Repost: Beyond Design: 14 things you’ll be shocked you never knew about Autodesk Navisworks!

This is a really good post from Beyond Design.

I've been traveling around a lot in the last year and met a huge number of you guys and girls at various events, we chat a lot about workflows, features of the program and how you first came to use it. However even now I find it surprising that I can show something new to even expert users that help with their day to day work. So in typical Buzzfeed style, here are 14 things you'll be shocked to know you can do with Autodesk Navisworks!!!!

1. Forget 3D, 4D, 5D 6 and 7D, did you know there's 2D support in Navisworks?
   It still shocks me that people don't know about this, so I'll shout it:-
   NAVISWORKS HAS 2D SUPPORT!!!
   Now why is that important? Viewing a 3D file is great! It's revolutionised the way people work and coordinate with each other! However in the majority of cases, the main deliverable to the construction team on site is a set of 2D drawings, they provide additional detail you can't always get into a model, they're also a way of conveying information in a way familiar to that team. It's possible to save 2D sheets with a NWD alongside the 3D files with review, markup, viewpoints, sections, Timeliner animations then pass this to the wider team. One of the nifty features with 2D support is the ability to find the same item across other 2D sheets and the 3D models by using the 'Find Items in Other Sheets and Models' when right clicking an object. This has become even more important with 2D Quantification now in Navisworks, more on that soon.
   
   
2. You can create very quick quantification for building out resources and tracking changes in models.
   
   This video shows a quick workflow on how to do this, if you're an estimator you may want to do a more thorough takeoff using a preconfigured catalogue, but if you just need access to some quick quantities, Navisworks is also perfect for that.
   
   
3. You can colour up anything in the model based on properties using the Appearance Profiler
   In this case we have some Construction Progress Fields from BIM 360 Field that can be used to color up the latest state of the project before running Timeliner, allowing you to identify any problems on the critical path
   This could just as easily be used to quickly color up the different MEP systems for clarity, or phases of a project. Profiles and Search Sets can be moved from one project to the next saving time with set up.
   
4. You can load BIM 360 Glue projects straight into Navisworks
   It's simply a case of opening or appending the file from the BIM 360 tab in Navisworks 2015, meaning you'll always be using the latest coordinated file and able to run your latest advanced construction tasks without worrying about using the wrong version.
   
5. There are different ways to select items in the model
   My favourite is to use the Properties section of the Selection Tree, I also use this method to create quick searches and Search Sets, this video shows some more detail.
   
   
6. You don't even have to click on an item to view the properties of an item using Quick Properties
   You can view any properties in the model by hovering over them in the model, you just need to switch on Quick Properties and decide which properties you want to see.
   
   
7. You can select a number of items and just export their properties using the Selection Inspector
   If you haven't seen the Selection Inspector before, click on the icon on the Home tab, select a few objects and view the properties, again you can use the Quick Properties to decide which properties you need and then just export out a CSV of all those properties.
   
   
8. Navisworks now has an App Store!
   
   In Navisworks 2015 you can now start taking advantage of Autodesk's huge network of API developers who will be posting a series of free and paid extensions through the Navisworks App Store. Are you a developer yourself? You can upload your own apps and make them accessible to a wide user base, just head to the Autodesk® Exchange Apps Developer Center. A current favourite of mine is Properties+ which came about as part of customer feedback asking if there's a quick way to just view the properties you need rather than the multiple tabs of all the properties, this is the result, try it out, it's free!
   
   
9. Render Navisworks files in The Cloud
   
   For those of you using Revit, you will already know cloud rendering is easy, quick and gives amazing results, now it's available in Navisworks, meaning you can pull together all your files, no matter which application they came from and produce amazing renders. For example I'm no rendering expert but this Panorama took around 20 minutes to drag and drop some materials, send to the cloud and receive this impressive rendering back. You can also do illuminance studies in the cloud too!
   
