Wall Creator by Clark Dietrich

Steve Bennett shared his insight about a new Revit wall tool he's been beta testing recently.

ClarkDietrich publicly asked for some beta testing assistance this past May. I haven't used it myself but Steve seems pretty pleased with what he's experienced using it. Check it out!

Here's a You Tube video from their site:

Family Type Parameter Gotcha

Two quick items:

Item 1: When you try to create a parameter using the Type of Parameter: Family Type...

you have to choose a category.

If you don't have the family you intend to connect this parameter to yet Revit asks you if you want to load one now.

If you choose Yes you get to go find it and load it. If you choose No Revit bails out and doesn't finish creating the parameter.

Silly. Let me create my parameters please, I can load the other stuff whenever I'm ready.

Item Two: Revit 2012 offers a export option to create a Type Catalog from your existing family content. Just open a family and using the Application Menu > Export > Family Types (remember to scroll down to the bottom).

Bummer though...it doesn't work for the Type of Parameter: Family Types... Thanks to Aaron Maller and RevitForum.org for the heads up on this one!

Massing a Property Boundary

I read a thread at RevitForum.org last week that asked about seeing a property boundary in section views. Property Lines in Revit are just 2D so they don't show up, thus the question. It occurred to me as I read it that massing might fit the bill.

I started with a property boundary using the Property Line tool since it works nicely for that purpose otherwise. I used that as the "control" for the massing form.

Using an in-place mass family I sketched around the property boundary and used a parameter to manage an "offset", just in case I need to push/pull the massing edge. After I created a form from the sketch I did the same to control the top sketch with a separate parameter so I could potentially push/pull it too.

Now this will appear in a section view.

Taken a step further I added a void to remove the portion of the property mass that is "buildable" according to setback parameters. The design had better fit inside that "hole"!

Here's what the Parameters I used are.

I used a Massing sub-category to manage what the massing looked like, line pattern and color, so it would be easier to distinguish as a property boundary...hopefully.

Unblock Your App

If you download a Plugin of the Month or some other application that doesn't have its own installer you might find that when you get it "working" that it doesn't actually run. The key to get it working again most likely, assuming your paths and names are correct, is that you need to "Unblock" the .dll and .addin files so Windows 7 security will give in.

Right click on the file name > Choose Properties. If the Unblock button is there then security is telling you to "talk to the hand". Click Unblock and "she'll be right".

While attempting to get the new Wall Opening area I ran into this situation and this thread at RevitForum.org was useful background information. Gordon included part of a reply by Kean Walmsley with Autodesk.

Kean wrote:...snip "Many of the 2012 family of products use version 4 of the .NET Framework. .NET 4.0 implements slightly more stringent security than prior versions of the framework: if a DLL is suspected as having been downloaded from the web – as is clearly the case with our “Plugins of the Month” – the .NET 4.0 runtime will treat that DLL as if it has been loaded from a network share...snip

Lighting Calculations by AGI for Revit

The folks (Lighting Analysts Inc.) that create AGI32 (a popular lighting analysis tool for AutoCAD) are in the Beta process for their new application for Revit called ElumTools.

From their website:
...snip
ElumTools is a calculation Add-in used to predict the performance of electric lighting systems within the Autodesk® Revit® Architecture or MEP software. With ElumTools the need to utilize external software to compute illuminance from light sources placed in Revit is no longer necessary.
...snip

Click HERE if you'd like to join their BETA Process. The pricing structure has not been defined yet, just TBD on their site.

Want to watch some videos?
ElumTools Test Drive
ElumTools Overview
ElumTools Visualization

To get you started I've embedded the Overview Video.

Dept. of Subtle - Exporting and Printing - Show List

Back in January of 2008 I wrote a post for the HOK CAD Solutions blog that has since changed its name to HOK BIM Solutions blog. The post is about what happens when we use the feature to filter the list of views and sheets to print. The same can be said for exporting to other file formats too.

