ASCENT Blog

NEW Home for the ASCENT Blog

We truly enjoy writing blog posts and sharing them. But that’s not all we do. Our new blog site lives on the ASCENT Resource Center.

The ASCENT Resource Center offers on-demand webcasts, sample chapters, brochures and more.

Content from our amazing technical team will continue! We hope you’ll join us: https://resources.ascented.com/ascent-blog

My Five Fave New Features in Revit 2021

With all the uncertainty in the world today, it is refreshing to unwrap the new features of Revit 2021 to see what the Autodesk development team has come up with to make our lives easier in the way we design. With the release of Revit 2021, there are some pretty exciting enhancements and features. A few that stood out to me are highlighted below, but trust me, there are plenty more wonderful enhancements to explore.

Creating slanted walls – In previous releases, to achieve a slanted wall you had to either create a mass element or utilize profiles. However, you achieved slanted walls before, Revit 2021 now lets you create slanted walls with architectural, structural, or curtain walls by altering the Cross-Section property, then modifying the Angle From Vertical property with a negative or positive angle. In the image below, I show a slanted curtain wall.

Stripe rows in schedules – Previously, you only had the option to stripe schedule rows from the ribbon and only view them in a schedule view. In Revit 2021, you can visually simplify a schedule’s appearance by setting the stripe rows within a schedule’s properties, including setting stripe rows to start with the first or second row, modifying the highlight color, and select whether or not you want to show stripe rows on the sheet it gets placed on.

Schedules in Sheet view’s list – To manage which sheets your schedules are on, you can now expand the sheets and view schedules, along with views, that are on each sheet.

Modify 3D rebar hook rotation – To modify a rebar hook in previous versions, you had to go into edit sketch mode and modify the linework. In Revit 2021, a new enhancement to 3D rebar shapes allows you to rotate the 3D rebar hooks by specifying Hook Rotation At Start and End of the rebar within the rebar properties.

To learn more about ASCENT and what we can offer visit https://www.ascented.com/. 

Webcast follow-up: Maximize the Design Collaboration tools available in BIM 360

I want to thank everyone for attending my webcast on Maximizing the Design Collaboration tools. In the webcast I talked about and demonstrated the process of utilizing the BIM 360 Design Collaboration tools which is taken from our BIM 360 Fundamentals guide. This webcast was geared towards users who wanted to learn more about working with Design Collaboration within BIM 360. Topics that I covered in this webcast:

• Overview of BIM 360.
• Preparing your Revit models for BIM 360.
• Overview of the Design Collaboration module.
• Creating shared packages.
• Consuming shared packages.
• Reviewing and comparing design changes.
• Identifying issues within Design Collaboration.
• Establishing how Revit and BIM 360 will communicate
  (live vs. manage linking).

For those who couldn't attend we have posted the recording which you can view here:

Below are some questions that came up during the webcast:

Question: ­This is helpful, but is there a similar webex for Civil 3D design collaboration? 

Answer: In general, the functionality for Civil 3D is a little behind where BIM 360 Design is with Revit. We have covered this content in one of the chapters in our BIM 360 Fundamental guide. Thanks for the idea for a future webcasts.

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Question: How to get started with BIM360. Should I start with BIM360 docs?

Answer: You can access BIM 360 from this link https://docs.b360.autodesk.com/ as long as you have a BIM 360 license that has been activated or you have signed up for a free trial. 

In order to access BIM 360 Design Collaboration, like I did was in my presentation you or the Account Administrator would need to activate a BIM 360 Design license and activate the Document Management (BIM 360 Docs) and Design Collaboration Services (BIM 360 Design). BIM 360 Design includes BIM 360 Docs as shown in the diagram below.

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Question: Why do you have to sync and publish your model in Revit?

Answer: In Revit when you sync with central your model is synced with the central file stored on the Autodesk Revit server. Users who are working on the same model as you will get those changes much like they would if you were working off a local server on a file based workshared model.  The act of publishing the model publishes the model at its current state from the Autodesk Revit server to the BIM 360 server, this allows other teams access to your file provided permissions have been setup properly by your Project Administrator. This is also covered in chapter 4 of the BIM 360 Fundamentals guide.