   
10. Did you know you can create cache files automatically overnight?
    
    What's the best way to save time whilst files are loading, get them to cache whilst you're asleep! It'll save you time and money every morning! You can automatically create an NWD every week to give a snapshot of where the project is up to. Make sure you run Navisworks as an Administrator and run the Batch Utility, you can then set up your automated tasks using the Windows Task Scheduler.
    
    
11. You can create Time based clashes to ensure you have enough clearance on site for moving objects
    This would help with getting large machines or loads through a site, for example this video shows how moving an escalator through a 3D model would allow you to identify problems before you get to site. More information on linking animations to Timeliner Tasks can be found in this blog post
    
    
12. You can see your model with 3D glasses!
    If you have supported hardware you can enable Stereo viewing. More information on Stereo Viewing in Navisworks can be found on the blog.
    
13. You can link to a database or spreadsheet if you ever need more properties
    There's more information on how to do this in an older blog post How to Link a Database using Navisworks Datatools
    
14. Autodesk has great IFC Support
    In fact we have huge support for the IFC file format across Autodesk, look at our Interoperability page at www.autodesk.com/ifc for more information about our IFC certifications across Autodesk products and support of COBie with a COBie exporter from Revit which completed the COBie challenge with top honours in 2013 and 2014.
    

Cue shocked Taylor Swift photo

And a cute animal picture for no reason whatsoever

Via cute-baby-animals.tumblr.com

If you want to see anything in more depth, send us an email on beyond.design@autodesk.com

Repost: BIM Troublemaker: Schedule Simulation Using Phases - The Poor Man's 4D Timeliner

I ran across this post from the BIM Troublemaker when I was asked by a staff member if we could do 4D simulation in Revit. I normally do my 4D work in Navisworks, but if you have never worked with Timeliner, then that might not be the best choice. The project itself was also much simpler than the example below, so the suggestion as detailed below turned out to be a viable solution.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Schedule Simulation Using Phases - The Poor Man's 4D Timeliner

I have been doing alot of work lately providing supporting graphics for construction bids.  Sometimes the rain-makers like to show potential clients the sequence of how the building/site will go together.

Rarely do we have the time for a full 4d navis works animation with cranes and all that.  Actually having adequate documentation to support such an effort is even less likely!  I came up with this B.S. modelling approach based upon a presentation by Aaron Maller at AU 2011 about phases, links, groups and design options.

Sooooo...how did i do this in Revit in one day?

 Pretty simple actually.

First off, I built a simple model and applied the site plan as a decal to a base plane.  This involved saving the pdf as a jpeg, pretty simple in ADOBE.

Then the real work started.  I had to liaise with my scheduler.  I gave him an excel spreadsheet indicating the different parts of the model that could turn on and off.  The scheduler then informed me the timing and durations of the various activities.  I rationalized it all so that I could take snapshots of the construction at 2 week intervals.

Then I went into my Revit model and created phases for each interval in the schedule

This part gets tricky.  i created a phase filter called "Timeline" specifically for the task at hand.  I probably could have used "Show Complete" but I like starting fresh in case i need to tweak things.

After settling on a 3d camera view I liked, I locked the view and set the view template.  Then i copied it a bunch of times, one view/snapshot for each phase.

 
 Now it just gets tedious...follow this step by step:

1. Work in an default 3d view, not one of your snapshot views.  Make sure phase filter is setup to "Timeline"  Set the default 3d view's phase to the final phase, in this case "Phase 14"
2. Make sure the model is finished
3. Assign materials to the "COMPLETE" elements
4. Change the construction phase setting for all these elements to the final phase, in this case "Phase 14"
5. Copy all the elements off to the side a memorable distance like 1000m
6. Create a material to represent a "CONSTRUCTION" phase.  In this exercise, I chose transparent red
7. Assign the "CONSTRUCTION" material to all the copied elements
8. Change the phase of all the copied elements to to the initial phase, in this case "Phase 1", they should all dissappear
9. Change the default 3d view phase to the initial phase, in this case "Phase 1".  The red "CONSTRUCTION" elements should appear, while the "COMPLETE" elements go away.
10. Move your "CONSTRUCTION" elements back into place.
11. For all "CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS", change the "Phase Created" and "Phase Demolished" variables according to the grouping in the schedule spreadsheet.
12. For all the "COMPLETED ELEMENTS",  change the "Phase Created" variable according to the grouping in the schedule spreadsheet, while setting the "Phase Demolished" variable to none.

