I copied some Planting / RPC from one project (in a Design Option) to another project (in the Main Model).  This is what I got:

Somehow the Planting instances appeared as a Type of an existing Profile family???

I closed the project and re-opened with Audit.  This did not fix the issue.  Create Similar is greyed out when selecting the RPC, and Create Instance is greyed out for that Type in the Project Browser (not surprising, given that it is on a subnode of Profiles).

This is one of the weirdest things I have ever seen in Revit, and I have seen quite a few…

I can copy and paste the elements with no issue.

And guess what, it even shows up as an option in the Sweep / Select profile list:

Not surprisingly, when I try to use this as the Sweep Profile, Revit ‘Can’t Create Sweep’.

I deleted the Type and the copy / pasted again but using Edit Design Option rather than unticking Exclude Options – I had the same result.

Apparently, Revit can put your Entourage families into one of the Types of Profile family!

Next try, copied the Type from Project Browser of source RVT:

Great tip from James Herndon:
The secret lies in the original array line itself, that line, the one that shows up next to the array and lets you change the number of objects inside of the array, is actually an element in and of itself, and you need to select it too before you perform the mirror or copy function.

 Now you can see that after I’ve mirrored the array the new array has an array object associated with it and will let me change the array after the fact.
via
The Revit Blog: Arrays – Part II

Interestingly, you can select the Array line and add it to a Group.  You can also use the IDs of Selection tool to get the Element ID of the array itself:

IFC Exporter for Revit 2013 | Autodesk Revit | Autodesk Exchange Apps
or
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ifcexporter/files/2013/IFC%20Exporter%20for%20Revit%202013%20v2.7.0.msi/download

Apparently this is version 2.7.  I may be wrong, but there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to check the ‘version’ on Autodesk Exchange Apps.  If you download the MSI, you can check the properties of the file, where you will see that the digital signature is timestamped:
‎Wednesday, ‎23 ‎January ‎2013 10:39:38 AM

You could also check the IFC Exporter page on Sourceforge:

From the documentation:
The source code for this application is available on open source, at the SourceForge project : http://sourceforge.net/p/ifcexporter/home/Home/
This application is a good complement to the IFC Exporter UI client app, also available on the Exchange store. However, it is not required to get the latest version of that application when installing this application. Nor is it required to use this alternate UI when getting the latest IFC Exporter UI.

More info:
24th January 2013, version 2.7.  Read more at BIM Blog
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbimblog.typepad.com%2Fautodesk_bim_blog%2F2013%2F01%2Fifc-exporter-v27-for-revit-2013.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=UTF-8

Today I received a shiny chrome 4gb USB key from CSR containing their Gyprock Revit files (currently, 48 RVT files with a single wall type contained in each).

I had followed the instructions at this link:
Gyprock : The Gyprock™ Revit Family

You could also download this PDF form (click the link then File – Download), fill it out and email to designlink@csr.com.au

Most of you already know that 360 Cloud Rendering will allow you to create a 360 degree panoramic view directly from Revit.  But did you know that you can download and view that interactive panorama offline?

Skip to the cool part of the video (embedded below).

Here’s how:

  1. In Revit 2013, Render in Cloud is on the View panel.  If you have lots of 3D views it can take a while to load the first dialog.
  2. Obviously, make sure you choose Interactive Panorama.  Use ‘Advanced’ Exposure (this may allow for more flexibility later).  Note: Set your DPI before choosing ‘Interactive’.  Small will match the views crop dimensions
  3. Once you have started the Render, it can take a long time to upload the data, but you will get an email telling you when it is ready.
  4. Download Panorama from http://rendering.360.autodesk.com/mygallery.aspx.  Mine came as a jpg.
  5. Download the offline viewer – http://advsys.net/ken/kube/kubegl.exe
  6. Run kubegl.exe
  7. It will prompt you to open something – choose the panorama jpg.
  8. Once loaded, you will be in a full-screen viewing mode.  You can use your mouse to ‘look around’.  Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to zoom in / out and LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to pan.

Pretty cool huh?

Step by step video:

Heads-up via
Google Translate of http://bimblog.typepad.com/autodesk_bim_blog/2013/01/autodesk-360-panoramabilder-offline-ansehen.html

After writing most of this post, I found a related LinkedIn thread about kubegl at:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Autodesk-360-panorama-rendering-is-68075.S.131414706

I couldn’t find a simple way to embed or share the 360 interactive rendering (see feature request here), but here is the source jpg:

A few notes:

