IMAGINiT Architectural Solutions Blog

New Enhancements in Large Team Workflow for Revit 2011

Large Team Workflow

Linked File and Workset Visibility Improvements

With the 2011 release of Autodesk Revit Architecture, a focus was placed on improving the experience of working on large projects with worksets and links.

1. Workset Control

Workset visibility control is greatly simplified with easier access to global and per-view visibility controls at any time in your work process. Example: So even though the global setting for the Furniture Workset visibility is set to off, here in the Worksets dialog, I can override that setting on a per-view basis. When I open the Visibility/Graphics dialog, I have a tab for Worksets with settings which allow you to display Worksets based on the Global setting, Hide the workset or Show the workset.

2. View Filters

Additional granularity has been added to the control of view filters between host and linked projects, with the option to allow host view filters to act upon the linked model geometry. Now, you’ll notice that in this project, some of the doors are being displayed with a color override. They are overridden with a filter that looks for a Comment field set to “Re-use.” If I turn on the other building on my site, which is linked in, you’ll notice that none of the doors are overridden. However, I know that some of them are to be re-used
in this project. By going to the Visibility/Graphics dialog again, I can now apply the view filter associated with the host project to the doors in the Linked project. This saves a lot of time and makes managing data across multiple projects more logical.

3. Element Tagging

Revit Architecture now supports tagging of linked elements directly in the host file. This feature enables users to centralize all of their tags in one project, as opposed to managing tags for similar elements in multiple files. Another UI element I’d like to point out is the Reconcile Hosting dialog. This dialog is
invaluable if and when geometry in linked files changes and the tags no longer can find their hosts. This dialog allows you to set up graphic overrides for these tags, making it easier to discover them in your views.

Payoff (Linked File and Workset Visibility Improvements):
Managing data in large projects is greatly enhanced with the ability to better control worksets, filters and element tagging. These new features save time and enable a smoother workflow when working with multiple linked files

Please play video below; "Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 Linked Files & Workset Visibility"

 

 

Analysis and Visualization in Revit Architecture 2011

In an effort to extend the capabilities of analysis and visualization, Autodesk has added several new features to Revit Architecture 2011 to help you more quickly and easily analyze and present your designs. These features will enable you to seamlessly extend your building information modeling (BIM) workflow and help you develop more compelling, data-rich designs.

Visualization Enhancements

1. New Visual Styles

In addition to Wireframe, Hidden Line, Shaded and Shaded with Edges, Revit Architecture now has two new visual styles to help improve the quality of your design workflow and your presentations. Consistent Colors is similar to Shaded with Edges except that covers the model in even lighting, so you don’t have to worry about dark areas of the model due to unintended lighting conditions. Realistic is a shaded view with ‘live’ rendered textures for all of your materials, which instantly turns a working view into a presentation view that almost looks like a rendering. This view even displays decal images without having to render the view.
(Note: you might need to re-path image files for decals in order to get view to display properly)

A couple of new options have also been added to the Graphic Display Options dialog. You now have the ability to use Ambient Occlusion in your views as well as controlling the intensity of Indirect Light without having to turn on the sun and shadows. So you can gain both a softer, rendered look in your working views and quickly adjust the overall brightness. Both of these settings offer more granular control over the visual quality of your views for better presentations and ease of use.

2. Rendering Enhancements

Now let’s have a look at some rendering enhancements. First, in addition to solid color and sky options, Revit Architecture can now use images for rendering backgrounds. Background images have several scaling and positioning options so that you can create the optimal effect.

I’d like to mention a couple of other enhancements while the view renders. First, rendering in the Revit family of products is no longer limited to the use of 4 cores on multi-processor computers. Revit can take advantage of as many cores as are available on your computer. And finally, you can create custom procedural textures based on patterns such as checker, gradient, wood, or tiles.

Payoff (Visualization Enhancements):
These improvements to both rendered and working views will help you to take presentations to the next level, as well as making everyday working views easier to understand and work with.

3. Sun Path Simulation

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 enables you to simulate the sun path, in order to better understand the impact of the sun in relation to your project and its surrounding context.

4. Sun Path

Now, let’s have a look at the Sun Path. The sun path is a visual representation of the sun's range of movement across the sky at the geographic location you specify for a project. The sun path displays in the context of your project and includes on-screen controls for positioning the sun at any point within its range of movement. The ability to directly interact with the controls on screen makes is very easy to test many sun positions and get instant feedback.

Payoff (Sun Path Simulation):
Being able to visually understand the sun’s position in relation to your project and being able to interact with it in-canvas makes setting up your views easier and also allows you to take the first steps towards sustainable design and analysis quickly and easily, and without having to depend on other applications.

Play Video Below; "Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 Sun Path Simulation"

 

 

Revit 2011 Conceptual Design Improvements

In Revit Architecture 2011 there are Improvements in Conceptual Design, lets take a look at them.

