Thursday, July 25, 2013

IMAGINiT Utilities for Revit

IMAGINiT has updated their Utilities for Revit. The tool that really interested me is the LinkFixer. It allows you to re-path models.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Revit : Modelling Best practise tip

Revit : Modelling Best practise tip: One of the most interesting aspects of using Revit for model authoring is often there is more than one way to skin a cat. Let me provide you...

Friday, July 19, 2013

Revit OpEd: Three Laws - Family Content

Revit OpEd: Three Laws - Family Content: This is repost of a post that I wrote in September 2008. I thought of it as I was working through some content tasks. Not to be confused ...

Working with DWG files in Revit

It might not seem obvious, but it is very important clean up DWG files before importing or linking into AutoCAD. Revit is not AutoCAD and it is important to note that Revit will not behave like AutoCAD. So we need to take this into account when working with DWG files. Spending a few minutes cleaning up a DWG file before importing or linking that file can prevent real problems from occurring down the road.

Here are some items to consider when working with DWG files in AutoCAD.

1.     Be aware how far the CAD geometry is from 0,0,0. Different versions of Revit get squirrelly if the geometry is either greater than 2 miles or 20 miles from 0,0,0 in AutoCAD. While you are checking this, look for scratch or unnecessary geometry that might just be hanging out somewhere. If you don’t need it, get rid of it. Use Zoom extents in AutoCAD to see the extents of the geometry.

2.     Review the layers in AutoCAD. Make sure you are aware of what is on/off or frozen / thawed. If there is geometry on layers that are hidden or frozen, consider deleting that geometry and purging the layers. Put the DWG file on as much of a diet as you can.

3.     Be aware of blocks that are using in the DWG. If you are experiencing display issues in Revit, the issue might be with the block. It’s only been a problem for me a couple of times and exploding the blocks in AutoCAD corrected the issue. The simpler the CAD file, meaning few blocks, xrefs, etc that are in the DWG file, the better.

4.     Put the DWG on a Diet. Purge ANY and ALL unused layers, blocks, styles, etc from the DWG. The less Revit has to track the better.

5.     Verify your units of the DWG file before importing.

6.     Watch out for really small geometry. Revit will generate a warnings for lines that are smaller 1/32” or 0.75mm.

7.     Consider linking or importing DWG files onto a separate workset.

8.     If you only need to see a DWG in a single view, always use the Link to Current View Only option.

9.     I think this goes without saying, but worth repeating. To everything possible to avoid exploding imported DWG files.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Network Deployments - Include Additional Software

If you are working with Revit then you at some point must have dealt with the issues of installing these add-ons. For the Revit 2014 releases, I decided to incorporate the installation of several add-ons such as:

  • DB Link
  • Model Review
  • Batch Print
  • Worksharing Monitor
  • Revit Extensions
The documentation on how to incorporate this information into the network deployment is a little weak. I initially went down the road of determining how to create silent installs for each of these add-ons, but I was was over thinking it.

As you are creating your network deployment, you will notice that one of the sections is to "Include additional software" (see below).



This allows you to add additional .msi and .exe software to your deployment. If you adding the Autodesk Revit add-ons (with the exception of Revit Extensions), you just need to click the "Add..." button and select the add-on. You do not need to specify any Command Line Parameters.

For Revit extensions, you first need to extract the install package from the executable zip file that you downloaded from the subscription site. If you accept the defaults, the files will be extracted to C:\Autodesk\REX_2014_dlm\. Back in your network deployment, Include additional software, you want to add either the REX_x64.msi (64-bit) or REX_x86.msi (32-bit) depending on the Revit deployment you are creating. You do not need to add and Command Line parameters.

When you are done adding your additional software to include in your deployment, you can close the "Include additional software" and complete your network deployment. As your network deployment is being created, the add-ons that you have selected will be copied from the location you selected to the ...\Img\ADDONS\ folder of the network deployment. Once the network deployment has finished copying all the files, hold off on performing a test installation.

The Revit Extension addon only copied over the .msi file of the installation.We need to copy over the rest of the required installation folders from C:\Autodesk\REX_2014_dlm\REX\ to ...\Img\ADDONS\ADDON_REX_X64_0\

Your ...\Img\ADDONS\ADDON_REX_X64_0\ directory should now look as follows






Revit OpEd: Copy Then Paste a Level

Revit OpEd: Copy Then Paste a Level: Ever have someone want to use Copy to Clipboard and then Paste Aligned to create a new level? I haven't but it is technically possible t...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Revit OpEd: Revit MEP - Free Size Parameter

Revit OpEd: Revit MEP - Free Size Parameter: If you use the Free Size parameter instead of Size you might notice a subtle anomaly. In elevation views where we only see one dimension o...

Monday, July 15, 2013

Autodesk Labs - Project Falcon

Project Falcon is a new way to investigate aerodynamic performance. Its speed and accuracy work in concert with physically intuitive controls for defining wind direction and speed. At the heart of Falcon is a cutting-edge approach to CFD simulation that removes barriers to meshing coupled with a unique numerical method that allows a broader design audience to benefit from simulation early in the design process.

The technology preview can be used as a standalone application with no other license required or as an add-on for Inventor or Revit.

Autodesk Labs: Project Falcon YouTube videos

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Invitation to complete BIM for FM survey

From Linkedin:

We are conducting research to assess the challenges and opportunities that BIM presents for the FM community. The study forms part of an MSc thesis for the University College London (UCL) and will explore the following areas:

• FM Software (CAFM/ CMMS/ IWMS): take-up and awareness levels
• BIM: take-up and awareness levels
• Drivers and barriers to full FM participation in BIM development and application
• Integration and exchange of information between FM Software and BIM

Your input will provide real world opinions on BIM for FM and help to identify how important BIM is for the industry.

