Revit 2015 R2 - Double Click Open an Older File

I wrote on Monday that Revit 2015 R2 warns us if we are opening an older file that will need to be upgraded first. Daniel Stine let me know that a different dialog appears if you double click a file to open it. Now I don't do that and don't recommend you do that either. Here's the dialog that appears if you do though and this one waits till you respond.

Revit 2015 R2 - Load into Project and Close

Have you ever edited a Revit family and then used Load into Project? Only once or twice? Yeah you're like me then. Have you ever thought it would be nice if you could close the family without having to return to it or having to close it first and then use Load from Library > Load Family? Yeah, me too.

Apparently we've got someone from Autodesk listening in on our thoughts (or blog posts/tweets/wishlists/support requests) because Revit 2015 R2 thinks we are on to something and it has a new button called Load into Project and Close

Just keep in mind that you DON'T want to use this when your family is using a Type Catalog! If that's true you also DO NOT want to use the Edit Family feature from a project either. Using Edit Family creates a version of the family that includes all the types that are loaded into the project. The same is true when you use the Right-Click > Save As feature on a family from inside a project. If a family is using a Type Catalog then the family doesn't need the burden of all its types defined inside it too.

Revit 2015 R2 - Upgrading File Warning

Harry pointed out in his blog post the other day that the latest update now provides a warning to let us know when we are opening an older file that must be upgraded first. It gives us an opportunity to cancel the process. As you are well aware, we've always had to wait for that to finish before we could close the file, WITHOUT saving, and then open the correct version of Revit, and begin again.

I complained about this in my own blog post and Harry was good enough to respond with a solution via his Boost Your BIM site and his excellent Udemy Revit Programming class.

However, unlike Harry's solution, which stops Revit in its tracks until I provide a response to the warning, Autodesk chose to let Revit keep opening the file. The dialog stays on screen until the file finishes opening. When we are opening a project file that's probably okay-ish.

Opening a family file, not so much. They will usually open too fast to make it of any use (ironic that is a complaint of sorts). I tried it on a couple families prior to writing this (and the reason I'm writing now) and I saw the dialog exactly long enough for me to grasp what it was saying and it was gone...too late to click Cancel Upgrade.

Unless I'm poised to click the button as soon as I start to open a file I'm likely to miss it. Sadly it is a bit too much like Whack a mole, the bugger's gone before my mallet gets there.

Trying to get a screen capture of that dialog was fun. I ended up opening an older project instead so it would be open longer. It seemed so easy to me, just make it do what Harry's did...

Revit 2015 R2 - MEP Circuit Sequence and Recently Used Panel

New Feature - Circuit Sequence

Somewhat related to yesterday's new electrical feature there is also a new Electrical Setting called Circuit Sequence. There are three choices: Numerical, Group by Phase and Odd then Even (a common request, to fill one side of the panel and then the other).

This helps determine how the next circuit that gets created is assigned to slots in a panel. Subtle but an important addition.

New Feature - Most Recently Used Panel

When we create a new circuit Revit now offers a list of panels on the ribbon, on the System Tools panel. It remembers the Most Recently Used Panel so creating a new circuit and assigning to a panel can be as little as two clicks. One click to select the electrical element and another to click on Power. As long as the correct panel is display in the drop down list box you can move on to another task. As you can see my favorite electrical panel is in the list already.

Subtle stuff makes me grin!

Application Manager - There Are Aren't Updates

Stuff like this... a day in the life of software users. I'm greeted with a message each time I fire up Revit 2015 that lets me know that Autodesk 360 needs an update installed. I launch the new Application Manager as recommended (a button is even offered) and I get a spinning wheel of dots and a very nice message that "all is well" in the background. Tedious...

I guess I'll just have to go through the old way, downloading updates etc... so I can get the Application Manager working again so next time I can find out that there are/aren't updates available...

Revit 2015 R2 - MEP Move To for Circuits

Here's a subtle one for Revit mEp users, a new button shows up in Panel Schedules when you select a circuit.

Move To begins by selecting a circuit. You can choose another eligible slot in the schedule. You'll see the "No You Can't" icon at your cursor when you hover over ineligible locations in the schedule.

Revit will highlight eligible slots in the schedule by turning the cells green. If your schedule has a fixed number of slots and they are all filled up you'll have to reconsider the panel loads. You also need to move circuits up or down to create an open location. The Move To feature doesn't shift existing circuits around, it just moves a circuit a bit easier than using up or down when a slot exists for it to move to.

Echo David Light - Autodesk Revit 2015 R2 Info

This is an echo of what I read on David Light's blog this morning. He's working with Autodesk now and it clarifies which version of the latest release you need to use according to the type of licensing you are using, thanks David!

