You might remember g2p.org
Well, now you can check out http://www.searchhacker.com/filesearch/
Just for kicks, I searched for .rvt, and wow! One hit! And that one didn’t even work…
What Revit Wants
You might remember g2p.org
Well, now you can check out http://www.searchhacker.com/filesearch/
Just for kicks, I searched for .rvt, and wow! One hit! And that one didn’t even work…
Here at Dimond Architects, we have started an internal Revit training programme. One of our staff members with an extensive AutoCAD background is going to be trained in Revit.I have provided below the outline that I put together for our Lesson 1 (modified slightly for web). Let me know if you would like a PDF version of the document. Lesson 1 Outline: SESSION 1 – BIM and Revit BasicsRevit Promo VideoBIM, IPD and 4DBuilding Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and
managing building data during its life cycle[1].
Typically it uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling
software to increase productivity in building design and construction.[2]
The process produces the Building Information Model (also abbreviated BIM),
which encompasses building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic
information, and quantities and properties of building components. (from Wikipedia)Intelligent_vs_Unintelligent_Modeling VideoIntegrated Project Delivery
(abbreviated IPD), is a project delivery method that
integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process
that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to
optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize
efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.[4][5]
There are eight main sequential phases to the Integrated Project Delivery method:[6]
(from Wikipedia)4D = 3D + timeMain competing BIM software:
BIM is not 3DBIM is not CADBasic History of Revit (Development and purchase by Autodesk)
Revit was developed BY individuals that came from the company PTC (Parametric
Technology Corporation). Revit was developed specifically with Architecture in
mind and was purpose built for Architects by Architects. To that point, the majority
of the product development teams are architects or come from a design and
construction background. The Revit Building application has been developed as a
purpose built tool for Architecture and is the only completely parametric
Building Information Modeling tool available.AutoCAD is the de facto standard non-specialized CAD solution and its file
formats DXF and DWG are the most common for CAD
interchange. Since the late 1990’s, the company made a concerted effort to
provide a product for every solution in the industry, often purchasing
competing companies and technologies.
In 2002, Autodesk purchased a competing software called Revit, from
Massachusetts-based Revit Technologies for $133 million. Revit, for the
building solutions and infrastructure group and Inventor for the manufacturing
group, formed the foundation for future Autodesk products – a strong departure
away from their 20-year old AutoCAD software code.
Revit TimelineCharles River Software founded – October 31, 1997
0.1 1999 11 (Early Adopter 1) (1)
0.2 2000 01 (Early Adopter 2) (2)
Revit Technology Corporation – company renamed
1.0 2000 04 (3)
2.0 2000 08 (4)
2.1 2000 10 (5)
3.0 2001 02 (6)
3.1 2001 06 (7)
4.0 2001 11 (8)
4.1 2002 01 (9)
Autodesk acquires Revit Technology Corporation – April 1, 2002http://bimboom.blogspot.com/2007/02/revit-history_11.html
Views automatically update throughout the projectChange-Once-Change-Everything Video
Working with RevitStarting a Project Video
10 Minute House Video
Getting to Know Revit
Revit User Interface Tour VideoNavigating the Model Using the Project BrowserCreating ElementsFamilies and Types – discuss
Elearning Lessons
Use the link that has been emailed to youComparisons with AutoCADQuestions?
The RDBLink method establishes a bi-directional database which can be edited and updated. Be careful when using this. I would recommend trying it on a test project before actually putting it into use.
The basic steps to set this up and use it are:
For example, lets export a Revit project to an Access database:
Note – if you are running Windows Vista x64, ensure that you run the right version of the Data Sources tool. See this site for the difference. I had success using SQL on Vista x64, but I couldn’t get the RDB Link tool to find my Access source.I used SQL Manager Lite for SQL Server to modify the SQL source on our server. It seemed to be quite good.Feel free to comment on this post and let me know how you go with the RDB Link tool.Below from the Labs site on how to setup the DSN:
As a follow up to my previous post (Exposing the Revit Database), I will now explain how to install and use the RvtMgdDbg add-in for Revit, which allows you to “Snoop” the Revit database.
What does RvtMgdDbg really stand for? ‘Rvt stands for Revit, Mgd for Managed, and Dbg for Debug.’
It is most commonly used by programmers in the Revit API. You may find it useful, however, in just understanding the structure of the database. You can also use it to find information that otherwise may be very difficult to obtain.
How do you get this RvtMgdDbg, and how do you make it work?
