CAD FILES IN REVIT: ON OR OFF THIS VIEW OR THAT

Well I must set my views on BAD CAD data aside because sometimes we need to use CAD files in our Revit projects Especially for Site Plans.

Here's a great way to get functionality beyond the either/or option given when we Link CAD files in Revit. By default there are 2 options to link a file; either into the "Current View Only" or by un-checking "Current View Only" thus showing the CAD file in EVERY view...Sections, Elevations, etc. (Yuck). There's no trick to get the flexibility we want, we just need to do some creative thinking...in a nutshell: Link the file as visible in every view then place that linked CAD file in a workset that is by default off in every view...Hmmm I like it!!!

1) Link the CAD file so it will be on in every view (by clearing the check box as below):

• Next create a workset (even if you are the only person to work on the project). See the next 2 images...

• Be sure to un-check the "Visible By Default in Every View" box.

• Next select the instance of the CAD file and go to it's Element Properties and place it in the workset designed for it.

Yes, the CAD file will disappear initially...do you know why?...Remember? It's workset is off (by default in every view)...No fear

• Go to Visibility Graphic Overrides (V V or V G) and click into the worksets tab and turn the workset on. This will be true for any view that has a view range that will see the level that you placed the cad link on...Yes that was also a choice when linking, but never fear (still); if you placed the link on the incorrect Level just change that from it's Properties as well...

• Now we have the power to view the CAD file in (as I said) any view that can see it's level and that has that workset turned on...and assuming there is no view specific element hiding of the CAD file...
  

V O I L A

BTW: If you do an internet search for free CAD plans you may find this great library of airplane (model?) files like the one I used...It's more fun to have fun, rather than blog this using an actual Site or Survey file...also I don't need the litigation...

L8R
-J

Did You Get The New Revit Build...Yet? 20070810 is Out!!!

Looks like I missed the new Revit 2008 Build a week or two ago (20070810 1700), how about you? Well now we can all have it!!!

What it does:
RAC2008 SP2 List.pdf

Where to get it:
Right About Here.

Now make some more families!!!

Do Not Use Internet Explorer. But do use Revit like Revit!!!

In addition to potentially allowing every hacker into our computers, internet explorer (IE) may not show you text properly in some of my posts.

Today a colleague was reviewing how to apply the line based family concept with me and I noticed the text parts of the trellis steps, in the last post had all sorts of formatting oddities (yes he was using IE...though I didn't get the version).

Needless to say that leaves the content (next to) unusable for him and I guess others (sorry for that but you have to call Bill Gates out on that one). I will try to format my copy/paste differently into the future, but if you use IE don't blame me if you can't read my text or get a back door worm from Paris or Britney...

To quote cOmrade, the hacker who got into The Pentagon and NASA systems, from an August 21, 2007 issue of PC Magazine ..."Oh--and don't use internet explorer."

Shit, I heard that loud and clear years ago, that's why I never checked to see if this Blog looks OK in IE...Firefox blows it away!!! One word: DownThemAll!!!

I know cOmrade isn't the first and won't be the last to illustrate the shortcomings of IE, but I think you get my point...

Line Based Families 1: Kitchen Cabinets...OK, OK And a Trellis...

Firstly: these concepts and (maybe) all family methods can be transposed to many, many other families; at times exactly, at times similarly, at times just in spirit.

Consider, Plan, Think, Re-Consider, Re-Think, then Create.

Consider (what you want), Plan (the parametric needs), Think (about what is needed NOW... Remember you can always make the family progressively more complex), Re-Consider (how complex it needs to be), Re-Think (the final output needs...don't put in any more than you need but no less either), then Create (the best family you can). Also mix-in a conversation with others...this always helps prove or disprove perceived concepts and usually saves overall project time.

The Cabinet family we are about to create (well similar parameters to this, at least) can be used for many other families, one of which I will include a step-by-step of (in text format). It will be the main portions of a trellis.

More about the Trellis following the Cabinet below, so on with the Cabinet sheooow...(Yeah, I was watching a repeat of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show...sorry for that rhyme, etc.)

1) Create a new 'Generic Model Line Based' family.
2) Change the "Length" parameter to 8'-0" via the "Family Types..." button.

Just like this...
Good so far...

3) Load a Cabinet. (If you don't already know, this is what is called nesting a family. I like to call them bird families...) -yes that's a (bad) joke!

I am using the Double Door & 2 Drawer, as you can see.


Note how this cabinet comes in at it's default size...we'll be synchronizing and locking that to a parameter later but since we haven't created the parameter yet we'll do some other necessary work first...