The Show options that appear for Sheets and Views are filters to control the display of views in the list above. They do not affect whether a view is selected or not. If you have Views selected and turn off Views display, they remain selected and they will print/export regardless.

It is important to either scroll down the list to make sure just the views you really want are selected or click the Check None button to start over, otherwise you may end up with a bit more printed output than you expected.

The same thing is true of the export dialog.

A video might help explain it better?

Shared Coordinates and Copy Monitor

I read and responded to a post at AUGI over the last few days. The problem is that levels in the structural model won't display the shared elevation values based on the architecture model. To replicate the situation I imagined what steps were taken, based on the info in the post. I couldn't reproduce the problem. However, one thing my attempt didn't include was the Copy/Monitor tool (C/M). It turns out that when the levels are involved in a C/M relationship they won't acknowledge the change in their type parameter setting: Elevation Base > Shared.

Here's the steps that were part of the issue:

1. RAC Model started with Level 1 at 864'-0" elevation (not at zero)
2. RST gets RAC model and moves their levels to match
3. RST uses Copy Monitor for levels and grids
4. RAC model uses Relocate Project to move back to "project elevation" 100'-0"
5. RST uses Acquire Coordinates to adjust - no acknowledgment of change

If you do this without C/M (step 3) it works.

Once two files are sharing coordinates you can't really remove this relationship. If you remove the link and import it again (Auto - Origin to Origin) the relationship survives.

To truly remove (really more like replace) the relationship I use a new file that is based on the stock Revit template default.rte. I import this file and Acquire Coordinates from it instead. Revit can only acquire coordinates from one source file so using a "good" one "resets" it so it is possible to acquire them from the original file after removing the C/M relationship.

Once the shared coordinates are "reset" I was able to import the RAC model and use Acquire Coordinates to match up the elevation values. Lastly, I used Copy Monitor to let Revit watch the levels again. Hopefully it doesn't happen again!

Elevation Tag Disappears

Via email yesterday, a Revit user wonders why an elevation symbol won't show up in the view. It boils down to the crop region and cut-plane of the views involved. The question was also posted at AUGI and I responded there too.

Here's a simple image depicting the issue.

If the cut-plane of the elevation is moved away so that it no longer intersects the crop region of the view, no elevation symbol anymore!

A VIDEO works best to "see it happening".

File Upgrader for Revit 2012 Available at Autodesk Labs Plug-ins

They've made an updated version of the Revit File Upgrader available at the Labs, check it out!

From the blog post:
...snip

In addition to being stellar programming examples, the ADN plugins provide useful functionality. As such, the developers routinely update them in response to feedback at labs.plugins@autodesk.com. With this in mind, there was a recent update of the File Upgrader for Revit. You can use this plugin to batch upgrade previous versions of Revit files to the Revit 2012 format. This utility tool is intended to help upgrade family contents, but you can also use it to upgrade project files. As included in its read me, and all ADN Plugins of the Month come with read me files, the changes for this version include:
• Support wider range of source filename lengths (including single character file names)
• Handle situations where multi-level nested source sub-folders are devoid of Revit files (except for the last sub-folder).
• Set the focus of the list box in the user interface dialog to show the new entries being logged.
• Reflect the progress of the upgrade more correctly especially in cases where there are files not matching the upgrade file types in the source folder.
When using this plug-in, avoid placing the destination folder as a subfolder of the source folder. It doesn't handle that. The source code is supplied. Anyone care to try their hand at fixing that?

...snip

Shared Parameter Utility - Revit SP Writer

Alan Jackson has made his new Shared Parameter application available. From his blog openRevit:

...snip
This utility is intended to manage shared parameter files for Autodesk Revit platforms. It was written and tested using Excel 2007.

Features:

• Import Shared Parameter .txt files
• Export Shared Parameter .txt files
• Create New Shared parameters
• Selective Export from Parameter Library
• Organize Parameters

...snip

You can DOWNLOAD NOW from his site.

