Are Your Callouts Out Of Shape Or Do You Just Want Them To Be?

Callouts being Rectangular and only rectangular is one of those things that The Factory (Revit's, not Andy Warhol's) seems to think that we are not intelligent enough to create, or need to create...Or is it the other way around??? Could it be too difficult to program??? I mean, we got to the moon on less than a cell phone's computing power, right!!!??? Oh well...Until they give this to us here is one workaround...

But First: Is the rectangular Callout really unusable in your project? I always try to use the original callouts, but if it is just not acceptable then go to step #1.


1) Create an actual Callout, that generates a Plan View (and If you like to work predictably and consistently, then set it's extents to a "Scope Box" via the properties, as shown below). Note: Yes, I created the Scope Box before I created the Callout, but you can do it after...


Below is the end result of step #1:

2) Select the original, generative Callout and Right-Click and Hide Element In View (Here's the 1st thing that needs to be communicated to the team as well as manually managed throughout the life of the project again... see the question in red, above).

3) Create our Proxy Callout that References (an) Other View and choose that generated view from the drop-down. Refer to the next 2 images!!!


When creating the Proxy, Referential View make the rectangle nearly impossibly small (zoom, zoom, zoom!!!)


Progress so far:


(Yes you may want to place the Scope Box(es) on their own workset that is Not "On By Default In Every View" (See the dialogue box that pops up when creating a new WS for this check box)...

4) Draw Detail Lines (I used the Double Dash) that express the Callout Bubble that you actually want...(and isn't that the whole point for this? BTW: See that red question again)

4a) Group the lines for either more control (or less control), depending on your users and their proclivity to delete or move items, etc... Still, I like to group them. (ha ha, the Callout can't be part of the group...Remember that I mentioned manual management? Well that's another one to watch as the project progresses).

TaDa...

I know I editorialize a bit but we need to be self critical and really understand the ramifications of any workaround; this may be thought of as being analogous to questioning oneself before running a marathon with stiletto heals on... They may look good and make your legs look beautiful but are the benefits worth it? Sometimes this is yes, sometimes no... If we think this through each time then we will be in good shape whatever the choice...

Until The (Revit) Factory finally gives us the power to create irregularly shaped callout bubbles...If they ever do!!!

OK so sometimes we need to just pick flowers...

It's been an outrageously busy week so I am going to post a recount of a lesson in perspective that is both humorous and true.

Enjoy, -J

Chapter One: (Eeeewwwww)

A short while (and about 25 lbs ago) I was in the "run" leg of a Sprint Triathlon (1/2 mile swim, 20 mile bike, 3+ mile run) about 1 mile from the finish I heard someone from behind exclaim that he had to pass me because he couldn't let someone with a disturbing injury beat him... (I had played hockey a few days before and got hit with a puck in the back of my leg...I did have a huge bruise but there was no more pain; I must admit that the huge, multi-colored bruise looked nasty). Well, I managed to beat him (ha ha); but, as it turned out this was just a sign of things to come...

Chapter Two: (WTF)

After the race I was getting some re-hydration and bananas and was walking back to the race staging area to begin to pack up and leave when I again heard someone behind me exclaim their horror at the bruise. The person was saying that he was inspired that someone with such a bad looking injury actually competed and finished the course... I turned in the middle of answering to him that "...Oh, it was just a hockey bruise and nothing too serious..." yet as I turned and finally saw this guy (a really toned athlete) I saw that he had only 1 leg (he wore one of those racing prosthetics)... He did the same race as me with only one leg and he was impressed by me??? WTF/LOL!!!

Chapter Three: (Hmmmm)

After running thru a long list of thoughts that flooded me I finally had a nice talk with him about how funny it seemed to me that he is the one to me who is truly inspiring, running on one leg and that he thought my little (well OK big) bruise was inspiring to him was a great irony...we both had a little laugh and a realization about perspective...we both seemed to think our situations were merely our normal state...

More Fun With Views: Stacked Isometrics and More

A friend asked me how I made stacked 3D Plan Views in a project I was showing him; so I offer this up for everyone (who sees it) to use and abuse... I bet you (us) abusers can find many other uses for composite Revit Views!!! (perhaps one day I'll post my shortcuts too) Ready, Set...

GO.

1) Model your building (LOL)
2) Open Up a 3D View (you can have a lot of fun with Camera Views and these techniques as well!!!) I'll use this one:3) View>Orient>To Other View (or in my world OO...great for repetition!!!)

