Drafting Department Head

Have you ever wanted to do projects “the right way”, but the drafting department standards and practices were set up by someone in 1976? All of the technology in the field has changed. Engineering techniques are changing daily. Shouldn’t drafting department procedures recognize that it is 2008? Structural Modeling & Analysis is a small structural engineering company located in Midtown, Kansas City, Missouri. We are a growing company dedicated to staying on the cutting edge in regard to structural engineering practices, design techniques and standards. We provide our clients the highest quality of work. Utilizing the latest software, techniques, and training, our standard is to send out complete, constructible drawings, on time, every time. We use Revit Structure. We are looking for a motivated, organized drafting department head. This person will be responsible for establishing the drafting department and developing the standards that will be in force going forward. Now you can set it up to run as smoothly as you’ve always hoped.

Position information and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
JOB TITLE: Drafting Department Head
LOCATION: Kansas City, Missouri
EXPERIENCE: Revit Structure and at least four years of experience with AutoCAD.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
We are looking for an experienced Drafting Supervisor who has a minimum of:

• Five years drafting experience.
• Experience preparing Revit Structure and AutoCAD structural drawings using structural steel, reinforced concrete and masonry. Knowledge of wood and light gage metal is a plus.
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with other design disciplines.
• Qualified candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
Skills we are looking for include:

• Capable of training and coaching employees.
• Strong knowledge of drafting processes and procedures.
• Strong math aptitude and computer skills.
• Good use of English language for written and verbal communications.
• Excellent problem solving skills and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.


Duties in this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supervise the day to day work of the drafting department in an efficient manner.
• Lead the department in developing and maintaining drafting standards.
• Coordinate with Engineering to continuously improve the constructability of Structural Modeling & Analysis’ design.
• Evaluate, train, and develop department personnel.
• Design layout and detailed documents.
• Support design efforts with timely and accurate completion of contract drawings.
• Participate in project meetings and design reviews.
• Provide input on hardware acquisitions
• Review fabricator and supporting drafting personnel drawings for conformance to design specifications and standards.
• Provide scheduling input, hour and material estimates, drawing/document control and other coordination to fulfill contract requirements.
• Interact with project team members to transmit drawings or related material.

We offer a progressive atmosphere and a full benefits package including:

• Great compensation, commiserate with experience/ability
• Flexible scheduling
• Company provided laptop and express card
• SIMPLE IRA plan with matching contribution (up to 3.0%)
• Vacation, flex holidays(employee directed), and paid time off
• Medical insurance with subsidized health savings account
• Tuition and book reimbursement

For consideration, please forward your resume in confidence to:
Structural Modeling & Analysis
4741 Central, #515
Kansas City, Missouri 64112
Structural Modeling & Analysis is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New Web Update 1 build of Revit Structure 2009 (20080602_1900) is now available on the Web!

Dear Revit Structure users,

I would like to inform you that we have just released the English version of Web Update 1 of Revit Structure 2009 (Build 20080602_1900) for users to download. The new build can be found under the Revit Structure 2009 English product download page:

www.autodesk.com/revitstructure-downloads

P.S. The other languages version of Web Update 1 will be available in the next couple of weeks only as we are still working on it.

This new build has improved several Structure, Platform and API specific issues which are documented in the Web Update Enhancement List (pdf). In any case, I am including and copying/pasting the list in this blog for you as well:

