Using Shared Parameters to access data from built-in Family parameters and allow them to be flexibly tagged

Luke Johnson

EDIT: This seems to be broken in 2014 at this point.  Even if you have it working in 2013, when you open in 2014 it will “break”.  I’m unsure if there is a good workaround yet…

Absolutely awesome workaround from Dave Light!  He shows how to use an instance Shared Parameter to pass Keynote value via a Family formula to allow the tagging of Window Mark and Keynote in the same tag.  Read the whole post here.

On a wider level, this method shows that you can formulaically reference System parameters (built in family parameters) and pass their value to a Shared Parameter to allowing tagging.

A little Revit deployment tip

Luke Johnson

“As an alternative to controlling Revit tools and analysis features using the Options dialog > User Interface tab, you can define the DisciplineOption setting in the Revit.ini file.”

Use this link to access a calculator that provides you with the right value:
http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Revit/enu/2014/Help/3663-BIM_Mana3663/3689-User_Int3689

Heads-up from Steve at:
Revit OpEd: User Interface Configuration Calculator

E57 point cloud data and the Revit / BIM workflow

Luke Johnson

Key website for E57 data and resources:
http://libe57.org/

Some basic info from the website:

Is the E57 format XML?

The E57 specification uses a subset of XML that has been extended to support efficient storage of large amounts of binary data. An E57 file is encoded as a hierarchical tree structure, some of which is encoded in XML, and some of which is encoded in a binary format that is not XML. The bulk of the data, including point data and images, is encoded in the binary sections for efficiency. Metadata, such as sensor pose information, is encoded in XML. The binary sections are not embedded in the XML section. Instead, they are located in separate sections of the file and referenced from the XML section.

Is the E57 format extensible?

Yes. One of the greatest strengths of E57 is that it was designed to be readily extensible to accommodate new hardware innovations.

How does this all fit in with Revit?
… Revit 2014 does support the import of E57 through the new Recap software released a few weeks ago. The primary idea is that by using E57 you will have support for nearly all of the laser scanner vendors’ data since they can write an E57 file and Recap can read it. That will allow you to import it and then convert it to a Revit format to use the data. It’s a data exchange format, not a working format.
 
We are now trying to recruit some new people the ASTM E57 committee who can help us define and move forward on a number of extensions to the basic format.
(above paragraphs via email)

GRAITEC Revit add-in

Luke Johnson

“quickly connect … Revit models to the GRAITEC Advance suite and then optimize the design of their structures in accordance with North American and Eurocode standards and produce effective and error-free general arrangement drawings, fabrication drawings, BOMs, NC files for both steel and concrete structures.Read more.
GRAITEC BIM Connect is available on Autodesk Exchange for Autodesk Revit.”

From:
http://bimandbeam.typepad.com/bim_beam/2013/06/graitec-bim-connect-available-on-autodesk-exchange-for-autodesk-revit.html

How to Tag Elements that are outside the View Range of the current Plan in Revit

Luke Johnson

  1. Turn the Underlay on for the Level that shows the items you want to Tag
  2. Tag the Item/s
  3. Use Linework tool on the items that you have tagged.  This is important – if you don’t do this, then the Tag will disappear when you turn the Underlay off.  *However*, you can use the Linework tool with Invisible Lines (if you don’t want to see them) – this will still force the element to be considered by Revit when it determines if it should keep the Tag visible or not.
  4. Turn the Underlay off
  5. Your items are still Tagged!
Interestingly, if you use the Linework tool again, this time with By Category on the lines you previous selected, then the Tag will immediately disappear (Revit is no longer considering the object when drawing the view).

How to list all files in a directory and subdirectories into a CSV using Windows Powershell

Luke Johnson

I wanted to grab a list of files so I could check if I had reviewed the contents of some MEP training videos.  You can easily do this using a Windows Powershell script.

