How to Filter Walls BY LEVEL in Revit

 

This "Community Quick Tip" talks about one approach to filtering walls by their levels.

File this one under, "why can't Revit just be able to do this?!".  In this tutorial we mix a little Revit and Dynamo to show you how you can filter a Revit wall by it's host/base level.  Something that is NOT possible out of the box...

I know, crazy... Right?  

Well, hopefully this tutorial will help!

Continue reading to see my approach to this out of the box Revit limitation...

Adding a Detail Item in a Wall Sweep in Revit?!

 

Here is a great little tip on how to embed detail component items within your profile families in Revit.  For example, if you had a metal coping profile that was a wall sweep and you wanted to see 2x6 blocking when you cut a section (but don' need to model it) then this is a great solution for you!

This tutorial was inspired by a question from Emil, a member of the BIM After Dark Community.  Thanks for the inspiration, Emil!

Continue reading to view the "Community Quick Tip" tutorial...

Easy Gutter End Caps in Revit

 

This is a great little tutorial that I can't take credit for.  Chris Broda, a member of the BIM After Dark Community (learn more about the community below) came up with the solution and let me share it with you all!  This is a simple tip to make fully functioning gutter end caps in Revit (and no, it is NOT modeling in place!).

Continue reading to view the tutorial and links mentioned...

Managing LARGE & COMPLEX Sites in Revit and Twinmotion (Replay w/Links)

 

On last night's episode of BIM After Dark Live I broke down how my team and I manage large, complex, and phased scenes in Revit & Twinmotion 2020 to create construction logistics/phasing plans, aerial views, and more... There are a lot of aspects to this session for Revit: - Model setup of super large scenes (acres upon acres of land). - Use of Container models using the design teams files. - Managing multiple phases, fencing, and more... Then, there are all the lessons learned when using Twinmotion 2020 with these large scenes, such as: - Export/Import Tips for less crashes. - Managing Phases/Sequencing, etc... - More efficient and stable model refreshes on large scenes - Best trees and material settings for aerial views. - Best lighting settings for aerial views...

Follow along as I walked through two different projects with their own unique approaches to creating large site models in Revit and managing how those scenes are built in Twinmotion.

Also, it's worth watching this episode to see how nervous I was while running two instances of Twinmotion 2020, two instances of Revit, and streaming live to YouTube from a 2K monitor... Talk about risky!

Continue reading to view the replay and all of the links mentioned (as well as the Twinmotion light settings I walk through at the end)...

Array Based Families in Revit - What You NEED TO KNOW! (+ Free Guide)

 

Missed the show live?  Be sure to check out the replay below and a link to my Free Desktop Revit Family Cheat sheet...

Yesterday's episode of BIM After Dark Live was inspired by a subscriber's email (Matt).  Matt had a few questions about using an array in Revit to build families and some of the tips and tricks when doing so...

So, I thought it would be fun to build an array based family live!  And walk through some of those little "need to know" tips and tricks along the way.

Topics Covered:

- Creating a nested family and "carrying over" the parameters.

- Creating a line based family.

- Using and applying arrays

- Formulas to drive the array

- How to handle single objects and arrays in the same family...

There were a bunch of great questions and even some comments from Paul Aubin and Nick of Revit Pure!

Continue reading to view the replay, see the links, and download the free desktop family guide...

Residential Revit - Under Construction (Replay + Links)

 

In this episode of BIM After Dark Live I gave an update on my ongoing home addition project ("Split Level Redux") and talk about some of the ways Revit has helped during the construction phase. 

So often in residential construction, as the architect, we spend countless hours working with a client to design their dream home (or addition).  However, there isn't always a connection between that effort and the efforts in the field.  

I have been using my own personal project as an opportunity to explore how Revit (and "BIM" in general) can add value to residential contractors, too.

In this episode we explored:

- General construction updates on the project (with some cool footage).

- How I am using Revit to track progress.

- How Revit is helping me place material orders.

- Real-time diagramming and problem solving using the model..

- And of course, some of the head-aches along the way....

