Man, I just can't get here enough...AU 2010 Update

Got a full load for AU this year:

SID: 2227
Title: Building Better in AutoCAD Architecture 2011
Type: Lecture
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: Intermediate

SID: 776
Title: Building Better in AutoCAD Architecture 2011
Type: Virtual Class
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: Intermediate

SID: 6343
Title: Rockin' Hot Revit MEP 2011 Tips
Type: Lecture
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels
SID: 8094
Title: Smokin' Hot AutoCAD MEP 2011 Tips
Type: Virtual Class
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels

SID: 5660
Title: Rockin' Hot Revit MEP 2011 Tips
Type: Virtual Class
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels

SID: 7271
Title: Smokin' Hot AutoCAD MEP 2011 Tips
Type: Lecture
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels

SID: 8312
Title: Lecture
Type: Lessons Learned from a BIM Coordination Consultant
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels
SID: 1910
Title: Maximizing Revit MEP 2011 for Design Efficiency
Type: Hands-On Lab
Length: 2-Hour
Expertise: All Levels

SID: 7331
Title: Taking A Quick Spin Through the Autodesk Plant Design Suite
Type: Lecture
Length: 1-Hour
Expertise: All Levels

This will be my first time in front of the green screen for the virtual classes. I've been able to do this with some marketing presentations but not with a class, so it should a good learning experience...call me DB the "CAD Weatherman" (there's a little high pressure along the Revit front, along with storms chasing the Bentley crowd... a little snow on the AutoCAD line should make for a good Christmas...get it?).
 
Getting one on Plant3D was really nice - there's a lot of buzz around this product, and the way it leverages a variety of software across the Autodesk spectrum. Registation starts in late Auguest, so be prepared and sign up early - it should be an interesting show this year!
 
talk to you soon - David B.

Starting Projects - Ecotect verses IES VE Pro

My first post on this topic is in regard to how projects get setup and defined by these two applications. You gotta start somewhere, so let's start with how these two applications approach this area.

Ecotect - after starting the program, the user selects a project tab. From this tab, they can input project information, including address, site location, terrain, etc. A nice touch is the incorporation of Google Maps (which also happens to be a site location option in Revit 2011):

Once the project information has been input, the user goes to the data manager to set up project specifics - then the building conditions tool, then the model settings tool. While some of these settings can be predefined, having them scattered throughout several pulldowns and windows can make winding your way through these settings, and making sure everything is set as needed, a bit difficult.

For IES VE 6.0.6, the project is started by selecting New Project, then choosing a template that sets up a wide variety of project specific settings:

The templates can save the user a tremendous amount of setup time, covering building regulations, room conditions, the air system, internal gains and exchanges, as well as default analysis type data. The fact that the user is pointed to these specific settings at the very beginning, instead of having to dig through the program to find these setups, gives the startup leg to IES.

Next up - importing geometry and data into the project...

Ain't technology cool...

I'm flying on an airline (it'll go unnamed for now since the flight is packed and little rough)...flying at 32,000 feet...somewhere over Kansas at the moment, according to the pilot. And I'm updating my blog - who said technology ain't cool? Pretty fast internet connection considering...

So what in the technology world fascinates you?

Me, right now it's the building analysis software. I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool scientist, engineer, or researcher...but it's amazing to me what the design software packages will accomplish today. So here I am, cruising along, and gathering some thoughts...and now it's time to start talking in more detail about the main two applications I have an interest in - Ecotect and IES Virtual Environment.

At first glance, you would think that with Autodesk backing Ecotect up, it would have a distinct advantage in the marketplace, but right now both packages are just begining to head up that technology curve. But, IES has a much broader product base and is being more widely accepted, with a nicely designed add-in tool for Revit. So what is it that makes one package preferred over another?

First up - Ecotect Analysis 2010 (with Green Building Studio) - followed by IES Virtual Environment, with a new release set to work with the Autodesk 2011 product line....

IES VE Updates available for Revit 2011 Products

IES has released their version of the Revit Plug-in for VE. Here's the notification:

Offering performance analysis and BIM within the same platform, the IES VE plug-in to Autodesk Revit Architecture and MEP offers powerful functionality for sustainable building design.


We’re pleased to announce we’ve got a fresh new version of the plug-in for you! Revit 2011 users can now easily export models into any of our Virtual Environment (VE) environmental building performance analysis tools and undertake sustainable performance analysis. This new plug-in now supports Revit 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

What does the plug-in offer?

The great thing about the plug-in is you don’t need to rebuild any models – a clever interface takes you through the ‘Setting Model Properties’ process step-by-step. All you need to have is basic information on building type, construction materials, and heating and cooling system types, at either the whole building or room level depending on what stage you are at in the design process.

Once you’ve set up your model you can access our performance analysis products by clicking the relevant button. Each product offers different levels of functionality; so whether you are an architect or an engineer, want top-level information or want to explore in much more detail, there is a solution for you.

Get your free copy of the plug-in today!

Simply visit http://www.iesve.com/Software/Model-Building/Revit-plug-in and click on ‘Download plug in’ to obtain your free copy.

For existing Virtual Environment VE Pro 6.0 users, download and install the hotfix 6.06 - this will update your version 6 software to support the 2011 products, as well as add some new features and improvements. Here's the link:
 
http://www.iesve.com/Support/Download-Centre/?aType=103&aSType=328
 
Go get 'em - the best analysis tool on the market is now even better.
 
Have a great weekend!
 
David B.

Bummer...gotta take a cool stuff back - Surface Connectors are for Conduits!

Put in my "cool new stuff" post a while back for Revit MEP 2011 that pipe and duct can also be placed with a surface connector, similar to conduit...but I was WRONG...thus the bummer. When creating the conduit connector, look at the options bar, and you can pick between individual and surface connector...hey, this should be on the wish list...but I'm not complaining too much, just glad to have the conduit and cable tray.

BIM on, guys...

David B.

Quick - can you tell me where this photo was taken - and when?

This is for the old school crowd - I took the picture, so I know the details, but am curious to see who else recognizes it...

New BLOG - Family Jewels - Creating Quality BIM Content

Got Greg Arkin's daily blog update today, which included a link to a new blog, that includes some great authors, including Scott Brisk, Martin Schmidt and William Spier, among others - the first article I read was on creating BIM content, and hits the nail on the head - so I'm adding the link to my site as well.

Nicely done - here's the link:

http://familyjewels.typepad.com/blog/2010/04/the-watershed-event-that-birthed-the-family-jewels-blog-site.html

Thanks for the heads up, Greg - have a great day!

David B.