revit in plain english

Revit Structure - Missing Columns - Graphical Column Schedule

2009-11-09T17:18:00.003-05:00

Thank You Steve Stafford, Revit OPED for documenting this:

If columns are not showing on your column schedules make sure the columns are intersecting with grids and Levels.

http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2009/05/revit-structure-missing-columns.html

Revit Wish List

2009-11-05T16:57:00.002-05:00

'Wishes will be collected three times per year; the top 10 wishes from each cycle will be sent on to the development teams at Autodesk. After each cycle the wish list starts anew to ensure that the wishes are current. The top wishes from the year will be presented to Autodesk in person at Autodesk University.'

'These wishes can only be considered for Revit 2012 and beyond...'

Here's the link...
http://augi.com/revit/ballot.asp

Visibility issues, Volume 1

2009-10-28T11:16:00.001-04:00

Visibility Issues are among the most common issues with Revit. These can usually be chalked up to the following...

Category is turned off in the view

Object Graphics or Visibility overridden (ie., set as transparent, turned off)

View Range

Plan Regions

Worksets (turned off in Visibility Overrides)

Design Options

Phases

Object being blocked by another (like a floor slab)

Worksharing:

Keep in mind that when working in a team environment (Worksharing) others may be editing your settings without you knowing. One way to mitigate this is by making some initialed views, especially when it comes to the overall 3D and Section Box views. Another common solution is to yell at the people who are doing this.

New Revit Release Now...

2009-10-21T16:25:00.002-04:00

Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010

The Autodesk® Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 extends the capabilities of Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 software. Productivity-enhancing functionality and features better support modeling, coordination, and documentation, while improved tools help you work more efficiently within the software.

Watch this to see what it's all about...

http://www.subscriptionvideos.com/subscription_rac_video.html

Revit Standards - File Path Locations

2009-10-19T14:20:00.004-04:00

You can set up standard locations for file paths to standard Families and Templates in the following way. You will need to do this at each workstation if Revit has been installed.

-Go to: Application 'R' menu
-Options

-File Locations
-Places
-Add the name of the location and then browse.

I don't recommend pointing your rendering library off the local machines. This will cause a serious slowdown in rendering times.

The locations will then be available on the left-hand side of 'load' and 'open' dialog boxes.

Revit Arch 2010 Structural Slab Span Symbol

2009-10-05T13:32:00.003-04:00

The Revit Architecture 2010 Help files describe how a Structural Slab can be added along with a Span Direction Symbol. Autodesk has confirmed that this is an error in both the Help file and Structural Slab tool. Some Revit Structure files got into the Revit Arch Help files. They said that this will be addressed in the 2011 version. Although they didn't elaborate they will probably remove the reference out of the help files and removing the Structural Slab tool altogether from RAC.

Showing Beams Above in Revit Architecture

2009-10-05T11:14:00.006-04:00

Here are some facts that may help in explaining how to show beams which are above:

Floorlan views only look down.

Ceiling Plan views only look up.

The linetype called Overhead is just a standard linetype like 'Hidden' or 'Thin Lines'. Revit will not detect things overhead.

The 'Top Range' of the View Range dialog box is only there to establish how high the 'Cut Plan' can go. Again, Revit will not detect things overhead.

The 'Structural' View Templates set the View Range a little lower but still will not show overhead lines automatically. It will also change the look of the beam lines.

So, here's one workaround:

1. Make a Beam Line Style...

Manage-Settings-Line Styles-Modify Subcategories-New-Call it Overhead Beams-Set the Line Pattern and Line Weight as desired.

2. Temporarily set View Range...

View Properties-View Range-Top Range-Set it above your beam height-Cut Plan-Set it above your beam height.

3. Temporarily change your Detail Level to Fine. This is so you can see the 3D beams.

4. Use the Annotate-Detail Line Tool to draw a line beside the 3D beam using the 'Overhead Beams' Line Style.

5. Use the Align tool to align your line to the middle of the 3D beam. Click the Lock so it is closed.

6. Change your View Range back to normal.

This will line will stay (mostly) connected with the 3D beam. This technique can be used for balconies above, floorplates above, roof overhangs etc.

