Embedded Schedules in Revit MEP

Learn all about Embedded Schedules over at my most recent post on the Applied Software Blog.

Here is the link.  Applied Software Blog

A Must Read for AU Attendees

Here is a link to Shaan Hurley's Survival Tips for AU.  It has some great tips that he has learned over the past 14 years that he as attended.

Autodesk University Survival Tips - The Whole Enchilada

Creating 3D Views for Levels

Just posted a new post on about creating 3D Views for Levels.  Check it out on the Applied Software Blog.

Duct and Pipe Systems in Revit MEP 2012

One of the biggest changes in Revit MEP 2012 is the addition of Duct and Pipe System Families.  Although it appears to be a small change, it actually creates a major improvement in how projects can be set up.  Prior to 2012, MEP Engineers relied heavily on View Filters to control the graphics of different duct and pipe systems.  For example, a View Filter would be created to distinguish the difference between Domestic Cold Water pipes and Domestic Hot Water pipes.  Ducts and pipes were simply ducts and pipes, and not part of a system until they were connected to a connector.  The connector contained all the information about the system.

In Revit MEP 2012, we have the ability to create duct and pipe systems before modeling and connecting to connectors with the addition of System Families.  The new System Families can now be configured prior to the project start to indicate graphical differences in the systems.  In addition to presetting up the System Families, as ducts and pipes are being modeled, the System is specified in the Properties palette before connecting to fixtures or equipment.  This change will all but eliminate the need to rely on View Filters to control the graphics.  System Families can now be configured in the Revit Templates so that all views will represent the correct graphics no matter if View Filters are used or not.  If View Filters are still desired, they will override any graphical settings that are set in the System Family settings.

This new approach will also make it easier to switch if needed from one system to another.  Although this is typically not the desired result, it is very useful when trying to switch from Sanitary piping to Vent piping.  Prior to this release it was difficult to make this switch with in the same run of pipes.

Another plus to this added feature is that we can now create additional System types.  In prior releases we were stuck with the out of the box system types.  If we were trying to create a system for Gas, we had to use the 'Other' system.  Now, with System Families, we can simply duplicate an existing System Family and name it anything we want.  This allows us to have system names that actually match our systems.

I see this as a major improvement in how we create our systems.  Now we are defining our systems as we model our pipes as opposed to first modeling everything and then having to go back and create our systems.

Applied Software's New Blog!

I am excited to announce Applied Software has a new Blog!  It will be updated by all of the technical gurus at Applied Software.  It should be full of information on the vast array of Autodesk products.  Here is the link to the blog.

http://appliedsoftwareblog.blogspot.com/

Bookmark it today!  I will be posting to it regularly.  For all of my loyal followers, my Knowing What You Don't Know blog will continue.  I will try to duel post or at least make mention of when I make a new post on the Applied Software blog.

I just posted my first blog over on the new site.  It is about cutting walls int walls. Check it out!

Revit 2012 SP2

Revit 2012 Update 2 is now available.  This update is required to install the add-in for Cloud Rendering.  Here is the link to download. - Revit Architecture 2012 Update 2

Taking BIM to the Cloud

Autodesk Cloud is now available to all Autodesk subscription customers.  Autodesk Cloud is a collection of web-based features, products, and services that currently includes the following.

• Autodesk Cloud Documents
• Autodesk Design Review Mobile App
• AutoCAD WS
• Autodesk Seek
• Autodesk Cloud Rendering
• Autodesk Inventor Optimization
• Autodesk Revit Conceptual Energy Analysis
• Autodesk Green Building Studio
• Autodesk Buzzsaw

Autodesk Cloud brings a new way of working and sharing documents to the BIM arena.  Users can now create 2D or 3D dwf's and save them to the Cloud where they can be accessed through a web browser or by a mobile devices by anybody, anytime, at any place.  

The Design Review Mobile App is available for the iPhone and iPad.  Hopefully it will be available for the Android systems soon. 

