Subscription Advantage Packs Available!!!

The Subscription Advantage Packs are available for the following products:

• AutoCAD 2010
• AutoCAD Architecture 2010
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2010
• AutoACD MEP 2010
• Autodesk Inventor 2010
• Autodesk NavisWorks 2010
• Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010
• Autodesk Revit MEP 2010
• Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
• Autodesk Showcase 2010

What comes in these packs, you ask? Well, let me share:

AutoCAD 2010

1. Hide and Isolate Objects
2. Select Similar
3. CreateSelected
4. Hatch to Back

AutoCAD Architecture 2010

1. Renovation Extension 2010
2. Productivity Extension 2010
3. Autodesk Image Modeler 2009

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010

1. Point Clouds
2. Roundabout Layout
3. Enhanced Transportation Design Tools
4. Enhanced Survey Tools
5. Enhanced Visual Analysis Tools
6. Enhanced General Production Tools
7. Autodesk Image Modeler 2009

AutoCAD MEP 2010

1. Duct Transition Extension 2010
2. Autodesk Image Modeler 2009
3. Renovation Extension 2010
4. Productivity Extension 2010

Autodesk Inventor 2010

1. DWG Block Browser
2. Chain Dimensioning
3. Multi-View Create
4. Architectural View Scale
5. Material Assignment for Simulation
6. Editable Simulation Reports

Autdesk NavisWorks 2010

1. Autodesk FBX File Format Support
2. Batch Processing Utility
3. NWC Export utility

Autodesk Revit Platforms 2010

1. Subscription Releasse Pack with improved productivity fuctionality
2. Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit 2010
3. Autodesk Revit Model Review
4. Autodesk Revit DB Link
5. Autodesk Image Modeler 2009

I did not add all the software product enhancements, nor more information on the actual enhancements. To learn more, chek out http://www.autodesk.com/ or the Autodesk Subscription site.

Autodesk Skill Builders: Revit MEP

Autodesk has created a short vignette regarding the AEC Exchange tool:

Interoperability and Data Exchange
The enhanced AEC Exchange tool in Autodesk Inventor 2010 simplifies the exchange of data for use in building design. AEC Exchange allows users to publish data files with simplified 3D representations and intelligent connection points for use in building models created using Autodesk® Revit® MEP, Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® AutoCAD® MEP, and Autodesk® AutoCAD® Architecture software.

SI Tools Now Available for Revit Structure 2010

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that I am a proponent of the add-ons available for the Revit products, including tools available from Structural Integrators for Revit Structure. This month, Structural Integrators has released their tools for Revit Structure 2010. The new version is not only compatible with Revit Structure 2010, but includes several new features:

Beam Systems: When selecting All Beams on a level or for the entire model, the options dialog now lets you specify whether to include all beams, to exclude beams in beam systems, or to only select beams in beam systems.

Level Selection from 3D View: You can now select members at a level without switching to a level view.

Columns and Walls at a Level: You can now select columns and walls at a level based on whether the member's top or base occurs at the level, or both. This can be useful for selecting columns or walls both above and below a level.

Multi-level Select: When selecting members in the entire model, you can now limit the selection to members on any subset of levels.

Installation: The installation now works for Windows Vista without having to disable User Account Control.

A Lite version is available for members of Structural Integrators, and a Pro version is avaialble for purchase. To learn more, go to their website.

Also, don't forget about the SI Xchange for Revit Structure. This allows the interoperability between Revit Structure and STAAD.Pro.

From Revit MEP 2010 to Fabrication

Technical Sales International LLC (TSI) has developed the ability to import Revit MEP objects for fabrication using CAM-Duct, CAM-Duct, and CAD-Mech...



EastCoast CAD continues to work with AutoCAD MEP for fabrication, as well:

Upcoming Seminars: Contractors and BIM

BIM 101 for Mechanical Contractors

MasterGraphics is hosting a seminar for Mechanical Contractors the morning of July 30th. This seminar will review BIM, Revit MEP, AutoCAD MEP and NavisWorks. General Contractors will aslso discuss what they are looking for from their Mechanical Contractors. If you are a mechanical contractor located in the Chicagoland area, please join us!

Autodesk and EastCoast CAD

Join Autodesk and EastCoast CAD on August 18th, in Chicago Illinois for “A Contractor’s Guide to BIM 2009.” Conference.
Over 50 of the leading mechanical and HVAC contractors; as well as members of the Autodesk Revit and EastCoast Product Teams are expected to join along with representatives from the top general contractors and the largest HVAC, fabrication and mechanical firms in North America! The conference will be an opportunity for all to share their real world experiences of implementing BIM.

If you are interested, please click here.

Are you speaking to your manufacturers?

For many years, since Revit was purchased by Autodesk, there has always been a problem of the amount of content provided with the program. As it continued to grow, to include Revit Structure and Revit MEP, even though the amount of content increased, there are still complaints. That is truly understandable, especially with the creation of Revit MEP, and the number of manufacturer specific content needed for the creation of Construction Documents (primarily for the schedules). Engineers can create the content themselves, but, better yet, they can begin speaking to the manufacturers. Many manufacturers have already begun creating their own content, understanding the need changed currently occuring in the AEC industry.

AO Smith
Greenheck
Visa Lighting
Trane
York Equipment
McQuay International

The above are just a few engineering manfacturer's who have Revit content on their websites. If you are looking for additional content that is ... you can find it on Autodesk's Seek website, based on their Metadata Style Guide. Manufacturers are directed to their own site, which will assist them in creating their content and working with the Autodesk Seek specialists to upload it to the website.

With the economy the way it is, marketing funds are scarce these days...manufacturers can take advantage of the multitude of engineers that will be directed to the site directly from Revit MEP when the equipment needed is entered in the program itself.

Speak to your manufacturers, let them know the importance of creating content for engineers using Revit MEP. The more engineers that discuss their needs with their manufacturers, the more likely these manufacturers will create their content in Revit for your use.

It is up to you. Let's work together to improve the content, and the amount of content created for the Revit products.

Greenheck Revit Families Now on SEEK

Greenheck now has content on Autodesk SEEK! Check it out!

Going Green with Revit

After months of studying for the LEED exam, I passed, and have delved into a whole new world of the building industry. Although building Green has been introduced years ago, it is truly now taking off. Autodesk has taken this concept and run with it, purchasing Ecotect, combining it with Green Building Studio, and creating White Paper beyond White Paper on why Sustainability is important and how Revit can improve, even ease and financially benefit, a company's processes. However, there are legal issues already surfacing, being discussed all through the industry. BIM, IPD, sustainability, Green building...improving tomorrow, today...

Have you recently lost your job?

Autodesk Assistance Program is now offering free 13 month student licenses of 17 Autodesk products, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Revit Architecture, and Autodesk Ecotect Analysis plus online training to people who have recently lost their job.

For more information please visit www.autodesk.com/assistance

Newest Product Add-Ons from Autodesk Subscriptions

Starting March 2009, Autodesk has begun to upload extensions and add-on programs to the 2010 versions or Revit. To learn more about Subscription, go to the Autodesk website. To become a subscription memeber today, contact your current Account Manager. The following are the most up-to-date Revit Add-Ons:

1) Model Performance Technical Note for Autodesk Revit 2010

The Revit platform's performance can depend as much on the knowledge, skill, and practices of its users as on the hardware environment provided for the software. To address both of these areas, the Revit platform team has assembled this collection of hardware requirements, recommendations, and modeling best practices as researched by both internal development and our community of dedicated customers.

2) Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit MEP 2010

Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, and Elements Positioning.

3) Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of the Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software in key areas, including structural analysis, modeling, concrete reinforcement, interoperability, and construction documentation.

4) Bridge Toolkit for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

The Bridge Toolkit for Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software provides information, tools, content, and datasets that will better enable structural engineers and drafters to address infrastructure build-out as it relates to bridges. Specific components include:

-Box Girder Methodology and Datasets
-Bridge Components .rfa Content
-Precast Girder Methodology and Datasets
-Bridge Modeling Using Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 (Tips and Tricks)

5) Worksharing Monitor for Autodesk Revit 2010

Worksharing Monitor facilitates the use of Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010, or Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 software in a worksharing environment, in which multiple people work on one project. For workshared projects, Worksharing Monitor answers questions such as:

-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 software project?

6) Batch Print for Autodesk Revit 2010

Batch Print provides an easy way to print a large number of drawings (views and sheets) from a Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010, or Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 software project.

After preparing the default printer and the Revit software project, use Batch Print to send any number of drawings to the printer and to control the order in which they print. When you start the print job, Batch Print manages the printing of the drawings, requiring no further interaction from you. If desired, you can monitor the progress of the print job using a status dialog.

7) Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010

Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Grid Generator, Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, Elements Positioning, and Microsoft Excel®-based Model Generation.

8) Globe Link for Autodesk Revit 2010

Globe Link for Revit 2010 platform products helps users streamline preliminary project planning processes by allowing them to present to clients conceptual designs in context with information about the project site.

With Globe Link, users can publish 3D building information models directly from Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010, and Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 software into Google Earth™ mapping service. Users can also acquire site information from Google Earth mapping service and import it into Revit 2010 software applications for building and site layout purposes. Globe Link is optimized for Google Earth version 4 mapping service.

9) Robot Extensions for Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis 2010

Robot™ Extensions unite the power of Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software and Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis 2010 software. Structural engineers can now perform analysis and design calculations of composite steel beams to help meet US design codes and load takedown simulations to help calculate the flow of forces through a structure resulting from applied loads all within a Revit Structure 2010 design model.

*Robot Extensions will only run when a valid copy of Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis, Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional, or a trial version is present on the same machine.

Greenheck has Revit Content!!!

Greenheck, a leading supplier of air movement and control equipment, has begun to create their content in Revit MEP! Please visit their website! The equipment they have included are:

Roof Mounted Fans
Gravity Ventilators
Inline and Ceiling Fans
Sidewall Fans
Utility, Centrifugal and Radial Blowers
Energy Recovery Ventilators
Laboratory Exhaust
Fan Coils

Autodesk Releases Green Building Studio 3.5

Autodesk has released the latest version of Green Building Studio!

Summary of Changes
Release 3.5 is a maintenance release to address specific features and issues that had surfaced since the release of version 3.4.1 in October 2008. This document is intended to highlight the changes in this release.

Enable Simulation of Canadian Projects
This release features the much-anticipated ability to model projects in Canada with accurate Canadian weather files. Default Canadian utility costs have been included and are based upon the average rates for the largest city in each Canadian Territory.

Compatibility with Autodesk® Revit 2010 Products
With release 3.5, the Green Building Studio web service introduces compatibility with Autodesk Revit MEP 2010 and Revit Architecture 2010.

Enhanced Stability
Release 3.5 greatly stabilizes the web service by resolving the issue of session logouts and allows multiple runs of large files without disruption.

Enhanced Usability
A number of upgrades have been introduced in this release to improve the users' experience:

1) Trial users who get added to a Corporate Account will now automatically have all of their projects and templates transferred to the Corporate Account

2) False failure message have been eliminated

3) A link to "Getting Started" in the support page has been updated

4) LEED® Daylighting Calculations have been refined

5) Project Template functionality has been expanded

6) Improved analysis of complex geometries has been instituted

7) Green Building Studio web service now allows apostrophes on user names when registering.

White Papers on Autodesk Green Building Studio

Rendering with Revit MEP 2009

I was working with an electrical contractor interested in rendering their Revit MEP model. I wanted to try a few different options:

1) Which light fixtures worked best?

2) What is the difference with rendering with a linked in architectural model vs. opening the archtiectural model in Revit MEP?

I added 2x4 light fixtures, dowlights, and a sconce for each trail. Below are the results for all:

Opening the Architectural Model in Revit MEP

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1) All Light Fixtures turned on (2x4, downlights, sconce)

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2) No 2x4's turned on (downlights and sconce only)

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3) No downlights turned on (2x4's and sconce only)

Linking in the Architectural Model in Revit MEP

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1) All the light fixtures turned on (2x4's, downlights and sconce)

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2) 2x4's turned off (sconce and downlights turned on only)

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Conclusion: As of now, out of the box, the downlights do not work in Revit MEP when trying to render using a model linked in from Revit Architecture.

