Here is slightly nasty, anti-BIM trick: 

If you are trying to override a dimension in Revit with a different dimension, it can be a pain.  Yes, you can mess with the ’rounding’ to try and get it right, or you can override with a decimal point, but what if you just want to show something that is totally different to the actual dimension without having a little dot floating around?

  1. Open up the ‘Character Map’ (Start – Accessories – System Tools – Character Map).  
  2. Scroll down until you see a bunch of blank boxes
  3. Copy one of the blank characters using the buttons at the bottom of the dialog.

  4. Go to Revit.
  5. Double click on the dimension you want to change.
  6. Paste the white space character into the ‘Replace with text’ box.
  7. Type the dimension you want in the ‘Above:’ part
  8. Drag the dimension into the correct location.

Like I said, this isn’t really ‘Best Practice’.  Use this workaround with care!

What is the Revit Mindset? Great question! I have been telling everyone I taught Revit to for years that 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. You could spend an entire day simply planning out your direction and needs for the project. I assure you it will payoff in the days, weeks, or months to come.

quote from Adam Thomas at:
The Revit Mindset | ArchDesignLabs:

I personally agree with the concept of ‘planning out your direction and needs’ – it can make a big difference to give it some thought before getting too stuck into a Revit project.

There is huge amounts of data available to Revit users.  Some of you may already be aware of the portal slash blog directory slash aggregator site that I have set up at http://www.revitprofessionals.com/

Don Rudder has recently created a paper.li about Revit (and RTC) at http://paper.li/AYBABTM/1308511210#

Then there is the Revit Hate site that I have posted about previously, but happily there is also a Revit Love site that you can check out.  These sites bring together comments from Twitter and Facebook for easy reading.

Do you use a different Revit Portal or aggregator site?  Feel free to comment.

Some cool ideas from the June 2011 issue of AUGIWorld, article entitled ‘Revit, in a Database’ by Paul Crickard:

Once a Revit model has been exported to a database, the things
that can now be done with it are limited only by your imagination.
Build web-based or stand-alone front ends to access and modify
your model—without knowledge of the Revit API. Bring existing
data into a database and join it with the Revit model.

In this article he discusses some of the potential connections between MS Access and MS Excel, and the benefits of such interoperability.

I have posted numerous times about how to view the Revit database using various methods.  To start with, perhaps you would be interested in this post:
What Revit Wants: HOW-TO View the Revit Database (2011 Secret #14)

And, yeah, I twisted the title of this post a little bit 🙂

You are experiencing problems with the installation of an Autodesk product, and you want to enable verbose logging in order to troubleshoot the issue or submit the log files to the Autodesk Product Support Team.

You can configure the Microsoft Installer (MSI) to turn on verbose logging for this installation. Follow these steps:

  1. Click Start menu (Windows) > Run.
  2. In the Run dialog box, enter regedit and click OK.
  3. In the Registry Editor, browse to the following folder:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsInstaller

    Note: Windows 7 does not include this key and you will need to manually add the Installer key to the registry. Right-click on the Windows subkey and choose New > Key and then rename New Key #1 to Installer.

  4. Right-click an empty area in the right pane. Click New > String Value.
  5. Enter Logging for the name.
  6. Double-click Logging.
  7. Enter voicewarmup in the Value Data box and click OK.
  8. Close the Registry Editor, and run the installation again.


The log files created using this method are located in the %TEMP% folder and are named MSI#####.log, where ##### is a 5-digit number.

Read more
Autodesk – Autodesk Revit Architecture Services & Support – Enabling verbose logging for installation issues

This is a subtle change that you may have missed.  In Revit 2011, we had to access the ‘Section Tag’ properties through the Manage tab on the Ribbon (which was a bit annoying).

However, in Revit 2012 we can access the Section Tag properties directly from the properties of any Section that we have selected!  See images below:

The old way

Click on the ‘dots’ to access the Section Tag properties

This definitely allows for an improved workflow.  It is a faster and more intuitive way to change the properties of Section Tags.

You have received one of the Autodesk Suites, installed it, and you want to use the USB key for some other purpose.

http://lumion3d.com/

It is not immediately obvious that this is possible.  There is some very decent write protection in play here – you can’t delete the partitions in Windows or Linux, you can’t format in Safe Mode, you can’t even use low level format tools or the HP USB Format tool.

You have to go deeper.  Continue at your own risk… (below the bars)

NOTE:  When reading the Comments, you may have to press “load more” at the very end of the page to see the most recent ones.
EDIT 12
Recent anonymous comment refers to a pin mod that may save bricked drives, screenshot included here:

Circuit diagram here

EDIT 11 – 64gb Education Master Suite
From the comments:
  • MPALL_F1_7F00_DL17_v363_0C / Phison MPALL v3.63.0C-DL17
  • Start it, put your usb stick into your USB 3.0 port.
  • Click update, then settings.
  • Choose advance settings and load the ini file, the same that Mike created.
  • Click save, and ok on a pop-up window.
  • Close settings window by clicking on “x”.
  • Click start, the process lasts for about a minute and it’s doneWARNINGSThere is some evidence of newer drives being bricked.

