I’m waiting for a tablet PC that can run Revit – without its head in the cloud.  In other words, I want it to be powerful in its own right.  I don’t want to have to rely on someone else’s processor to do my work for me.  And I want a decent amount of storage on-board. 

Currently, there are only a couple of Tablet PCs that I would even consider buying:

I’m particularly interested in these two tablets because I like both brands – I own a Samsung LCD TV, which is beautiful, and my ASUS laptop has been very reliable and capable.  Both of these tablets run Intel Core i5 processors and can have 4 GB of RAM.

If you didn’t know already, I am NOT an Apple guy – I have no iPhone, iPod or iPad.  Nor do I have any plans to purchase any of these devices.  I don’t care to elaborate (maybe in another post), but I’m just not interested in joining the masses in this particular instance.

With regard to tablet PCs in general – I know that things will improve next year, with Windows 8 and cheaper, more powerful Tablet tech.  So I may wait for a while before making a final decision.

Do you have any tips or advice?  Feel free to comment.

CNET links for the above two tablets:
ASUS – CNET

Samsung – CNET

Samsung

Asus

Technology Preview of the the Project Pandora Liveview design review tool, a cloud rendering research collaboration from Autodesk & Nvidia.
This video demonstrates how the Project Pandora Liveview collaborative design tool allows users to share access to renders online, in order to quickly review and iterate projects with clients and colleagues.

at
Project Pandora Liveview Design Review – YouTube

via
http://datechpt.blogspot.com/2011/11/projecto-pandora-o-futuro-da-renderiza.html

VEO News has found a connection between VEO and Interviews3D Composer Suite.

Some of the features of Interviews3D Composer Suite in bullet points (emphasis added):

  • interactively simulate and explore even the largest CAD models and laser scans (up to several billion points and polygons in real time)
  • import CAD data from any major source format and compose differently formatted models into large projects
  • modular system architecture
  • new, intuitive user interface supports:
  • configurable multi-view, multi-database display
  • visual editing and numerous interactive functions.
  • can overlay laser and CAD data,
  • measure deviations between specification and physical model,
  • perform clash analysis,
  • document and report changes, etc.

via
VEO News

6,000 of us graduating while there are still 20,000 more experienced architects looking for jobs too?!
… what do we have that those 20,000 architects do not? The Revit Mind.

The Revit Mind does not simply mean we know Revit and they don’t. It means we think differently. We problem solve differently. We naturally collaborate across disciplines without a hint of discrimination or hesitation…

via
The Revit Kid.com!: So You are Graduating…What Now?

It reminds me of these posts:
The Revit Mindset
… it’s the ability to clear your mind of any preconceived “knowledge” or “understanding” of Revit and then layout a plan of attack before even beginning a project. (via ArchDesignLabs)


The right Revit attitude
… you MUST understand, at least to some degree, how Revit works. Otherwise you will never succeed, and you will face a lot of frustration. Yes, you must grasp What Revit Wants.
You must try to think in the same way that Revit thinks. Why is it trying to join the walls this way? Why is object A masking object B? What is causing Revit to show this line dashed instead of solid? Instead of getting frustrated and angry … just try and understand WHY.

‘It’s a way of thinking’
One of my fellow staff members was recently doing some work in AutoCAD (after using Revit), and he said something quite profound:
“It’s a way of thinking, isn’t it”
And it really is. Using Revit properly is not a matter of ‘why can’t Revit do xxx’, its a matter of ‘why does Revit do xxx this way?’ And there is usually a very good reason.

Assertive BIM
let’s say 3 people like 3 different colours. Mr Aggressive says ‘Red is the best colour and you are all idiots if you don’t agree with me!’ Mr Passive loves Yellow, but he meekly nods. Mr Assertive says, ‘I respect the fact that you like Red. However, I personally like the colour Green.’

Mr Assertive does not need others to change – he just shows respect and wants to be respected. His beliefs are not dependent on forcing others to change.

When it comes to BIM, the ‘aggressive’ stance is often taken (AutoCAD is rubbish!) However, perhaps a more successful tactic would be to truly Listen, Acknowledge, and then firmly express why You believe in BIM.   

Some of you have had problems installing Revit.  Perhaps running the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter via Microsoft Fix it portable will help?

I recommend using the following link. After downloading, you will have to run the exe, which itself will then download ‘Fix it portable’ to a folder that you select:
Portable Offline: MicrosoftFixit-portable.exe

In the top list, click on Install or upgrade software or hardware, and click ‘Run Now’ next to Diagnose and fix program installing and uninstalling problems automatically.

via
Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter Tool Replaces MSICUU2 | Raymond.CC Blog

Here is how you can assign a material parameter to a painted surface in a family:

  1. Go to Family Types dialog box
  2. Add – Material Parameter
  3. Paint
  4. Choose the material that you made – it will have the suffix (param)
  5. Done!  Save and load into project…

You can do this for multiple different materials on different painted surfaces.

This method was mentioned on the French ‘Mastering Revit’ blog:
Translated version of post

Original post
Revit mastering: Peindre

I received a comment on my previous post to a Revit Forum page that links to a nice PDF you can download and stick on your wall – it shows the Unicode values for most of the special characters that you will want to use in Revit.

Just remember to hold down Alt, press the four numbers, then let go of Alt. The special character should then appear.

EDIT:
Direct link without login (thanks to PepaR)

Direct link to PDF (you will have to login to Revit Forum)
http://www.revitforum.org/attachments/tutorials-tips-tricks/5446d1322223838-special-symbols-characters-jr_symbols-special-characters-cad.pdf

Link to post
Special symbols and characters

There has been a lot of talk recently about real time rendering, about using game engines as visualization tools on BIM platforms, and generally about making an awesome 3D development environment that allows for instant and immersive presentation of the building model.

I don’t think that this environment exists quite yet – either the tools are too game oriented, or they are too building oriented.  We don’t have one tool that just hits all of the sweet spots.  But one day … one day I think we will.

Can you picture a day when work and play will be somewhat synonymous?  When the software you are using to design a building will allow instant visualization?  It will allow you to fully apply real environments, real weather, real materials – and see the effects in real time.  Navigation will be intuitive, first person, and fast.

There are a few tools and technologies that are getting there.  Below I have provided some links that talk about Unity 3D, Twinmotion and Showcase.  To be brutally honest, I have Showcase installed but I balk at the prospect of learning and implementing another tool – I want it to BE Revit.  Built in.  Don’t increase the amount of software in my ecosystem – reduce it.  Please.

I assume that the same goes for Revit, but passing by 3ds Max instead of Cinema4D.
http://archvirtual.com/2011/11/15/archicad-to-unity3d-and-more-about-revit-to-unity3d/

http://www.slideshare.net/stefanboeykens/using-3d-design-software-bim-and-game-engines-for-architectural-historical-reconstruction

Various real time visuals:
http://insidethefactory.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/11/realtime-rendering.html

 Image from http://www.flashscope.com/blog/unity-3d-new-dimension-for-game-development/