Friday, November 16, 2012

Autocad 2011+ Turn Off That Grid

AutoCad: Don't like the new grid showing up in the background? Are you used to staring into the deep endless vapidness of Model space? Well then, Turn off that grid! I can't find the button, type 'GRID' into the command line, type 'OFF' and enter. VoilĂ , back to outer space for you! Also as a production value, it kept feeling like I was selecting linework that I didn't want to be selecting. A little disconcerting for people who are used to moving fast in CAD.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Custom User Input Detail Callout (Aka Dumb callouts, this is dumb!)


I need a detail callout that I can input my own text. I have seen plenty of these but I need one with a smart section tail. I have found instructions on how to do this, links pasted below. I will update once I have my own free time to test it out.

http://www.apertedesign.com/2010/09/revit-dummy-tags/
"these system annotation items are somewhat protected by a pretty complex layered hierarchy of nested families. In a simplified distillation, it goes something like this:

Separate .rfas create the graphics of the reference bubble, with hard-coded parameters making up the data-drawing labels.
System annotation types designate which of these bubble .rfas will be applied, depending upon the nature of the view being created or referenced.
Appropriate graphics, browser sorting, etc also respond to the nature of the view being created or referenced.
So how was the ‘dummy’ reference accomplished?  I created an .rfa based upon the standard reference bubble, but removed all the standard labels for detail and sheet numbers. In the project, I duplicated the standard callout and section families and created a new type that drew in these ‘blank’ detail bubbles. I created a Symbol of two labels with custom parameters for Detail # and Sheet # to be manually entered by the user.  I created a single drafting view “AAA – CAD detail” to always show up at the top of the list of referenceable views when a user created their CAD-detailed callout/section view.  Once the system recognized the view as a drafting view, it applied one of the detail callout/section types, which was then specified to be the ‘blank’ type by the user. Once positioned, the user then placed the symbol over the blank bubble, and entered in the CAD reference data.  A less than automated process, yes, but the only way to ‘fool the system’ and create manually inputted references."


http://www.revitforum.org/structure-family-creation/4815-annotation-text-lines.html
user = dzato
"Here's how I would do it. I'm sure there's a better way, though. I'm not the family guru here.

1. Create a generic annotative family.
2. Add a label
3. In the labe box, create a parameter. Make sure it's set to be text, and it's an instance parameter.
4. Create another family, this time a generic model based family (yes, they can have reference planes. I'm pretty sure all families can).
5. Draw 2 more reference planes and set them to weak refererence planes in the properties dialogue. This will allow you to have grips for changing the lengths.
6. Add a parameter for length, and also an equality dimension string so the line stays centered on the insertion point. Draw a symbolic line where you need it and lock the ends to the reference planes using the align command.
7. Load your annotative family into the generic model family
8. Select the annotative family. In the properties dialoge box you will see a text category. The parameter you created for your label should be there. Click on the small button to the far right.
9. Create an instance parameter here. You have just linked the label from the annotation family to this parameter. Now, you will be able to edit it.
10. Load this family into a project. You should be able to edit the text, and adjust the lines.

Like I said, I'm not that strong at families yet. But that should work."




http://www.revitforum.org/architecture-family-creation/2090-annotation-symbol-grips.html

Friday, October 12, 2012

AutoCAD 2011: Hide Ribbon

For all you command line and keyboard shortcut junkies like me!

Hide ribbon
At command line type 'ribbonclose' and press enter

Bring the ribbon back:
= ribbon

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Fix Family Not Aligning With Host Wall

Group all elements, then dimension from the group to the reference wall face @ 0'-0" and lock it. Worked for me so far, we will see if this awakens other Revit gremlins.

ISSUE:
I was having problems with a family that contained multiple modeled elements and a nested family within it.
It was not aligning with the finish face of the wall that was hosting it. (It was appearing embedded in the wall.)
On further research I read a recommendation to align and lock one main element to the reference wall face then align or dimension and lock the other elements to that main element. I tried this and had issues with this method, the family was not able to be created and it would delete itself on attempt of placement. I believe I was over constraining the Family.