Web Update Enhancement List
Improvements made in Web Update 1 build (20080602_1900):
Structure enhancement
· Improves stability during upgrade when line-based and structural framing families with geometry containing planes are almost parallel to the X axis.
· Floor slab thickness at cantilever of metal deck profile bound to layer above is now correct.
· Reduces the recurrence of getting “circular chain of references” error messages when braces are used as the top and bottom chords of an API assembled truss.
· Improves joist girder families and tags.
· Improves the fidelity of printing and exporting of hidden lines shown in structural and MEP views.
· Section cut through joined beams at a column will now display properly in the beams cross-section.
· Line pattern of a level type for the default metric structural templates is now changed to "Center" from "Solid".
· Elevation value of Level 1 in structural metric templates no longer displays as "-0".
· Some pre-loaded UK metal deck profiles have been renamed with manufacturer product names in the Structural Analysis-DefaultGBRENU.rte.
· Restores some structural components in SouthAsiaLibrary content bundle.
Platform enhancement
· Improves the plotting consistency of certain components that are placed over hatched elements in coordination and architectural discipline views.
· Spot elevation with Display Elevation = Top & Bottom Elevation will now report the correct bottom elevation for sloped elements.
· In plan view with medium or fine detail level, spot elevations now report the correct top or bottom elevation of a beam that is joined to a column.
· Improves stability when changing the visibility of a link in a view template.
· Improves stability when exporting to CAD formats.
· Improves stability when closing SteeringWheels.
· Improves stability when adding elements to a group.
· Families that contain arrayed voids will now function properly in the project.
· Improves stability for users with non-English operating systems when using the Open/Save dialog.
· Notes created in Revit for a DWF markup object will now propagate to the DWF after selecting publish.
· Corrects “Unable to Start” error when starting the application.
· Model lines now remain in the correct design option when split.
· Structural columns will now have a higher priority when joined to non-bearing and shear walls.
· For sweeps on an arc wall, you now have the option to change sweep returns.
· When rendering, the progress bar reports correct percent complete.
· Lights that were in a light group that was deleted are no longer controlled by the deleted light group; instead they are controlled by the Ungrouped Lights status.
· Improves the ability to enter custom DPI value in the Render dialog.
· Enabling daylight portals will now affect the rendered appearance.
· Spotting on interior renderings with many internal light sources no longer occurs.
API enhancement
· Parameter binding performance has been improved.
· The JoinType method has been implemented for the LocationCurve of structural members.
· Mullion LocationCurves are now accessible through the API.
· External programs may now suppress VSTA startup warning messages.
· The built-in parameter MATERIAL_PARAM_TRANSPARENCY now returns the correct set value.

Revit Structure Basics e-Learning

Subscription members, as part of your benefits, you can download the following through the Subscription Center or via the Communication Center located in the Info Center within the product.

Building Information Modeling

This lesson describes building information modeling (BIM).

Exploring the User Interface

This lesson describes how to use different parts of the Revit Structure user interface. You begin the lesson by learning about the parts of the user interface and the steps to display and hide the tabs on the Design Bar. Next, you learn some recommended practices for exploring the user interface. The lesson concludes with an exercise on exploring the different parts of the user interface of the software.

Working with Revit Elements and Families

This lesson describes how to work with different types of structural elements and families. You begin the lesson by learning about structural elements and families. Next, you learn some recommended practices for working with them. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with structural elements and families.

Working with Views

This lesson describes how to work with the different views listed in the Project Browser. You begin the lesson by learning about views and the use of view parameters. Then, you learn about the steps for creating a dependent view and some recommended practices for working with views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on exploring and creating views.

Controlling Object Visibility

This lesson describes how to control the visibility and graphical representation of objects in a structural model. You begin the lesson by learning about controlling object visibility and graphical representation. Then, you learn the steps to modify line styles to control object visibility and use filters. Next, you learn some recommended practices for controlling object visibility. The lesson concludes with an exercise on controlling object visibility.

Working with Elevation and Section Views

This lesson describes how to work with elevation and section views. You begin the lesson by learning about elevation and section views. Next, you learn the steps to control the visibility of elevation and section tags. You also learn some recommended practices for creating elevation and section views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with elevation and section views.

Working with 3D Views

This lesson describes how to work with 3D views. You begin the lesson by learning about 3D views and cameras and how to navigate through a 3D view. Next, you learn the steps to create and modify 3D views and change the material properties of elements in a 3D view. You also learn about some recommended practices for working with 3D views. The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with 3D views.

Starting a Project

This lesson describes how to set up a project and transfer standards between projects. A project is the database of information for the design of a building model. It includes the entire structural design and the associated documentation. You set up a project before you start creating a building model. You also need to learn how to organize your content on levels, load in content families, and set up annotations to match company standards. All these requirements can be met by setting up template files.

Adding and Modifying Levels

This lesson describes how to add and modify levels in a structural model. Levels are finite horizontal planes that act as references in a structural model for level-hosted elements such as roofs and floors. You can also use levels to define the vertical extents of walls and the vertical placement of elements such as beams and columns.

