IMAGINiT Building Solutions Blog

Missing Elements when Appending/Linking Revit models into Navisworks

By Nicholas Bowley, IMAGINiT Building Solutions

There are several methods or Appending a Revit model into Navisworks. The method that is most efficient is debatable and often a compromise between performance and manual effort, unless you have IMAGINiT Clarity which can export .nwc (Navisworks Cache) automatically by schedule or on demand.

Navisworks has the ability to link in a Revit model directly by “appending” the .rvt file. The advantage to this method is that as you resolve clashes or make changes you can save the Revit file and click Refresh in Navisworks. It also eliminates much of the manual effort of exporting NWC files repeatedly.

If you have tried this method you have likely had the problem when linking Revit into Navisworks, Revit elements are missing. To solve or avoid this problem you need to understand and check the settings in Navisworks.

1. Click on the Application Menu  and go to the Options in the lower right.

2. Click on File Readers then Revit

3. There are several options and settings you should review and understand.

4. To resolve the problem of missing Revit Elements, check the Convert settings. There are three options; Navisworks View, First 3D View, and Entire Project.

a. By using Navisworks View the program will only import views that contain the word “Navis” in the name and it will only import Elements contained in those views.

b. Entire Project will bring in all of the Elements and 3D Views in the Revit Project you wish to Append.

Leveraging the Navisworks View by setting up named views in the Revit model or changing the setting to Entire Project should resolve the problem of Missing Elements when Appending/Linking Revit into Navisworks.

What BIM Data are You Giving Owners?

When we asked last year, most AEC firms were not providing models or model data to owners, even though most were actively using BIM. Many noted that owners simply don't know BIM or ask for the entire model, rather than just the information that would be relevant to a building's operation and management.

We recently worked with Cadalyst magazine to create a whitepaper "Help Building Owners get the BIM Data they Really Need". It walks through how AEC firms can help owners make the most of BIM data. As you work with developers and provide them greater understanding it aids not only the process but also the long-term relationship of both organizations.

Download Help Building Owners get the BIM data they really need. 

Revit Schedules - Embedded Schedule Tab Missing!

By Heather Alley, IMAGINiT Building Solutions

I was attempting to make an embedded schedule this week. Much to my surprise the tab was missing!

Embedded schedules are schedules within a schedule. They are only available to specific Schedule Categories which are:
• Rooms
• Spaces
• Duct systems
• Piping Systems
• Electrical Circuits

The simple answer is that embedded schedules were initially created back when Revit was separated by discipline and this functionality was only available to Revit MEP, and not Revit Architecture. Even though I currently have Revit One Box (All three disciplines; Architectural, MEP, & Structural) installed, I forgot that last week I hid the ‘Systems’ tab on my ribbon.

In the Options dialog box, choose User Interface and restore the check boxes for the Systems tab.

Problem solved!

 

 

Reducing Energy Consumption Through Intelligent Systems

When building systems aren’t integrated and don’t “talk” to one another, major opportunities for energy conservation are lost. What building owners may not realize, however, is that a building information model (BIM) can help solve this problem.

One of the benefits of BIM is that is provides rich information about all the rooms in a building. When that data is blended with behavior patterns of building occupants, it’s possible to schedule intelligent behavior for HVAC systems, lighting, and more.

At Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska, for example, IMAGINiT integrated its facilities management system with intelligent building systems. Information about the school schedule and extra-curricular activities is now available to the heating and lighting systems, so rooms are comfortable when students are in the building and energy is conserved during off-peak times like nights, weekends, and vacations.

To learn more about this project, as well as how IMAGINiT could help your organization through intelligent systems, feel free to contact us.

Gaining Insight Into Sustainability with BIM

Sustainability and energy conservation are top of mind for many building owners these days. What owners may not realize, however, is the value that BIM can provide as they tackle questions related to energy costs and consumption.

A building information model is a virtual representation of the building that can be analyzed for different purposes after completion. For example:

• Solar studies. With software like Autodesk Revit or Green Building Studio, building owners can take a building information model and determine the impact that the sun will have on the existing building or on potential renovations.