Please note that there is a bug involving sloping beams and beam systems showing up even when above. Autodesk will be fixing this so I wouldn't use it.

Autodesk SketchBook Mobile

2009-09-24T15:33:00.002-04:00

Saw this on David Lights blog...

Available for 2.99 on the App Store. Is this possibly the cheapest of Autodesk's software?

Autodesk SketchBook Mobile
The Autodesk® SketchBook® Mobile painting and drawing application extends your digital sketchpad to your Apple® iPhone® or Apple iPod touch®. With the same paint engine as Autodesk® SketchBook® Pro software, SketchBook Mobile offers professional-grade painting and drawing tools in a streamlined and intuitive user interface. Use it to digitally capture your ideas as napkin sketches or produce artwork on-the-go.

Website:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=13872203

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwYm5YhA0pQ

Oh, and by the way...Reinstalling Revit and Plugins

2009-09-10T16:44:00.002-04:00

When you reinstall Revit you have to reinstall all of the plugins and in some cases reauthorize them. I wish we could do something about this for the sake of the CAD/BIM Managers out there. This is an issue that Autodesk needs to address as they release one official version and at least two bug-fix versions per year.

Error Importing Sketchup into Revit 2010

2009-08-31T14:14:00.002-04:00

I was about to show the great 'import Sketchup' feature to a client when all of a sudden I got the error 'Unable to Import Sketchup'. 'It does it, trust me, really.'
This is a issue is known by Autodesk and they are working to resolve it. In the meantime the only way to fix it is to reinstall.

Imported 3D AutoCAD not Sectioning

2009-08-24T15:49:00.002-04:00

Problem:
A 3D AutoCAD file imported into Revit is not cutting when sectioned.

Solution:
The AutoCAD file first needs to be imported into a Family.
You have options:
1. Start the In-Place Mass command and then import the AutoCAD file. This option works well for large, one time imports like surrounding buildings etc. (use the same method for Sketchup files.)
2. Start a Family based upon a Family Template of your choice (ie. specialty equipment) then import the AutoCAD. Load this Family into your Project. This option works well for creating a quick 3D Family with existing 3D CAD geometry.

Room Object Not Placed

2009-08-13T12:43:00.005-04:00

Have you ever deleted a Room Object and you get a 'deleted but still in project' message? This is a good time-saving feature. Let's say that you build schools, it's a given that you will need the following rooms; Bathroom, Janitor and my favourite, THE Office.
You can pre-make these in your template. When you go to place a Room Object look in the Options Bar (pictured) and drop down the Room list. You have saved yourself from typing the room name and perhaps other important parameters.

More about Room Objects in Schedules here.

Nested Window Visibility with Wall Healing

2009-08-06T16:04:00.004-04:00

This one is hard to explain in plain English. Here's the scenario...

Door family with nested window families as sidelights.
Visibility parameter applied to the windows for left and right options.
When inserted into a wall (in a project file -.rvt) checking the sidelights on and off will not leave a hole where the window was. Rather, the wall will 'heal'.

The key is this:
In the window family
Category and Parameters, Shared (check box) is checked.

Thanks to Jeff Steinhauer from the AUGI forum for helping me on this one...
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=998259#post998259

In-Revit Solar Radiation

2009-07-13T16:54:00.001-04:00

Use the Solar Radiation Technology Preview to analyze the effects of solar radiation on various surfaces of your conceptual building model...

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/ecotect/

Revit Arch 2010 Update 1

2009-07-07T10:42:00.001-04:00

The first Update for Revit Arch 2010 is now available...

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=12828862

Revit 2010 Decal Path

2009-06-08T14:59:00.003-04:00

If your path is too long to a specific decal image it will not render. You can workaround this by adding the path of your image to the Options-Rendering-Additional..Paths.

Autodesk is aware of this issue....

