Library Viewer for Revit - Thumbnail Explorer

I thought I would pass along a very inexpensive utility that allows users to quickly locate content in your Revit library. One of my favorite tools like I like is the Thumbnail Explorer from Raiz Labs.

Thumbnail Explorer is an easy to use tool for anyone who deals with graphics, and CAD files. The software indexes your library of Revit files and allows you to quickly and visually find any file across multiple folders without browsing or using Windows search. As you type a part of the file name Thumbnail Explorer will show a list of thumbnails and will enable you to work with corresponding files without resorting to Windows Explorer. You can then drag and drop from Thumbnail Explorer into Revit.

We have a fairly extensive library and unfortunately we have some duplicate families in there. While I have two other tools to manage our library, Thumbnail Explorer can also be used to do some very rudimentary management of our your library. For example, if you search for Windows, Thumbnail Explorer will list all families with the name Window in it. You can then delete the duplicates.

A free trial of the software is available and per user copies are just $10. The program was developed by Leonid Raiz one of the founders of Revit and is available for download at:http://www.raizlabs.com/software/thumbnailexplorer/

IE 8 and Revit Architecture 2009 problem

I just ran across a problem on workstations with Internet Explorer 8 and Revit Architecture 2009. After an update to WSE 3 SP3 (Web Service Enhancements) was applied during the installation of another application and impacts Internet Explorer 8, Revit Architecture would crash when you try to start a new project with a template or open an existing project. This would result in a fatal error.

Autodesk support could not narrow down which Interner Explorer 8 component was causing the problem, but uninstall IE 8 and going back to IE 7 allowed RAC 2009 to function. None of the workstations with the error have RAC 2010 installed, so I am not aware if this impacts RAC 2010.

Discover 2010 Autodesk Event- Mission Kansas

Discover 2010 Autodesk Event- Mission Kansas

Where:	Sylvester Powell Community Center 6200 Martway Mission, KS 66202
When:	June 9th, 2009
Please Note: Revised Scheduled Session Times below
Time(s):	Morning Session - Civil 3D 2010 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Afternoon Session - Revit Architecture 2010 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

RESERVE A SPACE AT OUR AUTODESK® 2010 SOFTWARE EVENT.

Whether you’re an architect, designer or civil engineer, Autodesk® 2010 software gives you the power to create, document, and communicate groundbreaking ideas — before they’re real.

Seiler Instrument is pleased to introduce you to AutoCAD® 2010 at our upcoming event, where you can see for yourself how Civil 3D® and Revit® Architecture delivers groundbreaking new capabilities to help you tackle the most challenging design problems with ease.

The morning session will cover Civil 3D 2010 highlights and new features such as, production drafting, usability, and survey tools and much more!

The afternoon session will cover Revit Architecture 2010 highlights and new features such as easy-to-use tools for free-form modeling and parametric design along with much more!

Note: Seiler will also include a special training segment for each product that focuses on one aspect of the application's specific tools.

• Free coffee soda and snacks provided for each session (lunch is not provided)
• Please register today- Registered attendees will be entered to win a random drawing for a $25.00 QT Gift Card held each session.
• Please call with any questions 888-263-8918 or email solutions@seilerinst.com.

April 2009 User Group Meeting

I want to thank everyone that attended the user group meeting on the 2010 product line, including Scott Davis of Autodesk and Stephanie Murrell and her colleagues at Seiler Instrument.

Keep an eye on this site as we are working on two upcoming events. The first will be an overview of EcoTect 2010 and Green Building Studio 2010, followed by a presentation on Revit Structure 2010.

Thanks again and at our next meeting Beau Turner of Avatec will be giving away a copy of Avatec's BIM Review software.

Parking for friday's User Group Meeting

If you are going to be attending the User Group meeting, we recommend that you park in the parking lot on the corner of 12th and Pennsylvania Ave. (See image below) Parking in that lot will be free if you are attending the User Group meeting. The entrance to our building is located on Kirk Dr.

Introduction to the Revit 2010 Platform Seminar

**** UPDATE ****

WOO WHOO!! Are you as excited upcoming 2010 Platform Seminar with Scott Davis as Mira is? If so, we look forward to seeing you and please RSVP with Stephanie Murrell at cad@seilerinst.com so we can get an accurate count for lunch.