He followed up the first post with this one too.

Dept. of Echo - Revit Implementation: Workflow Tricks

The most recent AUGIWorld was posted and available yesterday. It is the "Management" issue and I thought I'd take a moment to "shout out" about Aaron Maller's article (works for Beck Group in Dallas).

His is the cover's feature article and title of this post: Revit Implementation: Workflow Tricks. He shares useful insights regarding the Revit 2012's approach to handling the "initialization" information that historically been stored in the Revit.ini file. It's still there sort of...well...read it already! If you deal with this aspect of Revit routinely I'm sure you'll appreciate the information! Good job Aaron!

AUGIWorld High Resolution (30 MB)
AUGIWorld Low Resolution (6.9 MB)
AUGIWorld Read it Online

Since this blog is obviously Revit biased you also find these other helpful Revit focused articles:

• Managing BIM Coordination – Michael N. Smith discusses the team approach and preparation needed for solid BIM coordination through Navisworks.
• Revit MEP / Up-front Organization – If you’ve been tagged as the office’s Revit MEP “go to” person, learn how to deliver superior file management. David Raynor offers some tips.
• So You Want to Implement Revit? – The key to becoming a fully implemented Revit firm can be found in a single word. Let Ibrahim Hakki enlighten you.

Alternate Units - Part Two

A few comments responding to yesterday's post made me aware of a couple perspectives I had not given enough fair play in my mind. Thanks for the comments and the attitude adjustment. Just to repeat myself, I'm not opposed to showing alternate units or defending Revit's lack of the concept. I'm all for Autodesk making alternate dimensions a priority for documenting in Revit. Hopefully it will happen sooner than later.

One comment asked about using a dimension style that uses "no lines". I exaggerated, it does use the dimension line but that will overlap the other so it is "invisible". A video will help see how I apply it and these two dialog boxes will show what settings I used. Hope it helps...a little.

Setting the Type Parameters:

Setting the Units (from within Type Parameters):

Here's the VIDEO and the version at You Tube:

As it turns out the person who asked about this wrote a tip at the RevitForum.org that describes roughly the same thing except he eliminates the dragging of dimension values by increasing the Dimension Line Snap Distance parameter so that one dimension is above the other automatically. A nice improvement which assumes that format approach will be acceptable. Hopefully it will be! If not, the way I show in the video shows what you'll have to consider.

Alternate Units - Seriously?

I encounter the request to show alternate units in Revit every now and then. I see the subject pop up in user forums like AUGI and RevitForum.org too. The superficial response is, "Nope the dimension styles in Revit don't have a "show alternate units" option like other CAD software."

Seems simple enough to me for the software to provide it doesn't it? I'm not a programmer so I won't speak further for them.

Below the surface what's always bothered me is, why???? - Some bureaucratic response? "Just show both units!" Some generic project wide uniformity? -

No this is not some fanboy defense for Revit's lack...I really don't get the notion that we have to provide alternate units for everything. What practical purpose does providing overall building dimensions in both units of measure serve? If the project is to be built in China, or Europe, or the Middle East...do they really care about imperial units? Does the window manufacturer that builds imperial based products care about the metric equivalents? Is the framer going to compare the values before they nail in the studs? Is including both units meant to be "easier" for those team members who can't be bothered to become acquainted with the appropriate unit of measure?

How about providing dimensions that show the units that really matter to the poor sap trying to build the project and leave the rest of the clutter off the drawing? I can understand a manufacturer including both when they are seeking pricing for manufacturing something from a variety of sources including overseas vendors. But then often metric and imperial numbers have some fudging involved to cleanup the numbers (3'-0" vs 900mm doors, shaved 15mm off the imperial size).

Backing up...sure, "please "factory" GIVE us alternate units." But using them in practice still ought to be based on reasonable application versus an arbitrary "just show both", some degree of appropriate use. My $0.025

At this time we've got some "ugly" options.