FIXED: Revit Arch 2010 to Navisworks 2010: Windows Not Cutting Walls

2009-06-05T11:08:00.004-04:00

There has been a hotfix posted for this today. You can find it here:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=13379829&linkID=10382102

Please be aware that there is a bug in the export to Navisworks function in the 2010 product line. Walls are covering up windows. This issue has been submitted to Autodesk Development. Read more at the AUGI forum here...http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=101078&highlight=wall+window

Rise and Run Roof Slope Tag

2009-06-01T13:45:00.002-04:00

Thank you Autodesk for adding one of my wishlist items from way back! This may be a small thing but it's important to residential designers. Thanks again!

I found this on David Duarte's blog Revit Beginners...(Thanks David)

Go to Annotate... Spot Slope... and you might notice that Revit has a new slope annotation that works in plan and elevation view. (choose an arrow or triangle symbol from the options bar)

Now try annotating a roof slope with a spot annotation triangle and you might notice something peculiar. Maybe your roof is 6:12 but the annotation read 4:12. Why the error? Because Revit is annotating the Hip not the face of the roof...Try hitting the tab key while floating over the roof edge and you'll see that the slope tag can report the slope of the hip or the face. The tool just happens to default to reporting the hip first.

This tool does not yet work on ramps or railings.

full article...
http://revitbeginners.blogspot.com/2009/04/revit-2010-new-spot-slopes.html

Tag Box Size Relative to Contents

2009-06-01T09:53:00.004-04:00

Is it possible to have a tag's box size expand with the contents?

For example, if a room is numbered '1' it doesn't need a big box, but if it's numbered '1001' it does. (This is applicable to all tags really.)

The answer is no, it does not expand automatically. You will need to make a few different types that have different sized boxes.

Curtain Wall Corner Mullions

2009-05-29T09:16:00.004-04:00

Curtain Wall Corner Mullions are preloaded in the default template. You have the following choices of shapes: (see image)

Quad

Trapezoid

You can make more types by editing the properties. (see image) You can edit material, thickness and general size.

You cannot make a custom profile for corners like you can for non-corner mullions.

If you would like a custom corner you will be best to make it out of a structural column family.

If you are missing the corner mullion families from your project file (maybe they have been purged) do the following.

-Project Browser

-Families

-Curtain Wall Mullions

-Right Click on desired heading

-Choose New Type

Curtain Wall - Butt Joint Corners

2009-05-27T09:48:00.003-04:00

Butt joints at corners can be done the following ways…

Option A

1. Make a new curtain wall panel using the curtain wall panel template
2. Offset the geometry on one side.
3. Save and load the family into your project
4. Make a Curtain Wall Style with Vertical Mullion, Border 2 Type, None
5. Draw the curtain walls on the corner. The wall endpoints will be lined up but the glass will appear to be overlapping by an inch or so.
6. TAB until you can select the panel.
7. Replace the panel with you corner panel.

Option B

1. Draw the curtain walls on the corner. The wall endpoints will be lined up but the glass will appear to be overlapping by an inch or so.
2. TAB until you can select the panel.
3. Edit in-place
4. Stretch the glass panel back by 1”
5. Finish

Option C

1. Draw the curtain walls on the corner. The wall endpoints will be lined up but the glass will appear to be overlapping by an inch or so.
2. TAB until you can select the panel.
3. Turn off the panel’s visibility
4. Draw a wall style which is the thickness of the glass panel and has the material ‘glass’.

Any of these choices are a pain. This is one of the workarounds I would like to see addressed...

Lineweights Bug and Workaround

2009-05-12T14:02:00.004-04:00

We have noticed that there is a discrepancy in the lineweights between Titleblocks and Projects. It seems that the Titleblock Family's lineweights, although set to the number, appear and print thinner. Autodesk has confirmed that this is an error and plan on fixing it in a future release.

For now you will need to bump your lineweights up (set to a higher number) on your Titleblock Family in order to match the lines on your sheet.

Database Link in Revit

2009-05-07T16:33:00.000-04:00

We've been waiting for this one for a long time...

