Opening a View and it Appears Empty

I wrote THIS POST about Revit's behavior when you open a new view. There are times when you open a new view and Revit seems determined not to show you what is there. You get an empty view, or at least it looks empty, until you use Zoom to Fit.

It's been my observation that this happens when you are opening a new view with another view open that is cropped or at least looking at a very different portion of the model where there isn't anything to see in the new view. This happens because Revit is trying to focus on the same location in the new view, based on the location within the model you were already looking at (the view you were just using).

In a simple model this automatic zoom/focus works pretty well. As soon as we introduce linked files, scope boxes, cropped boundaries etc... it gets less reliable or helpful. Just something to consider next time you are greeted by an empty view. It might help to close down your current view first and use a simpler view or a schedule to start from instead. Then again, using Zoom to Fit isn't hard.

Door Template Wall Types

Prior to Revit 2015 the stock door template had one wall type called Wall 1. Many users create additional wall types to make it easier to test our work for problems that can arise with different wall types (those with a different thickness), prior to loading into a project to test further.

A very subtle change with 2015 is that the stock door template now has three types: Generic - 6", Generic - 8" and Generic - 12". The metric door template has Generic - 150mm, Generic - 200mm and Generic 300mm.

I assume this is in response to observing that many people have be doing with this with their own content. It's been part of my door tutorials and sessions over the years. It's one less subtle task to deal with when starting out with a new door family.

Dockable Windows

Revit has supported docking the Project Browser, Properties Palette, System Browser(for MEP) and Reconcile Hosting for a few releases now. I find new users often struggle with the actual task of docking them because the UI interaction isn't entirely intuitive. There are graphic cues offered but users don't seem to recognize them right away. I find I have to make a point of stressing that the location of the cursor is paramount and that while they should be looking for the visual cues, the cursor is what drives them.

I made this short video (Two Minutes) to help capture the subtlety I'm talking about.

While I am at it, personally I find Reconcile Hosting hard to find. It has a button on the Collaborate ribbon > Coordinate panel but I also expect it to be lurking on the View ribbon > User Interface. That's because the Properties Palette, Project Browser and System Browser are there and Reconcile Hosting is the same sort of thing. At least I think so since it can be docked among the others. I also find it quirky that, since there is a button for Reconcile Hosting, there isn't a button for the System Browser on the Systems and/or Analyze ribbons.

Visibility Graphics Issues and DWG Imports in Families

I worked through an issue this morning with a fellow RevitForum member. He was trying to determine why desks in the architect's model would not show up in one of his views, using Revit MEP. It turns out that one of the earlier replies in the thread offered part of the solution.

The desk family involved wasn't made of native Revit elements. It was only imported DWG elements. In the view that wouldn't show the desk the view's Visibility/Graphics settings were being controlled by a view template and it had the Imported Categories setting for Imports in Families un-checked. Just one or many things we need to track down when Thing's Go Missing.

Cleaning Out the Closet - Print and Plot Setups

When you decide it's time to clean up a project, assuming it isn't an ongoing task. Don't forget that we can accumulate many saved printer settings and plot sets. While we are at it, it doesn't hurt to take a closer look at View Templates and View Filters. These can also quickly proliferate in a project and then we're left wondering how many are relevant anymore.

Filled Regions and Arc or Radial Dimensions

Alex at RFO brought up a quirky dimension issue when we use Filled Regions. We can apply aligned dimensions to a finished region's sketch but if you want to use a Radial or Diameter dimension on a arc segment, after finishing the sketch, Revit turns a blind eye to it. The dimension tool doesn't recognize the arc segment of the finished filled region.

Alex told me to fix it, so this squeaky wheel post is my contribution to fixing it. :)

For now the work-around is to drop a detail line on top of the arc segment, the dimension tool will see that.

Definitely fits in the Dept. of Quirky.

Worksets and Editing Things

Going to spend an hour renaming views or sheets? Check out all the worksets for Views and close all user created worksets. Same is true of most things you need to edit en masse. Select them all and make them editable. You ask Revit for permission to work on them once, all together, and Revit doesn't need to pause every time you interact with something.

