Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Preview

So here's a nice selection of information From ADSK on Revit 2010. If you open these in other windows (in your browser) your surfing will be much easier... Cheers, -J

Detailed Features

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture software helps you gain a competitive advantage with tools that help keep all your design information better coordinated and more accurate.

View Larger New Conceptual Design Tools Autodesk Revit Architecture software offers new easy-to-use conceptual design tools that support your creative flow. Sketch freely, create free-form models easily, and manipulate forms interactively. You can define forms and geometry as real building components for a smooth transition to design development and documentation. As you design, Autodesk Revit Architecture automatically builds a parametric framework around your forms, offering greater levels of control, accuracy, and flexibility. Take your design from concept model all the way to construction documents all in one environment.

View Larger Streamlined User Interface Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 software features a sleek, new user interface that offers better desktop organization, a larger drawing window, and quick access to the tools and commands you need. You’ll be able to find your favorite tools faster, locate lesser-used tools more efficiently, and discover new features more easily.

View Larger Bidirectional Associativity A change anywhere is a change everywhere. In Autodesk Revit Architecture software, all model information is stored in one place. As a result, any information that gets changed is effectively changed throughout the model.

View Larger Schedules Schedules are just another view of the Autodesk Revit Architecture model. A change to a schedule view is automatically reflected in every other view. Functionality includes associative split-schedule sections and selectable design elements via schedule views, formulas, and filtering.

View Larger Parametric Components Parametric Components, also known as families, are the basis for all building components designed in Autodesk Revit Architecture. They offer an open, graphical system for design thinking and form making as well as an opportunity to express design intent at increasingly detailed levels. Use Parametric Components for the most elaborate assemblies, such as cabinetry and equipment, as well as for the most elementary building parts, such as walls and columns. Best of all, no programming language or coding is required.

View Larger Design Options Develop and study multiple simultaneous design alternatives to make key design decisions. Present multiple schemes to your clients easily. Substitute each option into the model for visualization, quantification, and other data analysis to better inform decision making.

View Larger Detailing Take advantage of the extensive detail library and detailing tools that are part of Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010. Presorted to align with the CSI format, detail libraries can be tailored to accommodate your office standards. Create, manage, and share your own detail library.

View Larger Material Takeoff Calculate detailed material quantities with this new tool. Appropriate for sustainable design and checking material quantities in cost estimates, Material Takeoff facilitates the tracking of material quantities. The parametric change engine helps ensure that your material takeoffs are accurate.

View Larger Revit Building Maker The Revit Building Maker feature provides a seamless way to turn conceptual forms into functional designs. Select faces to generate walls, roofs, floors, and curtain systems. Use tools to extract important information about your building such as surface area or volume per floor. Conceptual forms may be created natively in Autodesk Revit Architecture or imported from applications such as AutoCAD®, form-Z, Rhino, Google SketchUp, or other ACIS- or NURBS-based applications into Autodesk Revit Architecture software as mass objects.

View Larger Interference Check Use interference checking to scan your model for collisions between elements.

View Larger Design Visualization Capture design ideas in a photorealistic state. With easy user interaction, high-quality output, and faster render times, the mental ray® rendering engine enables superior design presentation. For more granular control over the rendered scene, use the Autodesk® FBX® file format to import your designs into Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design software. You’ll get unmatched flexibility and control over how you visualize and present your work. Learn more about design visualization.

View Larger Native 64-bit Support New native 64-bit support enhances Autodesk Revit Architecture’s ability to handle large projects and improves performance and stability for memory-intensive tasks such as rendering, printing, model upgrading, and file importing and exporting.

View Larger Enhanced Interoperability Interoperability enhancements enable you to work more efficiently with members of your extended project team. Now you can export your building model or site, complete with critical metadata, to AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software. And you can import accurate models from Autodesk® Inventor® 3D mechanical design software.

View Larger Autodesk 2D and 3D DWF Integration Autodesk Revit Architecture software supports complete round-tripping of markups with Autodesk® Design Review software. Because Autodesk Design Review software’s markup capabilities combine with Autodesk Revit Architecture navigation and revision management capabilities, tracking changes is easy. There’s no need to re-enter information. Autodesk Revit Architecture supports publishing a model to 2D or 3D DWF™ format. This capability provides high-impact, dynamic communication of design information in a lightweight format. It’s great for including nontechnical participants in the project review process. Resource Center Product Download Services & Support Building Information Modeling (BIM) Features Detailed Features System Requirements White Papers Customer Stories Product Trial News & Events Related Products Documentation How to Buy Subscription Benefits FAQ (pdf - 173Kb)

Autodesk Revit Architecture Brochure (pdf - 3950Kb)

Inside the Factory

Not Andy Warhol's Factory but ADSK's Factory.

Why not let someone else do it this time?

Interesting question.

I think I'll let them (ADSK) show you what it (Revit) does and then see how many people model every thing as a mass and destroy (???) projects. BTW: Danger BIM Managers (or whatever you are titled these days), Danger, let's see what happens when everything is created as a mass... I could sure make some pretty families with them there tools... (Is this a cowboy movie?)

