While working on exercises for the 2011 release of our fundamentals book, I ran across a neat little behavior...not sure if it was in 2010, but it's cool just the same.
Run an oval duct main out at an elevation, 16x12 is size, at about 12'. Leave the end hanging out in space. Run the air terminal command, and place the air terminal over the main - without selecting, watch for a duct centerline to be highlighted and an extension snap to appear (make sure you have this snap on). With the new properties dialog on, set the elevation for the air terminal at 8', and then place the terminal directly under the duct using the extension snap.
The branch to the air terminal will automatically connect into the main, complete with tap or take-off as specified by the main duct type. Try it out - it's really a time saver...and we'll have pictures of it in the book. This one may even make it to video...!!!!
Later - David B.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Slow Performance in ACAD MEP 2010 and 2011
After loading ACAD MEP 2011 on my new Win7 64 bit system, I noticed performance in ACAD MEP 2010 really slowed down dramatically. After checking a few posts, I ran a repair on my 2010 installation, which has fixed the problem. Other solutions beyond this (with reference to comments from Martin Schmid on the discussion groups) include recreating the user profile in Windows, if the repair doesn't improve it dramatically.
One other item I strongly recommend has to do with file maintenance. We've had a few firms experience problems with files that have xref's loaded, as well as issues when a server is swapped out. Anytime there's a new release, do one of these two things to improve performance
- open, audit and save all drawings on a project starting from base files (constructs if you're using Project Navigator) all the way up to your sheets. This helps make sure you don't have an older version base causing problems in an upper level view or sheet - which has happened regularly over the years). DWG convert only changes the release number, so I don't recommend using it - spend the time and do this right to avoid the issues later.
- if the file is still slow, start a new drawing from one of the out-of-the-box templates (you should update your templates with every release as well, by using one of these templates to create a new template, and copy your styles/layers, etc to this new template). Cut and paste all of the geometry from the old into the new drawing, and re-attach reference files from scratch. This full-service cleanup should help dramatically with file specific performance issues. And remember - work from the bottom up - from bases to sheets.
Here's a link to the thread on the MEP discussion groups -
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=6373139?
thanks - David B.
One other item I strongly recommend has to do with file maintenance. We've had a few firms experience problems with files that have xref's loaded, as well as issues when a server is swapped out. Anytime there's a new release, do one of these two things to improve performance
- open, audit and save all drawings on a project starting from base files (constructs if you're using Project Navigator) all the way up to your sheets. This helps make sure you don't have an older version base causing problems in an upper level view or sheet - which has happened regularly over the years). DWG convert only changes the release number, so I don't recommend using it - spend the time and do this right to avoid the issues later.
- if the file is still slow, start a new drawing from one of the out-of-the-box templates (you should update your templates with every release as well, by using one of these templates to create a new template, and copy your styles/layers, etc to this new template). Cut and paste all of the geometry from the old into the new drawing, and re-attach reference files from scratch. This full-service cleanup should help dramatically with file specific performance issues. And remember - work from the bottom up - from bases to sheets.
Here's a link to the thread on the MEP discussion groups -
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=6373139?
thanks - David B.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Revit MEP 2011 - more cool stuff
Surface connectors - if you want to add a connector to a surface (for example, a conduit connection to a panel), use the surface connector - a dialog opens up along with a surface tool that allows you to use dimensions to locate the connection on a surface - and as soon as you add the connector, the pipe/conduit creation tool kicks in. It also works with duct, where you can use the surface locations to control how something that runs along a duct is placed.
Cable tray fittings have a new instance parameter that lets you change the radius of a curved fitting...nice....doesn't work yet with pipe/duct/conduit, but that would be a good wish list item....
Someone asked me in a support case if conduit will be able to be shown with true cut lengths - and my answer so far is yes...in both Revit MEP and AutoCAD MEP.
After seeing the MEP object copy monitor that allows you to map lights, air terminals, plumbing fixtures and mechanical equipment from an architectural mode to MEP specific types in your project, I'm impressed...and it lets you know that are any new fixtures that weren't previously copied or monitored.
