Extracting MSP Files

Luke Johnson

Had a pretty persistent error which wouldn’t allow Recap to install SP1.  In hindsight, it was probably related to the error at this post:
http://upandready.typepad.com/up_and_ready/2013/07/autodesk-recap-10-error-installing-sp-1.html

Basically, the program thinks it needs an update when really it doesn’t, and you might have to do a registry edit to fix it.

If you want to know more about MSP files generally:
http://msiworld.blogspot.com.au/2008/09/installation-of-msp-file-in-silent-mode.html

http://www.windowswiki.info/2009/02/19/how-to-extract-msumspmsiexe-files-from-the-command-line/

http://www.msigeek.com/647/command-line-switches-for-msi-and-msp-installations

Also – UniExtract can be used to extract MSP files.

Links:
UniExtract Installer (5.3 MB) – This is the recommended download. The installer will automatically install the application and optionally integrate with the Windows Explorer context menu. This package does not contain source code.

UniExtract Binary Archive (4.95 MB) – This archive contains the binaries. Download this if you want portable version or just prefer not to use the installer.

EDIT:
You can also use the command line.  See below for workflow related to Autodesk 360 update 3:

  1. Download Autodesk 360 Update 3:
    http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL21520422
  2. Open a Windows command line:
    Click Windows Start menu  > Search > type cmd and press Enter.
  3. Change the working directory to the folder where you downloaded Autodesk 360 Update 3.
    Example: cd c:a360u3
  4. Run the following command to extract the msp file:
    c:a360u3> Autodesk360_x64_Release_update3.exe /e a360u3.msp
  5. Install Update 3:
    c:a360u3> msiexec /update a360u3.msp /passive /norestart

Public Macro Repository for Revit

Luke Johnson

If you want to submit Revit API code and macros for public review and use, check out:
https://bitbucket.org/BoostYourBIM/revit_api_public

Now, we just need someone to make an API add-in that hooks into BitBucket (somehow), and downloads and installs macros automatically into the Revit session 🙂  We would essentially have an unlimited store of easily accessible plugins in an open source repository … cool, huh?

To submit code, you should login or register for Bitbucket, then send a message to:
https://bitbucket.org/BoostYourBIM

Harry can give you write access.

Associated post:
A public Git repository for sharing Revit Macros at BitBucket | Boost Your BIM – making Revit even better

If you want to learn more about it and code sharing generally, check out
What is version control, and why should you care? | Boost Your BIM – making Revit even better

Deployment Shorthand

Luke Johnson

In less than 10 steps, can you set up all the PCs in your office with all required software?  Here’s one way:

  1. Set up a Windows PC with all required programs
  2. Navigate to %WINDIR%system32sysprep and run the following command from command line:
    sysprep /generalize
  3. Pick options to Generalize and to Shutdown
  4. Reboot into some decent imaging software
  5. Make an image of the hard disk and partitions to an external USB
  6. Apply that image to as many PCs as you have software licenses for
  7. Upon bootup, you will have to re-enter proper Windows key for that hardware, and activate
  8. Also, you will need to set proper computer name and join domain if needed
  9. Done!

Sysprep /generalize will essentially make the image “non-unique” to that system, meaning it can easily be imaged to other hardware without activation or driver headaches.

Sysprep must always be run from the %WINDIR%system32sysprep directory

Sysprep Command-Line Syntax

View Depth override macro

Luke Johnson

EDIT2: new version (January 2014) at
Code: codice sorgente, 

Compiled  DLL and ADDIN
(copy to C:ProgramDataAutodeskRevitAddins2014 and Unblock the DLL)

via
http://puntorevit.blogspot.it/2014/01/view-depth-override-polar-distance_8.html

EDIT1: The code is at
Punto Revit: View Depth Override – Codice Sorgente

Paolo has created a macro that overrides elements based on their distance from the viewpoint.  Check out the video:

On his blog, he offers to share the code, if you ask 🙂

via
Google Translate
of
Revit Point: View Depth Override

Good RFO discussion on BIM, LOD, Co-ordination and BEPs

Luke Johnson

I think that every BIM decision, for standards, LOD, deliverables etc will always be project based, and while you can have a preferred company standard and champion it, different requirements will mean it’s all about the BIM Execution Plan.
– Cyus

Coordinating amongst just the design teams is cute, but it’s not the real world.
– Aaron Maller

when I first started using Revit 3.1, BIM was all about production with a capital P. It seemed that Revit’s development was heavily focused on how to help me do my work faster & better.
…
Now you’ve got a lot of people online, in articles, and at conferences talking about BIM who haven’t actually delivered a project in BIM, and saying things like “everything has to be modeled down to the hinges otherwise it’s not BIM”.
– JeffreyMcGrew

Thread link:
http://www.revitforum.org/architecture-general-revit-questions/15112-bim-detailed-modelling-2.html