Revit Model Content Style Guide

For those looking to produce Revit content.  Here's your guide.

http://seek.autodesk.com/revit.htm

Fabrication CADmep 2014 Service Pack 2

Fabrication CADmep 2014 SP2

Revit 2014 Model Performance Technical Note

Link to the Autodesk paper for Revit 2014.

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autodesk_revit_2014_model_performance_technical_note.pdf

Fabrication 2014 Service Pack 1 & Fabrication CADmep 2014 Object Enabler

Fabrication products SP1!

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=19406490

Autodesk Fabrication CADmep 2014 Object Enabler

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=21540623&linkID=9240618

Autodesk FormIt now in web browser

You can now access Autodesk FormIt on the web on your computer and your tablet (even your Android tablet)!  And we can convert FormIt into Revit when we're ready to move beyond our Conceptual/Schematic designs!

Youtube video of FormIt

http://youtu.be/TEGFU5q3wjo

FormIt website 

http://autodeskformit.com/

Autodesk FORMIt 5.0

Autodesk FormIt 5.0 now on Itunes.

What's New in Version 5.0

• Copy a single object with two finger drag
• Copy many objects with the Array tool
• Tap on dimensions to edit them.  And...Displaced Views???

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autodesk-formit/id575282599?mt=8

http://autodeskformit.com/getting-started-with-formit/

CADmep 2014 Service Pack 1

Fabrication folks,

CADmep 2014 SP 1 is up and can be found here.
 
Also, here's AutoCAD 2014 SP1...I mean here.

Revit Tips & Tricks Vids

Here's a great video from Chad Smith (AU faculty member) found at BIMERWORLD.

45 Revit tips in 45 minutes

Every Revit user can pick up something to make them more efficient!

Enjoy!

Autodesk purchases GTP

Autodesk has purchased Get The Point LLC and has introduced Autodesk Point Layout.  Good news for those in the field!

GTP homepage
http://www.gogtp.com/

Autodesk Point Layout overview
http://www.autodesk.com/products/point-layout/overview

Autodesk Press Release
http://news.autodesk.com/press-release/architecture-engineering-construction-civil-infrastructure-and-natural-resources/aut-0

Revit Panel Schedules not totaling correctly?

Following is a good post on AUGI about Revit Panel Schedules not totaling correctly.  The issue is with the Load Classification Parameter.  For those fighting with this, give this thread a read and watch the video (thanks to Martin Schmid from Autodesk).

Did this get you back on track?  Let me know!

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?135559-Panel-Schedules-Don-t-Add-Up-Correctly

BIM Model LOD standardization

Great article on BIMForum's Level of Development specification.

http://www.bdcnetwork.com/level-development-will-new-standard-bring-clarity-bim-model-detail

Autodesk ReCap workflow

Here's a good video from Autodesk detailing the workflow, tools and options within Autodesk ReCap.  Quite informative for those looking into the program.

http://youtu.be/cfz6qul2TGg

BIM/CAD Details from manufacturer on McGraw-Hill Construction site

This is an extensive library of BIM models and CAD details of manufacturer specific content.  Revit families, dwf files, dwgs, specs, mfr. catalogs.  Tons of info.  Thanks to McGraw-Hill for aggregating all this content. You have to create an account to be able to download.  Enjoy!

http://products.construction.com/SearchResults/Internal/cad%20details

Autodesk FormIt for Android devices.

FormIt is coming soon for Android devices.  This has been descriptive enough but for those who have to see to believe...here it is.

http://youtu.be/nVxiovKDR2Y

Revit elements...Missing?!?!?!

