IMAGINiT Architectural Solutions Blog

Revit Structure 2011 Design Extensibility

In Revit Structure 2011 introduces several new and enhancements extensions for subscription members only.  These extended capabilities helps improve overall product quality.

Frame Generator Extension

The new module frame generator is used for the rapid definition and generation of a simple three-dimensional frame models.  This tool will generate structural elements such as columns, beams, and supports based on specified geometric parameters assigned to the structure this saving you design time by automating this process with fewer mouse clicks.

Wood Wall Framing Extension

The Wood Framing Extension enables users to quickly and precisely model a wood frame structure within interior and exterior walls. Models can be automatically generated based on user-defined parameters. The result is more accurate, flexible wood frame designs that are easier to manipulate, document, and schedule.

Walls and openings can be framed with available framing parameters such as T- and L-Connections, Stud spacing and blocking, and Window sill and header configurations.

On the second release of this extension for Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011, a multi selection option has been implemented.  Also, wall layers selection has been improved so users can specify the structural layer to where studs will be generated.

 

Bridge Design Extension Improvements

The Bridge Extensions enable users to more accurately and efficiently model 3D bridges and helps generate typical 2D drawings of plans and sections.

Users can define basic parameters of more complex bridge geometry, including road profiles, decks, abutments, piers, and railings. Road profiles, alignments, and existing ground surfaces can now also be imported from AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2010 software.  Other tools include automatic view generation for your construction documents and creating and customizing your bridge families.

The first extension, Roads and Terrain Definition Extension provides the ability to create road objects and topography in Autodesk® Revit® Structure based on imported Land XML data. The extension imports roadway model data and presents the data in tabular and graphical form.  This data includes the horizontal alignment, vertical profiles (including ground profile), cross sections, and topology.

Before generating appropriate objects in Revit Structure, users can define proper road segments for individual alignments as well as define any missing information. Multiple roads may be generated in Autodesk Revit Structure with this extension.

 
 
The second extension, Integration with AutoCAD Civil 3D Extension provides a bi-directional link between AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2010 software and Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 to facilitate cooperative workflows between civil engineers and bridge designers. The extension imports roadway model data from AutoCAD Civil 3D and presents the following in tabular and graphical form which also includes the horizontal alignment, vertical profiles (including ground profile), cross sections, and topology.
Generic bridges, created in AutoCAD Civil 3D can be imported to Autodesk Revit Structure, as well.

Conversely, a complete bridge created in Autodesk Revit Structure can be sent to AutoCAD Civil 3D and represented as a 3D solid object that fits a road configuration previously imported from AutoCAD Civil 3D to Autodesk Revit Structure.

The third extension, Bridge Definition includes the Concrete Slab Extension, Concrete Box Girder Extension, and the Concrete Slab with Girders Extension.  These three extensions create an entire bridge based on an existing road. The whole bridge may be easily defined and created with available parameters to include the roadway, deck, abutments, piers, bearings, and railings.

 
 
These extensions provide a number of predefined elements for each object, but it is also possible to provide user‐defined Revit families to represent each element.

The fourth extension, Document Generation for Bridges Extension automatically generates fundamental documents for the entire bridge. Plan views, section views, and elevation views are automatically created with respect to Revit Structure rules. Dimensions, descriptions and tags are subjects of the automation as well.

 
 
The final extension, Customization of Bridge Families Extension provides several ready‐made types of bridge elements; customized families may be added to be part of the regular parameterization and automation in the bridge design process. This extension facilitates the registration of such families to be subjected to all rules allowing for the automated bridge design process.

Interferences of Reinforcing Bars

The Interferences of Reinforcing Bars extension allows structural engineers and drafters to check for interference of reinforcements earlier in the design process. A detailed list of conflicts can easily be generated along with visual displays of the rebar interferences to identify the clashes and make modifications accordingly.  These collisions can be highlighted and selected in Revit Structure projects to more quickly identify clashes.  Also, reports can be generated and printed in Html format or can be exported to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. 