Seriously, the Massing/Conceptual Design upgrade is great and a long time coming... the ribbon...thinking inside a box if you ask me... you had better create a thorough keyboard shortcut list...
In any case, Click Me for all (?) the (new) SHit from ADSK for their 2010 release products and more.

Is the language really necessary?

...Another good question

3D Hella: Holagrams, 3D Photographs, LIDAR, The Government and more

Sorry for the low quality but you can appreciate that capturing a hologram on a digital camera is less than optimum... Just know that when you see these your brain is thrown for a loop!!!

A couple of months back our Los Angeles Revit Users Group featured some 3D Present/Futurism presentations where LIDAR scanning, 3D Photos, Photogrammetry and Holograms were presented and I now have some decent enough images and videos to share; though nothing comes close to interacting with these in person.

I see these technologies becoming mainstays of AEC, where they will (and already do for some) add several things to AEC professionals: 1) more visualization possibilities, augmenting our current palette of DV output as well as 2) enabling us to provide more services; such as creating as-builts of sites where the cost and even the ability to gain access may have made this unrealistic previously and 3) more meaningful data to assess, design and realize our projects.

So: the first of the firms that we have been working with on this front is Zebra Imaging. They produce Holograms, Imagers and Display Setups so they can provide you a 'soup-to-nuts' set of Holograph services, depending on your needs. Hey, they're #213 on Inc's 500 fastest growing companies so they gotta be good! Zebra has some of the coolest technology and if you'd like some nice technical data/reviews see the following linked pdf EVALUATION OF HOLOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY IN TACTICAL MISSION
PLANNING AND EXECUTION.

Yeah, the military and Government as well as the Automotive & Industrial Design industries have used these extensively in their (now old-school) production. If you think BIM is new you'd be arguably incorrect at least in relation to the "IM" part of the acronym... Information modeling and 3D modeling/visualizations & techniques have been employed for quite a while...it is only AEC that is getting on that train a bit late.

Just think, perhaps you need to get a project through the Mulholland View Corridor approval process (or ...) you can get a LIDAR scan or any 3D topo, place your project model in context then have a Hologram created that shows the project from said Corridor and there should be no questions as to if the project meets the criteria... This type of use is but one that our creative industry could use these for... Enough blabbing...

Here is a list of videos from their Holographic Gallery.

Overview Monochrome
Architectural
Automotive & Manufacturing
Industrial Design

Well, more blabbing:
-A quick note: These are cool videos but seeing the holograms in person, as I said before, is really what you want to do!!! The holographic images can be laminated to a solid surface, such as acrylic, plexiglass, lexan, etc. or left as is on a thin mylar... roll them up and go!!! Oh did I mention all you need to see these is a moderately lit space and a simple spot light? I did now!!! Additionally since there about 1,000,000 passes that the lasers do to make these images and being holographic one can have different 'view specific' images.... HUH??? An example of this would be say you have the desired image set to be from the corners; when you move around to the next corner the floor above appears, etc., etc... There is nearly no limit to how many different views can be created this way but there is a limit as far as human understanding and usefulness is concerned... I'd say between 4 to 6 but hey it's your dime!!! Speaking of dimes these are really cost effective and are less $$$ than many traditionally printed renderings (figuring in the Artists time, etc...)

Next on the list is LIDAR scanning and it's usefulness toward AEC; namely through Plowman Craven who provides, as they say: "Complete Measurement Solutions for Total peace of Mind" including another faveorite of mine: Forensic Geomatics. While that is great today I am interested in talking about LIDAR & 3D Photos specifically.

LIDAR has been traditionally used for topographical capture in AEC, as well as for military purposes and this continues to be the case but now the technology has grown to enable what I like to call "Drive By" scans as well as 'fly-by' scans. let's say you have a facade that you want to include as context for a project... or let's say an entire building... or street scene... well anyway, no matter your needs a mobile scanner can be used (at about 35 MPH) and Voilà you get the whole scene...whatever the LIDAR can see; just put them together (or contract Plowman Craven to provide these services as well...) and you have a point cloud of the data; people, trees and all; ready for your building model. You can also have the point clouds reduced to CAD files. The scanner can create 3D scans of any place that the scan head can be placed into!!! It has very few limitations and the scans can be registered and combined into super large scale projects... t

But wait there's more!!!

Not only can these scanners provide point cloud output to be used as is (too big usually) or translated into CAD line drawings or 3D CAD; they can also capture 3D Photographic output... AKA: 3D Photos in addition to the 3D point clouds!!!

What did I just say -a 3D photo???

YES!!!

Here's a fun little video from M Scott C at Plowman+Craven: HD3D for AEC.

Holy Shit are these useful!!!

Well enough blabbing... I have to get back to R_V_T 2010... Once I am unbound by legalities I will show you the New Features!!!

Revitalizing the American Economy by Improving Education

I got an email from USG and they have drafted the following letter (that they say is OK to reuse/reprint...even on ones own letterhead) whereas I will not take credit for this I do find it an interesting enough idea to share...don't worry, more Revit specific postings are in the works too. Enjoy...