With the new panel schedule templates, if you started a panel in a release prior to 2011, you can update these panels using one of the new panel templates - and you can customize panel schedules from the examples provided. The template options for the panels allows you to also set the size of the schedule itself, making page layout much easier. Load summary items can also be added and edited to the schedule as well, based on what types of power are used (i.e. lighting, receptacles, etc.) or you can show them all. Headers can be set to be horizontal or vertically oriented. Calculated values can be defined to add date for local/regional code requirements. Load classifications can also be created so the name matches the demand factor, and can easily be edited.
In the panel schedule, when balancing loads, if you don't want a circuit to move, you can lock it in place - and it shows up highlighted in the preview. Spares and Spaces can be added to a schedule, along with setting the default size for the circuit spares (i.e. 15, 20 amp). Rebalancing will not push loaded circuits into locked slots, whether it's assigned a load, or labeled as spare/space.
Armundo/Dave/Martin - you guys are my hero today!!! You've come to the product chasm, and leaped over it...I'm impressed!!!
More coming soon...
thanks - David B.
Cable tray fittings have a new instance parameter that lets you change the radius of a curved fitting...nice....doesn't work yet with pipe/duct/conduit, but that would be a good wish list item....
Someone asked me in a support case if conduit will be able to be shown with true cut lengths - and my answer so far is yes...in both Revit MEP and AutoCAD MEP.
After seeing the MEP object copy monitor that allows you to map lights, air terminals, plumbing fixtures and mechanical equipment from an architectural mode to MEP specific types in your project, I'm impressed...and it lets you know that are any new fixtures that weren't previously copied or monitored.
With the new panel schedule templates, if you started a panel in a release prior to 2011, you can update these panels using one of the new panel templates - and you can customize panel schedules from the examples provided. The template options for the panels allows you to also set the size of the schedule itself, making page layout much easier. Load summary items can also be added and edited to the schedule as well, based on what types of power are used (i.e. lighting, receptacles, etc.) or you can show them all. Headers can be set to be horizontal or vertically oriented. Calculated values can be defined to add date for local/regional code requirements. Load classifications can also be created so the name matches the demand factor, and can easily be edited.
In the panel schedule, when balancing loads, if you don't want a circuit to move, you can lock it in place - and it shows up highlighted in the preview. Spares and Spaces can be added to a schedule, along with setting the default size for the circuit spares (i.e. 15, 20 amp). Rebalancing will not push loaded circuits into locked slots, whether it's assigned a load, or labeled as spare/space.
Armundo/Dave/Martin - you guys are my hero today!!! You've come to the product chasm, and leaped over it...I'm impressed!!!
More coming soon...
thanks - David B.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Revit and AutoCAD 2011 Product Launches
Man...Greg Arkin beat me to the punch...I'm gettin' slow...
2011 products are going to be available for download April 16th. ATC sites and resellers can already download Arch and Struct products, but they'll all be available next week. Look for a 2.5-2.7gb download, so plan on doing it off-hours.
AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based vertical products such as AutoCAD Architecture and MEP are already available through your subscription center. Pay attention and make sure you grab the right OS version (32 vs. 64-bit). I also got a message that the AutoCAD MEP install failed when running it under Win 7 64-bit, but I think it was an error. AutoCAD MEP ships as an EXE and associated compressed .RAR file, which I think confused Win7. I just ignored the message, ran Setup.exe, chose Custom for my install type so I could add express tools, then ran the install - so far, so good.
Pay attention, and get ready...!!!
David B.
2011 products are going to be available for download April 16th. ATC sites and resellers can already download Arch and Struct products, but they'll all be available next week. Look for a 2.5-2.7gb download, so plan on doing it off-hours.
AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based vertical products such as AutoCAD Architecture and MEP are already available through your subscription center. Pay attention and make sure you grab the right OS version (32 vs. 64-bit). I also got a message that the AutoCAD MEP install failed when running it under Win 7 64-bit, but I think it was an error. AutoCAD MEP ships as an EXE and associated compressed .RAR file, which I think confused Win7. I just ignored the message, ran Setup.exe, chose Custom for my install type so I could add express tools, then ran the install - so far, so good.
Pay attention, and get ready...!!!
David B.