4) Yeah, It's obviously imperative to choose the appropriate View for what you are attempting...(Hmm Sections? Although not shown possible!!!)

Here's how that 3D looks now...BUT WAIT!!! (although if you create 2 of each View you can place the 3D "Plan" with shadows next to the isometrics that this posting illustrates...Ohhh More Fun!!!)


5) Now View>Orient>Save View (or in my world SV...Are you getting the idea that using shortcuts are faster for repetitive tasks???!!! I think I just saved $100.00)

6) Then (AKA: now) View>Orient>Northeast (or whatever you like...If you're not bored with the shortcut train of thought here it is: SV...Yes, Save View). Saving the View will create a new Default 3D view, thus enabling you to repeat the steps above as many times as needed (in this example there are 7 total)...

Here is a completed ISO Plan that will be stacked with the others... (Yes, I created one for every Level: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...+ a Site view that I discarded in the end)

7) Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat...

Here is a sheet view with all 7 views stacked (Yes, you'll want to place the views in an order so as to not cover the wrong ones up...let's say lowest to highest...it all depends on your desires...remember they will snap to alignment if you move them in line with each other)

WAIT A MINUTE!!! Did I just stack them on a Rendering from Revit? And did I actually only select Medium Quality, then push the Render button and let Mental Ray work??? Oh yes I did!!! I also must admit I did open the exported .tif Rendering output in my photo editor, to place a background, due to the fact that when (in Revit 2009) you export a rendering as a .tif or .png it also saves out an Alpha channel (which even accounts for glass, etc...) I say F' Yeah to that!!!

Enjoy!!!

Computer Security & 2009 Rendering "Too Much Perfect"

Yeah, Yeah I know this isn't BIM, or even Revit related but I did find this interesting & important; since computer security is paramount if we are to use them in business.

See this ASTALAVISTA.com Article. (or the Times Online Source Article) for a glimpse of Microsoft's ongoing lax security. Sorry Bill, I love you but something needs to be done. ' Glad I don't use HotMail!!!

BTW: Rendering in Revit 2009 is "too much perfect"... Thanks ADSK for Pimping My Revit!!! Images soon...

Revit Architecture 2009 New Features Workshop

So, above is a peek at the Revit Architecture 2009 New Features Workshop... If you want to see a FULL RESOLUTION+ slide show of the workshop (or you don't see the Flikr library above) then CLICK ME!!!

I will get into more of the items in depth, but I thought you'd like to see the images above ASAP!!!

Soon the Revit Architecture web site will be updated with Revit Architecture 2009 info...HERE, I think.

Do you want to save Thousands of dollars this year? Well just follow me...

OK so you don't have to follow me, I'm just listening to John Lennon... But if you want to save those thousands of dollars follow the directions below...

First of all I did not come up with this but I'll take credit (no pun initially intended) if you want to send me a check!!! OK here we go:

Create a new drafting view and place some text in it. Maybe the text says:
IF YOU WANT TO SAVE THE PROJECT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS (NO SHIT) PER YEAR THEN DO EACH DAY'S LAST SAVE TO CENTRAL FROM THIS VIEW.

-Perhaps you'll write your own blurb!!!

Now this next step is the most important and it’s getting 'buy-in' from the whole team: HAVE THEM ACTUALLY FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION OF SAVING TO CENTRAL FROM THAT VIEW!!! Remember to close all hidden windows as well!!!

You don't know how to get buy-in? Here's a trick I like; just understand that you may get laughed at when you say that saving 15 seconds at opening can save $1,000 but let them laugh, you'll have the last and best laugh in about 1 minute!!!

1) Have a meeting with the Revit team and make sure your bosses are present. The more bosses the better!

2) Tell them that you have a way to save thousands of dollars (and use my name, if you like!!!)

3) Do this math on a large white-board or paper if you can, if not it's ok:
Revit projects average between 15 seconds and 1 1/2 minutes to generate the on-screen geometry during opening a file ...So let's use an average of 1 minute and let's say there are 5 people on the team:
(1x5=5 minutes per open) x 2 times a day [morning & after lunch] = 10 minutes a day. Hmmm I see where this is going...but wait it gets better!!!

10x5 = 50 minutes a week ...it's getting more clear and approaching impressive...

