Tweet Tweet: Twit or Twitter?

So I broke down and Twitted myself up. You can follow HERE, (or click the painting of the hand on the sidebar) if you like; I did and it's free...
Well truthfully, I am not following myself and really there will be costs to Twits everywhere!!!

More Twit Links:

The Python Folks

Twit TV

Miriam Webster's views

Python Scriptz

Pregnant Goldfish -Well, somewhere on this blog the word 'twit' comes up... like the main title.

Finally (I am over finding interesting twit sites for now) anyways, as I said; finally I searched for 'BIM and twits' and found among the throngs the following page (notice the $ amount of their services... yikes!!!) and then ask where the work is going... or not??? BIM services (from India)at affordable (I'd say ridiculous) rates (USD $10 to $15/hr) include: • 3D modeling • BIM • MEP • HVAC

Current (?) Revit Tools and Addons

I have added a few others at the bottom of this post. Thanks to all!!!

There is a lot of inquiry about Revit addons and tools, beyond the OOTB capabilities. So in an attempt at compiling an exhaustive list this post may grow in the future. I have not tried them all so beware and use at your own risk; as always let us know the good/bad&ugly... FYI, this post is not going to deal with full applications such as green Building Studio, Ecotect, IES, E-Specs, etc., as those types of Apps stand on their own.

Here we go!!!
Autodesk Labs Always have something new and exciting
Autodesk Labs RDB Link tool (link to external data)
Autodesk Labs STL Exporter 2010
Autodesk Labs Share Now
Autodesk Labs Dragonfly (to Revit also)

If you are an Autodesk Subscription customer (and some of us are) you should always login & check in to see what additions they have, like the Globe Link, Navisworks Exporter (don't forget to get the patch!!!) Worksharing Monitor, Batch Print utility (reorders printed order of sheets too!!!), etc.!!! Don't forget all of the other Arch, Struct & MEP Extensions they have there too...

BIMjet 4D Revit schedule linking to & from MS Project

StructSoft's MWF (Metal Wood Framer)...'nuf said.

Ideate's Ideate Explorer for finding Revit 2010 objects, etc.

Trelligence's Affinity for Revit Programming, Master Planning, etc.

AGA-CAD's tools4revit Truss 2010.2, Dynamic Legend, Sort&Mark, Sort&Cope, Rafter+, Rafter+FF (enhanced), Truss+, Building Interior Designer

Avatech's Revit Utilities; Room Renumber, Change Case, Door Mark Update, RevitShitty (check that) Revitcity content browser, Earth Connector (Autodesk has their own now too), Space Update

DotSoft's XL2CAD for Revit places DXF'd (Yikes) Excel spreadsheets into Revit. I guess if you "must"

EMC2 Architects have a Keynote Manager (I think)

Dr. Angéla Germán's reviTTools Door tag enhancements, element counts, manage linked CAD files (Yikes), manage sheet properties, DWG export, direct export to Excel, direct import Room data from Excel, Door-window-room renumbering,Transfer parameters to Doors

CDV Systems (London Infotech's Cyril Deluca-Verley) CodeBook linking program & equipment requirements to Revit

From an Augi posting Copy Schedule data from one schedule to another

That's it for now; if you have others please feel free to send them along and I'll include them and if I add more it will be below this. Cheers, -J

Thanks for this one Troy!!! CADwerx BIM & CAD Power Tools

One more (from Anonymous) Revit TV's Drawing Manager and Shared Parameters Managers.

Here's another one: EMC2's Keynote Manager!!!

More brilliance: Distance to Panels From Zach Kron. More Here too.

Resetting the Revit Architecture 2010 user interface

If you are one of those (us) who constantly fucks with their software & interfaces (at least as much as you can) and you do this to the point that they are not just self-customized, but all screwed up and perhaps unusable anymore...well are you? If so ADSK has a tool for you!!! Click on Resetting the Revit Architecture 2010 user interface for their Knowledge Base Search document explaining it all... including the all necessary .vbs file and everything!!!