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Promise Fulfilled - Part 2 - AutoCAD MEP 2011
Man, how do you improve on this application - and where can you go with it? A lot of people have been asking this question, especially with the push towards BIM becoming that boulder rolling downhill. Toby Smith's AutoCAD MEP team has been hard at it with the 2011 release, and have come up with some neat new stuff.
Conduit - new to the program is a conduit routing preference, which behaves similar to the pipe routing preference - use it to set what fittings you want to use - so it's more flexible than it has been in the past. Placement settings are no longer a separate dialog, with Autodesk pushing the old dialogs out in favor of utilizing the properties palette to control size, bend angle, etc. There's also some improvements in routing with a parallel routing option, including concentric and fixed radius bends.
Piping - there is some new content for sanitary drain, waste, vent and sewer/storm drainage systems. To keep the flow direction working correctly in sloped pipe, the user can spec male and female ends as it related to flow - resulting in a more accurate representation of a drainage pipe layout. These were features that were added as an extension to 2010 and are now improved/incorporated into the main product. Tees are now accurately created when adding branches, and offset wyes now connect correctly to sloped pipe (including eccentric and concentric reducers). Some good tweaks here to make the program run smoother.
Overall updates include tweaking of justification of connecting geometry, such as duct or pipe) so that when a system is mirror, the justification is mirrored correctly - this helps keep the eccentric items maintain layout rules.
MvParts - In one of my recent classes, we attempted to replace some of the side view blocks in an MvPart to use a more detailed 2D block as what the user sees from that point of view - which didn't work, and in a response from support, had been taken out of 2010; it looks like the behavior is back in 2011, so the user can edit a side or symbol view block to allow for more detail...nice.
Rise drop symbols have also be improved, allowing a user to specify how a rise or drop symbol is displayed in the drawing; this works specifically for MvParts, endcaps, or fittings(including elbows, tees, and takeoffs).
Platform enhancements for the AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture that run under AutoCAD MEP include tools such as the Renovation mode. Released as an extension for 2010, and now incorporated, new/existing/demolition conditions are quickly identified. Existing objects within a single drawing automatically display as existing objects. When an object is deleted, it automatically changes its appearance, showing hidden lines to represent it as a demolished object. While in renovation mode, anything added to the drawing appears as a new object. For the folks doing as-built conditions and retrofit, this tool should help consolidate the tasks.
A couple of new tools have been added for walls - "intelligent" cleanup allows a user to grab a group of wall objects, then run the tool - the same rules apply as before (justification lines must touch, or cleanup radius extended, priorities still count, etc.) If you run this and still don't get the cleanup you want, the new Edit in Place feature allows you to draft what you want the conditions to be.
One of the big things I was hoping would implemented in this release was the constraints feature, which is more up-to-date method of using the anchor tools. Some (but not all) AEC objects can use a 2D constraint to align and lock objects together: for example, you can constrain a wall to a column grid line - if the grid line moves, the wall moves. I don't believe this works with MEP objects just yet, so let's see where this tool goes in the future - but it be really neat of we can constrain items like pipe runs to a wall or column grid line in the early design phases. Inferring constraints do not work with AEC objects as of this release, but who knows...
Column grid layout and numbering has been improved, as well as door/window/opening placement. You can use a column grid line with Dynamic Dimensions to locate openings in a wall - before you have to use wall ends and intersections.
The AutoCAD underneath includes several new 3D modeling enhancements, which should help users that are trying to create their own 3D solids representations for conversion into MvParts. Chamfer and Fillet commands are added, and existing tools such as extrude, loft and revolve are tweaked and improved. I also like the new transparent hatch feature, allowing a hatch to be a little see-through....kinky. Having grips on non-associative hatches is also very useful, allowing a user to use a grip to stretch, move, etc.
The drag and drop feature for materials that's been in AutoCAD Architecture is now passed down to platform ACAD - interesting they're treating this as a new feature, as we were doing this a few releases ago...I'll have to play around with that one to see what's really different about it.
Finally, the help system got an extreme home makeover, with web-based support being at the forefront - and be prepared to provide your serial number when dealing with either the reseller or Autodesk, as it's going to be required this year to get support help. they also added several videos that explain basic features, addressing the need of youger generation users that myself...but I still think are cool.