America’s public schools have a list of ready-to-go construction and renovation projects that, with an infusion of federal economic stimulus funds, would work to both quickly stimulate the economy through massive job creation and dramatically improve the educational environment for children.

Today nearly 50 million American children attended one of the more than 97,000 public schools across the country. Schools should provide a comfortable and productive environment where children can learn and thrive, yet tens of thousands of America’s schools urgently need repairs, renovation, modernization or new construction because of critical health and capacity issues such as leaking roofs, poor classroom lighting and acoustics, inadequate ventilation and other undesirable conditions.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported in 2003 that three-quarters, or about 70,000, of the nation’s schools need funds to bring their buildings into a “good overall condition.” The average age of a public school building is around 45 years according to the U.S. Department of Education. America’s schools are in such disrepair that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave public schools a ‘D’ on its infrastructure report card in 2005. And the situation will likely grow even worse given the economic recession.

The Impact of School Environment on Learning and Health

Outdated, unhealthy and unsafe school conditions make it difficult for students to concentrate and for teachers to teach. Such conditions can also lead to lower student attendance and reduced teacher and staff retention. For example, the American Lung Association found that American children missed more than 12 million school days in 2000 because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. Like a growing number of schools around the country, two-thirds of teachers in the District of Columbia reported poor air quality in their classrooms in a study conducted in 2003 by the 21st Century Fund.

Poor acoustics also creates distractions in the classroom. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established minimum acoustical performance criteria for schools, which most classrooms fail to meet. The ANSI standards are based on the fact that: (1) young students can’t hear well in a noisy environment; (2) young students do not effectively listen and understand speech in reverberant conditions; (3) children are especially susceptible to ear infections that cause hearing loss for weeks or months; (4) up to 20 percent of the student population has permanent hearing loss from congenital or environmental causes; and, (5) many students are hearing a language different from what is spoken at home. The ambient noise present as a result of lighting,
heating and electrical systems, and outside sounds is often too loud for students to be able to listen – and learn – effectively.

There is also a clear link between classroom illumination and student achievement. A study by The National Clearinghouse for Education study found that optimal classroom lighting can improve students’ test scores, reduce poor behavior and foster higher student achievement overall.

As important, low-income and minority children are disproportionately affected by poor school building conditions. A 2002 study by the UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education & Access found a difference of between 5 and 17 percentile points in the achievement of students in poorly maintained buildings compared with students in well-maintained facilities.

Stimulating the Economy and Improving Education

Although there is a critical need to repair and remodel existing schools and build new facilities, spending by school districts on construction projects slowed to $32.9 billion in 2007 from $36.6 billion in 2006 according to American Schools and University Magazine. Yet the National Center for Education Statistics reports that K-12 enrollment is expected to increase by 3 million to more than 53 million students by 2010.

A National Education Association study published in 2000 estimated the total funding need for public school infrastructure repair and modernization to be $268.2 billion based on a state-by-state assessment. A national survey of 800 of the 13,000 school superintendents, administrators and other members of the American Association of School Administrators was released in December 2008. Even in this small survey sample size of only 800 educational leaders, the research identified $6.52 billion in ready-to-go new construction projects and $4.49 billion in ready-to-go renovation and repair projects for public schools.
Almost all respondents (99 percent) identified significant local and state budget gaps that could be filled by stimulus money. As important, 97 percent of school administrators identified short-term projects that could be placed in the bid market in 60-90 days, ensuring that projects will have an economic impact this summer rather than in 2010 or 2011 like many other infrastructure projects such as roads or bridges.

School renovation and construction projects would provide employment for a broad range of workers from architects and specialty contractors to installers and building product manufacturers and distributors. For example, every $20 billion of federal stimulus funds invested will generate or sustain 150,000–200,000 full-time construction industry jobs for at least a year. As important, there will be substantial, additional economic benefits as the stimulus funds move through the American construction industry into the general economy in the form of new clothing, cars, homes and other vital consumer spending.

The dire physical condition of our schools and the significant economic and social benefits that would come from investing in our schools demands that Congress allocate at least $100 billion of the stimulus package for critical school construction projects across the nation.

A Vibrant New Direction for America

The Obama Administration is in a unique position to set a new path for America through the allocation of federal stimulus dollars. It is critical that a substantial portion of those funds be allocated to upgrade the infrastructure of America’s public schools and improve the quality of education. This will also ensure that stimulus dollars have an almost immediate economic impact, unlike many other public works projects that require months or years of planning.

If this nation is committed to high academic standards, we must stop ignoring the impact the physical environment plays in students’ health and learning. We must commit to creating safe, productive and healthy school environments where children can learn, grow and thrive. This is an issue that transcends differences in location, politics, race or gender, and will inspire and propel us all toward a better future for America and the world. The opportunity is now.

USG Corporation
550 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL
60661-3676
For more information contact Christina Koliopoulos, director, Corporate Communications, USG Corporation, at ckoliopoulos@usg.com or (312)436-3865.

Back to Work

Hello again all, I apologize for being remiss in providing the multiple monthly postings to this Blog that you may have come to be used to...I will get back to form now that the New Year is upon us so expect more good postings up coming...

