BIM BS (Building Services of course!)

Learning Revit MEP 2012 Tutorial DVD - Video Training

2011-10-13T01:24:00.005+13:00

I've been at it again! Now you can learn my take on Revit MEP by video! I've teamed up with Infinite Skills and produced the series: 'Learning Revit MEP 2012'
If you are curious about Revit MEP, or even my delivery skills, you can even download some free sample videos to try before you buy.

Click on the following samples...
Viewing Model 2D
Initial Plan Views
Scope Boxes
Mass Model
Guide Grids

There is no doubt the Revit concept IS vastly different from traditional drafting practices, it goes so much further, and the building industry as a whole will have to change to meet the challenges of Building Information Modelling.

RTC AUS 2012 - Call for abstracts

2011-10-11T00:51:00.000+13:00

If you haven't heard already (and if not - WHY not?) Revit Technology Conference Australasia has announced the call for abstracts.

This year the theme is 'Bridging the Divide' - take that anyway you choose from litterally: 'Bridge design in Revit' or 'how you coped in bridging the chasm between engineers and drafting staff in the new fangled Revit thingy'

Read the full call at the Revit Conference 2012 website and click on the 'Abstract Button'

Massing for Revit MEP

2011-09-18T20:47:00.003+12:00

Why should Architects get all the fun? There are some great tools in the Revit kit that are definitely underused by Building Services Engineers, and one of those is the Massing tool.
Its great for early concept design, when the Architect is still changing his mind (when do they stop for goodness sake? Answers on a pinhead at the bottom of the post!).
With this tool, you can very quickly create a building mass form and populate it with walls, floors, roofs, spaces, so you can create YOUR own analysis without having to wait for an architectural file that doesn't leak like a sieve, OR an architectural file AT ALL - and consider what options that gives you... 3D collaboration on projects with architects that don't use Revit!

So now I have wet you appetite, and left you screaming for more, come to my class at AU2011...
MP3701: Massing for Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2012

Mastering Revit MEP 2012

2011-09-18T14:55:00.002+12:00

It's out at last
A bit late on timing, but Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2012 is out! Updated for the current release, more comprehensive, and with some new blood.
Don Bokmiller is the chief Author, while I've pitched in on several more chapters this year and contributed to the technical editing. Joel Londenburg is the new new to the author list this year, and you can find more details at... http://bit.ly/o4GY9c
The new toolsets that have been lacking in Revit MEP are described along with comprehensive data set tutorials.

As a bit of forward planning, if you are planning to attend Autodesk University this year, consider the following two classes...

MP5643-U: Meet the Authors and Discuss Project Documentation
Meet the authors of Mastering Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2012 and join them for a discussion on project documentation. Documentation remains one of the most difficult hurdles to using this software throughout your design and documentation process. The discussion will focus on what is required for clear, accurate drawings. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (fire) disciplines will be included.

And...

MP5658-U: Meet the Authors and Discuss Real-World Project Coordination
Meet the authors of Mastering Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2012 and join them for a discussion on coordinating projects with Autodesk Revit. Common workflows require architects, engineers, and contractors to all work with each others files—often from different offices, occasionally from different time zones, and always from different perspectives with different goals. Handling the inter-office coordination well can have a huge impact on your job.

Both of these sessions are "unconference", so, bring your opinions, your heartaches, and Don, Joel and myself will try and answer them!

Design Options Hell

2011-07-15T09:12:00.000+12:00

Here's my issue with Design Options. The tool is great when used correctly, as with all things Revit... No, hang on a minute... As with all things in ANY process, communication is key. And if this isn't crystal clear, that is when problems start to happen.

Take the following image, yes it's a spoof, but I have seen a Design Options dialog with a scroll bar! It isn't nice to work with. I'm only a simple Building Services engineer after all! (not even an engineer really - co-ordination drafter, knowitall, generalsmartass)

Now, I do know I could use the V/G override and set it to a linked view, but I also want to make the walls coarse level of detail with surface and cut patterns hidden - the final three I can include in a view template in my project TEMPLATE for linked architecture (yes, you can if you start with a default link and 'reload from' - maybe a topic for another post?). You cannot do that if Design Options are used.

OK - yes, I could / can modify them, I'm really trying to argue myself out of a corner here.

So, while not exactly going back on an earlier post, Design Options ARE fine. IF their intended use is communicated to the entire design team.

Rather than using workarounds though, wouldn't it be neat if Autodesk introduced a tool into Revit that enabled users to lock elements, and prevented them from being accidentally deleted?...

What?... They did already?...

Worksets :-)

Locking Elements in Revit (Any Flavour)

2011-07-14T15:22:00.000+12:00

Past the obvious 'pin' tool, which only prevents you actually moving an object, there isn't really a way of stopping someone inadvertently deleting some important part of you design... Or is there?

