Revit Files Heat Pump XP036-060
As they say in their copy, they are working on additional content so keep an eye on them.
This information is posted at REZINE.net, a HVAC Engineering Information dedicated site. It is very nice to see this happening more often!
Software
YORK EQUIPMENT NOW
AVAILABLE ON REVIT
We are pleased to announce that all the York rooftop package units from 3 to 5 tons are now in the Revit families and ready to be downloaded in your software. This tool will save you and your company hours of CAD work. The rooftop units have been completed with accessories, real time dimensions, voltage, capacities, etc. The 6.5 to 12.5 tons are in design and should be ready to be downloaded anytime now! Please let us know if you have any problems installing this package. Enjoy!
These are the links to the content:
Revit Files Gas Elec ZH0078-150
Revit Files Gas Elec ZJ036-060
Revit Files Heat Pump XP0078-150
Revit Files Heat Pump XP036-060
As they say in their copy, they are working on additional content so keep an eye on them.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Phoenix Revit User Group
Tonight I had the opportunity to attend the Revit user group in Phoenix. It is organized by Michael MacVittie with Allen + Philp Architects/Interiors and the Phoenix AIA office is good enough to be the host location.
Eric and Rob from the SmithGroup presented a very nice discussion on their experience using Revit for their multi-discipline projects. Eric, an architect, focused on Revit Architecture while Rob, an engineer, discussed Revit MEP. They displayed a nice variety of project images and provided an overview of the way that their process has evolved since beginning to use Revit. It was a even-handed discussion of both the "highs" and the "lows" of their experience.
I'm glad that I could attend (my class let me leave a little early!) and see that a vibrant group of Revit users are meeting regularly to share their experiences. I also want to thank Mark Sever of the Sever Design Group for letting me know about the meeting and for making sure I was able to get there!
If you are in the Phoenix area, make sure you attend! If you need help reaching Michael, let me know!
Eric and Rob from the SmithGroup presented a very nice discussion on their experience using Revit for their multi-discipline projects. Eric, an architect, focused on Revit Architecture while Rob, an engineer, discussed Revit MEP. They displayed a nice variety of project images and provided an overview of the way that their process has evolved since beginning to use Revit. It was a even-handed discussion of both the "highs" and the "lows" of their experience.
I'm glad that I could attend (my class let me leave a little early!) and see that a vibrant group of Revit users are meeting regularly to share their experiences. I also want to thank Mark Sever of the Sever Design Group for letting me know about the meeting and for making sure I was able to get there!
If you are in the Phoenix area, make sure you attend! If you need help reaching Michael, let me know!
Dept. of Subtle - New Floor/Ceiling Plan Views
A subtle feature in the "New Plan" ("New RCP" for ceiling plans) dialog proved quite confusing to new users. In 2009 it has changed. This is the one I'm referring to.
This is the dialog that appears when you choose View menu > New > Floor Plan. In the past all the levels of the project were displayed in the floor/ceiling plan views window. If you selected a level that already had a plan view associated with it and left the check in the box...no view, no message, no nothing. It just looked like Revit didn't do anything. It didn't...because the check box says, "do not duplicate existing views". A little cryptic.
Now when you look at the plan view window only the levels that don't have a view associated with them are displayed. When you uncheck the check box all the levels of the project are displayed. Much better, even though I was confused at first for the opposite reason, irony.
This is the dialog that appears when you choose View menu > New > Floor Plan. In the past all the levels of the project were displayed in the floor/ceiling plan views window. If you selected a level that already had a plan view associated with it and left the check in the box...no view, no message, no nothing. It just looked like Revit didn't do anything. It didn't...because the check box says, "do not duplicate existing views". A little cryptic.
Now when you look at the plan view window only the levels that don't have a view associated with them are displayed. When you uncheck the check box all the levels of the project are displayed. Much better, even though I was confused at first for the opposite reason, irony.
Rotate with Component
This is a parameter that exists in the tag family template.
The concept is simple, check it when you want the tag to align itself with the component you tag. Example...a door. Works nicely.
Yet when you attempt to use it with other categories you can check it all night long and it does nothing...example a light fixture.
Some tags are hard wired to not use it while others are. We either need a list of the categories it is intended to work with or better yet, make it work for all content! It is so very frustrating for users to get so close yet have something like this trip them up!
The concept is simple, check it when you want the tag to align itself with the component you tag. Example...a door. Works nicely.
Yet when you attempt to use it with other categories you can check it all night long and it does nothing...example a light fixture.
Some tags are hard wired to not use it while others are. We either need a list of the categories it is intended to work with or better yet, make it work for all content! It is so very frustrating for users to get so close yet have something like this trip them up!