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Question: Do you have to consume in order to review an issue?

Answer: No, you do not have to consume a package in order to review it. In fact you may not want to consume the package at all based on the review. Also if you are reviewing the package and find an issue you can create an Project Issue from the Document Management module and assign it to that team to review and address. Project Issues are covered in Chapter 3: Analysis and Communication of the BIM 360 Fundamentals guide.

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Question: Does Reload latest update to the most recent changes to the central model? or does it make sure that Design Collaboration has the latest published sets from their teams Doc's folder?

Answer: Within Revit from the BIM 360 node, clicking on Publish Latest updates the model from the central model stored on the Autodesk Revit server. Within BIM 360 Document Management, if you click on Update to latest this will update the published model to the latest version. 

Thanks again and don't forget to check out the BIM 360 Fundamentals guide on the ASCENT website.

 

Webcast follow-up: Using the AEC Collection Tools for Land Development Projects, Part 2

I thank everyone for attending my webcast on February 19th, 2020. This was the second part of a presentation I did at Autodesk University in 2019. Due to the length of the original I had to break the webcasts into two parts, the first part took place on January  22, 2020.

Here is a link to the Webcast follow-up blog I wrote for the first part: 

If you want to view the video for the the first part, follow this link.

In the second part of the AEC Collection Tools for Land Development Projects, we looked at three products:

Civil 3D
Revit 
Navisworks

I demonstrated how one can import an InfraWorks model into Civil 3D with minor amount of tweaking. Then I replicated the analysis, visual tools and conceptual work I had done in InfraWorks in Civil 3D to a more refined level for the design development stage. I created a Shared Reference Point file for Revit and then created a preliminary grading surface to be used in Revit. 

From Civil 3D I ventured into Revit where I looked at various design options. I brought different Shared Reference Point files into Revit and inserted the Topographies developed in Civil 3D. Finally I jumped into Navisworks and demonstrated its Quantification and Visualization capabilities.

 

To revisit the webinar, you may view the recording here. 

The webcast was prepared for:

Architects
Civil Engineers
Site Designers
Landscape Architects
Technicians

Topics covered in the webcast:

Importing an InfraWorks model into Civil 3D
Using Civil 3D as a design development tool.
Sharing surfaces and reference points between Civil 3D and Revit.
Using Navisworks for quantification and visualization.

These topics are covered in two of ASCENT's learning guides:

• Infraworks 2020 : Fundamentals for Conceptual Design & Visualization
• Civil 3D  2020: Grading

Webcast questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: [email protected]

Revit 2020 Collaboration Tools: Worksets/Worksharing changes

ASCENT has recently made some required changes to the Revit 2020 Collaboration Tools learning guide with regards to how the practices for the Project Team Collaboration section are done. These changes were required in order to align with Autodesk’s new single-user subscription/ID-based subscription method. In previous releases of this learning guide, the Workset exercises were written so that each user would launch two sessions of Revit and then change the user name in each to User1 and User2, as required. This allowed the student to simulate the worksharing environment and work through the practices without needing a shared network location. With the new Autodesk single-user subscription/ID-based subscription method, users are required to sign-in to activate and use their software and it doesn't allow the user to sign out. Because of this, launching two sessions of Revit and changing the username is no longer possible, so we had to get creative.

Knowing how difficult it is to teach worksets, I wanted to keep this as simple as possible. I've done the following:

• For training environments that still have access to Network or Standalone licensing:

• I kept the User1 and User2 reference in the written practice steps. Users can still open two sessions of Revit, change the username, and like previous releases they can work on the practices on their own.

• For training environments that now use the Single-User Subscription/ ID-based Subscription method:

• Pairs of users (User1 and User2) can work together in a true collaborative environment. One student performs all of User 1 steps and the other User 2 steps. For this to work a shared network folder for the two users to share the central file.
• If working in pairs or there is no access to a shared network folder I have created videos of each task for the Architectural vertical practice covering the worksharing process. This video can be played in the training room/classroom or viewed by the student. These videos can be found in the 'Videos' folder within the extracted practice files folder.

