You Need Tools for Your Revit Tool, Don't You?

Your Tool is important to you.

Therefore we need a place to find them and this post will effort toward listing them (at least as many available at the moment it's published). In no apparent order, here is a list of the many Revit Tools one can find... As always click the images for links to the sites.

Please understand that you must evaluate these tools on your own since this posting is in no way a recommendation to use or purchase anything. I have no vested interest in any of these tools. Some are better than others and there's a shitload of info on these in & on the web... Now about those Tools...

If I find more I'll append or re-post...

Obviously you need Revit!!!






Autodesk Subscription is where you'll find some of the best addons, additions, service packs, patches, new builds, etc. If you are on subscription you'll probably know this... if not HAHAHAHA... Among the fantastic benefits are: RoomBook extension, bridge/road/terrain tools, framing tools, grids generator, compare models, convert parameters to shared, element positioning, freeze drawings, text generator, etc...!!!

Autodesk Labs is the place for all (ADSK) things potential!!! Google Earth connectors, DB connectors, BIM Family toolkit (interface w/ Inventor), Chinese daylight analysis, Bluestreak, Newport, Project Vasari!!! (Revit conceptual modeling without Revit...and free)!!!, STL exporter, and...Who knows what the future holds???

Mertens3D has a great tool for creating hatch patterns on-the-fly, directly enough within Revit... YAAY, it makes the .pat files for us!!!


Eaglepoint has SiteTools & LandCadd addon applications for Revit, as well as other apps for other platforms...


These folks have some great addons such as an MWF... Metal/Wood Framer, a Manufacturing CMS: or Component Management Software. (Hey, didn't ADSK have a free wood framer???) Perhaps you need more control???


EMC2 has a great tool to edit/manage Keynote files, without the explicit use of Notepad!!!

This makes Keynotes: How to Use & Abuse the System: A How To for Good, Not Evil much easier!!!



The image left gets you directly to the whitepaper referenced in the "Keynotes" posting/link above, just in case...


Toolbox4Revit has a few tools for 2008-2010 versions so perhaps they aren't so useful for many Reviteurs any longer... Never know what the future will hold though...



Revit Express Tools are some pay to play tools including: Excel Link (hey there is a theme here), BID&M and many more (some are very expensive IMO, but I know these guys and they're great in any case)...



Revit Family Tools is free and these include: Delete Backup Files, Type Catalog Tools, Compare Shared Parameters, Merge Shared Parameters, Family File Version Detector. -Pretty cool!!!











Imaginit's tools are pretty well proven and some are NEW for 2011... Element Renumber, MEP Parameter Tool, Parameter Copy, Room Renumber, Grid Select, Change Case, Door Mark Update, Revit Content Browser, Space Update, Earth Connector for Revit, Room Phase Copy.
There are Free Imaginit tools available & they are: Room Renumber, Change Case, Space Update and Grid Select... Free is good!!!

RevitTools Ribbon (pay to play) includes streamlining & productivity tools such as: Import/Export to Excel, Count Elements, Create Shared Parameters, Renumber Elements and many more. There is also a RevitTools Toolbar for 2009 in case you're in the stone(d) age... Also included: "Schedule & Tag real door swing properties, Schedule & Tag real 'From' & 'To' Room info from doors" (Hey, isn't that already in Revit? YES!!! maybe theirs is somehow better???)

Free means free!!! This includes Zach Kron, Buildz's Extensions tools. As they say: "The amazing Revit extension "calculates the distance between curtain panel by pattern instances and some other placed family, then writes this number to an instance parameter in each panel. But once we hook this parameter up to some geometry and formulas... oh the fun we can have!"" API Yi Yi.

These are pay to play and some of the tools, or similar ones are already inside of Revit, or available for free so look around before purchasing all of them... Tools for BIM Management, Architecture, Structure, MEP & Sustainability, including tools for: Detailing, Dynamic Legends, Sheet Manager, Smart Floors, U-Value, Smart Browser, Rafter+, Truss+, Opening Cut, Sort & Mark, Estimating, R-Heating, Building Energy Performance.

FM/GIS/BIM data workflow Mgmt. from CDV Systems.