Where's my Space Leader? - Revit MEP 2009
"Heads Up", noticed today that the Space Tag family does not get the Leader Arrowhead parameter like its "brother" the Room Tag. I haven't had a chance to check the new build to see if it is fixed and I won't have time to do so till this weekend. Hopefully it won't cause too much trouble for MEP users.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
View Options - Discipline choice in Revit MEP
A new feature in Revit MEP 2009 makes it a little easier to define which discipline a new view is assigned by default. The Settings menu > Options > General tab provides a new View Options frame which provides a way to choose which discipline to use as a default. See attached image.
Seems to me that Plumbing is a bit short changed still with no primary discipline of its own?
Seems to me that Plumbing is a bit short changed still with no primary discipline of its own?
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.
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
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.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
New Build for Revit Structure - (20080602_1900)
From the Autodesk Web Update PDF:
Download it NOW!
REVIT® STRUCTURE 2009
Web Update Enhancement List
Improvements made in Web Update 1 build (20080602_1900):
Structure enhancement
Improves stability during upgrade when line-based and structural framing families with geometry containing planes are almost parallel to the X axis.
Floor slab thickness at cantilever of metal deck profile bound to layer above is now correct.
Reduces the recurrence of getting “circular chain of references” error messages when braces are usedthe top and bottom chords of an API assembled truss.
Improves joist girder families and tags.
Improves the fidelity of printing and exporting of hidden lines shown in structural and MEP views.
Section cut through joined beams at a column will now display properly in the beams cross-section.
Line pattern of a level type for the default metric structural templates is now changed to "Center" from "Solid".
Elevation value of Level 1 in structural metric templates no longer displays as "-0".
Some pre-loaded UK metal deck profiles have been renamed with manufacturer product names in the Structural Analysis-DefaultGBRENU.rte.
Restores some structural components in SouthAsiaLibrary content bundle.
Platform enhancement
Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
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.
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 publi• Corrects
Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
Join order changed for structural columns and non-bearing walls.
For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep
When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog
Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
API enhancement
Parameter binding performance has been improved.
The Join Type method has been implemented for the Locationcurve of structural members.
Mullion LocationCurves are now accessible through the API.
External programs may now suppress VSTA startup warning messages.
The built-in parameter MATERIAL_PARAM_TRANSPARENCY now returns the correct set value.
New builds for the others should follow shortly!
Download it NOW!
REVIT® STRUCTURE 2009
Web Update Enhancement List
Improvements made in Web Update 1 build (20080602_1900):
Structure enhancement
Improves stability during upgrade when line-based and structural framing families with geometry containing planes are almost parallel to the X axis.
Floor slab thickness at cantilever of metal deck profile bound to layer above is now correct.
Reduces the recurrence of getting “circular chain of references” error messages when braces are usedthe top and bottom chords of an API assembled truss.
Improves joist girder families and tags.
Improves the fidelity of printing and exporting of hidden lines shown in structural and MEP views.
Section cut through joined beams at a column will now display properly in the beams cross-section.
Line pattern of a level type for the default metric structural templates is now changed to "Center" from "Solid".
Elevation value of Level 1 in structural metric templates no longer displays as "-0".
Some pre-loaded UK metal deck profiles have been renamed with manufacturer product names in the Structural Analysis-DefaultGBRENU.rte.
Restores some structural components in SouthAsiaLibrary content bundle.
Platform enhancement
Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
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.
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 publi• Corrects
Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
Join order changed for structural columns and non-bearing walls.
For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep
When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog
Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
API enhancement
Parameter binding performance has been improved.
The Join Type method has been implemented for the Locationcurve of structural members.
Mullion LocationCurves are now accessible through the API.
External programs may now suppress VSTA startup warning messages.
The built-in parameter MATERIAL_PARAM_TRANSPARENCY now returns the correct set value.
New builds for the others should follow shortly!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Phil Read joins HNTB
Phil Read recently announced, in a thread at AUGI, that he has joined HNTB. This may come as a surprise because for several years he has been a very public "face" of Revit for Autodesk as a speaker at Autodesk University and as a highly sought after consultant for Autodesk Consulting.
As a consultant, I can relate to the tug of doing "real" work versus helping others with their "real" work. There is satisfaction in both but the grass always seems greener "over there". In the past I had the pleasure of working with HNTB as a member of Autodesk's consulting team and I can attest to the lure of very interesting and complex projects.
I'm certain HNTB considers themselves very fortunate to have lured him out of the consulting life. I'm taking this moment to add to the others who have congratulated him on his new "life"! Cheers and as he often writes..."All the best!" See you at AU!
He also has started a blog...finally...been bugging him to for three years...it is called Architechure.
As a consultant, I can relate to the tug of doing "real" work versus helping others with their "real" work. There is satisfaction in both but the grass always seems greener "over there". In the past I had the pleasure of working with HNTB as a member of Autodesk's consulting team and I can attest to the lure of very interesting and complex projects.
I'm certain HNTB considers themselves very fortunate to have lured him out of the consulting life. I'm taking this moment to add to the others who have congratulated him on his new "life"! Cheers and as he often writes..."All the best!" See you at AU!
