Silenting installing Revit Add-ons

Working for an organization with multi offices, installing software can be a time consuming. I'm not IT, don't want to be IT, but making sure that everyone has functioning software is more often than not something a BIM or CAD Manager needs to attend to.

To minimize time someone has to spend installing software, I wanted to create a batch file to install Revit and then the add-ons. The only interaction I want to have to do for the install if to double click on a single file and walk away. Working with some of the talented people at Autodesk I have been able to create a batch file to install the main product and several add-ons for Revit. The add-ons, like worksharing monitor are the tricky ones to silently (no user interaction) to install.

To automate the install process, the first thing I did was create a network deployment. Autodesk's Help file provides some basic information on completing that task. For add-ons that are a standard .msi file, I used one of the following command lines to install the software in silent mode (thank you Anthony).

msiexec /i /quiet
msiexec /i /passive
msiexec /i /qn (No UI)
msiexec /i /qb (Basic UI)
msiexec /i /qr (Reduced UI)

I now could then make my batch file to install Revit. The following is the basic syntax for installing:

pushd \\network folder install location
RevitVersion.lnk (name of the network deployment shortcut)
msiexec /i addonname.msi /quiet

Below is the batch file that I created for our Revit Architecture 2011 64-bit install. Note that we store our add-ons in a different folder location so we don't need to have duplicate copies for 64 and 32-bit versions as well as Revit flavors. Comments are shown in itlaic

pushd \\adclic03\bim\Installs\RAC2011\64-bit\
RAC2011-64.lnk
popd (This resets the folder location)
pushd \\adclic03\bim\Installs\RAC2011\Additional add-ons\ (location for 2011 add-ons)
msiexec /i worksharingmonitor.msi /quiet (installs worksharing monitor)
msiexec /i globelink2011.msi /quiet (installs globe link)
msiexec /i 2011dblinksetup.msi /quiet (installs DB Link)

This has simplified the install procedures, but we must still install any add-ons that are an .EXE separately like the Revit Extensions. I'm sure there is a way to do that, just haven't found it yet.

There are of course other methods to install apps, like pushing thru Group Policy, but I don't have a means to perform that. If you have any suggestions or comments, let me know.

Revit OpEd: Dept. of Subtle - Moving Fields in a Schedule

Revit OpEd: Dept. of Subtle - Moving Fields in a Schedule: "As you probably already know, moving schedule fields around is limited to a Move Up and Move Down button in the Schedule properties dialog. ..."

Revit OpEd: Revit MEP and CADworks - Online Presentation

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Worksharing Monitor does not show any worksharing enabled projects open

Very Helpful article from the Revit Clinic on troubleshooting the Worksharing Monitor.

Revit Add-ons - DotSoft

I thought I would start a running list of add-on tools that I have used, come across or have been recommended to me by friends and colleagues.

DotSoft - Never used the tools and would be interested in any feedback anyone has who has used these tools.

DotSoft Welcomes You

Thank you for visiting our web site. DotSoft has began started porting our industry leading CAD productivity products to Revit. Our mission is to provide low cost solutions in the form of high quality software.

Excel2Revit

Overcomes the limits and problems associated with placement of Excel spreadsheets inside Revit. It creates and maintains DWG/DXF files of named ranges in Excel that are linked in Revit. The results are lines, fills and mtext that can plot without problems and are highly portable to others.

Word2Revit

Place Word documents into Revit projects. It creates and maintains DWG/DXF files of Word documents that are linked in Revit. You simply select your area of interest and click an icon to create the DWG file. The best part is that as changes are made in Word the DWG files are updated when the document is saved or closed.

Pdf2Revit

Converts PDF files to DWG/DXF which can be placed or linked in Revit. Using our conversion tool, if the PDF file contains vector geometry, it will result in highly usable polylines in CAD. Text annotations become text objects.

Video: Troubleshooting Product Stability in Revit

Published date: 2010-Mar-24 ID: TS13899709 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010

Issue

You would like to know how to troubleshoot product crashes within Revit

Solution

In this video, we will discuss the common methods to troubleshoot and solve Product Stability issues and crashes with Revit products. It will discuss the types of crashes, how to identify them, and common things you can do to solve them.