Conceptual Design Improvements

For the 2011 release of Revit Architecture, Autodesk concentrated on improving the conceptual design tools in three main areas: form-making and editing, surface rationalization, and custom components.

Form-making and Editing

The Dissolve Form command will remove the surfaces from a form, leaving behind only its defining profiles, curves, and points. So let’s say you want to edit several profiles at once, or maybe you need to completely remove a profile from the form, like in the case of this 3-profile lofted form with. The form is too dramatic and I want to simplify it by removing the middle profile. I can dissolve the form, delete the profile and then simply create form again, using only the top and bottom profiles. Using the same methodology, I could just as easily have added a profile above the form, making a 4-profile loft instead of the original 3-profile loft.

Now let’s say we want to reduce the complex curvature of this front face even more. Sketch editing for conceptual masses has also been improved in Revit Architecture 2011 and provides the ability to edit individual profiles of any type of form without having to delete the form first, similar to “sketch mode” but even more accessible. So, by simply picking this top face of the form and clicking the Edit Profile tool, I enter sketch mode and can change this curve from concave to convex very easily. Now I finish the sketch and see that I’ve got my updated form. This command works for all types of form sketches, including, but not limited to, revolve profiles, sweep profiles, sweep paths and loft profiles.

In the past, only voids could be used as cutting elements for Boolean operations, and it was difficult to access them again for further transformations. Now solids can be used to cut other solids, so that when the cut is executed, geometry from both forms remains visible. So if you need your cutting element to remain as part of your design, you can do that. Cutting behavior is dependent on the order clicks when using the Cut tool. You’ll see the specific results of the transformation if you hide each of the elements in turn. Right here, I’m using the X-Ray tool to demonstrate the results.

Another interesting new feature that will help your design workflow is the Workplane Viewer. The Workplane Viewer is a temporary view window that dynamically aligns to the active workplane and displays geometry associated with that workplane. This feature is valuable when inspecting or editing complex forms. So let’s say I’ve changed the overall form of the cutting element in the model. The top face is now sloping and I’d like to sketch some lines on this face. I know that Revit will automatically set the face as the active workplane when I move my mouse over it while sketching, but I can also open up the active workplane viewer to align exactly to that face. This new view window is not a permanent view and you will notice that it has not been added to the Project Browser. However, it is an editable view. So now I see the top face of the form in the view and other related elements. But as my active workplane changes throughout my workflow, the view contents and orientation update dynamically, providing me with an optimized working view at all times.

Surface Rationalization

We have greatly enhanced the ability to rationalize surfaces by allowing them to be split by levels, reference planes, and model lines. So now, divided surface patterns can be made up of any combination of UV grids and intersects.

By default, when we divide the surface of this form, it is split up in two directions – with U and V grids. As usual, we can toggle on and off these grid divisions, but now you’ll see another control called Intersects. First,apply a pattern to the divided surface, and then turn off the U grid divisions.

 

 

Next, turn on some model lines that have already been drawn and using the Intersects tool, you’ll see how easy it is to create custom surface patterns for
your conceptual designs. This is an extremely powerful tool and extends the capabilities of surface rationalization beyond uniform two-way patterns.

 

Custom Components

The adaptive component is a generalized implementation of the pattern
was initially introduced with the 2010 release of Autodesk Revit Architecture. It is designed to handle cases where components need to flexibly adapt to many unique contextual conditions.

An example of a form has a custom curtain, edge panels are missing and I’d like to fill those in component is to fill in these edge panels. By simply draging it from the Project Browser to the canvas and click the point to which I want it to connect. This new tools provides unlimited control over your custom curtain systems and unlocks a variety of new workflows.

 

 

Use of the adaptive component is not limited to this simple, yet valuable, use case. Adaptive components be used in a variety of exciting ways; including structural framing applications.

 
Payoff (Conceptual Design Improvements)
These additions and enhancements make an already very capable set if tools even more powerful and easy to use. New workflows make form editing more intuitive and allow users to interact with their models the way they want to in order to support a seamless design workflow. Intersects and the Adaptive Component open conceptual modeling to a variety of new and advanced design workflow opportunities.

Play Video by Autodesk below:

 

 

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 Family Editor Enhancements

Family Editor Enhancements

By utilizing existing tools from the massing (conceptual design) environment, as well as implementing a few key new features, the family editor environment has been made easier to use and more powerful. Check out Revit Architecture 2011 family editor new enchancements.

1. Loose-labeled Dimensions and Visual Display of Related Parameters

New features such as loose-labeled dimensions and the visual display of related parameters take a lot of the guesswork out of editing and testing various parameter values. Simply by choosing a labeled parameter and clicking the Related Dimensions button on the Options bar, you can immediately see onscreen when multiple parameters are related with a formula. This can be very valuable when editing complex families or families created by someone else.