That all said here's a tidbit that may help... It is a document that I find gets the juices flowing... Now I know that most of you are Revit users; except some Archicad users AKA: Revit haters that have been known to make fun of my "boring" videos... even though Archicad can't do half the shit Revit can and in spite of the fact that a tutorial video isn't made to be entertaining!!! yet I digress: and the reason for my digression is that Revit users may say that we can't do some of this computational work natively in Revit...Well I can't speak to what the future holds directly, in regards to Revit but the future does seem to always bring new capabilities and functionalities in personal life...

OK Back to the document: it's is available for download from the following link -I suggest right clicking and saving the [Proceedings PDF 80MB] link on the following page, as it's about 80 MB of goodness Advances in Architectural Geometry Conference Proceedings Vienna, Austria September 13-16, 2008 is the document and it's great.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should but it doesn't mean we shouldn't either!!! I am F'ing excited about the next 5-10 years in Architecture... not only is our technology getting up to speed with us but our abilities are catching up to our imaginations as well... Long live Geometry!!!

For some other fun ideas on Geometry try these links too...
Mystery Link 1
Mystery Link 2
Mystery Link 3 (My favorite!!!)

BTW: Thanks Stuart for the inspiration!!!

Mastering Revit Structure is here!!!

November 24, 2008

"These authors are a virtual 'dream team' of Revit Structure expertise."
-- from the foreword by Nicolas Mangon, Senior Structural Business Line Manager, Autodesk, Inc
Los Angeles based structural and civil engineers Brandow & Johnston announced today that Tom Weir, Director of BIM & CAD Operations for the firm, has authored and published the first comprehensive book on the use of Autodesk Revit Structure software. Mastering Revit Structure 2009 is aimed at the structural engineer, designer, or draftsperson making the move to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and interested in developing a solid foundation in Revit Structure concepts and a mastery of the advanced techniques which unlock the full potential of the software.

Weir, the lead author, was joined in the effort by Eric Wing of C&S Companies, Jamie Richardson of Ericksen Roed & Associates, and David Harrington of Walter P. Moore. According to the publisher's synopsis, "the(se) expert authors drew on years of experience to compile a comprehensive guide to the core concepts of Revit Structure with tips, tricks and examples specific to the professional structural engineering setting". The result is an 816 page paperback volume that guides users through interface, project setup and templates, view use and management, structural elements, structural analysis, drafting, detailing and annotations, phasing, collaborating, printing and publishing, and creating custom content. Mastering Revit Structure 2009 is available on-line at www.sybex.com, other on-line book distributors, and in bookstores throughout the country.

In addition to his role with Brandow & Johnston, Tom Weir is founder and Co-Chairman of the L.A. Revit Users Group, moderates the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) Revit Structural forum, teaches Revit Structure at Autodesk University, and wrote the first Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC) for Revit Structure.

Brandow & Johnston is a national leader in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and has completed over 200 building designs using Autodesk Revit Structure software.

-Congratulations Tom and all involved with this great book...It's definitely a book for Revit Structure Users in the trenches. Congratulations also goes out to all the people who buy this because their Revit chops will surely blow up...in a good way!!! The other Co-Chairman -J

AU Unplugged...Rock Out!!!

Here we are again on the eve (nearly) of AU2008. I am proud to tell you that with all of your help (well those who voted) 3 of the 3 sessions I submitted were voted in for AU Unplugged.

The sessions I am running are:

The Promise of BIM Wednesday 4:00 - 4:50 pm

Transition & Transform: From CAD Users to Revit Superstar Thursday 1:00 - 1:50 pm

Revit: What If??? Thursday 4:00 - 4:50 pm

These will be in the Venetian's Casanova 603, 604 & 606 Rooms... Ohhh Plush!!! I'll update this when I get the location for my sessions...they won't be hard to find though!!!

Based on last year's response to the Unplugged session I ran we are expecting great results and direction for future Revit development. ADSK will be listening (and in the rooms I believe) so these are expected to be very useful, insightful and a great place to formulate our ideas into a cohesive approach to get more and more product development based on our real-world needs...Imagine...

I hope to see all of you (who are going) in Vegas!!!

Here are a few (other) links that I think may be useful:

AU Class List

AU (Show Guide) Jams

AU Pod Casts

The Gensler AU Program (See below)

AU Blog (BLAUG)

Useful Vegas Phone Numbers

Gamblers Anonymous (Vegas)

The following is an excerpt from an ADSK Email:

"The Gensler Program!
Each year, digital design leaders from Gensler travel to Autodesk University from around the world to share, learn, and network with each other and their colleagues. This year, for the first time, Gensler will share its projects, delivery methods, and best practices with other AU 2008 attendees.

The program content is focused on design leadership and innovation within collaborative AEC teams. The digital transformation of the AEC industry demands new methods of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and process integration among designers, engineers, builders and owners. Gensler’s approach is intended to accelerate this industry transformation.

At AU 2008, all participants are invited to enroll in one or more of Gensler’s offerings.

