Fast(er) Way To Place a Missing Room Tag

This is a very simple quick tip. When you have a room tag that is missing in a view. Copying is quicker than the Tag Room command. This only works if there is a Room Tag of the type you need already in the View. 

I've noticed that it takes a second or so for the Tag Room command to activate, it seems like it is reading/processing the Rooms in that view. Then a few more seconds for to check / change the type in the properties drop-down.

Revit Efficiency Hunt

I am currently working on a project with a Revit file size that fluctuates between 500-800mb. Due to recent crashes and extensive lag I have been experiencing with even simple tag edits, I did some research to find where to gain efficiency in the Revit model. Although the project I am experiencing is on the larger side, these recommendations will apply to any sized project.

I found an Autodesk white paper entitled, 2014 Model Performance Technical Note. There are recommendations for Hardware, Software settings and User best practices. If you have seen this before, as have I, this still serves as a good reminder for things we forget or are likely unknown to the more novice or casual Revit users.

It's worth evaluating the entire document but I am highlighting sections below that are of particular interest and most of which can be easily implemented. 

Hardware:    

• p11 - Hard drive configuration of swap file.
• p13-15 - Optimizing the OS.
• p16 - Verify network and server capabilities.
• p27 – Second item down, one dramatically weaker machine spec can reduce project performance.

User best practices:

(I can see instructions on these as an Office tech note via e-mail, a training or the opening / splash page or all of the above.)

• p13 - Restarting Revit prior to memory intensive tasks.
• p18 - Limit use of arrays.
• p19 - Use constraints sparingly, find alternatives to keep certain items from being edited.
• p19-20 – Families; Avoid voids, 2d symbolic lines instead of 3d geometry, limit flexibility.
• p21 – Unload links not in use, better yet, open file with the specify option in the open file dialog.
• p21 – Set and emphasize detail level for modeling for the project in general.
• p21 – Delete unnecessary area schemes / plans.
• p22 – Railings, had not heard this one before, maybe this could be applied through visibility whether course, medium or fine.
• p23 – Room separation lines in separate workset, this one is interesting, I am curious of the benefit, besides controlling visibility.
• p23 – View depths, (the further a view sees, the more model elements it tries to calculate.)
• p24 – Close unnecessary views, I know this one but often forget, especially 3d views on synch to central.
• p26 – Only open worksets that you need (repeat: open file with the specify option in the open file dialog.)
• p26 – IM/message board service for the team – I have used Slack.com on a project and it has been great, highly recommended.
• p26-27 – All of the worksharing recommendations are valuable.

A good AUGI article that parallels most of these items can be found here, it also includes a few additional tips that can prove useful. 

Excerpt of note:
Hierarchy of Revit Graphics  There are so many ways to change the way things look or if they are even displayed in Revit. This little code cracker tells what trumps what. It’s a great way to systematically check through what might be causing the issue. The higher numbers trump the lower numbers.

1. Object Styles
2. View Range
3. Visibility Graphics Overrides
4. Phasing Graphics Overrides
5. View Depth (Beyond)
6. View Filters (Filters nearer the top of the list override filters nearer the bottom)
7. Override Graphics in View by Element
8. View Detail Level
9. View Discipline
10. Line Work Tool
11. Worksets
12. Hide in View

Curtain WaIl Segments - Alternate Workflow

When you want to add or remove mullions along a gridline or grid line segment.

You typically would use the Mullion tool under the Architecture Tab but sometimes it does not let you place a mullion.

Here's the part that (to me) wasn't obvious.

When that tool isn't working for you.
Instead, with no command active, select the gridline that you want to add the mullion to.
Then, click the Add/Remove Segments button that is available when a gridline is selected.

You should be able to click and add (or remove if desired) mullions to the desired segment.

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

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:

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.

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!

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/