Here's a list I found on the intrawebs with a bunch of options as to where to look if you "misplace" that piece of equipment or component...ha..we all know it was the new guy anyway! :)

Check to see if:
1. The object or category is temporarily hidden
2. The object or category is hidden in the view
3. The object is being obscured by another element
4. The object's category or subcategory is hidden in the view
5. The object is outside the view's view range
6. The view's far clip depth is not sufficient to show the object
7. The object resides on a work set that is not loaded within the project
8. The object resides on a work set that is not visible in the view
9. The object resides on a work set that is not loaded in a linked file
10. The object resides on a work set that is not visible in a linked file
11. The object resides within a group (detail model) and it has been excluded from the group
12. The object is part of a design option that is not visible in the view
13. The object is part of a linked file that is not visible in the view
14. The object has one or more of its edges overridden to display as '<Invisible lines>'
15. The object is a family and none of its geometry is set to be visible in the view type
16. The object is a family and none of its geometry is set to be visible at the view's detail level
17. The object is set to not be visible at the category's detail level
18. The element has been placed outside the view's crop region (visible extents)
19. The element is an annotation object and does not reside entirely within the annotation crop region
20. The object's phase settings or the view's phase settings prevent the object from displaying in the view
21. The view's discipline is prohibiting the visibility of the object
22. The object is affected by a filter applied to the view
23. The object is subject to an element override, set to background color
24. The object is subject to a category override, set to background color
25. The object style is set to background color
26. The object is constrained to a scope boxes that is not visible in the view
27. The extents of the object itself don't permit it to be seen
28. The object is a mass, and 'Show Mass' is turned off
29. The object's host view has been deleted (area boundaries)
30. The view's scale is prohibiting the object's visibility
31. The object is a linked instance with coordinates too great for Revit to handle
32. The user has incorrectly identified the link instance to which the element belongs
33. The object is in a link that is not in its correct position

If you have additional searches that have helped you find your stuff...let us all know!

New Autodesk Conceptual Design Technologies

Autodesk FormIt and Dynamo to be released at AIA 2013 in Denver, CO.

Read the article here.

SMART Board Revit & Navisworks plug-ins

ids Engineering, Advanced Solutions Inc. software engineering wing has developed SMART Board plug-ins for both Navisworks and Revit.

Revit SMART Board plug-in
http://youtu.be/Yo-DSYSxZl4

Navisworks SMART Board plug-in
http://youtu.be/hRft_mQRWv8

Revit 2014 Point Clouds

From Revit OpEd.
Revit 2014 Point Clouds

Revit > Archicad interoperability Add-ons

Interoperability add-ons between Archicad and Revit.

http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/interoperability.html

Revit 2013 Update Release 3

Revit 2013 Update Release 3

General platform improvements for this build include:-

Improves stability when using Hardware Acceleration, Graphics Mode. 
Improves stability when opening projects which utilize Extensible Storage.
Improves visual fidelity between canvas and printed output. 
Improves visual fidelity of hidden lines, MEP pipe centerlines and haloed gaps when not using Hardware Acceleration, Graphics Mode. 
Improves Structural family data integrity during upgrade of project.
Improves data integrity when canceling Save As operation.
Improves interaction between Revit Server 2013 and Riverbed compression.
Enables users to browse Revit Server Networks when a bound workstation cannot contact the Domain Controller.

BIM 360 Glue

BIM Workflows connected with BIM 360 Glue

http://beyonddesign.typepad.com/posts/2013/05/bim-workflows-connected-with-glue.html

Laser Scanning webinar and newsletter

Here's some great content for those either getting into the industry, or just trying to keep pace with this fast moving tech.

Webinar entitled “21 time saving scanning and modeling tips for As-Built MEP Projects”

http://youtu.be/gsqbeKny-4c

Workflow 4.0 – Scanning industry newsletter for best practices, tips & tricks etc.

http://www.workflow4point0.com/

Upgrading Revit Families and Files to 2014...Efficiently!

Upgrade Revit Families and Files to 2014 Quick and Easy

Hopefully it's common knowledge that Revit is not backwards compatible. With The 2014 version now out and available people will want to upgrade any custom families they have to avoid the dreaded "This is a one time only upgrade process" dialog.Your friends at Autodesk have thought about you and hid a gem of a BAT file in the install folder to help you out. Look for the Utilities folder then open theContentBatchUtility folder. 