He also has started a blog...finally...been bugging him to for three years...it is called Architechure.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Beta Cycle for Acuity Brands Lighting Revit Families
From the new Acuity Brands Lighting BIM blog:
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve released version 1.0 of the ABL 3D Models. Visit the download page to select either the Revit family files or the DWG files.
The starter set contains about 50 models and covers a cross-section of our most popular products. We’ve provided the models as Revit family files and as generic 3D DWG models. Each model contains data about the product, including photometric data, links to spec sheets, and optical and electrical information.
We view this release as a beta version. Please let us know what you think of them, and how we can make our models even more useful to your efforts. We plan to regularly update this set and release additional models. To get the latest news, subscribe to our news feed.
You can leave general comments by filling out the comments form, or send comments, suggestions and improvement ideas to BIM@AcuityBrands.com.
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve released version 1.0 of the ABL 3D Models. Visit the download page to select either the Revit family files or the DWG files.
The starter set contains about 50 models and covers a cross-section of our most popular products. We’ve provided the models as Revit family files and as generic 3D DWG models. Each model contains data about the product, including photometric data, links to spec sheets, and optical and electrical information.
We view this release as a beta version. Please let us know what you think of them, and how we can make our models even more useful to your efforts. We plan to regularly update this set and release additional models. To get the latest news, subscribe to our news feed.
You can leave general comments by filling out the comments form, or send comments, suggestions and improvement ideas to BIM@AcuityBrands.com.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Dept. of Quirky - Using Group Bar vs. Scrolling
If you like video I posted an example of this as well.
When you take a look at the properties of any element in Revit you are presented with parameters organized into Groups, the blue (at least in my Windows config) bar above parameters. This blue bar is one the "sneaky buttons" as I call them.
Clicking at any point along the blue bar will contract or expand the list of parameters. Okay you know that already...so here's the point.
You'll find that if you use a combination of the scroll bar AND the Groups that at times Revit will be unable to display all of the parameters toward the bottom of the list. This is particularly true of the Family Editor > Family Types dialog where I seem to spend a fair bit of time. In order to see them you'll have to expand all the Groups and then use the Scroll Bar.
I debated...is the Dept. of Subtle or Quirky?...Quirky won but it's a toss up!!
When you take a look at the properties of any element in Revit you are presented with parameters organized into Groups, the blue (at least in my Windows config) bar above parameters. This blue bar is one the "sneaky buttons" as I call them.
Clicking at any point along the blue bar will contract or expand the list of parameters. Okay you know that already...so here's the point.
You'll find that if you use a combination of the scroll bar AND the Groups that at times Revit will be unable to display all of the parameters toward the bottom of the list. This is particularly true of the Family Editor > Family Types dialog where I seem to spend a fair bit of time. In order to see them you'll have to expand all the Groups and then use the Scroll Bar.
I debated...is the Dept. of Subtle or Quirky?...Quirky won but it's a toss up!!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Duct Size Parameter - Inches - Revit MEP
If you used AutoCAD before using Revit you likely went through a bit of withdrawal from using inches as a base drawing unit. With Revit you had to get used to typing 0 space 6 for 0'-6" or 0 dash 6. Well in Revit MEP there is one instance at least where you get to enter relevant values when working through your design.
First if you are interested I posted a little video overview of this subject. Otherwise read on...
I am referring to the duct size parameters as the title suggests. In the Family Editor > Family Types dialog we can choose to Add Parameters to our family. Aside from providing a clever name we also can choose the Discipline > HVAC which in turn offers quite a few choices for "Type of Parameter".
When you choose Type of Parameter: Duct Size, Revit will require you to enter values in inches, which is easier since most duct sizes are referred to by their size in inches.
There's a catch though if you like to add parameters by using the Associate Family Parameter "sneaky button" in the properties of elements in the Family Editor.
This route precludes the use of the HVAC Discipline, Type of Parameter choices as it defaults to common and its subset of Types of Parameters. Not FAIR I say! I'm sure it is just an oversight!
To use it you need to start with Family Types > then Add Parameter. Then you can Associate the family parameter with the Element's parameter.
First if you are interested I posted a little video overview of this subject. Otherwise read on...
I am referring to the duct size parameters as the title suggests. In the Family Editor > Family Types dialog we can choose to Add Parameters to our family. Aside from providing a clever name we also can choose the Discipline > HVAC which in turn offers quite a few choices for "Type of Parameter".
When you choose Type of Parameter: Duct Size, Revit will require you to enter values in inches, which is easier since most duct sizes are referred to by their size in inches.
There's a catch though if you like to add parameters by using the Associate Family Parameter "sneaky button" in the properties of elements in the Family Editor.
This route precludes the use of the HVAC Discipline, Type of Parameter choices as it defaults to common and its subset of Types of Parameters. Not FAIR I say! I'm sure it is just an oversight!