RDB Link Tool for Revit Family
Technology Preview (COMING SOON)
Overview

The RDBLink tool allows the user to export data from the elements in a Revit project and maintain relationships against data that exists outside of Revit. The tool allows for both import and export of the project data and will allow the user to make changes on the database side that affect the data within the project once imported. Also, during subsequent exports of the data to the same database, only data from the project will be affected, so any new fields or tables added to the database for your own purposes will remain intact along side the newly exported data. The RDBLink import tool provides a grid view of the data to allow the user to make any final edits before import. This grid control also allows the user to create Revit Shared Parameters which will add new fields for those parameters to the database in the related tables. Changes to these new fields within the database will update these Revit Shared Parameters upon future imports.

more...http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/revit_rdb/

thanks RevitOPED for the tip

Autodesk University Presentations

2009-05-05T10:16:00.002-04:00

Public voting is open for Autodesk University Presentations. You can vote here:
http://au.autodesk.com/

I have submitted three proposals.

Session title:
Mutual Symbiosis in the Revit Habitat: Users and Reseller Techies Unite!

Session description:
Software users and software specialists enjoy a symbiotic relationship. Both parties have access to business opportunities and technical resources which are hard to get at while working alone. This class will expose and identify many of the opportunities that a good user-specialist relationship can offer. A BIM/CAD Manager from a progressive, Revit-centric firm and a Reseller Techie will share their experiences on key topics. The secrets to getting technical answers fast from resellers and Autodesk. Techniques on getting the most out of students and teachers in training will be discussed. Plus, learn how to connect with even more experts by starting and running a successful users group. If your symbiotic relationship has been strained, learn how to unite and squeeze more out of a valuable opportunity.

Key learning:
Expand your business network
Get technical answers fast
Start a local users group
Get the most out of students and teachers
Expand your technical resources

Target audience:
BIM/CAD managers, Reseller Application Specialists

Session title:
Navisworks: Coordination as Easy as a Game

Session description:
Turn your building into a video game and email it across your team. Swap materials and render instantly. While taking a virtual tour redline, comment and save animations on the fly. Watch your building get built, in real time. Animate the crane for clearance. Email the whole file to your team for free viewing. In this class we will learn how to take your large multi-meg Revit files and turn them into a smooth, interactive file small enough to email. This is how many consultants, using many different kinds of software, solve the coordination problem.

Key learning:
Import Revit Files
Walking and Flying
Creating an Environment and Applying Materials
Animate!
Timeline your Construction

Target audience:
Architects, Contractors, Builders, Engineers, Designers, Resellers

Session title:
Stairway, or Ramp to Revit Heaven

Session description:
Stairs, ramps and railings are some of the hardest tools to master in Revit. We will discuss specialized techniques for making parking ramps, multi-landing and poured concrete staircases, as well as unique rail conditions. You will learn the ‘rules of thumb’ when making stairs, ramps and railings while exploring the limits of what can be done. We will cover how to properly annotate and detail stairs in sections and plan. If you feel that your stairs haven’t quite reached heavenly heights join us in this session as we climb the stairway, or ramp to Revit heaven.

Key learning:
Make a sloping and curving parking ramp
Make a multi-landing stair
Learn some stair and ramp ‘rules of thumb’
Annotate and detail stairs
Explore the limits

Target audience:
Architects, Engineers and designers who need to make stairs.

Elevations and Phases

2009-04-28T12:18:00.002-04:00

Elevation markers disappear in different Phases. How do you coordinate the extents and views of these different phases? You can address this by doing the following:

1. Select the Elevation Marker, Cut and Paste Aligned-Same Place. You would do this into the view with the Phase set as desired. The copied Elevation Marker will be in the same place but on the desired Phase.

2. Make a Scope Box. You can drag the extents of the Scope Box to determine where Grids and Levels start and stop. Click on the Grids and Levels, Element Properties, choose the Scope Box you just made. Scope Boxes also have properties that allow you to control the view it's visible in.

3. Organize your Browser. This can also be done by adding a parameter to the views.