 Some things you shouldn’t do:

  • Do not use the formatter.zip on the latest 2014 version TOSHIBA USB 3.0 with the 2251-03
  • Do not try to force a certain BIN file onto the drives firmware using MPALL  

EDIT 10 – 2014 drives
Solved by Mike in the comments.  He also provides a link to download the proper version, at:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwZ-eoAYLKKAMnpnQi1hbnpVSUk/edit?usp=sharing

Mike’s steps:
I used Phison MPALL v3.63.00.. not the 3.63.0C or the 3.63.0c-DL17

Plug into a usb3.0 port.. this is critical. YOU MUST USE USB3

Copy the contents between the ===== to a new file named 2014_2251-03.ini

===========================================
[PenDriveMP]
IC Type=PS2251-03
[Parameter Mark]
Parameter Type=F1_MP_21
[Customize Info]
USB VID=0x0930
USB PID=0x1400
String Product Name=USB DISK 3.0
String Manufacturer Name=TOSHIBA
Inquiry Version=PMAP
Use30Fixture=1
IDBlkLibrary_Version=1.2.16.0
[Configuration]
Reset Serial Number=0
[TestItemOption]
Do Preformat Test=1
[Extra]
Mode=3
[Misc]
Volume Label=USB DISK
Burner Erase All=1
Wafer Erase All=1
set1667=0x00
[Advance]
FC1=0xFF
FC2=0x01
CheckLegacy=1
[Firmware]
ISP=0
===========================================

Open MPALL_F1_0702_V363_00.exe

Click Update

Click Setting, select “Advanced Setting” then press OK

Click the load button and select the 2014_2251-03.ini file you created earlier.

Click Save, press OK
close the settings window

Click Start…

EDIT 9 – 3 step process for 2013

This may seem a bit long winded, but I think it might be a good way for 2013 media kit:

  1. Run MPALL 363 c (as per settings below) (make sure its revision C)
  2. Run Silicon Power Formatter
  3. Format using Windows

You can try this process in MPALL (step 1 above):
Recieved Brand New USB’s For Autodesk Design Suite 2013 Premium
IC version 2251-67

This is how i reformatted them
Download MPALL_F1_9000_v363_00 and MPALL_F1_9000_v363_0C

Run Getinfo
open MPALL_F1_9000_v363_00

Click Update
In Advanced settings
set Controller to PS2251-67 and FC1-FC2 to 01
In Firmware tick ‘Do ISP’ ‘Erase Code Block’ and ‘Auto ISP’
In Partition Seeting Tab
Set Number of Partition to 1
Save and Press Start
This will Fail

Close MPALL_F1_9000_v363_00
run getinfo in MPALL_F1_9000_v363_0C folder
and open MPALL_F1_9000_v363_0C

Update again
go into advanced settings
set Controller to PS2251-62 and FC1-FC2 to 01
Untick all boxes in firmware

In Flash Settings Tab Check
Auto Detect
Preformat
Erase Flash

In Partition Setting Tab
set ‘No of Partitions to 1’

save and press start

EDIT 8 – For 2013 media (Thanks Peter in the Comments)I tried Formatter_SiliconPower – fail.  UFD Recover Tool – Fail.
Edit MP.ini and paste the following:
[PenDriveMP]
IC Type=PS2251-67
[Parameter Mark]
Parameter Type=F1_MP_21
[Customize Info]
USB VID=0x13FE
USB PID=0x4100
String Product Name=USB DISK 2.0
Inquiry Version=PMAP
[Configuration]
Reset Serial Number=0
AutoFirmware=1
[TestItemOption]
Do Preformat Test=1
[Extra]
Mode=3
[Misc]
Volume Label=USB DISK
Burner Erase All=1
Wafer Erase All=1
set1667=0x00
[Advance]
FC1=0xFF
FC2=0x01
[Firmware]
ISP=1
 
Open  MPALL_F1_0702_v363_00.exe
Tick MP.ini
Click Update
Click Start
Wait…
*Should work*

However, I was getting IDBLK version check error.  I think maybe I had broken my drive using the Formatter tools.  Tried a lot of different settings but this drive is looking very dead.  Will update if I find a way to fix it.
Using GetInfo
Firmware date 2012-11-29
MP Ver. MP v255.FF.FF
MPALLs can be obtained:

EDIT 7 – For PS2251-67 (From Ryan Ruta in the Comments)
I found a solution for the latest drive that I received with the PS2251-67 Controller.
1. Download the file from this link… http://www.silicon-power.com/UFD_Recover_Tool/UFD_Recover_Tool.rar and extract it to your drive.
2. Plug in your USB drive.
3. Run the format tool from the download.
4. Unplug your USB drive and plug it back in.
5. Format the drive using the Windows format tool (or other tool of your choice) as NTFS.