To use it you need to start with Family Types > then Add Parameter. Then you can Associate the family parameter with the Element's parameter.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Pipe Materials
A fairly common comment from someone using the Piping/Plumbing features in Revit MEP is, "Where is Cast Iron?" Fair enough! Where is it? It ain't there! Getting it there is a matter of editing the Pipe Sizes.xml file (default location: C:\Program Files\Revit MEP 2008\Program). At least that's true for past versions. The information is now embedded in Revit MEP 2009 and accessible from a dialog found under Settings menu > Mechanical Settings. This is the dialog you get:
You click on "Sizes" at the bottom left of the dialog and you get the information displayed on the right side. You can now add Material, Connection, Schedule/Type as well as Sizes. Using the check boxes offered, you can filter the list of sizes so only appropriate ones will be offered to you when you use specific types of pipe. You also use this to allow RME to use the size when calculating "sizing" for you.
Keep in mind that the Project Units of your project will affect the pipe sizes displayed on the Options Bar too. You adjust this via Settings menu > Project Units and then choose Piping for Discipline. Like this:
Similarly Wires Sizes and Duct Sizes are embedded within RME.
You click on "Sizes" at the bottom left of the dialog and you get the information displayed on the right side. You can now add Material, Connection, Schedule/Type as well as Sizes. Using the check boxes offered, you can filter the list of sizes so only appropriate ones will be offered to you when you use specific types of pipe. You also use this to allow RME to use the size when calculating "sizing" for you.
Keep in mind that the Project Units of your project will affect the pipe sizes displayed on the Options Bar too. You adjust this via Settings menu > Project Units and then choose Piping for Discipline. Like this:
Similarly Wires Sizes and Duct Sizes are embedded within RME.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Separate Checks Please - Off Topic "ish"
As a consultant I travel a bit. I have 150,000 miles on one airline alone...so perhaps more than a bit. I eat in a fair number of restaurants because I have to. I know, poor Steve...he HAS to eat in a restaurant all the time, poor baby. Well if you want to lose the 10 or so pounds that I gained a couple of years ago and they just won't go away no matter how hard I don't diet or exercise you'll understand.
Where am I going with this?
Traveling and eating alone can be a bit like the movie trailer for "Getting Over Sarah Marshall". The one where the poor sap is dining alone and the waiter makes a big point of it, Dining ALONE!!??!! Table for ONE!! And in "P.S. I love You" a big scene of removing the extra flatware and dishes when the guy gets up and leaves the girl at the table. Yeah I see movies on the plane that I probably wouldn't see by myself normally. And yes...my eyes welled up a couple times during P.S. I Love You"...softy! But I was really careful to pretend there was something in my eye so I don't think I was busted.
Where am I going with this?
Tonight I was sitting in a nice pub in Chicago, Miller's Pub. They have a great chicken pot pie (thanks David! for the recommendation) that is only available during lunch unless they have a couple left over and the last two times I've been here...they did...which means I got one. You have to know to ask because the menu says only available for lunch. Kind of like the family editor! It's a secret!
Where am I going with this?
Sooo I overheard the waiter tell a table of two behind me that it is the policy of the restaurant to not split checks, sorry...then he caved and said that since he wasn't really that busy yet he'd do it. It made me think about the service industry in general and why a restaurant would make a customer care about what is inconvenient for the waiter. Seems to me a restaurant is all about making food and pleasure easy for its customers, not burdening them with well it isn't convenient for us to do "that"... I'm not blasting Miller's, they are entitled to make their policies and choose to enforce them or not. It just seems to me that it can be a negative experience, however slight, in what could be an otherwise excellent night out for people.
Where am I going with this?
So what kind of negative experiences are we casting out to our clients based on our choice of Revit as a software or platform? How are we marketing that to them? Are we burdening them with "Revitese" or "BIMese"? Do they care what software we use? Well some do and some don't.
As my friend Wayne used to say to me when we'd have the proverbial Rev/auto/station talk,(paraphrasing) "Steve, if you are cutting my grass I don't care whether you use scissors or a $10,000 tractor as long as you get it done in the time you promised and for the price you promised...so why do I care what software you use?" Now Wayne enjoys playing point - counter point and his firm is a full fledged Revit capable design firm with an office in NY and NC, so no worries there.
I suppose we have to gauge what our clients appetite might be for this sort of knowledge? Then tell the ones who care and don't burden those who don't. Bottom line? "We" sell knowledge and expertise. We know how to get them the building they need and we happen to use some really great software to do it too. Just try to make sure the experience your clients leave with is a positive one! Don't make them remember you for being inflexible about splitting the check.
So there was where I was going, glad I finally got there!
Btw, I wholeheartedly recommend the chicken pot pie at Miller's Pub, just don't expect them to split your check! Cheers!!
Where am I going with this?
