Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
BIM Interviews.
From Architect Magazine:
...Documents for 1 WTC were completed in 2007, and now BIM is used on 85 percent of all SOM projects. Integrated modeling changed how the firm works, but, according to Paul Seletsky, senior manager of digital design in the New York office, adopting BIM requires adopting "BIM culture"—a new way of thinking about building design based on performance, not just form. It also requires a different kind of practitioner, one who can shape-shift between the design and technical demands of any project. Digital Design Specialists, as they are called in SOM parlance, reside on several project teams at a time. They are architects (not "operators," Seletsky stresses) who know the tools: Revit, Digital Project, Rhino 3D, Ecotech, and a host of simulation software. Most important, they can think critically and holistically about a design...Read More....
From Architectural Record:
Carl Galioto, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s partner-in-charge of the firm’s New York Technical Group, and Paul Seletsky, SOM’s director of digital design, are two of the architecture profession’s leading experts on BIM: building information modeling (also commonly referred to as virtual design and construction).
The pair discuss how BIM facilitated a major redesign of the Freedom Tower; assess the technology’s strategic impact on the profession; address common misperceptions; explain BIM’s potential benefits for smaller practices; point out how BIM can lead to increased compensation for architects; and lay out the potential ramifications of BIM—both positive and negative—on the architect’s overall role in the realization of buildings (“I believe this moment is a very critical hinge in the history of the practice of architecture—and that architects do have the ability to take a much greater responsibility in the implementation of their designs”)... Read More...
Audio Clips:
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Post-Graduate Tools to Survive.
Despite the economic stimulus programs proposed by local, state and national governments, it may take few years before the AEC professions (architecture, engineering and construction) experience a substantial recovery and before we find professional offices staffed at previous levels. While no one can guarantee a job as an architectural intern or any other related occupations, there are numerous things you can do to lessen the amount of time you are unemployed or underemployed.
In the short run, you may be forced to take a job that is not ideal or one that does not include working directly in an architecture firm. No matter the course you take, it is critical to remain connected to the architecture profession. It is important to maintain your skills and knowledge so that you are fully employable in the future.
Keep in mind that there are numerous "alternative" professions in which you can be successful with an architecture degree.... Read More...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Fountainhead - The Simpson's Edition
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Revit Blog Post Round-Up!
There have been alot of interesting Revit blog posts the past few days that I would like to note. Some of you maye have seen or read them and some may not have. Either way, enjoy my collection of recent revit blog posts:
There is No “I” in IPD!: AECbytes Viewpoint #45 posted by Gregory Arkin at Revit3D.com - BIMBoom Revitlution - 10 hours ago Great article and credit to http://twitter.com/ArchitectureCo/status/1864550633 There is No “I” in IPD!: AECbytes Viewpoint #45: "Mike Whaley Director of Preconstruction, J. H. Findorff and Son Inc. Grow...
They're doing what with AutoCAD? posted by Gregory Arkin at Revit3D.com - BIMBoom Revitlution - 14 hours ago From the Department of the Inferior and the La-Z-Drafter Rent to Own warehouse. You can now essentially lease AutoCAD for $166 per month. Isn't this how Revit got its start 9 years ago, rental only? ...
extensions4revit - Modeling - Excel Based Model Generation posted by Gregory Arkin at Revit3D.com - BIMBoom Revitlution - 1 day ago I saw a twitter post on this today, so I thought I'd make it a blog post. I'm going to do a little more research on this plugin and see just how easy it is to make a building from Excel. Sounds like quit...
Where are these Model Lines with the error? posted by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Renehan) at Revit Fix - 23 hours ago You have been giving a Revit error warning yet you can’t find the element and Revit doesn’t give you the option of showing them. It’s worth remembering that you can draw area boundary lines in an Area plan ...
Elements have changed category. Tags for these elements are now of the wrong category and will be deleted. posted by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Renehan) at Revit Fix - 2 days ago Another Error warning. This is one of the few errors where Revit does not let you delete the element to fix the problem. The error occurs when a curtain panel element which has been tagged; then is cha...
Slightly off axis and may cause inaccuracies posted by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Renehan) at Revit Fix - 2 days ago More on error warnings. The slightly off axis is a warning that mystifies most users. What does it exactly mean and how do you fix it. The error message is there to warn you when you may think something ...
3500 warnings down to 2 posted by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Renehan) at Revit Fix - 4 days ago We recently had one of our Revit projects go in for planning, and as it is likely to go on and be a Architecture / Structure Revit coordinated project in Design Development, I thought it would be worth doi...