Creating and Modifying Grids

This lesson describes how to add and modify grids. Grids form the basic framework in a structural model. Grid lines are displayed on structural plans specifically for locating columns and beams.

Working with Structural Columns

This lesson describes how to work with structural columns. Structural columns are load-bearing elements having type and instance parameters. Before adding columns in a structural plan, you create a grid. You then add structural columns relative to grid intersections. By default, only a few column sizes are loaded into a project. For additional column sizes, you can load columns from the structural column libraries to the project template. You can create new structural column types by duplicating an existing column type and specifying the dimensions and other parameters.

Working with Structural Walls

This lesson describes how to create new wall types, create structural walls in a plan view, and add footings and pilasters. Structural walls resist gravity and seismic forces and are designed and scheduled accordingly. During the design phase, you add structural walls to the structural model that act as placeholders for the height and width of actual walls. You can modify predefined structural walls or use them as templates to create new custom wall types. After creating structural walls, you add footings and pilasters at the base of the walls to provide support. You can also create stepped walls and stepped footings by placing individual walls, each with its top and base elevation set based on the requirements.

Adding Floor Framing

This lesson describes how to add floor framing to a structural model by adding beams. Floor framing is a collection of elements such as girders and beams that support a floor system. Floor framing is generally supported primarily by framing members such as walls and columns. Beams are floor framing elements that form the primary support structure for the floor. In certain projects, you need to use beam webs or flanges to represent openings in a structural model. These openings allow passage of ducts, pipes, or other construction elements.

How to find e-learning

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select "Learning Resources" from left hand navigation menu
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New Feature Releases Now Available for Autodesk Subscription Customers July 11th

Special thanks always go out to Shaan Hurley for providing this information on his Between the Lines blog.

Subscription customers can download these releases including a cornucopia of e-Learning content via the Subscription Center.

AutoCAD® 2009
An Introduction to Programming in AutoCAD Video Tutorial

AutoCAD® Architecture 2009
UK Content Tools

AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009
Land Desktop Companion
Site Design - Parcels e-Learning
Site Design - Profiles e-Learning
Site Design - Grading and Quantities e-Learning
Site Design – Alignments e-Learning
Site Design - Assemblies and Corridors e-Learning
Creating an Intersection: Peer Roads e-Learning
An Introduction to Programming in Civil 3D Video Tutorial

AutoCAD® Map 3D
Survey Tools
Industry Kits for Water and Wastewater
Linking and Managing Drawing-Based Attribute Data e-Learning
Working with Geospatial Features e-Learning

AutoCAD® MEP 2009
HVAC Load Calculation Extension
UK Content Tools

AutoCAD® P&ID 2009
Introduction to AutoCAD Process and Power e-Learning

AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture Suite 2009
An Introduction to Programming in Revit Video Tutorial

AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite 2009
HVAC Load Calculation Extension
An Introduction to Programming in Revit Video Tutorial
UK Content Tools

AutoCAD® Revit Structure Suite 2009
Reinforcement Content for AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2009
An Introduction to Programming in Revit Video Tutorial
MIDAS/Gen Link

Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008
HDRI in an Autodesk 3ds Max Pipeline Downloadable DVD
Film Visual Effects in 3ds Max Downloadable DVD
Anaglyph Stereoscopic Techniques Downloadable DVD

Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009
Lighting Analysis Version Readiness Training
Backburner Version Readiness Training
FBX Interoperability Version Readiness Training
New mental rayTM Features Version Readiness Training
Various New Features Version Readiness Training
Modeling & Texturing Features Version Readiness Training
Autodesk® Impression
Working with Impression e-Learning
Working with Styles e-Learning
Working with Blocks e-Learning
Creating Impression Objects e-Learning

Autodesk® Inventor ®2009
What’s New in Inventor 2009 Part 1 Webcast (Polish Only)
What’s New in Inventor 2009 Part 2 Webcast (Polish Only)
An Introduction to Programming in Inventor Video Tutorial

Autodesk® Maya® 2008
Quadruped Animation Friendly Rigging Part III Downloadable DVD
Hand Sculpting Video Podcast
Arm Rigging Part I Video Podcast
Coloring Particles Part I Video Podcast
Autodesk® Productstream® Professional 2009
Access Control Manager

Revit® Architecture 2009
An Introduction to Programming in Revit Video Tutorial

Revit® Structure 2009
An Introduction to Programming in Revit Video Tutorial

Revit and Memory (RAM) Management

First things first and giving credit where credit is due. I do not recall who provided me with this tip. It may have been Randy Anderson, Phil Read, Daniel Hurtubise or someone else. I do not have that information in my notes. But if I inadvertently have not given credit to the real culprit, please let me know.