 

Model Review

Autodesk® Revit® Model Review helps you validate the accuracy of building information models created in Autodesk Revit 2011 software against your pre-determined standards.

Model Review can help save valuable time and money by automating the process of reviewing and auditing building information modeling projects (BIM) within Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 software. Validate the accuracy and consistency of a model against standards set by your firm, your clients, or industry best practices. Correct inconsistencies with a single click or with instructions provided when manual fixes are required.

There are predefined checks that come with the application. You or your BIM system coordinator can create or edit the check files with various options, including correction, using the Manage interface. You can check a BIM model based on standards with individual detailed information on what to check for a specific scenario, which can be saved as part of the Check File.

 

Revit DB Link

The Autodesk Revit DB Link tool enables users to maintain a relationship between a Revit DB Link project and a Microsoft® Access or ODBC database. Users can use Autodesk Revit DB Link to export Revit DB Link project data to the database, make changes to the data, and import it back into the Autodesk® Revit® Structure model updating both graphic and non-graphic information at the same time.

 

Conclusion

Revit Structure software provides design and documentation productivity specifically for structural engineers and designer, giving you more tools to automate drafting tasks and helping you create architectural documentation more quickly. The new and enhanced design and drafting functionality in the release will help you gain immediate productivity and smoother collaboration within a software environment you already know.

 

Revit Structure 2011 Ease of Use

Revit Structure software provides improved design workflow and documentation productivity to give you more tools to automate drafting tasks and help you create structural documentation faster.

User Inference Improvements:

Properties Palette
Quick Access Tool (QAT) customization
Status Bar
View Control Bar
Modify Tab/Contextual Switching
Repeat Last Command

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 User Interface improvements allows users more flexibility to the look and feel that they want in order to get the job done by reducing tab switching and clicks, minimize ribbon flickering, and consist command placement to provide you with access to the tools you need, when you need them.

Improvements such as being able to dock the properties palette, customize your quick access tools, and the ability to switch back and forth between the modify tab and contextual tab.

The Type Selector has been removed from the Ribbon and combined with the Instance Properties Palette.   The Instance properties can be opened or closed as needed using the Properties Palette button available in the Properties ribbon panel.  The Properties Palette and Project Browser can be stacked or moved and docked differently.  You can additionally move them to another monitor and can be added to the Quick Access Toolbar.

The Quick Access Tool (QAT) customization now has increased the number of default commands out of the box, reflecting most used commands.  Customization enhancements via dialog box include up/down buttons, separator mark, and remove option.

Users now have more consistent modify tools with the Modify Tab/Contextual Switching option.   Also, modify commands are now available prior to element selection.  Available modification tools are enabled during the task, while other tools are disabled (rather than disappearing as in 2010).  This minimizes ribbon flickering and tool movement.  Additionally all Sketch Mode Finish/Cancel buttons always appear consistently.

The View Control Bar has new display options to view your 3D models with consistent colors scheme or to display the 3D elements with a more realistic representation.  Also, within the Status Bar area, the Worksharing and Design Options are now available.

The right-click menu has a repeat last command option for easier access to previous activated tools as well as be able to resize various Revit dialog boxes for better viewing purposes.

Showing the new UI improvements:

Modeling Enhancements

Many of these modeling enhancements were AUGI wish list items that were included in the Autodesk Subscription Advantage Pack for Revit Structure 2010 (October 2009) and are now part of the 2011 release.

First, selecting objects by “All Instances” now has the option to select those objects within the current view or by project. 

Selecting Objects within the current view :

 

Second, the Structural Framing Length Roundoff parameter can be specified for a beam family, overriding the exact calculation of the beam length to a broader, more applicable length. This reduces calculation and can improve overall performance during modeling.  Performance improvement is observed when a model contains a large number of joined beams that differ in length, though by very little. If the beams are within the round off tolerance, they are adjusted accordingly.