Flip, Flop, Fly Apart Panels: A Workaround posted by Zach Kron at buildz - 3 days ago You've just finished doing Dave's excellent tutorial on dividing and paneling a form in Revit, it looks awesome, now you want to make some renderings to put on your Grandma's Ceiva. You load it into the Revi...
Building a Tensegrity Structure posted by Zach Kron at buildz - 5 days ago Back in November of 2008, when the new Revit massing and paneling tools were but infants, crawling around on the floor of the factory, Matt sends me this link to Lift Architects. They're making tensegrity st...
Seamless Mullions posted by Zach Kron at buildz - 1 week ago I did the Seamless Panel tutorial last week and realized that it ends up begging the question "how do I make a seamless FRAME". Building on that tutorial, here is one method to create such a panel.The result...
Seamless Panels posted by Zach Kron at buildz - 2 weeks ago The new paneling functionality in Revit 2010 does some pretty new and fun stuff. Especially compared to the limitations of the old curtain panels. You can do non-planar, patterned, and all sorts of crazy, ex...
Render Queue (ish) for Revit posted by Zach Kron at buildz - 3 weeks ago I love using the simplified rendering capabilities of Mental Ray in Revit 2009 and 2010, but it’s a hassle to do large numbers of renderings. Unfortunately, there’s no batch render functionality and the API ...
Imports in Families posted by Jeremy Tammik at The Building Coder - 1 day ago I will have left on vacation once again by the time this is posted. In case you wonder why I am on vacation so much, the trip to Italy in March and the wonderful experiences I had there were actually...
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Student to Student Revit Guide - Part 8 - Wall Detail
- Editing Wall Style
- Modifying the Base of a Wall
- Allow separate components of the wall to be freely manipulated.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tip - View Cube "Home Icon"
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Renzo Piano - Addition to the Art Institute of Chicago
Many of his peers gripe that this is because of the subdued nature of his designs — sophisticated but not too threatening or unfamiliar — which seem tailored to ease the insecurities of museum boards. Some envy his elegance, which makes him seem equally at home in corporate boardrooms and lofty cultural circles.
It’s hard to know how these qualities will play out amid the gloom and doom of the new economy. In some ways Mr. Piano’s refined, risk-averse architecture may be more appealing than ever. He is not out to start a revolution. His designs are about tranquillity, not conflict. The serenity of his best buildings can almost make you believe that we live in a civilized world.... Read more...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tutorial - Door Swing Angle (Plan)
Rotational Parameters and Face-Based Nested Families
We often come across requests or recommendations for adding rotational controls to family geometry. This is most commonly present for door swings, hinge type families, or geometry which needs to rotate around a given point in a family. I wanted to pass along a recommendation which typically works well.
The first step is to separate the family geometry [which will be rotated] into a separate face-based family. Face-Based families offer additional flexibility when placing the nested family into the host family. By utilizing a reference line for the rotational basis, the face-based family can be hosted onto the reference line by the “Place on Work Plane” option. By using the “TAB” key the two planes of the reference line can be specified, as well as the “SPACE” key to designate the nested family rotation during placement.
With the reference line in place and an angular dimension parameter attached, the nested face-based family will rotate with the reference line it is hosted on. I have outlined an example process in the video below:
Video Example
Please keep in mind this process can be applied to other scenarios for family creation. I typically recommend a reference line over a reference plane because a reference line can be aligned and constrained using the end point. This is often useful for a family rotating along an end point. In addition you can check the “Shared” option in the nested family under “Category and Parameters” to ensure visibility and scheduling occur as needed.
Thanks authors of Revit Clinic... Great video and explination!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Revit SIGG Water Bottle!
So your using Revit to do an accurate environmental analysis of your building and using the newest green materials but sitting next to your keyboard is an old Poland Spring bottle you must have refilled 100 times.
After a few weeks you throw the bottle out because of how many tiems your hear that you shouldn't keep refilling plastic bottles. Then you hear about what happens to plastic bottles after you throw them away... it's a lose lose situation!
I finally sucked it up and bought a SIGG water bottle. Of course, a few weeks after I bought mine for 30 bucks CafePress releases them for anyone with a store to use! Now you can have a SIGG waterbottle with a Revit flare to it!
Help save the planet while you rehydrate in style with an eye-catching BPA-free water bottle from SIGG. Made from a single piece of aluminum, it's ultra-lightweight yet rugged and crack-resistant. To minimize unwanted tastes and scents, the inside is lined with a water-based, non-toxic epoxy resin that exceeds FDA leaching requirements.