At left is a link to a previous (2009) post with more (mainly older) tools to look at... Never know what you may find... Cheers!!!

Copy Monitor Setup for Revit: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility... Use it or Lose it

Note: This posting is based on efficiencies and practice: if your teams are skilled and experienced and know WTF they are doing this posting may not fully apply, as I don't even get into the Coordination Review or Reconcile Hosting herein. That's for another day... This post is intended for beginner to intermediate Revit teams...

First off: Here is a Search List of some useful Revit Copy Monitor assets, I'm sure you can find more as the years go on. I want to give some colleagues using Revit Structure a tip on splitting columns automatically at time of link/copy/monitor, so I will... but not until I give some other requisites for anyone Copying & Monitoring...

Copy/Monotor Levels: Click Here
Why Use it??? See what ADSK says themselves Right Here.

Then consider if it's such a good tool for you. I think there is potential and merit in the "concept" of Copy/Monitor, but in actual practice it, along with user-error and/or lack of communication/coordination can cause huge problems. If a team has people that don't fully appreciate the power of what they are doing...(read as either Revit Newbies or even experienced Reviteurs who just don't get it... and by 'it' I mean life, communication, coordination. impact, value, respect, professionalism, etc.).

Why do I steer many teams away from Copy/Monitor? Well, let's look at some unfortunately typical types of situations.

Let's say the Architecture team (RAC) gives their model to MEP (RME) & Structural (RST) consultant teams to use and coordinate with/from & to.

Then let's say the Structural consultant DOES use Copy/Monitor, for all possible items and the MEP consultant DOES NOT... Who do you think will 'win'?

Here are a few examples of issues that they can each expect to run into (read as will for sure run into for several items, some big, unless there is so much coordination and communication for every object deleted that everyone wants to pull out their hair)... I could be wrong but have never seen Copy/Monitor work cleanly without pretty major portions of work disappearing & needing to be re-done... Can anyone say loss of money?

Scenario 1: Deletion of a Level in the Architectural model
Architect team deletes a Level and creates a new one 2 feet above the previous one. (Yes I know the old level should (probably) simply been moved but shit happens sometimes).

The results of Scenario 1 -You tell me which makes more sense.
RME
The RME team simply needs to look at most any Elevation or Section; see the difference and manually move their Level to (hint) align with the RAC model's level. MEP is Done and onto work. (Clean!!!)...

RST
RST who is Copy/Monitoring has to do a Coordination Review...
Hopefully the person getting this warning (that I'd argue cannot be ignored) knows what they are doing in Revit enough to actually react to this with proper diligence.

Then they need to make a choice which may solve the issue or else it will be standing for later, per the following dialogue...

Either choice illustrated in the image left requires communication with the Architect (AKA: lost time, lost money. ...That MEP scenario is immediately looking better).

But wait, that's not all!!! Let's say RST deletes the object by using this dialogue; Well if they had objects associated to the deleted level they could expect to lose Views (Oh Shit: entire views, annotations and all!!!), Object Associations and Objects themselves... YUK... Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money (lost).

See where this can go? I say we wait for teams to be real Revit experts before implementing Copy/Monitor. If your team has set protocols and buy-in then great!!!; if not :-(

Scenario 2: Deletion of a Wall from the Architectural model -It happens sometimes...
At times it's appropriate to move a wall rather than delete it, but sometimes it's appropriate to delete it and create a new one. So in this scenario I postulate not only the Copy/Monitor issue but I will add to that my dislike of unnecessarily Hosted Components... In this scenario the MEP team still does not use Copy/Monitor but they also have made many of their components to be NON HOSTED (yaay for them), such as outlets, lights, etc. (no, not even face hosted!!!)

The results of Scenario 2
RME
The MEP team sees the wall from RAC was deleted and manually moves their wall & other components into the new location and any constrained objects follow. Done.
Note: Objects that were constrained to the RAC wall like dimensions, etc. will go away, so be watchful.

RST
The Structural team must do the coordination review and deal with any/all hosted families wanting to be deleted or worse: rejected (yuk) this is why an object that is not hosted works better in my opinion. Better to move an object than it is to have it be deleted without ones' knowledge. Yes I know we can export the report of objects that get deleted this way but again, in practice I find this auto-deletion is worse in most cases than simply having to do a visual audit/repair.