Gensler is a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm with 3,200 design professionals in 30 offices and projects in 70 countries. The firm’s work reflects a broad and deep commitment to sustainable design and the belief that design is a powerful strategic tool for transforming organizations and enhancing the lives of individuals and communities. Gensler has been ranked #1 among architecture and interiors firms by World Architecture, Architectural Record, Building Design & Construction, ENR, and Interior Design magazines."

Needless to say I will be involved (and have been) with some of these presentations, as are a whole bunch of us at the red G... This should be an exciting day of eye opening BIMtopianism...

AU Unplugged!!!

Going to AU??? (you can still vote (for my sessions) even if you're not going!!!)

It seems that all 3 possible AU Unplugged sessions that I submitted are on the final list (YAAY) that has opened up for all to vote on; the results of which culminate with their inclusion into an exciting part of this December's AU!!!: AU Unplugged.

Please review my submissions (re-posted below) (ok... go to the website and vote for everyone else's submissions too (if you must)) then vote for one or all of mine if you find that they could be interesting or useful. WOW, am I modest, or what?

The link for AU Unplugged Voting is here: NOW OPEN and I encourage you to share this link with anyone you know that will be at AU (or not). Voting is limited to one entry per IP address. (so use your friends computers and home also!!! :-))

Voting will be open until November 7^th – The selected sessions will be posted to the AU website by November 12^th.

See you at AU!!!,

-J

Revit: What If??? – Jay B Zallan, VDC / Revit Leader
What if we could remake Revit from scratch? What would that look like? From a 10,000 foot view to an "on the ground" end user we can have what we want. If you have ever dreamed of transforming Revit and BIM into a truly holistic project delivery vehicle, then join us and we will work to shape the future.

The Promise of BIM – Jay B Zallan, VDC / Revit Leader
Integrated project delivery (IPD) and BIM is what the industry is moving towards. If we act now we can make the promise of a real integrated profession a reality. Calling all AEC futurists, forward thinkers and those who turn their own dreams into realities to a forum to not only be heard but to guide the future of BIM and all the tools we use. Have you ever thought how fantastically (profitably too) our practices would work if the central model was just that, a real Central Database; then no matter what tool was used it would work with the data in that one database...Revit, Maya, Photoshop, anything and everything would use the same data (well, just the parts it needs) and there would always be informational fidelity and harmony... How??? Come on by and we'll see!!!

Transition & Transformation: From CAD Users to Revit Superstars. – Jay B Zallan, VDC / Revit Leader
The transition from CAD to Revit is so much more than even the last transition we went through, which was moving from hand drawing to CAD. I believe moving to Revit is more like going from the horse-drawn carriage to flying a rocket to the moon!!! Many of us have and are still in the midst of transitioning users into Revit and BIM, and to share our insights and to gain more perspective will forward the adoption and success rates of those responsible for transitioning users, as well as the users themselves.

Filter This!!! Selectively Selecting in Revit.

Here we go with 9MB of Filtering goodness. (You may want to click the "Play" button!!!)

Can't be easier than that, huh??? I hope it was worth the wait!!!

I Know The Blog's Lapsed

But I will get something new in a day or two...vacation, you know.
In the mean time, check out one (or all) of these mixes from j77 If that's your musical bag.

Revit Users and You (Sirs?)

An excerpt from an Evite for the Los Angeles Revit Users Group meeting for July: (yes, click the link if you'd like to be invited...just use the "CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE NOT:" button if you want to show up or reply, etc.)...


Tom Weir (Brandow & Johnston's own) will present "Ain't it the Pits" -a how to build an elevator pit presentation; as well as a special review of a 100% Revit Project under construction (Shhh, it's a secret Hollywood studio). Then, we will be holding a "Coordination" panel discussion with all 3 current Revit disciplines: Structure, MEP & Architecture. Bring all of your questions and comments to add to the topics we will outline. The final list of industry participants is growing but as of now Tom and I will join Jonathan West from Mazzetti & Associates and David Wilmans & Nik Muir from Gensler; we will keep you posted on others as they are confirmed. This is shaping up to be a great session that will help us all move forward in a more collaborative AEC world. See you there

Jarrod Baumann and Joel Londenberg of Design West Engineering have also been added to the panel, so we are even more excited about this meeting.

Also in the list of attendees someone (Thanks Henry!!!) asked a question so I'll answer that here since it doesn't fit the theme of the RUG but is a common question:
Q: How to host cars on ramps? A: Use a floor!!!

Ramps don't allow that. You could get into elaborate faking but I'd just say use a floor. BTW: all of my "Parking Ramps" are floor objects anyways...We want to get the areas counted with all the other slabs, right?

Ramps really should be called "Handicap Ramps" or "I'd-Rather-Have-A-Smooth-Transitional-Device-To-Get-Up & Down-Rather-Than-Having-A-Stair-Ramp-not-to-be-used-as-parking-ramps-or-roads-Ramp"" -That is their as-designed function (in Revit), everything else is just a workaround!!!

Voting: Poll shows .026% turnout last week

It's good practice for November to vote here (look at the right of this page!!!) As of this past week the turnout is that .026%. Perhaps the candidates are not so good...