The Cloud Rendering will allow users to produce compelling, photorealistic visualizations in the cloud—without tying up the desktop or requiring specialized rendering hardware.  The installation of the Revit add-in to render directly from within Revit, requires Update 2 to be installed. As of the time this is being written, update 2 is not available. I am assuming it will be available soon.

To get started customers, who do not have an Autodesk ID and password, can create an account by clicking the "Sign In" button (shown below) in their Autodesk product.  After creating an account, customers can use their Autodesk ID and password to access the Autodesk Cloud services they're entitled to use.  

For more information on subscription and Autodesk Cloud click here.  

Navisworks 2012 SP1

Navisworks 2012 service pack 1 is now available.  Here is the link to download - Navisworks 2012 SP1

Beyond Design has more information about this service pack. 

AU 2011 - Let the Frenzy Begin

Autodesk University 2011 registration is now open!  I am registered and ready to go.  From what I hear classes are filling up fast.  Lynn Allen twittered yesterday that over 1200 had signed up after the first few hours aftter registration had open.  Here is the link to register for the event.

Autodesk University 2011

I will be presenting again this year.  This year I am co-presenting with Rabi Sidawi , a co-worker of mine at Applied Software.  I am excited about the class we have put together.  It will focus on working with Systems inside of Revit Architecture.  We will look at how Revit has both the Uniformat and the Master-Format Assembly codes built into the program and how users can take advantage of using them in all phases of the project.  Here are the details on our class:

Class ID: AB2485


Title: All Systems Go with Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2012

Description: Asking an architect to create systems inside of Revit is like asking him or her to speak a foreign language. BIM encompasses the whole building into the design process, so why do we still think about and process our designs one element at a time? Design intent, code constraints, functional requirements, and aesthetic proportions are some of the factors contributing to the building systems hierarchy integration and performance. Creating systems is an everyday task for MEP engineers when modeling inside of Revit MEP. Just like MEP systems, architectural and structural systems are now more interconnected than ever before. Curtain systems, beam systems, and furniture systems are few examples of building systems that capture design intent and streamline productivity. This class is an in-depth quest for order, systems hierarchy integration, and efficiency in a design environment. As BIM continues to evolve, we need to evolve our thinking process and begin designing with systems as opposed to single elements.

My New Toy.... umm I mean Tool!

Emerging trends in the AEC world indicats that mobile devices are taking over. Well, I recently became part of the numbers and purchased my first iPad. I have to say that I am impressed with this device. I was not exactly sure how I would use the iPad, and I am still trying to figure it all out, but I have found some cool apps and thought I would wipe the dust off of my blog and share some of my favorite AEC related apps that I have found for the iPad.

Apps by Autodesk


Autocad WS - (FREE) View, Edit, and Share your AutoCAD files on your iPad.










SketchBook Express - (FREE) A fun and intuitive drawing application. Use professional-grade tools and brushes to create doodles, quick sketches or artwork on-the go.









Inventor Publisher Mobile Viewer - (FREE) Allows you to interactively view animated 3D assembly instructions created with Inventor Publisher.









Bluestreak - (FREE) Lets users of Project Bluestreak easily collaborate with their AEC project teams from anywhere.







Buzzsaw - (FREE) Lets Buzzsaw users securely access AEC project documents and designs from anywhere.








Fluid FX - ($0.99) A special effects photo editing application that brings the fun and excitement of Hollywood visual effects to your iPad.













Time FX - (FREE) An amazing sculptural fluid dynamic alarm clock.








TinkerBox - (FREE) A fun, free-to-play physics puzzle game. While it is full of interesting science facts and teaches basic engineering concepts, TinkerBox is more than just educational!





Non-Autodesk Apps





McDwiff - ($6.99) Lets you open and view DWF and DWFx files on your iPad.






goBIM - ($5.99) Allows you to view BIM models on your iPad. Using a goBIM exporter for your favorite BIM application, you can now create a .gbz file. Load the model through iTunes file sharing or post the file onto a web server and you have your models whenever, wherever you want them. Currently works with Revit 2011 not Revit 2012.




I am interested in what apps others have found that are AEC related. This list is by no means complete, so feel free to comment to add your favorite apps to the list.