Back to Basics

Many of you may already know this, but I have been asked this questions several times, and I thought I would address it:

What is the difference between Auto-Detect or Inch when importing in an AutoCAD file?

The difference is that you may have actually selected a different scale in the AutoCAD drawing other than the default inch. Many users will change the drawing to metric, feet, or a different type of scale all together.

Sometimes we just need to go Back to the Basics :-)

Tech Camp 2008 - Revit Structure Extensions

Well, now that the new versions of the Autodesk projects have been released and sent out to clients, I am going to stop posting the new features. If you are still interested in viewing the new features of any of the Autodesk products, please view the New Features Videos on my company's Website at www.masterg.com.

I would like to, instead, reflect on most productive session I took at Tech Camp 2008, Revit Structure 2009. We discussed the new story for the structural industry. Now, with the release of Revit Structure Suite 2009, AutoCAD Structure Detailing 2009 is included, providing Steel and reinforced concrete detailing and shop drawings, as well as state-of-the-art formwork drawings. At this time, it is only available in Metric, but it the begining of completing the story for the structural engineering industry.

Also, we discussed the Extensions for Revit Structure 2009, now available on www.extensions4revit.com. They are free to all Revit Structure users on Subscription. When you select to dowload the Extensions, you will be redirected to the Autodesk Subscription site. Make sure you have your Subscription information nearby, if you are logging on for the first time. Below are the additional functions you will benefit from after downloading the Extensions Manager:






















Import/Export CIS/2


1) Import CIS/2: This application allows Revit Structure users to Import files created in other applications in the CIS/2 format.


2) Export CIS/2: This application allows Revit Structure users to export files to other applications in the CIS/2 format.


Miscelaneous


1) Compare Models: Extension provide a functionality of comparing two projects defined in Revit products. The comparison results will be provided in a form of an htmp report and differences between projects will be highlighted.


2) Elements Positioning: This module creates position labels for selected elements in a Revit Structure project.


The extension allows for:

-Collecting elements and dividing them into categories and types
-Sorting elements depending on their vertical and horizontal locations in projects
-Inserting a Mark parameter string with a user-specified position formula
-Adding tags that display the value of the Mark parameter on views selected by the user

3) Freeze Drawings: The Freeze Drawings Extension provides facilities for the user to unlink the drawing from the object model, so the drawing will remain unchanged despite any changes in the Revit® Structure model.

4) Text Generator: This extension enables the automatic generation of text notes in Revit Structure. The generation process is based on text inserted into the extension (from a file or directly from the keyboard) and settings defined by the user. The text can be divided according to separators or maximum size. The arrangement of newly created text notes is based on a table scheme. In addition, documents saved in Microsoft® Word format may be read directly.

Modeling

1) Excel Based Model Generation: This application enables user defined MS® Excel data to automatically define the geometry of a structure in Revit® Structure. The Extension generates beams, columns, levels, walls and footings.

2) Grids Generator: The Extension provides a “wizard” that enables the definition and generation of axes grids and levels in Revit projects. This Extension also provides facilities to automatically generate columns, beams, walls and footings on grid intersections.

Reinforcement

1) Beams: The beam “extension” provides powerful facilities to define both simple and complex reinforcement patterns for RC beams. The module creates true 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit® Structure. This Extension allows the user to define single span beams of rectangular cross section and incorporates multi span definition and additional cross section shapes.

2) Columns: The column “extension” provides powerful facilities to define both simple and complex reinforcement patterns for RC beams. The module creates true 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit® Structure. This Extension allows the user to define columns of various cross section types.

3) Continuous Footings: The Extension provides powerful facilities to define reinforcement patterns for continuous footings. The module creates 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit Structure. This Extension allows the user to define reinforcement for various footing types, including curved footings.

4) Design: The Extension allows performing one of the following processes:

-Verification of reinforcement defined in Revit® Structure for a selected RC structure element; verification is performed in ROBOT Millennium in compliance with the requirements of an RC code selected by the user

-NOTE: verification of reinforcement in ROBOT Millennium is possible only for the reinforcement generated using a dedicated Revit® Structure Extension (Reinforcement of beams, Reinforcement of columns, etc.); verification of reinforcement which is drawn by means of options available in Revit® Structure is impossible

-Design (generation) of reinforcement in ROBOT Millennium for an RC structure element selected in Revit® Structure; reinforcement is calculated and generated in ROBOT Millennium in compliance with the requirements of an RC code selected by the user

-Import of reinforcement generated in ROBOT Millennium to Revit® Structure
The Extension enables design / verification of reinforcement both for stand-alone elements and for objects being components of a larger structure model.