In there, you will find a readme with these instructions.

To Use the Content Batch Upgrade Utility:

1. Copy Upgrade_RFA.txt and Upgrade_RFA.bat into the root directory of the library that you want to upgrade.
2. Run the Upgrade_RFA.bat to create the file list to upgrade, famlist_rfa.txt.
3. To launch the utility, from the library directory, drag Upgrade_RFA.txt onto the Revit icon on your desktop.
4. After upgrading, delete all backup files from the library.

Notes:

Make sure all of your .rfa files are not read-only and delete all backup files from the library. 
If a particular family fails to upgrade properly, the utility will stop.
If this occurs, open famlist_rfa.txt in Microsoft Notepad, and remove all previously upgraded families and the failed family from the list. 
Save famlist_rfa.txt, and re-run the utility.

Once you drag Upgrade_RFA.txt onto your Revit 2014 icon, it goes into action meticulously opening, upgrading, and closing each file in the folder structure. Believe me, faster than a person can, and a lot more fun to watch than do.

Lets all thank Cad Shack!

Project Vasari > Green Building Studio > Energy Analysis

Discussion and demonstration of Project Vasari and Green Building Studio

Great content for Sustainability and Energy Analysis.

Part 1

http://youtu.be/Aizq6Q0cJ00

Part 2

http://youtu.be/C5N4H1Mgdq4

Part 3

http://youtu.be/HU-EMHHDl1U

What's New in Navisworks Clash Detective for 2014... and some other updates

Some updated Hotkeys and the What's new in Navisworks 2014.

US Government GSA BIM website

The United States Government's BIM information page
is here.

COBie data and Revit

I'm sharing a post from the BIM Fix blog here.  I was impressed to read through this information and the detail therein.  For anyone needing to become COBie compliant...here's your crash course.

COBie and Autodesk Revit

Thanks BIM Fix!

The Future of BIM in Construction

The Autodesk future vision of BIM.

Revit HVAC Solution Pro Software

Revit HVAC Solution Pro Software.  Have a look.

http://youtu.be/VBPK5GsKT3w

Advanced Energy Analysis - Green Building Studio, Revit, DOE2

Here is a great blog post filled with information about Building Energy Analysis.
Give it a shot if you are currently working in these platforms, or are considering any of these software packages.

Advanced Energy Analysis

10 items to consider when keeping a Revit model slim and trim!

Ten ways to keep your Revit model from getting bloated.

Top 10 Reasons you can't see an element in Revit

Top 10 Reasons You Can't See an Element in Revit

1. Is the correct Workset being used?
2. Is the view range set correctly to see the particular element?
3. Is the object hosted on an incorrect surface like a floor instead of a ceiling?
4. Is there a filter applied to the view that is causing the element to be hidden?
5. Is the detail level of the view set correctly?  Some families are set not to show at Coarse.
6. Try using the "Reveal Hidden Elements" tool in the view control bar.
7. Is there a plan region in the view?
8. Is the view "Discipline" set correctly?
9. Is the element in the correct phase and is an appropriate phase filter set in the view to make it visible. 
10. Is the element part of a design option and perhaps that isn't the current option for that particular view?

These are Todd Shackleford's reasons...I can take no credit for these reasons! :)

If you would like to visit his blog it is here.

Autodesk BIM 360 Glue for Healthcare

BIM 360 Glue for Healthcare

AutoCAD MEP Conduit Hangers

Working with AutoCAD MEP Conduit Hangers.  I have a workaround below.  Please feel free to try it out, and most importantly feel free to respond in the comments if you find this to be rubbish and can suggest better options.  It is not an assembly, but this can be a convenient work around.

Measure your overall outside distance for your conduit bank:

Enter the HANGERADD command to get the dialog below:

Determine the desired offset distance from the OD face of the opposite side conduit, we will say 3” in this case, so that gives us a Left Channel Offset of 4’-4 5/8” (4’-1 5/8” + 3”)

Let me know if this works for you. 