Code example:

get-childitem “T:MEP (Revit MEP)MEP VIDEOS” -recurse | select-object DirectoryName,Name | where { $_.DirectoryName -ne $NULL } | Export-CSV C:Filelist.csv

Read more:
How to list all files in a directory and subdirectories

Using Revit LT to Add and Modify Elements in Revit Projects

Luke Johnson

Its interesting to note that Revit LT can actually modify elements that it cannot create.  What if you created a ‘library’ type Revit LT project, and then copied (or just moved / modified) these elements to give you some semblance of full Revit functionality?  Even if you started with an RVT file from full Revit that includes 10 copies of the underlined objects from the list below — then, open in LT and see how you go?  Just an idea…

When working in a project that was created using Revit, the Revit LT user can do the following:

  • Add elements that are supported by Revit LT.
  • Add instances of families that were loaded into the Revit project, even if the family categories are not generally supported by Revit LT.
  • Move elements that were created using Revit but that are not supported by Revit LT, such as (not a complete list):
    • Adaptive components
    • Assemblies and parts
    • Panel-based curtain elements
    • In-place elements
  • Move and modify the following elements created using Revit:
    • Masses
    • Stairs by sketch
    • Slanted columns

Read more:
Using Revit LT to Add and Modify Elements in Revit Projects – WikiHelp

Showing Revit Property Lines in Sections and Elevations (even at oblique, non-perpendicular angles)

Luke Johnson

My somewhat involved workaround for this in the past has been:

1 – Make a thick wall type (like 1m or more)

2 – Draw these walls very ‘tall’ (above and below building vertical extents) around your property lines, such that the wall starts at the Property Line and the thickness protrudes away from the Property Line

3 – Use View Templates with a Filter to override that wall type’s Cut Lines to dashed or dash-dot (whatever you want to see in Sections / Elevations)

4 – When cropping your Section / Elevation View, just crop it in the middle of the ‘thick wall type’ – thus only showing the edge that coincides with the Property Line

5 – Use a Design Option with a blank primary, and in a secondary option put these ‘boundary walls’ – so that they are invisible by default in all views (you could also use hidden Workset). Turn them on selectively using View Templates.

The advantage is that this method always works, even when Sections / Elevations are cut oblique to the Property Line.

Its a fairly old method, and I can’t recall exactly which forum I heard it on, probably AUGI…

Revit Server and Deployments

Luke Johnson

An announcement was made recently on the “Revit Deployment & Management for Medium Sized Offices” Udemy course (see here for more info):

We seem to have just discovered an interesting “bug” in Deployments as they relate to Revit Server. The Rollout Tool offers at least a partial solution, but I would like to collaborate with an office or two who are using Revit Server, and prioritize any additions to the script. If you are using Revit Server, and can spare a little time to discuss the issue and how it might impact your specific configuration, and what the Rollouts can do to help, please email me directly (email hidden). I’ll schedule a GotoMeeting for some time that works for you and we can proceed from there.

Thanks!

Gordon Price

Google Reader and Why I Don't Trust the Cloud

Luke Johnson

Because at any point, it can get turned off.

My problem – I use Google Reader, and I have a folder called Revit Feeds.  This folder has been shared, and then the resulting feed has been burnt with FeedBurner. 

This is the Revit feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/revitFeedsRssInGoogleReader

This is the BIM feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/bimFeedsRssInGoogleReader

I’m expecting all of this to turn off tomorrow, or soon after.  This is how I view and archive Revit news to PDF, using this method.  Now, what can I replace this with?

The answer?  Nothing.  Easy.  Yet.

I have tried numerous so called ‘replacements’ and nothing comes close.  I don’t want a flipboard or some artsy style, I just want to be able to fast scroll until I find some really fresh Revit information. Here are a few that I’ve tried:

  • Spundge
  • Curata
  • Feedly
  • The Old Reader
  •  SwarmIQ

These are the main things I want:

  • fast, clean reading
  • ability to create a curated list of blogs and generate a new RSS from that
  • ability to archive feeds (including all images) to local filesystem for easy indexing and searching

Now, I’m hoping one of you has the answer for me 🙂

In the meantime, I am going to use The Old Reader for pure reading.  For archiving…I’m not sure yet.

Here is some further reading:
Google Reader Is Shutting Down; Here Are the Best Alternatives

The Old Reader

How to Transition From Google Reader to Feedly: Plus Other RSS Reader Alternatives | Social Media Today

Priorities: Keeping the site up, listening and adding new features. | Building Feedly

WP8:
How to Transfer Your Google Reader Feeds to One of These Better RSS Apps for Mac, PC, Web, & Mobile « Internet