Rendering processor core limit for Revit 2011 products

Published date: 2010-Mar-24 ID: TS14633072 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

Issue

You would like to know if the 4 processor core limit is still in place when rendering in Revit® 2011 products.

Solution

Revit 2011 products no longer limit the rendering process to 4 cores as in Revit 2009 and 2010 products. Revit 2011 products can take advantage of the total number of processor cores on the workstation during rendering.

Clean uninstall of Autodesk Revit 2011 products

Published date: 2010-Apr-12 ID: TS14633513 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

Issue

There may be circumstances where Autodesk Revit® 2011 products need to be removed from the workstation. The following process will ensure all residual files are properly removed as well.

Solution

To uninstall Revit 2011 products and remove any remnants from your system, use the following procedure. The end result is a clean system on which you can reinstall. Please ensure to backup any custom family or template files prior to following this procedure:

1. Log on as a Local System Administrator and disable any Antivirus programs.
   
   
2. In the Windows XP Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > remove the specific Revit 2011 product. For Windows Vista & Windows 7, Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall.
   
   
3. In the Windows XP Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > remove the 3 Autodesk 2011 Material Libraries in the following order. For Windows Vista & Windows 7, Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall:
   
   •Autodesk Material Library 2011 Medium Image Library
   •Autodesk Material Library 2011 Base Image Library
   •Autodesk Material Library 2011
   
   
4. After the product is uninstalled, use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the following folders as appropriate. For steps 3 & 4 substitute the product name below based on which Revit 2011 product you are uninstalling; all paths listed by default are for Revit Architecture 2011:

   
   Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 & RAC 2011
   Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 & RST 2011
   Autodesk Revit MEP 2011 & RME 2011

   Where %username% is present below substitute the current Windows login name.

   For Windows XP installations (32 and 64 bit):
   • C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2011
   • C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Autodesk\REVIT\2011
   • C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
   • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\RAC 2011

   For Windows Vista and Windows 7 installations (32 and 64 bit):
   • C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2011
   • C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RAC 2011
   • C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
   • C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\2011

5. Open the system registry and locate then delete the following registry keys listed below as appropriate (Windows Start menu > Run > Regedit).

   Warning! Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com.

   Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base and in the related solution, TS66513. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.
   
   For 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\Revit\2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\RAC 2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Revit\2011
   
   For 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\RAC 2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Revit\2011
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011

6. Restart the workstation.

Before reinstalling Revit products

1. In Windows Explorer, delete the contents of your Windows Temp folder, but do not delete the Windows Temp folder itself. You can locate the Temp folder by entering %TEMP% in the Address bar of Windows Explorer.
2. Use the End Task feature to end any anti-virus programs.

Note: Disabling anti-virus programs from the system tray may not be sufficient. Virus checking programs may block certain activities that are seen as suspicious (for example, accessing the registry, adding/removing/updating DLL files, and so on), even though these activities are common when installing or removing programs.

Several anti-virus programs can be disabled by right-clicking the taskbar icon and selecting Disable from the shortcut menu. For more information about disabling your anti-virus software, refer to the vendor of that software.

Important! It is important that you not only disable the anti-virus software but also use the End Task feature to end the anti-virus software.

To verify that an anti-virus program is not still running in the background as a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident Program):

Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7

1. Press [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [Delete].
2. Click Task Manager.
3. On the Processes tab of the Task Manager, select the process for the anti-virus program and then click End Process.

You are now ready to install Revit 2011 products on the clean system.

Video: Post Installation Tasks for Autodesk Revit 2011 Products

Published date: 2010-Apr-14 ID: TS14877683 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

Issue

You would like to know how to complete the common tasks that are performed after the installation of Autodesk Revit 2011 products

Solution

Watch the video below for a explaination of the common post installation tasks.

Note: This video says Revit Architecture 2011, but the process is the same for all Autodesk Revit 2011 products

Video: Troubleshooting Worksharing

Published date: 2010-Mar-24 ID: TS14877765 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

Issue

You would like to know how to troubleshoot worksharing related problems in Autodesk Revit Architecture products.

