Something that was frequently done in AutoCAD was adding checkmarks or an 'x' on an index, everything from room finish schedules to drawing indexes. When you moved to Revit you probably struggled to figure out how to do this, but eventually just gave up and decided the ability to automatically fill the schedule, sort and format to your liking outweighed the convenience of the checkmark.
Here is an article from the AUGI library about adding checkmarks to a drawing index:http://www.augi.com/library/check-marks-in-a-drawing-index
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Elevator Doors
I'm sure we have covered this before, but another example of it and its importance has been uncovered. Using a correct family for model elements.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Saving to Central? Leave a Note!
Ever get this annoying pop up box while trying to save to central? You probably just click OK and let Revit do it's saving and move on.
AUGI World November Released
The November issue of AUGI World has been released. Read it online or download it: http://www.augi.com/publications/augiworld/issues/
Monday, November 14, 2011
Annoying Blue Dots?
See a bunch of annoying blue dots on your plans? RCP's? These are (most likely) side effects of the linked structural model. They may be from elements in your model if you have drawn structural columns yourself, but most likely the structural elements (including columns) are in your linked model. You will see them in all your floor plans and RCP's, and they do print. Don't sweat, they are easy to turn off.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Free BIM Webcast
As part of "Build Boston" and the AIA Technology and Practice committee, AIA Milwaukee is proud to be a regional venue for the "Faster Forward" telecast live from Build Boston. This day long event features 5 sessions talking about everything from BIM/IPD and Interoperability, Owner & FM issues, and Eco-Friendly design. The broadcast site will be here at Zimmerman Architectural Studios on Thursday, November 17th, 2011. The 5 sessions are dispersed throughout the day.
We are looking for individuals to attend the sessions and take notes. AIA credit is available for those who signup and pay, but everyone is welcome to come and watch and learn for free.
For more information, check out the website at: http://network.aia.org/CenterforIntegratedPractice/Home/FasterForward2011/SpeakersandSchedule/
Email Andy or Kurt If you want more information.
We are looking for individuals to attend the sessions and take notes. AIA credit is available for those who signup and pay, but everyone is welcome to come and watch and learn for free.
For more information, check out the website at: http://network.aia.org/CenterforIntegratedPractice/Home/FasterForward2011/SpeakersandSchedule/
Email Andy or Kurt If you want more information.
Tips for manipulating text in Revit
Some interesting tips for how to manipulate text in Revit, a task which sometimes can be tedious and difficult.
http://www.augi.com/library/tips-for-manipulating-text-in-revit
http://www.augi.com/library/tips-for-manipulating-text-in-revit
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Families:Revit::Lines:ACAD pt. 2
Something happened recently that brought the opportunity to follow up to a previous post.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Draw ceilings as you would build them
The intent behind BIM is to model your building in 3 Dimensions the same way as you would build it. The wall assemblies should match how they will be constructed (layers of materials), ceiling compositions should match what they will be in the field, total thicknesses should also be consistent.
Staying on the theme of model it how you would build it, here is another example of not following that philosophy:
As you can see, the ceiling is drawn in a rectangle which intersects with a large round structural column. Besides not following the philosophy outlined above, this method can also pose several other issues including giving false clashes if you run the model through the clash detection process. If you do any renderings or printing of line drawings of that space, the connection between the column and the ceiling will not read correctly, since technically there is not an edge there.
The correct way this ceiling should have been drawn is with a curved edge following the column. Confused? Think about how the drywall would meet the column.
Staying on the theme of model it how you would build it, here is another example of not following that philosophy:
As you can see, the ceiling is drawn in a rectangle which intersects with a large round structural column. Besides not following the philosophy outlined above, this method can also pose several other issues including giving false clashes if you run the model through the clash detection process. If you do any renderings or printing of line drawings of that space, the connection between the column and the ceiling will not read correctly, since technically there is not an edge there.
The correct way this ceiling should have been drawn is with a curved edge following the column. Confused? Think about how the drywall would meet the column.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Grid Lines
This should be a no-brainer, but apparently some people need some reminders.