If you have used Revit, you probably are well aware that it is a memory hog. I found that I can open a new project and zoom in and out and watch Revit grab more and more RAM. One method to get Revit to release that RAM is to simply minimize the Revit application, wait a second and then maximize it. You can verify this by opening 'Windows Task Manager' and monitor RAM resources used by Revit.

No one from Adesk has been able to explain this to me, including my new boss, Phil Read, but I thought I would pass it along. It has come in handy from time to time when Revit throws up the dialog indicating that RAM is low.

Autodesk Enhances Sustainable Design Capabilities With Acquisitions of Ecotect and Green Building Studio Analysis Tools

Article from Forbes.com

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its on-going commitment to support the practice of sustainable design and green building in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced two acquisitions to improve building performance analysis in the building information modeling (BIM) process. Autodesk announced that it has completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets related to the Ecotect software tools for conceptual building performance analysis from both Square One Research Ltd. and Dr. Andrew Marsh. Autodesk also announced that it has completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Green Building Studio, Inc., a provider of web-based whole building energy, water and carbon-emission analysis software. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

"Buildings are a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so to combat climate change it is critical for the building industry to rapidly adopt sustainable design practices that will lead to buildings which are appreciably more efficient and eventually carbon neutral," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC solutions. "The addition of these tools to our technology portfolio will help make it easier for architects, engineers and designers to understand the impact of their design decisions on building performance earlier in the design process so they can optimize for reduced environmental impact."

The acquisitions of Ecotect and the Green Building Studio assets will support Autodesk's vision to deliver software that enables architects and engineers to design more sustainable projects. With improved building performance analysis capabilities, Autodesk will be uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive suite of software solutions for sustainable design and analysis, enabling a BIM process that can facilitate cost-effective design and delivery of high-performing, resource-efficient buildings and infrastructure.

Square One Research, Ltd. and Dr. Andrew Marsh, creator of the Ecotect environmental design and analysis tools, are based in Isle of Man. The Ecotect tools can measure how fundamental criteria, such as solar, thermal, shading, lighting, and airflow, will affect building performance in the conceptual and detailed phases of design. Their capability to forecast building performance over time better equips architects and engineers to deliver more energy efficient and sustainable building designs.

"Square One Research and Autodesk share a commitment to using technology to make the design and construction of sustainable, high-performance buildings easier and more efficient," said Dr. Andrew J. Marsh, Co-Founder and Head of Research & Development, Square One Research. "We are pleased to join Autodesk and look forward to helping develop and deliver simple and effective building performance analysis to architects and engineers around the world."

The Autodesk Green Building Studio analysis tools, now available at http://www.autodesk.com/greenbuildingstudio, provide improved design insight through whole building energy, water and carbon-emission analysis, helping architects and designers to maximize building economic and environmental performance. The tools are compatible with Autodesk design software as well as software from other industry providers through the Green Building XML (gbXML) schema and can now be directly accessed from within the Revit platform for BIM with a new plug-in now available for download. Green Building Studio Inc. launched the Green Building Studio web service in 2004.

To read more about how Autodesk and its customers are addressing sustainable design, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/green.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the impact of the acquisition on Autodesk's, product offerings and the performance of its business. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: difficulties encountered in integrating merged businesses; whether certain market segments grow as anticipated; the competitive environment in the software industry and competitive responses to the acquisition; and whether the companies can successfully develop new products or modify existing products and the degree to which these gain market acceptance.

Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Autodesk are included in the company's reports on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2008 which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO) Press Contact: Noah Cole, +1-415-200-6310 Email: noah.cole@autodesk.com SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Wii Remote Navigation Add-in for Autodesk Design Review

**Update

If you are using any of the tools from Autodesk LABS and would like to comment on the current tools or have ideas for other tools, please email the LABS at thelabs@autodesk.com.