Such as Locking the Cabinet to the Ref Planes. (Note: To get this line based family to work this time I did have to re-do this locking after I constrained the objects to the upcoming parameters, (last time I showed a colleague this it worked fine, without re-locking...It's all about process) so be ready for the family to potentially fight you as you go...Flex every step of the way so it's not too painful.)

Align/Lock to the start:


Align/Lock to the insertion point (Yes, the intersection of these Ref Planes is the insertion point, so if you need an offset insertion be aware of that):


Where are now, #4)? I think so...No matter, the next one may seem odd no matter the number.
Array the cabinet 3 times; constrained, grouped & associated. Then select one of the array group members and select the Array Control Line, (the odd part is the Array Control Line disappears when you're able to select it) add the parameter "NUMBER OF CABINETS" (similar to the one that follows the next image) and it will then be associated to the array.

Below is an image of the Control Line selected...The oddity is that the Control Line seems to disappear or at least go invisible when hovering over it, so if you want to select it (and we do) and that control line disappears then click there, you are sure to select it since it looks like you can't. Yes that IS what I said. Perhaps at AU I can get an answer from a developer as to why this is the case....

Here's the "NUMBER OF CABINETS parameter's" parameters: (Nice use of the language/lingo -I think)...

5) -Or is it 11?...Anyways, again Via clicking the "Family Types..." button we can and must set up the following additional, necessary Parameters:



This last parameter I attributed to the dimension below:


Now, you should know that when I entered the formulas, per the following image (which you can and really must consider as being the next step!!!) the dimension (shown above) needed to be deleted. I let that happen and didn't question it later on since the family works without it (as long as you don't set the overall length below 6'-0"... yes we could place more constraints via a conditional statement to allow for that but for this particular family I didn't find it necessary to have a multiple, double cabinet be so small...I say let it break in that case, it's just too illogical)

So now make the parameters be the following formulas and values, making sure to hit APPLY after inputting each formula. (Remember formulas ARE case sensitive!!!)


This time while I was creating this line based cabinet family (and after letting the dimension be deleted during the error/warning stage) the middle cabinet disappears...There is actually a good reason for that and I eluded to it earlier, way back in step #3... Even if you don't care to go back and look here is the 'fix'.

Step Whatever): Edit one of the Array Groups and select the cabinet and click the Properties button:


When you get down into it's Type Parameters look for the Width parameter and click the tiny little = (equal) button...(Actually I think Autodesk tried to hide that = button from us :-))


Now set that equivalence of the Length parameter to CABINET SPACING.


Now everything seems to work brilliantly!!!


So we can load it into a project and input them via the Component command.


One final note: We may (actually we do!!!) want to go to SETTINGS/FAMILY CATEGORY AND PARAMETERS...:

and set (unless we previously set this) Line Based Families' "Family Category to be Casework, like below... But if not we can do it anytime and then reload!!!

This goes for exposing materials, etc., etc., ...


NOW FOR THAT TRELLIS:

I am only including the text of it since the step-by-step takes about an hour to demonstrate live (with talking :-)) and with screen captures added would take me a lot longer and enough is enough for tonight!!! Also note that the trellis recipe may require some interpretation, since it is purely a copy/paste of my personal notes, for demonstration purposes (By the way, this Demo kicked some ass and opened some eyes at the LA RUG meeting in July where I presented it for the more than 100 Rev-Heads in attendance). The reason that I say all this is that the directions are (mostly) in exact order, yet may possibly be in need of connecting some dots... In any case I hope those directions help and well, I am confident that they will, but if you need help just drop me a comment and I'll help you out further. See you soon!!! -J

1) New Family “Generic Model” (Square Column)

2) Create Shared Parameters: Type, Other (faster for this demo)

a. B Wd (B = Beam, C = Column, etc.)

b. B Ht

c. B Lng

d. C Wd

e. C Dp

f. C Top

3) Create Square Colum

a. Use the 3 shared Parameters: C Wd, C Dp, C Top

4) Create Round Column (Save As ???)

a. Use the 3 shared Parameters and Add:

b. C Rad (Make this equal the following formula)

i. = C Wd / 2

5) Make

a. B Wd =

b. B Ht = C Top+1.5

c. B Lng =

d. C Wd =

e. C Dp =

f. C Top =

6) New Family “Generic Model”

7) Create Beam

a. Use the 3 shared Parameters: B Wd, B Ht, B Lng

8) New Family “Generic Line Based”

a. Make Length 8’-0”

9) Insert Beam Perpendicularly to length line, Place it and Lock.