I've read a couple of blogs/opinions recently where Design Options have been put forward as a way of 'locking' objects for deletion. And yes, it does work, and is probably great for someone who doesn't have to worry about sharing their file. Which it where using Design Options sort of falls down, in a collaborative environment it sucks. The architect has to remember to let the rest of the design team know which design options are... Design options, and which are for locking down elements. Even in a multi-disciplinary office, design options are a royal pain when being used for even their intended use.

My preference, and one that is a documented workflow in my current office is to use worksets. It's a workaround, just as using Design Options is, but for us, at least, it works very well, and it doesn't mean any special view settings or additional documentation for our collaborative partners.

So, I'm working as normal, and want to lock a particular area, not just from MY own delete key, but also from others in the team. I do want everyone to have access though. I open ANOTHER session of Revit, and before opening the Central file, I go to options and change my username to 'ADMIN' or 'L4-DESIGNLOCK', and only then browse to the central file to open a new local file.
This will give me two local files on my computer, but you know, I have half a brain, we recreate local files everyday, and if the one I open tomorrow morning has the suffix _ADMIN, I know I'm in the wrong file.
Anyway, in the new local file, I select the objects for locking and either put them in their own 'LOCKED OBJECTS' workset, or I take ownership of just those elements. Close the file without relinquishing, and close the second session of Revit. Because I had two sessions open, I don't lose my original username. Unlocking them is just a reverse of this.

I THEN COMMUNICATE THIS TO THE PROJECT TEAM! This isn't perfect by any means, but the process works. The upside is, if we share our file, other people using it have full visibility without changing options.

I'm not saying this is right for everyone, or that anything else is 'wrong', but the collaborative environment we work in makes this to be the best workflow, for us, until a 'real' solution comes along...

On an RTC Downer?

2011-07-01T08:40:00.000+12:00

I know! its cheesy! But come on, I haven't written anything for ages and just needed to start with some gentle practice...

Have you just come back to work after one of the RTC events?
Are you feeling low?
Missing your new friends?
& the exciting sessions you were privileged to be part of?
Experience the thrill of it all at RTC Facebook
Get the handouts - If you were there, the handouts will be available for download soon
Goto Linkedin and join the RTC Community
Smile, remember you know more now than you did last week.

2010-12-25T11:39:00.002+13:00

Yep, I did it again!

Numbers improved this year - 30 attended, with some great feedback. I did have over 60 enrolled, trouble is, when your session is last thing on Thursday afternoon, all everyone is thinking about is, well, going home or beer.

My subject this year was a repeat, even though new topics were asked for, it's one that I believe is not used enough in Revit MEP. Although the class was called Massing for pre-design analysis, I covered importing 2D plans, sections and elevations into a Revit project to base my Services design and documentation. It's a great workflow when other project team members are either only using 2D or you have to deal with other file formats such as Microstation or Archicad. True, you can import the IFC file, but at what cost to the performance of your Revit model, I'd much rather do my coordination in Navisworks, which is the ideal tool for that purpose, and use the 2D to reproduce contractual Architectural floor plans. You can read more here... http://bit.ly/f7PsPP

Project Vasari - Live in the Labs

2010-11-16T13:48:00.001+13:00

If there was ever a new app that I would jump up and down about its this one available from labs.autodesk.com

Project Vasari means I now have a legitimate reason for saying NO to sketchup! Now don't start getting excited all you sketchup users, its a fine piece of software and I have actually been using it almost as long as I've been using Revit, but it does have some limitations. Now working in an office of Building Services Engineers, enough is enough, if you want something in 3D - Revit is the answer... until now.

I downloaded the exe this morning, and have spent a bit of time 'playing' What a great tool. You can be sure
I'll be making sure our engineers (and Architects) have access. With no installation and one download, Christmas came early.

What would make this Nirvana is an Ipad version - I'd NEVER sleep!

Back to playtime

Mastering Revit MEP 2011

2010-08-31T09:02:00.001+12:00

Waiting for a book on 'how to' in Revit MEP?

Well the wait is nearly over!

October 11 2010, will see the release of "Mastering Revit MEP 2011".

Written by Don Bokmiller and Marvin Titlow, published by Wiley, ISBN: 978-0-470-62637-5, this is the first time there has been material other than the Autodesk tutorials available for MEP.

"Master all the core concepts and functionality of Revit MEP

Revit MEP has finally come into its own, and this perfectly paced reference covers all the core concepts and functionality of this fast-growing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing software. The authors collate all their years of experience to develop this exhaustive tutorial that shows you how to design using a versatile model.

You'll discover tips, tricks, and real-world exercises that only authors who use the software daily in a professional environment can know and explain.

Explores the basics of the interface, how to create and use project templates, how to generate schedules that show quantities, materials, design dependencies, and more
Examines the mechanical side of Revit MEP, including chapters on creating logical air, water, and fire protection systems and evaluating building loads
Delves into how to best generate and model content, including solid modeling, creating symbols, using parameters, creating equipment, and more

Featuring real-world sidebars, hands-on tutorials, and a supporting Web site, this reference allows you to jump into any tutorial and compare your finished work to the pros."