Continue reading to view the replay and all of the links mentioned (there were quite a few links mentioned!)... 

Revit and Drones - Mapping, Point Clouds, and More...

If you missed last night's episode of BIM After Dark Live, do yourself a favor and check out the replay below...  If you're an overall technology junky/geek like me, you

Drones and Revit are two technologies I have been trying to figure out how to connect for a couple of years now.  Recently, a colleague of mine introduced me to a technology that makes it all possible.

In this episode I walked through how I was able to take a $600 (Black Friday sale drone) and map out an existing building, export it to a point cloud, and bring it into Revit...

Oh, and so so much more...

Like this really cool looking image...

Continue reading to see what I am all jazzed up about and to see the links (software and hardware) mentioned...

BIM for Everyone - Assemble Systems & Revit

 

On last night's episode of BIM After Dark Live I introduced Assemble Systems and ran through some of the more valuable features of the platform. 

I wasn't expecting it to be as interactive of a discussion as it was (as seen from the live chat log below).  But, I think it shows the interest and value of Assemble Systems... Pretty cool!

In the episode I  introduce you to Assemble, but I also used real-world examples to demonstrate how Assemble has removed the barriers of entry and given access to BIM for everyone at Turner Construction.  

Some of the topics we discussed were:

- Learn about the way conditioning and filtering a model SHOULD be in Revit...

- Model based quantity takeoff that anyone can do.  Seriously, anyone.  Even “old man Phil” with the drafting board and French curve on his desk.

- Model version comparisons for dummies.

- Model based constructability reviews that don’t require a fancy laptop or a “BIM kid” to help.

- 3-Click model based production (work-in-place) tracking even your most “old-school” superintendent can do.

- Creating real-time and dynamic dashboards to analyze model data.

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

DynaMaps and Revit - Adding Context to Your Models (w/Mostafa & Paul Aubin)

 

On last night's episode of BIM After Dark Live we welcomed Mostafa El Ayoubi.  Mostafa is an architect and civil engineer.  He is the creator of Dynamo packages like DynaMaps and Data-Shapes.

This episode introduced the genesis of the DynamMaps package and it’s foundations as well as some workflows showing how to get site geometry inside Dynamo and push it to Revit will then be live demoed.

Also, this was another "crossover" with Paul Aubin and the ChiNamo users group!

Topics Included:

- Introduction to DynaMaps

- Installing the Package

- Step by Step demonstration of how to bring in buildings, topography, roads, and trees from open source data to your Revit models.

Continue reading to view the replay and learn how to install and use DynaMaps today!

Parametric Dining Room Light Fixture Family in Revit - Start to Finish

 

I built a parametric family in Revit on yesterday's episode of BIM After Dark Live.

But, not just any old Revit family.  A dining room light fixture. 

Why a light fixture family?  

Well, I've noticed over the years that light fixtures are probably some of the most wanted families.  Probably because there are literally millions of fixture with all sorts of little details within them.

Another reason I wanted to walk you through the creation of this fixture live is that is contains a whole bunch of great family creation tips and tricks along the way.  

There were some great questions and I shared a lot of "process" references (like sketches, and diagrams) that are worth checking out...

Topics Covered:
- Laying out a Parametric Object
- Using Nested Families (when, why, and how).
- Using multiple light sources in one family.
- Carrying parameters (like materials) through nested Families
- When to use sweeps over extrusions
- Tips for making "rods"...

And so much more.  

If you missed it, be sure to continue reading to see the replay and view all of the reference materials...

Behind the Scenes "BAD" Office Hour (Topics: Revit Curtain Walls & Placeholder Links)

 

Over the last few days I have received some emails asking about what an "Office Hour" within the BIM After Dark Community actually is...

Instead of simply responding to a bunch of emails, I thought I would make a video!

In this video I take you behind the scenes of an actual "BIM After Dark Community" office hour. I hold these private office hours about every other week for members of the community.

The topic of this sample office hour is Revit Curtain Wall Systems (a couple specific questions from member, Jerry) and placeholder links in Revit (a great tip and discussion for anyone dealing with links!).