Now just leave the interface alone and get to work!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Gimme a beer, imbecile!

Enough Said. CLICK ME!!!

Do we need help! (That's not a question)

.chm files (searchable "help" type of file)...Hmmm; a good way to share ideas and whitepapers, etc.?

Since too many users don't read all of the standards files, style guides, user manuals, etc. that are created for their use, is the .chm idea workable or just another file full of usefull information to be ignored by users? Remember CAD & BIM Managers, most people still don't use F1 (Help) so...

Anyway; I think it is a great idea to explore (CLICK ME!!!) and I know my previous statement seems quite cynical but I will wait until I am proved wrong (?), in the workplace to recant.

BTW: the point I linked to the CAD Enhancement posting is that they once again spell strategies to get people learning and have a link to this Microsoft App that creates .chm's, etc.

Autodesk University 2009 Proposal Confirmation (Nice!!!) From Programming to Presentation

Dear Jay,
Thank you for your proposal to speak at Autodesk University 2009. We are pleased to inform you that your proposal has been accepted. Congratulations!

We received an overwhelming response to our request for proposals—more than 1600 submissions from over 700 individual presenters. This response demonstrates the value of AU to our community. Thank you for offering to become part of this important event.

My Class:
From Programming to Presentation: Planning with Autodesk® Revit®Architecture
90-Minute Class

Learn how to create outstanding Planning Projects in Revit Architecture. From single client T.I. to large scale Planning and Urban Designs you will learn proven concepts and techniques for creating high quality, Revit projects. We will cover several ways to efficiently integrate Planning requirements with downstream project designers and production teams. Learn how to setup projects and templates so you can prepare documents and presentations that are at once detailed, clearly informative, and convincing for your clients (not to mention downright beautiful). You may have new additional services after you leave this class! By applying the concepts of this course, you will be able to smoothly transition your existing techniques into a more powerful workflow and will be better suited to manage both large views, as well as large numbers of views.

If you have any questions, please contact AU Speaker Management .
* The Speaker Resource Center is scheduled to go live in late July.
* AU event registration for speakers will open on August 5.
* You may want to sign up for the AU Speaker Blog or follow us on Twitter to stay informed on all things AU.
...
Thank you for your proposal and the valuable contribution you will be making to this year’s Autodesk University. We look forward to working with you over the next few months and meeting you in Las Vegas at AU 2009!


The AU 2009 Speaker Management Team
Carol Nadler Speaker Manager
Patricia Lundberg Speaker Manager
Sophie Dupras Virtual Speaker Manager
Joseph Wurcher Content Manager

Thanks to everyone who voted for this and every session that will be presented and I will see you there!!! Thanks also to Joseph Wurcher and the entire AU Team!!!

Annals of Innovation

(He said Annal) -I know it's quite Beavis and Butthead...that's the point...He he he he... (I'm not cool enough to recall any South Park reference for this!!!).

On to business!

We can affect change, even as perceived "weak" individuals or small groups against larger more "powerful" groups... Take heed no matter what side of this you find yourself, at any given time...

Know the rules of the game independent of the known constructs and deal with problems with clear vision...NO EMOTIONS, NO SENTIMENTALITY, BRUTAL HONESTY, etc.

CLICK ME!!!

Get ready to read!!! Thanks (to the "unknowing that I quoted them") New Yorker and Malcom Gladwell

Organize This!!!

Do you remember this article from last year? Did you ever see it? Have you used it? If not you may want to... Organizing the Development of a Building Model by: Jim Bedrick

That along with These Documents cited in the article, from the IPD-CA folks as well as the AIA's IPD Guide can help fill your mind with possibilities; while these may overload you they still give insight into processes to verify and validate our progress into the Future of VDC.

Here's some Fear and Loathing ...And a bit of Hard Core M&Music

I don't know if you could tell but I've always liked Eminem's music... very original, creative and hardcore, honest etc. Well if you like his stuff check out THIS REMIX by Travis Barker of Eminem's 3am... Slam dem drums T... Great Groove; the kids love it and it's green too!!!