It'll go faster, it'll be less annoying...

Revit 2014 Web Update 3

This is an echo of what other blogs have already mentioned because the new Application Manager for Autodesk 2015 products is blind to this previous version's update. You'd have to run Revit 2014 and have communication center enabled to get a prompt about it.

Revit 2014 Update Release 3 Release info
Revit 2014 UR3 (32-bit) (exe - 68327Kb) "one-box"
Revit 2014 UR3 (64-bit) (exe - 106583Kb)"one-box"

Revit Architecture 2014 Update Release 3 Release Info
Revit Architecture 2014 UR3 (32-bit) (exe - 68327Kb)
Revit Architecture 2014 UR3 (64-bit) (exe - 106583Kb)

Revit Structure 2014 Update Release 3 Release Info
Revit Structure 2014 UR3 (32-bit) (exe - 68327Kb)
Revit Structure 2014 UR3 (64-bit) (exe - 106583Kb)

Revit MEP 2014 Update Release 3 Release Info
Revit MEP 2014 UR3 (32-bit) (exe - 68327Kb)
Revit MEP 2014 UR3 (64-bit) (exe - 106583Kb)

Revit LT 2014 Update Release 3 Release Info
Revit LT 2014 UR3 (32-bit) (exe - 68327Kb)
Revit LT 2014 UR3 (64-bit) (exe - 106583Kb)

New Area Schemes

Revit provides two default Area Schemes in the stock (Imperial) templates;Gross Building (can't be deleted) and Rentable. When we want to create an Area Plan view Revit expects us to choose a scheme. The additional scheme in the following image is one I created (Retail Zones).

What isn't obvious, without a little digging, is that we can create more schemes. This is important because it does no good to attempt to reuse an existing scheme for additional plan views. They remain biased toward displaying whatever boundaries we've created already. Creating more area schemes begins here Architecture ribbon tab > Room & Area panel drop down > Area and Volume Computations > Area Schemes Tab.

Once you've made it here you can create new or delete existing area schemes. As mentioned earlier Revit's locked down the Gross Building scheme.

Now you can return to creating a new Area Plan view and choose from among the new schemes you've created. If you intend to use a Color Fill Legend you also need to make sure you create a new legend type for your new area scheme.

Active Workset Display does not Refresh

I added new worksets to a Local File and used Synchronize with Central to share the change with others. The Active Workset lists on the ribbon and Status Bar did not update in other user's files after they used Reload Latest or Synchronize with Central. It was necessary to open the Workset dialog and just click OK before the new worksets would appear in either the ribbon or Status Bar Active Workset locations. The Active Workset list doesn't seem interested in being updated until the Workset dialog is opened. The list of Worksets that is offered in the Properties Palette when you select something is updated however.

I see it happening in both 2014/2015, haven't tried it in earlier releases.

Deleting a Workset and Open Worksets

We can delete a workset. Revit will let us either delete the elements assigned to it or reassign them all to a different workset. I'd say that generally it is a bad idea to choose Delete. Go slow, take care, think twice. Don't find yourself saying, "I've cut it twice and it is still too short."

When choosing another workset remember the other workset has to be OPEN to be able to select it from the list! If you are using an older version of Revit don't do THIS!

Revit and Satch

The other day I mentioned that I generally include at least a few tracks of Joe Satriani's music in a playlist for walk-in music at conferences. I find his music is particularly conducive to spending hours pecking away at a project and Revit. I've been up late working on something just a little longer so I can hear one more tune.

I generally just let his albums play through without concerning myself about assembling them or any particular tracks into any coherent order. I recently decided to create a Spotify playlist that assembled some of my favorites, a time to crank some Revit list. My short list ended up with 24 tracks spanning 15 albums (2 hours worth of material written over almost 20 years), at least one track from each album.