It’s not too difficult:
EAClassName?=RvtMgdDbg.App
EAAssembly?=C:RVTMGDDBGRvtMgdDbg.dllThere you go! Close and save the Revit.ini file.Now, to try it out…
Or, to browse most of the Revit database at once:
You can now browse around and learn how the database is put together.Keep in mind that there may be issues and bugs with this method. For instance, on one version of RvtMgdDbg that I was using, it seemed to cause Revit to prompt me to Save Coordinates (on a project with linked Revit models using shared coordinates) – even though I had not moved the linked models.So, be careful! You might want to use this on ‘test’ projects to start with. If you want to remove this add-in, simply reverse steps 15 and 14 in the first list (remove the lines you added to Revit.ini and reduce the EACount= value by 1).Feel free to comment or contact me if you have any problems or questions related to the above method.If you are really interested in the Revit API, head over to http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2484975 and check out some of the material on that page.
If you really hate the ribbon (also widely known as DLM – Drunken Leprechaun Mode) in 2010, give this a go:
When you next open Revit, you will be using the ‘Classic’ UI.If the above is too much of a pain for you, go to http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=103069&page=14 and get the AutoHotKey executable that does it for you (you will need to login).
If you want to use your 2009 Keyboard Shortcuts, make a copy of your 2009 keyboard shortcuts file in your 2010 program folder and rename it “KeyboardShortcutsOld.txt”. Restart Revit.
(it really does work)
Thanks to ArchTech and the AUGI Forums for this.Use this at your own risk, and keep in mind that Autodesk will not support issues specifically related to use of the ‘superseded’ user interface. Enjoy!
Ooh La La! Does Revit really want you to see what goes on under the hood? Well, if it can help you understand Revit better, then I would suggest that it does (because it will help you know how to ‘treat Revit right’). So, how do you do it?
There are two main ways:
Both of these methods expose the Revit database, which allows you see how things really go together. The Revit database is really what makes everything else possible: from environmental analysis to the basic parametric nature of elements. It’s exciting stuff!I will do individual posts on how to setup and use both these methods in the near future.
Sometimes you really want to copy some model lines from a project RVT to a family RFA, but Revit says NO!
This is the workaround:
Sure, this method has some limitations, but it is a valid workaround in a lot of situations.
Autodesk Impression 3 has been readily available for some time now. But would you like to know how to turn your Revit drawings into ‘sketchy’ looking plans?
Its simple:
1) Install Autodesk Impression 3 from Subscription (or the trial from here)
2) Open your Revit project, and open the view that you want to make ‘sketchy’
3) Export the view to a DWG file. Ensure that it is a ‘single’ DWG – untick the ‘Xref views on sheets’
4) Open AutoCAD and open the file you just exported.
Now, we want to make a CTB from the PCP, so do the following:
5) In AutoCAD, type ‘STYLESMANAGER’ – this opens the location for all your CTB files.
6) Double click the ‘Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard’ shortcut
7) Select ‘Use a PCP or PC2 file’ and hit Next 8) Select ‘Color-Dependent Plot Style Table’9) Browse for the PCP that Revit automatically created when you exported the DWG earlier and hit ‘Next’
10) Choose a filename for the new CTB file that you have createdOkay, now we go back to AutoCAD and export Impression. I found that the scaling was simpler direct from AutoCAD, rather than trying to put the DWG file straight into Impression.
11) In AutoCAD, you should still have the file open that you exported. Now, type ‘IMPRESSION’ and hit Enter.12) Under ‘What to Export’, choose ‘Layout1’
13) Choose your CTB under ‘Plot style table’14) I like the ‘Pen Wiggle Slight’ for ‘Stroke type’15) Hit ‘OK’ – Autodesk Impression will now open, and your file will look sketchy!!16) You could do more work in Impression, or you could just hit ‘File – Save As…’17) Choose PDF (if that’s what you like), then under Resolution, choose ‘Custom’ and type 300 dpi if you want decent quality. Type your File Name and hit OK.There you go! It seems like a lot of steps, but once you have done it a couple of times, you will very quickly be able to convert your Revit floor plans into sketchy drawings for presentation!These can be very useful early in the design process – if your drawings look ‘sketchy’, the Client may feel like you haven’t resolved everything without consulting them. Therefore, the Client may feel that you care more about them and their ideas.
Check out this link for some examples.
There is a nice, basic guide on using the Revit 2010 Macro Manager in the latest AUGIWorld Magazine.
(LINK UPDATED 14/03/2011)
Check it out if you are interested in the API.
Once you get into Revit programming, check out The Building Coder.
There is also an article in the magazine on Autodesk Impression, if you are interested.