• Add the alternate values as an override suffix to each dimension (make that really really ugly).
• Change the unit of measure for the project dimensions and plot the set again (PDF only hopefully) It does nothing to resolve "messy" conversion numbers like the door example above.
• Add additional dimensions that don't show the "lines" and adjust the dimension value so it is next to the others (pretty darn ugly but at least tied to real elements/values).
• Provide and use alternate dimension styles that show the appropriate units for what is being communicated and based on where the project will be constructed. (maybe you can sense my preference here?)
• Use API to add/update alternate unit suffix for us, don't know if API actually permits this though. Programmers confirm/deny?

Sharing Data and Language

Interesting thing is happening to a friend and his firm as they collaborate with an engineering firm based in China. Language is an obvious issue for project meetings and documentation. At a little deeper level how about between applications. Let's say using Navisworks and exports from Revit...

There is no translate option during export!

Seems to me the "solution" to sharing this is to use a common language for the modelling/software/documentation. Easier said than done perhaps to choose English as the "language of business"? What if the project is to be built in China? Better make sure you have native Chinese speakers on staff?

Architecture/Engineering work is increasingly international and multi-national, I imagine we haven't seen the last of this sort of thing.

The Difference Between Join and Attach

There are two kind of messages that Revit shows you regarding how walls, floors and roofs interact.

The first kind (Attach) occurs when the geometry of a wall touches a floor or passes through the floor. If you edit the sketch of a floor, when you finish the sketch Revit asks you if you'd like to attach this wall (or any other walls that intersect too) to the underside of the floor.

The point of this is to establish an "automatic" relationship between the underside of a floor and various walls. If the floor type (thickness) changes the top of the wall(s) will change as well. If the level the floor is assigned to is raised/lowered the walls adjust accordingly too. It's meant to be "quicker" than manually doing it yourself by selecting walls and using the Attach Top/Base tool. However you may want some walls to do it and others not so much. Many times the "correct" answer is NO.

Here are the results for yes and no responses (note that there is no "joining" of geometry, just the wall height is changed).

Same thing happens when a wall and roof geometry intersects except the dialog message is slightly different.

The second kind (Join) is when a floor intersects a wall, like at exterior walls. Revit asks if you want to join geometry so the cut/projection lines that it draws better represent how these elements would really intersect.

The first message does appear too, just before the second message appears. It's good to choose NO to the first so the wall does not get attached (which would change its height) and then YES so the geometry joins nicely. If you aren't cutting a section through this part of the building then you could argue there is no need to join geometry since nobody will see the clumsy connection between wall and floor.

Now for this message to appear it is necessary to "Pick Walls" and use the "Extend into wall (to core)" Option. If you don't use these then you just get the first message.

If you choose NO for both "questions" you can always use the Join Geometry tool later between any elements that need to "clean up" better. Again the point of this second kind of question is to provide a "speedier" way to end up with a better section(s) when you cut one later.

Application Development - Building a Case for It

I was approached by Mike Shell recently. Since he is interested in developing a software application intended to support viewing Revit models via a 3D PDF Converter his need is a bit broader than just my opinion. He needs interest from bigger organizations than mine.

He is seeking statements from firms that support his business plan. Here's one of two sample letters he provided:

To Mr. Michael Schell or to whom it may concern,

Our firm uses Autodesk Revit for our architectural and 3D CAD design needs. We are currently using another product for viewing and illustration for sharing our model requirements and for printing documents, but not aware of 3D PDF format, for printing or illustrating our models.

If this product is available I would be interested in purchasing the product, if the value was in the $________ price range. It would be valuable for us to be able to distribute our 3D Revit designs in a neutral 3D format like PDF… since the Adobe viewer is free and everyone has it already on their PC.

Integration of 3D views within the construction set as the next step in the evolution of construction drawings would be beneficial. Having an Adobe 3D PDF that a contractor can use during the construction phase would further enhance our communication with the clients.

