Thursday, October 20, 2011

Perception, Breakthrough, Success & Help

On To The Help!!! More Transformation for all.
One of the questions was how to correctly model a twisting element (see image left).

Marcello Sgambelluri & I took this one on. I modeled it the (now) olden way, as a generic component. I got the majority of success, where the model rotated from 1° to 76°. good since it only needs twist to 90°. but that is now a dead way to model...what I mean is, angular dimensions for rotation present inherent limitations... The other reasons for a new way of modeling is due to a breakthrough that Marcello had, that should/has inspired us all... Even people who think of themselves as Revit Heavyweights!!! 

The breakthrough came due to this simple modeling exercise, so get it? Marcello was open enough to let himself grow, even though he is already an amazing modeler It happened while he was driving into work (on his long commute) where he usually builds the pieces he is thinking about in his mind first...He knows to never stop growing & pushing himself... If that isn't using a good plan I don't know what is... PLAN FOR SUCCESS!!!

It's funny, we were talking about how that seems so obvious to us but (unfortunately) most people are too lazy (or whatever) for continuously learning & growth... it's just too much work for some... More work for 'us' I guess...

The breakthrough: Circles.
"Let things ride on the rails"... 

FYI: I rebuilt this based on the concepts that Marcello spoke of, so if I can do it...I can do it... :-) No...You can also!!!

A circle immediately gives a center & width, etc. and a nice stable place for points to host onto, no need for EQ constraints!!!








The point in the center (1) is given an offset (2 & 3) that will dictate Length -no dimension needed!!!

If the main REF PLANES are "0" then this "offset" will be the distance away from there, naturally...


 The points on the circle or 'rail' are told to be Angles & given Parameters of Twist Angle (name inconsequential) & the one that is opposite it given Twist Angle opposite (I used 1 & 2 so both sides of this could twist if desired)...








Getting this so far???

The 'Twist Angle opposite' parameters need a bit of a formula: See image left...

The "-180°" makes them  planar to one-another... Thus no EQ constraint!!! More Control, More Stability; Less Work!!!

We get the Reference Line between the points by selecting the 2 points & clicking the Spline Between Points tool and Voilà a line.

Remember to go to it's properties to turn it into a REF Line...



Repeat this process for the other ends' circle & points (no need for the "offset" point, as this RAIL wants to stay in it's planar location...


Half Width was added to each rail, to dictate the width, as we want width to be twice the circle's radius.

Simple right...

well it's simple once you are open to it, but even many seasoned pro's never thought of this... but I bet "we"...uhhh...I mean "they" will take credit for finding it :-)


...there may be others but Marcello was surely the first person I know of personally who stumbled onto this... Always pushing, always growing!!! Not even ADSK people knew this outright.

OK where were we... Oh yeah the twisting object itself... Hint: To create the surface set the opposing angle parameters to less than 90° so Revit doesn't overthink the shape and blow it up. Once created it will flex past 90°, it just needs to be created below that...

Select the 2 REF Lines (that are built onto those points on the rails) & click "Create Form" and you have another Voilà moment...

Associate Material to a new Material parameter, so you can change it from the project & you should be good... If you flexed each step of the way and were successful that is!!! If not...Try again!!!


Well I think that's enough for now...Be Great!!!

A very special Thanks goes out to Robb, Scott, Bill, Vince & everyone at Océ for hosting this great event, we really dug the space & we'll be back!!!

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Details in BIM: a Process Conceptualization

OK, Here is the paper I promised on Detailing concepts.

It has changed a bit (quite a bit) from the preview but I hope it's worth your while to read.

I read it as both inspiring, as well as heavy handed in it's assertions that one needs to hold to schedules and processes: but hey that's me...I just like to have projects that run as smooth as possible... XD

If you don't see the PDF below (that takes a few seconds (10-15+/- to load), as embedded from Scribd.com (@Scribd) then use the links way down below @ the bottom of this post.
Details in BIM a Process Conceptualization


Full Screen, Direct Link to Details in BIM: a Process Conceptualization

Link for all of J's 'Scribd' Documents

Cheers,

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Status Update & A Taste of Detail Conceptualization

Writing a bunch, beta testing a whole lot & as usual work & family take a lot of time (this is a lame excuse for not posting lately).

I will have some awesome (to me at least) postings in the near future, so bare with me :-)... For now; here's a taste:

Detailing in Revit
There are several ways to detail in Revit and each can be used to reach differing solutions and each is suitable for different documentation, coordination & construction needs. 

 
Detail Typologies
Details can be intellectualized as having two main Typologies, namely 2D & 3D.
•    There are three main types of Two-Dimensional (2D) details.
•    There are two main types of Three-Dimensional (3D) details.

Combining 2D & 3D details we can communicate Design intent, Coordinate projects & provide better, more efficient Construction Documents, telling the design story more effectively.

2D Detail Types & View Name Abbreviation Prefix(es)
DT    Drafting View Details
DS    Detail Sections
DH    Hybrid Details
3D Detail Types
3M    3D Model Views
3T    3D Details

Detail Methodology
The first steps in any successful endeavor are planning: and detailing a project is no exception.

The quantity & types of details used in a project are to be planned for throughout the project, usually beginning in the early to mid SD phase with more refinement when planning the transition to the DD phase.

Further planning & process refinement is done prior to, as well as throughout the CD phase as well.

Planning details is tracked and managed from a Schedule View, using custom parameter values input to ensure that what has been planned is being addressed, by whom & what the status is at any one time.

This planning can be done exporting schedules to other database software but that is not recommended, due to the fact that data outside of the BIM project file is disassociated and can lead to undesired inconsistencies & worse yet, errors and would require a lot of re-creation & re-coordination.

 
Use Cases
Detail methodologies can be broken out for several use cases, including: Typical 2D Details, Project Specific 2D Details, Modified-Typical 2D Details, 3D Views & 3D Details.

3D views & 3D Details will be used in conjunction with the more historically commonplace 2D details, to powerfully augment the AEC process.

The Design and Construction teams will find
both their understanding, coordination & visualization of specific conditions within the BIM project greatly rationalized, with extraordinary value when combined 2D & 3D information is leveraged in the AEC, BIM Design, Production & Construction processes…

The completion of this paper & more... "soon"...