The book will be available online from major resellers (Amazon , Borders).

Looking forward to my copy

The MADNESS of Whitbread

2010-06-04T20:27:00.000+12:00

Thought I'd been quiet this year? Well its certainly not been a quiet year for me or the family! For some, well, strange reason, we thought a new country would be a good idea. Sold the house, cars, etc. shipped our stuff (with the dog) to Australia, and now, 4 months later, I find myself back in Auckland - still with the dog - he must be one of the most traveled mutts I know, having first bought him out of the UK, 7+ years ago.(Actually, he has a pedigree as long as your arm!)

Now, living in a new house, the mountain of packing boxes rapidly diminishing (which, by the way took an extra 10 days to get here, courtesy of the Northern Hemisphere Volcanic Ash Cloud causing shipping problems between Aussie and NZ), I find myself asking...

"why did we do it?"

And the answer is - I don't truly know. But there we have it, back in New Zealand, I'm happy, the Family is happy, and so is the dog.

With a VERY patient employer, all I need to do now is keep them happy!

New Year Disclaimer

2010-01-02T11:57:00.000+13:00

I thought it was about time I added a disclaimer to this blog - is it really necessary? Not really in my opinion, but its mainly to distance myself from any employer and to protect them in case I shoot my mouth off - Not that THAT is ever likely!

Anyway, my disclaimer:

The opinions in this blog are entirely my own, and bear no relation to any employer past present or future. Any comments I make regarding ANY software product are based on my experiences, where those are then implemented as "Best Practice", I will endeavour to give an accurate representation of those without revealing any corporate Intellectural Property where I am prohibited.

There, hope that covers my ass from anything I may / or may not say.

Happy New Year

Shame on TVNZ - ONE Decade in the making

2010-01-01T19:55:00.002+13:00

My rant for New Years Day.
I proudly have dual nationalities - English and New Zealand, maybe that is why I took so much exception to what happened on the program.

With no parties to go to, we decided to stay in last night watch some TV and then go to see the fireworks at Aucklands Sky Tower.

Of the many things on offer was TVNZ's "ONE Decage in the making" a program that was posted as:

"ONE News presenters Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie will host ONE Decade In The Making, a look at the news events that shaped the 'noughties' "

The program offered a look at all the memorable news items from around the world over the past decade and predictably, and quite rightly, spent some time looking at the news surrounding 7/11.

Amongst other items was also the London bombings which occured on 7 July 2005.

The only thing was that TVNZ couldn't report the year correctly, on 2 separate screens, this atrocity was reported to have happened in 2007, when my daughter pointed this out, I thought 'surely not'. But she was insistant - and of course correct. The first thing I did, because I couldn't remember for certain, was Google "London Bombings". My daughter was right (as per usual) and I cannot believe TVNZ made such a fundamental error. If it was a typo, I could understand '04 or '06, keys are close together for the pudgy little fingers of the poor reseachers having to put together a boring report over the Christmas period, but their business IS NEWS! How can they get things so fundamentally wrong?

I have of course lodged a complaint with TVNZ but as yet the only correspondance is a standard automated reply.

The worst thing that could happen now is for TVNZ to apologise for accidentally reporting the wrong date. The damage is already done, and unfortunately it shows how little regard goes into the checking of stories that in New Zealand, seem to be sensationalised to the point of making me wanting to vomit. I'm pleased that in eight days time, I move to Australia...

AU2009 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2009-12-08T11:06:00.000+13:00

The Good

AB114-1 Insanely Great Stairs and Railings with Autodesk® Revit®, Phil Read.

I will go to see Phil talk because he’s, interesting, and even though I class myself as an experienced Revit user, I usually pick up something new in his classes, this one was no exception, and I will be passing those tips back to our architects over the next few weeks . As an ambassador of all (Well ... almost :-) ) things Revit, Phil has very few rivals. I 'm really annoyed I didn't get to his other session (Autodesk® Revit® for Film and Stage, AB304-1). His mammoth handouts are definitely worth a read, although it’s not quite the same as occupying the same space as this Revit deity! Phil, thank you for sharing you knowledge so freely and also for introducing me to "The Order of the Drunken Leprechaun"

KN108-1. Keynote speaker Amory Lovins reminding us that sustainability and economy are achievable, design is a TOTAL process (Which everyone knows, but just can’t quite seen to get right). His talk was inspirational. I guess if we as a race stand any chance of reverting the damage our kind has done to this planet we must start using this type of approach (that, of course, is if we are the instigators of global warming and its not Gaia’s reaction to a plague and is just a natural 'ethnic cleansing' . Only this time she is the “Pied Piper" and humans are the rats) what do we do? Apologise to momma, give her a get well card, and hope that it’s not terminal.

