ADAPT-Builder link for Revit Structure

From BIM and Beam

ADAPT-Builder - integration link for Revit Structure is now available!

Revit Structure 2009 meets ADAPT-Builder.

The 3rd generation of the integration link is now available.

The bi-directional integration offers ease-of-use by directly transferring model information from Revit Structure to ADAPT and back at the basic physical model level.

Carry out your detailed slab and foundation system design using ADAPT's powerful 3D finite element analysis engines (ADAPT-Floor Pro and MAT) that automatically create analytical models from your imported Revit Structure model. Transfer potential geometry changes as well as reinforcement objects from ADAPT-Builder back into Revit Structure.

This saves hours in redundant model manipulation, data entry and dramatically reduces coordination errors.

View ADAPT-Revit integration video…

For more information, please go visit ADAPT

Revit Flavor Comparisons - from MasterGraphics

From MasterGraphics

I’ve been asked many times about the differences are between Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP? Are they the same with different tool sets? Is Structure the same as Arch with expanded tool set? Is MEP Arch with an expanded tool set? Can I get all 3 in one?

Well, you can’t get all 3 in one (man, I sure hope Autodesk can do something about this!!). As for the other questions about the differences between the 3 apps, there are a few things that are different. One of those is being the families that come with each product. I hope to soon look at the main differences and will post and update when I do.

Another is the External Tools that are available to each product. For example, Arch and MEP will not allow you to tie your model to a Structural Analysis program like Structure can. MEP, will allow you to tie into Trane Trace, but Arch and Structural cannot. Just take a look at the Extensions provided by Autodesk…there is a separate set for each program.

The next and maybe the most asked is the actual tools that are in each program. Well, there are many commands that are available in all 3, some in 2, some in just one. I’ve put together a document that lists out the command tools between the 3 products. I did not list every single command tool, just the ones that are not available in all 3 via the pull-down menus. You can download the document HERE.

Revit Structure Plug-In

SI Tools for Revit® Structure is a Revit Structure add-in that provides advanced selection capabilities for structural members. Use the toolbar buttons to quickly select all beams, columns, or walls on a single level or in the entire model, regardless of type or material. Or use the Advanced Selection options to select a custom combination of beams, columns and walls.

Want to identify all 8X10 members, both beams and columns? Or select all concrete members, regardless of size? Or do you need to quickly find all members designated “not for analysis”? It is easy with SI Tools for Revit Structure.

I have not had the time to install or use this tool, but would be interested to here some comments from those who have.

Configure Revit to Calc total Steel Tonnage

Ran across this tutorial on the Configuring Revit Structure to Calculate Steel Tonnages on the Connected blog by Jason Pratt, Mike Gemmell and Rick Crider (all of Autodesk). First time I have seen the blog and this is a great tip for Revit Structure users.

New Revit Structure Blog

Mike Hacker has setup an interesting Revit Structure blog that is definitely worth checking out.

$$$ On Site Interview with some USA Steel Reinforcement Experts in Sept. 2008

$$$ On Site Interview with some USA Steel Reinforcement Experts in Sept. 2008
This came from the BIM snd Beam blog by Nicholas Manqon and Wai Chu. Very intersting opportunity for a few select individuals.

Hi All,
Our structural products team is currently searching for some USA steel reinforcement subject matter experts so that we can do some on site research and interview (3 full days on site interview + 1 day follow-up by phone/email) with them in September 2008 timeframe.
Very important: The ideal candidate should be familiar with other software programs for reinforcement detailing in USA and should have lot of experience in detailing and Reinforced Concrete design, rebar modeling, shop drawing and fabrication drawing generation.
Our team has some budget to pay the candidate for the time he will spend with us for this research and interview.
If interested, please contact wai.chu@autodesk.com and dariusz.kwolek@autodesk.com
Thank you
Wai Chu + Dariusz Kwolek

New Web Update 1 build of Revit Structure 2009 (20080602_1900) is now available on the Web!

Dear Revit Structure users,

I would like to inform you that we have just released the English version of Web Update 1 of Revit Structure 2009 (Build 20080602_1900) for users to download. The new build can be found under the Revit Structure 2009 English product download page:

www.autodesk.com/revitstructure-downloads

P.S. The other languages version of Web Update 1 will be available in the next couple of weeks only as we are still working on it.