The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Simply click on the link below, or cut and paste the entire URL into your browser to access the survey:

https://kwiksurveys.com/s.asp?sid=znj7ggyrmo40sh5181153

Your input is very important to us and will be kept strictly confidential (used only for the purposes of research for this project).

If you have any questions or would prefer to complete a paper survey please contact us at r.williams.12@ucl.ac.uk

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Autodesk 2014 Product Keys

Product
Name
Product Key
AutoCAD 2014001F1
AutoCAD Architecture 2014185F1
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014237F1
AutoCAD Design Suite Premium 2014768F1
AutoCAD Design Suite Standard 2014767F1
AutoCAD Design Suite Ultimate 2014769F1
AutoCAD ecscad 2014562F1
AutoCAD Electrical 2014225F1
AutoCAD Inventor LT Suite 2014596F1
AutoCAD LT 2014057F1
AutoCAD LT Civil Suite 2014545F1
AutoCAD Map 3D 2014129F1
AutoCAD Mechanical 2014206F1
AutoCAD MEP 2014235F1
AutoCAD P&ID 2014448F1
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2014426F1
AutoCAD Raster Design 2014340F1
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2014241F1
AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2014834F1
AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2014257F1
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2014256F1
AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2014587F1
Autodesk 3ds Max 2014128F1
Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2014495F1
Autodesk 3ds Max Entertainment Creation Suite Premium 2014774F1
Autodesk 3ds Max Entertainment Creation Suite Standard 2014661F1
Autodesk Alias Automotive 2014710F1
Autodesk Alias Design 2014712F1
Autodesk Alias Surface 2014736F1
Autodesk Animation Academy 2014548F1
Autodesk AutoCAD Utility Design 2014213F1
Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium 2014765F1
Autodesk Building Design Suite Standard 2014784F1
Autodesk Building Design Suite Ultimate 2014766F1
Autodesk Design Academy 2014200F1
Autodesk Display Cluster Module for Autodesk VRED Design 2014889F1
Autodesk Education Master Suite 2014651F1
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite For Education 2014656F1
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Premium 2014 ExclusivesP02F1
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Standard 2014 ExclusivesP01F1
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate 2014793F1
Autodesk Fabrication CADmep 2014839F1
Autodesk Fabrication CAMduct 2014842F1
Autodesk Fabrication CAMduct Components 2014844F1
Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep 2014841F1
Autodesk Fabrication RemoteEntry 2014845F1
Autodesk Fabrication Tracker 2014843F1
Autodesk Factory Design Suite Premium 2014757F1
Autodesk Factory Design Suite Standard 2014789F1
Autodesk Factory Design Suite Ultimate 2014760F1
Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Premium 2014786F1
Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Standard 2014787F1
Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Ultimate 2014785F1
Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server 2014796F1
Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server 5 Activations 2014877F1
Autodesk InfraWorks 2014808F1
Autodesk Inventor 2014208F1
Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order Series 2014805F1
Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order Server 2014752F1
Autodesk Inventor LT 2014529F1
Autodesk Inventor Professional 2014797F1
Autodesk Maya 2014657F1
Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite Premium 2014775F1
Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite Standard 2014660F1
Autodesk MotionBuilder 2014727F1
Autodesk Mudbox 2014498F1
Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2014507F1
Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2014506F1
Autodesk Plant Design Suite Premium 2014763F1
Autodesk Plant Design Suite Standard 2014788F1
Autodesk Plant Design Suite Ultimate 2014764F1
Autodesk Product Design Suite for Education 2014654F1
Autodesk Product Design Suite Premium 2014782F1
Autodesk Product Design Suite Standard 2014783F1
Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2014781F1
Autodesk Raytracing Cluster Module for Autodesk VRED 2014890F1
Autodesk Real-Time Ray Tracing Cluster 2014692F1
Autodesk Revit 2014829F1
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014240F1
Autodesk Revit LT 2014828F1
Autodesk Revit MEP 2014589F1
Autodesk Revit Structure 2014255F1
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2014547F1
Autodesk Showcase 2014262F1
Autodesk Showcase Professional 2014295F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014809F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Advanced810F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Connection for NX815F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Connection for Parasolid824F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Connection for Pro/E822F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Design Study Environment812F1
Autodesk Simulation CFD 2014 Motion811F1
Autodesk Simulation DFM 2014837F1
Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 2014669F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Adviser Premium 2014571F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Adviser Standard 2014570F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Adviser Ultimate 2014572F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight Premium 2014574F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight Standard 2014573F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight Ultimate 2014575F1
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Synergy 2014579F1
Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics 2014667F1
Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2014741F1
Autodesk SketchBook Pro for Enterprise 2014871F1
Autodesk Softimage 2014590F1
Autodesk Softimage Entertainment Creation Suite Standard 2014662F1
Autodesk Vault Collaboration 2014549F1
Autodesk Vault Collaboration AEC 2014801F1
Autodesk Vault Office 2014555F1
Autodesk Vault Professional 2014569F1
Autodesk Vault Workgroup 2014559F1
Autodesk VRED 2014884F1
Autodesk VRED Design 2014885F1
Autodesk VRED Presenter 2014888F1
Autodesk VRED Professional 2014886F1
Autodesk VRED Server 2014887F1
CADdoctor for Autodesk Simulation 2014577F1
mental ray Standalone 2014718F1
RealDWG 2014151F1
T1 Enterprise Multi-flex 2014535F1
T1 Enterprise Multi-flex Standard Bundle 2014891F1

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