Revit
New in Revit Architecture 2011
Jun 15th
The following features are new or enhanced for Revit Architecture.
For additional detail and a more interactive listing of New Features for Revit Architecture, go to the following: http://www.autodesk.com/revitarchitecture-features.
- Modeless Properties Palette
- Repeat last command / Repeat Commands recently used
- Quick Access Toolbar (QAT):
- Single QAT per application
- Increased number of default commands in the QAT
- Customization options via dialog box: move command up/down, add separator, remove command
- Improved access to Worksets and Design Options on status bar
- Ribbon Enhancements:
- Redesigned Modify tab:
- Consistent modify tools – panels and buttons are always in the same order on the left side of the Modify tab. Buttons enable/ disable as necessary.
- Modify tab name updates to reflect the active contextual tab appended.
- Contextual tab content is appended to the right side of the Modify tab when active.
- Modify and contextual contents are separated by a gray visual bar.
- Persistent access to core modify tools (Object-Action commands):
- Move
- Copy
- Rotate
- Mirror – Pick Axis
- Mirror – Draw Axis
- Delete
- Type Selector EnhancementsType Selector is combined with the Properties Palette. Open at all times; can be opened/closed using the Properties Palette button available in the Properties ribbon panel.
- Group Edit Mode accessPanel is removed from the ribbon and will float in drawing area when invoked. Default is upper left corner of drawing area and can be moved.
- Model In-PlaceProject ribbon replaced with the family ribbon when an in-place model is started or edited. When you finish editing in-place, the ribbon will revert to the project ribbon.
- Redesigned Modify tab:
- Improved icons based on user feedback
Large Team Workflow: Linked Models- Enhancements to the Visibility Control of Worksets in workshared files:
- Visibility by Default for Worksets
- Ability to open/close Worksets for linked models
- Ability to control visibility of linked models according to host model
- Ability to apply View Filters to linked models from host model
- Ability to tag elements in linked files, with the exception of rooms, spaces, and areas
- Ability to automatically generate a ceiling grid from walls in a linked model
- Ability to apply View Filters to linked files
Graphics- Realistic materials available in editable views
- Hardware acceleration (DX9) on by default
- Levels of Details (adaptive to zoom)
- Ambient occlusion
- Display performance improvements (over 30%)
- Significant performance improvement in display of mechanical and electrical drawings (up to 200%)
Materials- Protein 2.0 appearances, in single project library
- Increased interoperability with 3ds Max through:
- Export of FBX files to Max with Protein 2 appearances
- Import of DWG files and ADSK files with Protein 2 appearances
Note3ds Max/Design 2011 is required for materials to transfer.
Inventor Interoperability- Support for oval duct, cable tray, and conduit connectors
- Support of new electrical properties (such as Motor)
- Improved performance when importing ADSK files
- Improved AEC Exchange functionality
- Support of Protein materials
Performance Improvements- Graphics
- MultiCore Operations
- Sync with Central
- Model Open
- User interface reaction time
- Linked Models
DWG Export- Increased visual fidelity when exporting Revit files to DWG
- Export option for True Color
- Export option for Text treatment
Family Editor Enhancements- Interactive exploration of parameter values in Revit families
- Ability to lock labeled dimensions
- Reporting Parameters
Parameter Enhancements- Default parameter type (length vs. text)
- Parameters groups automatically set
Temporary Dimension Enhancements- Remembering witness lines
- Family Editor: right-click permanent dimensions to select labels
- Ability to control temporary dimension font size and background (transparent or opaque)
3D Alignment Enhancements- Align tool now works on an element’s node, vertex, edge, surface, form, or level
Expanded Region of High Geometric Accuracy- Previous versions of Revit were unable to maintain the expected level of geometric accuracy at locations farther than 1 mile from the project origin. Revit will now maintain a high level of geometric accuracy for elements placed within 20 miles of the project origin.
Selection Enhancements- Select All Instances in the current view or in the entire project
Text Notes Enhancements- Additional leader attachment points: Top Left (TL), Middle Left (ML), Bottom Left (BL), Top Right (TR), Middle Right (MR), and Bottom Right (BR).
- Ability to adjust leader end distance
- Ability to show box around text
- Ability to create bullets and numbering
Sheet Enhancements- Create new sheet list rows to create placeholder sheets
- Convert placeholder sheets to project sheets
- Grid guide for sheets, enabling consistent sheet creation
Floor Enhancements- Ability to set span direction for metal deck floors
Analysis- Sun PathInteractive tool for visualizing the impact of natural light and shadows on buildings and sites
Conceptual Design Environment (CDE) / Conceptual Form Making and Editing Tool Enhancements- Solid-Solid Cut: Ability to cut one solid from another solid
- Dissolving Forms: Ability to dissolve a form back to the curves from which it was created.
