Daryl's REVIT Oath

CADclips Announces New $39 and $99 REVIT Video Training Tutorial Subscription



I do alot of teaching and the above REVIT Oath is provided to all REVIT Students who need to Learn REVIT and get into the REVIT mind set.

READ IT OUT LOAD and READ IT PROUD !

CAD is out, BIM is in.

I will be adding 'REVIT Expert' to my resume.

I will clear my mind of all AutoCAD knowledge.

All objects are drawn real world size.

All Annotation objects are View Specific and REVIT Controls the Scale.

I will keep my Left hand poised over the ESC key and my Right hand on the Mouse. (pencil in mouth).

I Understand that with Change and Knowledge comes Anguish and Frustration but I will Persevere.

These are my friends in this order: Project Template, Levels, Grids, Floors, Walls, Roofs, Discipline Specific Content.

I will not be afraid of Worksets and Linking Files.

The 'Align' tool is my best friend.

I will learn the difference between Instance Properties and Type Properties.

I will create 3D Perspective Views, Sections and Elevations that I have no intension of printing.

I promise to look busy when I can get the work done in half the normal time.

CADclips WILL show me the way.

REVIT Worksets At a Glance

I was reviewing the concept of enabling and using REVIT Worksets to someone who had to learn the concept pretty much immediately.

In a nut shell, REVIT Worksets allow multiple users to work on the same project file at the same time which equates to productivity and distribution of REVIT skill sets on the project.

 ". . . . . .and this ain't AutoCAD Xref's my friends !"

I am now developing a new CADclips Video Training Tutorial Series on Worksets and thought I'd throw together this post for your learning pleasure.

Outside the multi user access, Worksets allows you to break up the model into logical user defined groups (for lack of better word) of your choice. The value of this comes blazing through when you are undertaking a large project with a large model file and a hand full of REVIT users with 'varying skill sets'. 

It allows you to 'check out' a Workset and you become the temporary owner of that workset. You do not need 'editing access' to the entire model to do your work (although you can see the entire model and you can borrow elements from each other). Having the entire REVIT model available for 'editing' maaakes yooour commmmputer gooooo sloooow. Here's a scenerio > Today 

I am working on 'exterior walls' and you are managing all the 'sheets'. Someone else is working on 'Stairs and Ramps'. A forth person is managing the 'links' from other REVIT models. Can you just see the productivity !

Here's a few possible workset names:.A Wing, B Wing, C Wing, Building Core, Exterior Walls, Interior Partitions, Curtain Walls, Foundations, Views, Furniture, Bathrooms, Windows, Doors, Roofs, Floors, Site, Sheets, Levels and Grids, Annotation, Railings, Egress, Load Bearing Walls, Project Standards, Mechanical, Structural, Architectural, Level 1 Walls, Level 2 Walls,  etc. etc. You can make up your own workflow logic.

Worksets are not just limited to tangable elements like walls and floors and roofs. Worksets can included things like material definitions, annotation styles, views, families.

REVIT automatically generates specific worksets. The rest is up to you.

Here's another good use. Worksets allows you to manage the model editing access based on REVIT user skill. Junior staff do not get access to the critical elements of the model.

Worksets can be allocated based on REVIT skill set or expertise.You draw the line !

Below are a few pointers on the 'overview' of enabling and using REVIT Worksets. If anyone wants to add to this please feel free. I know there's more to it than just this.

CADclips REVIT Videos Here

Part 1 - Prepare and create the Central File.

1. Get the Project under way by regular REVIT processes and create the levels, grids, floors, exterior walls, roofs and 'project standards'.

2. Save the Project as is and then save it again and name it using the word 'Central' for example Central_Halifax_Theatre.rvt.

3. Open the new file named 'Central' and Enable 'Worksets'.

 4. (Optional) Split the project up into additional worksets other than the default 'Workset1'.

5. Save this new Central file on the server, then close it. It is now a true Central File.

(REVIT can actually distinguish the difference between a regular rvt file and a central rvt file when the file gets opened)

Part 2 - Creating a local copy of the Central file for editing purposes

6. Varify your 'Username' in the REVIT Options dialog box under the 'General' Tab'. This will be used to name the local file you are about to create.

7. Varify the 'Default Path for User Files' in the REVIT Options dialog box under the 'File Locations' tab. This is where the local file will get located by completing the next few steps. 

8. Open the central file but MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE 'Create New Local' toggle.

Warning !!
DO NOT OPEN THE CENTRAL FILE from here on in unless you are an administrator. 
Always, always always create a local copy.

I once saw a newbie double click a central file from windows explorer. My eyes bugged out and I just about #$%& myself !

9. Save the new local copy to your c:\ drive and put your own name in the file name.

For example Halifax_Theatre_YourName.rvt or consider the name REVIT prompts you with by appending the Central file name with your REVIT user name.

10. Work in this new local file, check out worksets or borrow elements. Save it locally regularly, save and synchronize to central regularly and relinquish elements / worksets you no longer need to edit. 

11. Use the 'Reload Latest' tool up update your local file but not save your changes to the Central File. This is 'oneway' communication with the Central file. 

12. At the end of the day
save locally,
save to central,
relinquish all elements,
close the local file
. . . . hit the golf course.

13. It is also highly recommended and a best practice to repeat steps 8 and 9 each day.

Yes this sounds crazy but true.

In other words, scrap yesterday's local file and start each working day with a fresh new local file. Don't be scared. Over time, local files can develop issues that can even effect the central model so don't keep your local file around for too long.

Rename the local file and save it away somewhere but make a new, fresh local file at least every couple days. You've been told : )

A wonderful 15 video series (approx. 3 hrs) has been produced and should be posted at CADclips shortly.