50 x 50 weeks = 2,500 minutes or 41.667 Hours a year (yes I said HOURS!!!) Now are you impressed? Wait!!! There’s one more thing... The big bosses always like this and they usually get the team members to buy in after hearing this:

41.667 x Billable Rate (maybe $100, or more an hour) at 100 per hr. = $4,167.00 per large project saved a year by this dumb, yet brilliant workflow enhancement... Oh and the small projects usually average 15 seconds saved = $1,000.00 a year +/-... Not bad for low profit margin projects too!!! Saving all this money for doing what we have to do anyways!!! That's strangely amazing!!!

No one's laughing at this anymore, huh?

Shared Coordinates And... 1

I am preparing a course on leveraging Surveyor's cad files to orient projects to true North, etc. and I just wanted to begin by placing a few assets that are already out there and their original links; so here we go:

From the AUGI posting: Click Me!!!

The "Factory says: This is one place where you have to follow the rules.
Revit's internal calculations do not like very large coordinate numbers. There are many number systems used in an app like Revit, some for calculating values, some for driving the display, etc. In some cases these systems differ in the precision of the numbers they can use.

When numeric values are small, these differences in precision are insignificant. When numbers get large, the differences while still small on a percentage basis become large enough to effect the results of display and operations. Thus, it is important to keep your Revit project near Revit's origin. (near means within 1 mile/1.6km) Revit's origin is near the center of the space made by the elevation symbols in the default template.

The Rules
* Always build your building near the starting point of the default template.
* Model it with Project North pointing directly up. (lay it out as you would have it appear on sheets)
* If you are using a dwg based site, Link your site file Center To Center.
* Move or rotate the SITE under your project until it is correctly positioned relative to the building. (do not move or rotate the project itself).
* Use the Acquire Coordinates tool and pick the site.

This will set your project's shared coordinated to those of the dwg's wcs. True North will be the dwg's Y axis. Now your building knows where the dwg 0,0 is, but it can still record its own information in well behaving small numbers. It knows and can orient to either True North, or Project North. Once the shared coordinates are set, subsequent imports can be made origin to origin using shared coordinates."

Another fine (merely excellent) asset is one of TG's posts Found Here!!!

This should be a good start...To be continued (with pictures most likely!!!)...

Update: Why can't designers model in Revit (yet)?

Well, I am making progress in the translation of this class and expect to post it this month. I just got back the feedback responses from participants, as collected by ADSK and I am really pleased by the comments...the checks are in the mail!!!

Thanks to all who participated and to those who provided feedback. Perhaps ADSK will let me do more sessions in the future!!!

Even though there were preconceived notions as to the benefit of this session the reality was that it was (and is) a forum for positive change and inspired a lot of both thought and action...Without much further ado: Here's that feedback... (yes, it's a bit of an ego trip, but honestly it illustrates what not only I have to offer our world of BIM but what all of you bring to bare; as I see the results here as speaking as a microcosm of the entirety of the Revit community, illustrating the need and usefulness of pushing the envelope (sometimes in a confrontational manner, in order to get people's open listening)... BTW: I especially love the comment "Brilliant"!!! I think it was a brilliant session too...

1. Have you heard of AU Unplugged before arriving in Las Vegas?

Yes -14 (74%)

No- 5 (26%)

No Answer- 0

2. Did you vote for any session to be included in the AU Unplugged scheduled?

Yes –6 (32%)

No-13 (68%)

No Answer- 0

3. Please rate the following on a scale from 1 to 10. (a-e)

a. Overall satisfaction with this session. 8.68

b. Format of this session. 8.89

c. Session leader’s knowledge of topic. 9.05

d. Sessions leader’s effort to engage participants 9.31

e. The benefit or value (information, contacts, etc.) 8.73

You gained from this session.

