Archive for November, 2009
Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition
Nov 24th
Video introducing ProFORMA, a system allowing on-line (live) generation of textured 3D models.
The Netbook Buyers Guide
Nov 24th
Choosing the right netbook can be hard, and there isn’t just one ‘best’ netbook. It certainly depends on if you want to use the netbook for business, for watching videos, for travelling, or for another purpose. Laptop Magazine Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer has put together an excellent netbook buyers guide video, which is a great way to get started on your hunt for the perfect netbook.
LAPTOP’s Netbook Buyer’s Guide Video from LAPTOP Magazine on Vimeo.
Hand Sketched Illustration
Nov 24th
OK… We spend most of our time making things look as real as possible, but what if you want to keep things digital and still achieve that hand sketched look? Below you’ll find several illustrations done within 3DS MAX Design 2010 using a custom v-ray shader. The look and feel, to me, is believable!
Revit 2010
Nov 18th
My book “Family Standards and Best Practices” by Shawn Zirbes of Cad Technology Center has just arrived.
Cad Technology Center is our Minnesota based Revit vendor and they have served us well over the past 5 years.
Drop in animation
Nov 18th
I am in the process of animating some concept designs and here is what I am calling a drop in animation. I can imagine using this method to drop landscaping in one tree at a time.
3D Model Hand-drawing studio for Vray render
Nov 17th
Here is a little plug-in that is on my to buy list. The claim is you can achieve a pencil sketch in V-Ray using several mixed materials. it look promising.
ScalpelMAX
Nov 16th
Once again, another successful purchase and implementation of a 3DS MAX Design 2010 plug-in from the Cebas folks. I am getting ready to animate the 4D phasing of an elder care community project we are working on. I did have an issue logging into Cebas’s website, but I got a call minutes after I sent a support e-mail, which is very uncommon these days. My hats off to Cebas!
Revit Architecture 2010 subs advantage pack
Nov 10th
The cat is out of the bag! Autodesk have been really busy…..today Autodesk ran what is described as a Blogger Day, where they presented the forthcoming Revit 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack. Hopefully due out this week, this release will have a number of enhancements over and above the out of the box version of Revit of 2010!!!
So what is the subs advantage pack???
This is like a point release and is only available to subscription users (which we area). Rather than releasing separate extensions like they have done in the past, Autodesk have bundled these all up as a complete release with a number of new features. So be aware, this is a complete new release!!!
So what do these improvements include:-
- Additional shortcut commands
- A UI to control the shortcuts (hooray) no more text file editing
- Conditional formatting in all products
- DWG export improvements
- Text formatting – from shortcuts
- Find and replace text
- Model lines to Detail lines and back
- Link file improvements
- API improvements
- Autodesk Revit Model Review
- Revit DBlink
- Image modeler will now be included so you can create point cloud data from images and export this to DWG and import this into Revit
- Wood Wall Framing tool
Finally, all the Revit Structure feature will now be included to in Revit Architecture!!! 
Hooray!!!!
- Curved beams
- Beam copping
- Create Trusses
- Tag beam systems
- Slab directions and decking
- Slanted columns
- Split with Gap
Revit Structure advantage features will also include:-
- Insulation tool
- Placing 3d beams from geometry references in imported 3d drawings
- Control beam length tolerance
- Wood Framing
- Interferences of Reinforcing bars
- Bridge Design Modules
Revit MEP advantages features will also include:-
- will see MEP performance improvements
- Temp dims in layout mode
- Content Countrification for China, Russia,UK, International
- New Electrical content for the US
Autodesk’s Quantity Takeoff and Timberline
Nov 4th
Timberline has an ODBC coming out soon for Autodesk’s Quantity Takeoff. Autodesk’s QT allows you to do on-screen takeoffs of the 3D building information model (BIM) and as the model develops so does the estimate.
Where As Built BIM Models are headed
Nov 3rd
Where As Built BIM Models are headed
The kind of advances described in the article linked below in Technology Review’s on-line magazine will become a reality sooner rather than later. And construction and design industry professionals need to start paying closer attention to these kinds of advances.
“In the not-too-distant future, it might be possible to slip on a pair of augmented-reality (AR) goggles instead of fumbling with a manual while trying to repair a car engine. Instructions overlaid on the real world would show how to complete a task by identifying, for example, exactly where the ignition coil was, and how to wire it up correctly.”
Revit Tutorial – Sun Study
Nov 3rd
Revit Architecture sun studies enable you to quickly analyze sun positions and solar effects while informing and influencing design strategy. Choose a spec-ific date and time, or time frame, to generate astill or animated sun study.
Revit Tutorial – Solar Radiation
Nov 3rd
Use the Solar Radiation Technology Preview to analyze the effects of solar radiation on various surfaces of your conceptual building model. Using the Solar Radiation Technology Preview during the conceptual design stage of your project can help you make fundamental design decisions about building shape, orientation, and surfaces early on, when changes are least expensive. The technology preview uses the geometry of conceptual massing elements from Revit and calculates the amount of solar radiation hitting the surfaces of the massing shapes, based on location and weather data. It is possible to display the distribution and availability of solar radiation over an entire building or even a city block. This can be particularly useful when considering shading requirements or assessing the best areas to place photovoltaics for maximum collection.
The output of the technology preview can be saved as images in the Revit project that contains the massing elements. After these images are added to the project, you can place them on sheets and print them. You can also export the images from Revit for use in presentations or for editing in external software applications.
Revit Tutorial – Relocating Elevation
Nov 3rd
Do you need to define the true position and elevation of your project?
The most flexible way is through linked files and Shared Positioning. This requires at least two files; a site file and a building project or perhaps several building project files if applicable.
Here is a screen recording of how to relocate an elevation (z height) in Revit Architecture 2010.
bim manager
Nov 3rd
How much detail do you add to the BIM model at each step of the project? This is referred to as the level of detail (LOD). Vico Software has put together a useful chart that can serve as a reference for all you BIM Managers.
From the Vico site…
The MPS is a language that owners, designers, and builders can use to define every element and task in the building construction process. It serves as a coordination point for information about the building, what is being modeled, and to what level of detail it is being modeled, estimated, and scheduled. It provides the efficient framework for the project stakeholders – a written checklist that matures from a very schematic level of detail to a high level of detail in terms of 3D geometry, cost, and time.
You can download the document here .
