Architecture [+Revit]

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Implementation and Best Practice Basics

There are a lot of obvious settings and recommended methodologies in order to achieve efficiency for your hardware and within specific software. I know a few tricks that I have picked up along the way such as graphics settings for the Windows OS, not using screen savers, etc. But we don't really have time to keep up and in the know with everything. Often people need to install and start producing billable work as quickly as possible.

Autodesk has a good white paper covering recommendations for hardware, OS settings and options within Revit as well as command options and when constraints and parametric flexibility are appropriate.

It's worth a look to minimize the burden on your hardware, file size and most importantly user wait / down time!

Look for "Model Performance Technical Note" @ http://usa.autodesk.com/revit/white-papers/

Direct pdf link:
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autodesk_revit_2014_model_performance_technical_note.pdf

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sheet Sort

As simple as this sounds there are different ways to set this up. This issue becomes especially important for workshared central file when more than one team member is working on the project.

I have found one standard setting that should work for all projects during all phases. This would be to sort by Sheet Package (Package/Discipline/Sheet # Grouping/Sheet # (Ascending))

Granted there are a couple of sorting options that have their uses as a temporary setting but I recommend always reverting back to Sheet Package due to the fact that the project browser settings sync back to the central file and therefore affect other team members.

Of course play around with the settings and see what works best for you!

The standard example:

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Create Revit Levels (FAST!)

Credit goes to following link, click to see full description:
http://www.cad-notes.com/create-revit-levels-using-array/

In short:
1. In an elevation view, use the Array tool to copy the uppermost Level "up".

Note: Be sure the existing levels are named as desired to reduce the amount of editing required to the new level names. Revit makes a good attempt at automatically naming them based on the Level that you copy from.

2. Convert level to active (floor plan) views with "Plan Views" command found under View tab > Create Panel > Plan Views.
Use to convert / create to floor, ceiling or area plans.

UPDATE:
While this work great in the native environment (rvt2013), the Array command is not available in the Conceptual Mass creation toolset.

Alternatively, I used the copy command with the multiple option selected, this did the trick fairly painlessly.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Revit Screen Jump

View screen moves when clicking elements, sometimes moving said element. It is very annoying. I found a solution to this issue but it is happening again so decided to document the solutions here.

Here's a link with a pdf full of possible solutions: http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?120756-Screen-Jump-Comprehensive
#3 worked for me "Re‐dock the browser and any toolbars, maximize Revit in the primary
monitor, exit and restart Revit."

"Turn off open GL. It fixes the problem for us. Don't ask me why."
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?130618-Anyone-else-still-having-screen-jump-issues-in-2012-It-s-still-around!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Revit Implementation Blog

I found this great blog with an overview of the BIM implementation process with links to detailed information for each phase. At first pass this looks like a very thorough blog as a great BIM management resource from an experienced professional. These are not software how to's but more what and when to articles..

Initial BIM implementation advice:
http://bradleybim.com/2013/07/24/revit-implementation-puzzle-5-basic-planned-investments/#!

Family creation processes:
http://bradleybim.com/2012/10/30/real-costs-for-building-revit-families-1000-bradley-revit-family-library-models/

Staff training advice:
http://bradleybim.com/2013/02/24/keys-to-designing-your-successful-revit-101-basic-training/