Saturday, November 28, 2009

Overriding dimension text in Revit

One advantage about AutoCAD dimension is that we can put in a cheat value or sometimes we just put "NTS" for Not To Scale measurement. So how do Revit handles this then?

From Revit 2009 onwards, you can actually do that though not exactly the same. Revit 2009 allows to manually overwrite the automatic dimension value with another, descriptive text.

When you double-click on the dimension text, the "Dimension text" dialog is displayed. There you can enter the overrides - the text, prefix, postfix, etc.:



















Revit will warn you if you try to overwrite the measured value with numeric value - only texts are allowed.

If you really want to enter a "fake" value, you may enclose it with parentheses or prefix it with dashes.

Open Revit files directly from web

Are you aware that you can actually open Revit projects (RVT) and families (RFA) direcly from web?

It is true. Revit can open RVT and RFA files (projects, families) directly from a URL address on web.

In the file open dialog (Ctrl+O) try e.g. to enter the file name as:

http://www.revitlibrary.com/dl/project-abc.rvt

Revit will download the file from the internet to a temporary folder and open it for editing. Possible changes are saved back to this temporary file (not back to the web).

Another option for using web repositories is inserting Revit families (libraries) directly from web by mouse-dragging with the iDrop technology. Try e.g. to use the "eyedropper" and drag the table from the web page (say Revitcity) to your Revit application window.

Cannot display thumbnails of RVT/RFA files in Windows Explorer

The other day, I was installing Revit Architecture 2010 at my customer place. I realized that the Windows Explorer in Windows Vista just does not display the proper thumbnails (preview) of Revit projects (.RVT) and Revit families (.RFA). Re-installation also does not seems to help either.

After some googling, I found the solution as follows:

Run the command window in the Administrator mode (under Windows Start type "cmd", right-click on the result and choose "Run as Administrator"). In the command line then type:

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\Program\RevitPreview.dll"

This will re-register the DLL library for previews - RevitPreview.dll. A message confirming a successfull registration of the DLL module should appear. After this, the thumbnails (preview) will appear properly.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Top 10 Reasons to upgrade to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010?

Actually, this should be called the top 10 features of Revit Architecture 2010 as it is taken right off the Autodesk Revit Architecture Top 10 Features. However, just to answer some of my customers who ask me the reason for them to upgrade to Revit Architecture 2010. So here goes. (Excuse me for the language used. I know they are a bit nauseating...)

1 Conceptual Design Environment













New and innovative Autodesk Revit Architecture conceptual design features provide easy-to-use tools for free-form modeling and parametric design, and the ability to perform early design analyses. Sketch freely, create 3D forms quickly, and manipulate forms interactively. Prepare your models for fabrication and construction with built-in tools for conception and clarifi cation of complex forms. Autodesk Revit Architecture automatically builds a parametric framework around your most complex forms as you continue to design, offering you greater levels of creative control, accuracy, and flexibility. Take your design from concept model all the way through construction documents, all within one intuitive environment.

2 Building Maker












The Building Maker feature helps you transform your conceptual forms into fully functional designs. Select and add faces to design walls, roofs, floors, and curtain systems. Extract important building information, including gross area per floor. Bring conceptual massing concepts from applications such as AutoCAD software and Autodesk Maya software, as well as AutoDes-Sys form-Z, McNeel Rhinoceros, Google Sketch-Up, or other ACIS- or NURBS-based applications into Autodesk Revit Architecture as mass objects and begin schematic design.

3 Bidirectional Associativity












A change anywhere is a change everywhere. In Autodesk Revit Architecture, model information is stored in a single, coordinated database. Revisions and alterations to information are automatically updated throughout the model, minimizing conflicting versions and significantly reducing unpleasant surprises.

4 Parametric Components












Parametric components, also known as families, are the basis for all building components designed in Autodesk Revit Architecture. These components offer an open, graphical system for design thinking and form making, while providing the opportunity to adjust and express design intent at detailed levels. Use parametric components for the most elaborate assemblies, such as cabinetry and equipment, as well as for the most elementary building parts, such as walls and columns. Best of all, no programming language or coding is necessary or required.

5 Schedules













Schedules provide another view of the comprehensive Autodesk Revit Architecture model. Changes to a schedule view are automatically reflected in all other views. Functionality includes associative split schedule sections and selectable design elements via schedule views, formulas, and filtering.


6 Detailing












The extensive detail library and detailing tools provided within Autodesk Revit Architecture enable extensive presorting, easing alignment with the CSI format. Detail libraries can be created, shared, and tailored to accommodate your office standards.


7 Material Takeoff













Calculate detailed material quantities with the Material Takeoff feature. Ideal for use on sustainable design projects and for precise verification of material quantities in cost estimates, this feature significantly smoothed the material quantity tracking process. As projects evolve, the Autodesk Revit Architecture parametric change engine helps ensure material takeoffs are always up to date.

8 Intuitive User Interface













The Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 features a streamlined user interface. Find your favorite tools and commands faster, locate lesser-used tools more efficiently, and discover relevant new features more easily. The result is less time searching through menus and toolbars, and more time getting your work done.


9 Sustainable Design












Autodesk Revit Architecture supports sustainable design processes from the earliest stages. Export building information to green building extensible markup language (gbXML). Perform energy analysis using Autodesk Green Building Studio web based services, and study building performance employing Autodesk Ecotect software. Use Autodesk 3ds Max Design software to accurately evaluate indoor environmental quality in support of LEED 8.1 certification.

10 Design Visualization












Create and capture fully photorealistic design ideas and contextual environments to experience your project, even before it is built. Integrated mental ray rendering helps deliver high-quality output, faster render times, and a superior design presentation.