- Holds 1.0L
- Recyclable & reusable
- BPA-free
- Lifetime warranty
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tutorial - Attaching Walls to Roofs
I have recieved a number of questions about how to make a wall "attach" to a complex roof or a gabled roof. The answer is simple: Use the Attach Command. Check out the tutorial below...
- Using the Attach Command
- Attaching Wall Top to Roof
- Attaching Wall to Complex Roof
- Attaching Wall Bottom to Roof.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Revit 2010 - Massing Tutorial
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Imagining Recovery
Read more here...
IDP Training Report - Six Month
The Six-Month Rule will require interns to submit their training units in reporting periods of no longer than six months and within two months of completion of each reporting period. The rule will go into effect on 1 July 2009 for interns who begin an NCARB Record on or after that date and 1 July 2010 for all interns regardless of application date. All training unit reports must be submitted electronically through NCARB’s electronic Experience Verification Reporting (e-EVR) system.
The rule stems from a 2005 study conducted by NCARB and AIA that indicated regular reporting improves reporting accuracy, encourages better supervision, and targets needed experience. The IDP Guidelines have long recommended that interns submit reports regularly. Although six months would be the maximum amount of time allowed, interns may—and are encouraged to—report more frequently.
Once interns have submitted their training units by entering them into their Record online, those units are protected from the Six-Month Rule reporting requirements while any loose ends are tied up. Interns will not be affected by any delay caused by their supervisor or NCARB. However, submitted training units can be lost if they are deemed invalid by their supervisor, or if they are not earned in accordance with the rules of IDP.
The Six-Month Rule only applies to interns. It does not apply to registered architects that must document past experience for NCARB certification.
All of the provisions of the Six-Month Rule are designed to make every internship experience more constructive and valuable. The rule will greatly improve the accuracy of reporting, which should help reduce the amount of time it takes interns to complete the IDP.
Six-Month Rule Implementation Timeline
31 December 2008 – Launch of online reporting system for IDP training units.
1 July 2009 – Six-Month Rule goes into effect for interns who begin an NCARB Record on or after this date.
1 July 2010 – Six-Month Rule goes into effect for all interns regardless of when they started their NCARB Record.
Six-Month Rule Examples – The Committee on the IDP has compiled examples to help interns understand the basics of the rule.
Available Extensions – Similar to the NCARB’s ARE Rolling Clock, the Six-Month Rule will have extensions available for:
Birth or adoption of a child (six months)
Serious medical conditions
Active military service
Extensions will require documentation. The procedures for applying for an extension will be available when the Six-Month Rule goes into effect.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Power of BIM
Take what you will from it... I think its cool..
Update: Revit 2010 Keyboad Shortcuts
Revit 2010 Keyboard Shortcuts
The shortcut list that follows is based off of Revit 2009 but I have yet to see any differences in 2010. Please comment if you know of any new or changed shortcuts.
- PDF - Revit Keyboard Shortcuts (Credit to DavidDriver.com)
- HOK Blogpost (Where I originally found the list).
Modelling menu
File menu
"ER" menu:"File-Editing Requests"
"RL" menu:"File-Reload Latest""RW" menu:"File-Reload Latest"
Edit menu
"DE" menu:"Edit-Delete"
"MD" menu:"Edit-Modify"
"SA" menu:"Edit-Select All Instances"
"MV" menu:"Edit-Move"
"CO" menu:"Edit-Copy"
"RO" menu:"Edit-Rotate"
"AR" menu:"Edit-Array"
"MM" menu:"Edit-Mirror"
"RE" menu:"Edit-Resize"
"GP" menu:"Edit-Group-Create Group"
"EG" menu:"Edit-Group-Edit Group"
"UG" menu:"Edit-Group-Ungroup"
"LG" menu:"Edit-Group-Link Group"
"EX" menu:"Edit-Group-Exclude Member"
"MP" menu:"Edit-Group-Move Member to Project"
"RB" menu:"Edit-Group-Restore Excluded Member"
"RA" menu:"Edit-Group-Restore All"
"AP" menu:"Edit-Group-Add to Group"