“not down-loadable”??
Test: Cloud Rendering in Revit 2012 « microsolresources

Some thoughts on exposure settings:
http://feedback.autodesk.com/cloudservices/topics/adjust_exposure_settings_from_revit

http://advsys.net/ken/kube/kube.htm

Hey Luke.
Here a small tool i made to clean op the journal files that revit leaves behind on the computer.
It seems it doesn not clean these files out of itselve, and can take up a lot of space on the computer pretty fast.
If anyone sees room for improvements they can use the contact button to mail them top me, so i can put it in a next version.
As gmail/hotmail wont let me sent a zip with an exe in it (install file) i uploaded it to my site, and can be downloaded here:

Attached in this mail is a screenshot

Kind regards
Dante van Wettum
The Nederlands

When I hear ‘Chris Zoog‘, I can’t help but think of his 2003 brainchild, the 6 phases of a Revit user

More recently (ie. this week), Chris delivered a webcast on the usefulness of IFC for NYC-RUG and gave his permission that it be uploaded to the web.  See the whole webcast embedded below:


So here is the breadcrumb of credit–
Created by Chris Zoog, uploaded to Dropbox by theoryshaw, put on Youtube by BenPMalone.

In the webcast, Chris talks about (among other things):

  • history of IFC
  • using Grasshopper and Geometry Gym plugins with Revit (see my previous posts)
  • drofus
  • Generic Model Adaptive Components used in simulation
  • clash detection / code compliance
  • Tekla Bimsight / Solibri Model Checker
  • “Navisworks is ubiquitous but this (Solibri) is the better tool”
  • BCF – BIM Collaboration format 
  • the IFCExportAs parameter for non-system families in Revit
  • arr-chee-cad (57:15)

It is recommended viewing if you are interested in the current uses of IFC and he also hints at what the future may hold…

A summary of the webcast from LinkedIn:
Jeffrey OuelletteWell, he showed several:

1. Design & Documentation – A set of formal parametric design constraints were developed in Rhino using Grasshopper, tagged with IFC data and then exported as IFC files and imported into Revit. The objects were translated into Revit-native data structures (some better than others). The design work would be VERY difficult, if at all possible, in Revit, so he showed that using a design tool built for such purposes could still exchange the model data with the preferred documentation platform, totally different technologies, using IFC. Granted the connection was based on IFC4….

2. Planning & Design. dRofus is a very powerful web-based, database-centric, planning and facility data management tool. Via IFC exchanges, he showed how owner program requirements, developed most efficiently in dRofus, could be transferred to Revit via IFC2x3. Also designs in Revit could be re-imported into dRofus to compare and verify the model design against the requirements, AUTOMATICALLY!

3. Clash Detection/Coordination. Yes, Revit and Navisworks can talk to each other with a high degree of ease and fidelity now, but he showed how Solibri Model Checker (SMC), an IFC model based BIM tool, can find, report, and share this information in a variety of ways, including sharing model comments between platforms via BCF.

4. Code checking. Using Solibri Model Checker (SMC), a Revit design model is exported via IFC and examined for exiting, occupancy, and critical clearances using logical rules based on code requirements, such as IBC.

5. QA/QC. Beyond just using SMC for code compliance and clash detection, SMC can be used to determine the quality and validity of a BIM, both geometry and data, with rules based on a particular domain or even between domains.

What was most impressive was that it was working, given the reputation for Autodesk’s previous interoperability efforts, but noted recent improvements in support.

He was able to demonstrate that there was no excuse for being able to use IFC-based workflows TODAY, even with Revit. You just have to learn and do. My old Kendo sensei would always say, “Don’t TRY, just DO”. He wanted us to understand the importance of removing the abstract from the shinai (bamboo sword) being an analogy of a metal blade to moving, behaving, reacting to it BEING a real blade. If you merely try, then you fail and give up because you feel there is no consequence. But, if you act as if your life is on the line, then you will only stumble for a while as you get better. 
via
Which file formats? Struggling to decide… | LinkedIn

2gb file
via
IFC Info – ThinkBIM™

Heads-up:

Currently most of the content is focused on AutoCAD and 3DSMax.  This initiative is somewhat similar to Mosaic.  However, Mosaic does require you to use your Autodesk SSO (single sign on).  You can also check out the Revit Wikihelp Twitter feed.

The Autodesk / scoop.it links to watch out for are below:

“service and support tips, tricks, updates, news, and solutions “
Support News Network

From a learning / training perspective:
Learn | Create | Make

If you are interested in learning Blender from an API (Python) perspective, check out:
Nathan’s Blender Python Notebook – THE PROVING GROUND

At the moment, the content is primarily along the lines of ‘getting started’ and basic modelling.  I’m sure it will get more advanced very soon…

I played with Blender back in mid-2008.  At the time I was using some of the randomization capability to make some organic forms for ultimate use in Revit.  I used a plugin called Blender World Forge (ver 0.1.0).  I had some success, but it wasn’t total.  Here is an example:

I have since had more success with organic forms in Revit using meshmixer:
Using meshmixer to morph your Revit Topography