Lumion 8 - Teaser Image ...

Click to enlarge.... Like, for real... Click it....

I downloaded Lumion 8 last week and am beyond impressed with the the new updates, features, and settings... 

In fact, I have been so impressed that I could not wait to finish my thorough review before sharing at least an image with you all! 

While I am in the process of completing my review post about Lumion 8 Pro I want you all to click the image above and see the comparison (or contrast!) between the two versions.  The images above are raw renderings of one of my projects (modeled in Revit).  

I hope you all can see why I am so excited about this release...

What do you think?!

Also, you can follow the trail of my previous two Lumion reviews here and here...

Another Dynamo Journey Story... (60secondrevit)

When I published a post a few weeks ago describing my Dynamo journey there were a lot of great comments and feedback.  It seems as though many of you were interested in hearing how others got into Dynamo, how they use it, and how they learned.

Because we are in the midst of the DIY Dynamo enrollment week I decided to do something a little different.  One of the people who helped (and continues to help) me continue growing my Dynamo skills is John Pierson of SixtySecondRevit. John is a well known member of the Dynamo community and created some of the most useful packages out there (like Rhythm).

I thought it would be great to hear his Dynamo story and where he started his journey (and why).  Instead of simple interviewing John through twitter or text I thought I would record a Skype call...

Continue reading to hear my "interview" with John...

Why I Learned Dynamo and The Two Things I Discovered During the Process...

Last week, I discussed the number one reason (based on a survey of Revit Kid readers) Revit users have not used/learned Dynamo: Time.

There have been some great comments and dialogue born out of last week’s post. This week, I’d like to talk about the second reason Revit Kid readers stated they have not learned Dynamo yet and tell a short story about why I eventually took the plunge.

The second most common reason Revit Kid readers have not learned/used Dynamo (again, based on a survey I held here on the blog) was “no practical use” or “haven’t found a need”....

Continue reading to hear about my Dynamo journey and how I was thinking the exact same thing...

You Don’t Have Time to Learn Dynamo, You Say?

We’ve all been there.

You’re sitting at your desk with four empty coffee cups, Pandora blaring some tunes into your headphones, and Revit’s damn magenta colored sketch lines burned into your retinas.

I know what it’s like to work with a deadline looming over your head (or maybe more than one deadline).  Which is why I was not surprised to discover the number one reason TheRevitKid.com reader (such as yourself) said you have not learned Dynamo yet is that you “don’t have the time”.

The Dynamo Desktop Cheat Sheet - Free Download!

Although the temperature has remained in the high 80's here, summer has officially ended.  That means the Dynamo Days of Summer are coming to a close.  Usually, I would be very sad this time of the year with cold and snowy weather approaching.  But, this year, I am excited!

Why? You ask.

Because my latest course, "DIY Dynamo - A Beginner's Course on Dynamo for Revit", will open enrollment soon!

Why else?

Because I am excited to share my latest free download with you all! 

Continue reading to learn more about The Dynamo Desktop Cheat Sheet and find out how to download it for free today!...

Revit Tip - Auto Section Box Using Scope Box

This is a simple tip that can help improve your efficiency, improve live model viewing, and assist when exporting part of your building(s) to other formats.  I discovered this a while back when I had to export a large project by level for viewing on iPads in the field.  All 15 floors had to be sliced and exported.

Keep reading and you will see why this technique helped me achieve my task....

Revit Tutorial - Align Views on Sheets (Tips and Tricks)

Today's tutorial can be one of those tips that seems rudimentary.  Well, it is... But, the amazing thing about Revit is how many different ways users go about accomplishing the same task.

I have seen hundreds of different Revit files from hundreds of different companies and users and the variety of techniques used to align views on sheets is astounding.  I decided to make a quick video that demonstrates the way I align views from sheet to sheet in Revit....

Continue reading to view the tutorial ... let's see how many other ways you come up with!

Did You Miss the Assemble Webinar Last Week? Here is the replay...

