From Autodesk: How to get your Autodesk software on a CD, DVD or USB drive

Did you know that you can still get your media on a CD, DVD or USB drive?  If you are a Subscription Customer you can request the physical media (e.g., CD, DVD, or USB—depending on the product) for the products you have licensed on your subscription contract, directly from Subscription Center. 

1) Log onto the Subscription Center, and click Get Your Upgrade in the center of the page.

2) Under Related Information on the left menu, click Request Media for:

Follow the link to continue: How to get your Autodesk software on a CD, DVD or USB drive

Little Features in Revit 2013

There are so many blogs out there talking about the new features of Revit 2013.  This one is specific to dimensions...a small change, but something we received as a Support case just this past week.  There is now an option to select an individual segment in a multi-segment dimension chain, and delete the segment!  Watch, and I will demonstrate:

Simply hovering over the dimension thread, selecting the individual dimension and hitting the Delete key will remove it...so simple, so beautiful...

Autodesk is no longer supporting Windows Vista

I just wanted to remind everyone that Autodesk is no longer supporting Windows Vista. That does mean that the 2013 software IS NOT compatible with Windows Vista. We have already ran into a client trying to install AutoCAD 2013 on a Vista machine and he was receiving errors that Windows has crashed.

2013 Requirements:

http://usa.autodesk.com/autocad/system-requirements/

Revit To Navisworks

Through the emergence of technology the dynamic of the design process has been changed for the better. These technologies allow us to put the right tools into the right hands to create better design documents and better products for the user. Since the dawn of man we have been striving to improve our dwellings and our quality of life through technology.

In recent years there has been a pivotal change in the way contractors and construction managers coordinate their projects. Due to contract language there are positioned against the design teams, which can create a poor product for the owner. The old way of coordinating documents “the light table method” has been thrown out the window and replaced with 3D documents that can be reviewed with efficiency and speed. This new way of thinking and documenting is allowing the Architect to become the master builder they are meant to be.

This new mode of thinking called Building Information Modeling or BIM is transforming the modern Architects back into the “Master of all Trades”. With the object oriented BIM models we can now fully visualize a building and its contents in a virtual setting before anything is in place. This allows us to mitigate the large lose time changes orders before any piece of the building is erected. This allows the design team to tighten up drawings before their drawings have been signed and sealed.

Navisworks is the coordination key that brings all the BIM documentation into a like setting to be compared. It allows the users to coordinate in ways we have needed for many years.

The information below are my accounts, tips and tricks I feel can be useful for anyone starting to learn Navisworks. With over 3 years of Navisworks experience and over $250 Million in BIM projects coordinated in place I have discovered systems to simplify the process. Remember Navisworks is only as good as the information you put into it, so it is important that all information in your drawings are “validated” in some form.

A.      Exporting for Revit – “What you see is what you get”

We use the term “what you see is what you get” because when exporting from Revit the model and the state in which it is shown is how it is exported into a .NWC (Navisworks model) or 3D .DWG file from the 3D view the user is currently viewing. See example below.

In the above example the file which would be exported would contain all items shown such as exterior walls, interior walls, ceilings, structure, and etc.. The problem with exporting all construction systems in one file is once exported into Navisworks the project becomes cumbersome but this will be explained in the next section.

                When exporting from Revit keep you project simple and keep in mind you will be comparing each construction system to another so the cleaner each file the more efficient your Navisworks navigation will become and this will lessen the possibility of an error in your Navisworks clash report.

                You can define you 3D view in many ways to get the desired trade or items you would like to have coordinated.

1.       Use work sets to view certain trades with in the 3D view.

2.       Or use your phasing with work sets to view a certain trade and its correct phase of the project (see below).

Now there are two recommended ways to export information from Revit into Navisworks. The first way is to use the Navisworks NWC export tool in the add-inns tab of the Revit user interface. This method is the most widely used and recommended from Autodesk.

When exporting with the Add-Inns tool we have to double check some key items within the Navisworks exports Add-Inn tool. Once the export to Navisworks is opened select the “Navisworks Settings” button to check the current settings, please see the picture below.

Once you select the “Navisworks Settings” button the Navisworks settings for opening Revit files within Navisworks will be opened. Most of the default setting will remain the same but there are 2 important setting to make sure you check. The first is the “convert linked files” is checked if you are exporting linked files this setting is most important if you are including linked files in you export. The second setting that needs to be reviewed is the “Coordinated” this needs to be set to “Shared” to make sure our files come over in the right X, Y, Z location.