Now you can check each of the snapshot views to make sure they look right.

To generate the images, i used the INTERACTIVE RAYTRACE display option.

I let it process for about 1 minute per shot.  then i stopped and saved the image.  Revit will save the picture to the RENDERINGS folder in the project browser.

Export all the images as you would for any jpeg renderings.  Then i compiled all of them into an animated GIF file.  Instructions for this process can be found here:

HOW TO MAKE AN ANIMATED GIF

And thats it....enjoy.  See y'all at AU.

Posted by BIM Troublemaker at 5:49 PM

Repost: What Revit Wants: Funny Revit Error Messages

I was researching a new Warning to me and touched base with a friend at the factory and he sent me a link to this great post on Funny Revit Error Messages.

What Revit Wants: Funny Revit Error Messages: Ever felt this way? (via (@apertedesign) Even Revit know that new features will be added in the future: This post used to be ti...

Repost: All Things BIM: Seattle Revit Users Group: Feb 2014 Meeting

All Things BIM: Seattle Revit Users Group: Feb 2014 Meeting: Seattle Revit Users Group: Feb 2014 Meeting

The creative folks in the rainy city have established quite a nice following for their local Revit users group. The February 2014 meeting featured a panel of general contractors sharing their experiences with BIM implementation, including some intriguing ROI numbers.

The have graciously provided a recording of the event:
http://youtu.be/FdFx9iNBKx0

If you are working in Revit and ever run across this "Weight" warning, do not fear, Revit is not making any comments about your actual weight.

It's the first time I have run into this warning myself. After doing some research and reviewing the journal file, the problem appears to be a connectivity issue. The warning seems occurs when you have a file not saved issue. If this is the case, rather than trying to Save to Central, trying saving just to your local first and then Save to Central.

In the case that this actual warning occurred, the user has just loaded in a couple image files and was trying to STC from a remote connection.

Repost: All Things BIM: NYC Revit Users Group: Mar 2014 Meeting

All Things BIM: NYC Revit Users Group: Mar 2014 Meeting

Monday, April 07, 2014

NYC Revit Users Group: Mar 2014 Meeting

Continuing the tradition of extremely relevant content, the NYC Revit Users Group invited industry lawyer Rebecca McWilliams, AIA, Esq. (mcwilliams-law.com) to share some insight related to sharing our BIM data with others.

The recording is long, but here are some highlights along the way:

• 0:42:25 BIM Execution Planning
• 1:01:30 Risk management and standard of care
• 1:18:00 LOD
• 1:35:20 Managing owner expectations and ‘bad’ contract clauses
• 1:41:00 Litigation case studies

Revit OpEd: 2014 Revit Technology Conference Plug

Revit OpEd: 2014 Revit Technology Conference Plug: If you've been reading this blog for long you've probably heard of the Revit Technology Conference . It's blossomed from an even...

Three-Quarters of Contractors Using BIM Globally Report Positive ROI on Their BIM Investments

Three-Quarters of Contractors Using BIM Globally Report Positive ROI on Their BIM Investments

Repost: HOK BIM Solutions: Sync with Central Best Practices

Sync with Central Best Practices

Here’s a list of best practices David Ivey shared for synchronizing with central (SWC) in Revit:

Never leave for extended periods of time (i.e. Lunch, Meeting, Home) after hitting the Sync button.
Revit will often ask for something before the process is complete, and if this happens while you’re out, your team can be stuck with a central file that is ‘in use’, and be kept from saving/working.