 

Taking the simplification even further, at the beginning of each practices I have written special instructions and within the margin next to each task, I've added which video to refer to and where they are located. 

Based on feedback received from trainers, I've even gone one step further. I simplified many of the practices by removing some of the Tasks that were redundant and were already being performed in the other practices.

My goal with this book was to simplify the workset/worksharing section and to give instructors all the tools and support needed to be successful. If you have any questions or comments related to the workset/worksharing section, please post a comment below or send an email to [email protected]..

 

 

ASCENT Courseware Update - Follow up to the Webcast

By: Jennifer MacMillan

Thanks to everyone for joining our most recent Webcast where Ronda and I discussed what’s new and coming in the ASCENT curriculum for the Autodesk 2020 software release. Click Here to view the recording.

Here are a few highlights and take away’s from our session:

• The main goal of this webcast was to explain the changes that are coming in the ASCENT curriculum and to introduce the courseware roadmap. I focused on explaining what is changing in the learning guides, not on what is new in the software. As books are released our Content Developers will post blogs if there are significant changes in the guides that warrant explanation.
• Our Roadmap is updated frequently and changes in priority will often require updates to our projected release dates. Please be sure to review this Roadmap as you prepare your schedules.
• And finally…. ASCENT can create custom learning guides that combine content from our existing books. Customers love this solution as it provides students with exactly the content they need in one professionally bound guide, instead of having to flip back and forth through multiple books. If you’re interested in this offering, please reach out!

 

We hope that you enjoyed the webcast. We host webcasts regularly (about once a month), so be sure to keep an eye out on our Events Page for other topics that may interest you.

Thanks,

Jennifer

Webcast follow-up: Data Exchange between Revit and Civil 3D

I thank everyone for attending my webcast on April 24^th where we examined ways of exchanging data between Autodesk Civil 3D and Autodesk Revit.  For Civil Engineers (or site designers), we looked at incorporating a Revit 3D model and/or 2D building footprint into the project, and for Architects, we discussed best practices to incorporate the Civil 3D surface in the Revit Project.

To revisit the webinar, we have posted the recording on the ASCENT YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/yeToSGeVwZg 

I used the Civil 3D and Revit 2019.2 products because:

• Among the major changes from 2019.0 to 2019.1, Revit no longer can export to a Building Site format (*.adsk)
• A new feature got introduced, the ability to share surfaces.
• The Shared Reference Point is not (yet) available in the 2020 versions.

The webcast was prepared for:

• Architects
• Civil Engineers
• Site Designers
• Landscape Architects
• Technicians

Topics covered in the webcast:

• Export the Revit Model in a 2D and 3D format efficiently
• Link a Civil 3D surface at the proper location
• Reference a Revit Model in Civil 3D, choosing 2D or 3D
• Create a surface link for Revit
• Referencing the surface in Revit

Below are some questions that came up during the webcast:

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Q: When importing the surface from civil 3D into Revit, it comes as one piece. Because of that we can only apply one type of material. We would like to have the surface come in to Revit in a way that we can apply sidewalk material to the sidewalk area, pavers material to the pavers are and so on. Is there a way to achieve this?

This is a new tool and one can hope that as it matures, more functionality will become available. For now I would suggest using the Revit Paint tool to outline the areas of concern and apply a Revit material to this painted surface. I realize this will be cumbersome. Another more professional  approach would be to bring both the Revit Model and the Civil 3D surfaces (with properly defined materials) into Autodesk 3D Studio for rendering.

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Q: ­ Do you have a written list of settings recommended for view templates?­

Typically in Civil 3D one doesn't need the interiors of a building (however care must be taken as to what is visible through the glass from the exterior). Thus I recommend creating a View Template in Revit to control the visibility of such interior objects. Use the "Interior" filter, and ensure that this is set for the Revit objects that contain that setting. This will handle the Revit categories, however you still have to go through the 3D model and 2D site plan to turn off (or on) individual objects.

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Q: Any concerns importing Revit in Civil 3D "Feet" units or "US Survey Feet" units when exchanging information?

