IFC Exporters Updated – download links November 2013

Luke Johnson

2013:
IFC Exporter 2013 (v2.15.1):
http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/RVT/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aifcexporterforrevit%3aen

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2013 (v1.13):
http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/RVT/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3arevitifcexportalternateui%3aen

2014:
IFC Exporter 2014 (v3.7.1):
http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/RVT/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aifcexporterforrevit2014%3aen

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2014 (v2.5):
http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/RVT/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3arevitifcexportalternateui2014%3aen

via email

Stop Revit from Applying Properties by mouse move, but you don't have to click Apply either

Luke Johnson

DisableMPPAutoApply is the revit.ini setting which essentially stops Revit from automatically applying changes from Properties Palette based on cursor movement.

Interesting, Aaron’s tweet below shows that now you can move cursor at will, and a click in the drawing canvas will “Apply” properties changes.  Do we need to make a T-shirt for AU?

DisableMPPAutoApply=1

Enables or disables the ability to save changes to the Properties palette by moving the cursor out of the palette without clicking Apply.
Type = integer
Valid values: 0 = no (default), 1 = yes

from
http://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2014/ENU/Revit/files/GUID-30C62836-F3F1-4B78-B1AF-DB4E3FD79FDF.htm

Journal Script to Purge Unused in Revit Families

Luke Johnson

From Revit Randoms –

  1. Download the files here: Upgrade_PurgeUnused.zip
  2. Extract to a folder of families you want to purge.
  3. Copy the first family in your category and paste and rename it in the same folder.
  4. Edit the ‘Upgrade_PurgeUnused.txt’ file.
  5. Insert the file path of your ‘dummy’ family file.(update all 3 file paths)
  6. Save and close.
  7. Run the upgrade.rfa script.
  8. Drag the ‘Upgrade_PurgeUnused.txt’ file onto your Revit icon. (make sure Revit is closed first.)
  9. Watch in amazement as Revit opens and purges your families.
  10. Go make coffee.

Now this can be used on any category of family, but you will need to make a dummy family that can be loaded into each category, else it will not work.

Read more at:
http://revitrandoms.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/purge-unused-in-families.html

In the post, he also references some journal scripts by Aaron Maller that use the old File Upgrader to Transfer Project Standards from a project to families. The benefits of the old Upgrader are shown at: http://cadalot-revitlearningcurve.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/file-upgrader-for-revit-vs-content.html

Heads-up

Using a Solid Form as a Void to cut Curtain Panels and Mullions

Luke Johnson

From Philip Chan’s blog:
The concept is simple, I make a Generic family (it can be any category actually) as a solid (in this case, just a simple extrusion), let the family intercept the curtain wall, then use “Cut Geometry” to cut out the curtain panel.

Once I made all the cut in the curtain wall, I have a yes/no parameter to control the visibility of the solid so that I can “turn off” the solid. As a result, it would appear that the curtain wall is cut out by a void. The good news is you can use the same family to make multiple cuts and it will work on the mullions as well.

Read more:
http://phil-osophyinbim.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/curtain-wall-and-engraving.html

Solving Revit installation problems, and using the Uninstall Tool

Luke Johnson

Sometimes you can run into Revit installation errors.  There is a good “checklist” of steps to take to try and get past these over at RevitDE.  It includes things like disabling UAC and antivirus programs, ensuring you have admin rights etc.

It also describes how to use the Autodesk Uninstall Tool (a new feature in 2014 products).

Read more:
Google Translate of RevitDE post

Autodesk and Delcam – BIM for manufacturing?

Luke Johnson

CEO and President of Autodesk Carl Bass stated: “Today we are taking an important step on our path toward delivering a better manufacturing experience. Together Autodesk and Delcam will help further the development and implementation of technology for digital manufacturing.”
via
http://www.tctmagazine.com/software/autodesk-announces-delcam-acquisition-intent/

Heads-up:
https://twitter.com/FAROFocus3DUK/status/398696861038837760

The History of Parametricism

Luke Johnson

In a highly detailed and well-researched article, Daniel Davis tracks the use of the term “parametric” in mathematics and follows it into computer software, including Digital Project and Revit Technology Corporation.

Quote:
Parametric has a long history in mathematics and the earliest examples I can find of parametric being used to describe three-dimensional models comes almost one hundred years prior to Moretti’s writings. One example is James Dana’s 1837 paper On the Drawing of Figures of Crystals (other examples from the period include: Leslie 1821; Earnshaw 1839) [2].
End quote

On the cost of change and Pro/ENGINEER, quote:
And the cost of making design changes ought to be as close to zero as possible. In addition, the traditional CAD/CAM software of the time unrealistically restricted low-cost changes to only the very front end of the design-engineering process.
Geisberg quoted in: Teresko 1993, 28
End quote

Well worth a read:
http://www.danieldavis.com/a-history-of-parametric/

Heads-up:

Amazing Tree Family for download

Luke Johnson

Andy’s very comprehensive version (from Grevity):
Download the family from hereTREE FAMILY (many types)

Or a project file with a fuller explanation from hereTREES COLLECTION

Read more:
http://www.grevity.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/tree-family-download.html

It would be interesting to combine this family with Randomizer and see what kind of forests you could create…

Along similar lines: