Are you ready for Revit and all that comes with it?

Even though my primary job is as a BIM consultant, that doesn't mean I don't have things to learn from my clients...the architects and engineers I get to work with everyday! Primarily about workflow and streamlining processes between disciplines, especially when they are not in the same company (which so many are not). After numerous fruitful visits to engineering client sites the past few months, I found that they became even more successful when we also met with the architect on the project. Initially, my goal is to make the transition from AutoCAD to Revit as painless as possible, those of us that have been doing this for a while know that many factors define a smooth transition.

Even with basic training, the timing of that training is very important...too early before starting the first project, and you tend to forget what you learned...too little time before you start the first project and you don't have time to experiment, make mistakes, and ultimately feel comfortable delivering your model to your consultants. Training itself is important. Personally, I think it is important for clients to begin playing on their own, whether watching short videos, going through tutorials, or just being bold and experimenting with the software. But please, begin to enjoy it. Working in Revit can be fun, but if you have no desire to learn it and will have a bad attitude about it, please, don't start. I have found that the learning curve for anyone that doesn't want to learn it is longer...if you ever reach a comfortable place at all.

After you and your colleagues have had some time with it (making sure you are writing down questions and concerns as you go), have a meeting with your reseller. Talk about it. Ask questions...lost of questions. If you have a good service provider, their goal is not to sell you a bunch of boxes of software, but teach you to ultimately be self-sufficient...we have all heard the phrase "Catch a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime." the goal should be to teach you to fish. Next, have company specific training. Bring in a set of Construction Documents; make sure they know what your deliverables look like...because, let's face it, right now, that is the goal. The Little BIM. Getting your deliverables out the door.

Let your channel partners help you.  As much as you, as an architect or engineer, love seeing your buildings built, standing strong and beautiful, I love when a client completes their first successful project in the Revit environment.  And even more, when they come back to talk about expanding their services, using conceptual energy analysis, improving their workflow with their structural analysis software products, and pushing the limits with visualization.  There is a reason I went into this business...and I am so happy I did!  Hand over those lemons, I am way past making lemonade...

Autodesk Univsersity Class: Got Green? Using Autodesk Products to Reduce Energy Consumption

I am very excited to announce that I have been chosen this year to speak at Autodesk University!

AB3691: Got Green? Using Autodesk Products to Reduce Energy Consumption

"In this class, we will explore how you can use Autodesk products to efficiently and effectively create more sustainable building designs. We will discuss using Project Vasari from Autodesk Labs to create different conceptual mass shapes and perform very early energy analysis to determine the most efficient profile. We will incorporate the masses into Autodesk® Revit® products to create simple energy models and utilize the central location to manipulate the information for further analysis. Next, we will use Autodesk Green Building Studio to determine and reduce energy costs and consumption based on rotation, materials, and system definitions. Finally, we will use Autodesk Ecotect® to visualize shadows, the effect of sun paths and solar radiation, perform daylighting analysis, and determine the need for shading devices."


This year, Autodesk University is returning to The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event runs from November 29 until December 1, 2011, and general registration is now open. Don't forget to register by October 11, 2011, and save $500! 

Also, get Autodesk Certified at AU for Free!  If you have already acheieved 2011 Certified Professional status, you only need to pass the 2012 Associate exam to upgrade to 2012 Professional status.

Adding Symbols on Revit

When working in Revit, there will be times you will be required to add Symbols. 

Go to the Start Menu and type in "run":

Type in "charmap":

The Character Map will pop up, and you can use it from there:

Note that Revit does use True Typefont...

New Year, New Job, New Blog, New Outlook!

Happy New Year!  I know I am late, but better late than never!  The end of the year was like a rollercoaster, and I have landed and wonderful job working for Advanced Solutions as an Application Engineer.  A lot is the same, a lot is different, and I am looking forward to 2011! 

The first thing I did is start an AEC blog for Advanced Solutions:

Building Block and Puzzle Pieces

It's a new year with new opportunities and new challenges...let's conquer them together!

Search Amazon.com for sustainability by design

Did You Know...

...you can use basic mathmatical functions when placing objects?!?!?

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.

Autodesk Tech Camp 2007

I just got back from the Technical Camp Autodesk puts on every year for the Channel. This was my first year attending the camp; last year I worked as a proctor for Revit Structure. From the grapvine, I heard it was much better than last year. I was on the BSD Architectural Structural Track, and definitely learned more about the Structural Analysis aspect of the program, as well as small tid bits of information I did not know before. We also had one class on 3D VIZ and I gained some valuable information on how to incorporate a discussion of visualization during my pre-sales presentations.

Overall, I felt Tech Camp was valuable to us as Channel Partners, although there is always room for improvement. I had many discussions with Autodesk AE's on how they can improve the camp for next year, as well as with other AE's throughout the Channel. Many of us agreed that separating the BSD tracks between Architectural, Structural and MEP Engineering would be beneficial, as well as separating the tracks between intermediate and advanced AE's. Lastly, we talked about converting the camp into a campus style organization, simlar to AU. This way, AE's can chose the classes which will be most beneficial to them, depending on their current knowledge of each product.

Greetings, this is my first Blog...

I want to welcome everyone to my newely created Blog. My purpose is to write about Revit Issues, help with Tips and Tricks, and answer questions. I hope you find it informative and helpful.

What are my qualifications? Well, I graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering with a degree in Architectural Engineering. I specialized in both Structural and Environmental Engineering. From there, I worked in the industry. First, I spent time as a Reserve Analyst, analyzing buildings and their systems, creating physical and financial reports. I then worked at a MEP firm, working as a drafter, and moving up to a Project Engineer, in charge of all the Walgreens projects. Before working at MasterGraphics, I worked at Autodesk, as a Technical Specialist. I focused my time on the Building Solutions Division, working with Revit Building, Revit Structure, and Autodesk Building Systems.