Sincerely Yours,

Your Name

If you and/or your firm are interested in learning more contact him via EMAIL. He's also hoping you'll provide such a letter to demonstrate how interested you are, and thereby demonstrating overall interest in the project.

Patterning Plug-In Teaser

Via a Tweet today HLJacobs posted a video at You Tube demonstrating a patterning tool.



Looks interesting! I suspect that HLJacobs is none other than Hiroshi, founder of RevitCity. Could be a coincidence?

And this one too:



This one too:

What Happened??

I couldn't keep up. The month of June and running into July was over the top for me. When I returned from RTC Australasia at the beginning of June there were many distractions preparing for RTC North America. Then the event itself.

The Revit part of it didn't worry me...it was the drumming part! ;)

Steve Shell and his band Shell Shock were nice enough to let me play for four songs! Thanks to the guys and especially Chaz for letting me take a little more life out of his drum heads and sticks! Next time you find yourself in Tuscon be sure to check them out!

The week after RTCUSA left me and the family with one week to prepare for moving house. Our lease was up for renewal and we decided to split the difference between our kid's schools. One advantage of leasing over owning anyway, besides when we moved to California there was no way we were getting into the crazy housing market here.

All that is behind me now so I'm attempting to fall back into routine, not that the life of a consultant is ever really routine. It's kind of like being a keeper (soccer goalie), periods of extreme boredom (looking for work) mixed with periods of terror (having more than one can handle)! With the economy (Aussie's just refer to it as the GFC - Global Financial Crisis) the way it is a little more terror than boredom is a good problem to have!

At least there are many other active bloggers to fill in the gaps when I get too distracted! Others like: (check them out!)

Luke Johnson - What Revit Wants
Jason Grant - Arch in 3D
David Light
The Revit Clinic (Autodesk)
Zach Kron - Buildz
Jay Polding - Revit in Plain English
Phil, Eddy and James - Arch | Tech
Jeffrey Pinheiro - The Revit Kid
Greg Arkin - Revit 3D

Revit 2012 Update - What's Fixed

When I mentioned the availability of the new update the other day there wasn't the usual "list of stuff we fixed" to go along with it. I can sympathize, it takes a lot of effort to compile that stuff. As a contributing author, blogger etc... it takes time to put things together. I think Mark Twain is credited (although variations are attributed to a good many others) with saying, "If I had more time I'd have written a shorter letter". Even this little post has taken more time that it might seem. Here's the links to the PDF files:

Revit Architecture 2012 enhancement list
Revit Structure 2012 enhancement list
Revit MEP 2012 enhancement list

Don't Ever Edit a Central File?

I regularly read the Southern Arizona Revit User Group's blog. A recent post poked me in the eye and I thought I'd respond to it here. Here's the bit that poked me:

...snip
1. Make sure no one EVER edits a Central file directly, once local files have been created. If you do, you will need to recreate all the local files from the new Central file.
...snip

It's good advice, don't work in a central file.

The second sentence is what concerns me, it isn't accurate. If someone does work in the central file no harm is done by doing so. The worst thing that will happen is Revit will force that person to save the central file as a local file before allowing for synchronization to occur. If other people are actively working in their local files and someone opens the central directly they are very likely to get this message (after doing some work for awhile) when they attempt to save.

This dialog isn't guaranteed to appear no matter what. It only shows up when there is some conflict between the central file that is being edited and changes made in a local file. The more users there are the more likely it will show up.

The dialog title (Local File not Synchronized) is a little confusing because it appears when editing the central file and trying to save. It's the central file that couldn't save. The solution is to use Save As to create a new file (local file as a result) and then use Synchronize with Central (SwC) again.

Assuming it is necessary to work in the central file, the only way to completely avoid running into it is to only work on a central file when there are no other active local files in play.

Why would it be necessary to work in a central file? Read an earlier post.

Marcello's New Blog - Simply Complex

Marcello recently presented classes at the Revit Technology Conference in Huntington Beach, CA. In his spare time he's done some pretty amazing modelling with Revit, such as an elephant, a cow, a telehandler and others. He posted his elephant on You Tube awhile ago.



He's decided to start blogging and calls his blog: Simply Complex. I encourage you to check it out and to encourage him to keep posting!

Workflow Audit

Seth Godin wrote a brief post today called Time for a Workflow Audit. It explains very simply one way people like me (Revit consultants) help others (and their firms) with Revit. As a consultant I tend to call it mentoring.

Seth wrote:

Go find a geek. Someone who understands gmail, Outlook, Excel and other basic tools. Pay her to sit next to you for an hour and watch you work. Then say, "tell me five ways I can save an hour a day." Whatever you need to pay for this service, it will pay for itself in a week.

Substitute Revit and/or Navisworks for gmail/Outlook, Excel and the rest, though I've occasionally even helped out with those "mundane" applications.

An aside... geeks and nerds combined are: a neek, a gerd, a gerk? I heard someone say that Nerds talk/think about doing cool techy stuff while geeks get cool techy stuff DONE. At least that's how I remember hearing it!

Fonts and fonts

I recently traded emails with David Edwards of TC Fonts regarding Revit's ambivalence to .shx fonts and the issues that arise when we import from dwg files and export to dwg files.

Initially he was interested in my thoughts on something he is considering working on. I think my opinion is too narrow in this case and he agreed to let me open it up a little more, to this blog's readers.

David writes:

I'm working on 2 sets of fonts intended to make importing DWG files that use SHX fonts into Revit work better. This means that the fonts will match more accurately, at least when it comes to their height and line length. I was thinking about making the characters not look identical (except for stroke) width to Romans or Simplex for more like Arial or Helvetica, so that when using Arial in Revit, the old details wouldn't be so "different" in look. Alternatively I could make them very similar to the plot look of the SHX.

Any thoughts on what might be preferable?

He also wrote:

Revit really screwed up on the DWG export. It only allows Truetype fonts to be specified in the DWG whereas most of the AutoCAD world still uses SHX as their standards. I'm also thinking of doing an SHX that matches with the look and width of Arial.

If you've got an opinion on this subject please respond in a comment. If you'd like to have a longer conversation with David about it I can connect the dots! Thanks!

Autodesk Labs - eTransmit for Revit

Anyone who has to share their Revit project files with another entity knows that it can be a little tricky if you want them to have all the ancillary data that might be associated with the project file itself, like imported dwg files. Autodesk Labs released (yesterday) a new candidate for your consideration called eTransmit for Revit.

From the Lab's description:
...snip

With eTransmit for Revit, you can:
• Copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder for internet transmission. This removes the typical error messages when you copy central files using the operating system.
• Locate dependent files automatically and include them in the transmittal folder, reducing the possibility of error. All dependent files are automatically converted to use relative paths to ensure that the dependent files can be located by the model.
• Choose to include related dependent files such as linked Revit models, CAD files, DWF markups, decal images, and external keynote files. You can transmit any Revit (.rvt) model that has been upgraded to Revit Release 2012.
• Transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing. eTransmit for Revit will also work with non-workshared Revit models.

...snip

They've got a Known Issues PDF you can check out too.

Model Medic 2012

I wrote about this diagnostic tool when it first appeared. The 2012 compatible version is now available. You can download the new features pdf HERE.

You can watch their promo video below:

Revit 2012 Update Available

I was able to download web updates to Revit 2012 products via Communication Center this morning (well when I turned on Revit anyway). I also saw that Luke Johnson posted links at his blog What Revit Wants. RevitForum.org also has a thread dedicated to the subject.

If you fire up Revit and visit the communication center you should find a notification. You can also follow the links provided at What Revit Wants or RevitForum.org but those seem to take you to the 64bit versions whereas the Communication Center will download the version you need on your pc. Of course if EyeTee has your computer locked down such that you can't update it yourself, time to chat with them I suppose?