Traveling and eating alone can be a bit like the movie trailer for "Getting Over Sarah Marshall". The one where the poor sap is dining alone and the waiter makes a big point of it, Dining ALONE!!??!! Table for ONE!! And in "P.S. I love You" a big scene of removing the extra flatware and dishes when the guy gets up and leaves the girl at the table. Yeah I see movies on the plane that I probably wouldn't see by myself normally. And yes...my eyes welled up a couple times during P.S. I Love You"...softy! But I was really careful to pretend there was something in my eye so I don't think I was busted.
Where am I going with this?
Tonight I was sitting in a nice pub in Chicago, Miller's Pub. They have a great chicken pot pie (thanks David! for the recommendation) that is only available during lunch unless they have a couple left over and the last two times I've been here...they did...which means I got one. You have to know to ask because the menu says only available for lunch. Kind of like the family editor! It's a secret!
Where am I going with this?
Sooo I overheard the waiter tell a table of two behind me that it is the policy of the restaurant to not split checks, sorry...then he caved and said that since he wasn't really that busy yet he'd do it. It made me think about the service industry in general and why a restaurant would make a customer care about what is inconvenient for the waiter. Seems to me a restaurant is all about making food and pleasure easy for its customers, not burdening them with well it isn't convenient for us to do "that"... I'm not blasting Miller's, they are entitled to make their policies and choose to enforce them or not. It just seems to me that it can be a negative experience, however slight, in what could be an otherwise excellent night out for people.
Where am I going with this?
So what kind of negative experiences are we casting out to our clients based on our choice of Revit as a software or platform? How are we marketing that to them? Are we burdening them with "Revitese" or "BIMese"? Do they care what software we use? Well some do and some don't.
As my friend Wayne used to say to me when we'd have the proverbial Rev/auto/station talk,(paraphrasing) "Steve, if you are cutting my grass I don't care whether you use scissors or a $10,000 tractor as long as you get it done in the time you promised and for the price you promised...so why do I care what software you use?" Now Wayne enjoys playing point - counter point and his firm is a full fledged Revit capable design firm with an office in NY and NC, so no worries there.
I suppose we have to gauge what our clients appetite might be for this sort of knowledge? Then tell the ones who care and don't burden those who don't. Bottom line? "We" sell knowledge and expertise. We know how to get them the building they need and we happen to use some really great software to do it too. Just try to make sure the experience your clients leave with is a positive one! Don't make them remember you for being inflexible about splitting the check.
So there was where I was going, glad I finally got there!
Btw, I wholeheartedly recommend the chicken pot pie at Miller's Pub, just don't expect them to split your check! Cheers!!
Spam Blogging
I've backed off blogging a bit lately because unfortunately my blog has been flagged as a spam blog by google. Apparently this can happen when a blog has a lot of links to other sites. If you visit Wikipedia (not going to post a link because that would be spam blogging) you can read all about blogging and spam.
In fact references to each other's blogs can be called a "mutual admiration" blog society. So my links to other bloggers and vice versa are being interpreted by Google's anti-spam robots as spamming. We are all writing about a pretty arcane subject, to the rest of the world at least. Articles about Revit stuff to most people is little more than gibberish unfortunately.
They (Google) don't make it impossible to blog but it is tedious because every time I want to post or just save I have to enter a nearly indiscernable series of text from a randomly generated image. I find some of them really hard to read and end up trying a few times before I get them correct. Very tedious and takes the "fun" out of trying to post an article pretty quickly. Which is why I posted this instead of the actual article I was working on.
To me this points out how hard it is for a computer to really evaluate content. The "robots" are too ignorant to be able to "see" that I've been blogging about this subject for over three years and have been doing nearly exactly the same thing the whole time. I suppose a spam blogger is consistent and patient too but I'm too ignorant or impatient to consider trying to make money by spamming. I don't even put adsense on this blog...it soooo isn't about the money....
Sooo...if you are a blogger too, be careful about the number of links you create that point to other sites else you'll get flagged too. Perhaps a reason to move my blog to another tool like Typepad or Wordpress and host it myself? I thought I'd explain my inactivity at least.
In fact references to each other's blogs can be called a "mutual admiration" blog society. So my links to other bloggers and vice versa are being interpreted by Google's anti-spam robots as spamming. We are all writing about a pretty arcane subject, to the rest of the world at least. Articles about Revit stuff to most people is little more than gibberish unfortunately.
They (Google) don't make it impossible to blog but it is tedious because every time I want to post or just save I have to enter a nearly indiscernable series of text from a randomly generated image. I find some of them really hard to read and end up trying a few times before I get them correct. Very tedious and takes the "fun" out of trying to post an article pretty quickly. Which is why I posted this instead of the actual article I was working on.
To me this points out how hard it is for a computer to really evaluate content. The "robots" are too ignorant to be able to "see" that I've been blogging about this subject for over three years and have been doing nearly exactly the same thing the whole time. I suppose a spam blogger is consistent and patient too but I'm too ignorant or impatient to consider trying to make money by spamming. I don't even put adsense on this blog...it soooo isn't about the money....