4. Would you recommend this session or one similar format to others?

Yes –18 (95%)

No- 1 (5%)

No Answer- 0

5. What did you most like about this session?

Interactive, open, honest

Open, honest, healthy

Good discussion

Discussion and idea flow

Interactivity

Open exchange

Wide Spectrum of personalities/experience that attended

Good discussion

Free discussion and debate

Open discussion

The open discussion and knowledge of the attendees

Brilliant

Interactive rather than just listening

Open Discussion

Ideas

Open Dialog

6. What did you least like about this session?

Too short

Trivial topic

Off topic at times

The group was not a good match for the topic

Hw at times people pulled the conversation to the technical

Schedule conflict w/classes

Lighting

Not enough seats

Could talk express my thought without stepping as others

Comments:

Longer more session

I think the idea is great

More unplugged sessions

More of them

Schedule times to not conflict with added perhaps as breakfast and lunch sessions

Publicize and list schedule in augi daily sheet Just keep doing it

Spiral Ramps: a Helix of a Solution

Before I begin to begin (added 06-11-2008), I seem to have found that Internet Explorer still sucks and will not show some of the graphics for this post... while this is unfortunate it doesn't ultimately affect the bottom line of the "how-to" portion of this post...BTW: Go get Mozilla Firefox!!! Yes that is a link to it!!!

Well before I begin (and if you were wondering where) that transcription for the AU Unplugged session that I did is, well, I am taking a bit longer than expected (as can be ascertained by it not being complete yet). I am working on it and have also asked ADSK again if they'd let me post the actual audio, so soon you can expect to have one or the other.

That said let's get to the helical Ramp. BTW one can extrapolate these procedures out to create Spiral Stairs as well...they both employ very similar processes!!!

A helix (I love that word) Is defined by Wolfram Math World (IMO the coolest math site) this way:

"...The helix is a space curve with parametric equations

			(1)
			(2)
			(3)

for , where is the radius of the helix and is a constant giving the vertical separation of the helix's loops.
The curvature of the helix is given by

(4)

and the locus of the centers of curvature of a helix is another helix. The arc length is given by

(5)

The torsion of a helix is given by

(6)

so

(7)

which is a constant. In fact, Lancret's theorem states that a necessary and sufficient condition for a curve to be a helix is that the ratio of curvature to torsion be constant.
The osculating plane of the helix is given by

(8)

(9)

The minimal surface of a helix is a helicoid. SEE ALSO: Generalized Helix, Helicoid, Seashell, Slinky, Spherical Helix, Spiral."

What we want to create is a Revit Ramp (AKA: a (circular Helicoid)

"The (circular) helicoid is the minimal surface having a (circular) helix as its boundary. It is the only ruled minimal surfaceplane (Catalan 1842, do Carmo 1986)." - Wolfram Math World

Go to the Modeling tools and choose Ramp (obviously). if you first create a couple of Ref Planes your going will be smoother.

Now that you're in Sketch Mode you will want to set the Ramp Properties -not shown- (from the Design Bar) and set the width, slope, etc. Notice the Slope is a Type Parameter? (If you change this or any other Type Parameter then your best course of action (and the recommended one) is to Duplicate the Type and have a new ramp to use)

Above is a 3D and plan view showing the "Run" sketch that says it's long enough (though it's not for me). If you look below you'll notice that I dragged the run line and snapped it to the horizontal Ref Plane (don't worry if the ramp's readout, in sketch mode says you have a negative amount left; the ramp will still go cleanly up to the top level (or offset thereof) as per your previous 'properties' setups)

The reason that I snapped to that Ref Plane so when I copy these up to other levels rotate them I will be able to use 180° to get the final helix. The length of your helical Ramp will probably require the most of your efforts to figure out; the rest of their creation is pretty quick.

Now Finish Sketch.

OK, so now I am going to trust that you can copy then 'paste aligned>select levels by name...to get the new ramp up to the next level... And I am trusting that you can rotate the new copy and even align and possibly move it into place, then repeat until you get the desired end result...


Good Times!!!
-J

Well I was just pissing off (actually, I hope not) some Augies and have a couple more ideas about BIM-Clouds...

In this post thread: (Yes, click me!!!) W. M. wrote:
...In this thread, make your case for a true "Revit Building" which includes everything needed for documenting a building, and what you'd be willing to pay for it.
Why do you need a unified version of Revit? Discuss...

I replied...
W,
Great Idea, it's on a lot of peoples minds and has been for years now. I too used to think endlessly (a bit exaggerated) about the benefits that a unified Revit would be; It is a good idea, but more and more lately I am changing my mind!!! I now feel it would only be a stop gap measure (though a good one). IMO it is also (now) a matter of thinking small.

Don't anyone take that personally, I said I think it's a good idea too...

Do we want one Revit?
Or, better yet,
Would you find it in your businesses interest to be able to use any, and every tool? To be able to interact with a real "central" database, no matter the task, no matter the tool?...Revit, 3DS, Sketchup, Maya, Ecotect, Illustrator, etc. Whatever...and without any data loss. That would be worth 5 grand (or more) and still be a good value!!!