New build number is: 20110622_0930

According to Matt Mason's post at his Cadd Application Development blog the update fixes a point cloud issue. A new option to place updated cloud import files called: Auto - Origin to Last Placed (meaning that it would make sure that the origin matched the origin of the previous model) was added for these files...but it didn't work. It does work in the new Web Update!

Low Walls

I was positive I wrote about this in the past but I can't find a post in the pile of posts I've made since the end of 2004. I suppose it could be buried in a post at AUGI...

If a wall is less than six feet (or 2000mm, no not exactly equal to six feet) it will NOT use the Cut line weight, it will only show using the Projection line weight. You can "force" Revit to show it as Cut by setting the Top Constraint to the level above and using a negative Top Offset value to drop it back down to it's intended overall height. A bit obtuse but it works! [Added this: Chris mentioned in a comment, "you can set the Top Constraint to the same level as the Base Constraint and then use a positive value for your Top Offset value."]

I posted this because it came up in a session at RTC (during Harlan Brumm's Troubleshooting class) and then was tweeted.

Mastering and Essentials - Revit Books at RTC

Wiley/Sybex provided six copies for RTC to give away to attendees today (Saturday). The books were so excited this morning that I found them lined up at the door waiting to head to the conference area at the hotel!

Thanks to Willem and Wiley/Sybex for the books...oh the authors too, for writing them!! Eddy Krygiel, Phil Read, James Vandezande (also their special chapter contributors).

Revit Technology Conference - USA 2011

A bit more than two hundred and eighty people are about to begin their third day at the conference. I've neglected posting because I'm a slacker blogger lately! Fortunately others are not so slack. So this post is a listing of those who aren't (slack), to which I add...ditto! and Thanks!

First, David Light (Mr. Reliable) has done a nice job of writing about his experience so far. He's also be a mad Twittererer and I'm sure those that couldn't attend and follow the hashtag #RTCUSA appreciate his "madness".

Jason Grant also wrote about his experiences so far.

Steve Bennett mentioned it on his blog.

Chris Price (aka Mr. Spot) also wrote about the conference.

Chris Heinerata (works for DIALOG) wrote about RTC too!

Jay Zallan too! Post, Another Post

Craig Barbieri has joined the RTC blogging adventure with his contributions. He took pictures of Jim Baldings collection of Revit distribution discs,

A few from before the first public release.

The folks who contribute to AUGI's blog, BLAUGI posted something too. AUGI has been very supportive of RTC and the conference is very grateful. RTC has always been supportive of AUGI too, a "mutual admiration society".

It's no secret that I've been working to help bring RTC to the North America. The committee that I've been part of has worked very hard to make it real, and it is very gratifying to walk around and see that it IS real...a bit melancholy on the morning of Day Three that it is nearly over.

There are conference photos at the Facebook page for RTC if you are interested. Jim Balding installed Revit 1.0 on the demo lounge computers. Quite cool to see that. It's an interesting "paradox" with that version running on a couple computers that have Wacom Cintiq's attached to them!

The time here goes by so quickly! All for now, must prepare for our last day together here.

The Extensions are Coming

They've arrived! Revit 2012 extensions (subscription only) have been posted so have at them! The Revit Clinic and The Building Coder both offer some detail about each as well as for downloading them.

Dept. of Flashback - Mark and Type Mark

This subject pops up now and then as I encounter people doing the implementation "thing". I wrote this little piece in March 2009. I've clipped it out and posted it here again:

...snip
Language...with Revit's parameter naming the follow is true:

Door Number = "Mark" (not the person but the signature, ID or identifying "mark")
Window "type" = "Type Mark"

Out of the box, Revit's tags are assigned to these as described above. A door number is unique for each door so its tag is using a label assigned to the "Mark" parameter. Windows, for the most part, are defined according to a "type", a common letter or number designation for each window of a given "type" or configuration, therefore a window's tag is assigned to the "Type Mark" parameter.