Sooo...if you are a blogger too, be careful about the number of links you create that point to other sites else you'll get flagged too. Perhaps a reason to move my blog to another tool like Typepad or Wordpress and host it myself? I thought I'd explain my inactivity at least.
Dept. of Subtle - Filter Parameter in Tags (really subtle)
This item is very arcane and until recently just another little mystery to me. While working on the egress family and its tag family that I made and posted about in the past I noticed the following item.
I hadn't noticed it in the past and searched for any information that might be available in the help files. Truthfully I wasn't too surprised when nothing jumped out at me in a few tries at a search. Unfortunately the help files are bit too sparse when it comes to the family editor "secrets".
So I posted a question to the gallant folks at Autodesk and I received this explanation:
“It is used to control which elements are taggable by a multi-category tag family. You can select a shared parameter as the filter parameter, and then when placing a multi-category tag, the tag placement tool will only let you place the tag on elements that contain that parameter (either because the parameter was added to the element’s family or because it was added to the element’s category as a project parameter).”
(My thanks to Steven Campbell and the "unknown" developer who came to my aid!)
This applies to Multi-Category tags. As it applies to my Egress family, this means I can tell Revit to filter for a specific parameter so that my "Multi-Category" tag will only tag "my" family..or any other that I associate that parameter with.
I hadn't noticed it in the past and searched for any information that might be available in the help files. Truthfully I wasn't too surprised when nothing jumped out at me in a few tries at a search. Unfortunately the help files are bit too sparse when it comes to the family editor "secrets".
So I posted a question to the gallant folks at Autodesk and I received this explanation:
“It is used to control which elements are taggable by a multi-category tag family. You can select a shared parameter as the filter parameter, and then when placing a multi-category tag, the tag placement tool will only let you place the tag on elements that contain that parameter (either because the parameter was added to the element’s family or because it was added to the element’s category as a project parameter).”
(My thanks to Steven Campbell and the "unknown" developer who came to my aid!)
This applies to Multi-Category tags. As it applies to my Egress family, this means I can tell Revit to filter for a specific parameter so that my "Multi-Category" tag will only tag "my" family..or any other that I associate that parameter with.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
AU 2008 Sessions
The selection of the next Revit classes to attend at Autodesk University 2008 is well under way. A recent post by David Baldacchino (Do U Revit?) pointed this out already and you can visit the BLAUG blog too. If you haven't voted already you can take a look at the list and see. Once you've voted you can't get back in to look over the list, or at least I couldn't.
I received an email asking why my name was not among the submissions. Simple, I didn't submit anything this year.
Last year I felt that I was unable to participate as much as I would have liked to, in my role as a board member with Autodesk User Group International (AUGI). This year I'm not going to have that conflict. Plus I hope to actually attend more classes this year!
Besides, there are so many more very capable users now, compared with a few years ago, that I doubt my absence will be noticeable. There are a great many classes to choose from and I wish the AU planning team all the best trying to pick from them. Hopefully the polling will help too!!
See you at AU 2008!
I received an email asking why my name was not among the submissions. Simple, I didn't submit anything this year.
Last year I felt that I was unable to participate as much as I would have liked to, in my role as a board member with Autodesk User Group International (AUGI). This year I'm not going to have that conflict. Plus I hope to actually attend more classes this year!
Besides, there are so many more very capable users now, compared with a few years ago, that I doubt my absence will be noticeable. There are a great many classes to choose from and I wish the AU planning team all the best trying to pick from them. Hopefully the polling will help too!!
See you at AU 2008!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Off Topic - Amputee Has Advantage
Not the slightest bit about Revit...
This evening I read an article in USA Today about Oscar Pistorius, a 21 year old track athlete from South Africa who wants to compete at the Olympics in Beijing. He just happens to be lacking his lower legs and uses either prosthetic legs or blades to get around.
Briefly, a ruling was made that says that he has an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners when using his "blades" and therefore cannot compete. His lawyers are about to challenge that ruling in an upcoming court case.
This struck me as odd...first he's missing his bloody lower legs!!! Is that really an advantage if he uses the prosthetic blades? The scientist who determined that he has an advantage has tried this out for himself?? I suggest that the folks making the decision try it out for awhile and see what kind of real advantage he has. No matter how good they fit I can't imagine it is better than a real knee and lower leg for smooth and proper "operation". Second, if he wins his case and gets to compete and does so to a victory...I can't help but wonder if this means that other able-bodied runners will now have their legs cut off just so they have a similar advantage???
I suspect his real advantage will be a strong spirit and uncommon determination to be a successful track athlete despite his difference. I say bravo...and good luck!
Sorry to wander off the Revit focus I have usually...but I know some Revit users who live in South Africa AND I've mentioned Revit a couple times in the post too!!