This is a little of topic, but if you would like to see some other interesting uses for the Wii controller, I would suggest looking at Johnny Chung Lees's website.
_____________

I came across this new tool that the Autodesk Labs has put together. I am not sure of my Dell M90 laptop supports Bluetooth, if it does I will report back my success or failure with this Wii Remote tool for Design Review.
------
From http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/wiimote_adr/

Wiimote Navigation Add-in for Autodesk Design Review

At Autodesk Labs we are looking at various forms of human-computer interaction. One of them is multi-touch. Another is hand-held controllers. The Wii Remote™ (or Wiimote for short) is such a device. You can hook up a Wiimote to your Windows computer and interact with your designs using the Wiimote Navigation Add-in for Autodesk Design Review. You hold the Wiimote in your hand, move your hand, and Autodesk Design Review pans, zoom, and orbits your model. Although the Wiimote is normally associated with games, easily interacting with your designs is serious business.

The mapping of Wii buttons to Autodesk Design Review commands is very intuitive. In a mod to our experience with multi-touch using gestures, the Wiimote Navigation Add-in for Autodesk Design Review even includes one gesture - shake your Wiimote and the view of your model resets itself.

// View the Read Me (includes easy step by step instructions for setup)

Switching to BIM?User groups can help smooth the transition

From Building Design and Construction, June 2008

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor

June 1, 2008

Building Design and Construction

In Nebraska BIM users share tricks of the trade at RUGON. In Kansas City they discuss Revit at KCrevit. In Toronto ArchiCAD East users gather at ACE. Online user groups are helping individual users and whole firms make the switch to BIM less painful and more profitable. At the recent 2008 AIA Convention and Design Exposition in Boston, Autodesk announced that Revit had crossed the 300,000 seat threshold, while Bentley claimed high penetration at the bigger AEC firms. As BIM gains greater acceptance, BIM and CAD managers are turning their experiences into websites and online communities.

“When we started this group [in 2006] you could tell how many people were using the program by how they pronounced the name: a lot of people would say 'Reevit' and only a few would call it 'Revit,'” said Patrick Davis, co-founder of KCrevit.com and national CADD/BIM manager for HNTB. “But it has really taken off here in the last two years. There are a lot of smaller, more agile firms here using the technology. They can adapt to change more quickly, and we're seeing that in the user group.”

KCrevit was created by members of a BIM/CAD manager roundtable of major firms in Kansas City, among them Davis, Sandy Price of 360 Architecture, Todd Williams (who was at HOK+Sport at the time), and Chris Tschirhart of JE Dunn Construction (check out their pictures at www.kcrevit.com/member_bios/member_bios.htm). The group answers questions from users at http://kcrevit.blogspot.com and rotates occasional presentations from Revit-compatible technology providers such as RISA Technologies (a maker of 3D structural design software) and Integrated Environmental Solutions (sustainability analysis software) through the member firms. KCrevit does not charge dues and is completely independent of resellers. “We don't collect any money at all. We don't have a president or a sergeant at arms or any of that,” Davis said. “We all have jobs. But I can tell that I've benefited from the dialogue we've developed. I now have friends at other firms who have shared success and failure stories with this technology, and they know all of mine now, too.”

Davis said the biggest issue his members have is BIM training and how to implement BIM in their firms. Users also frequently ask about the best project types to use as first BIM projects.

In Toronto, Andy Thomson of Altius Architecture and Sustain Design Studio has had a similar experience. Thomson would visit different firms in Toronto and help train and establish office standards for Graphisoft's ArchiCAD BIM program. He repeated the same groups and meetings at several different firms before realizing he needed to get more systematic about it.

“I started blogging just for my own records,” Thomson said, “and then I realized, Why not share this with the community?”

Thomson was inspired by the support community that had been built among ArchiCAD users and their firms in California, but there was nothing like that on the East Coast. Thus, in 2005, ArchiCAD East was born. The ACE community now has members from Toronto (Altius, Architects Alliance) to Atlanta (CUH2A).

“Design firms are so busy these days that they don't have the time for training,” Thomson said. “We can answer those common, mundane questions that always come up like 'How do you do a photo rendering (with artificial-looking light) in ArchiCAD?'”