For those of you who missed it live, last week I co-hosted a webinar with Assemble Systems.  Assemble is a cloud hosted model based quantity takeoff (5D) program.  It runs within your browser and is extremely simple to use... Actually, before I continue re-explaining why I have been pushing Assemble so hard for contractor's just watch the video and find out!

Continue reading to view the “Conditioning” with Assemble to Visualize and Communicate Cost
Featuring Turner Construction webinar replay....

Free Webinar: “Conditioning” with Assemble to Visualize and Communicate Cost

I am going to take a quick break from the Dynamo Days of Summer to let everyone know about a free webinar I will be a guest on next week.  I have mentioned Assemble Systems in presentations in the passed (and maybe on the blog here and there) but have not had the time to fully review it for everyone (yet).  Either way, the webinar will act as a good introduction to the software for those who have not heard of it yet! More about the webinar:

“Conditioning” with Assemble to Visualize and Communicate Cost

Featuring Turner Construction

Wednesday, August 30 @ 1pm CT

Continue reading more details and to register for the free webinar....

Node of the Week #2 - Dynamo Days of Summer

Last week, I posted about my number one Dynamo node and explained why I chose it (click here to see the post from Node of the Week - Element.SetParameterByName).   This week, I'd like to highlight my second favorite Dynamo node:

Element.GetParameterByName

At first glance, this node looks very similar to last weeks.  In fact, Element.GetParameterByName is the counterpart to last weeks node; Element.SetParameterByName.  So, let's talk about what it does and why I chose it as my second favorite Dynamo node...

Node of the Week #1 - Dynamo Days of Summer

As Dynamo Days of Summer continues, I wanted to take a minute to highlight some of my favorite nodes in a segment aptly called "Node of the Week".

When trying to rate my favorite Dynamo nodes it was not hard to come up with my number one.  This node is by far the most powerful and versatile.  It is the foundation of some of the most complex scripts that exist.  What is it?

Element.SetParameterByName

That's right.  Want to know why it is my favorite (and the Node of the Week)?  Continue reading to find out...  ( P.S. - There is also some news on the beginners Dynamo course I have been working on at the end of this post... )

Building Content Summit 2017 - Are You Going?

Due to scheduling conflicts I will not be attending BILT North America (formally RTCNA) this year... I know, I am sad too...

But!  I will be attending/speaking at the Building Content Summit for the first time this year!

As sad as I am to not be attending RTCNA (crap, I mean, BILT NA), I am excited to attend a focused two day conference about the state of content in Building Information Modeling.  While developing my presentation I realized how many opinions I actually have on building content.  I can only imagine the other 70-100 attendees feel the same!

Will you be attending BCS 2017 this year in Toronto?  If so, shoot me an email, say hi when you see me, or message/follow me on Twitter! (@TheRevitKid)

Also, if you are attending, make sure you joining my session on Tuesday morning at 10:45AM.

Similar to last year's session at RTCNA (now, BILT NA), I will be discussing how contractors use models but with an emphasis on content's (Revit Families, etc...) impact on downstream use of the model (pre-construction, construction, operations, and so on...)

I hope to see some of  you there!!

3D Printing Topography Directly from Revit ... Plus, Exciting News!

Due to the overwhelming interest, engagement, and discussions created over my last post documenting the process of 3D printing directly from Revit I figured this post is a perfect follow-up. Interesting discussions on Twitter and through emails led me to explore the concept of automating the process documented in last weeks post using Dynamo.  I have made progress with "massing" the building using Dynamo but it's not quite ready to share...  Instead, I will share something just as cool!

While exploring using Dynamo to "mass" a building for 3D printing I realized a similar script could be used to 3D print topography.  For those of you who may not have attempted printing topography I'll let you in on a little secret: it doesn't work.  Topography exports as a single surface and not a solid.  Therefore, you need to use the process I mentioned last week to mass out the topography... Imagine trying to model topography using conceptual massing... not fun!

Thanks to our good friend Dynamo (and some awesome users in the Dynamo forum), printing Revit Topography can be as easy as clicking "run"... Keeping reading to see the script and how it works...

