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

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

Did You Know...

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

Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 is now available!

BIM and Beam have a video posted on their website:

Subscription Advantage Pack Demonstration

The new extensions include:

Floor Vibration Analysis

The Floor Vibrations Analyzer for Revit Extensions is designed to analyze the vibration response criteria of steel-framed bays for human comfort and sensitive equipment, as described in the AISC Steel Design Guide Series "Floor Vibrations Due to Human Activity." Analysis of floors is performed in one or more of three categories described by the AISC guide:

 Vibrations due to walking (static footfall excitation)
 Vibrations due to rhythmic activities (dynamic excitation)
 Disruption of sensitive equipment (velocity limits due to walking activity)

Gravity Column Analysis

This extension is designed for simple isolated gravity column design. It can analyze existing columns to check section capacity as well as optimize column sections based on axial loads and moments at each floor level. Integration with Revit allows:

 Importing Revit defined point loads along the column axis with a possible eccentricity
 Reading column end fixity
 Writing the selected section back to Revit if accepted.

Column capacity analysis is performed with the AISC13 LRFD Interaction Equation method. Capacity is calculated for each unbraced segment along the strong and weak axis and then compared to the loads and moments at the top of that segment. Loads are automatically aggregated in the direction of gravity along the column.

SDNF Import/Export

The SDNF Import/Export extensions allow:

 Export of a steel Revit model to SDNF file format
 Import of a SDNF file format to generate a steel model inside a Revit Structure model
These extensions are supporting SDNF v 2.0 and v 3.0 versions and packets:
 Packet 00 - Title Packet
 Packet 10 - Linear Member Packet
 Packet 50 - Grid Packet
 Packet 60 - Arc Member (only v3.0)

Integration with SS3

This extension bi-directionally links data between Revit Structure and SS3. Engineers can then use structural data from SS3 to create coordinated drawings and collaborate with Autodesk® Revit® Structure software users. This extension is available only in the Japanese version of Revit Extensions.

Member section Schedule

This extension is generates a member section schedule for reinforced beams and columns from a Revit project. This extension is available only in the Japanese version of Revit Extensions.

CSV Element Generator

This extension will give the ability to generate concrete beams and columns on a Revit Structure project as well as create parametric reinforcement inside these new elements. Generation is based on the CSV file format. This extension is available only in the Japanese version of Revit Extensions.

Extensions Updates include:

Integration with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis

Appropriate model location in space when transferred from to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis: This enhancement helps ensure transferred models will be accurately located in relation to Robot’s Global Coordinate System.

Better management of Sections Profiles names when transferred to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis: This enhancement distinguishes Revit families of the same name when represented as Section Labels in Robot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sloped Beams: How to Specify Workplanes for Beam Systems

Most firms to not work with standard square building with simple horizontal beams throughout. There will definitely be times where all structural firms will need to place Beam Systems on an angle...but this is not as easy as the 1-click procedure used to place Beam Systems on bays created with horizontal bracing. This will need to be done in sketch mode, but there is a step necessary prior to sketching the Beam System to make sure the Beam System is following the slope of the boundaries of the Bay. The structural user needs to specify the sloped Bracing as the Workplane:

1) Below is an Elevation View of my structure:

2) Select the Workplane button on the top right hand corner of your Toolbars:

3) A dialog box will pop up to ask where you want to place your new Workplane. Select to Pick A Plan:

4) Select the top of the Beam you want the Beam System to follow. First I selected the taller structure. I will need to select the two portions of the structure seperately:

5) A dialog box will pop up to ask what View you want to work in. Select the View (I selected the Level 3 Floorplan), and it will immediately open the View:

6) A dialog box will pop up to notify you that you cannot use the 1-click creation to create the Beam System.

7) You will directly enter Sketch Mode. Sketch out the Beam System as you normally would:

Note: The Beam System follows the Beam you selected as it's Workplane...

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.

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Concrete Reinforcement (Rebar Covers)

The Rebar Cover is now a property of concrete elements, making it much more flexible to edit and modify. Covers can be set by the different faces of the concrete element, enabling you to take into account the exposure of certain faces to weather.

A new Rebar visibility state, also enables you to view Rebars as solid in the 3D View.

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Concrete Reinforcement

Revit Structure 2009 increases the user’s ability to place individual reinforcement bars into a concrete model as specified by third-party analysis and design software.










Many standard rebar shapes (00, 01, S1, T1, and so on, for ACI codes) are available in a browser, and each bar can be placed with one mouse-click.





















Rebar shape dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) can be edited in a manner similar to that for the Revit families.




Additional parameters can be displayed in schedules, and reinforcement automatically created by a third-party application can be accurately scheduled.

Release Dates of Revit 2009 Software!

Well, finally, the shipment dates of the Revit Software is out! Get ready for April 15th!

Revit® Architecture
April 15

AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite
April 15

Revit® Structure
April 15

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Available Extensions

Autodesk® Subscription customers can benefit from extensions available for Revit Structure 2009.

The Reinforcement extensions increase the user’s ability to incorporate automatic reinforcement into concrete elements.

Easy to install and use, they extend the capability of Revit Structure 2009 to handle concrete reinforcement details.

As shown, reinforcement macros are avilable for concrete columns, beams, footings, walls, pile caps, and slab openings.

New Features of Revit Structure 2009 - Vertical Move by Common Join

In previous releases, the ability to change the elevation of Beam Joins was only available for individually selected Beams. Now, in Revit Structure 2009, the elevation control is possible for several Beams joined at one intersection.

























The user can now select a set of Beams at a common join and change the elevation. When an elevation is changed using the control, the selected beams disjoin, move to the desired location, and rejoin. In each beam property, the end and start level offset values are adjusted correspondingly.