Revit 2010 to Navisworks 2010 Hotfix

So have you found Revit 2010 exports to Navisworks 2010 have some...well... little funny issues? Like not cutting walls where doors and/or windows exist? If so (or if you don't want to find out) you can get the HotFix Here.

What does ADSK say about the HotFix? They say that it..."Resolves issue with openings (e.g. windows and doors) being displayed as solid objects within Navisworks when using the Navisworks export plugin from within Revit."

Thanks to MM for cluing me in hours after this was made available!!!

Long Live the Sharpie

Yeah, yeah yeah, it's not Revit but we sometimes need inspiration. Plus dispelling myths about folks from the south is fun!!!

In case you never saw what $10.00 worth of sharpies, time and inspiration can do, just click the following link: Man decorates basement with $10 worth of Sharpie

Revit Content Ad nauseam???

It is minor but the groundswell has started. Yaay. Finally MFG's are not just using CAD Imports (those old Lazy asses!!!) as an excuse for Revit Families; now MFG's like A. O. Smith are getting on the Revit train and doing families right (mostly)...I say mostly because the hosted nature of many families goes against many (read as my) best practices.

Regardless of my thoughts on hosting, we do like "Firsts" and would like to congratulate A.O. Smith on their forward thinking and swift action, Many in the AEC world could use more of that!!!

From their site:
"A. O. Smith is pleased to be the first Water Heater Manufacturer to offer you 3D Revit models."

A special and personal note to everyone making families: STOP MAKING FAMILIES HOSTED UNLESS THEY REALLY (read as REALLY!!!) NEED TO BE. I know ADSK suggests (mandates?) that families be hosted but this is as flawed an outlook as making the size of a door be type driven. I know the door issue is arguable but a slab door is a slab door, is a slab door, no matter the size... Let's say my slab door is Type A1. why do I need a new Type that is for a 3'x9' and another that's 4'x9'? the TYPE of these doors (in reality) is the same...

Face based families will probably cause problems when the family forgets what face it was hosted to and falls on it's side, etc. I know hosted objects will move with their host but issues like this can (read as will) prove to be bigger than just simple location coordination!!! Especially since we can constrain families to a 'host' in other ways.

Has anyone ever had face based families lose their host when copies were pasted to other levels??? I have...

With all he MFG's creating content we now need wading boots, to navigate the ever expanding road of dissimilar Family & Type names, parameters, methods, modeling continuity, etc...

When does one break from the MFG conventions and align families with individual company necessities? ASATA... (As Soon As They Arrive)!!!

A Green Roof is a Happy Roof???

Are you going green and want to use a green roof? This nice little article may help.

The Revit API: A Great Place To Start

THIS LINK is a great resource for one's travels up or down the Revit API stream.

THIS LINK is a great resource for one's travels through life. -When stuck just pick one and go with that and see what comes of it!!! One of my favorites is: "Make a sudden, destructive unpredictable action; incorporate"

Do you really want to know where your command is now?

In my world the ribbon just reinforces (and will grow) my use of Keyboard Shortcuts but for those occasions where I do use buttons there IS a way to find the 2010 equivelent of previous Revit tools... So, for those who can't find the F1 key or who need extra spoon feeding (yes, I am just being mean but it's all in jest)... CLICK ME. Neat tool, I wonder about how much free time Mr. Iyadurai has...though sometimes we all give back...thanks Nicholas!!!.

Revit: The Unconditional Conditional Withholder?

Funny thing: at this month's Los Angeles Revit Users Group someone mentioned how absurd it is (OK it was me) that there can be found functionality in some Revits that aren't in others... Well Steve Stafford with the help of David Baldacchino has posted a nifty find of some hidden functionality that IS actually there. See Steve's conditional post and David's additional post.

Known Issues

Stuart said...

Revit download.... What drives me nuts about Revit 2010 download is the little pdf that is titled: Known Issues. Unfortunately, it is not accompanied with a pdf called: resolutions!! How in the world does Autodesk get away with that!?!?