Whatever method you adopt for Copy/Monitor; whether it be through Revit or manual methods I can't stress enough the need for communication & coordination with the extended teams.

The further along in projects you are and the more items that are constrained to others' objects may, in some cases require a moratorium be placed on deleting objects. That's right: NO DELETING without round-trip BIM management first.

You now get the idea that Copy/Monitor needs planning & coordination and can introduce issues if not regulated properly so on to the Copy Monitor Options (and that tip finally!!!)...

Collaborate Tab>Coordinate Panel>Copy/Monitor
The small down-arrow (as always in software, especially all of them) is important!!!
In Copy/Monitor's case, it's mandatory: This is where one chooses what link to coordinate to/from.


The two choices; Use Current Project or Select Link are illustrated in the image at left; relatively straight forward.








Copy/Monitor Options
Options are straight forward as a concept but they do require setup.

These make Copy/Monitor very powerful when used correctly but you need to honestly evaluate if the statement "when used correctly" will be used, followed and communicated to ALL parties involved in the project & process. As I have said With great power comes great responsibility and the power using Copy/Monitor is extreme... one can make it good or bad.

Copy/Monitor Options: Levels
Type choices are quite obvious.

The Additional Copy Parameters can be useful too. If the Structural Levels want an offset due to finishes, etc. this can be used ...but again: only if directed to, coordinated and communicated. I think this is one of the least desired options but hey, that's just me...

Prefix or suffix can be helpful, if used.














Copy/Monitor Options: Grids
Again Grid options are straight forward enough. I don't recommend prefix or suffix though... the grid is the grid.





















Copy/Monitor Options: Columns
FINALLY!!! Here is the tip for Structural folks that I spoke of at the beginning of this (epic length) post.

See the check box next to: "Split Columns by Levels"? Well, if the Architecture team modeled the columns as one object, spanning all levels then I'd say RST users should check this box. Unless you want a 200' long single column, hindering analysis, etc.

Little box, big results... this is great: if you use Copy/Monitor, that is...










Copy/Monitor Options: Walls
Do the work!!! If you are going to use Copy/Monitor and not set these (and all the other options) up then you can be sure of major inefficiencies (repeat the Mo (lost) money chant)...



















Copy/Monitor Options: Floors
Huge for Structural teams!!! Don't forget the openings and inserts...






















Copy/Monitor: The Copy Tools
Multiple Obviously allows more than one object to be Copy/Monitored at a time. Useful in many situations, unnecessary in others, let your ego be your guide. NO, NO, NO, I just wanted to see if you are still reading this: actually let your judgement be your guide!!!
Finish (Not the button with the green check above it: that's for when you are complete with the entire Copy/Monitor process. The small "Finish" button that is next to the Multiple box is used to finish the Copy procedure for the selected objects. Cancel Obviously cancels the process at hand. Filter. WOW this is powerful and necessary in many cases... don't use it if you want to re-double your efforts later and lose money, efficiency...

Now you should have a decent insight to Copy/Monitor Setups... use at your own risk!!!

Revit, BIM Can't Save AEC from Bad Leadership & Workmanship

Why is one of the largest economies (California) screwed? Hitting the image (left) will get you to an LATIMES article outlining just one small (read as huge) part...

Why didn't they listen to Larry and others???

Some quotes from the article: "..."I wouldn't let them build an outhouse for me," she said....

...show that inspectors, architects and project managers began finding serious construction defects early on and grew increasingly frustrated as deadlines came and went and the complex ultimately opened with many of the problems uncorrected. ...Yet the top two officials overseeing the construction program did not share their urgency.

They publicly praised the contractor's work and repeatedly approved payments to [read the article for names] over the objections of Valley College officials and construction supervisors, who wanted the money held back until problems were corrected. The district had the right to withhold nearly $5 million but released almost $4 million, forfeiting a key source of leverage..."

Typical unfortunately of some officials: they see a crappy job done, their advisors say it's crappy and then the officials say it's all great!!! Can one intimate Payola???

Part Two of this story can be found in the image/link at right... I feel for you Don.

Keep up the good governing (read as SNAFU).