• Utility cost analyses. Model data related to wall construction and insulation values can support analyses that establish the utility costs of the current design.

• Green project evaluations. The potential of solar panels on a roof or installation of a green roof can be modeled based on information in BIM.

• Renovation possibilities. Alternative designs and materials can be studied as renovations are planned, which will reduce the building’s energy consumption footprint.

• Daylighting analysis. In Autodesk Revit, it is possible to analyze daylight illuminance to locate areas where shading devices may be needed to ensure occupant comfort.  Revit allows users to add shading devices, analyze their effectiveness, and identify the most cost effective solution. A daylighting analysis can also determine whether rooms can benefit from daylight sensors to dim or turn off electrical lighting when it’s not required, saving unnecessary energy costs.

If your team is interested in reducing your building’s energy footprint by leveraging BIM, contact us here at IMAGINiT. We can help identify what’s possible.

New Control Over Building Information for FM Teams and Building Owners

As we discussed in an earlier post, Clarity Owner Data Portal (ODP) provides building operators with easy access to data in Autodesk Revit models. These benefits are useful for both facilities management teams, as well as building owners. Here are few ways that Clarity ODP is changing the way building operators work:

• Facilities management teams can run building-centric reports. With Clarity ODP, it’s possible to generate building-centric reports automatically with data on floors, rooms, equipment, furniture, and more. Examples of reports include lists of all rooms, equipment, and furniture; rooms by floor, department, category type, and standard; equipment by standard, system, and other parameters; and furniture by standard.

• Round trip data editing is possible. If facilities management teams see building information from the Revit model that needs to be updated or changed, they can request edits right from Clarity ODP. Requests for edits are routed to Revit specialists who can make the necessary changes.

• Revit data can be integrated with other facilities management systems. Clarity ODP stores Revit model data in a Microsoft SQL database. This enables facilities management teams to easily manipulate data outside the Revit model and to integrate that data with existing facilities management systems. With Clarity ODP, COBie export files can be generated automatically for easy integration with other systems.

To gain the greatest benefit from BIM data in Clarity ODP, it’s a good idea for building owners to establish their own BIM guidelines and standards to ensure that the AEC project team includes relevant information in the model during building design and construction. As a building owner, here are three guidelines to keep in mind:

1. The owner’s BIM standard serves as a governing contract that defines the information that will be included in the model. Without a standard, there is no guarantee that BIM information will flow downstream after the design and construction phases for a building are completed.

2. BIM standards give owners control over how data is delivered. With a standard in place, owners know models can be used productively after construction team transitions information over to facilities management.

3. An owner’s BIM standards and guidelines will be different than those of an architect, engineer, or contractor. Owners must focus on different content, data, and workflow processes. Standards and guidelines (and project execution plans) must reflect the owners’ specific needs. If this doesn’t occur, the models received from the AEC team will sit on the digital shelf and quickly become obsolete.

IMAGINiT’s experts can help your team establish an owner-oriented BIM standard and leverage BIM data in Clarity ODP. With standards and systems in place, both owners and facilities management teams will benefit from the power of BIM models.

Revit and Facilities Management: Liberate Your Data

During construction, a building information model (BIM) is commonly incorporated into the design and build process. The information that resides in BIM is extremely valuable from a facilities management perspective. However, the models are usually created and maintained in Autodesk Revit – a tool that many facilities management professionals aren’t skilled at using. If facilities management teams have an interest in BIM, they usually have to ask a Revit specialist for assistance. This raises the bar for gathering information and consequently, valuable BIM information often goes unused.

Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Clarity Owner Data Portal (ODP) breaks down the barriers between Revit and facilities management. It enables teams to access graphic and non-graphic BIM data through a web browser. Data from the Revit model is routinely updated in the Clarity ODP repository. With Clarity ODP, facilities management teams have the power to query data in the Revit model and use the information in new ways. In our next blog post, we will discuss how facilities management teams are using the reporting and editing capabilities in Clarity Owner Data Portal to improve their operations.