AUGI AEC Edge

AUGI has developed a downloadable mahazine called AUGI AEC Edge. This is an exciting new print and digital publication designed to enable architects, engineers, designers, and builders using Autodesk AEC products to be more productive, better informed and help keep them at the top of their game.

Link can be found here AUGI AEC Edge definately worth the read. I believe the magazine is out quarterly right now starting with this issue.

Control Linked Model Halftone

In my line of work I have clients asking me the question. “How can I control the line weights of an architects model that has been linked into my Revit MEP as a background.

So what has happened is when using Revit MEP, the workflow is to link in the Architects Revit model into your project. When you create views under any other MEP discipline the Architects model (background) is automatically grayed out and the line weights are control by the software. This is a hard coded feature inside of Revit MEP 2009 and previous releases.

Some clients felt that the view was way to light and had troubles viewing the background when the view was printed. In Revit MEP 2009 and previous releases you had to change your MEP views to a different discipline either to Coordination or Architectural and then control the linked model components individually using object styles. This can be a pain especially when you are trying to use the software to its fullest and utilize MEP disciplines to clean up the project browser.

In Revit MEP 2010 the display of the background is still the same hardcoded however Autodesk has created a new setting under Manage > Settings called Halftone / Underlay that will allow you to modify the linked background line weights within a few clicks of the mouse. See screenshots below.

Image 1: As you can see the image to the right shows that I have my 1 – Mech view under Mechanical discipline and HVAC Sub-Discipline.

Image 2: Shows the Architectural background as Revit MEPs default hard coded line weights.

Image 3: In Revit MEP 2010 with your view open that you wish to make the underlay change to click on Manage then click on Settings and activate the Halftone / Underlay tool.

Image 4: With the Halftone / Underlay box open you are able to control the underlay line weight by clicking on the No Override fly out and changing the Weight to a different line weight. Make sure you uncheck Apply Halftone box for this override to work.

Image 5: Or you can click on the reset button and control the halftone of the underlay as indicated in this photos.

This has been a long post, but I hope that the post has helped many of you with your underlay line weight issues. Again assuming you have upgraded to Revit MEP 2010.

Revit MEP Manufactured Content

Revit MEP users have been waiting for a long time ever since the inception of Revit Building Systems now called Revit MEP for Manufactured Specific Content.

Well wait no longer as more and more manufacturers on the mechanical side are creating content for Revit MEP. I have compiled a list of the ones I know of. If you know of more please let me know and I will add them as well. Be careful when using manufacturer content, as some content may be bloated and slow down your model. It is difficult to know who actually build the families for these manufacturers.

Below click on the manufacturer and you will be taken to the Revit content page. Some of the sites require you to create a login.

McQuay International

Trane

Loren Cook

GreenHeck

Price

Titus

York

Ruskin

A.O. Smith

I hope I have been able to help some Revit MEP users with these links. My posts have been far and few between lately, however I will post topics as I find them interesting enough to share.

Autodesk MyFeedback Portal and Forums Closing May 30th 2009

This is a link to another blog post on the subject "Autodesk MyFeedback Portal and Forums Closing May 30th 2009". Visit Shaan Hurley's blog to find out more information regarding the closing of Autodesk's MyFeedback Portal and the new site that Autodesk will be launching in replace of MyFeedback Portal.

Revit 2009 - Productive Tool

I came across this tool earlier today when working in Revit MEP. This has been around since the launch of 2009 but I never seen it before today, as I am not much of a right-click menu type user.

You can now access temporary snap overrides from the right-click context menu when you place an element or component in the drawing area, or while moving, copying, rotating, or arraying existing elements.

AU 2009 - Location Picked

Wow we just finish this AU 2008 and they have posted the location for the next years Autodesk University 2009.

Save the Dates
18th Annual Autodesk University
December 1-5, 2009
The Mandalay Bay Hotel Las Vegas, NV
Registration opens mid August, 2009

here is the link to website information on AU 2009

I also want to mention that Autodesk is relaunching AU online here some of you may have not been aware classes were taped and now can be viewed online starting Monday December 8th.

Not to mention AU Dailys weblink here

Revit MEP 2009 - Update #3

Autodesk has released update #3 for Revit MEP 2009.

Here are the links below

Revit MEP Service Pack Readme File

Revit MEP Web Update Enhancement List

Revit MEP Suite 2009 Product Update #3

Many improvements have been made with this update, I recommend reading the Readme file.

Don't forget to turn on communication center if you have not done so already. That way you will always stay up to date.

Autodesk University 2008 - Las Vegas

Well once again it's been awhile since I have posted. I was busy over the past 7 months with helping my wife plan our wedding. I have been recently married as of November 4th, 2008. We had 36 guests join us in Cuba at the Occidental Royal Hideaway Ensenachos Resort where we exchanged vows drank a lot and had a great time.