Big sad face goes out to the LACCD leadership and everyone else who was warned of the problems and didn't react with our (taxpayer) interests or the students, teachers, administrators, etc. in mind; now we must all live with these results daily.

Thanks for taking some good work by many and turning it into institutional waste.

This is why AEC can be so screwed as an industry. Shotty work and cover-ups. Not even BIM can save us from these kind of people who hold no seeming value in quality work or responsibility to anything more than perhaps their personal station in life... you know; the 'let's hope the shit hits the fan after we are gone' syndrome.

OMFGLOL-VL: A Discourse on Emerging Tectonic Visualization and the Effects of Materiality on Praxis. Or an essay on the ridiculous way architects talk

I was bumping about last night and while reading Doctor, Lawyer, Architect, Fail on the Architects 2Zebras site I hit the link for Witold Rybczynski's Slate article titled: A Discourse on Emerging Tectonic Visualization and the Effects of Materiality on Praxis Or an essay on the ridiculous way architects talk.

I won't even add my 2 cents, as the article I find spot on, so I find no need (it's perfect as is) I'll simply quote a part of it:

"The Urban Dictionary defines Archispeak as: "Large, made-up words that architects and designers use to make themselves sound smarter than you (you being the client or the confused observer of design). [hit the image above]

It does nothing to inform or enlighten the consumer of architecture and mostly serves to numb them into obedience or self doubt." That sounds about right.

F'ing hilarious because there is even a book on Archispeak!!! Plus the book is illustrated, so the irony continues!!!

I do live in a glass house here, so next time I drop methodologically, etc. I will give myself a little self conscious, inner chuckle...

Hello Nairobi

I often wonder how many Revit users per capita (Architecturally speaking) there are in the Countries & Cities represented in the readership of this (and other) Revit & BIM Blogs.


Nairobi is no different: I wonder if one (or more) of these firms is a fan...

Welcome nonetheless, whomsoever you are!!! We are glad you're around.

As always; have fun clicking the images...

Performative BIM (Revitcentrically that is)

Dr. Andrew J Marsh's take on Performative BIM. A good intro, if you still need one...

SkinPut for Revit Coming Soon (or Ever???)

When will released technology catch up with potential technology? Ever??? I guess our kids can look forward to these???

Have you used any SkinPut interfaces? I have ('nt).

Cool to see but actually cool only when we can use it for real!!! Read The Abstract Here.

Mobil BIM: Droids, iPods, iPads, Tablets: W(here)TF are the Apps???!!!

W(here)TF are the BIM Apps???
I ask that question since it seems obvious to me that some people in AEC & Software Development are still, seemingly in denial regarding BIM and our industries' future and present needs.

We (some people in AEC; not you of course) want our projects to be green, yet we leave the lights on... We want efficient processes, yet we fight BIM... don't even tell "those" people about IPD... their heads will explode and they will surely hide in their turtle shells and continue to hold AEC from an inevitable future (and for the rest of us "the present").

My point? BIM Apps are next to nonexistent. Go search Itunes for DJ apps. There's a ton... and most of the people who use them aren't DJ's, nor are there as many DJ's as there are AEC professionals who would flourish more if a host of apps designed for them (us) was available.

We REALLY have been lacking on the mobility front, except perhaps for dead (or dying I think) old Autocad, for which there is AutoCAD WS yet no BIM WS. I don't count drafting apps as BIM, since
A) They are not BIM
B) I view drafting as a dying art.

Now don't get me wrong: Let's look at painting portraits on canvas (you know: Art); it was said to be at death's door when the camera was invented and that wasn't exactly the case but look around your home: do you have original paintings of your family that you commissioned? Hell, how much original (not mass produced, or printed, etc.) Art do you have at all? Not wealthy=Not much (or any) original Art.

Not like it was in the 19th century!!! Painting may not be totally dead but it's mostly a luxury item now, not the only game in town and photography is arguably it's master for portraiture. -and I am an Artist that does still paint!!!

So while there may always need to be "widget" draftspeople we need only a few of them and only the most talented... What we need (read as NEED) is an assortment of tools built like my next major project: J'ZbimApp (name changed to protect the innocent).