A helpful and simple description of reference planes which indirectly applies to this topic:
http://architects-desktop.blogspot.com/2012/03/revit-when-is-reference-not-reference.html

Friday, September 7, 2012

Helvetica Substitute

Usually use 1/4" Helvetica for your plan titles? Don't have Helvetica on your computer? Try "Swis721 BT" set to Bold, width = 1

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ceiling Grid Partial Demolition

Existing Ceiling grid, need to cut (demo) new openings / holes. best way to accomplish...?

Go to the following link to set up the ceiling grid demolition pattern, not native to Revit as a default.
(Thanks to Doug at this blogpost for sharing)
http://aectechtalk.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/display-of-demolished-ceilings-in-revit/

1. Cut holes in existing ceiling there are three ways to accomplish this, of the three below I recommend drawing the new openings inside the ceiling boundary.
Note:
_Shaft Opening  can be set as a new element while creating a NEW cut in an existing element. There is the benefit of being able to move / resize it independently of the ceiling boundary while tweaking the design. An issue I noticed is that it is not visible in a view set as an existing or demolition phase.
_Vertical Opening - good to use in an existing ceiling with existing openings or floors (single cut) since it assumes the Phase of the host element and cannot be changed.
_Another option is to just draw the opening in the ceiling boundary - I might use this for an existing opening that I'm fairly sure won't be changing for the project.
_Either one you use you have to manually draw in the ceiling to be depicted for demolition and self manage their locations, move an opening then move the infill grid. (maybe they can be locked together...?).

2. Draw in separate demo'd ceiling with new type (per instructions at link above).

3. In order to move together, Group if desired.

4. If copying openings and ceilings around, remember to set the ceiling phasing for the copied elements.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Don't Want Walls to Join?

"Disallow wall join" by selecting the wall, Right click the control grip at the end you want to disallow and select the option in the pop-up context menu.

This is useful when you have two different walls meeting, for example an interior wall perpendicular to an exterior shell wall, curtain wall or storefront. You don't want them to join so that you can control their end points accurately.

Here is a link to a great graphic representation of the instructions.
http://bim4scottc.blogspot.com/2012/02/disallow-join.html

Join a Split Wall

How to join two ends of in-line parallel walls. Double click one of the shape handles.  Make sure that the wall ends allow joins (check by right clicking each shape handle).

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?11927-Join-a-Split-Wall
(you may not be able to see the link without signing in)

Update: This only works some of the time so far. Other solution is to extend one wall and delete the other.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Alternate Design Schemes in Revit 2012

How to create and manage multiple design schemes in Revit using Design Options.
I'm starting at the source and will work out from there.
Autodesk's wiki help page for Design Options, contains links to pages describing each step of the workflow.

Design Option Overview -  Skim for a quick introduction to their use and move on to...

Design Option WorkflowRead thoroughly and explore links from this article.


Creating Design Option Sets - "begin the design option process by creating design option sets."

Setup Scheme and name design options as desired.

Moving Elements from One Design Option to Another - use copy / paste with desired "move from" and "move to" design option active.

Primary option is "same" as what is shown in Main Model.

You cannot select elements that reside in an option while you are in the Main Model. You can uncheck "Exclude Options" box (at right of bottom view control bar on screen) in order to select/modify any.

Setup views for each option, use visibility/graphics settings to show the desired option in each view.
Note: Views are for viewing only, to edit, you must activate the design option. Do this in either "Active Design Option" drop down box, one is under the Manage tab and one is at the bottom of the program screen in the middle of the Status bar.

Move element instances from model to design options using the "Add to set" button while in a view showing a specific option, door swings don't always disappear from the view you are in. It's just a temporary graphic glitch, revealing hidden once will correct the view.

Move elements from option to option using the cop/cut command and past to aligned (or similar). Note: elements pasted are set to "New Construction" under Phasing. Be sure to check their settings after you past. Especially critical for an existing TI project.

Dedicating Views to Design Options - Do this first before you start modeling / moving elements, it makes it easier to check your work and will help reduce brain damage.

"Pick to Edit" command accessed through the manage tab under the Design Options panel.