So, are we closer to fulfilling the promise of BIM? I've always believed that the AutoCAD Platform was more mature but is now hiding in the rock star shadow of Revit. It's sort of like one of my boys dating the older sister, then the younger sister...you get the idea. There's a lot of stuff here that still works better than Revit (anchors, connections through reference files, the detail component manager, etc.), and there's still areas where Autodesk could get it more like Revit and keep it moving (such as aligning interfaces - they still are not task and process related, which irks me). It's such a simple change that could really help put the user in control of the software, and learn it much more quickly. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep creating process-based interfaces on my own...and make some money off of it...
OK, so this was a lot - I'd love to hear from some of you about what you really like, or maybe have found something that is an obscure change that wasn't documented (think of it as Autodesk's version of "where's waldo"). Send it up and I'll try it out - if it works, we'll post it right here, and you get all the credit...
Have a great weekend - David B.
Conduit - new to the program is a conduit routing preference, which behaves similar to the pipe routing preference - use it to set what fittings you want to use - so it's more flexible than it has been in the past. Placement settings are no longer a separate dialog, with Autodesk pushing the old dialogs out in favor of utilizing the properties palette to control size, bend angle, etc. There's also some improvements in routing with a parallel routing option, including concentric and fixed radius bends.
Piping - there is some new content for sanitary drain, waste, vent and sewer/storm drainage systems. To keep the flow direction working correctly in sloped pipe, the user can spec male and female ends as it related to flow - resulting in a more accurate representation of a drainage pipe layout. These were features that were added as an extension to 2010 and are now improved/incorporated into the main product. Tees are now accurately created when adding branches, and offset wyes now connect correctly to sloped pipe (including eccentric and concentric reducers). Some good tweaks here to make the program run smoother.
Overall updates include tweaking of justification of connecting geometry, such as duct or pipe) so that when a system is mirror, the justification is mirrored correctly - this helps keep the eccentric items maintain layout rules.
MvParts - In one of my recent classes, we attempted to replace some of the side view blocks in an MvPart to use a more detailed 2D block as what the user sees from that point of view - which didn't work, and in a response from support, had been taken out of 2010; it looks like the behavior is back in 2011, so the user can edit a side or symbol view block to allow for more detail...nice.
Rise drop symbols have also be improved, allowing a user to specify how a rise or drop symbol is displayed in the drawing; this works specifically for MvParts, endcaps, or fittings(including elbows, tees, and takeoffs).
Platform enhancements for the AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture that run under AutoCAD MEP include tools such as the Renovation mode. Released as an extension for 2010, and now incorporated, new/existing/demolition conditions are quickly identified. Existing objects within a single drawing automatically display as existing objects. When an object is deleted, it automatically changes its appearance, showing hidden lines to represent it as a demolished object. While in renovation mode, anything added to the drawing appears as a new object. For the folks doing as-built conditions and retrofit, this tool should help consolidate the tasks.
A couple of new tools have been added for walls - "intelligent" cleanup allows a user to grab a group of wall objects, then run the tool - the same rules apply as before (justification lines must touch, or cleanup radius extended, priorities still count, etc.) If you run this and still don't get the cleanup you want, the new Edit in Place feature allows you to draft what you want the conditions to be.
One of the big things I was hoping would implemented in this release was the constraints feature, which is more up-to-date method of using the anchor tools. Some (but not all) AEC objects can use a 2D constraint to align and lock objects together: for example, you can constrain a wall to a column grid line - if the grid line moves, the wall moves. I don't believe this works with MEP objects just yet, so let's see where this tool goes in the future - but it be really neat of we can constrain items like pipe runs to a wall or column grid line in the early design phases. Inferring constraints do not work with AEC objects as of this release, but who knows...
Column grid layout and numbering has been improved, as well as door/window/opening placement. You can use a column grid line with Dynamic Dimensions to locate openings in a wall - before you have to use wall ends and intersections.
The AutoCAD underneath includes several new 3D modeling enhancements, which should help users that are trying to create their own 3D solids representations for conversion into MvParts. Chamfer and Fillet commands are added, and existing tools such as extrude, loft and revolve are tweaked and improved. I also like the new transparent hatch feature, allowing a hatch to be a little see-through....kinky. Having grips on non-associative hatches is also very useful, allowing a user to use a grip to stretch, move, etc.
