AU 2008 - HNTB Sessions

Another class that HNTB Architecture was asked to present (two weeks ago I believe) is:

AB314-3 Custom Stairs and Railings in Revit Architecture

In this session, students will learn how to create families for posts, balusters, panels, railings, and stair nosing. Focusing on design for high-end commercial and residential projects, this class will dive directly into the use of the Family Editor to physically build the components needed. Once the families are established, the class will move to Assembly in the project to expose the difficulties designers face. The commercial portion of the class will cover extruded steel with glass panels; the residential portion will cover custom handrails and raised panels. You’ll also learn how to design winding and spiral staircases, as well as how to create custom materials with wood hatching that you can apply to the stair components to give the stairs and railings your personal touch.

Since we did not originally propose this class, Phil Read, Todd Williams and I have taken a little creative liberty to change the ciriculum a little. We will be focusing on:

Introduction

UI / Understanding the Dialog Boxes (what they do)
Images and Notes
General Best Practices
Maintain Detail Level
Start Generic>Move to Specific
Copy Paste
Stair / Railing Template
Leverage Other Projects

Conventional Custom Stairs with the Stair Tool
Core Functionality
UI / Dialog Boxes
Best Practices
Tips / Tricks
Conventional Examples

Unconventional Custom Stairs without the Stair Tool
Specialty Equipment / Casework
Pros: Very Detailed / Control / Kit of Parts
Cons: Scheduling / Graphic Standards

Conventional Custom Railings
Core Functionality
UI / Dialog Boxes
Best Practices
Tips / Tricks
Conventional Examples

Unconventional Custom Railings
Advantages / Disadvantages
Repetitive Elements: Planting / Outdoor Lighting / Train Tracks?
Pros:
Cons:
Curtain Wall Tool
Pros: Contain Space / Baluster Unlock and Move
Cons: Scheduling
Unconventional Examples

Best Practices
Examples

Conclusion

So, if you have any have any comments or suggestions, please let me know.

AU 2008 Class Highlights

For those attending AU 2008, I thought I would post some classes that I think are interesting. Horrible Hacks is going to be a very interesting classes with Steve Mintz, Sean Burke and Bob DeFeo. I have promised not to release any advanced information or tips from the class, but I will throw this out (sorry Steve). If you are working on projects that routinely require you to create multi-segmented grids, you want to attend this class. Steve is going to demonstrate a very elegant solution to a problem that Autodesk should have fixed many releases ago.

“Horrible Hacks™” 

(and Other Tips & Tricks for Revit® Power Users) 

Steve Mintz, P.E.  – Revit Structure Technical Consultant 

Sean Burke, Assoc. AIA  – Revit Architecture Technical Consultant 

Bob DeFeo  – Revit MEP Technical Consultant 

 

SE404-1P Have you ever seen a stunt demonstration with the tagline:  "Warning! Do not 

attempt at home!”? This class presents the latest tips, tricks, and hacks developed by the Revit 

Experts of the Autodesk Consulting Team. Years on the front lines of the most complicated 

projects have fostered out-of-the-box thinking to create solutions in ways you would never 

imagine. Advanced problems require advanced solutions; we present to you our latest and most 

innovative solutions for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP. 

 

Revit® Platform 

Looped and Offset Grids 

Dimensionless Dimensions 

Quickly Rename Levels 

Layered and Graded Site 

Phased and Packaged Submittals 

Oops, I Forgot to Uncheck “Visible by Default” for my Workset 

 

Revit® Architecture 

Curved and Complex Ceilings 

When is a Floor not a Floor? 

Museum Board Renderings for Revit® 2009 

 

Revit® Structure 

Scheduling Wide Flange Area and Weight 

Steel Take-offs in PSF using Global Parameters 

Parking Garage Floors 

 

 

Revit® MEP 

Create Conduit 

Cable Trays

AU 2008 - HNTB Sessions

I am not sure what it is at HNTB Architecture and Autodesk University, but we seem to get asked to do classes at the last minute. One of the classes will be on "Autodesk and Virtualization: A Discussion of Best Practices and First Hand User Experiences".

If you are interested, here is some additional information.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM December 4, 2008
Location: Casanova 604

Hi All -

FYI - this was posted in the AUGI forums as well in order to raise awareness
and generate interest at AU2008. Hope to see you there. - Phil

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

If you're experienced (or just really interested) in virtualized solutions
for Autodesk's suite of design tools:

AU Unplugged - The AU Unconference:
Topic: "Autodesk and Virtualization: A Discussion of Best Practices and
First Hand User Experiences"
Hosted by: Phil Read, Vice President | Director of Technology
HNTB Architecture
When:2pm-2.50pm, Thursday December, 4th
Where: Casanova 604

Details:
Recent advances in virtualization has legitimized our ability to run
Autodesk’s suite of design applications in virtual environments. And in
addition to Parallels and VM Ware, Sun has recently introduced their
VirtualBox solution!