Thomson developed—and shares for free—Electrigon, a parametric ArchiCAD electrical energy modeling object. For years there were hundreds of electrical symbols used in ArchiCAD to simulate light and electrical loads. Electrigon made it possible to throw them all out. Instead of just putting a light object in your model, Electrigon's parameters have all the energy and output requirements smartly built in. You can enter a light fixture's Energy Star rating, its wattage, and how long it will be on during the day. Electrigon can simulate almost any electrical appliance and its performance in an ArchiCAD model.

“If you put one Electrigon object in for every appliance, you can use ArchiCAD's scheduling function to see how much energy the building uses and what its carbon footprint is,” Thomson said. By creating useful tools like Electrigon, users can push software developers like Graphisoft to enhance their programs. “We're saying, 'Look at what we did with your software. Can't you give us more tools like it?' We want to put that kind of pressure on the developers.”

ArchiCAD East has shown users how to use the scheduling function in ArchiCAD to develop budgets and scheduling. Many firms are developing internal BIM user groups to address questions related to budgets and integrated project delivery. HOK has an internal BIM website that shares BIM success stories and tips. The 24 BIM managers from all of HOK's offices meet regularly with SVP and firmwide CAD director Mario Guttman to exchange ideas.

Leo A Daly is using BIM on most of its projects today and has completed several BIM projects, including a hospital at Georgia State University and several GSA Immigration Centers.

“Inside the firm we would always have a hard time getting the people who were happy with CAD and didn't want to learn BIM to come to the table,” said Craig Thomas, Leo A Daly's BIM practice leader in the firm's Omaha, Neb., headquarters. He's also on the National BIM standard committee and founded RUGON, the Revit User Group of Nebraska.

“We quickly learned if they're getting training and not using it, it's not useful. Now we train everyone on a project and that makes the acceptance come faster. On our hospital work the projects are complex enough to need BIM but also have tight deadlines, so they're really perfect for BIM and the architects trained on them come out converts.”

If you're addressing firmwide change, as HOK is doing with its BuildingSMART initiative and integrated project delivery (http://hokcadsolutions.blogspot.com), it's probably better to use internal groups than to rely on local user groups. “IPD isn't something I'd tackle with the user group,” KCrevit's Davis said. “I wouldn't know where to start.”

Jacobs Engineering Group of Pasadena, Calif., has been using BIM for two and a half years and has developed five different BIM working groups within the firm, including a vendor group that works directly with their Bentley and Autodesk software providers. BIM guru Gary Koah says the firm has completed 20 BIM projects and has 50 more in the pipeline. As with Leo A Daly, all training at Jacobs is done on actual projects. The firm's internal Quickstart program trains new users for at least a week on a project.

“People are more passionate about their projects,” Koah said. “It drives home that placing a wall in a model is better than placing a line in CAD. For us it's getting as many people as is humanly possible working in the process and practice.”

STL Exporter for the Revit 2009 Platform

**From http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/revit_stl/

Create 3D Prints of your Revit 2009 models. As architects and engineers start their digital designs earlier and keep them digital for longer, they want a way to still physically interact with their designs. With the economical availability of 3D printers this has become possible. 3D printed models increasingly serve as a critical part of the design process to study design options and improve communication between project members and owners. The STL Exporter for the Revit 2009 family of products is a proof of concept project that we are working on. It is designed to take a 3D Revit building information model and create an STL file that can be used for 3D Printing. We invite you to take it for a spin and see what you think. We look forward to hearing your feedback.

To Get Started

1. Download the ZIP package that cantinas the installer, installation and user instructions, and a feedback form.
2. Unzip the downloaded ZIP file.
3. Follow the Read Me file to install the STL Exporter.
4. The next time you open Revit 2009 you will see a new option called Export STL under the Tools::External Tools menu.

To Use It

1. Load a model and select a 3D view that you want to use as the bases for your print.
2. Using the instructions in the Read Me file set up your 3D view in the one of the Revit 2009 family of products.
3. Export the model using the command under the Tools::External Tools menu.
4. Make any required changes to the STL file using an STL viewer.
5. Print the STL file using a 3D Printer.
6. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Download available at: http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/revit_stl/term_and_condition/

Subscription e-Learning tools

Autodesk Subscription members as part of their benefits, can download the new e-Learning items listed below. You can access these downloads via the Subscription Center or via the Communication Center within the product.