Getting to meet great people:

All the Autodesk staff that organised the event – lots of really hard work, thank you for the event and thanks to those organising the speakers.

If I haven’t mentioned anyone here, its not that I haven’t forgotten, it’s just that there are so many. Jim Balding, Steve Stafford, Wesley Benn, Phil Read. Thanks for your help, guidance, support

Assisting in Labs

CM222-2L Networking Autodesk Products A2Z: The Lab: Jerry Milana and Nate Bartley

MP318-1L Duct, Duct, Route! Getting Your Ducts in a Row! HVAC System Designs in Autodesk® Revit® MEP: Michael Schinn

FM322-1L Autodesk® Revit® Architecture and Facilities Management: What's in Your Toolbox?: Clyne Curtis

As a lab assistant, the pre-requisite from Autodesk is that you are an ‘expert’ in this field. I really don’t like referring to myself as an expert as it implies that I know everything about a subject, which I don’t like admitting to. But I felt that any of the questions I was asked in these sessions were easy to answer, so maybe…

Anyway, all these sessions were great, I also learnt from all of them

The Bad… well in this case the Baaad!

Elvis singing the disclaimer! That was so funny, I nearly fell off my seat! It was Las Vegas – Corny, Unbelievable, and Brilliant.

The Ugly

MP214-3 Fully Documenting a Project in Revit MEP: An implementation Strategy, Simon Whitbread

My very first AU class – and by the end I thought it would be my last. What went wrong? I don’t really know, I’d prepared, practiced… and hit a wall. Like a school report that says “must do better”, after a quick intro it went downhill fast and all I can put it down to is being overwhelmed by the event. Apologies – should I even contemplate saying sorry? I don’t think so, there was some bad feedback, but also some good. The saying goes

“You can make some of the people happy all the time, all of the people happy some of the time but you can't make all of the people happy all of the time.” My subsequent session benefitted, and I know that if I’m accepted next year, whatever I present will be great!

AU Overall

My second session (MP314-3 The Real Engineers Workflow MEP Massing for Pre-Design Analysis) went really well, we nearly ran over, it restored faith in myself, and was enjoyed by everyone. Which is a great way to sum up my AU2009 experience. It was well worth going, I learnt loads.

Will I go again? Yes Will I take classes again? Yes – If accepted Will I do any Labs? Yes – got a couple of ideas already.

Predefining ‘Systems’ for Revit MEP

2009-10-01T14:09:00.000+13:00

For the most part, systems like Walls, Floors, Ducts and Piping are predefined in a companies project template.

This works very well, even when you need to introduce a new system which would sometimes be developed in-house, or in this case by a manufacturer.

Autodesk have already put in place some great sample project files, (take a look at the Railing, Fence and Stairs on http://revit.autodesk.com/library/html/index.html - “Fig. 4”), these samples are directed at Revit Architecture, but are an excellent example of how a manufacturer could put together a product “range” into a Revit project.

As a process for creating your own system samples – or ‘shops’, or ‘buckets’, I have created the following example that can be used either in a design company, or by manufacturers, as a manner of storing objects of ‘mixed origin. (ie: system AND standard families).

In “Fig. 1”, I have created a metric project file without using a template. This is to show that there is only the ‘default’ pipe system family, no Elbows, or other junction types have been defined.
“Fig. 2” subsequently shows that same project after a sample file has been loaded. Notice that there is now a pipe system of type “Victualic xxx” which has predefined junctions. This example is further revealed in “Fig. 3” when that same sample file is loaded into an existing project. You can see here that the system is added to the list of existing ones.

Revit 2010 Network Licensing - Timeout Issue

2009-08-04T13:16:00.006+12:00

About time I said something...

"something!" - there its done :-)

And on the subject of 'something', it seems to have happened to the entire Revit set of programs that the license times out and cannot be retrieved.

This is a well documented issue from Autodesk, with a handy workaround - set your timeout to a longer period (say four hours instead of 15minutes)

Which is all very well, until you realise that most companies optimise the number of licenses they hold. Instead of having one license per user, they purchase fewer 'network' licenses (at a cost premium of course!). With this method, you can, depending on workflow and users, have anywhere between 50%-75% network licenses, instead of 100% standalone. The timeout facility in the license manager allowed licenses to transparently go backwards and forwards between server and pc.

It works, very well, or did until Revit 2010.

Now, Revit actually drops the license, and doesn't pick it back up. So there is the potential to lose work, as once the license is gone, you cannot save. So Autodesk have provided the workaround - set a longer timeout. Which is fine, as long as you are not optimising the number of licenses, its going to be a strain on resources, and you could potentially run out at a critical moment quicker than if using 2009.

Although there doesn't seem to be much in the way progress from Autodesk, there is SOME light.