Always use the Worksharing Monitor (WSM), and consult it before hitting the Sync button.
This will save you and your team time by not making Revit slowly wade through two or more concurrent SWC attempts. Wait for an opening in the WSM, and then sync. And yes, WSM will work in a Citrix Revit session.





Always use the Sync and Modify Settings command, so that you are presented with the dialogue to release borrowed and owned elements. 



Check all available boxes when syncing (with the exception of the Compact box), so that all objects and elements are returned to the central file.



Add comments in the field provided. These comments are helpful in tracking down problems that may occur from time-to-time in the model. Short, concise descriptions of work are all that is required. This is a problem solving tool, and not a means for assigning blame (as some believe).

Always save locally when prompted.  SWC when prompted when working alone, or after consulting the WSM on small team projects (2-5).  For larger projects, consult with your project’s BIM Coordinator.  On larger projects, there may be a SWC schedule to follow, usually set in 30-120 minute increments depending on project, team, and model size, or during deadlines.

Over-communication with your team is far better than poor communication. Utilize Jabber (or other instant messaging application), email, your phone, or your voice, and make sure you and your team are all on the same page.

Repost: HOK BIM Solutions - Phantom Keynotes

This is a really good post on keynote issues. If you are not already following, I recommend following the HOK BIM Solutions blog. They provide a lot of useful information.

Phantom Keynotes 2.0

I posted about this topic in the past (see Phantom Keynotes) and it seems that we keep finding issues with Keynote Legends reporting keynotes that don’t seem to exist in the view. I have also written a follow-up post (see More on Keynotes) to discuss other visibility issues and other problems related to this functionality and the current User Interaction shortfalls. Recently some Electrical users pointed me to additional instances of misreporting by Keynote Legends, so this post will summarize those findings. These can be reproduced in Revit 2015.

1. If the Annotation Crop Region is not enabled, keynotes attached to objects that lie outside the model crop region are still reported, which is completely unexpected. The result is the same whether you use Element Keynotes or User Keynotes. The expected behavior should be that if keynoted objects lie outside of the model crop region, those keynotes should not appear in the legend, regardless of whether the annotation crop region is enabled or disabled.
2. Another instance of Phantom Keynotes occurs with keynoted elements in close proximity to the view’s model crop region. This issue is exacerbated even more when the tags are far from the objects they are attached to. With the Annotation Crop Region enabled, the keynote still appears in the legend unless the boundary of the Annotation Crop region touches the edge of the keynote annotation. This is completely unexpected and the following series of images illustrate the problem:

 

If the Model and Annotation Crop Regions are adjusted such that both the model element and the keynote tag lie outside these boundaries, the legend will rightly not report that keynote:

However the Keynote Legend will still incorrectly report the keynote if only the model element is outside of the Model Crop Region, but the Keynote Tag is within the Annotation Crop Region (the legend is actually only concerned about the tag, not the model element):

 

Please be very careful when using this functionality and double check your work (don’t assume that the Keynote Legend will hide unrelated keynotes for you!). The only workaround at the moment is to pick the keynote tags that shouldn’t be listed in the legend and manually hide them in the view, which is a very ugly workaround. The following process needs to be followed for each view:

1. Select all instances of the keynote tag in the project;
2. Remove all keynote tags visible in the view from the selection;
3. Right-Click and Hide all instances in the view.

The desired and expected Keynote Legend filtering is as follows:

• If the keynoted model element is not visible in the view and as a consequence the tag is also not visible, do not report it;
• If the Keynote Tag is not visible because it is manually hidden in the view or because it touches or is outside the Annotation Crop Region, do not report it

Revit OpEd: No Print Text

Revit OpEd: No Print Text: A fairly common request is a special text that won't print. This would let us add comments to various places in the model for other peop...