I read, was inspired by (and thus blogged about) a great article on "Google and the wisdom of clouds". I have been intrigued at the prospect of going beyond perceived limitations for years and after reading about the clouds and the brilliant folks who came up with that thinking I am in a state of trying to bring that clarity to AEC.

Everything is possible, right? Well, let's think big; and if you already think big then think bigger and if you already think bigger then tell me why aren't you already developing BIM-Clouds???

Frankly, dreaming of a unified Revit, no matter how much better it would be is still too short-sighted, unless we see it in Revit 2009. If ADSK hasn't done it yet we won't see it (probably) for 3 to 5 years? But if we bring about radical, new ways of thinking and practicing Architecture, etc. our processes can keep from being mired in softwares that never seem to deliver on their initial promise.

We can make huge, positive changes rather quickly: it's called evolution.

We can make small, incremental changes in reaction to things but I think that is called growing old and dying.

I want to evolve our industry, do you???

-J

Everything is Possible. ...the Wisdom of Clouds

So as I get closer to completing the transcripts for the "Why Can't (some) Designers Model (Design) in Revit" posting I have realized more and more clarity regarding some now core thoughts that I am aligning myself with and developing.

The first is I believe we must think large(r) (No I don't mean out of the box...I don't like using that tired, burned out term ...it's so 2006... also I find it is constricted to a box itself); So I say let's Think Large(r)! (The (r) does not mean that it's registered it eludes to If we are thinking Large; Then IMO: we should be thinking Larger: Otherwise think Larger from the start. Shoot for the furthest reaches of the Multiverse and if we only hit the center of our own Galaxy then work with that but never stop dreaming.

OK, Larger? Yeah; Larger!!! I feel another Revitism coming... In order to focus one must un-focus.

I have seen a lot regarding 'One ("Grand-Unified") Revit' on both AUGI, in User Group discussions, etc.; Shee-oot in the past I have even thought that such a unification would be a great idea and an end in itself... well, I now believe we can get even better than that.

I propose that the One Unified Revit concept is too small. While it may be a great stop-gap measure, I think it would only get us so far.

Do I hear some of you getting pissed off at me again??? Well suspend that for a minute...

Thinking bigger, in regards to this unification and what I suggest is that we strive A Single, Central Database Multiverse. In this workflow there is really one database and many satellite tools, Revit being one (or three) of a multitude that would use the SAME data, no data loss through "interoperability" hindrances, etc. Word, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, 3DS Max, Studio Tools, Sketchup and any of the other tools we use...Now I know that ADSK can, yet may not want to (or be able to???) create interoperable softwares with their competitors tools but why not? License it out and become the BIM (IBM) to a Sketchup (Apple). If one delivers great Designs that are usable, functional, responsible and sustainable, etc. then everyone (mostly) will use it... Kinda like what we (AEC Industry) strives for. If Apple licensed out their shit back in the late 70's/early 80's like IBM did then we'd never need those funny commercials with the MAC & PC dudes. BTW: If you have a sense of humor and like EITHER a MAC or PC based computer then CLICK ME!!! The comments there are great too!!!

If we demand this, then someone would make it, I'm sure. I know it would allow us to create better work and I can surmise that it could propel ADSK to become #1, not #4.

Remember history so we don't have to re-live it. There was once a Berlin Wall, a Roman Empire and if ADSK really delivers that which surpasses the average and really adopt a vision Toward a Zen of BIM (if I may use my own term), giving us tools for solutions, rather than providing us tools and CALLING them solutions; then AEC can become a truly Green Industry. Green and Zen alike must be as complete and holistic as possible with no (or as few) inconsistencies as is possible and as we all know (or should know) Everything is Possible.

Now here is why I am going on and on with (and in) this post: My whole journey; "Toward a Zen of BIM"; is leading me on a path toward 'process enlightenment', if you will, and if you know a thing or two about these types of journeys toward enlightenment you may know that when we're on a path, possibilities present themselves from time to time: this is where the "In order to focus one must un-focus" quote comes into play: we need to stay open so we can see the signs when and as they're presented. If we are overly focused we may miss what's right in front of us.