MoreBiDirectionalistically

In regards to the previous post I want to answer a comment left by Chris (and thank him for asking!)...So here 'goes.

Chris said...Do you know what advantages this offers, compared to Autodesk's now-recommended FBX workflow? -Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Well as I said, I will be looking at this and posting some results in the near future but from discussions with visualization colleagues (who I trust) and from what research I have already done, the possibilities to round trip objects back and forth without polygon loss is in itself a step above straight FBX-to-MAX (until (if) ADSK allows this directly in their products)!!! I suggest you hit the discussion groups (use the Google machine) and see what you can see as to what other people are experiencing with Revit's FBX to MAX... As to Npower's solution here is what they say on this page:

"...The 3ds Max nPower advanced visualization environment provides your Revit model with infinite resolution surfaces producing stunning photo-real surfaces that you can easily cut away and reveal without rendering artifacts. Easily create close-up renderings without conventional polygon faceting by easily controlling the level of detail on any selected Revit object. Compress your Revit model data structures to the absolute smallest memory footprint with our Power Cache technology giving you the extra space you need to render hi resolution large format images. Organize your Revit model in Max with our advanced Revit Material support by layer and an easy to browse instanced multi-sub object material. Collaborate with other CAD applications like Inventor and Rhino to produce highly accurate complex design and planning visualizations. Conceptualize freeform volumes, structures and shapes from furniture to light fixtures with the industry's most flexible solid modeler and then export them directly to Revit for dimensioning and construction. If you’re looking for a Revit to Max and back solution that will give you the edge in the world of architectural visualization then..."

I find it interesting (or #@*^!) that ADSK says that "interoperability" is a main concern and push for them (see any keynote speach from the recent past...AU, etc...) since it seems that other companies write code to get more interoperability out of ADSK products than they do themselves. Behemoths move so slow and ultimately go the way of the dinosaur if they don't learn to adapt and respond faster. But perhaps my view is a bit harsh since Npower is part of ADSK's ADN (advanced developer network). I comment because I love.

With that rant over (for now) here are a few more assets I found while bouncing around the Web... Autodesk has some FBX and other videos at: This Site!!! that are worth a look.

Oh and BTFW: I just nearly soiled my armour when I came across this tidbit: Click This if you dare!!! ADSK and who are going to become interoperable? Bentley?... Seems so... Has Robert Aish put something up ADSK's sleeve??? I can only hope. Perhaps ADSK stock is a good thing; it is up nearly a dollar per share today; Now if they'd only get their own products interoperable with each other...

BiDirectional isn't a dirty word!!! (except in my mind)

All I can say is *#@^! (AKA: OMFG) I am very excited about this one. Reality may never be the same after this hits home (and production)!!!

Sarcasm alert...Sarcasm alert...

I suggest that nobody else looks into nPower's bi-directional translation solution!!! Yes it's a link!!! I don't think anyone would benefit from real interoperability between Revit and 3DMAX; or any other software for that matter. I think softwares that Designers use should be rigid and inflexible, continuing to allow limited Design & creativity options, nor do I feel that they should allow for exponential growth of ideas...Uhh...Hmmm...Perhaps that's what the sarcasm alert was for...???

BiDirectional!!! Can it be??? Can we actually round trip objects to and from 3dMAX and Revit!!! I think we can!!! Tune in again soon to see some results...

In the mean time, click the image below for the video... I mean DON'T click the image below, you'll just be wasting your time with the possibilities...

Hippy -Right Clay?

Why did I ever cut it???!!!

DIMENSION OVERRIDES IN THE STORM

Do you want to use a Text Override in Revit? Great just don't be too clever because you can really fuck your world up.

Below is the dialog that pops up when you click the Numerical Value of a dimension in Revit, since the release of 2009. Good so far... I like the new additions to just Prefix & Suffix... The whole Above & Below fields are quite useful.


What isn't altogether wonderful is the "Replace with Text" value. I say altogether because we can get this to be horribly incorrect, even though it's a good tool when used correctly. If objects report an odd dimension then just move the objects; please don't use fake dimensions and really only use the Text Override for text ONLY.

I know that you may be thinking I am off base here but remember the fact that we weren't able to fake a dimension meant we had to actually do our job correctly(er)... what was so wrong with showing the supposed number with V.I.F. after it, etc.... I know there are uses for replacing the actual # with text only but we can always find a way to subvert that system and get our documentation to be, well, just plain wrong; And don't our contracts say that the printed documents take precedence?!!! If so this new functionality is one to steer clear of, lest we add a new item to the list of possible litigation we are exposed to.

If they would have asked me I would just have had this value be visually toggled or it would simply not allow any numbers in it... Why? Look at the 2 dimensions in the next image and tell me what the top dimension says... (Note: The bottom dimension is the true dimensional value)

Yeah, by using that accent grave ( ` ) symbol I made Revit's previous incomparable correctness fall apart. All would be good if Revit would have actually not allowed the number to be fucked with, like the following dialog states...