David writes:

I got some useful information from our Enterprise Support team which I want to share. Its certainly worth being aware of this….

• Autodesk are pleased to announce new Update releases for Revit 2015.The following files will be available for download via the Autodesk Application manager: 2015 R2 (includes UR4 and the latest Hotfix) - Subscription Advantage Pack customers
• 2015 UR4 for regular customers where the license registration is not tied to a subscription contract

Please Note: You have to choose from either 2015 R2 or 2015 UR4 as they cannot be installed alongside each other. If Revit 2015 has not been registered , then you will not be presented with either update.

• Revit 2015 R2 w/ ENU docs - is available via the Subscription Center under downloads

By 6pm EST, September 19th:

• Revit 2015 UR4 w/ ENU docs - will be available for download via AKN (.com). All remaining languages for download via Application Manager, documents in Subscription Center and AKN, will be published within the following week.”

Revit 2015 R2 - Reference Other View

For many years now we've been able to use a concept called Reference Other View when we create sections, elevations, callouts and drafting views. We used to take advantage of it via the Options Bar, while creating those kinds of views. It's been moved up to the ribbon which seems to be another nail in the coffin for the poor old Options Bar, we knew thee well...

If you look closely you'll find you can create a New Drafting View, the default choice in brackets. This is an interesting subtle enhancement, for example:

• Click Section
• Choose Detail Section
• Check Reference Other View
• Select New Drafting View
• Place your section view annotation
• A new drafting view appears in the Project Browser

It's an expansion on the recently added ability to change which view our annotation is referencing. It was always a bit frustrating that it was necessary to delete the view reference and start over when we inadvertently picked the wrong one. The same Reference panel on the ribbon becomes active when you select a view that is using the Reference Other View concept, again instead of being able to do it on the Options Bar. We can just choose the correct view from the list.

This is all subtle but a bigger deal (though still subtle) is Searching the list. Did you notice the search criteria field at the top of the list in each of the earlier images? Enter your some of your desired view's name criteria and you'll find the view you want to reference quicker!

Oh, if you attempt to create a new view and then find the Reference Other View option is checked and you can't remove the check you are probably in a Drafting View. We can't create a live view based on a drafting view so it makes sense but it can be a bit confusing at first.

Revit 2015 R2 - Data Row

In August of 2013 I wrote to complain about the placement of the Data Row button to create a new room, area, space or sheet in a schedule. I'm happy to write that they listened to me (and everyone else). The latest update release for 2015 has dedicated a little bit of ribbon real estate to a Insert Data Row button on its own. Fewer clicks for click counters to click (or count)!

Revit 2015 Supplementary Update

A quick heads up...Autodesk released Revit 2015 R2 today.

From an Autodesk email:

Autodesk Revit 2015 R2 includes more than 30 user-requested features that add powerful capabilities, enhance software performance and improve user productivity for architects, MEP and structural engineers. Fully compatible with the existing Revit 2015 releases, R2 does not have a file format change and installs without disrupting ongoing work in Revit 2015.

Other key features include:

• Increased Productivity: Multiple enhancements in R2 improve modeling and work productivity
• Increased Overall Power: With new features, R2 enables you to do more
• Increased Performance: R2 meets requests for faster software performance to make work easier

You can read the announcement on In the Fold.

Read the What's New in 2015 R2 documentation.

RTC in Asia

This is a repost of Wesley's at the RTC Blog, please pass the word along to your friends, co-workers and fellow Revit/BIM people, thanks!

RTC is coming to Asia!

We are now in the early planning stages for our first event in Asia, expected to be held in October or November next year (2015). As with the other regions where we have introduced RTC events, we have listened to the comments and queries of delegates and RTC Community members that have been increasingly vocal in their desire to see this event in Asia, and at the same time we have been watching with great interest the development of some of the government initiatives in the region such as the Singapore Government’s Construction Productivity and Capability Fund and the 5 year BIM roadmap.

Then again, it’s also a great excuse to do a trip around some pretty amazing cities…

In order to take this process beyond “That would be cool” and “lots of people have asked” and “it’s a really big community” we need to do research on what this might mean to people in the region. We remain an event run by users, and our primary focus is as always the question of what would best serve the community. When we introduced RTC into North America, very little changed about the style and methodology with which we ran the event. In Europe, we recognised that there were bigger cultural, social and political dynamics to consider, not to mention the question of a region with a number of languages. This led to some changes in the format of the event which, while hopefully quite subtle from a delegate point of view, are nevertheless identifiable as unique to Europe. An Asian RTC event introduces a cultural and social difference greater again than that in Europe, with a far broader range of languages as well. To us, this is exciting, and the challenge is one that we relish as part of the energy that RTC is all about.