Chicago Presentation: BIM, COBie and IFC

In Chicago, the BIM/IPD Group is making big strides promoting Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Come show you interest and support this month!

"Designing Building Information Models for Building Owners"

Kristine Fallon Associates, Inc. (www.kfa-inc.com) will present a major research project on structuring Building Information Models (BIM) correctly to produce both Construction-Operations Building information exchange (COBie) and IFC Facility Management model view outputs.

Building owners are driving adoption of BIM that delivers on the promise of seamless data transfer from design through construction to operations and maintenance. However, this is technically difficult to achieve.

The US Army Corps of Engineers funded KFA's research to provide deeper insight into the possibilities, pitfalls and technology issues.

KFA will also share insights into GSA's recently published BIM Guide for Facility Management.

Advanced Solutions, Inc. (www.advsolinc.com) is sponsoring food and beverages for the event on Thursday, February23th starting at 5:30 pm at AIA Chicago's Board Room, 35 East Wacker.(www.aiachicago.org). The event is organized by the Chicago BIM/IPD Group at www.LinkedIn.com

To More You Know: Don't forget the FREE Stuff!!!

Autodesk Labs

http://labs.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Labs provides free technology they are currently testing, not to be mistaken for beta testing.  They are relevant tools to the industry, and they look for feedback from clients to verify whether or not the tools would be good for to put out or add to existing software products, like Revit.  Project Vasari and Photofly both are on the site, and functionality from Project Vasari have been added to the Revit platform because of feedback and excitement.  

Autodesk Seek

http://seek.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Seek was created to share Manufacturer specific content created in Revit to the AEC community.  Free to the AEC community, many clients have benefit from using the Revit Families up on this site.  Each Revit platform has a direct link to Autodesk Seek.  There are guidelines and technical requirements for Manufacturers.

Green Building Studio

https://gbs.autodesk.com

Green Building Studio is a web-based program that comes free for clients on subscription using any of the Revit platforms or Ecotect (there may be others, but those are the ones I am familiar with). 

More information on: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=11179508&siteID=123112

This program is a whole building analysis software that assists in qualification for LEED 8.1 Daylighting credit, water usage and cost, Energy Star scoring, natural ventilation potential, carbon emission reporting and more. 

Revit Extensions

https://subscription.autodesk.com

All three Revit platforms have extensions available.  I find those for Revit Structure to have the most extensions that will provide an immense amount of efficiency for the client.  The Reinforcement Extension alone will help any client looking to model the rebar in more than one element at a time.  The Wood Framing extension (also beneficial for Revit Architecture), Freeze View extension, and many more are fantastic!

The More You Know: BIMAssist for Revit

Many people are familiar with the extensions for Revit from Autodesk.  For Revit Architecture, Revit MEP and Revit Structure, they have been available since June 20, 2011.  If you have not downloaded them already, I hightly recommend you do, as many of them will help you considerably. 

In additon to the extensions for Revit from Autodesk, several channel partners have also created add on tools.  Advanced Solutions has the BIMAssist Tools, available FREE to our Revit Subscription clients.  The utilities include the following:

• Case Update
• Door Mark Manger
• Fire Rating Coordinator
• Match Instance Parameters Feeatures
• Note Block Creator
• Room Phase Replicator
• Room Renumber
• Room Surface Parameter Extractor
• Sheet Number Update
• Space Synchronizer
• Text Find and Replace Features

There is a short video for each utility, or you can find them on our YouTube site.  In August, we will have two webcasts during which ASI Application Engineer Brenda Thomas will demonstrate each of the twelve productivity enhancing utilities of BIMAssist™ for Revit®.

Optimize Your Productivity with BIMAssist for Revit on Tuesday, August 2, 2011

or

Optimize Your Productivity with BIMAssist for Revit on Wednesday, August 10, 2011

About Advanced Solutions, Inc.

Advanced Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning Autodesk Gold Partner in Manufacturing, Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Authorized Autodesk Training Center (ATC) and Authorized Autodesk Consulting Services Partner (CSP). For more than 24 years, the company has focused its business model on helping customers realize industry-leading return on investment with their 2D and 3D design software. Beyond the box of software, Advanced Solutions helps customers gain a competitive advantage through innovative design software work flows, enabling customers to realize higher revenues and improving their operational efficiency. For additional information about Advanced Solutions, Inc., please visit our website at www.AdvancedSolutions.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and ATC are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.