In addition, you can test family parameter values interactively by directly manipulating geometry, rather than opening the Family Types dialog box. By simply dragging geometry, labeled parameters values are automatically updated. And labeled parameter values can be edited directly in the view, via their dimensions, similar to editing temporary dimensions. The values that are generated by directly manipulating model geometry or dimensions in-canvas are assigned to the current Family Type, which can be seen when I open the Types dialog. These new capabilities enable quick-and-easy testing of multiple parameter values, which helps provide a smoother design workflow.

2. Reporting Parameters

Reporting parameters are a new type of instance parameter that can be applied in a variety of ways to achieve powerful results. Rather than driving geometry, they have their value driven by elements in the family model. They can expose and report their dimensional value at any time for use in unlimited downstream workflows.

So in this example, I’ve created parameters for each of the edges of the curtain panel which I will then leverage in the project environment. Once I’ve loaded the panel into this project what I want to check for is the area of each panel instance. By creating a calculated value in my schedule which multiplies the
reported dimension of each instance of Edge 1 by the dimension of Edge 2, I can quickly evaluate the structural viability of each panel with respect to its surface area. If the area exceeds a recommended value, in this case 30 SF, I will have it automatically highlighted in my schedule, using conditional formatting.

Payoff (Family Editor Enhancements):
These additions and enhancements make it easier and more intuitive to work with parameters in the Family environment and extend the capabilities of Instance Parameters for valuable downstream applications.

Check out this Video by Autodesk:

 

 

Revit 2011 New Enhancements – Design & Documentation

In my last post I talked about "User Interface Improvement for Revit 2011". In this blog I will talk about Revit 2011 New Enhancements in Design and Documentation for Revit Architecture 2011, Revit Structure 2011, and Revit MEP 2011.

Revit 2011 New Design Enhancements

These features will enhance the everyday design workflow by adding new capabilities, as well as making simple tasks easier to accomplish.

Temorary Dimensions

Revit gives you the ability to control temporary dimension font size and background display (transparent or opaque), thus allowing you to control the custom look and feel of the on-screen display.

3D Alignment

In 3D views, the align tool can be used independent of the active workplane and can be used to align patterns on non-coincident surfaces. This behavior is intuitive and makes it even easier to work in 3d views, which is very powerful for the design workflow.

Structural Tools in Revit Architecture

Several features formerly available only to Autodesk Revit Structure software customers are now available in Autodesk Revit Architecture, such as the ability to create curved beams, slanted columns, beam copings, trusses, metal deck profiles, and more.

The Span Direction tool enables you to interactively control the span direction of structural decking in a Revit Architecture project. After placing the span direction symbol, it is very simple to adjust the direction by interactively aligning the symbol to different edges of the slab or other guiding
elements in the view.

DWG Visual Fidelity

With the 2011 release of Revit Architecture, the framework for display, print, and export of AutoCAD DWG Drawings has been unified into one. Users should see increased visual fidelity in viewing, printing and exporting of AutoCAD files from Revit.

Payoff (Small Enhancements – Design):
These additions and enhancements will improve the experience with everyday tasks by extending the capabilities of Revit and making design workflows more fluid.

Below is a Movie by Autodesk on "Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Design Enhancements" :

 

Revit 2011 New Documentation Enhancements

The following features can enhance your everyday documentation process by helping you make your drawings look the way you want and by enabling you to better organize your project sheets as well as your consultants’ sheets.

Custom Elevation Tags

Elevation tags are now fully customizable and can be designed according to your company standards. They can contain any graphics you want and can align to any number of orientations necessary for your project.

Text Notes and Leaders

Several enhancements have been made to text and leaders. These enhancements include the ability to display a border around text notes, control the Leader/Border Offset, control the vertical alignment of leaders and create lists with bullets and numbered formatting. In addition, familiar keyboard formatting shortcuts, such as Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I and Ctrl+U can now be used in Revit, saving your time and improving usability.

Sheet Improvements

Sheets Lists (formerly named Drawing Lists) can now include placeholder sheet rows for sheets that have not yet been created or will never be created in your project. This is helpful when you want to include your consultants’ sheets, for example. So you can have rows in your schedule without actually creating actual sheets in the Project Browser.

Placeholders can be easily converted to actual sheets in the project and the conversion can be done as a batch operation. Simply click on the New Sheet button and you’ll see that the New Sheet dialog now lists all of the placeholder sheets, which can be selected as a group. When you click OK, you’ll see that all of the sheets have been created in the Project Browser. This workflow can save a lot of time and frustration when creating sheets

Sheet Guide Grids are a graphic option on sheet views which allow you create drawing alignments across multiple sheets. Extents and grid spacing can be easily adjusted for individual sheets, depending on the sheet layout. Reference elements in your views, such as Levels, Grids and Reference Planes can be
snapped to Guide Grids for better positioning of your views. If specific adjustments have been made to a named Guide Grid, those adjustments can be applied to additional sheets simply by selecting the named Guide Grid in the Properties Palette for that view.