Autodesk Unveils 2010 Software Portfolio for Building Information Modeling

2010 Autodesk Revit Platform
The Autodesk Revit platform based products for BIM feature an aligned user interface, giving the entire range of products a consistent look and feel. The updated Autodesk Revit platform also allows a greater level of interoperability for green building analysis, providing support for the green building extensible markup language (gbXML) format. Updates to the products based on the Autodesk Revit platform include:

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 software (BIM for architects and designers) enables customers to more accurately capture early design concepts with improved conceptual design functionality via:

• An intuitive conceptual design workspace to create complex geometry more easily.
• A new user interface (UI) that works the way designers think, providing a smoother and more continuous design workflow.
• Improved interoperability with programs such as AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 software, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010 software and Autodesk Inventor 2010 software.

Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 software (BIM for structural engineers, designers, and drafters) integrates a multi-material physical and an independently editable analytical model, to help provide for more efficient, more accurate documentation, analysis and design. Users will experience:

• Enhanced conceptual design, modeling and analysis to handle more complex architectural forms.
• Improved user interface with a new customizable ribbon toolbar.
• Improved performance and interoperability, including native 64 bit support.

Autodesk Revit MEP 2010 software (BIM for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers) provides customers with optimum tools for system design and building performance analysis helping engineers to make better informed decisions. The 2010 release provides new functionality including:

• Native heating and cooling loads analysis enabling MEP engineers to determine the energy demands of the building.
• Enhanced gbXML export with the ability to examine an analytical model of the project before exporting to a gbXML file.
• Improved performance of the application enabling users to see significant performance enhancements while handling and working on large project files.

To see the original article

Show Off Your Revit Talents: Win Money!

TurboSquid is holding a contest for Revit Families! Show off your talents and maybe you can even win some money!

The contest started December 2nd, 2008, but will run through March 31st, 2009.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories:

• Individual/Freelancer - Professionals submitting their personal creations
• Corporate - Submissions on behalf of a company or other entity
• Student - High school, university, or community college students

1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes will be awarded in each category:

• 1st prize: $2500
• 2nd prize: $1000
• 3rd prize: $500

All nine winners will get promotion on TurboSquid and a TurboSquid T-shirt.

You may submit as many entries as you like, and the can be interior, exterior, MEP, or any other kind of Revit design.

Entries will be judged on three criteria:

• Quality of design (aesthetics, structural)
• Number of published Revit families used in scene
• Quality of published Revit families used in scene (correct flexing and parameterization)

Enter the Contest!!!

Winners will be notified by April 15, 2009.

Back to Basics: Grid Lines Dissapearing?!?!?

Have you ever had Grid Lines dissapear for no apparent reason? Well, here are a few reasons this would occur, and how you can aleviate the issue:

1. Grid lines can be affected by the “View Range” settings of the view. A Grid Line must be touching the Cut Plane of the Level to be seen within the Floorplan View. To fix it, either go to the Elevation View and extend the Grid Line to touch or extend above the Level, or change the View Range of that Floorplan.

2. Grid objects visibility can be controlled with “Scope Boxes”. This also applies to other “Datum” objects such as levels, and reference lines. To do this:

-Create one or more scope boxes [“Drafting”, “Scope Box”].
-Apply a scope box to datum elements (grid lines, levels, or reference planes). Highlight the Grid Lines, “Element Properties”.
-Lastly, you can set the Scope Box visibility, by highlighting the Scope Box, “Element Properties”, “Views Visible”, and changing the “Override” setting.

This will give you View by View control over groups of Grid Lines.

Note: There is additional information in the Help file if you search for “Controlling Visibility of Datums Using Scope Boxes”.

3. You can also “Hide” the grid lines using the typical highlight, right-click, “Hide in View”, “Elements” or “Category”.

4. There is some additional documentation in the Help file, if you search for “Customizing Grid Lines”. This specifically covers adding break lines or changing the display.

Civil Structures with Revit Structure 2009

Did you know that 30%, or 170,000, of the standard highway bridges in the United States are structurally deficient? Scary, isn’t it? The U.S. government is planning to spend $123 billion to fix this crumbling infrastructure.

For those of you in the Civil industry intersted in boarding the Revit train, Technical Marketing Manager Scott Hammond will be presenting the bridge modeling tools in Revit Structure 2009 on January 27th, 2009 at 10:00 am PST.

Click Here to Register for the Webcast

If you are interested in additional information about Revit Structure, please visit the Revit Structure Resource Center. This site includes Tutorials, White Papers, FAQ's and Customer Stories.