"RG" menu:"Edit-Group-Remove from Group"
"AD" menu:"Edit-Group-Attach Detail"
"PG" menu:"Edit-Group-Group Properties"
"FG" menu:"Edit-Group-Finish Group"
"CG" menu:"Edit-Group-Cancel Group"
"PP" menu:"Edit-Pin Position"
"UP" menu:"Edit-Unpin Position"
"CS" menu:"Edit-Create Similar""PR" menu:"Edit-Properties"
View menu
"ZR" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom In Region"
"ZO" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom Out (2x)"
"ZF" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom To Fit"
"ZE" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom To Fit"
"ZA" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom All To Fit"
"ZS" menu:"View-Zoom-Sheet Size"
"ZP" menu:"View-Zoom-Previous Scroll/Zoom"
"VP" menu:"View-View Properties"F8 menu:"View-Dynamically Modify View
"VG" menu:"View-Visibility/Graphics"
"HH" menu:"View-Temporary Hide/Isolate-Hide Element"
"HI" menu:"View-Temporary Hide/Isolate-Isolate Element"
"HC" menu:"View-Temporary Hide/Isolate-Hide Category"
"IC" menu:"View-Temporary Hide/Isolate-Isolate Category"
"HR" menu:"View-Temporary Hide/Isolate-Reset Temporary Hide/Isolate"
"EH" menu:"View-Hide in view-Elements"
"VH" menu:"View-Hide in view-Category"
"EU" menu:"View-Unhide in view-Elements"
"VU" menu:"View-Unhide in view-Category"
"WF" menu:"View-Wireframe"
"HL" menu:"View-Hidden Line""SD" menu:"View-Shading with Edges"
"AG" menu:"View-Advanced Model Graphics""TL" menu:"View-Thin Lines"
"RR" menu:"View-Rendering-Raytrace"
F5 menu:"View-Refresh"
Modelling menu
"DR" menu:"Modelling-Door"
"WN" menu:"Modelling-Window""CM" menu:"Modelling-Component"
"LI" menu:"Modelling-Lines"
"RP" menu:"Modelling-Ref Plane"
Drafting menu
"DI" menu:"Drafting-Dimension"
"EL" menu:"Drafting-Spot Dimension-Spot Elevation"
"TX" menu:"Drafting-Text"
"GR" menu:"Drafting-Grid"
"LL" menu:"Drafting-Level"
"TG" menu:"Drafting-Tag-By Category"
"RM" menu:"Drafting-Room"
"RT" menu:"Drafting-Room Tag"
"DL" menu:"Drafting-Detail Lines"
Site menu
Tools menu
F7 menu:"Tools-Spelling"
"MA" menu:"Tools-Match"
"LW" menu:"Tools-Linework"
"PT" menu:"Tools-Paint"
"SF" menu:"Tools-Split Face"
"AL" menu:"Tools-Align"
"SL" menu:"Tools-Split Walls and Lines"
"TR" menu:"Tools-Trim/Extend"
"OF" menu:"Tools-Offset"
Settings menu
"SU" menu:"Settings-Sun and Shadows Settings"
"UN" menu:"Settings-Project Units"
Window menu
"WC" menu:"Window-Cascade"
"WT" menu:"Window-Tile"
Help menu
Snap overrides
"SI" snapcode:"Intersections"
"SE" snapcode:"Endpoints"
"SM" snapcode:"Midpoints"
"SC" snapcode:"Centers"
"SN" snapcode:"Nearest"
"SP" snapcode:"Perpendicular"
"ST" snapcode:"Tangents"
"SW" snapcode:"Work Plane Grid"
"SQ" snapcode:"Quadrants"
"SX" snapcode:"Points"
"SR" snapcode:"Snap to Remote Objects"
"SO" snapcode:"Snaps Off"
"SS" snapcode:"Turn Override Off"
Alternates with closer key spacing
"ZZ" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom In Region"
"ZX" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom To Fit"
"ZC" menu:"View-Zoom-Previous Scroll/Zoom"
"ZV" menu:"View-Zoom-Zoom Out (2x)"
"VV" menu:"View-Visibility/Graphics"
"CC" menu:"Edit-Copy"
Also, if you would like to edit/change your Revit 2010 keyboard shortcuts they can be found at: "C:\Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\Program". The file is a .txt file. There are instructions within the file as to how you can create your own Revit shortcuts.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Adobe Photoshop
Comprehensive 3D painting and compositing capabilities, expanded 2D and 3D measurement tools, and a streamlined Adjustment and selection workflow are just a few of the features that enable you to work more efficiently and make a greater impact with all of your drawings, designs, and communications. Photoshop CS4 Extended is part of Adobe Creative Suite® 4 Design Premium edition."
- Engineering and Architectural Workflow Tutorial
- Creating perspective-accurate visualizations with Vanishing Point
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Building Information Modeling Videos.
- Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Detailed Overview of BIM
- Elimination of Errors and Omissions
- Increase Efficiency
- Enable New Ways of Working
Friday, May 8, 2009
Revit Sucks!
- "As a schematic generator and scheduling, it's great. I'm not to keen on it for C.D.s"
- "Archicad is more flexible and was the innovator..."