Been back in Canada for a few weeks and then gone to Vegas for AU 2008. I just returned yesterday and I have to say AU is well worth attending if you have never been. I went with a few co-workers specializing in the AEC and MSD world of Autodesk and each of them had great things to say. Seeing some of the software that Autodesk is working on for the future was really neat. I took mostly the Revit MEP content creation classes, although a couple of the classes lack advance knowledge which I was looking for I still got a better understanding of even the basic knowledge and quicker ways of doing things.

But overall most classes were great and the most important thing I find with Autodesk University if meeting new people and seeing how they are doing things in the real world. As a reseller I get to see the user use the programs but it's great to hear in person from users all over the world.

Look forward to next year maybe then I can make some money back from the tables :)

Google Chrome - Web Browser

For this post I have decided to put the industry aside for a day and tell you about some geek news on a different level. A great new web browser has been launched this past week by Google and they call it CHROME.

Google has taken a different approach on a web browser and have decided to create a browser for today's web based user requirements, such as watching and uploading videos, chatting over the Internet and playing web-based games.

Other web browsers like IE, firefox, maxthon and safari all were designed many many years ago based on the IE architecture when people just used the web for browsing the internet. Google has taken a fresh approach to the web browser and I think you are going to like it.

You can download the Google Chrome from here, after install you will be presented with a streamlined web browser with two tabs. What I like most about the browser is how Google created quick easy to watch videos on some of the features of Chrome and also a comic book explaining the story about Chrome being development and the theory being the browser.

I tested Chrome this past weekend and I must say I am very impressed. I used Maxthon for the past 4 years I felt Maxthon was a great browser far better than firefox and IE. however Google has now made web browsing smoother and faster. I have now officially made Chrome my default browser.

Below I will list some of the features:

Crash Control

- Every tab you're using is run independently in the browser, so if one app crashes it won't take anything else down. Basically each tab runs as a separate process.

Application Shortcuts

- Use web applications without opening your browser. Application shortcuts can directly load your favorite online app.

Incognito Mode

- Don't want pages you visit to show up in your web history? Choose incognito mode for private browsing

Simpler Downloads

- No intrusive download manager; you see your download's status at the bottom of your current window.

Those are just a few of the features available. So what are you waiting for? This browser is a must download and try. I am sure within a week you will be making Google Chrome your default web browser.

Autodesk working on a 3D Plant Package?

Not sure who all knows about this or if it's relatively recent news. I received an e-mail last week from my feedback portal that Autodesk will be hosting a sneak peak at AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Three sessions will be hosted on Wed. July 30th, 2008 at the following times.

7:30 am (PDT, GMT-7hours)

10:00 am (PDT, GMT-7hours)

6:00 pm (PDT, GMT-7hours)

This application is a follow on to AutoCAD P&ID and is for 3D piping design and modeling. I am excited to see what Autodesk will be showing.

My questions I hope to have answered would be will this package compete with other software on the market place like ProCAD, and CADWorx?

Will we soon seen a Revit Plant package? I think that is what everyone is wondering and hoping for. I guess Autodesk feels it's better to bring the AutoCAD solution for plant before the Revit solution. Either way I can't wait to see what's they have in store.

Well that's about it from now, I will post more on this down the road, I have yet to get my hands on a beta version and from my knowledge one has not been released yet.

AutoCAD MEP 2009 - Update #1

Autodesk has released update #1 for AutoCAD MEP 2009 release date July 25th, 2008.

Here are the links below

AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2009 Product Update #1 32-bit only

AutoCAD MEP 2009 Product Update #1 32-bit

AutoCAD MEP 2009 Product Update #1 64-bit

Many improvements have been made with this update, I recommend reading the Readme file.

Don't forget to turn on communication center if you have not done so already. That way you will always stay up to date.

ARCAT - free library of BIM objects

We all know now about Autodesk Seek, BIM World, Revit City three main locations for Revit users to find content. Well here we go again, just as I finish my previous post I receive information in my inbox on another website this time offering free BIM object libraries.

Company name is ARCAT Inc. ARCAT provides building product information for architects, spec writers, engineers and contractors. Including 10,500 manufacturers with thousands of their cad details, specifications, wizards, links to every web site and other information. This data assists professionals in making informed product selections.

However that's not all the company has to offer, you can download BIM families, CAD libraries free. Here is the link ARCAT BIM Library

I downloaded a couple of families and yes they have a ton of information the families very spec driven which is what ARCAT is about. However on the MEP side of things they are missing the Electrical and Mechanical Connectors, that can created more work on our own end if using the MEP families. Some families are very detailed so some tweaking and cleaning up might be involved.

You also have to register before downloading any of the families no different then other sites offering free content. I have to say that surfing through some of the content that I am impressed with what is offered and how clean the interface is to browse for the content. Best of all every family has a 3D view showing.

I hope this post has opened your eyes to yet another company providing Revit content and that you can utilize some of the content for future projects.

Enjoy!!