- Generic mass template
- Flexible component mass
- Sketch Edit mode for Form Profiles
Surface Rationalization Enhancements- Dividing Surfaces with Intersects by:
- Intersecting levels, reference planes, and lines on reference planes
- Combination of U or V grids and intersects
Subscription Advantage Pack- Conditional Formatting in Schedule
- Element Section Area and Linear Weight in Schedules
- Span Direction Tool
- DWG Export enhancements (Index color and True Color support)
- Beam Coping for steel beams framed into joined beams and columns
- Text Formatting Shortcuts (Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I, and Ctrl+U)
- Beam System Tags
- Split Walls with Gap
- Keyboard Shortcut UI
- Find and Replace Text in Notes
- Convert between Line Types: Model, Detail, Symbolic
- Export to DWG with correct RGB colors
- Linked File Performance Enhancements
- New API for slope angle and elevation for x,y location in given slab with choice of top and bottom
- Structural Components and Modeling:
- Slanted Columns
- Beam Placement using 3D CAD Geometry
- Curved Beams
- Structural Trusses
- Metal and Structural Deck Assembly
- Control beam length tolerance
- Beam Coping Tool
Revit Extensions- Shared Parameters Converter
- Model Review
- Autodesk Revit DB Link
- Road and Terrain modules
- Wall framing enhancements:
- New method to choose the location of the studs (wall layers are exposed)
- Multi-selection of walls and openings
User Assistance (Documentation)- Transition to Web Help, which includes improved search capabilities
- Streamlined Help reference content
- Short Tutorials in video format
- Additional Enhanced Tooltips
- New animated ToolClips
- Improved First Experience
Other Enhancements- Custom elevation tag
- List sheets not in a project on drawing list
- Background images in renderings
- Repeat last command
- Sheet layout grid
- Removal of 4 core rendering limit
- Google Maps™ mapping service interface (Location dialog) lets you visualize project locations
IES Releases Revit 2011 Compatible VE Plug-in For Environmental Performance Analysis
May 18th
BOSTON, May 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design, today released an updated version of its VE plug-in to Autodesk Revit Architecture and MEP. The plug-in allows Revit 2011 users to easily export models into any of the IES Virtual Environment (VE) environmental building performance analysis tools; VE-Ware, VE-Toolkits, VE-Gaia and VE-Pro. Removing the need to re-build models, the IES plug-in greatly enhances design workflow and simulation accuracy, bringing comprehensive and integrated analysis options for all design stages to the Building Information Modelling (BIM) process.
This new IES VE plug-in now supports Revit 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. It offers enhanced model transfer capabilities and can handle challenging and complex geometry, as well as offering users the option to choose the level of geometry detail exported from the basic, to how shading surfaces are handled, to whether curtain wall mullions are counted as shading surfaces. The VE sets no explicit limits on the number of surfaces that it can import. This important capacity gives users ultimate control over geometry detail used for performance analysis and energy modelling within IES tools. Highly detailed curtain walling systems, multi-faceted shading surfaces and mullions, and additional complex shapes and junctions, can all be handled.
The IES VE tools offer a range of powerful performance assessment options suitable for all different design stages and user experience-level, while the integrated nature of the suite allows the interrelationships between energy use, CO2 emissions, solar, lighting, airflow and system design to be taken into account and analysed at a whole building level. Building mass and form, the climate, natural resource availability, occupancy, materials and services can all be taken into account to ‘virtually’ test the feasibility of different energy saving strategies and low carbon/ renewable technologies.
IES also offers a range of automated tools which assist with the LEED and GreenStar rating systems, and compliance with UK energy reduction and Performance Certificate regulations.
The latest version of the IES VE Revit Plug-in can be downloaded at http://www.iesve.com/Software/Model-Building/Revit-plug-in
Autodesk Developer Network Introduces Companion Products for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
May 18th
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Apr 06, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Autodesk, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!adsk/quotes/nls/adsk (ADSK 30.11, -0.04, -0.13%) announces that several Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) members have released companion solutions for Revit Architecture 2011 and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011. ADN developers reconfigure Autodesk software for niche industries, providing customized products that streamline design efficiency, innovation and sustainability.