No concerns. The Shared Reference Point utility asks for a "local" origin point in the Revit Model and then the coordinates are relative to that origin point. Thus any differences between Feet and US Survey Feet become negligible at such short of distance (from the "origin"). 

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Q: Or millimeters I guess for us in the UK?

The demonstration used Imperial units for both Civil 3D and Revit, however it works just as well for Metric units. The Ascent courseware for these products come in Metric and Imperial versions.

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Q: Can this handle multi-building projects?  For other discipline Revit models (i.e. Structural, electrical, etc.) do you need to import the shared coordinate xml file into each of those as well?

For multi-building projects Civil 3D can handle it with simply inserting more xrefs. Revit on the other hand may have issues. Ascent has a course dealing specifically with this topic, in which a workflow for sharing coordinates with other linked files is outlined.

• Autodesk Revit Architecture: Site and Structural Design

Once a coordinate system is established in a Revit model, it can be published to other linked models (such as structural, electrical, etc.)

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Q: What should we do when surface changed in C3D by site designer?

As the site changes, the site designer re-publishes the surface and Revit will re-link to the shared surface through its reference manager. There is a new tab now for Topology in the reference manager.

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Thank you again! If you have ideas or requests for future webcasts, please let us know.

 

 

Autodesk Revit Templates and Resource Projects

By Martha Hollowell

I’ve been thinking a lot about template files for Revit projects as I am updating the Autodesk Revit BIM Management: Family and Template Creation learning guide for Autodesk Revit 2019 due out in early autumn. In the guide we mention resource projects used in conjunction with template files for a more effective use of project planning and execution. These tools don’t get a lot of attention, but they are a critical component of good BIM Management and make the designers' life a lot easier if the office standards are already in place and ready to use.

What is the difference between Template Files and Resource Projects?

Template Files

A project template is a file that contains information that can be used over and over to create new projects. The goal is to save time by using company standards, enabling you to concentrate on the design. For example, if you do a lot of standard mid-rise buildings you can preset typical levels (as shown below) along with the related Floor Plans, Ceiling Plans, and/or Structural Plans. (If you are copy/monitoring levels through a linked file you do not need additional levels in your template file.)

Some items in a project template include:

• Levels
• Project-based settings (e.g., Project Units, Object Styles and discipline-specific settings, etc.)
• System Families
• Component Families
• Annotation Types
• Sheets with associated title blocks
• Views, and View Templates and View Filters
• Schedules and Legends

Resource Projects

A resource file is used to add views and elements to the current project after it has been started. You may have more than one resource project. For example, you may have a project that includes specific wall styles and wall details (as shown below) that you use for custom house design and a separate resource project for all your landscaping needs.

Some items in a typical resource file include:

• Sheets
• Schedules
• System Families
• Component Families
• Drafting views (details)

How do you use Resource Projects?

There are several tools you can use to access information stored in resource projects. It depends on the type of element you need to add.

• To copy drafting views (details), sheets, schedules, or reports into the current project, use Insert Views from File. You will select a project to open within the process and then you can select from a list of the available views and sheets as shown below.

• To copy system families (e.g., wall, floor, duct, pipe, wire types, etc) or annotations (e.g., text and dimension styles, materials, etc.), use Transfer Project Standards. A project has to be open to use this tool. Check None is an important button here as you rarely want all the settings imported.

• To copy component families from a resource project, use Copy to the Clipboard and either Paste Aligned to Selected Levels or Paste Aligned to Selected Views. For example, you might have a sheet full of schedules, as shown below, in the resource project that you can then select from to copy and paste into a sheet in the current project.

Questions?

What do you need in your template files and resource projects? Share your favorites in the comments below.

And look out for our upcoming version of the Autodesk Revit BIM Management: Family and Template Creation learning guide due out in early autumn.

 

 

Updates to the Autodesk Revit 2019: Fundamentals for MEP Learning Guide

By Martha Hollowell

The next book in our Autodesk Revit series is out now: Autodesk Revit 2019: Fundamentals for MEP and you can find out more here.