...but it means we need your help…

We might recognise that there are differences in theory, but what does this mean in practice? How do we tweak the way that RTC runs elsewhere to best suit the needs of the Asian BIM community? What are the topics that are most urgent, and most interesting? There are many questions that need to be addressed, and we would like to address them to you, and solicit YOUR answers.

To that end, Heidi Lam and Wesley Benn will be travelling through Asia during September and early October to host a series of information nights where we can introduce ourselves and hear your feedback on those questions. This trip will encompass Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore and details of when and where the information nights are being held can be found at the RTC Asia Web Site . These information evenings are free to attend, and form an important part of ensuring that RTC Asia becomes what you want it to be, so please do come along and join in the conversation.

Finally, it would also be great if you all could spread the word about these events so that we can ensure that as wide a pool of community members hear about it as possible. If you do sign up to join us on the night, please consider also sending the link on to others. The more that contribute to the conversation, the better the outcome.

We are all enormously excited here about the prospect of our first Asian event, and we look forward to seeing many of you at the information nights as well as next year at the first Asian RTC!

Regards,
Wesley Benn
Executive Chairman
RTC Events Management

Ugh Schedule Bug Revit 2014 and 2015 and Hotfix

Reading through a thread at RFO this morning brought some unpleasantness to my attention. The usual suspects there have been working with Autodesk to identify the issue and then a reply mentions that Autodesk is working on a Hotfix for both 2014 and 2015 to reconcile it.

Short story: Multi-Category schedules that are intended to include elements in linked files may not be report everything or anything correctly.

Link to a Hotfix (right-click Save As)
Link to READme

Thanks to the RFO gang for the heads up!

Autodesk M&E 3DS MAX Gunslinger Summit - Montreal

This post is to help spread awareness of an opportunity to be part of a Gunslingers event on behalf of the 3DS Max development team. I apologize if you've already read about it on another blog.

3DS Max Development Team writes:

Autodesk M&E 3ds Max Gunslinger summit is a design-focused participatory event in Montreal (Canada) between our users and members of the Autodesk 3ds Max product management, development and design teams. The event is comprised of a series of workshops, design reviews, validation discussions, design charrettes, and more.

We are looking to locate people who would be interested or available in attending. The Gunslinger is by invitation only as we can only accommodate so many, and other than travel, all shuttles, hotel, and meals are included by Autodesk. The meeting will be 4 days, Sept 16-19. It is an opportunity to meet our team and influence tools that could help you improve the way you communicate your designs.

3ds Max and 3ds Max Design tools and technology have been used by visualization experts to tell the story of a design in dynamic presentations and won many awards in the entertainment industry. Clients consistently respond to exploring their project or product in context, within their existing surroundings and bustling with life. They, and other stakeholders, also find that video helps them understand complex information about the design. This could be anything from construction logistics, complex function (such as a sliding roof), the impact of design options, or visualization of traffic, weather, stress, airflow and energy. Cinematic storytelling techniques can convincingly evoke emotions and convey these messages with style. Unfortunately, in the past, you’d need a large budget to deliver presentations that include these elements. There are many ways to solve these issues but your feedback is essential. This is why we’d like to meet with you in person.

If you are interested in the Gunslinger please let us know by completing A SHORT SURVEY. We will then be reviewing the submissions for selecting users but if you are unable to attend this specific Gunslinger but are interested in future events please do fill out the survey.

Specify Worksets and Save

We can preset the preference to use the Specify option when we open a project that has enabled Worksets. This option appears when we click the small arrow next to Open in the Open Dialog, which only works when we select a file with Worksets enabled.

This preference is controlled by a parameter called Open Workset default. It is only available to us within the Save As dialog, via the Options... button.

There is a subtle difference between enabling worksets in a file that has not been saved yet and one that has. If we enable worksets in a project that has already been saved, at least once before, we won't get a chance to change the setting if we just click Save. However if we use Save As we get the dialog that offers us the Options... button. The setting Open Workset default is not enabled unless the file is already using worksets.

This means it probably easiest to ensure that Specify is selected if we start a project and enable worksets before saving the file the first time. That might be easier said than done. If the file is already in progress and we need to enable Worksets we just need to use Save As instead, reusing the original file name if necessary.

Ribbon Panel Titles are Missing

The ribbon User Interface will let us turn off the ribbon's panel titles. I've never bothered to do this and today I was asked why a user's ribbon was missing them. I blanked...uh, um, graphics driver issue? While I was trying to make my brain work, he decided to right-click and saw this...

Add another troubleshooting saying to add to our collection, "When in doubt right click"!

