REVIT Families - Bones, Brains, Balance and Body

Steve Stafford recently posted a suggested method of 'naming' the three main processes involved in creating families while in the 'family editor'. Made perfect sense. He reduced the family creating process to Bones, Muscle, and Skin. Reducing is good. I started using that terminology because it helps people get around the most important 'process' much easier and then allows valuable energy to be applied on making cool families.

Steve's original suggested process naming:

Bones = Reference Planes

Muscle = Dimensions, Labels/Parameters, Automatic Sketch Dimensions

Skin = Solids/Voids and Symbolic Linework

So now, for me it has evolved to become the 'Four B's' or simply put '4B' approach.

Here is my new (ever evolving) family creating 4B approach and it is VERY important to maintain the order in which it is laid out.

Bones = Family Template and Category, Named and Unnamed Reference Planes, Reference Lines, Reference Levels

Brains = Dimensions, Labels/Parameters (w/formulas), Automatic Sketch Dimensions, Pins, Arrays, (w/labels), Groups, Nested Families

Balance = Flex the Brains and Bones (and keep flexing)

Body = Solids/Voids, Model Lines, Symbolic Lines, Masking Regions, Annotation and Detail Components . . .

So when you want to start making familes you can use the obove approach (in that order) and it will help make life much easier. I think most people are like me and they get excited when making familes and jump ahead to the 'Body' part right away and that causes problems. RESIST !

Thank you Steve . . . . just point me in the right direction.

REVIT Architecture 2010 New Features and Images

REVIT Architecture has come a long way since I started using it in 5.0. A steady upward curve of advancement in parametric design and building information modeling. Not to mention it's so fun to use every day. Well the fun is about to kick into full stride and everyone is going to be competing for the Dubai, UAE sky line using these new concept design tools.

Below are a few snapshots of what is to be released on April 16th.

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First off we have the 'Application Window' which allows us to open, save etc but it also allows us to comtrol our Recent Files history. We can 'Pin' certain files to always stay in the recent files listing and we can also sort and organize the recent files history. Thank you.

Place your favorite tools on the 'Quick Access' toolbar.

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Some 'Ribbon' snapshots show below. The Ribbon has replaced the Design bar and the options bar and the pull down menu ! (the Project Browser remains the same). And unlike AutoCAD 2010 REVIT does NOT have the option to set the interface back to 'Classic'. It's the new interface I have personally been wishing for so I am excited to dig in deep and see what treasures lie ahead ! This is just the facelift REVIT needed in my opinion. As you select different tools the Ribbon reacts accordingly. If you are familiar with Office 2007 then you recognize the format and dancing to the Microsoft tune.

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Now because the REVIT developers are so smart they even built in a "Where the #%@ is my command" tool. This is something we will use and appreciate in order to to bridge the gap between the old interface and the new interface. Show REVIT where the old tool was and it will show you how to find it in the new Ribbon.

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REVIT also has extended help information instantly available with a delayed 'hover' over a tool.

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I have no images for this new feature but you can now add 'Connectors' to Electrical, Piping and HVAC Families. This is huge news for MEP.

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The conceptual tools are in center ring on this RAC release.

Make a massing family and then 'Create Shapes' and add intermitant profiles and use Xray mode to manipulate nodes and then add and refine a surface and then swap different massing types like design options. It's amazing. The Create Shape and supporting tools are only available for Massing objects.

That's it for now.

Stay tuned for lots more REVIT 2010 information and some exciting new streaming video tutorials.

REVIT Structure 2010 New Features and Images

Well REVIT Structure and Architecture should be flying off the shelves starting April 16th.

YEAH !

Below are a few items of interest on the new RST 2010 software.

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For integrated RST output it seems it's all about the 'Extensions'. This is not new news to existing RST users.

Extensions are only available to subscription users but I think most REVIT users are on subscription anyway.

Extension are for the most part, 3rd add-ons or APIs.

REVIT has had an Extension Manager for a while now below is what it looks like now.