Where we are headed...4D Printing

4D Printing

Autodesk BIM 360

Autodesk BIM 360 Playlist

Indiana University BIM

Indiana University BIM

Revit Best Practices

Best Practices in Revit

Piping the Point Cloud with Plant 3D

Piping the Point Cloud with Plant 3D

Upgrade your Autodesk product to 2014 with Subscription Center

How to upgrade your Autodesk product from Subscription Center

Autodesk Recap

Autodesk Recap: Making reality capture easy and affordable.

Autodesk Unveils Building Design Suite 2014

Autodesk Unveils Building Design Suite 2014

New Reality Capture Tools, Suite Enhancements, and Expanded Cloud Capabilities Deliver Value to Architects, Engineers and Contractors

Autodesk today announced Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014, a comprehensive software portfolio that combines Building Information Modeling(BIM) and CAD tools to help building and construction professionals design, simulate, visualize, and build better buildings. Available in three versions Standard, Premium, and Ultimate—Autodesk Building Design Suite allows architects, engineers, and contractors to benefit from the depth and breadth of the Autodesk portfolio of intelligent model based design software and expanded cloud services.

“As the construction market is scheduled to grow to $12 trillion by 2020, design and construction professionals need the best tools to design and build the world’s most complex buildings. This past year, Autodesk bridged the gap between design and construction by providing our customers with a comprehensive portfolio that included the desktop software they were familiar with along with new cloud services and mobile applications that provided anywhere, anytime access to project information,” said Lisa Campbell, vice president, industry strategy marketing for AEC and ENI, Autodesk. “Building Design Suite 2014 will help further streamline the design and construction process by extending design intent
through to construction with the use of intelligent model based design from the earliest stages. This will allow our customers to more efficiently deliver projects on time and on budget.”

New in Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014

The flexible software access provided by Autodesk Building Design Suite means building design and construction professionals have a broader palette of tools so they can choose the best solution for the job at hand and quickly respond to changing business requirements.

New products in Building Design Suite include:

• Autodesk ReCap: Available to all users of Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014, Autodesk ReCap allows architects, engineers and contractors to create intelligent 3D data from laser scans and captured photos. Rather than beginning with a blank sheet, Autodesk ReCap now enables any designer, architect or engineer to add, modify, validate and document their design process in context from existing environments.
• Autodesk Raster Design: Powerful raster editing and raster-to-vector conversion tools that help architects, engineers and contractors increase the visual information on a building plan.
• Autodesk InfraWorks 2014 (formerly Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler):Easily create, evaluate and communicate building projects in the context of the broader site–to help architects and urban planners to gain faster stakeholder buy-in and decision making.  

Key Enhancements to Building Design Suite include:

• Autodesk Revit 2014 enhancements: Specifically designed for BIM,Autodesk Revit 2014 combines features for architectural design, MEP and structural engineering, as well as for construction. The 2014 release provides enhanced design, analysis and documentation capabilities to improve architectural and engineering workflows. Revit 2014 also includes the new Building Element Energy Analysis tool, which provides advanced workflows for energy analysis using detailed Revit models.
• Interoperability enhancements: Enhanced interoperability between technologies allows more effective collaboration, including improvements for IFC, DWF^TM, DWG^TM/DXF^TM and 3D solids. There is also improved interoperability between AutoCAD and Revit, which makes it easier for firms making the transition to BIM.
• New quantification tools in Navisworks Manage and Navisworks Simulate: allow building customers to more easily bring quantities from an aggregated model into a project.

Expanded Cloud Services in Autodesk 360

As part of the Building Design Suite, architects, engineers and contractors now have access to select Autodesk 360 capabilities, which allow them to rapidly design, visualize, simulate, and share ideas anywhere, anytime with the secure and virtually infinite computing power in the cloud. Autodesk Building Design Suite customers have access to the following services as part of an active subscription (services vary by edition.)