For the most part they all groove, drive forward without too much quiet time or lulls. There are lots of tracks to choose from for that too but for working...driving, grooving works best for me.

Speaking of driving. When I visit clients in San Diego or Los Angeles that means at least a couple of quality hours in the car (or train) for music. There are some tracks that I've listened to together long enough that they don't sound finished unless they play together no matter the situation.

It's kind of like what radio did with Journey's two hit songs Feeling That Way and Anytime or Jackson Browne's Load Out and Stay. They played them together so often that it's like they are really one song. I think DJ's called that grouping "bathroom breaks", combined they played long enough to let them sneak away without the fear of dead air. In this list I purposely didn't put them next to each other just to see if I could cope.

Check out Satch!

Whadya think?

Worksharing and Windows Operating Systems

Subtle bit of information shared via AUGI thread and member Meng005.

Autodesk response regarding a query asking about mixing version of Windows (64 bit and 32 bit):

When accessing workshared files from a shared Windows directory not utilizing Revit Server, it is important that all clients are using the same version of Windows, and thus the same version of SMB (Server Message Block). This is not the case when saving to Revit Server as the communication to the server does not use SMB. The client version of Windows, either Windows 7 or 8, is not critical when Revit Server is used.

It's fairly common knowledge that we should be careful to make sure that all Revit users (at a minimum that are contributing to the same Revit project files) have the same Revit build installed. Less obvious or common is the tip that they should also be using the same version of Windows!

Thanks for sharing Meng005!

The Future of our Past

Autodesk's Tatjana Dzambazova recently gave a TEDx talk about some projects and technology she's been working on at Autodesk. Pretty cool stuff!

If you aren't familiar with Tatjana, as a reader of this blog, you are very likely aware of a product she worked on at Autodesk. She was the Product Manager for Revit Architecture from 2005-2007. The following is some of the information provided on the YouTube page for her talk:

Technology Whisperer, Tatjana Dzambazova, shares her passion for the latest developments in technology that offer new, exciting ways to archive, help protect, and experience our vulnerable cultural and natural heritage. From photo cameras and scanners, to drones, 3D printing and interactive online exploration, Tatjana introduces the concepts of RIP FIX BURN and RIP MIX LEARN.

Tatjana Dzambazova is Senior Product manager and Technology Whisperer at Autodesk Inc., where she focuses her energy on promoting powerful design technologies to make them accessible to a wide range of audiences. Tatjana passionately evangelizes and teaches internationally.

For more information on some of the covered projects:

http://www.africanfossils.org
http://www.3d.si.edu
http://www.tii.se/inside
http://www.hydro.us

Northwestern University - Now and Next in 2014

Northwestern University is hosting a symposium in August, read the following for more details if you are interested.

NOW AND NEXT 2014 Symposium on Technology for Design and Construction

WHAT
Meet thought leaders and colleagues interested in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Open
BIM Exchange, Software Trends and more.

Learn about the innovations that are moving companies and people forward including:

• Where and how design and delivery is shifting
• Which software applications are transformative
• Best practices for collaborative project delivery
• How to engage with the global BIM community

Connect with and hear from the best and the brightest such as:

• Jordan Brandt (AutoDesk)
• Deke Smith (buildingSMART alliance)
• Ray Topping (Fiatech)
• Bill East (Prairie Sky Consulting - formerly of the US Army Corps of Engineers)

The symposium is coordinated by Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering’s MPM Program.

WHEN
August 13-15, 2014

WHERE
Northwestern University
School of Law, Thorne Auditorium
375 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL

CONTACT INFORMATION
To register, or for more information, CLICK HERE!

Early registration closes July 1, 2014. Space is limited!

Easy Keynoter

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

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

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

Looking forward to checking it out!

CCTV Enhancement in Fuzor

I wrote about the Kalloc Studios product called Fuzor after seeing it at Autodesk University. I sat down with them at RTC in Melbourne and was really impressed with how much they've done since then (as in, "Oh! Did we tell you we've incorporated Clash Detection too?"). We chatted about a variety of things, one of which was security cameras.