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Below is the 'Beam to Column connection' Extension.

It allows you to configure the geometry involved, plates, brackets, bolts, stiffeners and welds . . . . and it allows you to save it as a 'Family' for future use. This is only avalable to Beam /Column connections. No current Beam to Beam connections allowed with this tool. COOL !

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There is also a much anticipated 'Bridge' extension.

This extension allows you to configure the bridge profile, deck, abutments, piers and railings.

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Below we see what can be created within seconds with the Create Form, Divide Surface and Triangle Surface Pattern tools. REVIT's 'Create Form' tool in general is a completely independant and entirely new set of super-duper amazing tools. See image below. ---------------------------- Then of course there is the much talked about 'Ribbon. The Ribbon interface has arrived with REVIT and unlike in AutoCAD there is no 'Classic' display option to go back to the old interface. So get used to it ! If you are familiar with the latest MS Office interface you should recognize the format as it appears Microsoft is driving this change in design. The Ribbon is context sensative so during a command sequence it's constantly adapting and replaces the old 'Options Bar'. The Ribbon is customizable and you can also add your own hand picked commands to the 'Quick Access' bar. This handi toolbar behaves much like the Microsoft 'Quick Launch' toolbars on the task bar. Right click a tool and click 'Add to Quick Access toolbar' and the tool will be added and waiting just like on a . . . . . . . drum roll . . . . . Palette ! ---------------------------- That's all for now, stay tuned for lots more exciting videos and tutorials here at REVIT Rocks !

REVIT Architecture and Structure 2010 Shipping Date is April 16

I was just given the word that Autodesk will be shipping RAC and RST 2010 on April 16th.

I would expect the subscription centers will be busy with downloads as soon as it is ready !

Tapered Flat Roof or Floor with In-Place Family

This is actually a difficult exercise to explain but a great lesson to learn.

In the REVIT video Tutorial below we demonstrate how to create a flat tapeing floor (or roof) where the underside of the floor (or roof) stays horizontal.

As well, the challenge is the floor edge has an elevation at the perimeter and an elevation at the interior where there is a donut hole (rectangular).

We use an in-place family using the 'floor based' template and set the catagory to 'floors' and then use a solid extrusion and a void blend.

For the 'creme de la creme' we tie it all toether with a few grid lines for total control.

I should also point out that you could actually accomplish the same results by making the floor layer a 'variable' thickness and then use the floor / roof 'shape editing' tools to add in the low points.

(TIP: Try clicking the 'HD' button, THEN the full Screen button. . . . Youtube is still working on this feature)

REVIT Join Geometry for Window in Frost Wall

I had a great, very basic question today.

Something that all us Canadian's deal with, which is a 'frost wall'.

It is much easier to manage the adjacent frost wall condition with two seperate walls as shown below.

But when you add a window (or door) the window only penetrates one wall.

Use the 'join geometry' tool to join the two adjacent walls and the window will penetrate both walls.

Also make sure the 'material' of the two walls is different or when you 'join geometry' the two walls will try to become one monolithic wall.

REVIT CADclip - Stair with a Winder

The REVIT video tutorial (in HD) below has several nice little tips for you.

1. How to add in stair 'winders' or split up a landing

2. How to make the top of the stair clean up better at the top riser.

3. How to use the split tool for the stair boundaries to change the stringer configuration.

* For best HD video resullts do this in the following order

a) click the Play button

b) click the HD button (wait for video to reset)

c) then click the Full Screen button.

Enjoy !

Slower migraton to REVIT 2010 ?

Well everyone is all excited about the new REVIT interface and features. In fact I know of at least one person who is having RIBBON anxiety. His concerns are "Will all previous training material and reference go out the window?" "Will we need to re-write the entire revit training handbook?" Can I still leverage what training materials we already have?". My advice is 'relax' a little. Take your time and roll out this new release with a little more caution than you have in the past.