Payoff (Small Enhancements – Documentation):
These additions and enhancements will greatly improve your documentation process by enabling more customization and providing tools that will assist you in making your drawings look the way you want them to.

Below is a movie by Autodesk on "Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 Documentation Enhancements":

Stayed tuned to see Revit 2011 Family Editor Enhancements.

User Interface Improvements for Revit 2011

There is 100+ New Features in Revit 2011. There is 2000+ issues resolved. Autodesk also looked at the AUGI wish list and included 5 out of the top 10. Autodesk will be looking at the AUGI wish list again and will be including 7 of the top 20. This in Includes Revit Architecture 2011, Revit Structure 2011 and Revit MEP 2011.

In this post I will be showing the Interface Improvement for Revit 2011.

Payoff (User Interface Improvements):
These additions and enhancements will improve everyday workflows by providing access to the tools and settings you need at all times, without interrupting the design process.

1. Modeless Properties Palette

The Properties Palette is “modeless,” so you have constant access to both view and element properties, without having to interrupt your design workflow. When multiple elements are selected, filtering information, such as the number of walls or doors that are selected, can be easily seen via the Properties Filter dropdown. The element Type Selector is also available through the modeless Properties Palette.

The Properties Palette is dockable and resizable and supports multiple monitor configurations.

 

2. Quick Access Toolbar Customization

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) has been greatly enhanced with a new dialog for customization. This interface allows you to reorder your tools and add dividers, for better organization and grouping of commands. Additionally, a single QAT now supports both the project and family editor environments.

 

3. Keyboard Shortcuts

The Keyboard Shortcuts dialog provides a quick and easy way to assign or remove shortcuts to all of your tools, including tools that were previously inaccessible for shortcuts. Search and filter options are also available, so you can easily find the tools you need. Shortcuts are immediately available upon closing the dialog box, which means there is no need to restart the application.

4. Modify and Contextual Tabs

The Modify and Contextual tabs have been redesigned to reduce tab switching and mouse clicks, minimize ribbon flickering and provide consistent command placement. So, for example, you will see that as I select various building elements, the Modify tools always remain consistent and the element-specific
(or contextual) tools are appended to the right end of the Modify tools section of the ribbon.

5. Context Menu Tools

Several new tools have been added to the right-click context menu, including Repeat last command, Repeat Commands recently used and Select All Instances Visible In View. These options will improve efficiency and make it clearer when creating large, complex element selections.

6. Status Bar Tools

Lastly, Worksets and Design Options controls have been relocated to the Status Bar area, which means they are always available, no matter what you’re working on.

Play movie below made by Autodesk on User Interface Improvements:

Stayed tuned for next post for Revit 2011 Design and Documentation Enchancements. 

New Features in Autodesk Revit 2011

This is a list of new features for Autodesk Revit 2011. In later blog I will post the features in greater detail. This list contains new features in Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011, Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 and Autodesk Revit MEP 2011.

I am going to start what is common in all platforms.

1. User Interface

A. Contextural Tab Display:

By default a contextual tab will display when an element is selected, but users may now choose to keep the current tab active instead.
Access: Click AppMenu > Options > User Interface > uncheck Display the Contextual Tab on Selection.

B. Contextual Tab Display Behavior:

After creating an element, clearing a selection, or exiting from a tool, the ribbon can now be set to either return to the previous tab (the default behavior in the Project environment) or to stay on the Modify tab.
Access: Click AppMenu > User By default a contextual tab will display when an element is selected, but users may now choose to keep the current tab active instead. Interface > Tab Display Behavior.

C. Modeless Properties Palette:

Revit now displays instance properties of views and elements while you are working in a project.
This modeless palette also hosts the Type Selector (which can still be added to the QAT by right-clicking on it).
By default, it is docked above the Project Browser on the left side of the screen, but it can be docked in other locations or completely undocked (floated) elsewhere on the screen or another monitor.
Use the Element Filter drop-down (immediately below the Type Selector) to display/change parameters for the view or for currently-selected elements.
During sketch modes (roof, floor, etc) you can use the palette to change the properties for the element being created.
Access: The Properties palette can be toggled on/off via the Properties button, or keyboard shortcut (PP. VP, or Ctrl-1).

D. Modify Tab is Both Static and Contextual:

The Modify tab is now available without having first selected an element (static). When an element is selected or a placement/creation tool is launched, all Modify tools remain in the same location and the element-specific panels are added to the end (contextual).
Access: Click on Modify tab.

E. Modify Tools Improvements:

Many tools in the static Modify panel may now also be used without first selecting an element.

Access: With nothing selected, click a modify tools (such as Move, Rotate, etc) and the cursor will change to indicate the tool. Select the elements you wish to modify (hold down the Ctrl key to add more elements or the Shift key to remove elements) then finish the selection via Enter, Spacebar, or the contextual (right-click) menu.