One of the first things you do in a new project is set up the grid lines. These grid lines are then copy/monitored by the structural engineer and assist him in laying out of his structural members. The Architect 'owns' them (in the sense that he/she created them and the other trades copy from the architectural model into theirs) but often times the structural grid is laid out after consulting the structural engineer.
The vast majority of the time, the grid lines are square to each other. In fact, in Revit it's actually difficult to not make it square. Depending on your zoom level, the grid will be square or off a couple of degrees (3-5). If the grid lines aren't square at the beginning of a project, then the problems will compound from there. Walls won't be square that should be and you'll have problems dimensioning.
Moral of the story: Make sure your grid lines are square at the beginning of a project. Unlike the example below. They are close enough to think they are square, but just enough off to make life difficult.
One of the first things you do in a new project is set up the grid lines. These grid lines are then copy/monitored by the structural engineer and assist him in laying out of his structural members. The Architect 'owns' them (in the sense that he/she created them and the other trades copy from the architectural model into theirs) but often times the structural grid is laid out after consulting the structural engineer.
The vast majority of the time, the grid lines are square to each other. In fact, in Revit it's actually difficult to not make it square. Depending on your zoom level, the grid will be square or off a couple of degrees (3-5). If the grid lines aren't square at the beginning of a project, then the problems will compound from there. Walls won't be square that should be and you'll have problems dimensioning.
Moral of the story: Make sure your grid lines are square at the beginning of a project. Unlike the example below. They are close enough to think they are square, but just enough off to make life difficult.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Model Lines vs. Detail Lines
What is a model line? What is a detail line? When do you use one, when do you use the other?
Model lines and detail lines may seem very similar to the lay person. They both contain the same tools, line types and look the same in the view you drew. They are available in both projects and families. So what is the difference?
The fundamental difference is that Model Lines show up in every view, and Detail Lines show up only in views perpendicular to the plane they were drawn. So if you want to draw some linework to show up in an elevation view, but don't want to see it in plan or in 3D, then use drafting lines.
Here is an example recently run across: Lines were drawn on a mezzanine floor plan to indicate the position of permanent casework in the open area below. The lines were drawn with model lines which meant when elevations were taken of the wall, a single line showed up at the elevation which obviously wasn't ok. All the lines that were previously model lines had to be converted to detail lines, which luckily was easy enough as clicking a button.
On the other hand, in a door family, the 'elevation swing' lines are usually drawn as detail lines, so they show up in front and back elevation views only. We had a situation where the wall being elevated was at 3 degrees from the cut plane of the elevation, so naturally the elevation swing lines didn't show up because it wasn't perpendicular. To fix this issue a set of 'elevation swing' lines were drawn as model lines in the door family, then when it was re-imported into the project they showed up as they should on the elevation.
Model lines and detail lines may seem very similar to the lay person. They both contain the same tools, line types and look the same in the view you drew. They are available in both projects and families. So what is the difference?
The fundamental difference is that Model Lines show up in every view, and Detail Lines show up only in views perpendicular to the plane they were drawn. So if you want to draw some linework to show up in an elevation view, but don't want to see it in plan or in 3D, then use drafting lines.
Here is an example recently run across: Lines were drawn on a mezzanine floor plan to indicate the position of permanent casework in the open area below. The lines were drawn with model lines which meant when elevations were taken of the wall, a single line showed up at the elevation which obviously wasn't ok. All the lines that were previously model lines had to be converted to detail lines, which luckily was easy enough as clicking a button.
On the other hand, in a door family, the 'elevation swing' lines are usually drawn as detail lines, so they show up in front and back elevation views only. We had a situation where the wall being elevated was at 3 degrees from the cut plane of the elevation, so naturally the elevation swing lines didn't show up because it wasn't perpendicular. To fix this issue a set of 'elevation swing' lines were drawn as model lines in the door family, then when it was re-imported into the project they showed up as they should on the elevation.
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