Sarcasm alert!!! For you Revit users: that last sentence was dually a really good idea when searching for enlightenment and a thinly veiled jab at the fact that error warnings can be so far (bottom right of the screen) from where we are focused (on the cursor) that we don't always see them. Stay aware!!!

I include the following link as an example of one of these signs; it speaks to thinking strategies and ideas and can be extrapolated into being on point with the kind of creative thinking we all could use. I hope that you will be inspired as much as I have been... And that's a lot, so have at it!!! Google and the Wisdom of Clouds

-J

Why Can't Designers (Really) Model in Revit ...Yet? 2 -Or can they???

I have gotten a lot of interest regarding this idea from colleagues, friends, participants and others around the BIM-Blogosphere, so I just want to let everyone know that I am compiling the first round of results from the Unplugged session and ask that you (we all) be a little patient.

I am transcribing the audio and compiling that with other notes from that day along with expanded thoughts and comments, so check back in the next week or two and you will be most assuredly entertained, if not enlightened as to where the industry in my opinion needs to and will get!!! With all of our help...

Original Post

My "Single Central Database" approach & an Homage to "The Six Phases of Revit"

Typical Misconception:
Learning Revit is like Peeling an Onion.
Well let's take a look at that: traditionally we start by peeling away the skin then removing each layer one at a time until we hit the center. All you chefs out there please suspend your thoughts of the other 1000+/- ways there may be to peel an onion, I'm just making a point!!! :-)...Either way I find this analogy doesn't touch on Learning Revit successfully, thus: Misconception.

At a basic level I like to explain that:

Learning Revit Is Like Peeling An Onion From The Inside Out!!!
The Beginning: The Center of the Onion. We begin not knowing anything about Revit and must peel the tiniest part from around us; installing Revit. Then we transition into Phase One and we are impressed. We now have a bit of knowledge and room to grow into since we peeled another layer; "Hmmm I'm not so cramped in here... Moving on within Phase One we can quickly learn that there is another, larger layer surrounding us now and we don't like the perceived limitations (Phase 2), this can truly be like an onion; a bit spicy and can make us cry; that is until we learn to cook with it... Enter Phase 3; thus peeling another layer from limiting us, AKA learning more and learning to use Revit Like Revit!!!

Although the 6 phases are NOT a linear process (you can expect to experience every Phase many times in your Revit life) I will continue in a linear manner herein.

Cruising along in Phase 3 we get confident enough to create a family of our own... Just like adulthood & Worksets, all Family editing and creation in Revit "...takes careful planning and management..." So: Phase 4... What The Fuck is going on here.

The family editor can be a difficult mistress, no matter your level of Revit mastery; it is like a beautiful Lover that knows they're beautiful (and are a bit limited intellectually); Life is great when things are simple, fresh & new but as soon as things get difficult, or you want to do something complex, (or you don't know that your actions are creating unintentional relationships) then things can go bad quick...Remember to flex early, flex often and flex at every step... Also, it's important to know that lovers usually don't like to take on relationships that you may feel are logical (they are not mind readers) and prefer to impose their own relationships and terms on you!!! Whether or not this is true in 'real' life that's for another time but in Revit it does happen. Never fear, you're just about to peel another layer away (or one of a billion) and get to Phase 5.

Whew. Although I, personally, wouldn't call it "conquering" the family editor (if that's even possible): in any case it beats Phase 4 and the WTF-Zone!!!.

Phase 6 is a nice thought but I suggest that's really phase 5.

A zen of Revit, as I see it can not be achieved until there is truly a single model. A single database, wherein no matter the tool you use, no matter the task you need to accomplish, you access information in that "Single Central Database", no matter the format of info you need, without loosing any of the other data. (read as 'True Interoperability').

For instance: In a Single Central Database Universe 3DMax would pull ONLY that info it needs and basically ignore the rest, IES and Ecotect would do likewise, etc... That is why I speak of (and am beginning a book) "Toward a Zen of BIM".

Enlightened states are bigger than any one tool and we must think creatively and honestly and in universal terms.

As I see it, for BIM to be Zen-like, in a completely coordinated and efficient manner it must embrace the "Single Central Database" approach. The more this is endeavored toward the closer to Industry Enlightenment we will become, thus we'll earn more $ as well as gain real sustainability, not payola-realized-sustainable projects, as we can find examples of today.

So without further ado, I repost a copy of Chris Zoog's oft-cited "Six Phases of Revit" so I can not only have easy access to it when doing training, etc., but it is helpful in furthering many conversations and ideas I am interested in and am exploring.