F. Quick Access Toolbar Customization:

The QAT has new customization control (tool order, spacers, etc) via the Customize Quick Access Toolbar dialog.
Tools added to the QAT in one environment (say the Project) will now be added to other applicable environments (say the Family Editor, etc).

Access: Click on drop-down arrow at the end of the QAT > Customize Quick Access Toolbar; or right-click on any item in the QAT.

G. Resizable Dialogs:

Many dialogs are now resizable - These include: Visibility Graphics, Manage Links, Object Styles, Worksets, View Templates, New Schedule, New Material Takeoff, Phasing, Loaded Tags, Design Options, Insert Views, Export CAD, Manage Place and Location, Materials, Mechanical Settings, Electrical Settings, Building / Space Type Settings, Schedule Settings, Edit Circuits, Select Panels, Select Connector.

H. Worksets and Design Options:

In addition to the ribbon, new controls for Worksets and for Design Options now appear in the Status Bar at the bottom-right of the Revit window.
These tools will display, and allow you to change, the current active settings.

Access: View tab > Windows panel > User Interface button.

2. Worksets

A. Workset Visibility Enhancements:

Workset visibility has been given greater control on a project-wide basis:
Worksets dialog now offers the option to change the visibility of a workset globally.
Worksets tab in individual views has been enhanced to allow the per view workset visibility to be visible, not visible or to follow the global setting (from the worksets dialog).

3. Annotation

A. Tags - Custom Elevation:

User can create and customize Elevation Tags: Customers can edit their elevation tags in a manner similar to customizing section marks. There are two new annotation templates: an Elevation Body and an Elevation Pointer. The pointer family must be nested into the body family. Once the pointer is nested, it can be copied, rotated, and mirrored to represent the desired elevation tag. There is not a limit to the number of Elevation pointers that an elevation body can host.

B. Temporary Dimension:

User Controlled Appearance of Temp Dims: Customer can now access and change the background of a temporary dimension (between transparent and opaque), as well.
Edited References are Remembered: Customer can grab the blue grips defining what a temporary dimension is measuring and place them onto other more important references. This edit is then remembered the next time an object is selected and Temporary Dimensions are displayed. The system remembers these edits until the Revit document is closed.

C. Text Enhancements:

Added the ability to create text notes with bullets and numbering (see new ribbon controls).
Added the ability to specify leader attachment points on a text note (see new ribbon controls and instance properties).
Added the ability to put a box around a text note (see type properties).
Added the ability to adjust the distance between the leader end and the text note (see type properties).
Added Find/Replace text functionality (see new ribbon control).
Added options for exporting text to CAD formats to maintain Visual or Functional fidelity.

4. Visual Enchancements

A. Sun Path and Sun Settings:

The existing "Sun and Shadow Settings" dialog is now titled "Sun Settings", and has been revised to work with the new Sun Path functionality.
Sun Path can be turned on from the View Bar and in the Properties Palette (checkbox under "Graphics").
With SunPath visible, user can "grab" the Sun with their mouse and "move" it to a desired location. They may also enter a time and date in text boxes adjacent to the Sun and its Daily Path.
The Sun's time and date can also still be set in the Sun Settings dialog.

B. Rendering:

Customer can specify Background Image for Rendering: The customer can now browse to an image file to display as a background in their rendering. There are various controls for sizing, fitting, and adjusting the image to the crop region of the view being rendered.
RPC Content does not render:
The RPCs and RenderSettings folders must be copied from [INSTALLDIR]\Data\ into C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials2011\assetlibrary_base.fbm folder.
Custom render settings dialog does not work:>/li>
The RPCs and RenderSettings folders must be copied from [INSTALLDIR]\Data\ into C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials2011\assetlibrary_base.fbm folder. 

5. Display Enchancements

A. Ambient Occlusion:

Accessed via the Graphics Display Options Dialog box.
Only available when Hardware Acceleration is enabled.

B. Realistic View:

Accessed via the Visual Styles button on the View Control Bar.
Elements that have material definitions assigned will display texture maps in real time.
Only available when Hardware Acceleration is enabled.

C. Consistent Colors View:

Accessed via the Visual Styles button on the View Control Bar.
Displays faces of elements in flat color; faces of elements that are oriented at different angles to the camera will display in the same shaded color.

 

6. Parameters Enchancements

A. Reporting Parameters:

Customer can now apply a "reporting parameter" to reference elements in family templates. Reference elements are walls in a wall hosted family template (such as door or window family) or default reference planes in family templates. Reporting Parameters are "read only" and can be used in formulas and displayed in schedules (if they are "shared parameters").

B. UI Improvements and Defaults:

Parameter Properties creation dialog has been organized to improve workflow. Default Parameter type is now set to Length. There is now a mapping between type of parameter and Grouping of parameter.