Setting the Structural Framing Length Round-off parameter:

 

Third, users now have the ability to control temporary dimension font size and background to display as transparent or opaque.   Also, edited references are remembered allowing users to select the temporary dimension grip locations and place them onto other more important references. This edit is then remembered the next time an object is selected and when temporary dimensions are displayed.

Temporary dimensions improvements:

 

Fourth, for walls, there is now a Split Walls with Gap tool for easy wall panel creation.

Creating split walls with gap:

 

Next, improvements to 3D Alignment tool allows user in 3D views to no longer need set a work plane when selecting the elements they want to align using the element’s node, vertex, edge, surface, form or level.  Users can use the align tool on vertical surfaces in 3D views such as aligning the tops of elements with one another or aligning surface patterns from adjacent elements to one another.

Aligning elements in 3D views:

Lastly, the span direction for metal deck floors is now controlled within the floor boundary creation tool rather than having it controlled through the annotation tag. Users can now pick or sketch lines to indicate the span direction of the metal deck floor.

Setting span direction for metal deck floors:

 

First, the beam placement using 3D CAD Geometry allows users to place 3D beams using 3D lines, edges, and curves from geometry that is imported with CAD files. This assists in modeling complex dimensional framing based on the data of an imported 3D lines model. It also minimizes the need to recreate designs from the beginning in both Revit Architecture and Revit Structure.

Beam Placement using 3D CAD Geometry:

Documentation Enhancements

Many of these documentation enhancements were AUGI wish list items that were included in the Autodesk Subscription Advantage Pack for Revit Structure 2010 (October 2009) and are now part of the 2011 release.

First, users can now enable the “A” and “W” user defined parameters for schedule fields within a project.  In previous releases of Autodesk® Revit® Structure, the A (Cross-Sectional Area) and W (Weight) parameters were not accessible to use with schedules.  Now, these user defined parameters can be used in schedules without the need to convert them into shared parameters for convenience and QTO (to calculate steel tonnage) purposes.

Adding cross-sectional area and weight parameters to schedules:

Second, users can use the conditional formatting in schedules to visually identify parameters that meet or do not meet design standards. If the conditions are met, then the formatting is applied to the schedule cells.

Adding Conditional Formatting to Schedules:

 

Third, elevation tags are now customizable to display according to your company’s construction documentation standards.

Creating custom elevation tags:

Fourth, users can create new rows in a Sheet List to create placeholder sheets.  These placeholder sheets can be used to represent consultant sheets or convert them later into project sheets. In addition, users are now able to display a sheet layout grid system for proper placement of views.

Improvements to Sheets:

 

Fifth, convert model lines to detail lines and vice version with one simple click. No longer will users need to spend valuable time cleaning up drawings that were incorrectly created due to lack of experience or attention to detail. If imported CAD drawing are accidentally inserted as 3D elements instead of 2D elements (Current View Only), simply select all of the lines and click the Convert Lines button in the Modify Lines contextual tab. Lines will disappear in all views except for the current view. Detail Lines can just as easily be converted to Model Lines.

Converting model lines to detail lines and vice versa:

Lastly, users can place batt insulation within detail views. Insulation is sketched similar to lines. Users can set an offset from the cursor, and you can pick a line on which to sketch the insulation.

Adding Insulation to detail views:

Text and Leaders Improvements

Many enhancements have been made to text and leaders. These enhancements include the ability to display a text box and the creation of bullets and numbering when listing text items. 
Also, issues with word wrapping and zoom scaling have now been fixed.  Users can use text formatting keyboard shortcuts and be able to find and replace words within their notes.
The leader enhancements include allowing users to specify a more precise location to set the proper justification for the leader within the top, middle, or bottom locations of the right or left side of the text note and the ability to adjust the distance between the leader end and the text note.

Showing the new text and leader improvements:

 

Revit Structure 2011 Fit and Finish New Features

Fit and Finish

By further building upon the enhancements made in prior releases, Revit Structure 2011 promotes continuity across releases in an effort to make features and functionality more complete and help boost customer satisfaction.