10) Copy it to the opposite end & Lock.

11) Add & Place Columns

12) Create a ‘Family Types’ Instance Parameter: Column Type and choose Generic Models. (or change column & beam families to their actual category and use those here)

a. Select all columns and set them to have the parameter Column Type.

13) Array 1^st beam 2’-0”: Group & Associate, Move to 2^nd, Constrain.

a. Select the Arrayed Beam and select the Array Control Line and add a Parameter: “Number of Beams”, Constraints, Instance and OK.

14) Dimension the 1^st & 2^nd Beams

a. Make it the Parameter “Beam Spacing”, Constraints, Instance and OK.

15) GoTo Family Types and add the following Parameter:

a. “Maximum Beam Spacing” , Constraints, Common, Length, Type OK in this dialog, then APPLY at the next; (Not OK…we want to stay in this dialog for a minute).

16) Make the Parameters the following Formulas:

a. Maximum Beam Spacing = 4’-0”

b. Number of Beams = Length / Maximum Beam Spacing

c. Beam Spacing = Length / Number of Beams

Functional Families Rule!!!

The (Revit) thoughts that come with a fever. AKA: Trumping the 'In Place Revit Family: The Floor' post ...Even if I suggested it.

So Hello there once again. I posted in last week's (In Place Revit Family: The Floor) that we can create a metal deck (looking) floor with an in place family. Well, that's true enough but it (the in-place family aspect) kept bothering me (not really) since for one, the in place floor won't be cut by an opening such as a shaft, it won't have multiple materials, etc. Actually it seems that this stuff really does bother me, because yesterday while sleeping off the flu I woke up at about 1 am and realized something that seems blatantly obvious now...Create a normal floor and use an in place generic 'void' family and cut that from the floor!!! Then the floor will be a real floor having all the flooriness we have come to love from Revit floors, including the ability to be cut, have materials etc. MULTIPLE YAAY!!!

1. Create a floor (NOT SHOWN)... I think we can all do that, right?
2. Next, From an elevation view (perpendicular to the desired deck direction) GoTo MODELING/CREATE and choose Generic Model...(this will make the in place kind, remember?)
3. On the Modeling Tools choose "Void Form" and if you need the metal pan similar to the one I used choose the Void Extrusion... In order to draw the lines delineating the decks 'corrugation' I picked the floor plane that is staring at me (from the elevation view). 'Tab' may need to be employed to get the correct face... don't choose the top of the floor!!!

4. Next, using those lines (obviously) draw the shape to be voided out of the floor.
5. Just before finishing the family make sure the extrusion is long enough to cut the entire length of the floor in question, then using the "Cut Geometry" tool...
Cut the void from the floor. Finish the family and now a better "voilà"
Oh and as you can see from above a normal shaft opening cuts our floor...A truly elegant solution. Thanks Revit!!!

Name, Rename & More from a Revit Schedule

First, I want to get something out of the way: distinguishing the differences between "simple" and "easy".

Using Revit is easy (especially when we 'Use Revit like Revit'
Using Revit is not simple.

Anyone who says Revit is simple is either full of shit or has no grasp of the words meaning. (And: I apologize if I ever said or intimated that Revit is simple...If I did say that it's simple then I'd like to clarify and say it's easy...mostly, not simple). Sorry folks, there is no "push button Architecture" Nothing comes from no work!!!

WTF do I mean? Well let's see what Merriam Webster says about:
Easy:
1 a: causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort (Like when Revit and the user are both at their best)
3 a: marked by peace and comfort (Like when Revit and the user are both at their best)

Simple:
4 a: lacking in knowledge or expertise ('Can't get much done in Architecture, etc. that way)
5 b: free of secondary complications (Doesn't sound like Revit...or Life...)

NOW that that's over with here is an easy way to Name, Rename (or More) views or sheets, etc.

Use a Revit Schedule! Actually we use 'View Lists' and 'Drawing Lists' (we must use the VIEW/NEW...per the image below, because these are some of the few items NOT on a Tool Bar)

Uhhh by the way, Autodesk, do you see the symbol that you call an Elevation marker? It's simple (and as long as you keep it around so are you...Please change it!!!) -Is it insane of me to speak toward a corporation as if it's a person??? Better yet a person who is listening to me!!!

Back to business...
The issue herein is that I needed to change a whole bunch of views' names.

If I am editing objects that can be seen in the model then I tile the appropriate view(s) along side the schedules and work from the schedule to then make wholesale, or multiple changes...thus the easy...not to mention faster, better & more Revit-like way). YEEEHAAA, using Revit like Revit.

