Thursday, August 20, 2009

Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 (Paperback) Review

With each release of Revit, more and more publishers are starting to print Revit Architecture books. Finding the correct book that meets your needs can be difficult, especially if you are ordering online and don't have an opportunity to skim through. And to be perfectly honest, one book may not meet all your needs.

I teach Revit Architecture at the community college level and choosing either a textbook or supplemental text is pretty important. I don't want my students spending money on something they won't use when the class is over, so I have chosen not to use a textbook. Instead, I encourage my students to buy a supplemental text that will help them during the class and on the job.

For that reason and several other, I recommend the "Mastering Revit Architecture" series and the Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 title is now available. Having read and used previous version of the Mastering Revit Architecture series in the classroom and at work, I have come to expect very high standards from the latest title "Mastering Revit Architecture 2010". I am pleased to report I was not disappointed. In short, the book is well organized and the material is presented in a manner that it can be used as an easy-to-follow tutorial or as an in-depth and knowledgeable reference. Each of the 20 chapters takes you through the subject matter from the basics to the more advanced features.

Why is this book different? I think what sets this book apart is the authors. You have your Autodesk insiders who are working for the company and know how each individual tool is intended to work. But you also have a practicing Architect as part of the writing team, Eddy Krygiel.

Eddy has worked on large complex projects like the IRS Center in Kansas City to much smaller projects like the renovation of his home (send me model pic to post Eddy). So what does that mean. Well, we have all seen the Autodesk demos of Revit. Sometimes the workflow makes sense and well, sometimes it does not. Sometimes Autodesk intends a tool to be used in a particular manner but in the real production world it gets used differently. That's what Eddy brings to the table. He helps you understand and learn the tools the way an Architect will use them. Not the way a programmer thinks you will use them. And he knows this because he is actually working on projects from pursuit to commissioning. He's not a consultant who may touch a project briefly or a application developer.

If you want a book that is going to teach you about the buttons on the ribbon, then find the cheapest one. If you want a book that is going to teach you how to properly use the tool so that you are successful with BIM, then I think you would be very happy with "Mastering Revit Architecture 2010" series.


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Saw this new extension for Max on the subscription web site. Has anyone used this with Revit and seen a workflow improvement?

Release Date: 2009-08-10

The Connection Extension for Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010 software makes it easier and more cost-effective to turn design data into more accurate, realistic visualizations. New levels of interoperability, based on intelligent data workflows, between 3ds Max Design and CAD software from both Autodesk and certain third parties makes it easier for architects, designers and visualization specialists to leverage existing design data and minimize rework.

Features and Benefits

  1. Enhanced interoperability with CAD packages – Bring solid models from many of your favorite CAD packages into 3ds Max Design 2010 for visual enhancement or conceptual design and export them back as solids when you’re done. A new high-fidelity SAT data translator helps make it easier to move solids-based data between 3ds Max Design and Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional, or certain third-party CAD products without translating to polygons.
  2. Extensive connectivity with Google™ SketchUp™ modeling software – A powerful new SKP file translator enables you to bring SketchUp scenes into 3ds Max Design with minimal effort and get straight to work rendering or enhancing the visuals. Also, 3ds Max Design can now read numerous free models from the 3D Warehouse section of the Google website.
  3. Streamlined compositing with OpenEXR - Create professional-quality cinematic narratives. A rewritten OpenEXR translator makes it easier to work with compositing applications, enabling you to blend computer graphics (CG) animation with live action footage.
  4. Intelligent workflows – Help save time and avoid costly geometry clean-up work with new, more effective workflows for dealing with complex scenes.

Revit 2010 & ADT and AutoCAD Architecture problems

Richard Binning in his "Beside the cursor..." blog details a problem with ADT and AutoCAD Architecture after installing Revit Architecture 2010 on workstations with existing ADT and AutoCAD Architecture installs.

...After installing Revit Architecture Suite 2010, I was suprised to find out that my install of Architectural Desktop 2007 would no longer allow me to drag and drop palettes from the content browser to the application...

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Worksharing over the WAN

In this economy, I am not sure if I am a BIM Manager or a Procurement Officer will all the cold sales calls I have been receiving from software and hardware vendors. But occassionally I get contacted from someone that has a product worth investigating.

I don't think I am in an unusual situation where I am supporting multiple projects that are working over the WAN. The biggest drawback to working over the WAN is the file latency issues when Saving to Central. Riverbed's have been the primary tool to combat the latency issue but another company Globalscape.com claims to have a product that makes working over the WAN better.

