Revit OpEd: It is a Training Problem

This is a really good article by Steve Stafford at RevitOpEd.

Revit OpEd: It is a Training Problem: I frequently get involved in conversations that start with someone wishing Revit would help resolve "x" problem. The essence of &q...

AIA: Autodesk introduces computational modeling tool Dynamo for its BIM workflow

AIA: Autodesk introduces computational modeling tool Dynamo for its BIM workflow

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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