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Below is a snipit of information on the new

REVIT 2012 Worksharing Display Modes

CADclips REVIT Videos Here

REVIT Lecture Theatre Presentation Plans

Above is a 3D Section View and a Plan View of a Lecture Theatre.

Basically made up of Walls. Floors, Individual Stairs and a bunch of Tablet Chairs.

Below is a 2d Section.

REVIT ROCKS !

CADclips REVIT Videos Here

Cool REVIT Presentation Plans

CADclips Announces New $39 and $99 REVIT Video Training Tutorial Subscription

It's so easy to create a very basic but impressive presentation plan with REVIT.

Here's how to quickly create a plan as shown above.

1. Duplicate a view (without detailing) and rename accordingly.

2. Use 'copy' and 'paste same place' if you need to go back to the original view and get some of the detailing or text.

3. Select an item(s) in the new presentation view and click the light bulb tool (hide in view) and hide the categories and elements that you do not want to see.

4. In the 'type' properties of the Walls that you are using, set the 'Course Scale Fill Pattern' to 'Solid' and the 'Course Scale Fill Color' to 'Black'.

5. Now set the view 'Detail Level' to be 'Course'.

6. Click the 'Shadows' button and turn on Shadows..

7. Open the 'Graphics Display Options' dialog box and darken or lighten the shadows.

8. In the Graphics Display Options' dialog box click the 'Sun Settings' button and adjust the 'Altitude'. Click 'Apply' and play with these setings and use the apply button to see how your doing.

Bob's you're Uncle !

CADclips REVIT Videos Here

Maybe save a 'view template' from here and apply that to other views. You still may have to hide some random elements per view.

This works pretty much the same way for plans, elevations or 3d views.

REVIT 2012 has also added Ambient Shadows and Lighting to further enhance the effect.

This project below is still under way but you can get the idea.

REVIT 2012 View Control Bar



Above is the 2011 Visual Style button.

2012 has removed the 'Shaded' option (that no one ever used anyway).



With the Release of REVIT 2012 we see some modifications to REVIT's 'View Control Bar'. Outside playing musical chairs with the 'Grapic Diplay Options' I like it. 

This post describes some of those changes.



Above is the 2012 Visual Styles button where 'Shaded with Edges" has become 'Shaded'. Then we also see that the 'Graphics Display Options' dialog box has been added here.



Above we see that 2012 has also moved the 'Graphics Display Options' to the View's Properties (where it should be).

Above we see the 2011 'Shadows' button.

Now it's just a toggle On / Off and the 'Graphics Display Options' has been relocated to two other locations described in this post.

Above we see the 2012 Shadows Toggle. On or Off. Thank you !

Above we see the new, awesome 2012 Lock 3D view option for annotation purposes.

If you are in the default {3D} view it will prompt you to duplicate the view.

Last we have the wonderful 2012 WorkSharing Display and settings !

WAIT FOR IT !!



REVIT and ICF and IntegraSpec

This wall system has REVIT Architecture, Structure and more importantly REVIT MEP written all over it !!

REVIT Generated, Carbon Footprint Data.

I have started using ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) for more than just foundations. This wall system is fantastic for the entire building envelope. It also works well with the Hambro Floor and Roof system.

IntegraSpec® (pronounced >  integra . . . spec) is an innovative building system that builds stronger, safer, quieter, energy efficient and environmentally friendlier homes and structures.

IntegraSpec® is “The User Friendly ICF” TM is produced in Canada, USA and also 2 plants in Europe.

Their unique and patented design makes it the easiest and most versatile Insulated Concrete Wall System on the market today.

I should be offering a few ICF / REVIT tips over the coming months.

Below are some more images and details.



REVIT Common Edges and Hidden Lines

CADclips Announces New $19, $39 and $99 REVIT Video Training Tutorial Subscriptions

Figure 'A'

Have you even noticed the 'Object Style' Sub-category 'Common Edges' and 'Hidden Lines' and wonder "What the %$^# they are there for" ?

See Figure 'B' below.

These 'Common Edges' and 'Hidden Lines' sub-categories show up in the 'Objects Styles' all over the place in many system families.

Have you ever wished you could fine tune the line weights or patterns of the 'internal layers' of a wall, floor or roof etc ?

Well here's the poop.

The 'Common Edges' are the lines between the 'Layers' within a wall, or floor, or roof or ceiling structure. See Figure 'A' above.

The outer edges of the walls, floors etc take on the cut style of the main category 'Wall' or Floor' etc. The internal lines are the 'Common Edges'.

Figure 'B'

Having said that enter  . . . . . the override. . . . .

Yes the Visibility Graphics Override (per view) can fine tune those 'common edges' by checking the 'Cut Line Styles' option and click the 'Edit' button.  See Figure 'C' below.

So with the 'common edges' sub-category and visibility graphics overrides you can really fine tune the appearance of the internal layers of walls, floors, roofs, ceilings etc. In section or plan.

Figure 'C'

Now, the 'Hidden Lines' sub-category is different.

It is used to display edges of elements that have been told to show as 'Hidden' when behind a particular element. See Figure 'D' below.

Use the 'Show Hidden Lines' tool from of the View tab of the ribbon.

Pick the object to do the 'hidding' then pick the object to 'show as hidden'. The hidden lines then take on the appearance of the line style and weight specified in the sub-category 'Hidden Lines'. This tool can also be used with a combination of both model and detail objects in plan, elevation, section and 3D views !

Figure 'D'

In the image above the wall was told to be hidden by the floor

and the floor was told to be hidden by the wall.

Gotta run . . . ..  .      .         .