Slanted Columns

In Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software, engineers and drafters could create slanted columns using the same column families they have used for vertical columns, which include not only physical characteristics, but also analytical as well. Users could place the slanted column in elevation, section and 3D views and had some control of the slanted column end position and behavior.

 

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 software provides the following slanted column enhancements where one can now place slanted columns in a plan view in the same workflow as the 2-click method of placement in 3D views.   Users can adjust the slanted column along an attached beam and be able to cut the slanted column to an attached structural floor or slab.  Additionally, users can cut a slanted column horizontally, vertically, or perpendicularly, even when it is not attached to an element.  Beam joins will now automatically adjust when resizing an existing slanted column

Beams Systems

Today, many engineers and drafters model each structural member that comprises the flooring system. Although the beam system tool in previous releases allowed users to efficiently layout a set of beams, Autodesk has now enhanced this tool to allow better accuracy and placement of the beam system elements.

In Autodesk Revit Structure 2011, beam systems now allow users to select a support such as a wall or beam to specify the direction of a beam system.   Users can also draw a sketch line inside or outside a beam system to specify beam direction and can also drop the beam system using the Remove Beam System tool. Once dropped, the individual beams will remain in place.

 

Trusses

The creation of truss elements is frequently a time consuming task for engineers and drafters. The previous release of Autodesk Revit Structure allows users to add trusses to their building model more quickly according to the layout and other parameters specified.

In previous releases, users were able to attach the top chord to roof or slab elements, edit the location of the top and bottom chords, and were able to unlock the truss elements from the truss family. 

Now, Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 has enhanced these features starting with the ability to attach the bottom chord of a truss to a structural floor or foundation slab element.  Users can also simultaneously sketch custom chords while the truss is attached and be able to remove a truss family.  Once dropped, the truss chords and webs will remain in place.

 

Concrete Reinforcement

Many engineers and drafters detail concrete models with individual rebar, rebar sets, area and path reinforcement. Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 now provides the following structural reinforcement enhancements to help aid in the rebar replacement to your concrete elements. 

First, reinforcement volume and length project units can be specified with appropriate numerical rounding and representation.  Second, concrete slab edges are now valid hosts for cover and reinforcement.  The first and last bars in rebar sets are now suppressible in a project.  Third, an additional rebar bending radius has been implemented to meet the needs of some international codes.   Cover reference line style can now be configured in the Object Styles dialog and the cover reference lines now remain in view when resizing and repositioning rebar.    Fourth, major Spacing is now a label category parameter for area reinforcement tags.   Finally, you can now specify and place spiral rebar in a concrete host. Because spiral rebar is fully dimensional it requires a unique shape family and can be scaled, rotated, and resized accordingly.

 

Analytical Model

Revit's Analytical Model allows the user a number of options in vertical and horizontal projection with multiple options for adjustment. Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 now has improved tools where one can horizontally project from columns to the default plane, the auto‐detected plane, or a named reference plane.

Users can also horizontally project from the center line of a beam, location lines, grids, and named reference planes as well as set the horizontal projection from the center of a wall core to accommodate varying widths in structural walls.  Top or bottom vertical projection of a column will now auto‐detect to beams when structural floors are not present and vertical projection from beams from the locations line or bottom of a beam.  

Also, for columns, one can use the top or bottom of a column analytical model as a source for manual analytical adjustment.  Finally, just like users can add rigid links to columns, users can now set rigid link parameters for beams.  This rigid link of beams will adjust to the columns they are attached to and will take into consideration all other columns within the same space of the beam.  This allows for rigid links along a beam between its connected ends.

 
   

Connection Symbols

In construction drawings, connection types can be shown using various symbolic annotations at the end of the structural elements.  Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2011 now provides several new connection symbol families that can be loaded and selected as default connection symbols through a new interface in the Structural Settings dialog.

 
 
 
  

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