“ADN partners, offering companion solutions to Revit Architecture 2011 and Civil 3D 2011, are allowing their architecture, engineering and construction customers to efficiently and collaboratively model and design complex projects,” said Richard, Harpham, Autodesk director, AEC industry marketing. “These solutions extend building information modeling practices that cut the costs and time for delivering work. Our developer partners, building on Autodesk technology, are reaching millions of new customers in niche markets and, in turn, tremendously increasing the growth of BIM adoption and by helping customers become more competitive in winning work.”
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an integrated process for exploring a project’s key physical and functional characteristics digitally before it’s built, helping to deliver projects faster and more economically, while minimizing environmental impact. Coordinated, consistent information is used throughout the process to design innovative projects; better visualize and simulate real-world appearance, performance and cost; and create more accurate documentation.
ADN members that have released products supported by Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 include:
– Adapt (www.adaptsoft.com/revitstructure/)
– Eagle Point (www.eaglepoint.com)
– GSA (www.gsa-network.com)
– hsbSOFT NV (www.hsbcad.de)
– Struc-Soft (www.strucsoft.ca)
– Trelligence (www.trelligence.com)
What’s new in Revt Architecture 2011?
Mar 25th
So what’s in RAC 2011 you may ask? RAC 2011 introduces some new concepts, an improved interface (needed too after the grief that Autodesk got about the Ribbon for 2010) as well as some genuine user feature requests. Whilst this blog just covers the main features it does not cover everything, but I do plan to cover specific functionality in future articles.
Revit Architecture 2010 Wall Framing Extension
Jan 29th
A 20-minute overview of the Revit Wall Framing Extension, available in the Revit Subscription Advantage Pack.
Hooray! Wood wall framing in Revit Architecture! (and Revit Structure, and Revit MEP)
Revit Architecture 2010 Wall Framing Extension from Jason Pratt on Vimeo.
BIM on the cloud
Jan 25th
After my post about being able to edit AutoCAD drawings on the interweb tubes, some people inquired about when that would be available for Revit. Apparently, they missed my previous posts about Project Twitter which includes a web based version of Revit. We’re so close to full cloud computing.
Welcome to Project Twitch! This project is testing remote delivery of our applications over the Internet. The goal of project Twitch is to enable you to test and try the latest versions of AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, and Maya without having to install or download the applications. These applications run remotely on our servers and are delivered to you over the Internet. You will use them in the same way that you would if they were on installed on your system.
To ensure the best experience for those participating, the technology preview is currently limited to Canada and the continental United States. Proximity to the data center is a key ingredient of the experience and typically has an effect on Internet bandwidth. We hope to expand to other areas in the future.
FEATURES NOT SUPPORTED TODAY
As a technology preview, there are currently several limitations with the service.
- No ability to upload, download, or save files. To make it easier to try out the application, we have loaded a number of sample files that will allow you to interact with complex drawings.
- No ability to load or keep any customizations that you create .
- Access is limited to users that have hardware and network connections capable of supporting the service
Autodesk Google Earth Plug In
Jan 19th
Autodesk Google Earth Plug In – New Autodesk Revit Subscription Benefit – Revit 2008 Globe Link….you saw it here first.
Revit® Architecture and AutoCAD® Architecture software customers who are on subscription can gain exclusive access to product modules, add-ons, and enhancements now posted to the Subscription Center. These modules include Revit® 2008 Globe Link and Drawing Compare for AutoCAD Architecture 2008 software. Customers can locate them by choosing the “Building Solutions: Product Modules & Add-ons” link in the “Product Information and Downloads” section of the Subscription Center homepage.
- Revit 2008 Globe Link: This feature allows users to publish 3D building information models directly from Revit Architecture 2008 software into Google Earth™ mapping service. It provides the ability to acquire site information from Google Earth and import it into the Revit Architecture 2008 product for building and site layout purposes. Users can streamline preliminary project planning processes by sharing conceptual designs with clients in real time. Revit 2008 Globe Link is optimized for Google Earth version 4.
- Drawing Compare for AutoCAD Architecture 2008 software: The Drawing Compare feature enhances collaboration by using color-coded displays to show items on a drawing that have been changed, added, or deleted by other members of the design team. Changes to items such as styles, fire ratings, or other non-graphical properties are also tracked. Combined with redlining features, such as revision clouds, the Drawing Compare features help make communication across the design team clearer than ever.
Action: Start benefiting from the features of Revit Globe Link or Drawing Compare. To download:
- Go to http://www.autodesk.com/subscription.