The fact that while one can't use the "foot" and "inch" symbols ( ' and ") together; one could use the accent grave ( ` ) symbol, etc; then Revit sees the whole string as text and bottom line DOES for all intents and purposes allow the reverse of what the previous image says.

Remember, If you want to keep your job then just move the objects if a dimension is reporting an odd value; please don't use fake dimensions and only use the Text Override for "Text".

The following is another good issue to think about if you use "broken" or "split" views: CLICK ME; I'M FROM AUGI.

Scope Boxes Redux

Looking for some guidance on how to use scope boxes? Wondering just what you can use them for? Thought so...Here is one way to use them to get multiple floor plans to be the same exact size on sheets... Ooooh consistency; I like it...

1) DRAFTING>SCOPE BOX (Yes any way you like... I use SB as a keyboard shortcut...)

2) When in the SB tool be sure to name it (or them), then draw the scope box(es) and adjust it (or them) to the necessary size(s). Below I have two; Left Wing and Right Wing... It's political season, I guess...

The next image is the Properties of the Left Wing SB.

Here is what they look like in plan:

Here is what they look like in 3D: Hint; Be sure to set the height appropriately for your use; it may be the entire building, it may be just a few floors...you gotta think this one through and you may employ several methods in any one project...


3) This next step (which I do not illustrate with images) is to duplicate all necessary views (in this case I used two Plan Views; but Section and Elevations can leverage SB's too). I created two duplicates of both the Level 01 and Level 02 Plans and named them Left & Right, as needed. (Yes we will have a lot of views)!!!

4) Then, using these Views' properties dialog you would associate the necessary views to their corresponding (or applicable) Scope Box.

The following image shows how nice and aligned not only the plans are (Revit likes to do that automatically -sort of-), but it also shows how the edges and extents of geometry is perfectly aligned and the same size...


-Any more questions? Leave a comment and I'll respond...

Jetway Explained

This will only help those with this family but that number is growing (here at work, at least). For those who need it here are the parameters explained... Yes, click the images to see enlarged views!!!
Family Parameters: Airside_LoadingBridge.rfa



Plan View related parameters illustrated:

Elevation related parameters illustrated:

How's that?

Old to New: Upgrading oddities 1 (of more??? )

Have you tried to upgrade a file (or files) to Revit 2009 and found that it or they won't upgrade (yet)? Well, we have and although Autodesk Support is one possibility for a solution, that can take weeks + to get a result and even though I am the person that emails them most every day asking if they are done, it can take a while (understandably...they have a lot of clients!!!).

So what am I talking about? OK, I will tell you:

Yesterday I got a message from a colleague who wants to be referred to herein as Sasquatch (Actually he corrected me, saying: "Quasimodo would have described me a little better! Ha Ha") so, thanks Quasimodo...(AKA John C Raiten).

So anyways, John asked if I had any ideas as to how he could upgrade a 140MB project file to Revit 2009, since I recently had a problem file that needed ADSK's help in upgrading. I got in touch with him this morning to suggest he try a parsing of the file, since there seems to be no other options beyond this or ADSK Support... Well I found that he finally had success (Yaay!!!) and here is the synopsis:

"If at first you don't..."

1) Detached and 'saveas-ed' (lol) a new Central file, so as to not destroy the original file.
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...

2) Purged Unused, Audited, removed errors. (always a good set of ideas).
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...

3) Removed all links.
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...

Now here it gets fun...remember I said parse? well Sasquatch tried that after the obvious ways it "SHOULD" have worked all failed...

4) Grouped logically related bits of geometry (did I mention this project is approximately 5,000,000 sf?) why do I add that? Well, when I say bits I mean a Shit-load: He then saved the groups out as Links.
(Hmmm, perhaps you are beginning to see now?) ...wait for it...

5) He repeated this a handful of times; until only Levels, Grids and Annotations, Views, Sheets realistically everything shy of the actual building, existed in the original file.
...tried to upgrade the now building-less project file with luck... (Yes I said WITH luck, now we are getting somewhere). This point of time is also known as the dénouement...

6) Upgraded each of the linked group files, one-by-one.
...I can sense the end...

7) Linked them all in to the new 2009 main file, Bound them (oooh kinky) and ungrouped them and...

It Fucking worked!!!

-Fade-to-Black-

Smart Geometry Dumb Geometry

I see this (Smart Geometry type of thing) being widespread (on the horizon) and in Revit... do you AutoDesk? If not then I will include herein excerpts from an interesting article (and a link to the original); so perhaps we can get some groundswell for these capabilities to be built into Revit.

-My editorialization is in maroon.

"Robert Aish leaves Bentley" Yes, it's a link.
by Lars Hesselgren - 01 November 2007

"...Most people's reaction to the news that Robert Aish has resigned from Bentley and
is joining Autodesk is "Well what happens to GC now?". As you may imagine this was indeed the reaction of myself and the members of the SmartGeometry Group... (I say what happens to Revit now!!!???)

...We have to acknowledge the enormous role Robert played in creating Generative Components.
It was very much ‘his baby’...Robert Aish from YRM and Intergraph Master Architect days had joined Bentleys and was testing his first iteration of GC, so he joined the group. Our first outing with an incredibly rough Alpha was in Cambridge (2003); Robert did a new build every day...