C. Loose Labeled Dimensions:

Improvements to in canvas workflows from Conceptual Design environment in 2010 are now in other Family categories in 2011. Customer can lock parameters in the types dialog. Customer can also drag geometry or references that are controlled by parameters without getting a "Constraints not Satisfied" error. The Family environment is easier to work in without having to enter the Family Types dialog as often.

D. Editing Labeled Dimensions in Canvas:

Customer can now click on a parameter (labeled dimension) and input a new value. This will save time by avoiding the family types dialog.

7. Performance Enchancements

A. Model Open:

A portion of model open is now executed in multiple threads. File must be already saved in latest format. Upgrade is not multi-threaded.

B. View Open:

Time to open views has been reduced, especially large complex 3D views.

C. Curtain Wall manipulations:

Changes to curtain walls that propagate to many elements have been improved.
 
D. Sync with Central:

Links should not trigger regeneration if they remain unchange

8. Enhancements and Features

A. Align in 3D:

Align in 3D views in Project Environment: Customer can use the align tool (Found in the modify gallery) on vertical surfaces in 3D views. Examples include aligning the tops of walls with one another (and locking that relationship) or aligning surface patterns from adjacent walls to one another.
Align in 3D views in Conceptual Design Environment: Customer can use the align tool (Found in the modify gallery) in a very robust way in the Conceptual Design Environment. Customer can align almost any element to another element and lock the relationship. Examples include: point, line, face, edge, vertex, ref plane, level - all and any of these can be aligned to one another.

B. Conceptual Design:

Accessed through the Massing families, subprojects are Divided Surface Improvements (Intersects), Form Element Improvements (dissolve, workplane viewer, form element sketch editing), and Adaptive Components.

C. Location:

The old "Manage Place and Locations" dialog is now called "Location Weather and Site".
The former "Place" tab is now titled "Location", and contains a new map-based method of specifying a project's location, as well as the exiting list-based selection method.
The former "Locations" tab is now titled "Site"; its functionality remains unchanged.

D. Repeat Last Command:

Customers can now use the "Enter" key, or Right Click context menu to repeat the last command used.
Customers can right click and view the last 5 commands used and then they can Repeat Recent Commands.

E. Guide Grids:

Customers can display "Guide Grids" in Sheet Views only by going to the "View Tab", "Sheet Composition Panel", Guide Grid.
There can be multiple types of Guide Grids with different grid spacing stored in the project and applied to Sheets via element properties of the Sheet.
The Guide Grid can be used to align Views placed on sheets consistently. The Guide Grids can be snapped to Grid Lines, Levels, Ref Planes, View Ports. 

F. Keyboard Shortcuts:

A new Keyboard Shortcut dialog facilitates the assignment and management of hot keys for most Revit tools and commands.
New shortcuts are available immediately, without having to restart Revit.
Access: Open the dialog by typing KS (its default shortcut) highlight the tool/command, then type up to 5 alphanumeric keys, press Assign and OK; or click AppMenu > Options > User Interface > Keyboard Shortcuts > Customize.
 
H. Help:

Currently only working with Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default system browser.
 

9. Linking Files:

A. Linked Files Tagging and Reference Management:
New functionality around interfacing with linked models includes:
Tags may now be placed on elements in a linked model with the exception of areas, zones, spaces, keynotes, floor span symbols, path reinforcement span symbols, area reinforcement span symbols or the multi-tag beam annotations
Tags and face based elements which have been hosted on elements of a linked model will now be flagged and collected in a new browser which may be accessed on the collaborate tab via the new "Reconcile Hosting" command.

B. Linked Model Workset visibility and control:

Several enhancements to treatment of linked model have been implemented - These include:
Linked Revit model viewed "By Host" will set the visibility of linked model worksets which share the same name as host model worksets to the visibility of the host model worksets in that view.
In view Visibility Graphics under the Linked Revit Models tab, linked model worksets can be individually turned on or off
Linked model worksets may now be opened or closed from the "Manage Links" dialog by selecting "Manage Worksets".

10. Sheet List

A. Creation of Placeholder Sheets:

Customer can create a sheet list and add "Placeholder" sheets to represent consultant sheets that could not otherwise be displayed in the Revit file. The Placeholder sheets have the same editable parameters as normal sheets, but do not show up in the Project Browser. 

B.Turning Placeholder Sheets into Real Sheets:

The Placeholder sheet functionality can also be used to create multiple sheets quickly. When making a new sheet using the "Sheet" command the list of Placeholder Sheets is displayed - these can be multi-selected and assigned a titleblock - thus creating many sheets at once.
 

11. DWG Export

A. In this release improvements have been made to the Export to DWG feature.

B. You should see increased visual fidelity when export Revit files to DWG.

C. Export option for True Color from Revit to DWG has been added.

D. Export option for Text treatment from Revit to DWG has been added.

Revit Structure 2011 New Features

1. Structural - Analysis

A. Several structural analysis enhancements have been implemented - These include:

Horizontal projection from columns and beams.
Horizontal projection from the center of a wall core.
Vertical projection auto detect behavior of columns.
Vertical projection from beams.
Manual analytical adjustment of columns.
Rigid Links enhancements between Beams & Columns.