I'd been doing some work and a phone call interrupted me, my attention wandered, and I didn't realise anything was amiss until I put the phone down, pressed the save button and got the dreaded "use extension or demo dialog" box. The nature of what I do precludes me from borrowing a license, and in fact, this option has its flaws in 2010 (once borrowed, the license doesn't always return to the license pool, so you effectively 'lose' a license).

Normally this wouldn't bother me, I do a lot of support work, so I'm rarely in a file longer than a few minutes, most of the time, I'm in and out - job done.

This time was different, I was working on a new project template and had not (to my shame) saved for over an hour! I went to the Application menu for licensing. Revit informed me I had a permanent network license, but on exiting and hitting the save button again - BING! - the "use extension or demo dialog".

I was MAD!, but in these enlightened times, chose to go outside, rant loudly (in private, careful not to disturb the local wildlife), buy a coffee, and go back to my desk.

This took 10minutes

Sat down again, I looked at Revit, swore loudly (oops - sorry folks) and hit the SAVE button...

It worked!!!

I couldn't believe it - here was Revit 2010 doing what it should - albeit late!

I've now tested this process on 5pc's, with Revit RAC, RST and RME. It works every time.

So... if you are faced with the "Revit License Unavailable" message...

Goto the Application Menu
Then Product and License Information - Check Revit reports a license
Close
Goto... Your favorite coffee bar and return with drink in hand 10 minutes later
Press "save"

If it doesn't work, it would be nice to know, I won't be held liable for any work lost (hey, I do teach best practices - have trouble following them myself sometimes)

More importantly - follow up with Autodesk support, this is "something" that really needs fixing

Autodesk University 2009

2009-06-19T08:26:00.006+12:00

Crikey! I've been accepted!

I made two submissions, both for Revit MEP, and, well, Vegas here I come!

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I can't wait... I think :-)

Revit Technology Conference 2009 Melbourne

2009-06-18T11:47:00.006+12:00

RTC2009 started yesterday, yet despite hours of work, preparation, planning, writing 3 sessions - I'm not going to be there! In fact I seem to be suffering from Corporate overkill, no-one from our NZ offices are being allowed to travel to Australia due to the scarey media representation of Swine Flu, my flights were cancelled Monday morning three days before an event I've had some small hand in helping to organise.

To say I'm disappointed is, well, an understatement - it sucks!

That's enough of the bitching - I do want to stay employed after all :-)

I wish everyone else who spent so much time in the preparation of the event, success. If its like previous years, Wesley Benn's seemingly endless energy will assure that it will be and all those attending will come away with some good memories and more importantly a greater understanding of the Revit products - if you cannot be there, remember that like AU, attendees of the conference will be able to download the conference materials in the next few weeks, and previous years presentations are available for anyone interested from: http://www.revitconference.com.au/.

Revit, The 20-10 Experience

2009-04-22T13:00:00.002+12:00

Well, what can I say?

The number 10, plus numerals 1 and 2 = r13 its no lie!

There are FAR better people than me already berating Autodesk for the lack of NEW Functionality in this release of Revit. I've already seen some Architects getting 'really excited' at the prospect of freeform mass modelling - but don't forget, Its actually got to be built. And in these uncertain times, we may see 'form' taking a backseat to cost effective functionality.

My comments here are really aimed at the MEP stream, but there are some that equally apply to all versions.
Take, for instance:

View, Orient, to Other View. I had a nice set of keyboard shortcuts, using the numberpad, to orient the 3D view to North, South, East, West, all the other derivatives and to another view. TWO numbers could get me a view that enhanced my documentation.
NOW. I must have the viewcube visible, there are NO keyboard shortcuts to Orientating a 3D view - WHO on earth came up with that particular nugget?
NEW Icons - OMG! - The Panel ones are SO big! and on-screen icons (Copy/Monitor for instance) that SHOUT "We didn't have time to do a decent job"

Overall though there are two issues here: Ribbon and Functionality

Ribbon: Its here, been around for other Microsoft products, and I actually quite like it after playing with the Beta releases for the past few months. There is no doubt there are problems with it, both in functions, customising, and location of some tools and that it will cause a downturn in productivity for existing users. Now as Revit is a relatively new product, and its user base is small (compared to AutoCAD) it makes sense to change the interface now, rather than have a huge user base unhappy, its fairly small (globally).

