Rebuilding Notre Dame... In Revit.

Wow...

That is all I can say after the latest episode of BIM After Dark Live...  

Andy Milburn joined me to walk us through one of the most stunning Revit models I have ever seen:  Notre Dame de Paris.  Andy and an awesome team of Revit-eers from around the world have re-built an absolute masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Revit. 

While walking through the actual model live, Andy explained their approaches to many unique elements around the building.

Topics Covered:

- How the initial plan was developed using images, exterior scans, and "Revit-tized".

- Unique Elements such as some really neat stairs.

- Exploration of modeling a variety of groin vaults.

- An Enscape fly through!

Continue reading to view the episode...

How to Model Board and Batten Siding in Revit

I have received many questions and emails over the years about how to model board and batten siding in Revit.  So, when I decided to run through the process during an episode of BIM After Dark Live I knew it just had to be stripped out and cut into it's own tutorial.

Topics Covered:

- Two ways to make Board and Batten Siding in Revit.

- Using Curtain Walls for more than just curtain walls.

- How 3D battens enhance your renderings dramatically.

Continue reading to view the tutorial and find out how to download the sample files....

Connecting Revit to Power BI : An Introduction to Visualizing Model Data (Replay)

In this episode of BIM After Dark Live we explored the data inside our Revit models...

We spend so much time modeling, making documents, and making pretty pictures we tend to forget about the "I" in BIM.  The information.  In this episode I demonstrate some simple ways you can start visualizing the data in your models with Power BI.

Topics Covered:

- Exporting Revit Data into Power BI friendly format(s).

- Introduce Power BI and make some visuals using our Revit data.

- Update the model and refresh your data dashboards.

- Use Dynamo to export a true "multi-category" schedule.

- Show how I created a construction cost estimate dashboard to track a project's budget.

I'll give you the power of data visualization... What you do with it, is up to you!

Continue reading to view the episode and see all of the links mentioned...

My Revit Design Process: Split Level Redux (Part 1)

On the latest episode of BIM After Dark Live I introduced a current residential project I am working on. I plan on documenting this project throughout the year and using it as an example for discussions, questions, and so on.  

During the live session last night I walked through some tips for modeling existing conditions (in fact, there were quite a few questions that kept me on that topic longer than I thought!), I ran through some unique demolition tips, I show you how Enscape can be a quick design tool, and more...

Continue reading to see the latest episode and view the links mentioned...

Tutorial - Revit Placeholders in Twinmotion (Replace Object With It's Base Point)

Here is a really quick but super valuable tutorial if you are using Revit and Twinmotion (actually, it may be helpful for any FBX export from Revit).

Typically, when you export a model from Revit to FBX (using the Twinmotion plugin) the project base point is your insertion point.  Meaning, every mesh that comes in (even if separated but material or category) all share the same project base point in Twinmotion.

Well, that doesn't always have to be the case.  You can actually export objects and they maintain their own base points.  For example, a chair or desk in Revit can have it's "origin" from the family editor as it's placement point in Twinmotion... 

I know, so cool, right?!

Well, it get's even better... Knowing this, you can use Twinmotion's "Replace Object" functions to swap our families with Twinmotion library elements!

Continue reading to find out how...

Data = Better BIM (A History of Data Analytics & AEC) w/Konrad Sobon (Episode 16)

Last night's episode of BIM After Dark Live featured Paul Aubin and Konrad Sobon.   If you're a Dynamo user then you've probable used a custom package built by Konrad (ie. arch-lab).  

During the session Konrad walked through some really interesting examples of how he got started in data analytics (and visualization) and what led him to where he is now (co-founder of bimBeats).

Continue reading to view the replay and see the links mentioned...

4 Steps to Sexier Revit (Episode 15)

On last nights episode of BIM After Dark Live we talked about simple steps to take that will immediately make your Revit views (and more) look better. 

I walked through my Revit journey (with some very embarrassing old projects) and talked about how I developed the styles and settings I share.  I then ran through the "70/50/20" rule, talked about custom materials, and more.  We had some great questions throughout and quality conversations in the chat... Thanks for joining and engaging to those of you who attended live!

If anything, it's worth checking out the replay to see my very first Revit project...  -_-

Oh, and my son, Jacob, made a guest appearance:

Continue reading to view the replay, see links mentioned, and more...

Tuning Up Your Revit Template (w/ Special Guest Aaron Maller) Episode 14

I know it's a good interview when I am writing down notes furiously the whole time.  And boy was I writing down a lot of notes last night!

During last nights episode of BIM After Dark Live, Aaron Maller joined me to give 10 (well, it ended up being more than 10) tips for Revit Templates.  As usual, Aaron did not disappoint.

We covered everything from line weights, to view filters, to placeholder references, and beyond...

Continue reading to view the replay and see the links mentioned...

Top 5 Ways to Use Design Options in Revit (Episode 13)

Well, last nights episode of BIM After Dark Live was a doozy!  

The format of having the BIM After Dark community Office Hour and a live Happy Hour could have caused a disaster, but, other than a couple minor glitches, everything worked out great.

Not only did the format work out great but the topic of Design Options in Revit was clearly something that interests a lot of people.  We had a record live attendance of 301 people.  

For those of you that joined us live, thank you!  For those of you who missed it live... 

Continue reading to view the replay and see all of the links mentioned...

Beyond Documentation: How to Create High Quality Presentations with Autodesk Revit (AIA Webinar)

Quick post to all of my AIA (and non-AIA) readers!  I will be presenting a webinar about Revit and presentation graphics today (June 22nd) at 3PM (EST).  This webinar is hosted by AIA Connecticut and is worth 1 learning unit. 

AIA members can register for free and non-members will have to pay a fee...

I'd love for you to join me!

Sneak Peek at the slide deck...

Course Objectives:

- Learn how to produce high quality floor plans, elevations, and sections within Revit.

- Discover simple solutions to creating conceptual diagrams in Revit

- Learn how to develop hyper realistic interior renderings with one click in Enscape.

- Gain an understanding of how real-time rendering software gives you the ability to build urban cities around your Revit model and have them come to life in minutes.

Click here to register now!

Revit & Enscape - Top 5 Secrets Revealed w/Dan Stine

Dan Stine, of BIM Chapters, joined me on Episode 12 of BIM After Dark Live last night, and it was a good one!  Dan walked through 7 (not just 5!) of his top Enscape secrets.  Beyond the awesome secrets Dan shared he also sprinkled in a whole bunch of little tips and tricks throughout.   I will be the first to admit I learned a thing or two about Enscape I didn't know! Thanks, Dan!

If you joined us live, I hope you had a good time!  All of the links mentioned are in this post.

If you missed it, you have to keep reading and checkout the replay... it is a can't miss...

Revit and Twinmotion 2020 - 6 Months Later... (A "Re-Review")

In last nights episode of BIM After Dark Live I did a "re-review" of Twinmotion.  Over the last few months I have been really testing the limits of what Twinmotion can do for me... Including using it on some extremely large and extremely small projects.

I spoke about and demonstrated some of my lessons learned and quirky things to keep in mind when using Twinmotion with a Revit model.  I also answered some great questions from viewers... 

Finally, I announced a few big news items!  

Continue reading to view the replay, see the links mentioned, and find out about the big announcements!