The drag and drop feature for materials that's been in AutoCAD Architecture is now passed down to platform ACAD - interesting they're treating this as a new feature, as we were doing this a few releases ago...I'll have to play around with that one to see what's really different about it.
Finally, the help system got an extreme home makeover, with web-based support being at the forefront - and be prepared to provide your serial number when dealing with either the reseller or Autodesk, as it's going to be required this year to get support help. they also added several videos that explain basic features, addressing the need of youger generation users that myself...but I still think are cool.
So, are we closer to fulfilling the promise of BIM? I've always believed that the AutoCAD Platform was more mature but is now hiding in the rock star shadow of Revit. It's sort of like one of my boys dating the older sister, then the younger sister...you get the idea. There's a lot of stuff here that still works better than Revit (anchors, connections through reference files, the detail component manager, etc.), and there's still areas where Autodesk could get it more like Revit and keep it moving (such as aligning interfaces - they still are not task and process related, which irks me). It's such a simple change that could really help put the user in control of the software, and learn it much more quickly. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep creating process-based interfaces on my own...and make some money off of it...
OK, so this was a lot - I'd love to hear from some of you about what you really like, or maybe have found something that is an obscure change that wasn't documented (think of it as Autodesk's version of "where's waldo"). Send it up and I'll try it out - if it works, we'll post it right here, and you get all the credit...
Have a great weekend - David B.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Autodesk 2011 Products are Shipping!
And we're putting on a series of seminars, webcasts and hosted events about the new product line. First up is the Autodesk Sieze the Opportunity event. Scheduled for April 19th, 10:00am-5:00pm EDT, this is the "what's new" presentation that gives you the lowdown on what's been added to the programs.
Next up, Advanced Solutions will be hosted several events - and I'll be hosting our first Revit MEP event on April 20th, at 1:00pm EST. This event, which will be simulcast between most of our training centers, can also be viewed from the comfort of your own home through our online webcast. Since space and capacity are limited, sign up early - but don't worry if you don't make the first one...if it fills up, we've got another going on April 29th, May 5th...you get the picture. Sign up early and often - we'll be covering a little bit of the Revit MEP platform, then launching into new features in this information-packed event, which will go nearly two hours - so you'll be getting a lot out of it!
We'll also be hosted events on every other Autodesk product, with AutoCAD Architecture/MEP events being added later, but look for sessions on Navisworks, Revit Architecture/Structure, Ecotect Analysis and more - so go to our website and sign up today - http://www.advsolinc.com/, and follow the links on the main page!
See you soon!
David B.
Next up, Advanced Solutions will be hosted several events - and I'll be hosting our first Revit MEP event on April 20th, at 1:00pm EST. This event, which will be simulcast between most of our training centers, can also be viewed from the comfort of your own home through our online webcast. Since space and capacity are limited, sign up early - but don't worry if you don't make the first one...if it fills up, we've got another going on April 29th, May 5th...you get the picture. Sign up early and often - we'll be covering a little bit of the Revit MEP platform, then launching into new features in this information-packed event, which will go nearly two hours - so you'll be getting a lot out of it!
We'll also be hosted events on every other Autodesk product, with AutoCAD Architecture/MEP events being added later, but look for sessions on Navisworks, Revit Architecture/Structure, Ecotect Analysis and more - so go to our website and sign up today - http://www.advsolinc.com/, and follow the links on the main page!
See you soon!
David B.
The Promise Fulfilled - Part 1 - Revit MEP 2011
Okay, the first four years are always the fun ride...you never know what's gonna happen, and sometimes things don't always live up to your expectations. Working with Autodesk software has been like that - it takes a while for things to warm up and get going, as evidenced by the progression of applications like AutoCAD MEP.
So, in my earlier series of topics on the promise of BIM technology and the future, the 2011 release of Autodesk products brings us to the next phase...but are the programs fulfilling the promise of better, faster, more accurate, easier to use, etc? Let's start by taking a look at Revit MEP 2011.