Functionality: OK Here's the big one! There just isn't! Dress it up any way you like, there are a few 'enhancements'. Close links to IES dropped for integral analysis, spaces 'enhanced' and oooh - 'search for, and share content'

I recently sent several Autodesk staff an email where I pointed out how disappointed I was at the lack of new functionality in Revit MEP. If you (the reader [and I hope there are some!]) feel the same way, I suggest you send something similar, include you reseller as well. The following is an excerpt from that email.(its been edited slightly):

"I am sure Autodesk is going to get many of these messages, my comments specifically relate to functionality of the software, especially when wanting to design and document the following:

Cable routing solutions including:
Containment systems (ladder systems, tray, trunking, conduit)
Sub-mains cable routes, cable sizing / obtaining loads from power boards
Schematics - the ability to create schematic diagrams of distribution systems, whether electrical, mechanical or piping
Control of Power Board Schedules to be manipulated in at least the same way as other schedules
Automatic creation of pipe / duct / tray Systems
In much the same way as the 'Curtain Wall' tool works for Architects, I would have thought by now, this would have been introduced to Revit MEP allowing Shop Drawings to be produced with more ease. Consultant OR contractors could take a model that has a generic design, and apply a 'Shop Duct' or 'Trade Pipe' type to corresponding Duct and Pipe systems, allowing material and part takeoffs for pre-defined, manufactured objects (similar to the Curtain Wall Panels and Mullions in Architecture). Had any containment systems been developed, these too, would have benefitted.
In at least one instance, functionality has been removed:
The command "Orient to another view" is now, no longer able to be accessed using keyboard shortcuts, or the view menu. The only way to access this is using the view cube. I have users who turn off the view cube, but also use the orient command to manipulate 3D views, when creating sectionalised views for presentation and documentation. This is one example of the Revit workflow in 2010 actually taking longer than in previous releases.
This release has not, shown the same level of development that the other Revit streams have shown over the past few years. There are no electrical features introduced, and as yet, no-one from Autodesk is commenting.
In a recent Autodesk survey on Cable Tray and Conduit, I was surprised to find that if logging in as a 'Drafter', Autodesk wasn't interested in my opinions. Maybe this is due to there already being documented responses or Autodesk truly KNOWS what drafters want from Revit MEP Cable and Conduit. I must admit the bump off the survey was a tiny bit terse - 'thanks, but no thanks'. I'd already completed the survey as a designer, I've spent 20+ years in the Building Services industry, as an Electrical and Coordination designer, I know what I want from this functionality, and some of it isn't as detailed as the 'pure design' required for HVAC.
As a suggestion, Autodesk should pick some of the bigger engineering companies to help with the testing and recommenations for functionality
The electrical features I've mentioned shouldn't really have any other problem being introduced as, say ducts and pipes, would not have required the freeform modelling, so I'm at a loss as to why they are not already there.
Unless I'm getting far too cynical, it seems that new features will be drip fed to the waiting masses, like junkies waiting for their dealer to show up with the next 'fix'.

Revit Technology Conference 2009

2009-04-07T14:50:00.002+12:00

Following the overwhelming success of RTC2008, Visit the premiere BIM-based event in the Asia Pacific Region at the 4th International Revit Technology Conference. Held this year at the Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday 18 June – Saturday 20 June.

This year there are more streams, more sessions and more speakers concentrating on the three flavours of Revit along with discussions on complimentary applications, and an entire ‘Principals Stream’ dedicated to those who may be considering the BIM option for their practice

Details at revitconference.com

Simon Whitbread
RTC 2009 Committee

Avatech Delivers

2009-01-30T13:57:00.005+13:00

Following Steve Staffords blog, I downloaded the Space Name update tool by Avatech, and had chance to use it in anger today. It does what it says.

Not only that, the install is great - backs up your revit.ini file, doesn't disturb any existing apps already installed.

I think its a much better solution than changing your own space tags to read linked room names - although there still may be a need for these (like all those risers, that Architects seem to treat as black holes!)

I've always been impressed with Avatechs utilities for Revit, now they are branching into all the product range, it can only be of benefit to all users.

I have just started looking at their commercial BIMreview product. For BIM Managers, this could mean a great way to track and enforce standards in Revit models, which is not the easiest of tasks currently. I'll be looking forward to reporting on this over the comming weeks.

What NOT to do during Summer Holidays

2009-01-05T12:38:00.002+13:00

Since emigrating to New Zealand, the TV adverts around Christmas time are always spattered with a mixture of 'Public Health Announcements'. You know the type - don't drink and drive (Bloody Idiots - seems to be endemic here, you can even regularly see people drinking WHILE driving).

And of course the 'Slip Slap Slop' campaign ("slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat") which I don't recall seeing this summer.

I've always been (sort of) sensible when it comes to the sun, but this year, well, if you're going to have a couple of beers around lunchtime - DON'T fall asleep in the sun. Even though it was only for 45 minutes, I managed 2nd degree burns from my knees to chin! This was 3 days after Christmas, and its only a week later that I can: Sleep comfortably without painkillers and/or alcohol, sit down without bits of me falling off!

I know I've only myself to blame, but if anyone else can learn from this, its worth the minor ridicule.

Other than that - great Christmas, lots of lovely prezzies, AND time at home with the family.

My Santa's BS List - Belated

2008-12-27T08:14:00.007+13:00

Well I know I'm late for the official Christian celebrations, but in RL (Revit Life) the celebrations start in March(ish), and here's MY wishlist for Revit Improvements. They are mostly based around MEP, but some could equally apply to Structure and Architecture.