2. Structural - Beam System

A. Several beam system enhancements have been implemented - These include:
Specify Beam Direction with walls and beams.
Specify Beam Direction from an independent sketch line.
Remove the Beam System while retaining beam elements.

3. Structural - Concrete Join/Cleanup

A. Several concrete end joins and cleanup conditions have been improved for:
Curved beam.
Variable beam profiles.

4. Structural - Connection Symbol

A. Several connection symbol enhancements have been implemented - These include:

Load new connection symbol families.
Load and manage connection symbol families.
More choices for connection symbols are allowed for structural columns and framings.

5. Structural - Reinforcement

A. Several structural reinforcement enhancements have been implemented - These include:

Reinforcement for Spiral.
Reinforcement project units.
Reinforcement of Slab Edges.
Configuring rebar sets.
Additional hook bend radius for rebar.
Concrete host cover reference has configurable object style.
Concrete host cover reference visibility.
Major spacing of area reinforcement in tags.
Reinforcement with spiral rebar.

6. Structural - Slanted Column

A.Several slanted column enhancements have been implemented - These include:

Plan view placement.
Column end geometry position control when attached to a beam.
Cut column tangent to an attached structural floor.
Unattached column end cut appearance.
Beam join elevation on resized columns.

7. Structural - Truss

A. Several truss enhancements have been implemented - These include:

Bottom chord attaches to structural floors and foundation slabs
Sketch chords on attached trusses
Remove the truss family while retaining beam elements
  

 

Revit MEP 2011 New Features

1. Cable Tray and Conduit Modeling

A. Can create and modify cable tray/conduit and relevant fittings in plan/section/elevation/3D view.
 
B. Can add cable tray surface or point connector and conduit connector in Family Editor.

C. Can connect conduit to cable tray.

D. Can connect conduit to an equipment anywhere surface with conduit/cable tray surface connector.

E. Define bend concept for cable tray/conduit without fittings type.

F. Can schedule cable tray/conduit, fittings and run.

G. Variable radius bends for conduit/cable tray.

H. Definable conduit materials with specified inside/outside diameters.

2. Copy/Monitor - MEP fixture

A. Revit MEP now has enhanced copy-monitor features:

Plumbing fixtures, air terminals, mechanical equipment and lighting fixtures may now be copy-monitored from a linked model.
Fixtures may all be copied at once using the new Batch Copy functionality (only applies to MEP fixtures).
Fixtures from linked models may be mapped to host families or copied directly into the host project via the "Copy Original" setting.
  

3. Duct - Oval Duct

A. Flat Oval duct is now an option when creating duct within a project.

B. When upgrading projects Oval Duct will not be available until Project Standards are transferred from the 2011 template. 

4. Electrical - Panel Schedules and Demand Factors:

A. Panel Schedule Template editing:

The preview window in the Edit Borders dialog is not repainting.
A deleted project parameter may still display in a panel schedule template until it is closed and reopened.
Multiple selection of non-contiguous cells is not supported.

B. Panel Schedule View:

The distribution system/voltage does not update dynamically.
Changes by other users are not always refreshing when using Reload Latest.
Merged cells flicker when the view is updated.
Circuits may end up in the same slot when a panel schedule is rebalanced.
Multiple selection of non-contiguous cells is not supported.
Move Up and Move Down tools are not working in Switchboard and Data panels.

C. Load Classifications:

Load Classification parameters may not display correctly when load are updated and LCs are added/removed.

5. Piping - Companion Flanges:

A. Flange content is not combined with other Fittings content, but instead can be found in:

[Revit Path]\[library]\Pipe\Fittings\Gray Iron Flanges
[Revit Path]\[library]\Pipe\Fittings\Steel Flanges

Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 Wall Surface Patterns

In Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 I want to make a surface pattern on a wall.

Here are the steps:

1. From the Home Tab>Structure Panel>Wall Drop-down choose Structural Wall.

 

2. From the Change Element type list choose a wall close to what you want to make. For this example, choose Basic Wall-8".

 

3. From the Element Properties Drop-down choose Type Properties.

4. In the Type Properties choose Duplicate...button. Type in a name, example: Generic - 8" Corrugated.

5. From Type Parameters pick the Edit...button next to the Structure Parameter.

6. From Layer 2, under the Material Column pick the Browse button by <By Category>, this will open the Material Dialog box.

7. Pick the Material, "Default", Choose duplicate button from the bottom left in the dialog box.

 

8. Give the Material a name, in this example type in Corrugated, then click OK

9. In the Surface pattern Drop-down choose a pattern. In this example choose Vertical. You can also choose the browse button next to the surface pattern and pick a pattern in the Fill Pattern Dialog box.