This evening I read an article in USA Today about Oscar Pistorius, a 21 year old track athlete from South Africa who wants to compete at the Olympics in Beijing. He just happens to be lacking his lower legs and uses either prosthetic legs or blades to get around.
Briefly, a ruling was made that says that he has an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners when using his "blades" and therefore cannot compete. His lawyers are about to challenge that ruling in an upcoming court case.
This struck me as odd...first he's missing his bloody lower legs!!! Is that really an advantage if he uses the prosthetic blades? The scientist who determined that he has an advantage has tried this out for himself?? I suggest that the folks making the decision try it out for awhile and see what kind of real advantage he has. No matter how good they fit I can't imagine it is better than a real knee and lower leg for smooth and proper "operation". Second, if he wins his case and gets to compete and does so to a victory...I can't help but wonder if this means that other able-bodied runners will now have their legs cut off just so they have a similar advantage???
I suspect his real advantage will be a strong spirit and uncommon determination to be a successful track athlete despite his difference. I say bravo...and good luck!
Sorry to wander off the Revit focus I have usually...but I know some Revit users who live in South Africa AND I've mentioned Revit a couple times in the post too!!
Insert from File
This feature is intended to allow us to acquire information from another project file and add it to our current project. There are two methods, Views and 2D Elements. Both methods involve selecting a project file first. To get started you choose the File menu and then Insert from File.
The first option, Views, grants us access to views and sheets. The catch is the views are 2D views like drafting, detail and schedule views as well as sheets. The sheets must either be empty or contain only 2D views. In the past I posted an article describing using this to deal with dummy sheets to fill out a complete drawing list. This feature presents us with a dialog listing the eligible views.
It is a great way to transfer office standard detail sheets and schedules into a new project. When you select a sheet that includes just 2D views Revit will bring the sheet and all the views on it into your project as well as placing them on the sheet.
For campus projects that share details it allows you to place copies of the details in each building file so you can create intelligent view references to the details. If you only change them in the "master" file (a primary building model project) you only need to keep the sheet and detail numbers coordinated if you do all printing from the "master" project file.
The second option, 2D Elements is intended let us "steal" drafting annotation, detail lines and detail components from model views. Imagine a wall section that is the same or very similar to the one you are working on now. Using this tool you can grab the 2D embellishment in the other project and added it to your current model's view. This tool presents a dialog of eligible views too, all views that have any 2D information added to them.
Annotation that requires a reference like dimensions or tags will likely fail to insert for fairly obvious reasons, namely the reference isn't necessarily in the same location or even present.
The first option, Views, grants us access to views and sheets. The catch is the views are 2D views like drafting, detail and schedule views as well as sheets. The sheets must either be empty or contain only 2D views. In the past I posted an article describing using this to deal with dummy sheets to fill out a complete drawing list. This feature presents us with a dialog listing the eligible views.
It is a great way to transfer office standard detail sheets and schedules into a new project. When you select a sheet that includes just 2D views Revit will bring the sheet and all the views on it into your project as well as placing them on the sheet.
For campus projects that share details it allows you to place copies of the details in each building file so you can create intelligent view references to the details. If you only change them in the "master" file (a primary building model project) you only need to keep the sheet and detail numbers coordinated if you do all printing from the "master" project file.
The second option, 2D Elements is intended let us "steal" drafting annotation, detail lines and detail components from model views. Imagine a wall section that is the same or very similar to the one you are working on now. Using this tool you can grab the 2D embellishment in the other project and added it to your current model's view. This tool presents a dialog of eligible views too, all views that have any 2D information added to them.
Annotation that requires a reference like dimensions or tags will likely fail to insert for fairly obvious reasons, namely the reference isn't necessarily in the same location or even present.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Revit 2009 Versions Released
As of 3pm today Autodesk officially released and announced that the new versions were available for download. Some were able to download it a bit earlier than intended by "reverse engineering" the web address for 2008 versions. While it technically worked I refrained because I wanted to hear it from the "horse's mouth" that it was released, on the off chance that a final build hadn't been posted yet.
So the good news is that for those with adequate broadband access you can download the version you use anytime you want now.
Here are the links to each version:
Revit Architecture 2009
Revit Structure 2009
Revit MEP 2009
Note: Only the English version is available for download at this time as they are preparing the other language version now.
Also take care to download the correct version if you own the "suite" that includes AutoCAD or AutoCAD MEP. As Greg noted in his blog this morning you won't be able to authorize AutoCAD properly because the "suite" version is not posted at the Autodesk site for download.
So the good news is that for those with adequate broadband access you can download the version you use anytime you want now.
Here are the links to each version:
Revit Architecture 2009
Revit Structure 2009
Revit MEP 2009
Note: Only the English version is available for download at this time as they are preparing the other language version now.
