Bentley Tools working with Revit

A few weeks ago Phil Read, Todd Williams and myself traveled to Exton, PA to the Bentley Headquarters to get an overview of some of the technology that they are developing and how that might fit into HNTB Architecture's workflow. Now for the record, HNTB Architecture is primarily an Autodesk shop and we are transitioning from using AutoCAD/ADT to Revit. We have Architecture and Structure in house.

I should mention this as well. I don't really care for ADT/AutoCAD Architecture that Revit is available. I think ADT is a powerful tool, but it has a very steep learning curve and there are way too many options to complete a task manage some kind of setting. As I mentioned, it is a great tool and HNTB is incredible fortunate to have Todd Williams on staff to manage that beast. But ADT is a beast that has to be managed.

Admittedly I have not used MicroStation in a very long time. But when I see a demo or someone using it, I see essentially ADT with a different interface. So, just like ADT, I really don't care for MicroStation.

That being said, I was very impressed with Bentley's Generative Components. I could try to describe Generative Compoenents but I think the following from Bentley's web site sums it up rather well: "Generative Components is an associative and parametric modeling system used by architects and engineers to automate the design processes and accelerate design iterations." Really cool product and definately something to look at regardless of what you think of Bentley or MicroStation you should take a look at Generative Components.

You might also be surprised to know that Bentley has a product called "ProjectWise Navigator" which is meant to be similar to NavisWorks.

Bentley is also working to enhance their structural analysis aplication links to Revit Structure and I look forward to seeing a demo of how their FM package work with Revit as well.

It was an interesting and informative trip to Exton. And surprisingly, they just let Phil walk around.

Revit 2009 Platform Update

Autodesk has released the new Web Updates, Service Packs, or Builds (wish they would stick with a name) for the Revit 2009 platform.

What is new for this release is that you are now able to install just the "update" to an existing installation.

Here are the links of note.

Revit Architecture 2009 downloads
Revit Structure 2009 downloads
Revit MEP 2009 dowloads

There is of course a very LONG list of fixes / improvements that you can find from the links above.

For subscription customers, you can now download the 64-bit version of Revit. I used the beta of Revit Architecture 64-bit on a couple different Dell workstations with either 4GB or 16GB of RAM running XP 64-bit and saw noticeable stability and performance improvements.

You can download the 64-bit versions of Revit from the Autodesk Subscription site. On the left side of the screen you will see "Product Downloads". Click on that link and you will then be able to download the 64-bit versions from the list. Keep in mind that you need to be running a 64-bit operating system in order to use these versions of Revit.

Competition for Revit Architecture?

Revit is a great tool and a major improvement over 2D or 3D CAD Systems, but sometimes don't you just wish there was something better. Enter Lego Digital Designer. We can argue all day long whether it is BIM or not, but in the end, who care. It has some features that may make an interesting addition to your toolset.



Lego Digital Designer is aimed at users who just want to play around a little before actual construction. All kiddy aside, I was pretty amoazed with this graphics-intensive program that works. You can zoom in and out, rotate your point-of-view 360 degrees, connect bricks to each other, rotate them, and move any hinges that they might have to explore just how your various pieces fit together. It also feature a build in cost modeling tool, blast simulation and the inability to create situations where building compoents will clash.


















(above) Accurate Cost Detailed Cost Estimates


















(above) Blast Simulation

Revit Jobs

Revit Technician
Responsibility:
Job duties include developing and preparing plans and detail drawings per Architectural Graphic Standards for projects using construction materials such as steel, concrete, masonry and wood. Create drawings from sketches, field notes, self knowledge or direct instruction. Modifying drawings from engineers redlines.

Requirement:
The successful candidate must have a minimum of 2 years experience in structural drafting and an Associate’s Degree in Drafting, or 4 years experience in structural drafting. Candidate must be proficient in Revit Structure, Autocad 2008 or 2009 and Microsoft Office.


CAD Technician/Field Technician
Responsibility:
The candidate will perform approximately 50% CAD Tech operations and 50% Field Technician services. The design responsibilities will pertain to building and parking lot structures. Field service responsibility will include surveys and measurements.

Requirement:
The candidate must have a minimum of three years experience in structural CAD drafting, a team-oriented attitude and strong communication skills. Knowledge of Revit Structure is a plus. Candidate must have a good general knowledge of structural engineering terminology and a sharp attention to detail.

Any individuals that are interested can send their resume to Josh McDaniel at jmcdaniel@pegstaff.com or I can be reached at 913.451.6922.

Autodesk University

Last Chance to Save US$500

You cannot put a price on the expert knowledge and business contacts you'll gain at AU 2008—but you can put a price on claiming your Early Bird discount: US$500. So visit the AU conference website—and save US$500 when you register by October 10.

Get the Experience You Need
AU 2008 features more than 600 in-depth technical, business, and industry sessions—including special Keynotes, a forward-thinking Design Leadership program, PowerTrack immersion courses, and a Sustainability track that goes beyond the “green” hype.

Here are just a few of the sessions that will interest architects, designers, and visualization specialists:

Autodesk® 3ds Max® Animation Concepts for Architectural Animation
Daylight and Lighting Analysis with Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009
From 3D to 4D: Using Autodesk® 3ds Max® and NavisWorks® to Take America’s Largest Infrastructure Project into the Fourth Dimension
Parametric Design Modeling with Autodesk® 3ds Max®
Creative Animation Techniques Used to Reveal Models in Advanced Visualization Projects
In addition to the comprehensive design visualization course lineup, this year’s event brings a twist: four informative classes revealing how design innovation informs the creation of your favorite films and games from makers like Pixar and Blue Sky. These classes will provide a fun and refreshing approach to design innovation.