AU2007 introduced “Running Revit in Virtualization.” But it’s not just about
Revit anymore. If you look at the AUGI forums it becomes obvious that many
of Autodesk's solutions are being run in virtualization. So I’m suggesting
that we put our heads together and figure it out for the benefit of each
other and Autodesk:

* What industries are running Autodesk’s solutions in virtualization? AEC?
Automotive? Manufacturing?
* Revit? Inventor? Max? AutoCAD?
* What are the Host OS's? Apple / Linux / Windows?
* VM Solutions? VMWare / Parallels / Sun
* Overall Pros and Cons?
* Settings / Hardware / Connectivity / Configurations
* Finally: Best Practices and real-world production experience from real end
users.

Hope to see you all there!

Phil

Save to Central

Because of my post on Large Project Management, I received some emails about creating a Central file, what is the difference between the Save to Central options and how to determine if you are in the Central file. Rather than recreating the wheel, I thought I would point you to some good blogs on the subject.

Save to Central:

In Steve Stafford's RevitOpEd he has a brief but easy to follow explanation of what need to be done to create a Central File. The article is called Central File in "Four Easy Steps".

Save to Central options:

Nicholas lyadurai has a blog called Revitize - Another Revit Blog and one of his posts entitled "Save to Central differences" 

Working in the Central file:

As we have all come to expect, Steve Stafford's RevitOpEd has an excellent article on when it is ok to work in the Central file. It's called, Working in the Central File - Breaking the Rule.

Central or Local File:

The last topic that I want to cover is a very good article again by Steve Stafford on determining whether a file is either a Central file or Local file. The article is called "Stand Alone? Central File? How can I tell?"

Steve has been blogging for awhile. He does a very good job and has numerous articles on the subject of the Central file.

AIA Integrated Project Delivery Guilde

The AIA recently published a document on Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). It's an interesting document worth reading.

Integrated Project Delivery leverages early contributions of knowledge and expertise through the utilization of new technologies, allowing all team members to better realize their highest potentials while expanding the value they provide throughout the project lifecycle.

This Integrated Project Delivery Guide (jointly developed by AIA’s Contract Documents Committee and the AIA California Council) is offered as a tool to assist owners, designers and builders to move toward integrated models and improved design, construction and operations processes. The goal of the Guide is to identify the characteristics of IPD and to provide specific information and guidance on how to utilize IPD methods to achieve enhanced design, construction and operations processes.

The Guide begins with introductory material about the principles of IPD and points of consideration in a generic sense, moves through a study of implementation of IPD and culminates with discussion of application of general IPD principles within the specific framework of common delivery models used in the marketplace today. When thoughtfully considered, absorbed, and then applied, the principles and techniques outlined in this guide should allow readers to be able to:

Understand principles of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD);
Understand the value propositions of IPD from the perspective of various stakeholders;
Organize non-traditional delivery methods and alternative team relationships for improved project performance, understanding the necessary qualifications / attributes of team members;
Assess interest and adequate knowledge resources within ones team;
Discern subtle difference between possible models for IPD;
Advocate the benefit of an integrated delivery model;
Understand the issues that must be addressed in an integrated project delivery document;
With the appropriate resources, write an agreement based on integrated project delivery principles;
Implement IPD principles to proceed with confidence during this time of change.

Integrated Project Delivery and BIM

I am a big advocate of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and as I was going thru my desktop and My Documents folder and I ran across this graphic from Autodesk on IPD. I think it does a great job providing a very general overview of the IPD process. Just wish implementing IPD was as simple as the graphic makes it look.

AU Unplugged - Vote by Nov 5th

AU Unplugged

Welcome to AU’s “unconference” space, where session content is created and driven by participants. AU provides the venue and you provide the topics. AU Unplugged will help move some of the great hallway conversation that folks at AU have into a low-key classroom setting so attendees with similar interests can join in.

Vote for Your Favorite Topics—Voting Ends November 5

What a lineup! Cast your vote for as many of the 50 excellent topics—submitted by AU 2008 registrants and speakers, and Autodesk employees—as you'd like. We will publish the "winning" sessions here and offer them in AU Unplugged.

Guidelines for a Successful AU Unplugged Session

• Discussions only! No lectures.
• No product or service promotion or selling!
• The Law of Two Feet applies—if you’re not learning or contributing, leave.
• The perfect participants—the right people are the ones who show up.