Modelling improvements:

Firstly, Electrical.

As we all know, it sucks! But this is still a new piece of software under tremendous development. My one hope is that this doesn't become a way of 'drip feeding' new features because we are all Junkies waiting for the next fix!

Anyway, the imortant stuff...

Cable tray, Trunking, Conduit - I know you can use Ducts and Pipes, I've recommended that way of doing things to several clients in the past as a workaround. I would however like to move on, and maybe start looking at the model as a whole, rather than the AutoCAD workflow with referenced files. Also being able to control the objects without having to resort to filters as a first place option

Distribution Board Schedules. They need much more control, being able to rename phasing instead of A, B and C. Grouping columns - behaving the same way as regular Schedules.

Content - Big ugly one this. Everyone goes on, and on, and on... The library provided is an EXAMPLE library, always has been. Early adopters of the software recognised this and there are huge amounts of people who have developed their own. Yes, its a pain doing it yourself, YES it takes time and investment, But if, as a company, you are implementing Revit, you are already making a commitment to change and are investing in training, software, hardware etc. My recommendation - Bite the bullet and plan for investing anywhere between US$5K-$25K for a decent library, its not the place skimp on.

I'm sure there are a huge range of improvements I've left out for HVAC, Piping and Electrical, however one item stands out far beyond the rest and that is Shop Drawings, and Revits current inability to do automatic joins / flanges / connections at predefined spacings for Duct / pipes / Cable tray / trunking. I believe Revit CAN do this already - It's called CURTAIN WALL! Wouldn't it be great if the same principal could be applied to the Services side of Revit - I hope I'm not the first one to think of this.

Modelling - Do we need improvements in this area?, possibly if you want to model a toilet bowl, or complex massed building. You could however, do this in Rhino, Inventor and import into Revit. I'm a firm believer in keeping as much 'pure' Revit as possible, so enhancements on the modelling side should be on the cards.

Schematics - Electrical / Plumbing, how about a tool that represents Toilets, power boards in a 2D or isometric environment SCHEMATICALLY, which can be linked with 2D lines (like wires) that represent the connections.

Documentation - CURRENT Revision in the DRAWING LIST

LOTS more I could have put in here, Just wanted to keep things simple Santa!

Revit History Update

2008-12-17T14:23:00.007+13:00

I keep forgetting this, maybe its not important, but I feel I should know the answer. So, this is a note to my second memory - this blogspace. Like all the best sci-fi movies - The Matrix, The Sixth Day, I can't wait for the day when I can just plugin to a computer system for an update / patch / memory backup [for when I get Old(er) and forgetful] And maybe I can do a full system restore.

This post is unashamed plagiarsim, but done with full acknowledgement to the originators and all those who contributed to the originals. (In no order of preferance)

David Conant, Steve Stafford, Greg Arkin, Beau Turner. If there is anything wrong here, please let me know, its probably my fault entirely...

The History of Revit - The Future of Design

The History is now the future.
Revit was first created in 1997.
Revit = Revise Instantly

Initial development team:
Leonid Raiz
Irwin Jungreis
David Conant

Revit was developed specifically with Architecture in mind and was purpose built for Architects by Architects. To that point, the majority of the product development teams are architects or come from a design and construction background.

The Revit Building application has been developed as a purpose built tool for Architecture and is the only completely parametric Building Information Modelling tool available.

AutoCAD is the de facto standard non-specialized CAD solution and its file formats DXF and DWG are the most common for CAD interchange. Since the late 1990's, the company made a concerted effort to provide a product for every solution in the industry, often purchasing competing companies and technologies.
In 2002, Autodesk purchased a competing software called Revit, from Massachusetts-based Revit Technologies for $133 million. Revit, for the building solutions and infrastructure group and Inventor for the manufacturing group, formed the foundation for future Autodesk products - a strong departure away from their 20-year old AutoCAD software code.