10. In the Cut pattern Drop-down choose a pattern. In this example choose vertical-small.

11. Click OK in the dialog box until they all close.

12. Draw the wall in a view, then choose the default {3D} view under 3D Views from the Project Browser.

13. Note: you don't see the new surface pattern. In Revit Structure 2010 this is hidden in Visibility Graphics.

14. Open the Visibility Graphics box by typing the shortcut VV from your keyboard.

15. From Model Categories, scroll down to Walls. Under Projection/Surface the Patterns for the wall is Hidden. Pick on Hidden override.

16.  From the Fill Pattern Graphics dialog box turn on Visible, then pick OK until you are out of the dialog boxes.

 

17. The Surface Pattern now shows up on the wall.

Revit MEP Analytical Model and Building Load Calculations

Questions abound about how Revit MEP can interface or replace existing load calculation software like Trane TRACE or Career HAP.  If your design engineers are unwilling to move to a new program, Revit MEP features a native “Analytical Model” capable of exporting a gbXML file for analysis.  The Analytical Model provides mechanical engineers with a wealth of easy to understand visual information.  This model is a graphical representation of the envelope configuration engineers have been constructing in their minds eye, while creating text based input files, for a generation.  The procedure is as follows:

1)   With a linked Revit Architecture file loaded, ensure that the “Room Bounding” check box is selected from the Type Properties of the linked file.  This guarantees that the linked file properly defines the bounds of each space.  This is critically important for a successful calculation

 

 

2)   Activate the space tool.  The “Analysis” tab is unique to Revit MEP and where the user can find the internal Heating and Cooling Load engine.

 

3)   The graphical difference between an unbounded space (Revit will not allow a space to be placed) and a bounded one, respectively:

 

4)   Once each space has been defined, spaces are grouped using the zone tool.  Standard engineering practice for quality zoning is unchanged.  Knowledge of occupancy, use, and system type are critical to occupancy comfort and efficient building operation.  With each space added to the appropriate zone the engineer can quickly review the assignments graphically or in tree format using the “System Browser”

 

 

5)   With spaces and zones defined the engineer can export to gbXML to use an external software analysis package or use the “Heating and Cooling Loads” function within Revit MEP.  I believe the latter is more direct.  Either way the analytical model is displayed for visual confirmation that spaces and zones are properly defined.  Analytical models in the Export gbXML window and Heating and Cooling Load window are show:

Revit MEP 2010 moves closer to the ultimate goal of interoperability between analysis packages.  Professional skill and artistry can never be replaced by technology, but mundane and redundant tasks like building a unique three dimensional model for each analysis package can be streamlined using Revit.

 

 

The Revit Architecture 2010 Ribbon

The Revit Architecture 2010 interface is designed for intuitive and efficient access to commands and views. It includes the Ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, Application Menu, and Status Bar, which are common to newer versions of Autodesk and other software programs.

The Ribbon contains Revit Architecture tools in a series of tabs and panels. Selecting a tab displays a group or related panels.  The Panel contain a variety of tools, grouped by function.

 
 The ribbon has 3 types of buttons:

1. button: invokes a tool

2. drop-down button: contains a drop-down arrow that displays additional, related tools

3. split button: invokes a frequently used tool, or displays a menu that contains additional, related tools

A drop-down on a next to a Panel name is an expanded panel, will show related tools that can be pinned to keep open and unpinned to hide.

 
A Slannted Arrow head next to a panel name ,is a dialog launcher, will open a dialog box related to that tool.

When you select a command that creates new elements, the Ribbon switches to a contextual tab. The tab includes the Change Element Type selector and general commands for creating the element.

When you select an element in Revit Architecture, the Ribbon switches to a contextual tab that includes general editing commands, as well as those related to the element type. The Ribbon changes to a blueish color.

The Options Bar changes according to the selected command or element. For example, when the Wall command to active, it displays options for placing the wall.

To Change the Ribbon View State, Click the down arrow at the right of the Ribbon Tab.
The ribbon view state cycles through the following options:

1. Show Full Ribbon: Shows entire ribbon.

2. Minimize to Panel Tiles: Shows tab and panel labels.

3. Minimize to Tabs: Shows tab labels.

Ribbons in Sketch Mode is an environment in Revit Architecture that allows you to sketch elements whose size or shape cannot be determined automatically, for example when you create (or edit a sketch of) a roof or a floor. When you enter sketch mode, the Ribbon only displays the tools applicable for the type of sketch you are creating or editing.

The Ribbon change to a green color and you will see a Finish and Cancel button at the right end of the Ribbon.

 
 You can move panels from the Ribbon:

1. Click a panel label and drag the panel to a desired place on the ribbon

2. Click a panel label and drag the panel off the ribbon to the drawing area or the desktop. To return the panel to the ribbon, mouse over the panel to display a control in the upper-right corner, and click Return Panels to Ribbon.