One of my longtime co-workers, Michael Zeeveld, our technical engineer in Charlotte, NC has jumped into the blogging fray. He's posting tips and info about Revit, BIM and other architectural sundries. Check it out!
http://zeeveld.blogspot.com/
Later - David B.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Two from Dave Kaldy - Revit Tips - Reduce File Size and Workset Visibilty
One of our technical Engineers, Dave Kaldy, came up with a couple of tech solutions I thought were worthy of the post...if you like these, send him an "attaboy" email to dkaldy@advsolinc.com.
Reducing Revit Central File Sizes
A lot of times we get calls from clients that are trying to reduce their Central file size. The typical response is to audit, purge , and then compact the file, and if that doesn’t bring the file size down, consider breaking the model into separate files. Here’s the new thing to try before breaking into separate files:
Open the Central file with the “detach from Central” box checked, and then save as a new Central file with a different file name, or to a different location on their server. What this does is it rewrites the database associated with the file and can dramatically reduce the file size.
For example I received a Central file today from one of our clients that was 117 mb. After I detached and saved it as a new Central file to my computer the file dropped to 64mb. I then did an audit, purge, and compacted the file and it dropped to 63 mb. This particular client had been making new local file every day, but they have not touched the Central file directly in about 6 months. Just something to keep in mind...
Workset Visibility in Views
There is a difference in how this works from 2010 and 2011. In 2010 when the Workset is first made there is a check box to make that Workset “Visible by default in all views”. If this box was not checked when the Workset was made then that Workset will not be visible by default in any new views made in the project, and you will have to change this visbility setting in the VV of each view. To fix this you will have to make a new Workset, check the “Visible by default in all views” box, and then move everything in the model from one Workset to this new Workset:
This issue was addressed in 2011. If you look at the Worksets dialogue in 2011 there is an additional column for “Visible in all views”. Worksets with this box checked will be viewable in new views (such as sections).
Kudos to Mr. Kaldy - thanks!!!
Happy BIM'ing - David B.
Reducing Revit Central File Sizes
A lot of times we get calls from clients that are trying to reduce their Central file size. The typical response is to audit, purge , and then compact the file, and if that doesn’t bring the file size down, consider breaking the model into separate files. Here’s the new thing to try before breaking into separate files:
Open the Central file with the “detach from Central” box checked, and then save as a new Central file with a different file name, or to a different location on their server. What this does is it rewrites the database associated with the file and can dramatically reduce the file size.
For example I received a Central file today from one of our clients that was 117 mb. After I detached and saved it as a new Central file to my computer the file dropped to 64mb. I then did an audit, purge, and compacted the file and it dropped to 63 mb. This particular client had been making new local file every day, but they have not touched the Central file directly in about 6 months. Just something to keep in mind...
Workset Visibility in Views
There is a difference in how this works from 2010 and 2011. In 2010 when the Workset is first made there is a check box to make that Workset “Visible by default in all views”. If this box was not checked when the Workset was made then that Workset will not be visible by default in any new views made in the project, and you will have to change this visbility setting in the VV of each view. To fix this you will have to make a new Workset, check the “Visible by default in all views” box, and then move everything in the model from one Workset to this new Workset:
This issue was addressed in 2011. If you look at the Worksets dialogue in 2011 there is an additional column for “Visible in all views”. Worksets with this box checked will be viewable in new views (such as sections).
Kudos to Mr. Kaldy - thanks!!!
Happy BIM'ing - David B.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Updates for Revit 2011 are available...
Revit MEP 2011 Update #1:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973660
Revit Architecture 2011 Update #1:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973244
Download and install these when you get a minute - several fixes are included. These are not full versions, but install as service packs, so make sure your installation source is handy.
thanks - David B.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973660
Revit Architecture 2011 Update #1:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973244
Download and install these when you get a minute - several fixes are included. These are not full versions, but install as service packs, so make sure your installation source is handy.
thanks - David B.
AU 2010 - Coming soon...
Here's a note from Joseph Wurcher - Registration for AU Las Vegas will open early September, Registration for AU Virtual and AU Extension will open on September 14. Get your internet access ready...those are going to be crazy dates!!!
And for the first time, there's going to be AU events in China (Nov. 16-17th) and Japan (Nov. 19th) - check out au.autodesk.com for more details.
Later - David B.
And for the first time, there's going to be AU events in China (Nov. 16-17th) and Japan (Nov. 19th) - check out au.autodesk.com for more details.
Later - David B.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tips o' the Day....Plant3D 2011!
Just installed the new Plant 3D 2011, looking forward to rifling through this the next few days...while reading the README (there's a novel thought), found a couple of things the users should know (this is not a complete list, so read the file for more detail)...
- Don't use the RECOVER command with Plant3D - use the command PLANTAUDIT instead.
- When tagging equipment, tags are case-sensitive - so p-100 would be read as a different pump than P-100...
- Line Designation Table configurations do not transfer from project to project...interesting....
- When you have multiple drawings open, and you create an iso from the drawing, you may get a fialure or incomplete drawing - so close and reopen if you're using xref's to generate iso views...I would expect a save beforehand should also help, but better to err on the safe side.
- Polyface meshes don't translate well to ortho drawings, so check the properties of your custom equipment - and avoid using them for the content, or convert to a plain mesh first.
- Flip grips on a pipe may cause the program to crash, so use the rotate grip instead.
- When creating a new project from an existing project, the first time you select the Layer and Color Settings node you may get an unhanded exception error...ignore it, the warning is an "undocumented feature".
- make sure you set the block units to Unitless before using it to create a custom part.
- And for the last one, when using Plant3D models in Navisworks Manage, make sure that the Navisworks Clash Detective is set to examine surfaces only, not lines...I wonder if the same is true for other ACAD platform based modeling apps (such as AutoCAD MEP).
Have a great evening - download your new version today!
Later - David B.
- Don't use the RECOVER command with Plant3D - use the command PLANTAUDIT instead.
- When tagging equipment, tags are case-sensitive - so p-100 would be read as a different pump than P-100...
- Line Designation Table configurations do not transfer from project to project...interesting....
- When you have multiple drawings open, and you create an iso from the drawing, you may get a fialure or incomplete drawing - so close and reopen if you're using xref's to generate iso views...I would expect a save beforehand should also help, but better to err on the safe side.
- Polyface meshes don't translate well to ortho drawings, so check the properties of your custom equipment - and avoid using them for the content, or convert to a plain mesh first.
- Flip grips on a pipe may cause the program to crash, so use the rotate grip instead.
- When creating a new project from an existing project, the first time you select the Layer and Color Settings node you may get an unhanded exception error...ignore it, the warning is an "undocumented feature".
- make sure you set the block units to Unitless before using it to create a custom part.
- And for the last one, when using Plant3D models in Navisworks Manage, make sure that the Navisworks Clash Detective is set to examine surfaces only, not lines...I wonder if the same is true for other ACAD platform based modeling apps (such as AutoCAD MEP).
Have a great evening - download your new version today!
Later - David B.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Navisworks Exporter for Revit 2011 Products
Since I've had a couple of people ask, to get the Navisworks Exporter for 2011, go to this link:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13947462&siteID=123112
Fill out the form and then you can download the 2011 version that works with Navisworks 2011 and Revit 2011 releases.
thanks - David B.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13947462&siteID=123112
Fill out the form and then you can download the 2011 version that works with Navisworks 2011 and Revit 2011 releases.
thanks - David B.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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.
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.
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