The new REVIT box used to show up at our door and it was instantly installed across the board without even thinking. To do so this time around will cause a little blip in your production. This time around the CAD / production managers should be a little more interested in testing things out and getting people properly trained before unleashing REVIT to the masses. My point is, don't feel you MUST install REVIT the moment you can. The walls and roofs and floors of 2009 still work just fine.

The new and improved Ribbon interface that we have all been asking for is finally here. It has been well thought out and widely tested. But just like all changes in life and technology there is going to be a few bumps in the road. True change always involves stress and anxiety. Without which there is no change.

The new interface is not going anywhere. It will be there tomorrow and the next day. The CAD production managers will eventually see their ROI but this time around it's not going to be a seamless transition like all previous REVIT releases.

This time we need to be a little more cautious with the roll out. We need to get 'comfy' with this new interface and most importantly we need to get our CAD operators trained up.

I know for a fact that the new Ribbon interface for AutoCAD 2009 was enough for many to completely avoid the release all together. I do not anticipate this for REVIT 2010 of course because we are a much more progressive group but at the same time it should not be the regular 'business as usual' installation either.

Stay tuned here at revitrocks for lots of REVIT 2010 training videos and good information to help you over this much anticipated REVIT hump !

CADclips free Youtube Playlist

Below is an embedded video player with many free REVIT CADclip videos all organized in a nice Youtube Playlist. The nice thing about a playlist is, as new videos get added at Youtube the dynamic playlist is always up to date.

REVIT Arch Video for Capturing and Importing Images

JMP Design Inc

Multi-disciplined CAD Design and Drafting Services.

Lots of CAD samples and a nice Gallery of Images.

Looks like it is headed up by John-Jun Purugganan in Hawaii.

. . . . . .I'm tired of shovelling snow . . . . I want to live in Hawaii too or at least somewhere that I can golf 12 months a year : )

Revit Zone.com

An abundance of good REVIT information at this site !

iREVIT.com

Check this site out too !

CadKicks.com

I am noticing more and more great REVIT / CAD blogs popping up. CadKicks is community driven and looks promising.

Inside the REVIT Factory

Here's a great new REVIT blog with all kinds of information about the 'nuts and bolts' of the current REVIT products.

The REVIT 2010 Ribbon - Development

Below is a great Youtube video on what to expect with the new REVIT Ribbon.

How many new icons ? 1000+ . . . . . Should be fun !

Free REVIT Walk Through Tutorial on M4V iPod

Below is a link to a 'zipped' M4V REVIT video tutorial for your iPod or iPhone.

REVIT 2009 Walk Through Tutorial on M4V

Free REVIT Training on M4V for iPod Podcast

The REVIT video tutorials listed below have been posted here before but I thought some people may want the M4V Podcast version so you can learn REVIT pretty much anywhere using your iPod.

This is a tutorial series on creating a custom architectural Beam as shown above. The lessons learned here can be carried forward to help solve some of your own custom family challenges.

Here are the 'zipped up' iPod formatted files.

Lesson 1: The Completed Beam Family Introduction

Lesson 2: Parameters and Reference Planes

Lesson 3: Modeling the Main Beam and Flex

Lesson 4: Modeling the Abutments and Flex

Lesson 5: Using Yes / No Parameters to Control Object Visibility

Lesson 6: Use Model Lines and the Linework Tools

Lesson 7: Mental Ray Materials and Rendering

Expect more M4V files for REVIT Training to be posted here !

Download the REVIT Structure 2009 Steel Profiles

I noticed that most of the Structural Steel Shape Profiles (RFA) are missing from the REVIT Architecture installation but they do come with the RST installation.

So I copied the RST steel shape RFA files over to my RAC Library folder. I thought that some people who only have RAC may also want a copy of the RST steel shape profiles, so you can download the zip file below that contains the files listed in the image below. Download> RST 2009 Structural Steel Profiles

HOK chooses CADclips Training Videos

I happen to know first hand that after certain research and testing Autodesk REVIT Award Winning HOK has chosen CADclips Training Videos to be part of their training repetoir(e) . I say, it goes to show that 'knowledge transfer' methods are definitely changing 'for the better' and HOK is using CADclips training videos as part of that new initiative. Can you imagine trying to keep 1000's of people trained and productive during this transfer to REVIT and BIM ? There WAS no affordable way to get everyone trained and then keep them all trained. CADclips has not only bridged that gap they have 'removed the gap'.