Friday, June 8, 2012

Storefront Repeating Mullion Spacing

Place storefront with equal mullions. Select desired storefront wall. Before placing, edit type, set vertical (horizontal too if needed) mullion spacing to desired distance (fixed, minimum or maximum), place storefront wall.

To edit/change mullion layout, select the Curtain Wall that you just placed, Edit Type from the Properties dialog. Change vertical mullion spacing to None.

Revit offers to automatically delete the grids and mullions in a warning popup after you click OK from the Edit Type properties box. Selecting "Delete Gridline" deletes the grid and associated mullion, selecting "OK" leaves them in place but makes them editable. Edit away!


Note: Don't forget Edit type effects all instances of that Curtain Wall in the project, not just the one that you originally selected.

Adding Rooms (Really! Only one at a time?!)


You place a room in bounding elements (or create boundary lines within the command) before you tag the room (insert room name/number/data labels).
The command is found on the Home tab, Room and Area panel, Room.


Note: They must be placed by picking each space one by one. It would be nice to place multiple rooms automatically somehow all at once and go back and edit them BUT there currently is not.
Here's a forum where this is discussed in some detail, http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=26224
Guess we are stuck with adding this to the wish list.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Curtain Wall for Concrete Tilt-Up

From the AUGI forum, precast wall panels
http://forums.augi.com/archive/index.php/t-30154.html

Of course I will post if I get a chance to experiment with this.

Opaque Glass



I am currently as-built modeling a building with black ribbon windows with black vision glass and black opaque (spandrel type) glass.

The problem I am having, is indicating the opaque glass panel in an elevation hidden line view.
I set a grey solid fill surface pattern to the glass type but when I do that the glass appears clear in the 3D view.

So far I have gotten the appearance that I want by using Solid fill surface in black instead. It will print heavy but accomplishes the indication required in both 3d and 2d views.

I will have to fine tune this when we get closer to publishing prints.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Let Revit Do The Math

Changing locations of walls or thicknesses of elements? Don't feel like doing the math? Small fractions giving you headaches?

If you know the amount that needs to be added or subtracted you can make an equation statement that will make the change for you. For example:

Click a wall and then the dimension text you want to change to move it. Say you need to move the wall 3 5/8", place an = sign in front of the current dimension number then a + 3 5/8" after, hit enter. Revit moves the wall for you and of course updates to the correct dimension.

This method should work anywhere a measurement or thickness description can be adjusted. Experiment with it, please post where you find a limitation.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Edit Boundary Keyboard Shortcuts in Revit 2012

Shortcuts have been added to start the roof boundary sketch edit and to finish the sketch also, previously you had to click on the edit sketch button to initiate and the green check mark to complete. This is new for Revit 2012. I am a keyboard shortcut junkie and was very disappointed that Revit 2011 did not have these options available.
Pre-select the roof, then type keystroke EB (edit boundary).
After you are finished simply type keystroke FE (finish edit).

Monday, March 26, 2012

Fix Windows Not Cutting

I ran into an issue where a window family was cutting in plan but not in section. I found one of the options in that family not set correctly in the "Family Element Visibility Settings". I changed the setting and all was well.

If this minor adjustment doesn't take care of the issue, look at the following blog post with detailed instructions for the workaround.
http://www.hokbimsolutions.com/2012/03/why-windows-in-revit-dont-cut-it.html

Recover Central Model Backup

Found this great instructional on how to recover the backup files on a central model in Revit.



http://revitelemental.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-recover-central-model-from.html 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

AutoCAD 2011 Tip: Selection Cycling


I have come across an issue with CAD “slowing down” and the cursor jumping/stuttering in some drawings with xref’s. It gets to a point that I can't work. The solution to that is turning off SELECTION CYCLING.

Command = SELECTIONCYCLING; enter 0 for the value

Command description:

ref:

Friday, January 20, 2012

MANAGE OBJECT STYLES

How to globally change the line weight and line types of annotation symbols and line work like a section line for example.

Go to: Manage tab, Click Object Styles in Settings box, Annotation Objects tab.

Note: This affects the entire project and all views, after synchronizing, others will see the changes take effect.

Global control of layers that are part of an imported CAD background.