In the current program version reinforcement can be verified / calculated for the following types of structure model elements:

-RC beams
-RC columns

5) Drawing Enabler: The Extension allows the user to generate 2D production drawings of typical reinforced concrete components.
The RC details are made with respect to a variety of national and code dependent regulations, with additional support for Imperial units available later in the year. The drawings are processed by Robobat’s AutoCAD application RCAD Reinforcement or imported into Revit Structure in the form of a DWG file.

6) Pile Caps: The Reinforcement of pile caps extension provides powerful facilities to define reinforcement patterns for pile caps. The module creates 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit Structure. This Extension allows the user to define reinforcement for a pile cap of various cross section shapes.

7) Slab Openings: The Reinforcement of slab openings extension provides powerful facilities to define reinforcement patterns for openings in slabs. The module creates 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit Structure.
This Extension allows the user to define reinforcement for rectangular openings definied within a concrete slab and also incorporates additional opening positions, circular shapes and additional rebar configurations.

8) Spread Footings: The Reinforcement of spread footings extension provides powerful facilities to define reinforcement patterns for spread footings. The module creates 3D “intelligent” rebar data in Revit Structure. This Extension allows the user to define reinforcement for various footing types and column cross section shapes.

Structural Analysis

1) Analysis Integration Enabler: The “enabler” facilitates the powerful bi-directional integration of Revit® Structure and ROBOT Millennium. Upon installation of the enabler, the user can dynamically import and export data between the two products.

2) Analysis Integration Enabler (CBS Pro): The “Enabler” facilitates the powerful bi-directional integration of Revit Structure and CBS Pro functionality. Upon installation of the Enabler, you can dynamically import and export data between the two products.

3) Static Analysis of Slabs: The Static analysis of slabs extension allows performing static analysis of a slab defined in a Revit Structure model.
It enables loading necessary information from Revit Structure such as: slab geometry, constraints/supports, load cases, load combinations, loads. Results obtained for a defined slab model are displayed in the graphical (maps of a selected quantity) and tabular form.
Additionally, obtained results with data concerning the analyzed slab may be presented in the form of a report (in the HTML format); a report for a slab can be printed, saved to a file or sent to a MS Excel© or MS Word© document.

Similarly to begining the implementation of Revit Structure itself, it is not necesary to begin using all of the features of the Extension Manager at once. Begin with just one, such as freezing a drawing. Work with it. Perfect the procedure. Then slowely add another functionality. It is all about improving your business practices.

New Features in Revit Structure 2009 - Beam Tag Improvements

Beam tagging is an important part of creating a structural framing plan. Depending on the complexity of the structure, beam tags can contain many different pieces of information. Providing the structural engineer and drafter with the tools to place and modify this information is crucial.

Spot elevations are improved to enable you to select beams in Coarse mode. The spot elevation “asks” the beam for its elevations at the end- and midpoints, based on its bounding box. Note that spot elevations can be taken at the top or bottom of beams. Spot dimensions (spot elevations and spot coordinates) can also now be rotated.

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Dimensioning Enhancement

Well, finally, we have the ability to override text in a dimension. Now, you cannot change a dimension to another dimension, but you do have the ability to remove the dimension itself and replace it with text.

You also have the ability to add a Prefix or Suffix, as well as add text above or below the dimension line, making detailing much more flexible!

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Dimensioning Enhancement

Two new Dimension Threads have been added for the ability of dinensioning your Elements: Baseline and Ordinate. This will bring up the total number of options to 3 (including the original Continuous Dimension Thread)

First, the original Continuous Thread is still available, as always:

Secondly, the Baseline Thread option is now available:

Lastly, the Ordinate Thread is also available:

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Dimension Improvements

Revit Structure 2009 has improved many aspects of the Dimensioning tool.

You can now:

Dimension at line intersections: lines, grids, reference planes, location lines (walls, floors)

Run linear dimensions to center of arcs without turning on visibility of the center mark and dimension concentric arcs with linear dimensions

Apply bold, italic, underlining, and width factor to all dimension styles

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Foundation Improvements

At long last, users can now add multiple Footings and Wall Foundations at the same time, as well as manipulate (strecth) Wall Foundations past the Wall they are connected to:

Similar to adding Columns and Beams, users can now use Grid Intersections to add Footings. Now, however, they can also use Columns to add Footings.

When placing Wall Footings, there is now an addition to the Option Toolbar where users can select to add multiple Wall Footings to a multiple selection of Walls at the same time.

Lastly, users can stretch Wall Footings beyond the Walls they are attached to. Now use the grips at each end of the Wall Footing to manually stretch the Element.