Six Phases of Revit Copyright 2003 Chris Zoog

Phase One - Initial Excitement!!!
"Holy Crap! Look what I can do with this thing!"

Phase Two - First bump
"Hmmmm...? Why won't it do what I want? That's not how I do it in (insert other cad software here)!"

Phase Three - Creamy Middle
mmm... things are going more smoothly, now......mmmmm"

Phase Four - WTF stage
The family editor "eats you up and spits you out"!

Phase Five - The Enlightenment
Things really begin to click! You understand why things are happening in your model, and better yet how to control them and avoid problems. You have conquered the family editor.

Phase Six - Zen of Revit
You have mastered nearly all things Revit. You "know" what Revit "likes", and what it "dislikes" during model construction, a sixth sense, really. You spend your time exploring and tweaking advanced scheduling, OBDC, external parameters, AR3. You have a template to beat all templates, families for every situation. Copyright 2003 Chris Zoog

Browser Organization: Some Ideas

Do you need to break up your browser organization beyond the few options given Out-Of The Box in Revit? Well then here we go:

1) SETTINGS-PROJECT PARAMETERS-ADD
Then input the following:


That will add a new field to all your View's Properties.

Next Edit one of the existing browser organizations (NOT the "All" one though)
Be sure to Duplicate the one before editing!!!


This is where you'd Duplicate the Type you chose...I renamed mine VIEW TYPES, just like the parameter...are you getting the idea there's a method to this madness???

Click the Edit button next to Folders (you can mess with filters another time, we do not want any filters on this setup)



Set the following...


Now choose the new Organization Type from the Type Selector...
Oh SHIT!!! What are those ???'s...Never fear we just need to input the values for our new parameter, for every view...


Select the views you want to categorize, hit the Properties button and input a value in the VIEW TYPES field... I am using WORKING VIEWS AND SHEET VIEWS, but the possibilities are endless (and this is but one simple example on how to mess up your Revit project...uhhh...I mean help you streamline your project)...I say mess up because we must communicate to the team that we did this or they'll create views and not put a value to it and the ???'s will come back!!!

Voilà as we add a ton of views we can keep things straight, like having J's Views all list together!!! ETC., ETC...

Ready to be floored? Strategies and Ideas

I will add to this post later Thursday evening, so you can see what I'm talking about...rather what I will be talking about!!! Ready to be floored? ...I guess it's Thursday evening already!!!

OK here we go: a colleague asked about raised floors and we had a nice conversation about what to model, when and some options for floors that are raised above the level. The above examples illustrated some of the choices we have in Revit; shy of modeling (what we found later to be a raised computer room type of floor).

Floors on "Level 02, from the left:
1) 2 seperate floors; one as a 'finish' floor, one as a 'structure' floor. This lends flexibility for multiple finishes per room (or parts thereof) without using the split surfaces/paint bucket methods. I think real is often best...after all this is how it'll be built, right?
2) Standard floor (just for reference...a control group of sorts)
3) Same floor as #2 but with an Offset from Level to get the structure materials to top off at the level. (this is what we dimension to & how we construct, right?)

Floors on "Level 01, from the left:
4) Same floor as #2 but with a 1'-0" Offset from Level. (you know a 1'-0" raised floor)
5) one (of a million+) type of raised floor assemblies. (minus the extra pieces for the computer floor below. Many times, even if I ultimately will need the same floor assembly as below I will use a more generic or schematic approach, especially before Design Development...then perhaps later in the project's development will we want to employ a floor more fully modeled...especially, especially, especially if we haven't made a bunch of $$$ yet.

Hey, another Revitism (or is it an Architecturalism?) Model what you need When you need it, not a moment before.

So you say you are in DD and really feel it necessary to model it up? I hope your project isn't too large...or at least the amount of this floorisn't; If it is a large area and a large project don't say I didn't warn you not to!!! But if you use this make each piece as separate components and nest them into an assembly just watch for the pitfalls of having pieces overlapping...can you say 'yes/no' visibility parameters for the legs???

A few questions in regards to this type of model:
a) What happens when the size of the room doesn't exactly fit equal size panels?
b) What happens when the room isn't rectangular?

Yes, I know we can model those odd sized/shaped panels but you can see there may become extra work created by trying to model too much...remember be mindful of the project specifics...I know you will!!!

