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.

The More You Know: Don't Forget the Free Stuff!!!

The More You Know: Don't Forget the Free Stuff!!!

ASHRAE Viewer for Revit MEP

Whether you are using Revit MEP 2011 or Revit MEP 2012, you now have the ability to experiment with a new plug-in from Autodesk Labs: the ASHRAE Viewer for Revit MEP! 

1) Place a VAV Box and draw duct from the Supply opening, making sure you include a fitting.  I selected to simply decrease my Supply Duct from a 12" x 12" Rectangular Duct to a 10" x 10" Rectangular Duct.

2) Select the Fitting.  In the Add-Ins tab, there is a Select Table button, that will allow you to see the different Fitting options.  If it is incompatible, it will ignore the change, so make sure you are selecting a compatible fitting using the different Categories provided.

3) Once done, you will note in the Properties Pallete, that the ASHRAE Table value has been updated.

Note: You can also simply view the Fittings without applying them to your project:

Download from Autodesk Labs today and begin expoerimenting on your own!

Did You Know...

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

Green Building Studio: Free for Suite and Subscription Users

Are you interested in Whole Building Analysis? Do you have a Revit Suite product? You now have the ability to use Green Building Studio, if you are on Subscription!!! Click on the link, and begin working!!!

Autodesk Subscription

Improving Building Design with a Sustainable Workflow Webinar

I will be presenting a webinar on Tuesday, August 31st at 9:00 am.

"Use Autodesk products to efficiently and effectively create more sustainable building designs. Whether a new or retrofit project, incorporate Revit, ImageModeler, Green Building Studio and Ecotect to improve the future energy cost of building projects."

Register

For those of you who currently own Revit Architecture 2011 Suite and/or Revit MEP 2011 Suite, you do have the ability to utilize Green Building Studion through your Subscription. For more information, log into the Autodesk Subscription site.

Web Updates for Revit 2011

You can always look at the upper right hand corner of your Revit Screen, and check the Communication Center. There is actually a lot of great information there.

However, you can also follow these Links:

Revit Architecture 2011 Update 1


Revit Structure 2011 Update 1


Revit MEP 2011 Update 1

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.

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.

Greenheck Revit Families Now on SEEK

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

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

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

Linking in the Architectural Model in Revit MEP

---

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

---

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

---

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.

How to Create a Zone Color Fil...

Zone Properties:

1) Create a Project Parameter as such:

Don‘t forget to assign the Zone to the Room Category…

Note the Parameter is now part of the Room Element Properties:

You need to duplicate a sub-category within the Rooms Category:

Zone will be part of the Color Scheme Definition…however, until you enter in Zone Numbers within the Zone Parameter in the Element Parameters of the Rooms, there will not be any Values associated to the Color…

Revit MEP 2008 and EIS

Even with the improvements with Revit MEP 2008, some of the wish list items I hear from MEP Engineers have not been met. However, now that Autodesk has partnered with IES , MEP Engineers have the abilitly to work on their analysis within Revit MEP itself, rather than having to rely on a third party software to do so. I recently took a look at the IES website, and found the following information:

http://www.iesve.com/content/default.asp?page=s4_24

Revit & the IES
There is now a direct link between the 3D modeling platform Revit and the IES . Jointly developed between IES and Autodesk, it represents a revolutionary change for design teams working from a common model. Not only does IES software calculate heating & cooling loads within Revit MEP, but the suite can be launched in order to carry out the full range of sustainable design analyses. Dedicated toolkits have been developed to make these analyses more accessible to users who are new to the field.

The Toolkits make it extremely easy for Revit users to undertake a range of building simulation analyses from the earliest stages of design which will greatly assist the sustainable design process. The Toolkits are available to Revit MEP 2008 through a direct link. Revit MEP has an interface that enables the user to assign information to the building and individual rooms. This information is then passed through the IES and the Toolkits are displayed.

The Sustainability Toolkit
This is the first of the toolkits to be launched within Revit MEP 2008. IES have developed a LEED Toolkit which is free upon request to all Revit users until its release in October 2007. The Toolkits could not be easier to use. Select any button and the Toolkit will run the chosen analysis by using the model transferred from Revit and automatically running the analysis, interrogating the results and creating an html report of relevant information.

Currently the Sustainability Toolkit consists of the following three tools & the following informaiton is provided by each report:

ASHRAE Loads calculation:
> System Heating Loads
> Room Heating Plant Loads
> System Cooling Loads
> Room Cooling Plant Loads
> Room Sensible Cooling and Air Flow Rates with engineering checks.

ApacheSim: Dynamic Thermal Simulation:
> Building Systems Energy Consumption for each month
> Monthly CO2 emissions for the building.
> Peak Hourly Room Loads plus cooling checks.
> Room Environmental Conditions including Comfort Measurements for occupied period
> Room Environmental Conditions including Comfort Measurements for all periods.

FlucsDL: Daylighting Assessment:
> Percentage of area above 25 fc.
> Average illuminance in each room.
> Average weighted percentage of area above 25 fc.

A series of Revit animations have been created to help demonstrate the integration of Revit MEP 2008 & the IES . Take a look, they are a great learining tool!

http://www.iesve.com/content/default.asp?page=s4_24_14