AutoCAD 2009: Introduction to 3D Modeling e-Learning
AutoCAD Architecture 2009: Migration Assistant: Import/Export Module
AutoCAD MEP 2009:
Migration Assistant: Import/Export Module
Electrical Essentials e-Learning
Plumbing Essentials e-Learning
Piping Essentials e-Learning
HVAC Essentials e-Learning

Autodesk Inventor® 2009
Interacting with an Assembly e-Learning
Annotating Assembly Drawings e-Learning
Drawing Standards and Resources e-Learning
Basic View Creation e-Learning
Dimensions, Annotations, and Tables e-Learning

Autodesk Maya 2008
Creating a Character Foot Rig Video Podcast
Camera Control Video Podcast
API Overview Downloadable DVD

Autodesk Productstream 2009
Working with Autodesk Productstream e-Learning
Autodesk Vault 2009
Maintaining and Populating a Vault e-Learning

Revit Architecture 2009
Construction Documentation e-Learning
Presenting the Building Model e-Learning

Revit MEP 2009
Revit MEP Basics e-Learning

In case you haven't started reading it, Phil Read formerly of Autodesk Consulting has joined HNTB Architecture and started started a Arch | Tech blog. His latest post is on the weakness of the current Revit Warnings system.

In case you haven't started reading it, Phil Read formerly of Autodesk Consulting has joined HNTB Architecture and started started a Arch | Tech blog. His latest post is on the weakness of the current Revit Warnings system.

I used to be one of those users that didn't concentrate too much on warnings, until I started working with Daniel Hurtubise. It took Daniel all of a half hour to show me the importance of addressing warnings immediately. Yes, I know that is not always possible, but it is a good practice. (If you are a non-believer, send Daniel an email and I am sure he will provide you with a demo).

Since then I have been working with Phil and Autodesk Consulting (and yes they still have some assume talent there) on addressing warnings. While we have been documenting many warnings to provide the user with greater insight on how to correct them, the ability to access and track warnings has been lacking.

When Phil joined HNTB, one of the topics I was hoping would be addressed is the issue of accessing and tracking warnings and during the recent AIA Large Firm Roundtable BIM Implementors meeting, Phil let one of the Revit Architecture product managers aware of his thoughts about how the warning system could be improved ad what would happen if this didn't get done. So, I thought I would include the text from his blog.

One final note, Autodesk is monitoring his blog, so if you have a comment to make about the warning system, by all means comment.

Dear Anthony,

The cultural challenge with Warnings in Revit is the present lack of accountability. Users are smart enough to know there's something amiss in the file. But they have no idea where to point (or give) the finger. Or fingers.

Warnings also provide some indication as to the learning and experience level of members on a team. Warnings indicate when users have decided to work in a way that is expedient rather than deliberate. Reviewing Warnings allow people to learn from their own mistakes. Or better yet - they allow people to learn from another team member's mistake. ;)

Unfortunately, many users and teams tend to put off reviewing / resolving Warnings as there's no sense of ownership. This makes project management really difficult. By the time you need to review warnings - it's often too late. And who should fix what?

So I'd propose the following stuff with regard to Warnings:

1. Warnings should be maintained in a regular Revit Schedule. Stop hiding them in a dialog at the bottom of a Tools Menu.

2. Project Managers would like to know the Workset Username responsible for generating the Warning. This would allow Warnings to be scheduled per user name - which would impose a sense of accountability in the Revit database.

3. Original date / time stamp helps the team track the frequency of Warnings against project development.

4. Like any other Schedule in Revit , the ability to jump from line item / to context of project location.

5. Some indication of severity (for ranking purposes). All warnings are not created equal.

6. Counts / Totals / Types of Warnings. Now the project manager knows who (typically) on a team is responsible for the bulk of Warnings so they can remedy the situation, and prevent its recurrence.

Overall, this added functionality compels team members to preemptively fix what they have broken. Project Managers can quickly get a sense project dynamics. And the rest of the team isn't penalized with one or two team member's lack of discipline.