It doesn't take a genius to understand that ADSK is working on their own but they'd better move fast since the competition already has the beginnings of an app that may be doing at least mobile model interaction.

Yes Sketchbook is a fantastic app but it's just a sketchbook afterall, though a fantastic one. We want (read as NEED) BIM Apps!!!

So until we have J'ZbimApp we can at least see our BIM models on our mobile devices right now! goBIM from Ian Keough of Buro Happold is an app That looks promising, though (IMO) it's a pain, since selecting model objects is required in order to export them (there are usually too many elements to be efficient even with moderately sized models, but a start I guess): a large model is yet really functional in my experience... although this app has it's possibilities it has so far fought me (and disallowed me) from loading my own models into it (it could be me though!!!???). I will hit the support pages and see if I can't get resolution but until then my iPad keeps just saying it is "writing" or "Unable to load file" :-(

BTW: Ian is speaking about "Tools" (the good kind!!!) February 17th in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Design Technology Forum (no TLA for them!!!) So if you are in town do check this out!!!

Watching "Them" Watching Me

Hmmm. Looks like a good sign for Fear & Loathing...!!!
Checking the readership of this Blog, as I am want to do, I noticed a few things recently:

1) San Rafael, California arrived from standard.cotweet.com on "Fear and Loathing In a CAD vs. BIM World: Autodesk Labs Project Nucleus: Now it's on!!!".

CoTweet???

2) CoTweet looks like a good reverse(?)-snooping tool to use for, among other things tracking your company's mentions, etc. from 'out there'. As they, themselves say:

"CoTweet is a comprehensive Web-based social media engagement, management and reporting solution that helps companies of all sizes engage, track and analyze conversations about their brands across the most popular and influential social communities today, Twitter and Facebook."

I say: Welcome (back) Autodesk!!! Assuming that "San Rafael" mentioned above IS indeed Autodesk... and I think that's a safe bet. (An unknowing thanks to Aurgasm for the sounds... it's all theirs!!!)

Autodesk Labs Project Nucleus: Now it's on!!!

I just downloaded the Nucleus Technology preview from The Labs and can't wait to try it... Before I do, here is a taste for you, from ADSK Themselves... Hope this fills you up (for now) Updates to follow??? You can bet on it... Don't forget to click the image to get yours!!! And YES!!! it installs into Revit 2011... Mmmmmm Good.

A bit from The Labs' description: "Project Nucleus integrates the Nucleus simulation engine from Autodesk^® Maya^® into Autodesk^® Revit^® and Project Vasari. It allows designers to experiment with "form-finding" in the conceptual design phase by simulating forces directly in Revit and Project Vasari. (An upcoming technology preview of Project Vasari will include the Project Nucleus functionality.)

Project Nucleus can simulate a wide range of physical phenomena in real time, like wind, gravity, constraints, and collisions. These forces can help architects generate free-form shapes, many of which would be impossible to model by hand."

Time for a change of direction: The Z Direction!!!

Holograms... "to all my friends"

OK, I recently met with some dynamic BIM folks at Suffolk Construction and we discussed all things BIM including their work toward efficient coordination and communication practices... Great stuff. Part of our conversation led to technology and what tools are available (and what aren't) so a future post on mobile solutions is underway...look for that next week...

While we were talking I mentioned using holograms and they were pretty excited at the prospect for their use (unfortunately at the meeting I forgot the name of the holograph creators: Sorry Michael) ...Anyhow, I wanted to share a bit of info on Holograms, so here-goes...

See This previous posting for more on Holograms, LIDAR & Point Clouds (The post is 2 years old so you know there have been major advances (ok well moderate advances) in point cloud technology in AEC, though they are still a bit overly data rich without translation, they do have a prominent place in our lives).

Holographs for AEC: These folks are "The One"!!!
Zebra Imaging Home
Zebra Imaging Gallery

Check out the videos at the bottom of this posting + look at their entire gallery of videos & Images.

The first video below has unruly sound due to the convention atmosphere but you can get a good idea of what these things are; even though seeing them live is much more impressive.

The second video will show some possibilities of multiple images from distinct viewing angles. WOW... the sky's the limit!!! though more than a few image changes might get distracting... then again might not.