Revit Structure Extensions Update

From BIM and Beam

The fall vintage of the Revit Extensions is now available

This is time again for our new set of Extensions. We have 5 new pretty cool free of charge Extensions for our dear customers on subscription:

Static Analysis of 2D frames
Static Analysis of continuous beams
Retaining wall reinforcement
Slab corner reinforcement
Automatic reinforcement for multiple elements together
These Extensions plus all of the others are available in English, French, Italian, Polish, German and Chinese and you can learn more about them at http://www.extensions4revit.com/

In order to download these Extensions please go to our subscription portal at http://subscription.autodesk.com/

The Static analysis of 2D frames and continuous beams Extensions are in the spirit of the slab analysis and the truss analysis. We like to call them simulation analysis. They allow our users to do quick analysis inside Revit Structure instead of doing hand calcs or to reenter the info in other small analysis tools. The reason why we call them simulation analysis is because our users will be able to easily simulate multiple options and create "what if" scenario. By making better decisions early in the design process, our customers will be able to produce better designs.

Static Analysis of 2D frames:

This extension lets you perform static analysis of a 2D frame defined in a Revit Structure model. It uses information from Revit Structure such as: frame geometry, frame members, constraints/supports, load cases, load combinations and loads. Results are displayed in both graphical (diagrams) and tabular form. Additionally, results may be presented in the form of a report (in the HTML format). The report for a frame can be printed, saved to a file or sent to a MS Excel© or MS Word© document.

Static Analysis of continuous beams:

This extension allows you to perform static analysis of a single or multi-span beam defined in a Revit Structure model. It uses information directly from Revit Structure such as: beam geometry, constraints/supports, load cases, load combinations and loads. Results are displayed in both graphical (diagrams) and tabular form. Additionally, results may be presented in the form of a report (in the HTML format). The report for a beam can be printed, saved to a file or sent to a MS Excel© or MS Word© document.

Reinforcement of slab corners:

This extension allows you to define both simple and complex reinforcement patterns for slab corners. It creates true 3D "intelligent" rebar data in Revit® Structure. It lets you define various types of reinforcement in corners with angles between 45 and 135 degrees. Just like any other Extension reinforcement macros, the model could be sent to AutoCAD Structural Detailing for automatic shop drawings

Reinforcement of retaining walls:

This extension creates true 3D "intelligent" rebar data in Revit® Structure. It lets you define reinforcement for a wall, footing, key and shelves, including inclined walls.

Just like any other Extension reinforcement macros, the model could be sent to AutoCAD Structural Detailing for automatic shop drawings

For this Extension, you need to make sure to download the right retaining wall profiles on the subscription site as well.

Automatic Reinforcement Generation:

Last but not least, this is a great Extension that you can consider as an umbrella Extension that drives all of the other Reinforcement Extensions

This extension lets you automatically generate reinforcement for a complete building or a selection of elements in the current project. The reinforcement is generated using default values of parameters for each typical reinforced concrete element, based on templates previously stored in data files, or defined by the user on an ongoing basis.

We have now a large library of reinforcement macros that you can use for many projects. They will allow you to populate rebar in Revit Structure, get quantities and specific details. As these Extensions allow you to communicate with AutoCAD Structural Detailing, you can also produce the shop drawings for these typical components (learn more)

Enjoy these new tools and get even more productive!

Nicolas

Get Certified on Autodesk Products at AU 2008 for FREE!!!!

From Shaan Hurley's Between the Lines blog

28 October 2008

Are you Attending AU 2008, Get Certified on Autodesk Products Free
Are you certifiable? This year at AU 2008 the Autodesk Product Certification exams are FREE. Just pick up one or more vouchers at the Autodesk Education & Learning booth in the AU 2008 Exhibit Hall. It is first come, first served due to limited space so make a direct and fast line for the Autodesk Education & Learning booth when the Exhibit Hall first opens.

AutoCAD
AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk Inventor
Revit Architecture

Autodesk University 2008 Certification-related activities include the following:
Onsite Testing – AutoCAD®, AutoCAD® Architecture, Autodesk® Inventor®, Revit® Architecture, and AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software. Exams available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Certification Preparation Classes – Classes designed to help you pass the AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor 2009 Associate and Professional Certification exams.

Academic Certification Class – Educators should be sure to attend Academic Certification: Give Your Students a Head Start in their Design Careers to learn more about offering their students Autodesk Professional Certification at affordable academic pricing.

Professional Certification Class – Want to hear what it’s all about? For an overview of the new 2009 program, attend Getting Certified: Get the Recognition and Rewards You Deserve.
Autodesk Bookstore – The spot to purchase Certification preparation materials from Autodesk Learning. In the Exhibit Hall.