Thursday, April 23, 2009

He said "Known Issues".

Comment on those Issues.

I've always found it enlightening (not to mention useful) that the (or at least some of the) "known" issues are published for Revit... Yeah, they could be fixed but you know how it is big ships turn slowly...

Wouldn't it be funny (or scary...) if people published their own "known issues" documents???

But alas we still buy the product and we still get married so...

The Revit Workstation: A Simple Formula

What is the best computer for Revit?

It’s all up to one’s budget; keeping in mind project type/size and what else will be done on the machine.

I would recommend that whatever manufacturer(s) you go with, when you spec out the Workstations you consider a handy equation that I use:

IF ($$$=Available) Then (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 4) ELSE (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 2)

...If you want to use that in a Revit "calculated value" :-) then I believe it would read:

IF $$$>Available, (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 4), (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 2)

Consider that what you want you need. Look down the road 1 year+...

BTW: I mean I would double at the very least, each of the specs individually, some I’d go beyond double… but double is my minimum.

In the past Video Cards did not make a big impact on Revit but everything else one probably uses (and now Revit more and more) use heavy GPU so I’d still go for the gold there too.

Look at the links below…Hmmm Multiple Xeon’s… I know only Rendering in Revit uses multiple processors but doesn't 8 sound very good to you?

I’d also check the AutoCAD Recommended Video Cards (yes: ACAD, they are somewhat GPU heavy)... perhaps use the Inventor or MAX, or Maya GPU specs and again get better than their highest recommendations, up to your budget's limit…

The better the computer the longer it's Revit Life Cycle (RLC).

Look into leasing vs. purchasing…

Anyways, ADSK says the black and I said the Red

J's Minimum System Recommendations for 64-bit Autodesk Revit Architecture
* Windows XP Professional x64 edition (SP1 or later) Vista 64 since XP 64 is...
* Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40GHz or equivalent AMD processor How much can I spend on Xeons?
* 8 GB RAM 8 minimum!!! 16 or 32 for really useful/heavily used systems.
* 5 GB free disk space Ha!!! 5 GB to install!!! maybe a couple of Terabytes is better.
* Dedicated video card with hardware support for DirectX 9 (or later) How many GB can I afford? (Hmmm maybe multiple SLI's)
* Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 (or later) Mozilla for me but IE is there anyways, if ADSK needs it.
* Two-button mouse with scroll wheel Yeah, because someone won't let people like Logitec into the API enough to allow the Space Pilot, etc. to work with it... Oh sorry, I combine a Wacom Intous Tablet, and depending on where I am, a Space Pilot or Space Navigator with a Mouse and a Wacom Cintiq.

AutoDESK Revit Download

AutoDesk Discussions about systems...

AutoDESK Revit Architecture Specs

Revit mep Suite 2010 Specs

Take care!!!
-J

This is mainly to help me remember the way to negate the "Inconsistent Units" error but I am sure there are more people who will find this useful!!! From the real Revit master: (BTW: This can obviously be applied to many objects, not just walls as the example shows)...

Originally Posted by LRaiz (re-posted at the bottom of the discussion in this link)

"Let's assume that you are using Cost parameter available in Wall type as your unit cost. When you assign numeric value to to Cost Revit has no idea what is the meaning of this parameter. It could be cost per square foot, cost per square inch, cost per linear foot, cost per wall instance, etc. You are the only one who knows the meaning and you use your knowledge while writing a formula for calculated value in schedule. Revit just enforces that units of measurement are the same on the left and right sides of your formula.

Let say you want to compute TotalCost (number parameter) then taking into account the fact that unit Cost is also a number (no units of measurement) and Area parameter has units of length square you would write

If Cost is per square foot then TotalCost = Cost * Area / (1' * 1')
If Cost is per square inch then TotalCost = Cost * Area / (1" * 1")
If Cost is per square meter then TotalCost = Cost * Area / (1m * 1m)
If Cost is per linear foot then TotalCost = Cost * Length / (1')
If Cost is per wall instance then TotalCost = Cost

Makes sense?"

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...