REVIT Blog in Argentina

REVIT Argentina 'Primer blog Argentino acerca de Revit Architecture'

Above is a link to my friend Leonardo Aita's REVIT Blog in Argentna.

Free REVIT Video Tutorial Series on Custom Family Creation

Hot off the press !

I thought I would share my latest free video tutorial series with the world. I just put together a sweet REVIT Training Video series that I'm sure most of you will find of value. This is great for all levels of REVIT users who want to learn some cool things about making families. In the videos I create an architectural beam (using the linear model template) with some abutments (for lack of better word). The lessons learned over the course of these 7 videos should get the wheels turning. Then those lessons can be used to further develop your own custom REVIT family ideas. This is a well organized, step by step process that will (hopefully) get you on the right track in making your own exciting new REVIT families. Here's what you will learn about: - The linear model family and associated template - View Range - Parameters and parameter types - Reference Planes - Dimensions to parameters - Solid extrusions - Sketching - Work Planes - Aligning, locking and constraining the solid geometry - Flexing the model in the family editor and in the project - Using the very cool Yes / No parameter to control individual family geometry visibility - Integrating Model Lines with your solid geometry - Using the Linework tool to get sneaky and fine tune the family within the project - Mental Ray Materials - Rendering - Adjusting the rendered image - Saving and exporting the Rendered image. . . . lots more, but let's get at it . . . . Click the link to play the video or right click and 'save target as . .' to download. Enjoy ! Lesson 1: The Completed Beam Family Introduction www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-1-BEAM-FAMILY-INTRO.wmv Lesson 2: Parameters and Reference Planes www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-2-PARAMETERS-AND-REFERENCE-PLANES.wmv Lesson 3: Modeling the Main Beam and Flex www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-3-MODEL-THE-MAIN-BEAM-AND-FLEX.wmv Lesson 4: Modeling the Abutments and Flex www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-4-MODEL-THE-ABUTMENTS-AND-FLEX.wmv Lesson 5: Using Yes / No Parameters to Control Object Visibility www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-5-YES-NO-PARAMETERS-TO-CONTROL-VISIBILITY.wmv Lesson 6: Use Model Lines and the Linework Tools www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-6-MODEL-LINES-AND-LINEWORK-TOOL.wmv Lesson 7: Mental Ray Materials and Rendering www.cadclips.com/downloads/RAC-ARCH-BM-FAMILY-7-MATERIALS-AND-RENDERING.wmv

REVIT Video - Yes No Parameter to Control Visibility

Did you know you can easily turn On and Off individual sub components of a REVIT family ?

It's simple to do and you don't have to have any experience making families.

You can do this to any family regardless of who made the family or how complex it is.

This functionality can be applied to REVIT Architecture, Structure or MEP.

1. Open the Family in the family editor.

2. Create a new parameter and make it a Yes / No type.

3. Assign that parameter to the Visibility property of the desired family sub component.

4. Save the family and place it in a project.

5. Select the family and change the new Visibility property parameter to Yes or No.

DONE !

Here's a quick Video below that sums it all up in about 5 minutes.

A special THANKS to CadDigest for posting this tutorial on their site.

REVIT House Modeled in 10 Minutes

Did you ever think you could model a complete house in 10 minutes? Well you can, and I did.

The image above is just an animated GIF. Feel free to 'right click' it and 'save picture as. .' to download the file.

You can view the full video below or download it from here > REVIT 10 Minute House

REVIT Align Tool Using 3D Surfaces

This Align tip is nothing new but I do come across users who are not aware of this so I thought I'd post a quick tip.

Did you know that you can use the Align tool and select 3d surfaces as the controlling edge and receiving edge of the alignment while in a 3d view as shown below.