Solution

In the video below, learn how to reproduce, troubleshooting and understand what data is needed to help customers with worksharing problems in Revit products. Understand the best practices for Worksharing and how they can benefit users.

Resetting the Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 user interface

from Autodesk.com

Published date: 2010-Mar-24 ID: TS14880949 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011

You would like to reset the Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 user interface (i.e. the Ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, and Project Browser) back to the out-of-the-box version and remove any customization that has been applied.

Have us do it for you:

Download and run the following script on your computer:

autodesk_revit_architecture_ui_reset_2011.vbs (vbs - 6Kb)

Do It Yourself:

Warning! This script may delete a file on your computer. It also removes a Windows Registry key. Do not use it without consulting your system administrator first.

To reset the ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar:

• Rename or delete the UIState.dat file located in the Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 folder, which can be found in one of the following locations, depending on your operating system:
  
  Windows XP
  
  %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
  
  Windows Vista
  
  %LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011

To reset your Project Browser to the default location:

• Using the Windows Registry editor, rename the following registry key:
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011\Components\Panels

Warning! Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com/support.

Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base and in the related solution, TS66513. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

Product keys for Autodesk Revit 2011 products

from: Autodesk.com

Published date: 2010-Apr-13 ID: TS14883011 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

You want to know what the product key for your Autodesk® Revit® 2011-based product is.

Autodesk's 2011-based software requires both a serial number and product key to successfully activate.

Product keys are used to differentiate software sold on its own from those sold as part of a suite. Ensure that you select the correct product key in order to successfully activate your software.

The product key is provided along with your serial number in the following places:

• If you received physical media, the product key is on the reverse of the package along with the serial number.
• Emails from Electronic Fulfillment notifying you of your new serial number also include the product key.
• Contract administrators can log on to Subscription Center to check for their serial number and product key.
• The Autodesk Business Center (ABC) can provide this information. Their toll-free number is 800-538-6401.

Revit 2011-based Product Keys:

• 240C1 - Revit Architecture 2011
• 241C1 - AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2011
• 595C1 - AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite 2011
• 255C1 - Revit Structure 2011
• 256C1 - AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2011
• 297C1 - Revit MEP 2011
• 257C1 - AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2011

Changing a Revit 2011 deployment type from imperial to metric

from: Autodesk.com

Published date: 2010-Jun-01 ID: TS15220364 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2011 Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011

Issue

You have created a deployment of Revit 2011 and you would like to change the deployment default from Imperial to Metric.

Solution

When modifying the options of a deployment, in Applications Settings > Language, toggle the Language option to English in the drop down menu. Once you have selected English, you will be able to edit the Default Units to Metric.

revit_imperial_to_metric.mp4 (mp4 - 965Kb)

Top issues with file maintenance in Revit Architecture 2010

From Autodesk.com

Published date: 2010-Jun-02 ID: TS1106647 Applies to: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 Revit® Architecture 2009

You want to know the best practices to use during the modeling process in order to maintain the performance of your files when using Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010.

The following is a list of links to technical solutions that detail the best practices to use for file maintenance:

Best practices for modeling

Best practices for template creation

Best practices for printing

Improving performance of Revit projects

Benefits of using the 64-bit version of Revit

How to move a Revit central file to a new location

Pressure Drop Calculation

From: Revit MEP

I got an call from a client last week asking about some of the calculations that Revit MEP does.

I am trying to get results for Duct Pressure drop in Revit MEP.



Can you please share your ideas, as how can I achieve this?

This post has some additional information but is based on the Revit MEP calculation white paper from Autodesk. Revit MEP Duct Sizing calculations

Revit MEP computes pressure losses in ductwork based on the geometry and roughness of the ductwork, air

density, and air viscosity. Values for Air Density and Air Viscosity are specified in the Mechanical Settings.

Roughness is specified in the type properties for duct/duct fitting component families.

The following example shows how Revit MEP calculates the pressure drop for a 100 foot segment of 36"x24" duct carrying air flow of 12,000 CFM. Pressure drop is defined as:

This values checks with the Hydraulic Diameter parameter shown in the Properties of the Duct in Revit:

The velocity is based on the cross sectional area:

After determining the friction factor, the pressure drop can be calculated:

The value for the calculated pressure drop matches the value found in the duct’s properties in Revit MEP.