*** P.S. - I have some exciting updates about the blog at the end of this post... so definitely read until the end!

3D Printing and Revit - Yes, It's Possible, and Here's How ...

When I was given the opportunity to purchase and use a LulzBot Taz 6 my first reaction was, "awesome".  Until I started doing research on 3D printing an actual Revit model, "not so awesome".  With a deadline for printing a project approaching my feeling of excitement turned to anxiety.

I found out that you just can't "press print" on your every-day Revit model and expect it to 3D print.

I also found out that there is very little information regarding the processes required to actually 3D print your working Autodesk Revit building models... So, I will save you the trouble of searching and do my best to break down the quickest and most effective method I've found to printing ANY of your Revit models.... Step 1 is the key...

From Revit to Lumion - The Ultimate Review (Revisited)

Example of a House and Site  Modeled in Revit and Rendered in Lumion

This is one of those posts that has been in my "draft" queue for quite some time now.  Finally, it is complete!  

There have been two new releases and lots of great updates to Lumion since my last post in 2015.  The review I posted in 2015 is still relevant in describing the great benefits of using Lumion (so be sure to check it out). But now, let's talk about what has happened to Lumion over the last 2 years...

Revit 2018 is Out... And... It's Alright.

As I mention every year now the "new releases" of Revit aren't always that exciting anymore.  This is mostly due to the subscription setup Autodek is implementing.  Instead of one massive launch every year they will slowly drip out new features with major releases throughout the year.  Personally, I don't mind it.  It may not have the April excitement that used to come with every new release of Revit, but it works.

Now, onto what I think of the new and "new" Revit 2018 features...

Virtual Reality and Revit in the Real-World ( Success Story with HTC Vive & Enscape 3D )

I know every single person who reads this blog is familiar with the explosion of Virtual Reality (VR) over the last few years.  I know, because I have also been saturated with everything "VR". My first personal experience with VR was using Google Cardboard over two years ago...   As you can imagine, VR has come a long way since that post.

Initially, emerging technologies can battle with the concept of pragmatism.  The first thing you hear with something like AR, VR, Dynamo, etc.. is "cool, but how can I use it in the 'real-world'"?

Today, I wanted to talk about a recent real-world experience with VR.  More specifically, with Revit, the HTC Vive, and Enscape 3D.

... Continue reading to hear about the success story and my thoughts on the aforementioned technologies (including a breakdown of the hardware and software we used)...

Revit Tip - Modifying a "Built-In" Parameter (Type to Instance)

One of the things I love about teaching a BIM course at the University level is how much I learn from it...  Whether it be the fact that I am constantly challenged with questions or the fact that the students, with brand new perspectives on the program, point out nuances I've been too in the trenches to see...

Well, today's tip is a perfect example of a nuance that I never noticed...  During a recent class I was teaching my students how to make a fully parametric casement window from scratch.  We decided, as an example, we wanted the "Width" of the window to be an instance parameter... Well, if you start with the "Window" template, guess what...?  You can't make it an instance.. Or can you..?

Continue reading to find out more...

Revit Tutorial - True Solar / Shadow Studies

Here at TheRevitKid.com, 2017 is going to be the year of "bringing sexy back".  That means many of the tips, tricks, tutorials, and reviews will be related to presentation and visualization.  So, for the first post of 2017 we are going to attack a common problem for many designers using Revit.

You may have made floor plans with shadows in Revit.  Additionally, you may have created solar studies of your designs in Revit.  If so, you have probably run into a little issue when it comes to accurately depicting sun and shadows in Revit floor plans.

By default, your shadows will reflect what the floor plan view shows, which is a cut at 4'-0" above your level.  For typical presentations, this looks great.  But if your goal is to accurately represent the sun and shadows within your space, cutting the building at 4'-0" will not help!

...Continue reading to view a video tutorial that demonstrates how to make floor plans that accurately represent how your sun and shadows will appear.  Oh, I also touch on how to make a solar study animation... ;)