If you you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP with Stephanie at:

RSVP asap please to:
Contact: Stephanie Murrell
Phone: 816-518-1220 or
Call Toll free: 888-263-8918
Email: cad@seilerinst.com

If you have questions or comments, please contact Mirabela Ticu at 816-527-2438

You can also register as a member of the user group on our KCRevit Google Groups page.

---------------

Hey, you interested in learning about the changes to the Revit 2010 Platform? Want to know about all the new Features? What to complain about a new Feature? Want to see Phil Read wear a tie? Then you will want to attend the next meeting of the Kansas City Revit User Group. Scott Davis of Autodesk will be presenting an Introduction to the Revit 2010 Platform on April 17th from 11:30 to 1:30pm at HNTB (715 Kirk Dr, Kansas City, MO 64105).

Topics to be covered are new features for the Revit 2010 product line. Including Architecture, MEP and Structure. Inside these disciplines he will focus on the major development themes which were; User Interface, Modeling & Analysis, Performance & Operability and Conceptual Design.

We want to thank Stephanie at Seiler Instrument for sponsoring this event and providing lunch to all attendees. If your not familiar with Seiler Instruments, they are an Authorized Autodesk Reseller serving the Midwest. Stephanie will be in attendance so please make sure that you stop by and introduce yourself.

Keep watching the site and we will have more details to come.

For those that have not seen Phil in a tie, here is a pic.

























Chances are though, you won't see Phil wearing a tie though. With the upcoming release of the Revit 2010 products, he is wearing his Revit Implementation suit. See below.

A Sneak Preview of BIM -- Building Information Modeling

Johnson County Community College is celebrating 40 years of service. As part of this event, they are offering a day of free college classes. One of the classes is a A Sneak Preview of BIM -- Building Information Modeling. This class will include a brief description and demonstration about building information modeling (BIM). A 3-D parametric building model will be demonstrated using Revit-Architectural software.

Below is more detailed information on the Free College day and registration. If the class is full, I suggest contact Tom Hughs (thughes at jccc dot edu) at the college to see if they can open up another class.

Thank you, Johnson County, for 40 wonderful years! To show our appreciation, take a class – it’s on us!

As part of Johnson County Community College’s 40th anniversary celebration, JCCC’s faculty and staff have volunteered to offer the public an afternoon of free classes as a way to say thank you to the community. You’ll find more than 200 40-minute classes – arts, business, computers, language and more! – that you can take for free on Saturday afternoon, April 18.

Free College Day Classes

All classes will be held on the JCCC campus (view map). The central courtyard will be the base for refreshments, directions and information (but if it’s cold or raining, that base will move into the Commons – COM). Please stop by to check in, pick up a schedule and see what else JCCC has to offer throughout the year.

Classes are offered at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. and last for 40 minutes. Although the classes are free, registration is required. Go to Free College Day registration and choose the topics you're interested in. You can also register by calling 913-469-2323.

If you sign up for a class and then find you can’t come, please cancel your registration so someone else can enjoy the session. If the class you want is full, you can put your name on a waiting list.

Frick'n Autodesk

Hey, did you happen to purchase a license of EcoTect from the EcoTect website after Autodesk purchased them?

Well, if you did, good luck upgrading that standalone license to a network license or putting it on subscription. Autodesk isn't sure how they are going to handle that issue.

If we ever get an answer on how they are going to address this, I'll let you know.

Revit 2010 Platform - User Interface

The Revit 2010 releases have a brand new User Interface. If you are going to be attending the next KC Revit User Group meeting (see below) you are bound to hear many questions about why this was done. Phil Read has done a really good job explaining some of the issues with the new UI that will probably impact seasoned users more than the new adopters.

Here is the link to the YouTube video.

BIM Week by Mid West CAD

Mid West CAD is going to be providing 20 session on BIM related subjects from March 30 thru April 4. This will include national speakers, user presentations, hands-on training and test drives. For more information click here.

Revit Architecture Training @ JCCC

Because of the demand for Revit training, Johnson County Community College is planning a summer Revit Architecture class. If you are interested, I would suggest contacting Tom Hughes thughes at jccc dot edu for more details.