Worksets, Links & Filters in Revit 2011

Source: Revit Clinic

June 02, 2010

Worksets, Links & Filters in Revit 2011

In Revit 2011 view filters now work across linked Revit files. This allows additional flexibility when creating view filters for the project.

Along with this, Revit can now read the worksets through a linked file. This is great to control visibility of a workset in a link, or to use in conjunction with a view filter.

One item to keep in mind is when you create a view filter, which is filtering by workset, the workset in the linked file will be read. So if you have your Revit link placed on a specific workset in the host project, Revit actually looks inside the linked project for each individual elements workset.

Example scenario is as follows…

1. You have 3 linked models; LinkA, LinkB & LinkC.

2. Each link is on a unique workset in the host project; LinkA, LinkB & LinkC.

3. You wish to create a view filter to override the color of the display for the entire link.

4. Because Revit is looking into the linked file, it will not see the workset assignment of the overall link for filtering purposes. Instead elements on a given workset, in the linked model, will be filtered according to the view filter in the host project.

If you would rather override the color of the entire link instance, you can navigate to Properties > Visibility/Graphic Overrides > Revit Links > Display Settings > Custom > Model Categories.

You can select all of the model categories at once with the SHIFT key, and apply a surface pattern / color as needed.

This will override the link display similar to the example image below:

Hope this helps!

Revit MEP 2010 to Estimating and CAM

Caught this video on YouTube from Technical Sales International on their external tool for Revit MEP 2010 that allows you to export Revit MEP objects to fabrication using CAM-Duct, CAM-Duct, and CAD-Mech.

Introduction to the Revit 2010 Platform Seminar

**** UPDATE ****

WOO WHOO!! Are you as excited upcoming 2010 Platform Seminar with Scott Davis as Mira is? If so, we look forward to seeing you and please RSVP with Stephanie Murrell at cad@seilerinst.com so we can get an accurate count for lunch.

If you you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP with Stephanie at:

RSVP asap please to:
Contact: Stephanie Murrell
Phone: 816-518-1220 or
Call Toll free: 888-263-8918
Email: cad@seilerinst.com

If you have questions or comments, please contact Mirabela Ticu at 816-527-2438

You can also register as a member of the user group on our KCRevit Google Groups page.

---------------

Hey, you interested in learning about the changes to the Revit 2010 Platform? Want to know about all the new Features? What to complain about a new Feature? Want to see Phil Read wear a tie? Then you will want to attend the next meeting of the Kansas City Revit User Group. Scott Davis of Autodesk will be presenting an Introduction to the Revit 2010 Platform on April 17th from 11:30 to 1:30pm at HNTB (715 Kirk Dr, Kansas City, MO 64105).

Topics to be covered are new features for the Revit 2010 product line. Including Architecture, MEP and Structure. Inside these disciplines he will focus on the major development themes which were; User Interface, Modeling & Analysis, Performance & Operability and Conceptual Design.

We want to thank Stephanie at Seiler Instrument for sponsoring this event and providing lunch to all attendees. If your not familiar with Seiler Instruments, they are an Authorized Autodesk Reseller serving the Midwest. Stephanie will be in attendance so please make sure that you stop by and introduce yourself.

Keep watching the site and we will have more details to come.

For those that have not seen Phil in a tie, here is a pic.

























Chances are though, you won't see Phil wearing a tie though. With the upcoming release of the Revit 2010 products, he is wearing his Revit Implementation suit. See below.

BIM that Works blog

A friend of mine has created a new blog that I believe is worth reading. It's call BIMworx.

Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009

Release Date: 2009-01-27

Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Revit® MEP 2009 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, and Elements Positioning.

The file installs the Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009. It also includes the Extensions Engine, a platform that hosts each Extension within Revit MEP 2009.

Please note that the multi-language executable file contains content in English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese. Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009 are compatible with the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Revit MEP 2009 software.

These new extensions are available to subscription customers.

Read this First
Q4 Features Summary - English (pdf - 19Kb)

Download
Multiple Languages (exe - 43266Kb)