So, this video can serve as an example of an Office Hour, but also give you some valuable tips and tricks... Win win!

Click here (or the image above) to view the office hour sample...

Want to see more Office Hour examples...?  

Check out this episode of BIM After Dark Live (Top 5 Ways to Use Design Options in Revit) where I hosted a Community Office Hour WITH a YouTube lice audience... 

Revit Numbered Note Block Hack - Adding a "Period" (Community Quick Tip)

 

In today's "Community Quick Tip" I show you an interesting "hack" when using generic annotations and numbered note blocks in Revit.  It has to do with adding a "period" as a suffix to your note block (or list) while NOT having the period show in your annotation symbol on your plans...

This tutorial was inspired by a question from Reggie Holt.  Reggie is an architect and an active member of the BIM After Dark Community.  Thanks for the inspiration, Reggie!!

Click here (or the image above) to view the tutorial...

How to Split a Wall Sweep in Revit (Community Quick Tip)

Happy final Monday of 2020!!  Thank goodness... Am I right?

Today's video is the first of a mini-series I am calling "Community Quick Tips".  Essentially, these are video versions of longer question and answer conversations had over on the BIM After Dark Community.

In this video I answer Emil's question within the community about splitting wall sweeps.  I show two different approaches to splitting a wall sweep (hint, you can't just use the split tool).  

Click here or the image above to view the video tutorial...

Learning Revit, together.

Also, don't forget, you can save 30% off your membership if you join before the end of the year.  Click here to lean more or join now...

Calculating Occupancy in Revit, Automatically

 

On the latest episode of BIM After Dark Live I was joined by Dana De Filippi to talk about automatically calculating (and tagging) occupancy loads in Revit.  Dana is a co-host on the BIM Thoughts Podcast and a BIM technologist within the field of architecture and kicks all kinds of Dynamo butt.

Dana shared the workflow she developed that will automatically (and accurately) calculate your occupancy loads and place them into tags for you!  Something I know you all just love doing manually ... ;)

Topics Covered:

- Creating and using Area Schemes in Revit

- Constructing key values and using conditional formatting in Revit schedules.

- Use Dynamo to collect Revit and Excel Data

- Discover how to integrate user selection of different code requirements.

This is a DO NOT MISS for all of my fellow Architects out there (and FP engineers, too!)...

Continue reading to view the episode and download the sample files Dana was so gracious to share!

Sloped Shower Floor / Drain in Revit (Quick Tip Edition)

In our next "Quick Tip" video I demonstrate a few different approaches to making your floors slope to a drain in Revit.  This could be used for showers or any sloped floor, really...  Enjoy!

Corrugated Metal Walls in Revit ("Butler" Buildings) - Quick Tip Edition

In this short tip I demonstrate one possible solution to modeling corrugated metal walls (like "Butler Buildings") in Revit...  This is just one way to approach it... There are many!

Enjoy... 

Curtain Wall Corners in Revit (Quick Tip Edition)

 

In this short video I walk through some options for modeling curtain wall corner in Revit. We talk about butt-glazing corners, standard corners, and more... Enjoy!

Tutorial - Concrete Reveals in Revit

 

In this short video I answer a great question from a follow about creating concrete walls with reveals in Revit (an controlling the visibility and look of those reveals).

Continue reading to view the tutorial....

Cold-Formed Steel (Metal) Framing in Revit

 

In today's quick tip Revit tutorial (extracted directly from an episode of BIM After Dark Live) I run through the process of modeling cold-formed steel (or "metal") studs in Revit. 

Simple, straight-forward, and to the point....

Continue reading to view the tutorial...

Rainscreen in Revit

 

In this short video (extracted from a longer episode of BIM After Dark Live) I demonstrate different ways to utilize the curtain wall tool to your advantage.  I talk about creating rain screens, wood slat walls, and more...

When you begin to think about the curtain wall tool as simply a grid system used for hosting solids and voids it opens up a whole new world!

Continue reading to watch the video...