- "Would be perfect if it was command based"
- "Projects with curves, non-standard wall assemblies, complex curtain walls, i.e. most of the stuff that makes architecture fun, is not so easy with Revit. You may as well use a good 3d model (rhino because of its acad compatibility seems like the best option these days) and adapt plans, sections, elevations, and details to documents in 2d. and in regards to who is using the program, i found its greatest proponents to be students and firm principals, both of whom have had little to no real world, hands-on project experience with the technology. not to say that revit will not become the industry standard. if clients and contractors begin to demand it, it goes without saying that it will be the future, but it will also have major implications for the way we design. (similar to the way acad changed design in the nineties.)"
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Revit 2010 Tutorial - Seamless Panels
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Autodesk 2010 Software Now Avaliable for Students.
Changing the Way Students Design for the Future
As the school year comes to a close, summer is the time to download the new versions of your favorite digital design software - or try out a new product. Become proficient with the tools design professionals use worldwide, so you can make an impact on your future.
There are now more than 20 Autodesk products available for free* download on the Student Engineering & Design Community! And, for the first time ever, we're making AutoCAD® 2010 available as well.
The Student Community expands the portfolio of products you can use to develop the skills you need in design industries such as mechanical engineering, industrial design, architecture, civil and structural engineering, and the digital arts. It will also help you gain expertise in the growing industry trends of Digital Prototyping, building information modeling (BIM) and sustainable design.
Free* 2010 Software Includes:
• AutoCAD® (new!)
• Autodesk® Revit® Architecture
• AutoCAD® Inventor® Professional Suite
• AutoCAD® Civil 3D®
• Autodesk® Alias® Automotive
• Autodesk® Showcase®
• AutoCAD® Map 3D
...and more!
Revit 2010... Suck it up and go for it!
- Autodesks explination about Revit 2010 and the reason behind the much talked about Ribbon Tool bar. (Credit to Revit3d.com)
Don't be afraid of change... give it a chance!
Revit Classroom Workflow - Step 5
- Create a Schedule: This could easily apply to a student not using Revit, but I will apply it to one using Revit. I find it to be so very crucial to create a simple schedule the day you receive the program of a project. Set concrete dates as to when you plan to finish each step of the project. Following this schedule will not only help you finish your work on time but also prepare you for the real world (where everything depends on these stupid schedules). Also, don't forget to add a good week extra if you plan to render in Revit (Until Autodesk addresses rendering times the way they should be, be prepared to wait.)
- Socialize and Discuss: Due to the easy nature of making changes in Revit and it's ability yo easily "tell the story" of your building discussion is key. Throughout the entire design process discuss and show all of your ideas with your peers and professor. I have learned that something as simple as another student saying, "Um... why's that door over there?" will force you to think more about your building and why you designed what you did. It also gives you a chance to pick up on mistakes that could easily be breezed over until you pin that drawing to the wall.
- Print "Check-Sets": You are now using a program that will have you way ahead of schedule when creating sheets. Revit has the ability to pump out sheets like no other program. You pay a pricey tuition to be in that school... USE THEIR PAPER. Print everything you can as many times as you want. Far too many times I see fellow students waiting till last minute to print. The first set they print is what goes on the wall and guess what... they look like crap! Line weights are all wrong, viewports and cutting things off, and the titleblock isn't even centered. Take the time to print throughout the entire design process. Grab a red pen... pretend you are your boss and redline the crap out of it!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Green Templates - Ecotect
- Green Templates: Part 1 - Indoor Analysis and Glazing
- Green Templates: Part 2 - Revit Architecture and Ecotect
Buildz Blog.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tutorial - Custom Material Creation
This is a topic that has always been brought to my attention and asked. I never really touched the subject until I was forced too. Revit has great built in rendering materials, but it might not have the specific stone you are looking for. Using a stone material example, here is how to create a nice custom rendering material for revit.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Revit Comic
Remember the architect comic strip I mentioned a while ago (Arch.Maaik)? Well here is a Revit strip from a couple days ago. Click the image to see it better.
The Life of an Architecture Student.
Andekan - Revit Components done Right.
"Our focus is on building geometrically precise and information rich families that maximize Revit’s parametric content engine. Our content stands out among other providers for its high level of detail, light file size, and fast performance within Revit."
- Here is a link to Andekans Website.
- Here is a link to Andy... who I am still waiting for along with the rest of us Revit bloggers.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tutorial - Revit Decals
Friday, May 1, 2009
Revit 2010 Links and Videos.
The Revit Kid.com! by Jeffrey A. Pinheiro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at The Revit Kid.com.