More Details: http://au.autodesk.com/event/campusclass/certification/

This is one more reason and benefit why attending AU 2008 is cost effective and a great way to be more productive and network with the best in the world. You can also show your experience and knowledge in a official certification when you return back home to your office.

Cheers, Shaan

ADAPT-Builder link for Revit Structure

From BIM and Beam

ADAPT-Builder - integration link for Revit Structure is now available!

Revit Structure 2009 meets ADAPT-Builder.

The 3rd generation of the integration link is now available.

The bi-directional integration offers ease-of-use by directly transferring model information from Revit Structure to ADAPT and back at the basic physical model level.

Carry out your detailed slab and foundation system design using ADAPT's powerful 3D finite element analysis engines (ADAPT-Floor Pro and MAT) that automatically create analytical models from your imported Revit Structure model. Transfer potential geometry changes as well as reinforcement objects from ADAPT-Builder back into Revit Structure.

This saves hours in redundant model manipulation, data entry and dramatically reduces coordination errors.

View ADAPT-Revit integration video…

For more information, please go visit ADAPT

AU 2008 - Buddy Pass

From the AU 2008 website and Phil Read of HNTB Architecture.

AU 2008 Buddy Pass: “Economic Stimulus” for New Registrants

A tough economic climate demands the competitive edge only Autodesk University can deliver:

In-depth product training on all the software you use every dayPowerful business strategies and industry insights from trusted expertsThe best networking opportunities you’ll find anywhere
You don’t want to miss AU 2008—and we don’t want you to miss it either. To make it easier for you to attend, Autodesk has announced the AU 2008 Buddy Pass offer.

The AU 2008 Buddy Pass Offer from Autodesk

The Buddy Pass offer begins at 9:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5.

The first 100 people to register and fully pay for a regular* AU 2008 pass can invite a “buddy” to register for free.

When the 100 free Buddy Passes are gone, people who register and fully pay for a regular AU 2008 pass can invite a buddy to register for only US$595.

In addition, anyone who registered and fully paid for a regular AU 2008 pass before November 5 at 9:00 a.m. (PT) can also invite a “buddy.”

Note: The AU 2008 Buddy Pass offer is for a limited time only. Autodesk may end this offer at any time without notice.
Note: Only one (1) Buddy Pass per fully paid regular AU 2008 pass.

* Regular = four-day, all-inclusive

What’s Included In the Buddy Pass—and What Isn’t

Buddy Passes provide full access to all AU 2008 classes and functions.Buddy Passes do not include hotel.Buddy Passes do not include pre-registration for classes and labs—the Buddy Pass holder may attend classes and labs only if there is room available, and will be seated five minutes after the class or lab has begun.

Who’s Eligible—and Who Isn’t

Those who register and fully pay for a regular four-day, all-inclusive AU 2008 pass qualify for the Buddy Pass offer starting on November 5 at 9:00 a.m. (PT).Those who do not qualify for this offer include AU Speakers, Autodesk employees, Exhibitors, and any other holders of discounted passes.

How to Take Advantage of the AU 2008 Buddy Pass Offer If…

You Are NOT Currently Registered for AU 2008

Register online on, or after, November 5, starting at 9:00 a.m. (PT).

A site notice will tell you if:

A free Buddy Pass is still available—orA US$595 Buddy Pass is still available—or The Buddy Pass offer is no longer available

If a Buddy Pass is available, and you complete the registration process, during confirmation a promotion code will be generated. Give that code to your buddy to use when registering. Depending on which Buddy Pass offer is available to you, your buddy can register for free or US$595. If the Buddy Pass offer is no longer available, no code will be generated, and no Buddy Pass will be offered.

Note: Online registration ends November 14.

You ARE Currently Registered for AU 2008

Contact the Autodesk University Registration Team—see contact information, below—on, or after, November 5 starting at 9:00 a.m. (PT), and request a Buddy Pass promotion code.

A member of the AU Registration Team will tell you if:

A free Buddy Pass is still available—orA US$595 Buddy Pass is still available—orThe Buddy Pass offer is no longer available
If you hold a regular, fully paid four-day, all-inclusive AU 2008 pass, and a Buddy Pass is available, you will be given a promotion code. Give that code to your buddy to use when registering, and, depending on which Buddy Pass offer is available to you, your buddy can register for free or US$595.

To call or email the Autodesk University Registration Team:

1-888-371-1722 (toll-free in the United States)
1-415-446-7717 (outside the United States)
autodeskuniversity@autodeskevents.com