The first time I saw one of these AEC holograms it was on the floor and when I stepped over it I nearly fell over since my brain interpreted the hologram to really be sticking up, so it thought I would kick something and (my mind) made me lunge forward, almost falling.

Very big impact...and a good insight to where we experience our world: in the brain, not the eyes.

VERRRRYYYYY GROOOOVVVVVYYY

Revit Space Pilot Pro: Hello Ireland!!!

I suggest that it's time for you to look again at getting yourself some 3DConnexion products and it's time for me to cite an old post (Find it here) to get the conversation started...
Yes, I am going to review these devices and the applications they will support, vice-versa but...
The reasons for this teaser? There are 2:
1) I noticed that someone from Ireland was bumping around the web and Googled "Revit Space Pilot Pro" and found this blog!!! (Hello and welcome; I hope you find good info...)

2) Self, Pre-Redacted

(Revit ®) Families 101: An Excerpt

The following is an excerpt from a paper I am writing (and will post in it's entirety when completed)... The subject is Creating Revit Content and the first step in creating Revit Content is to NOT create Revit Content, rather see if you can't find it!!! Now I know that some firms have a "No Download" policy but others do not and the reality of our digital age is such that (IMO) closing down any possibly valuable assets just because there may be others that are liabilities is antithetical to the progress and efficiency of BIM. Just like we don't believe everything we read or see or hear, etc. we should be wary of found data but not fear it...yet(?).

Search
Many necessary Revit families already exist but unfortunately for many this existing content is oft overlooked or ignored. More and more content is available from a diversity of places (read as “The Web”), therefore if you first use the “I bet it already exists, since others have probably needed ‘it’ before” mantra you might just find that you do not need to build quite so much content after all. Though you may need to modify them and you surely need to test them before introducing to the project environment.


Dealing with found content
Assuming you find what appears to be appropriate content for your needs, “out there” it is advised to never (read as NEVER) bring content from outside sources directly into a live project environment. Test-drive it first.

The Test-Drive
Open a new, blank file and place the content in there; then test it by looking at it in all views it will show up in, change parameters (one by one), etc. Do this testing as fully as possible; to verify that both the aesthetics and functionality are correctly suited for your project or firm’s needs.

Once validated (purged out as well) then it should be safe for project use.

A few validation tests
• Do objects below get covered properly?
• Does it show up correctly in all views?
• Do all parameters flex correctly?
• Is it actually Revit Geometry or not?
• If it’s a Tag, does it pull the correct parameter?
• Is it too big (in MB)?
• Etc.

Well that should get your appetites whetted... See you soon...

Worksharing Need to Know(s) Please Save To Central (No Matter What It's Called Now)

Another helpful hint to build into your team processes... Sync to Central ...Now!!!

What's going on in Revit Worksharing, what's important? Firstly; the differences between a 'stand alone' project file and a Worksharing file need to be understood at least at a basic level. There are profound differences that many still miss: A) It is not recommended (read as "just don't do it) to set the "Backups" of a Worksharing project file to be less than the default of 20 and if you are like some people out there (Read as "some people out there") set it to 50.

No that does not create 50 complete files (like a standalone file would... Worksharing files create very scary EPERM, DAT, & WPERM files that should not be tampered with (read in a Nigel from Spinal Tap voice as: DON'T TOUCH THEM... DON'T EVEN LOOK AT THEM). Those files may be the best way to blow a project up.

That said what is happening in WS files, beyond all that (and more) is communication & the availability of Worksets (WS). AKA containers for discretely distinguished sets of objects. How many worksets to have all depends on project criteria but a few rules I follow are:
1) 1 WS for each linked file
2) beyond that it all depends... THIS LINK may be old but still in play; plus, MORE HERE on Central file protocols; after that Search away...

Want the Revit User Guides? Get your flavor at the following links: Oh and... READ THESE!!!
RAC
RST
RME

Now on to the initial reason for this post: I wanted to post the Image at the top of this post, so when I teach Revit 101 I don't have to redraw this map each time... That image basically maps what is going on in WS files: at least 'basically'.

It's not only important if you are a newcomer to Revit Worksharing it is equally important if you don't "play nice" with others... Revit Worksharing is (digital) communication and requires (Human) communication. That said the following is a normal guideline for keeping the file and team working together...nicely.