The M&E keynote is doing something completely new! In addition to our compelling design visualization content, we are introducing entertainment material that will inspire experts, like you, to think differently about design and innovation. Our keynote is wrapped around the theme of 3December®. The 3December event will provide a unique opportunity to get an insider’s glimpse of future technology, listen to industry visionaries, network, share knowledge, and honor the passion of 3D design and visualization.

Plus: Hear about the latest solutions from more than 100 Autodesk partners in the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall, participate in the AU Unplugged “unconference” and the AU Design Slam competition (powered by Cut&Paste), take advantage of numerous professional networking events, and much more.

Check Out Our Podcasts
Autodesk experts have a lot to say—and they are saying it in AU Beat podcasts.

Register By October 10 and Save US$500
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Sincerely,


The Autodesk University Team
Autodesk, Inc.
111 McInnis Parkway
San Rafael, CA 94903
autodeskuniversity@autodeskevents.com
1-888-371-1722 (toll-free in the United States)
1-415-446-7717 (outside the United States)

WAN Acceleration Hotfix

Scott Brisk in his AutoCAD MEP blog has a very good posting on the WAN Acceleration Hotfix. If you are using WAN Acceleration, then you definitely want to read his postings for forward it onto your IT group.

Really cool Online Storage - Drop Box

Dropbox is a new service (I believe it is still in beta) which provides a method that requires little to no effort to keep files on your desktop or laptop synced with other computers.

Without going into a lot of detail, DropBox is essentially a folder on your machine (PC or Mac). You can then add additional folders and files to the DropBox folder and any changes that you make (add, edit, copy, delete, rename, etc) will automatically be synced to the DropBox server.

Rather than doing a very poor description of what DropBix can do, view the screencast here about the produvt. And thanks to Phil Read for pointing out this service to me.

*** Off Topic - Disaster Planning

My girlfriend is a member of CERT (no clue what it stands for) and is involved in emergency response situations and she provided me with this information on planning a disaster plan for your family (No Mira I have not done one for myself). And if you are in the Kansas City area, participants willing to play "victims" in a disaster drill are needed.

There is a great deal of information and many resources available at http://www.preparemetrokc.org/

If you have not put together you family’s disaster plan, just click on “Make a plan” and it will lead you through the process.

Disaster Drill Need more Participants

Also we still have need for more participants to take part in the Disaster scenario on September 27th. If you have not yet signed up, please consider joining us. Capt. Sanches has put together a great exercise. We will meet for an orientation and briefing to the exercise at Fire Admin, 1225 S. Hamilton Circle, at noon that day. The exercise will then be held at the old Lakeside Hills golf course on the east side of Lake Olathe. Please let me know if you can participate. http://www.preparemetrokc.org/

Looking for FREE Training

As a BIM Manager, I am always looking for a simple (Phil would say "elegent") solutions to day-to-day problems. Training is a huge problem and I have yet to find a elegent canned solution. But there are some good resources that can be leveraged. One of those resources is from AUGI. The AUGI Training Program offers some free classes and the new September classes have begun. They are:

ATP215 - Intermediate Revit Structure.The second of three, this course teaches the intermediate functionality of Revit Structure.

ATP226 - Revit Architecture 2009 to 3ds MAX Design 2009 - FastTrack.In this session you will learn how data moves from Revit into 3ds Max.

ATP231 - AutoCAD Electrical fourth level.This class will show you how to create additional panel layouts, start from a panel and insert components and nameplates. Assign panel footprints, insert DIN rails and terminal strips and foot print balloon insertion to document your panel layouts.

For more information, visit the AUGI Training Program. If you are not already an AUGI member, you will need to register and it is FREE.

Revit Global Light Utility for Max

As I am sure most of you know, a couple of the Autodesk resellers are developing custom tools for Revit and providing them to you at no charge. Yes you will have to register and yes a salesperson will probably call you, but some of these tools are useful. Imaginit is now doing this and offering their first tool, Revit Global Light Utility for Max. I have not used this tool but would be interested in getting any feedback from anyone who has. And be sure to visit Avatech for their free Revit Utilities.

About the Revit Global Light Utility for Max (from the Imaginit site)

This utility for 3ds Max, developed by IMAGINiT Technologies, globally turns ON lights coming from Revit. (These light are OFF by default from Revit.) In addition to 'All ON/All OFF', the utility allows you to separate each specific kind of light (Daylight, Photometric, etc.) or Selected Lights.

The powerful combination of Revit® Architecture and 3ds Max® Design enables designers to extend the building information modeling process, ease the aggregation of additional scene elements, enjoy advanced texturing and modeling tools for quick iterations of rendered images, animate objects, or add special effects.

3ds Max Design integrates the new Exposure™ daylight simulation and analysis system, helping architects and designers to better understand direct and indirect light intensity for both natural and artificial light. The ability to tune results based on latitude and longitude, orientation, time of day and year, even weather settings. 3ds Max Design 2009 helps quickly collect and export design data for further study against indoor environmental lighting quality requirements, such as LEED EQ Credit 8.1.

Configure Revit to Calc total Steel Tonnage

Ran across this tutorial on the Configuring Revit Structure to Calculate Steel Tonnages on the Connected blog by Jason Pratt, Mike Gemmell and Rick Crider (all of Autodesk). First time I have seen the blog and this is a great tip for Revit Structure users.