I've worked with a few clients for whom security camera documentation is a big deal. I received an email this afternoon letting me know that they've got a cool addition they are eager to show me (and everyone) at RTC in Schaumburg next week, security camera features. Keep in mind that we sat down together less than two weeks ago and none of the below existed.

They've created three types of cameras so far: Small, Large and Dome.

You can switch between these types at will to achieve the look you want. They also have the option to choose black and white or color. Here's a sample screen shot. They've also taken notice of some important camera characteristics.

They've made it possible to save your current configurations as well as load previously saved configurations from the main Fuzor user interface. This is a sample dialog for selecting configurations.

That's a lot of ground to cover in two weeks!! If you think your firm could benefit from this sort of viewing and visualization enhancement then Fuzor's just presented another strong practical reason to check them out, ...and this is just a first pass, they'll be looking for feedback to make this a killer feature.

Revit INI Tweak and Properties Palette Apply Behavior

Courtesy of Aaron Maller the other day...

Aaron said, in a conversation about the Apply behavior of the Properties Palette:

You guys know you can edit that with a setting in the INI file, right?

He offered this explanation:

Within the [UserInterface] section of the Revit.ini (see image), add the line:

DisableMppAutoApply=1

When you move your mouse out of the Properties Palette Revit will no longer commit changes you make. They (the Factory) quietly changed the way this INI key worked, between versions 2013 and 2014. In 2013, if you did this you HAD to use the Apply button to commit your change(s). In 2014 moving your mouse out of the Properties Palette will NOT commit your change(s). When you CLICK in the viewport, or elsewhere, Revit then commits the changes. The same is true in 2015 too.

That's SUBTLE and NICE! Thanks for the tip Aaron!

Lock Down a Family

Projects that use Worksets have four kinds of worksets: User-Created, Project Standards, Families and Views.

User-Created worksets are the bookshelves we create to organize building elements logically (read How Many Worksets...). The other three are always there but ordinarily we can pretend they don't exist. Each family that is loaded into a project is assigned its own Family Workset. It happens quietly behind the scenes. We don't have to do anything at all.

Ordinarily we don't wittingly or intentionally interact with a Family Workset at all. For example, we can place hundreds of doors and not affect any doors's Family Workset. However, if we assign a value to a door's Type Comments parameter we'll find we are the Borrower of the door's Family Workset. Altering Type parameters affects the Borrower status of a family's workset.

Occasionally we find it desirable to lock-down some families. Users might get unruly and make changes we've agreed not to make without approval or someone can accidentally reload a family from the wrong library. I'm positive we can come up dozens of other examples.

We can deliberately become the Owner of any families we'd like to prevent users from altering significantly. Select the family workset and click the Editable button. Our username will appear in the Owner column. It's for this reason that most people create an alter ego like "Family Manager", "Model Manager", "Model Admin", or "Bubba"... you decide which is best. This alter ego only opens a local file when they need to deal with updating families or whatever other task they are reserving for certain roles.

This will prevent users from easily reloading and changing type parameters. They can still alter instance parameters. They can also move, swap the family for another with the Type Selector or even delete the family. There are still plenty of things that can go wrong. We've just made it a little bit harder to do a couple specific things wrong.

Be careful with Editing Requests, making them or granting them, when you lock-down worksets. Users can become the borrower unexpectedly, as THIS POST describes.

Sheet View in a Titleblock Family

Brian wrote to mention a quirky subtle situation that he thought I'd be inclined to write about.

Brian wrote:

Open a Titleblock family and then double click on the schedule in the project browser to open it in a separate view. With the schedule as the current view, close all the other active views. Notice that the view with the titlebock itself closes and now there’s no way to open it again, since it’s not listed in the Project Browser.

The subtle bit is that the view is still there in the project browser, it's just hiding under Sheets instead of Views where we'd expect to find it. It's that even more subtle dash listed beneath Sheets.

Yep, it's quirky enough for me.