This new build has improved several Structure, Platform and API specific issues which are documented in the Web Update Enhancement List (pdf). In any case, I am including and copying/pasting the list in this blog for you as well:

Web Update Enhancement List
Improvements made in Web Update 1 build (20080602_1900):
Structure enhancement
· Improves stability during upgrade when line-based and structural framing families with geometry containing planes are almost parallel to the X axis.
· Floor slab thickness at cantilever of metal deck profile bound to layer above is now correct.
· Reduces the recurrence of getting “circular chain of references” error messages when braces are used as the top and bottom chords of an API assembled truss.
· Improves joist girder families and tags.
· Improves the fidelity of printing and exporting of hidden lines shown in structural and MEP views.
· Section cut through joined beams at a column will now display properly in the beams cross-section.
· Line pattern of a level type for the default metric structural templates is now changed to "Center" from "Solid".
· Elevation value of Level 1 in structural metric templates no longer displays as "-0".
· Some pre-loaded UK metal deck profiles have been renamed with manufacturer product names in the Structural Analysis-DefaultGBRENU.rte.
· Restores some structural components in SouthAsiaLibrary content bundle.
Platform enhancement
· Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
· Spot elevation with Display Elevation = Top & Bottom Elevation will now report the correct bottom elevation for sloped elements.
· In plan view with medium or fine detail level, spot elevations now report the correct top or bottom elevation of a beam that is joined to a column.
· Improves stability when changing the visibility of a link in a view template.
· Improves stability when exporting to CAD formats.
· Improves stability when closing SteeringWheels.
· Improves stability when adding elements to a group.
· Families that contain arrayed voids will now function properly in the project.
· Improves stability for users with non-English operating systems when using the Open/Save dialog.
· Notes created in Revit for a DWF markup object will now propagate to the DWF after selecting publish.
· Corrects “Unable to Start” error when starting the application.
· Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
· Structural columns will now have a higher priority when joined to non-bearing and shear walls.
· For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep returns.
· When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
· Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled by the deleted light group; instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
· Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog.
· Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
· Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
API enhancement
· Parameter binding performance has been improved.
· The JoinType method has been implemented for the LocationCurve of structural members.
· Mullion LocationCurves are now accessible through the API.
· External programs may now suppress VSTA startup warning messages.
· The built-in parameter MATERIAL_PARAM_TRANSPARENCY now returns the correct set value.

Revit Structure Basics e-Learning

Subscription members, as part of your benefits, you can download the following through the Subscription Center or via the Communication Center located in the Info Center within the product.

Building Information Modeling

This lesson describes building information modeling (BIM).

Exploring the User Interface

This lesson describes how to use different parts of the Revit Structure user interface. You begin the lesson by learning about the parts of the user interface and the steps to display and hide the tabs on the Design Bar. Next, you learn some recommended practices for exploring the user interface. The lesson concludes with an exercise on exploring the different parts of the user interface of the software.

Working with Revit Elements and Families

This lesson describes how to work with different types of structural elements and families. You begin the lesson by learning about structural elements and families. Next, you learn some recommended practices for working with them. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with structural elements and families.

Working with Views

This lesson describes how to work with the different views listed in the Project Browser. You begin the lesson by learning about views and the use of view parameters. Then, you learn about the steps for creating a dependent view and some recommended practices for working with views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on exploring and creating views.

Controlling Object Visibility

This lesson describes how to control the visibility and graphical representation of objects in a structural model. You begin the lesson by learning about controlling object visibility and graphical representation. Then, you learn the steps to modify line styles to control object visibility and use filters. Next, you learn some recommended practices for controlling object visibility. The lesson concludes with an exercise on controlling object visibility.

Working with Elevation and Section Views

This lesson describes how to work with elevation and section views. You begin the lesson by learning about elevation and section views. Next, you learn the steps to control the visibility of elevation and section tags. You also learn some recommended practices for creating elevation and section views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with elevation and section views.