EDIT – 5 From the comments, for DaneElec zMate USB 32 GB:

Inside my USB Drive (also named DaneElec zMate USB 32 GB) I found a controller SM3254Q AE, produced by SMI. I used smi_mptool_v2.03.34_v7_j1118_3254ae and now it works.
The software I downloaded from site: http://tagievara.narod.ru/pages/programs/flash/smi.html
Direct URL: http://depositfiles.com/files/acu0018d9

1. Run sm32Xtest.exe.
2. Press “Scan USB” button.
3. Press “Start” button.
After few minutes the device is ready to use.

EDIT 6 – for Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2013
The installation USB flash memory (key, dongle) used for distribution of Autodesk Design Suites is a read-only device and cannot be overwritten or formatted with standard methods.
If you want to “misuse” this USB memory to store your data you can “hack” it with internal reformatting, make it a standard R/W device.
E.g. Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2013 uses the USB key of the type “DaneElec zMate Aero” (blue) – see Dane-Elec – with the controller SM3254Q AE.
To overwrite this USB key you can use the utility SMI ReFixInfo. This tool can be downloaded here (file MI_ReFixInfo_1_0_0_1.7z).
Start the downloaded EXE and click “Reset Write Protect”, W.P select Un-Write Protect. Then click Start.
Be warned! Make sure you have a backup copy of your original installation files. This procedure may lead to a damage of your USB key and is completely unsupported.
(by P.Hrazdil)
via CAD Forum – How to re-format the Autodesk instalation USB key?
I dismantled a spare USB key that we had received for Building Design Suite Premium.  This wasn’t such an easy thing to do…but hopefully you won’t have to, now that I have done it for you!

I already knew that it was ostensibly a Toshiba flash drive, code PA3708, 32 gb (have a look on the case of yours, see if it is the same).

However, what I really needed to know was the IC, or controller chip brand / make / model.  Dismantling the key told me it was a:
PHISON 2251-60-5

Ok, from here I found this page, which led me to download the Phison MPALL utility bundle.  You will need to download it too:
Phison_MPALL_v3.20.0B

Read on below the bars…

Also, if you’re looking for a flash drive or an external drive, try looking here with coupons
EDIT-1  You may be able to find updated versions of MPALL via  Google Search.  I am unsure what the copyright / usage license situation is with this program  (deleted some links).

EDIT-2 Some people (in 2012) have had more success using USB Flash Tools (v2.10) USBFlashTools210.zip instead of the workflow with MPALL.  After downloading this program, there is an ‘Erase’ option that may work … try it and post your results in the comments.  Read more at USB Flash Tools
EDIT-3 Others seem to have had success with Silicon Power Formatter, or preformat.exe 

EDIT-4  You may want to try Formatter first – Craig at iRevit has hosted the Formatter.zip and tested it (May 2012)

From here, it was a bit of trial and error.  This is how you do it:

  1. First of all, open GetInfo.exe
    Put in your drive letter and click ‘Read’.  You should be able to get an output that looks something like this:
  2.  Next, open MPALL_F1_9000_v320_0B.exe
  3. Click ‘Update’.  Your drive should show up here.
  4. Click ‘Setting’
  5. Choose ‘Advanced Setting’ and ‘New Setting’ and OK.
  6. The controller that I had to choose was the PS2251-90 (which is a bit weird, because the chip said it was a 2251-60, but that didn’t work).  So, anyway, here are the settings I chose:
  7. Controller = PS2251-90
  8. FC1-FC2 = 01
  9. Go to next tab – Flash Setting
  10. I think leave the defaults but tick the ‘Erase Flash’
  11. Next tab – Partition Setting
  12. No. of partition = 1
  13. Choose ‘Removable Disk’
  14. And once you are done, click ‘Save’
  15. Then you should be able to click ‘Start’ and away you go!  You should see some formatting happen, then you will have to remove the drive and plug it in again…then you should have a nice 32 gb USB drive to use.

EDIT:  For the 16 gb USB, try using -60 controller setting.

 Note – the settings are saved in the MP.INI file.  Here is what my MP.INI file looked like:

[PenDriveMP]
IC Type=PS2251-90
[Parameter Mark]
Parameter Type=F1_MP_21
[Customize Info]
USB VID=0x13FE
USB PID=0x3D00
String Product Name=USB DISK 2.0
Inquiry Version=PMAP
[Configuration]
Reset Serial Number=0
[TestItemOption]
Do Preformat Test=1
[Extra]
Mode=3
[Misc]
Volume Label=USB DISK
Burner Erase All=1
Wafer Erase All=1
set1667=0x00
[Advance]
Tick=0
FC1=0xFF
FC2=0x01
[Firmware]
ISP=0

You can check and see if yours looks similar, or even load these settings and try them.


PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROCEDURE MAY COMPLETELY BRICK OR DESTROY YOUR USB DRIVE.  Make sure you have a backup of the software if you are going to attempt this.

So, how did you go?  Do you feel pretty good about yourself?  Really, that USB key would eventually become redundant, so we are making an environmentally wise choice by recycling it, aren’t we?