The Image Below:
1: What needs to be Renamed.
2: Why we need to Rename it.
3: Painful to Rename more than a few views from the Project Browser (PB).
Plus there are more clicks to get to information to/from the PB than can be at our fingertips from a schedule...On Demand Information (ODI for the TLA folks) I like it!!!
...the info, not the TLA's...
4: The solution of choice. If you need to Rename or add info then type the info once, CTRL+C then just click and paste (CTRL+V) to rename... But what I needed, as illustrated below was easier...I just had to click/select (one step if you're a bit careful) and delete the now useless info...
The moral of the story is: If it can be scheduled then it can be changed from a schedule; Easily.

Makes sense when we see it like that, doesn't it??? Revit Like Revit.


-J

In Place Revit Family: The Floor

Well, I have been asked to show a colleague how to create a metal deck floor. YAAY!!!

First I asked the user (as you should ask yourself) if they (or you) actually needed it in the model or will illustrating the corrugation in a detail suffice: refraining from modeling this floor would keep the file smaller, more flexible and a bit more streamlined to edit, etc.

Well, the answer came back that they want it in the model, so here we go...
First I created a bogus project to illustrate the following procedures: I already have levels and grids so defining Work Planes will be simple: I will use Grid J (Hey, what a nice coincidence).

The 'Project' waiting for the 'floor'.
On the Modeling Tools choose 'Create'. This will begin the create an "In-Place-Family" portion of our show.
Choose "Floors" (somewhat obvious since we want to create a floor). This is going to make our In-Place-Family a Floor Family. Always remember that when creating any kind of family (In-Place or Component) you must choose a category; if one does not correspond to the object you are creating then use "Generic Models".
Name the family...Be specific so you can tell it apart from others you create!!! BTW: "Floor 1" is probably something I'd NEVER use on an actual project...you know, do as I say, not as I do...(a day without hypocrisy is a day of hypocrisy)...???...
Now we're ready to model. For this we'll use a "Solid Extrusion" for the body of the floor.
Set the Work Plane (as I said I am using Grid J...Nice name...)
When I choose a grid, in order to draw perpendicularly to the plan view we are in (if we are in one) Revit will ask us to open a corresponding Elevation or Section View, so know your views!!!
Also remember to set the depth of the extrusion to a depth that will make it easy to see, you can stretch it's depth into final placement, easily enough, later on. I find it best, in many cases to stretch extrusions later (rather than calculating them up front) as it also makes locking it, much simpler.

7) Now that we're in 'sketch mode' draw the actual profile needed. Lines? How quaint...
When you're done drawing the extrusion's profile then "Finish Sketch" but don't Finish Family, yet. We still need to create a few voids (or would you prefer to use shaft openings? Well good luck getting shaft openings to cut the In-Place Floor: let me know how that works for you...if you try it).

BTW: notice I am stretching the extrusion length in the image below, right? You would lock it if needed.
Now create any Void Extrusions necessary. Note: I made them -2'-0" since they begin at the level and need to cut downward. Also the wedge shape needed to be a separate void and needed to leverage the Cut Geometry tool. Your results will vary, this is one of the times CTRL+Z becomes handy, quite possibly...

When you finish the voids then finish the family...and...voilà:

A Metal Deck Floor...Well OK maybe we didn't make the materials 'metal' (yet) but you get the point...Right?

Take Care,
-J

Revit Error Reporting: Again, Just Do It!!!

Well it happens to everyone sometimes: An Unrecoverable Error Has Occured... UGHHH. If (when) this does happen please send those error reports!!! it's not just to give you a feeling that ADSK is working for you; they actually want to fix the issue and when they do it helps all of us!!!

On their site, there is this page relating to the explanations and this link is a cute (not really) picture illustrating what happens to these messages.

On with the show: "After the Crash" and yes, I saved a recovery file...

Use the following dialog to help ADSK help us!!! See image 3 as well but please use the "Step by Step Description" area to give as much info to them as possible (I know you're busy but if you want ADSK to get rid of the issue you experience you have to let them know what was happening. Take pains to communicate... or at least say something...


Image 1 below is the "details" page for your edification & paranoia abatement.


Image 2 below is the "What Happens" web page...



Image 3 below is their helpful hints as to what kind of info helps them help us:

Finally: Image 4 below is (I hope) obvious enough...


In an odd way I have always felt a little better after receiving the following 'thank you' from ADSK... It is almost (ALMOST) like I never had a problem whatsoever...
AAAHHHHHH, now isn't that better???