Thank You

As I mentioned in our Revit Architecture update blog a couple of weeks ago THANK YOU to all those who give us feedback. It always helps us make the book better. To send us your insights, please email us at [email protected]. We review every comment that comes in and make changes where appropriate.

Changes to the MEP Learning Guide

We have made a few changes to our MEP learning guide. You will notice the new name for one thing. We are renaming all our books to match the fact that there is one Revit with multiple uses. Therefore, every book title starts with Autodesk Revit 2019 and then explains what this book is about, in this case,  Fundamentals for MEP.

Additional changes we made include:

1. The order of some topics:
   1. Chapter 2 - Basic Sketching and Modify Tools includes all modify tools now (like Revit Architecture). For the practices in this chapter I added elements that students have not yet learned to create so the focus is more on the modification.
   2. Chapter 7 - Basic System Tools was Chapter 3 but has now been moved later in the course just before the discipline specific sections.
2. Linking CAD files added to Chapter 3 - Starting System Projects. (It was in Appendix before.)
3. Batch Copy Fixtures moved to the end of this same chapter because the process flowed better.
4. More discipline-specific practices added in chapters where there are multiple disciplines taught at the same time.

Behind the Scenes

A couple of other things that have been changed are like many of the changes to the Autodesk Revit software – they are behind the scenes and you won’t see them, but they make our lives easier especially when we are customizing the learning guides.

Customizing Learning Guides

Did you know that all our learning guides can be customized? For example, if you are part of a company that only does electrical work there is no reason to include the HVAC and Plumbing specific content. Or, if you need some information that is in other guides such as BIM or Collaboration Tools we can gather individual chapters together in one guide. We actually have Five Levels of Customization. For more information on this check out our services here.

I hope you enjoy using the latest version of our learning guides. Keep in touch and we will let you know when additional titles come out.

Updates to the Autodesk Revit 2019: Fundamentals for Architecture Training Guide

By Martha Hollowell

The mainstay of our Revit courseware Autodesk Revit 2019: Fundamentals for Architecture is available and you can find out more here.

First, I want to say THANK YOU to the people who gave feedback after using our previous guides. We always appreciate useful comments and want to make our training guides work the way you want them to work. To send us your insights, please email us at [email protected]. We review every comment that comes in and make changes where appropriate.

New in Autodesk Revit 2019

There are a number of nice updates to Autodesk Revit 2018.1, 2018.2 and 2019 that we have incorporated in our training guide. Many of them just roll into our existing content and new users will never know they didn’t exist. You will feel that way too once you spend some time using them. My favorite is the window tabs. It is nice to be able to jump between open views without having to search for them in lists.  

We include links to where the updates have been applied in the Index.

 

Updates to the Revit Architecture Fundamentals Training Guide

A few changes were made to the order of the training guide as requested by several reviewers.

• Some basic information on Revit Links is now included where we discuss CAD Links. The chapter is now named “Starting Architectural Projects” which is similar to the Revit Structure and MEP Fundamentals training guides. It is not exactly the same because Architects are typically the ones starting the project and don’t use links until later in the process. The advanced coordination tools are covered in Collaboration Tools training guide.
• Room elements have been moved to the chapter with walls. This allows room names early in the development and also allows for doors to be numbered according to rooms – a standard practice.
• Some practices have been simplified to focus on what was taught in the chapter. You will see this mainly in the Walls and Detail chapters. All the wall practice tasks are still available but moved to an optional practice at the end of the chapter. I removed all but 2 of the detail practices because there was significant repetition in the processes.
• The stairs chapter has been totally reviewed and updated. More has been done to these features over the last several years and so I “started from scratch” in a sense to rewrite this chapter.
• Keynotes has moved to the appendix.

Updates to All the ASCENT Training Guides

A big update to all the training guides is our new Instructor Guide. It is a full copy of the student guide with timing, answers to questions, access to overheads all available without having to juggle two books. To see more about our general updates watch the video: ASCENT Webcast: Autodesk 2019 Courseware Updates on our YouTube channel.

We hope you all enjoy the changes.

Martha Hollowell