Note that the frequency of steps 2 & 3 will want to be discussed and devised perhaps for each project independently, as project & team size, location, etc. will all be defining criteria in setting the proper frequency and recurrence of STC's.

Communicate as Revit does...Round-Trip!!!
1) Communication of Central & User Files is constant and requires good network connections, etc. This is why you want to keep your files & network working nicely... well that and losing work is horrible, yet preventable.

Worksharing means Sharing the work, not hoarding it!!!
2) STC/REL Also known as: Save To Central & Relinquish. Generally relinquish everything. BTW: STC/REL EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE YOUR CHAIR!!! No matter the reason (for getting up).

What's New? Better get it!!!
3) RL (in my shortcuts, AKA Reload Latest) This is typically done by everyone on the team right after the final person completes step #2. Why? So everyone is working on the most current model.

Also, if you open a user model file and don't recreate it then step #3 is necessary to do immediately after opening...just in case someone did something after your last STC/Save.

Funny anecdote (???): I once joked to a large, dispersed team that that they should get a bell to signal when to STS/REL/RL... Well they did and it surprisingly lasted a few weeks before the annoyance became unbearable!!!

P.S. Did you find the somewhat hidden, virtual easter eggs in this post???

Happy New Year!!!

10 Revit files and where they are

THIS LINK will bring you to a post of 10 Revit files you may need to know of as well as know where they are.

Thanks Revit Clinic!!!

In case you were wondering about why I used the image at left?

Well, it's a painting I did, titled "The Mystery of..." and seeing how these Revit files may be mysterious... You can guess the rest...

Happy Winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and Great Summer to those in the Southern...

Revit Reunion: It's not a get together!!!

Hit the images for more...
So I was checking the map of locations (image above) that shows where people are hitting the blog from and found a dot in the middle of the Indian Ocean!!!






Well, it's not the Antarctic but Really Cool anyhow!!!











At first I thought one of you was Revit-ing from a ship but I zoomed in via Geo-Traffic and found that someone (you) were on the beautiful Island of Reunion!!!










Either a great Rev-vacation or a super place to work, I bet!!!










Anyhow I simply like to share some of the locations that we find Reviteurs at and perhaps we can have a Revit Reunion on Reunion!!!







Have a great Weekend all!!! Especially All of you!!!

More Families (and more) Polantis Has 'it'

Want some more nice MFG content in Revit, 3DMAX, OBJ and so many more formats? Go to Polantis and see what they have. You do have to sign up for a free user account to download but that's painless enough... The image above & below link to but one MFG each but there are many more...

I found the few I have tested are very acceptable RFA's and with a bit of modification the materials, etc. can be parameterized for project level manipulation... If you don't care that they may not make the piece with your materials, etc. that is... 'Depends on your needs, huh? If you simply need design objects then modify at will... If you need the actual MFG object to spec, I'd probably suggest AGAINST such modifications though...

Did I mention the files are free?
They are.

Did I mention the files look good?
They look good so far.

Not every object comes in every format, but having a lot is better than having a little... The download zip files can also include product data/cut sheets in PDF format, etc. So get to tying them into your specs now.

Hit the image below for their Catalog.

Pushing BIM Beyond (The Model as I see it)

Great article but I recommend the comments' section perhaps more.... there are some very good points to consider. Food for thought for BIMmers of all levels... (hit the image to go there)

Although even this blog cites a difference between BIM & CAD, in it's title CAD simply stands for Computer Aided Design, it's too bad that most of us in the AEC industries hear 2D CAD as drafting. (I even had to come clean on that HERE a while back) Oh well, we have bigger fish to fry...

AUGI Update

Looks like there is an update regarding AUGI reversing their debacle over the legacy postings.

Like many of us thought the data will be back... But I bet all the buzz that everyone who buzzed, buzzed was a substantial influence in their acting so quickly, as well as providing (all of the sudden) some communication as to their plans... I guess the idea of their getting spilled may have made the current BoD think more or think differently about the AUGI Membership than they previously have.

Click the image below for Steve Stafford's Update... Thanks Steve and all for your parts in solving this sooner, rather than (too much) later!!!