...And of course at the end of the day Autodesk’s move underlines the acceptance into the marketplace of tools designed for the new design age where computers are used as active design participants. It is a fundamentally different concept from BIM which is a wonderful data storage method, but which leaves design out of the equation..." Yeah, Design is back into our tool box and perhaps one day it'll really be available and flexible in Revit too. -Or will that idea just be killed off?

Now, I know that there are methods for creating "approximations" or "visualizations" of complex designs, based on relatiotional formulas (I refer you to Phil Read's AU class that he gives each year) but those massing studies are a bit limited and don't generate building components, that are adequately quantifiable or "real", etc. they mainly look like objects... We need real objects to be controlled in any manner we dream.

I have one humble request: ADSK please get this type of geometry creation into Revit ASAP, I suggest you ask Mr. Aish; I'd bet he can show you how...he is on payroll, no???!!! ...or is this already happening (insert sly smile here) ...Hmmm...

...That ends this transmission...

Tags Tagging The "Right" Thing

A new Revit user came in with this question... "Why doesn't my Curtain Panel Tag show the number?" ...Breath just breath...since I have heard this type of thing a lot I didn't burst out into a cynical laughing fit... ((WTF is the Parameter "Number"? I know it's being picky but if we would all call things what they actually are then life may be a much better place... It's not misremembering, it's telling a lie Mr. Clemons!!! Well anyways, back to my first tangent: I think they mean to call into play the parameter "Mark"). See it's just my cynical streak running wild... Oh well, on with the solution.

Select the Tag in question and choose EDIT FAMILY, from the Options Bar; then in the family editor, select the original parameter label and click the "SELECT PARAMETER" button from the Options Bar; you should see something similar to the following:

Since there was no value input for Type Mark in the object; and since we want to see the Mark (AKA: Number) we need to change the label to look at the parameter "Mark": (popular guy)

Then simply load (the modified family) into your project (saving the family is probably suggested...just remember to change the name :-)).

Now, when the Mark value is input in the object(s) Properties' (similar to the next image)...

the panels in question will go from this:

To this:
Now just apply this to every possible tag (And more???!!!) you have and you could have 1 to over 100 problems solved with this one posting!!!

Hail to the Chief(s): Onward and Upward for LA's Revit User Group

Please join me in congratulating me (Oooh, that's awkward) on becoming the Los Angeles Revit User Group's Co-President.

I will be Joining Tom Wier of Brandow & Johnston, Inc. in the operations of this, the greatest Revit User Group in the world.... OK here in LA at least!!!

I know this will be a great opportunity for me personally as well as professionally and wish to thank everyone who has helped me obtain such a level of total world domination...uhhh...I mean... to a place where I can help inspire and be inspired from users throughout Los Angeles and the (Revit) world at-large (yes bloggers, you too!!! Thank you all).

Since I first saw Revit I realized it's power and BIM's potential as being the way that we could bring Architecture to a higher level of achievement and I will strive to share this vision to as diverse an audience as is possible. Who knows, perhaps we'll get some new Reviteurs and help inspire the broader field of Architecture into unimagined accomplishments!!! I can dream, but you should know that I will also act on these dreams!!!

I am looking forward to bringing the LA (and beyond) Revit community to an even better place than we now enjoy and I invite you all to be a part of that.

One of my colleagues sent this to me so I felt it appropriate to pass it along...(really, none of this is going to my head)... I have always been confident in myself... Ooooh, awkward again!!! LOL. -J

Four Sundays in May

I hope you can make any or all of the Sundays listed below, from 12:30 to 3:15 pm (If you're in LA that is).

The occasion? Well, I'm glad you asked: it's for Family Days at LACMA... And guess who's teaching again???

I will be leading a painting on canvas adventure (canvas paper, that is), in a great setting with easels and sunshine...

If you've never been, well Nike says just do it!!! Everyone under 18 years old gets a free Museum membership. Yes, a real membership!!! Plus everyone is welcome to join in all the creativity -and what could be better than collaborating on Art with your friends and family? Not too much if you ask me!!!

There will be several stations setup with all you'll need to get your inner (or outer) Artist going, in a multitude of media; so kids (OK everyone) bring your family and friends and have some creative fun.

Click Above Me!!!

Picasso, Matisse, Degas—Oh My!
May 4, 11, 18, 25, 2008

Visit the newly reinstalled modern art galleries! Works by leading modern artists Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Edgar Degas will inspire you to make your own art with Larry Ashton, June Edmonds, Mahyar Nili, Quan Yen Tran and Jay Zallan.

View works from the museum's permanent collection in tours led by LACMA's high school interns exploring the influences, design, materials, and techniques used by modern artists.

Thanks to all the great staff and volunteers who make this happen week in and week out!!! With a special thanks to my great friend Alicia and the entire Education Department for providing me with a continued opportunity to help inspire Art in our community. You guys are amazing!!!

I will plan on seeing you there!!! (Yes YOU!!!)