- On the RIGHT side of the screen, select “Login to Subscription Center.”
- Type in your User ID and Password and select “Sign In.”
- Select “Click Here” under the text box titled “Building Solutions: Product Modules & Add-ons.”
- Under the “Architectural Solutions” category, select the link, “Click here to download Revit 2008 Globe Link,” or “Drawing Compare Subscription Module.”
- Select “Download Now.”
PointKnown
Jan 18th
PointKnown provides best in class productivity tools for the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) Industry and real estate community. Our flagship product PKNail utilizes point-to-point laser technology (PPLT) for the real time data capture and creation of BIM models in the field.
The product was born out of the need to capture existing building information quickly and accurately, reduce the amount of steps in modeling and drastically reduce rework and translation time by measuring and building directly inside a BIM or CAD enabled workstation.
Our patent pending as built software and work flow process allows users to be immediately productive creating as built and existing condition building surveys.
“Horrible Hacks™” and Other Tips and Tricks for Revit® Power Users
Jan 11th
Class Audience
Class Highlights
- Create hidden global parameters
- Utilize metadata to fully deliver the promise of BIM
- Develop creative solutions using the Revit API and scripts
- Maximize your productivity in Revit
- Get out of tight jams when you have a deadline
Rafter+ FF for Revit Architecture 2010
Dec 30th
New Rafter+ FF v.2010.2 is released!
New features:
- improved existing functions;
- added specific functions for new market regions;
- extended functions for opening’s framing;
- introduced functions for dormer’s framing …
Revit + DWF + Design Review a Total Win.
Dec 23rd
Revit + DWF + Design Review a Total Win.
With many firms successfully navigating the waters of migrating to a BIM solution for design work, a new issue has developed. Senior designers, project managers and or management people have been left behind on the technical front. It is too costly, hazardous or sometime downright unfeasible to install a full seat of Revit on their computers so they can view or print sheets out of Revit. The solution is to either install Revit on their computer (If the hardware can run it) and wait for it to time bomb or to have your users remember to print updated DWF files for design staff to use with Design Review. The issues with that are numerous and can add to frustration and confusion as to the process involved.
The solution is a small application that installs into Revit and automates the process of generating the DWF file. The products name is AutoDWiF Generator (ADG) and costs only $65 an install. Every time a designer works in the Revit project and saves and closes the project file ADG prompts if the user would like to create updated milestone DWF files. It also always updates a master DWF file that resides in the root directory of the project so that DWF is always guaranteed to be up to date.
Color fields in Revit Schedules
Dec 22nd
Revit Architecture – Conditional Formatting
Ever wonder how to color fields in Revit Schedules?
In the Element Properties of the Schedule, click on Formatting.
In the Formatting Tab, ALT + N… “The super sneaky shortcut”
You will get a dialog like this:
The first row gets the color code, but you can always rearrange the row location after you applied the conditional statement.
3DS Max Sketch
Dec 15th
The below image is a technique I am trying to master. Using a series of textures and shaders inside 3DS MAX Design 2010, using V-Ray as the engine, I am able to render out my scenes to look as if it were sketched.
3DS MAX Design 2010 Sketch
Winter Scene
Dec 15th
I can find at least one good thing about winter…. being able to do a winter scene. Below is a quick scene I converted into a winter scene for a client.
Roy Lake Lodge
QTO 3D Model Display Error – Solved!!!
Dec 13th
I figured out what is causing the 3D graphics issue with QTO 2010. As previously known, some graphics cards do not work in 3D mode in QTO with hardware acceleration turned on.
It seems that QTO and Design Review share the same registry switch for the model driver selection. So when you select “Direct3D” as your model driver for Design Review it turns it on for QTO which causes the problem. If “Direct3D” is selected as the View Settings for the model driver in Design Review, Deselecting “Enable Hardware Acceleration” in QTO does not turn hardware acceleration off.
To fix this, open the options dialog for Design Review, in the Model tab, in the View Settings section set the Driver to “OpenGL” or “Software (OpenGL)”.
The next time you open a 3D Dwf in Design review and “Direct3D” is not being used a message appears:
“Direct X Driver Found, Autodesk Design Review has detected the presence of the DirectX graphic drivers on this system. Would you like to switch to DirectX to take advantage of better 3D model performance?”
Select “Do not show this message again” and select the cancel button.
I have tested this both in Vista 64bit as well as XP 32bit and it appears to work in both.
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.
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
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.