Also take care to download the correct version if you own the "suite" that includes AutoCAD or AutoCAD MEP. As Greg noted in his blog this morning you won't be able to authorize AutoCAD properly because the "suite" version is not posted at the Autodesk site for download.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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)
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)
Thursday, April 03, 2008
CAD Surveys and your Revit Project
This text was posted at AUGI by David Conant (Autodesk Revit Product Designer) in February this year. It is very important information.
This method should ALWAYS be followed. It is critical to follow when the survey coordinates of your building site have large values (> 2 miles/3km from site 0,0):
ALWAYS locate sites underneath buildings. Revit buildings like to stay near home and be oriented to project north. Sites can wander about and talk to the buildings later. DON'T try to pan your view 40 km northeast of 0,0 and try to build your building model there because your site coordinates have a remote origin. This will work in AutoCAD but in Revit you will be very unhappy.
NEVER import or link a site with large coordinate values Origin to Origin! This may seem correct based on AutoCAD experience, but here too you will be very unhappy in Revit. You will get the correct origin later in the process.
This method should ALWAYS be followed. It is critical to follow when the survey coordinates of your building site have large values (> 2 miles/3km from site 0,0):
ALWAYS locate sites underneath buildings. Revit buildings like to stay near home and be oriented to project north. Sites can wander about and talk to the buildings later. DON'T try to pan your view 40 km northeast of 0,0 and try to build your building model there because your site coordinates have a remote origin. This will work in AutoCAD but in Revit you will be very unhappy.
NEVER import or link a site with large coordinate values Origin to Origin! This may seem correct based on AutoCAD experience, but here too you will be very unhappy in Revit. You will get the correct origin later in the process.
- Build your revit model at or near the position of the elevation marks in the default template with the building oriented orthagonal to your desired printing frame. i.e. use a Project North not True North for your working environment.
For one building on a site:
- Link in a site model or site dwg.
- Move and Rotate the SITE so that it is located correctly relative to the building.
- Acquire the site's coordinates. Now, the site's origin will be the origin of your shared coordinates. The site's Y axis will be True North. The site coordinate values can be arbitrarily large without disturbing Revit's internal calculations.
- You can later open the site model and link in the building using shared location and it will land in the exact position.
For multiple buildings on a site:
- Create a Site project, link in a site dwg, placing the center of the building site near the center of the default view.
- Acquire coordinates from the site.
- Build any site elements, topos, etc.
- Link in building rvts. Move and rotate them so that they are correctly located on the site.
- Publish coordinates to the rvts. Now all models will have the same Shared origin and True North orientations.
- You can now link the site into any of the buildings (the other buildings can be linked in as well) using shared location and it will be in the exact location.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Hostile Takeover - Google takes on Autodesk AND Bentley
Latherdon - 2008
In a surprise move, some say shocking, this morning Google announced its intent to take over Autodesk AND Bentley. Analysts say this is a strategic acquisition to take control of the "Information" in Building Information Modeling (BIM). No details were provided regarding how the combination of two major rivals for the computer aided design marketplace would be managed. Nor did the announcement discuss the likely lawsuit, from other cad vendors like Solid Works, ArchiCAD to name just two, claiming anti-trust violations. Google management stated that they intend to offer $12.50 per share for Autodesk shares and $6.50 per share for Bentley though Bentley remains a privately held company. Based on current market value this places the entire deal in the $2 gazillion range.
Attempts to reach competing software vendors for comment were not possible before releasing this news.
About the Author: Freddy Latherdon
Freddy has been on hiatus since undergoing knee surgery after a unexplained billards accident. He returned to work just in time to capture the essence of what will turn out the be the biggest BIM story yet, assuming the deal goes through.
Yes...this is nonsense...please don't panic...!!!
In separate announcement Google introduced its latest feature for Gmail, Custom Time. Now you can never be late with your response, you could even be early, earlier than the request in the first place!
In a surprise move, some say shocking, this morning Google announced its intent to take over Autodesk AND Bentley. Analysts say this is a strategic acquisition to take control of the "Information" in Building Information Modeling (BIM). No details were provided regarding how the combination of two major rivals for the computer aided design marketplace would be managed. Nor did the announcement discuss the likely lawsuit, from other cad vendors like Solid Works, ArchiCAD to name just two, claiming anti-trust violations. Google management stated that they intend to offer $12.50 per share for Autodesk shares and $6.50 per share for Bentley though Bentley remains a privately held company. Based on current market value this places the entire deal in the $2 gazillion range.
Attempts to reach competing software vendors for comment were not possible before releasing this news.
About the Author: Freddy Latherdon
Freddy has been on hiatus since undergoing knee surgery after a unexplained billards accident. He returned to work just in time to capture the essence of what will turn out the be the biggest BIM story yet, assuming the deal goes through.
Yes...this is nonsense...please don't panic...!!!
In separate announcement Google introduced its latest feature for Gmail, Custom Time. Now you can never be late with your response, you could even be early, earlier than the request in the first place!
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!
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 TypesYou 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!
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