First things first - the issue of conduit, cable tray and flat oval duct has been addressed by Autodesk. All of this items are defined by project specific type families, where fitting families can be added to a project, and used with a type. One nice feature I saw was how a conduit can be constrained to a cable tray - so if the cable tray moves, the conduit moves - very nice. No more using pipe and duct to respresent these objects, which will make coordination in Revit and Navisworks much clearer. So, this part of the promise is nearly complete - getting real world representations of objects into the hands of the Revit designer.
Second item up - panel schedules - these are customizable in Revit MEP 2011, which should stop some of the bickering about the look and feel of the documents. With the RDB Link add-in now part of the program, other database applications can be used to control the flow of data both ways - from an external table into Revit and back out again. There are also improvements to control items such as demand factors, so the designer can edit their behavior to get more accurate results.
Third item - a big one - is the "always on" properties palette, which allows instance property input during placement...very nice....although not everything is included, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Fourth item - and the jury is still out on this one. Additional items have copy/monitor functionality such as light and plumbing fixtures, but I haven't seen anything on improving interoperability with an architect's ceiling grid element in a linked file - what I wanted was a horizontal constraint for a light referencing a linked grid. I didn't see this in the betas, but will check again when the shipping release comes out around the second week of April.
Fifth item - a new analysis display tool to show building analysis and space properties...haven't messed with this much yet, so as we get into updating our manuals, I'll try to get some additional information posted here.
So, how far does this go towards fullfilling the promise of a true BIM model? Well, it's not 100%, but it's not a baby step either. Just getting items 1-3 are enough to get me excited, especially since I've spent the past few months working as a BIM coordinator on a large medical project. I've heard all of the pros and cons, and am working up something for AU this year about the experience, but I'm even more convinced that Autodesk is going down the right path. Good job to Dave Pothier and the crew at Autodesk - I'm very pleased, and ready to move these guys forward...
Next up - The Promise Fulfilled - Part 2 AutoCAD MEP, and the new Promise - AutoCAD Plant3D...talk to you soon!
Later - David B.
So, in my earlier series of topics on the promise of BIM technology and the future, the 2011 release of Autodesk products brings us to the next phase...but are the programs fulfilling the promise of better, faster, more accurate, easier to use, etc? Let's start by taking a look at Revit MEP 2011.
First things first - the issue of conduit, cable tray and flat oval duct has been addressed by Autodesk. All of this items are defined by project specific type families, where fitting families can be added to a project, and used with a type. One nice feature I saw was how a conduit can be constrained to a cable tray - so if the cable tray moves, the conduit moves - very nice. No more using pipe and duct to respresent these objects, which will make coordination in Revit and Navisworks much clearer. So, this part of the promise is nearly complete - getting real world representations of objects into the hands of the Revit designer.
Second item up - panel schedules - these are customizable in Revit MEP 2011, which should stop some of the bickering about the look and feel of the documents. With the RDB Link add-in now part of the program, other database applications can be used to control the flow of data both ways - from an external table into Revit and back out again. There are also improvements to control items such as demand factors, so the designer can edit their behavior to get more accurate results.
Third item - a big one - is the "always on" properties palette, which allows instance property input during placement...very nice....although not everything is included, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Fourth item - and the jury is still out on this one. Additional items have copy/monitor functionality such as light and plumbing fixtures, but I haven't seen anything on improving interoperability with an architect's ceiling grid element in a linked file - what I wanted was a horizontal constraint for a light referencing a linked grid. I didn't see this in the betas, but will check again when the shipping release comes out around the second week of April.
Fifth item - a new analysis display tool to show building analysis and space properties...haven't messed with this much yet, so as we get into updating our manuals, I'll try to get some additional information posted here.
So, how far does this go towards fullfilling the promise of a true BIM model? Well, it's not 100%, but it's not a baby step either. Just getting items 1-3 are enough to get me excited, especially since I've spent the past few months working as a BIM coordinator on a large medical project. I've heard all of the pros and cons, and am working up something for AU this year about the experience, but I'm even more convinced that Autodesk is going down the right path. Good job to Dave Pothier and the crew at Autodesk - I'm very pleased, and ready to move these guys forward...
Next up - The Promise Fulfilled - Part 2 AutoCAD MEP, and the new Promise - AutoCAD Plant3D...talk to you soon!
Later - David B.
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