• Rendering: Architects, engineers, and contractors can produce compelling, near-photorealistic visualizations in reduced time—without tying up the desktop or requiring specialized rendering hardware. Available for all Autodesk Building Design Suite customers on subscription.
• Autodesk Green Building Studio: Designers, architects, and engineers can optimize energy efficiency and support carbon neutrality and evaluate energy profiles and carbon footprints of various designs. Users can more easily share outcomes and data between engineering software programs--making sustainable design more efficient and cost-effective. Available for all Autodesk Building Design Suite customers on subscription.
• Energy Analysis for Autodesk Revit: Users can perform analysis of multiple building design iterations, optimize energy efficiency, and work toward carbon neutrality in the cloud. Available for both Premium and Ultimate Building Design Suite customers on subscription.
• Structural Analysis for Autodesk Revit: Provides users cloud-based static structural analysis capabilities allowing models to be sent to the cloud removing computational intensive tasks from the desktop. Available for both Premium and Ultimate Building Design Suite customers on subscription.
• Autodesk InfraWorks 360: Autodesk InfraWorks 360 enhances Autodesk InfraWorks workflows by enabling architects, engineers and contractors to publish, store, and manage large models centrally and more securely in the cloud. Available for Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014 Ultimate customers on subscription.
• Optimization for Autodesk Inventor: Allows architects, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers to easily integrate manufacturer building components into their design process. Available for Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014 Ultimate customers on subscription.

Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014: Three Editions

Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014 is available in three editions:  Standard, Premium and Ultimate.

• Autodesk Building Design Suite Standard 2014 – is for designers, drafters and detailers who need a foundational set of tools to efficiently design, document, and share drawings in the DWG file format. The Standard edition includes: Autodesk AutoCAD 2014, Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture, Autodesk AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk AutoCAD Structural Detailing, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Sketchbook Designer, and new products to the Standard edition are Autodesk AutoCAD Raster Design 2014 and Autodesk ReCap 2014.

• Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium 2014 – is for architects, engineers, and construction professionals who need an optimized set of tools for building design and construction. The Premium edition includes all of the products in the Standard edition and adds: Autodesk Revit 2014, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2014, and Autodesk Navisworks Simulate.

• Autodesk Building Design Suite Ultimate 2014 – is for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals who need the power of BIM and an advanced set of tools for design and construction. The Ultimate edition includes all of the products and cloud capabilities in the Premium edition and adds: Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2014* , Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2014 , Autodesk InfraWorks 2104, and Autodesk Inventor 2014.

Availability

Autodesk Building Design Suite 2014 availability varies by country, with software and cloud services included varying by edition. Details and purchasing options are available at www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions.

Adding powerful quantification to the coordinated model.

Powerful, integrated, easy to use services that create intelligent 3D data from laser scans and photos

Posted at 09:02 AM in Product News | Permalink

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Additionally, Autodesk’s 2014 Simulation software portfolio delivers a faster, more accurate and flexible approach to predicting, optimizing and validating designs earlier in the design process.

Posted by: Seattle Emergency Plumber | 03/29/2013 at 05:20 AM

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Posted by: foakleys | 03/31/2013 at 05:38 AMAutodesk unveils Building Design Suite 2014

New in Revit 2014

New in Revit 2014

CADmep, CADmep commands, Autodesk Fabrication

Courtesy of Jason Hudson: CADmep has over 230 commands! Do you know them all? Yeah, neither do I. And finding documentation for them all in one place is near impossible. So for that reason I decided to make a little tool palette app to remind me occasionally. I guarantee there are a few here you don't know! See screenshot here: http://bit.ly/16fFhdR You are welcome to download it if you think it might be helpful. Be sure and view the README for instructions. Download it here: https://www.box.com/s/pvqsnsu549ayqe5qqg69

What's New in Autodesk Revit 2014

Autodesk Fabrication