Broutek - buy Revit Families

I believe this company was posted about last year on another blog, I wanted to post again for some of the new comers to the Revit Family of products.

Broutek Ltd. is a London-based company providing ready-to-use product families for Autodesk's Revit Platform.

You can request content that Broutek will create for your company and Broutek states they can have the content created in less than 48 hours. with no extra charge or obligation to purchase

If you want to buy families already created they have credit packs that you may purchase example would be $300 for 5 families. Currently posted on the web site I counted roughly 780 families available for purchase.

All families are fully parametric, and Broutek has sample families you can download. Here is the web site address Broutek Ltd.

Many companies such as Broutek are providing similar content over the web at a cost. So if your firm is in a bind for a specific family and does not have the staff or someone who knows family creation these companies might be the best alternative.

Revit 2009 Update #1 Released

Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I have posted on my blog, a few months actually. Things have been hectic with wedding planning and work. I have not found the time to post.

Autodesk has released web update #1 for Revit MEP, Structure and Architecture. You can find more information on the download pages. Build # (20080602 1900).

Download and Enjoy!

Adding Parenthesis to a Diffuser Tag

Adding Parenthesis to a Diffuser Tag and Removing the CFM

A question was asked on the Revit MEP discussion group on how to remove the CFM suffix from a diffuser tag and add parenthesis to match company standard.

As you all know I like to create videos to better show how to do something in Revit MEP. So here yet again is another video. Please see the attached video on how to create these tags. This is the workaround I have come up with.

Autodesk may actually have a solution, however at this time I do not believe they do. Would be nice to include this in a future release under "project units"

Note: You will need to create a tag for CFM that contain 2, 3, 4 etc zeros. example (xx) (xxx) (xxxx). I show this in the video.

To view the video you have to options:
a) right-click and "save target as" to save the video to your computer and view in media player.

Enjoy!! Video right-click here and "save target as"

Adding Ceiling Grid in Linked Model

Adding Ceiling Grid in Linked Model

The Setup:

My attached video will show you how to turn off the Architects ceiling grid and place your own ceiling grid in your Revit MEP model.

You see Architects don't always place the ceiling grid in the spot the Electrical designer would like, and the problem with linking in an Architects model is that you can't copy/monitor the ceiling grid in Revit MEP allow you to manipulate the placement of the ceiling grid.

In the video I will show you how to do just that, so you have more flexibility and can make sure the ceiling grid is set to your proper designs. This also makes things easier when placing Air Terminals and Lighting Fixtures in your views, as you can snap to the grid.

Make note that the MEP firm and the Architect should coordinate who is in charge of the grid. I personal think the MEP firm should be and the Architect should update his model accordingly.

Hope this helps at least one person in the Revit MEP world.

To view the video you have to options:
a) right-click and "save target as" to save the video to your computer and view in media player.

Enjoy!! Video right-click here and "save target as"

Manipulating Project Browser by Building ID

Manipulating Project Browser by Building ID

I was browsing once again on the discussion groups, the place I find many of my questions answered and look forward to helping others. One of the members had asked a question on creating Building ID's for the project browser in Revit and having Revit MEP sort by the Building ID.

I have created a video on creating the building ID which I call a sub-sub-discipline, you can call it what you like. So sit back relax and watch my video on sorting project browser by building ID.

To view the video you have to options:
a) right-click and "save target as" to save the video to your computer and view in media player.

Enjoy!! Video right-click here and "save target as"

Creating Pipe Abbreviation Tag

Creating a Pipe Abbreviation Tag

This post will show you how to create a pipe abbreviation tag in Revit MEP. I have created a video on how to do this. I feel videos are a great way to get the point across with minimal text and creating a step by step guide.

I have sent this to users on the discussion groups and have had positive feedback, I hope this will help others looking for the same feature.

To view the video you have to options:
a) right-click and "save target as" to save the video to your computer and view in media player.

Enjoy!! Video right-click here and "save target as"

Revit 2008 Worksharing Monitor

Revit 2008 Worksharing Monitor - Subscription Customers Only

The Worksharing Monitor facilitates the use of Revit software in a worksharing environment, in which multiple people work on one project. For workshared projects, the Worksharing Monitor answers questions like the following:

• Who is currently working on this project?
• Is my local copy of the project up to date?
• When will my Save to Central operation finish?
• Has my request to borrow elements been granted?
• Are any issues interfering with my work on a Revit project?

Note: The Worksharing Monitor is not useful for standalone Revit projects, which do not use worksharing to divide the work for a project among several people.

To install and run Worksharing Monitor for Revit 2008, you need to have at least one product from the Revit 2008 product family installed on your computer. You must have a 2008 version installed, with SP2 or SP3 (also known as WU or web updates). Available products include:

• Revit® Architecture 2008, SP2 or SP3
• Revit® Structure 2008, SP2 or SP3
• Revit® MEP 2008, SP2 or SP3