Purge Unused Wish

I find myself wishing, every now and then, for a right click option to Purge Unused Types on individual families, something like this.

Sure, I can right click > Select All Instances to see if it is enabled.

If it is then the type is in use. When it is disabled I can just move the cursor up to Delete. Now the type is gone. That's not too bad when there are a few types. When there are many types It would be faster if I could just right click on the family and choose Purge Unsed Types.

The Purge Unsed tool works too but, in my opinion, its liability is that it is searching the entire database, then when the dialog finally opens ALL the unused types are selected. We have to be careful to UnCheck All so we don't purge types we really want to keep. If I am really just interested in a single family it's a bit overzealous. I think it would be a nice addition.

Fussy Type Catalog Syntax

Just a little reminder or tip. Type Catalogs (and Revit reading them) don't like it when we use commas as part of the information stored in the parameters. They also don't like lone quotation marks like this 5". I had a file tonight that just wouldn't display types beyond a certain type. The fact that the type's line had 683 characters in it didn't help me find the lone quotation. Eventually I did find it...fussy.

Want this? 5'-0" - Type: 5'-0""
Want this? Revit,BIM,Software - Type: "Revit,BIM,Software"

Remember, if you aren't sure what syntax Revit wants, just use the Export > Family Types feature. The resulting Type Catalog is what Revit wants.

Structural Column Preview does not Show

Daniel Stine shared this situation with me the other day. It may be familiar to you too?

Revit has a glitch in how it deals with the structural column preview (i.e. outline of structural member relative to the cursor) during placement. Working with Autodesk Support, the problem comes into play when the Levels are “Moved” vertically (the problem kicks in after a certain distance – not sure what the magic number is yet).

These are the steps he described that will (should) reproduce the problem using the out of the box (OOTB) structural template.

• Open the structural template
• Switch to elevation (or section)
• Select the levels and move them up 100’
• Switch to the level 1 plan view
• Try placing a structural column
• The preview (i.e. outline of structural member) should not be visible but it it will appear after placing the first one

Dan also mentioned:

In testing this, the problem does not occur when using the Relocate Project tool and changing the Levels to use the Elevation Base parameter setting: Survey Point. We submitted this to Autodesk and support has passed it on to development for a closer look. This is one of those little annoying things for our staff.

Revit Sundial and Inside the Factory

The Autodesk blog called Inside the Factory went dormant for a couple years. It takes effort to blog and apparently the time and energy was waxing then. Well a new post appeared today with an invitation to something new they are calling Revit Sundial. It's an advance view on things that might be coming (or might not) in the future.

Snipped from the blog:

To get things started, we’re providing everyone within reach of this blog the opportunity to test drive a hosted release preview of Revit called Sundial.

Autodesk Revit Sundial provides enhancements to Revit that are not currently included in the commercial release. We will be highlighting the many improvements in blog posts over the next days and weeks.

For those of you who try the release preview, please drop in here at Inside the Factory and let us know what you think. The hosting technology we’re using for the preview is itself experimental, so if you run into issues accessing the test, we’d like to know about those as well.

The quantity of available simultaneous sessions is limited, so you may run into delays if there are many people trying to access the preview at once. We'll keep the preview available for a few weeks, so please try again if you can't initially gain access.

Because this is an early in-progress release, there are no guarantees all the features you might see or read about will appear in a future release of Revit. Please keep this in mind when making any future purchasing decisions.

Worth having a read.

Tagging Elements

It is pretty common to have quite a few different kinds of tags for the elements we need to tag in views. Some equipment might get an oval shaped tag while others have a hexagon. When we need to switch between tags Revit isn't quite fine tuned for this yet. Here's three approaches we can take.

When you tag elements you can tell Revit which tag should be used by default via the Loaded Tags dialog. The tag that appears next to a category is the tag that will be used when you use Tag by Category. If you work systematically you can set which tag you intend to use for awhile and then the correct tag will be offered by default.

Another way to do it is Right Click > Create Similar (you can select one and click the Create Similar button on the ribbon too) over a tag that is the kind you want to place, assuming one is already in the view. This way Revit will start tagging with that tag.

Yet another approach is to select everything you want to tag and then use Tag All, choosing the tag type you'd like to use. When you select elements first this dialog changes Revit's focus to tag selected elements instead of everything that isn't already tagged. This gives you a bit more control over which tag should be used on which elements.

A tagging quirk is that Revit won't let us put more than one tag on the same element. For example I like to use a pipe tag to identify CW (cold water) or HW (hot water) pipes. I can put one tag on a pipe but Revit won't recognize the pipe as available unless I tag a different pipe first. My work around is to bounce back a forth between pipes. It seems a little silly not to let me put another tag on a pipe if I want too.