I have not used the product and we are just starting the process to look into this solution, so I thought I would share it with everyone. If you have used the product and have done your internal duedilagence and benchmarking and would like to share, please do so.

Link to a marketing video

Monday, August 17, 2009

State of Wisconsin to require BIM

I recently completed work on a BIM Execution Plan with the assistance of some very talented people. While discussing this document with a colleague, they brought to my attention that the State of Wisconsin is now going to require that all projects with a total budget of $5 million or more and all new construction projects that exceed $2.5 million have to have their designs done in BIM (Building Information Modeling). Being familiar with the GSA and ACOE requirements, I thought I would look at what the State of Wisconsin was requiring.

In short, the State has new standards or guidelines that require A/E that meet the above financial requirements and are Design-Bid-Build utilize BIM / 3D software from start to finish. The State has already completed several pilot projects

Below I have linked in the State of Wisconsin's announcement and the standards for their BIM requirement. The State of Wisconsin has also setup a discussion forum to get feedback on the standards.
BIM Implementation Announcement

BIM Guidelines and Standards

Friday, August 14, 2009

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Autodesk University 2009

Registration for Autodesk University 2009 has opened.

Navisworks Manage Tutorial Series

My friends over at 4D Technologies (CADLearning.com) have released a Navisworks Manage Tutorial Series of videos. I have not had a chance to look at the video yet, but I have been very pleased with the other videos that CADLearning.com has produced.

If you end up purchasing any videos, please mention KCRevit.com.

Chapter 1: Getting Started
User Interface
Workspaces
File Units
Managing Files
Object Enablers
Opening and Appending Files
Publishing Files
Realism Controls
Navigation
Head-up Display
Navigation Wheels
Navisworks Performance
Automatic Save and Recover Files
Cameras

Chapter 2: Review - Publisher
Selection Tree and Selecting Objects
Highlighting Options
Object Properties
Find Objects
Hide Objects
Selection Sets
Overriding Materials
Measuring Objects
Moving Objects
Viewpoints
Editing Viewpoints
Import/Export Viewpoints
Animations
Animation Slideshows
Make Comments
Smart Tags
Sectioning
Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks Options
Comparing Models
Collaboration Toolbar
Switchback

Chapter 2: Review - Publisher
Rendering and Lighting Modes
Collision Detection
Adjust Display of Primitives
Database Support
Add Redlining

Chapter 3: Simulate - Timeliner
Timeline Interface
Create Tasks Manually
Create Tasks Automatically
Synchronize Tasks from External Scheduling Software
Simulation Playback
Configuring the Simulation
Export Simulation

Chapter 4: Simulate - Animator
Animator Interface
Creating Object Animations
Cameras and Viewpoints
Manipulate Objects in an Animation Set
Manipulation by Linear Movement
Manipulation by Rotation Movement
Manipulation by Scaling
Manipulation by Changing Color & Transparency
Section Plane Sets
Animation Scene Playback

Chapter 5: Simulate - Scripter
Scripter Interface
Managing Scripts
Events
On Start Event
On Timer Event
On Key Press Event
On Collision Event
On Hotspot Event
On Variable Event
On Animation Event
Actions
Play Animation Action
Stop Animation Action
Show Viewpoint Action
Pause Script Action
Send Message Action
Set Variable Action
Store Property Action
Load Model Action

Chapter 6: Simulate - Presenter
Presenter Interface
Add Materials
Add Lighting Effects
Add Background Effects
Add Rendering Effects
Export Rendered Images
Export Animation Video
Edit Materials

Chapter 6: Simulate - Presenter
Advanced Material Editing
Ground Planes
Individual Light Effects
Image-Based Lighting
Environment Backgrounds and Reflections
Custom Environments
Light Scattering
RPC Content

Chapter 7: Manage - Clash Detective
Clash Detective Interface
Select Items to Clash
Clash Settings
Clash Rules
Clash Results
Clash Comments
Clash Reports
Clash Audit Checks
Batch Clash Tests
Export/Import Clash Results
Custom Clash Tests
Laser Scan Data Clashing
Holding and Releasing Objects
Switchback with Clash
Preparing a Time-Based Clash
Clash Timeliner Report

Friday, July 24, 2009

Revit Support for the Mac

Autodesk Expands Support for Mac Users

Autodesk is expanding assistance for Macintosh® users by adding support for Boot Camp for select products in addition to offering native Mac OS products.

--------

The good news to Mac users is that you can now get official support if you are running certain Autodesk products like Revit via Bootcamp on a Mac.

Is anyone using Deep Space for analytics? https://www.deepspacesync.com/