The following is an image of a nice family (I like nice families!!!) a fellow Revit Monster created for just such times; but I'll warn you that it requires careful considerations before using, such as project scale and the benefits of having all the extra 3D pieces all around the model. It can be useful for easier sections and details but again the appropriateness of this will vary project to project. Don't forget to model the components with symbolic lines to keep the 3D clutter down...


(thanks to John C. Raiten for the family image)

Equal Dimensions on Both ends of a Dimension String??? Fuck Yeah!!!

Have you ever wanted a dimension string to have EQ. on each end of a string? Well, when those values are actually equal and you use Revit you can get it...How? I'm not saying...but I will say that our best friend (in Revit) can be the Right-Click...perhaps you see where I am going with this?

Frankly we should always have a sense of curiosity and rt-click and search the object properties... You never know what you can find until you find it!!! -Ohhh Yaay another Revitism...

OK, I will tell you after all: (obviously)...

1) Dimension the objects
2) Right click the dimension string and select EQ. Display
3) Run around the office yelling "Oh fuck yeah!!!"


Now there are limitations: it will only report EQ when either all objects are equal or the 2 opposing ends are equal. I have found no other occasions where this works, but that won't stop me from trying; It was just a few months back that I did that (used my curiosity and ignored what I 'thought' I previously "learned" or "knew") and stumbled into finding that Elevation Views can now be Duplicated, when they weren't previously (and oddly enough I never saw official documentation...hmmm)... Just watch out for the duplicated elevation markers hiding in the same location as the original ones!!!

Why Can't Designers (Really) Model in Revit ...Yet?

Are you going to Autodesk University 2007? (AKA: AU or AKA: THE gambling & drunkfest...Uhhh I mean...a great place to learn and network). If so on Thursday November 29th 4:30 to 5:20+ pm, the Titian Room 2203 of the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Earth, Milky Way... is where you want to be.

We will be Un-Conferencing and spouting off (politely discussing limitations and solutions as we see them) to ADSK; in regards to Revit's modeling capabilities, or lack thereof. I have the intention to become a positive force to affect change in how ADSK responds to industry needs and Revit's better-ization is a great place to start!!! If you are passionate about this (or just want to have a great discussion) then COME ON DOWN... If you can't make it there, then I invite you to add your comments to this post and I assure you that all good ideas will be brought up and discussed.

I will be creating a list of participants, who want to sign on to have the development teams (actually the product management teams as well) at ADSK hear our requests and finally act on them...

I'll also be creating a comprehensive list of all of the modeling tools, workflows and flexibilities that are required of a BIM software (but obviously and specifically Revit!!!); that is to be used in the production (let alone documentation) of the multiple disciplines & building types within Architecture.

Architects, Engineers and everyone else who show up in Vegas plus everyone who contacts me herein is invited to add to the discourse, so speak up, be heard and transformation your own voice into a force for industry change, in your pursuit of true BIM projects.

Without further ado; here's the info on the session I will be leading:

Thursday November 29th 4:30 to 5:20+ pm, the Titian Room 2203 of the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas

Why Can't Designers (Really) Model in Revit ...Yet?
(And NO!, it's not because Designers can't model in Revit: rather, it's because Revit Can't Model in Revit!!!)

Compound curves, lofts, parametric shape studies and manipulation; interactive/flexible shape editing...They are not available in Revit (or are barely developed); so, how can we get them there to the degree that we all dream* (*read as need)?


I think it is disastrous that these types of capabilities are not in Revit. This oversight in the development of Revit's modeling is making room for other programs to get huge footholds with designers everywhere. Since these capabilities are present in many software applications, and we all know about them...Rhino, Sketchup, Blender, even Microstation has generative components... Sh*@# even AutoCAD has a loft tool!!!


Not being able to model shapes comprehensively, for real and in Revit makes Architects (yes, MAKES us) use tools such as Sketchup. Sad but true.


Every Architecture firm, whether large or small, need complete modeling tools and ADSK & the Revit Development teams should respond to these needs! ASAP.


Join me in becoming a positive force toward transforming this oversight into a victory for BIM, Architecture, our practices and even ADSK, if they follow through...


Let's see if we can help it be realized, that there will be complete and comprehensive modeling tools & capabilities inside of Revit.

This and more will be explored and discussed so bring your lists and have fun!!!

I know I will...