Working with 3D Views

This lesson describes how to work with 3D views. You begin the lesson by learning about 3D views and cameras and how to navigate through a 3D view. Next, you learn the steps to create and modify 3D views and change the material properties of elements in a 3D view. You also learn about some recommended practices for working with 3D views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with 3D views.

Starting a Project

This lesson describes how to set up a project and transfer standards between projects. A project is the database of information for the design of a building model. It includes the entire structural design and the associated documentation. You set up a project before you start creating a building model. You also need to learn how to organize your content on levels, load in content families, and set up annotations to match company standards. All these requirements can be met by setting up template files.

Adding and Modifying Levels

This lesson describes how to add and modify levels in a structural model. Levels are finite horizontal planes that act as references in a structural model for level-hosted elements such as roofs and floors. You can also use levels to define the vertical extents of walls and the vertical placement of elements such as beams and columns.

Creating and Modifying Grids

This lesson describes how to add and modify grids. Grids form the basic framework in a structural model. Grid lines are displayed on structural plans specifically for locating columns and beams.

Working with Structural Columns

This lesson describes how to work with structural columns. Structural columns are load-bearing elements having type and instance parameters. Before adding columns in a structural plan, you create a grid. You then add structural columns relative to grid intersections. By default, only a few column sizes are loaded into a project. For additional column sizes, you can load columns from the structural column libraries to the project template. You can create new structural column types by duplicating an existing column type and specifying the dimensions and other parameters.

Working with Structural Walls

This lesson describes how to create new wall types, create structural walls in a plan view, and add footings and pilasters. Structural walls resist gravity and seismic forces and are designed and scheduled accordingly. During the design phase, you add structural walls to the structural model that act as placeholders for the height and width of actual walls. You can modify predefined structural walls or use them as templates to create new custom wall types. After creating structural walls, you add footings and pilasters at the base of the walls to provide support. You can also create stepped walls and stepped footings by placing individual walls, each with its top and base elevation set based on the requirements.

Adding Floor Framing

This lesson describes how to add floor framing to a structural model by adding beams. Floor framing is a collection of elements such as girders and beams that support a floor system. Floor framing is generally supported primarily by framing members such as walls and columns. Beams are floor framing elements that form the primary support structure for the floor. In certain projects, you need to use beam webs or flanges to represent openings in a structural model. These openings allow passage of ducts, pipes, or other construction elements.

How to find e-learning

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Calling all Revit Structure Users

Revit Structure subscription users can now download all 16 Robobat Extensions for Revit Structure with full functionality from your subscription site. I am sorry to report that these tools are not available to Revit Architecture & MEP users. For more information, visit BIM & Beam for all the details.

Structural Integrators is seeking beta testers.

From our friends over at BIM and BEAM

Interface between Revit® Structure and STAAD.Pro

Structural Integrators is currently developing an interface between Revit® Structure, and STAAD.Pro. The initial version of the link will be free to registered users of Structural Integrators, and will be a one-way link from Revit Structure to STAAD.Pro. Future releases will provide full bi-directional integration between these two products.

In anticipation of the 2008 Q1 release of the link, Structural Integrators is seeking beta testers. If you already own Revit® Structure and STAAD.Pro and would like to be a beta tester for this interface, please go to http://structuralintegrators.com/staad.php

New RISA/Revit Structure Link Now Available

RISA Tech has released version 6 of the RISA-3D & RISAFloor link with Revit Structure. This new version now supports a full two-way link which RISA Tech is reporting that you can start modeling in RISA-3D or RISAFloor and then push the model to Revit Structure. Modeling in Revit Structure first is still supported.

For more information visit RISA Tech for the link to download the new Revit Structure link.

New Structural Content at Subscription Center

If you are a Revit subscription customer, then the Revit Structure team has uploaded some new structural .rfa content in the Subscription Center for download. The new content includes some AISC 13th Editions steel sections, Joist Girders, many UK Metric families and Finland ones, etc.

To access the new content, log into the Subscription Center, scroll down to "Product Information & Downloads" section and click on "Building Solutions: Product Modules & Add-Ons". Under "Structural Engineering Solutions" click on "Subscription Structural Library".

For more information, check-out the BIM and Beam blog.