Revit Timeline

Charles River Software founded - October 31, 1997
0.1 1999 11 (Early Adopter1)
0.2 2000 01 (Early Adopter2)
Revit Technology Corporation - company renamed
1.0 2000 04
2.0 2000 08
2.1 2000 10
3.0 2001 02
3.1 2001 06
4.0 2001 11
4.1 2002 01
Autodesk acquires Revit Technology Corporation - April 1, 2002
4.5 2002 05 09
5.0 2002 12 17
5.1 2003 05
5.5 2003 04 01
6.0 2003 12 22
6.1 2004 03 11
7.0 2004 12 13
Autodesk Revit Series (Bundle w/ AutoCAD) - Now AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite
1.0 2003 12 01 (Revit 6.1)
2.0 2004 XX XX (Revit 6.1)
8.0 2005 08 23 (Revit 8.0)
8.1 2005 04 12 (Revit 8.1, AutoCAD 2006)
9.0 2006 04 12 (Revit Building 9.0, AutoCAD 2007)
9.1 2006 09 12 (Revit Building 9.1, AutoCAD 2007)
2008 2007 04 12 (Revit Architecture 2008, AutoCAD 2008)
2008 2007 06 07 (SP1)
2008 2007 08 10 (SP2)
2008 2007 11 09 (SP3)
2008 2008 01 01 (SP3) Fixing the Y2K8 Bug!
2009 2008 03 21 (Revit Architecture 2009)
2009 2008 06 02 (WU1)
2009 2008 09 15 (WU2) Service Pack Technology adopted
2009 2008 09 xx 64 Bit version released
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3)
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3) x64
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite
1.0 2005 06 01 (Revit Structure 1)
2.0 2005 09 01 (Revit Structure 2)
3.0 2006 04 12 (Revit Structure 3)
4.0 2006 09 12(Revit Structure 4)
2008 2007 04 12 (Revit Structure 2008, AutoCAD 2008)
2008 2007 06 07 (SP1)
2008 2007 08 10 (SP2)
2008 2007 11 09 (SP3)
2008 2008 01 01 (SP3) Fixing the Y2K8 Bug!
2009 2008 03 21 (Revit Structure 2009)
2009 2008 06 02 (WU1)
2009 2008 09 15 (WU2) Service Pack Technology adopted
2009 2008 09 xx 64 Bit version released
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3)
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3) x64
AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite
1.0 2006 04 01 (Revit Systems 1)
2.0 2006 09 01 (Revit Systems 2)
2008 2007 04 12 (Revit MEP 2008, AutoCAD MEP 2008)
2008 2007 06 07 (SP1)
2008 2007 08 10 (SP2)
2008 2007 11 09 (SP3)
2008 2008 01 01 (SP3) Fixing the Y2K8 Bug!
2009 2008 03 21 (Revit MEP 2009)
2009 2008 06 02 (WU1)
2009 2008 09 15 (WU2) Service Pack Technology adopted
2009 2008 09 xx 64 Bit version released
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3)
2009 2008 11 18 (WU3) x64

If this list is accurate, thats 59 Releases of Revit since 1999. Not too bad!

Linked File Cleanup

2008-12-02T15:59:00.005+13:00

Often when you receive a Revit File for linking, there may be a few things you want to do to it, before actually going through that process. Some of those practices I’ll be dealing with in a separate post.
This however discusses post linking – how should you treat the views that are created once you go through the whole copy / monitor process, and any views that are created subsequently.
My main reason for doing this was to be able to very quickly tidy up WHOLESALE, all my views in a project.
For example:
Once the copy / monitor tool has been used, and I now have my own set of Levels and Grids in my project, I want to turn off all the Architects Levels and Grids in the linked file (this also applies to Structure and MEP going between any linking process).
So, my procedure is this:

Setup a view, and using the Custom settings in visibility / graphics, I turn off ALL the Annotation categories for the LINKED FILE. This clears out Levels, Grids, Section Marks etc

Also using the custom settings, I control the visability of Model objects, typically everything goes to COARSE level of detail, I then lose most categories apart from Walls, Doors, Windows, Columns, Stairs, Ramps, Railings, Structural (Medium Detail) and Curtain Walls / Panels.
This of course largely depends on YOUR project.

Once this is done I can ‘Right Mouse Click’ and save the ‘View Template’

The important thing now is to uncheck EVERY category, except for the linked file visibility / graphics. This will enable you to apply this view template to ANY view without disturbing any overrides already in place in your model.

Revit MEP - Light Level Update

2008-11-15T13:12:00.003+13:00

I came upon this problem recently while in a training session, so it should be checked in a 'real' situation.

When placing lighting fittings into a room (space / ceiling / surface), the method for copying around the families was to array first in one direction ( x ) and then in the y.

If the families are left in the array groups, the anticipated lux level is reported incorrectly.

This doesn’t seem to be a matter of refreshing the spacial data either. When editing any of the surface reflectance’s, or changing un-grouped light fittings, the lux level is reported correctly the next time you look at the element properties of the space.

In the case of the array groups, you need to ungroup all, save the file, exit, and re-open the project for the lighting level to display correctly

Welcome!

2008-11-12T01:55:00.001+13:00

Hi!

Welcome to my blog.

It may not be the tidiest, most PC, or interesting that you've ever read, but I'm hoping that whatever I post will contain something that helps you - In work... Life... whatever.

Revit is my passion - If I can help you, or your company, become better at using the program, then EVERYONE benefits. Especially if I can safely employ you in the future, cos you use the same working methods as myself. These are my thoughts, opinions and observations. Some of them may be wildly innaccurate, so please check anything I recommend before using it on a live project.

Enjoy the blog... or don't.

In the words of one of my favorite bands...

never mind the bollocks