"Mark" is located in the Element properties dialog while "Type Mark" is located in the Type Properties dialog. Most of Revit elements have both. Some Mark values are automatically supplied based on the "last" value entered and many are not. Type Mark values are not supplied with the assumption that each project will have its own needs and will be defined accordingly.

If you don't approve of the out of the box setting, you can create your own tag so that you can properly identify an element according to your needs.
...snip

RTC Competition

Just a reminder to readers that are attending the Revit Technology Conference next week in Huntington Beach. There is a competition segment to the event that offers some very nice prizes. To enter the work you and your firm has done you need to review the information on the web site regarding the competition.

Here's one of this year's RTC Goldcoast winner, Tony Hoffmann with Humphrey & Edwards Architects:

For reference you can take a look at the recent Goldcoast RTC competition as well as some images of previous submissions. You can also review the past RTC events: RTC 2010 - RTC 2009 - RTC 2008 - RTC 2007 - RTC 2006

The prizes have not been listed yet but they involve significant hardware and software I'd be very happy to win, but I'm not eligible...but "you" are!

Revit Content Standards - ANZRS

The Australia New Zealand Revit Standards (ANZRS) has been formally released. In March this year I wrote that they were drawing close to releasing it and that they hoped to do so at the Revit Technology Conference in Goldcoast. They did hold a meeting there but held off on the formal release a bit longer.

They made their first digital public version available for download. You need to register with modest information before you'll be able to download it. It is delivered in a PDF package that is comprised of these sections:

• L1 Introduction
• L2 How to use the pack
• L3 Generic vs Specific
• L4 Glossary of Terms
• C1-C8 Compliance
• R1-R2 Advanced Features and Best Practices
• Full Pack for printing including shared parameter txt files

Dept. of Off Topic - Signage

At a school nearby I saw the following sign regarding "Revitalization".

Their choice for the "swirl" logo reminds me of the original RTC (Revit Technology Corporation) logo.

It's also what the Revit Technology Conference logo is based on too.

Speaking of which, the conference opens in slightly over a week! Still some time to register if you haven't yet. Online registration remains open until Monday the 20th at the standard rate. Afterward it will be possible to register on-site at 4pm on Wednesday at the higher on-site rate.

Neat Dimensions

I received a comment on an earlier post. The essence of the comment was that they like to dimension like this, where the dimension's witness lines don't extend to the model to keep things neat.

A friend's office does this too and they use the following settings to achieve the "look".

I find the technique a bit frustrating in the field because I can't tell what the lines are referencing sometimes. For particularly busy documentation they'll add a prefix/suffix to values so it becomes a bit clearer. Neat drawings still take skill and attention to detail even with Revit/BIM.

Dept. of Events - Extreme BIM at USC - July 8, 2011

The Fifth Annual USC Symposium on Extreme BIM: Parametrics and Customization

EXTREME BIM: Friday, July 8: (very, very small fee) – we noticed that if we don’t charge a small fee, some people sign up and then forget to show up. If you really can’t afford the $25, email kensek@usc.edu, and I will have it waived. DO NOT use the online system if you want to get your fee waived.

Please reserve your spot soon; our BIM Analytics event filled up last year.

The speakers for EXTREME BIM 2011 were instructed to give presentations that advance the idea of building information modeling, show things that most of the audience may not be aware of, and demonstrate that BIM is cool and cutting edge! We have put together a slate of speakers that includes representatives from architecture, engineering, construction, education, and owners. Explore a side of BIM that you have not seen before!

Speaking/presenting are: Mario Guttman, Ian Keough, Nathan Miller, Joseph Burns, Chandler Ahrens, Michael Kilkelly, Bradley Hardin, Team Gensler, Brian K. Stewart, Robert Cull, and Team CCC.