Linked DWG Error – file doesn't exist? Forum links and fix here …

Luke Johnson

Basically, the issue goes something like this:
Revit 2012 can’t find a linked dwg anymore. When I try to reload it, Revit says the file doesn’t exist. There is an other linked dwg in the same folder, which still loads fine.

Here are some relevant forum threads:
http://www.revitforum.org/architecture-general-revit-questions/3432-problem-revit-cant-find-linked-dwg.html

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=111157

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=73434

http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=23907

Here is one solution.  Well, its not really a solution, more of a method that can be used to fix this problem:

1) make view templates for the graphical overrides of the imported dwg (Overrides import)
2) remove the file from the project
3) save under new name
4) reopen the project and Link CAD the same dwg file
5) apply the view template for graphical overrides
6) check all views, if you imported to all views
7) redo dimensions, if there were any connecting the linked dwg with the model

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Learning Rhino and Grasshopper

Luke Johnson

DesignReform have recently posted a series of videos on Computational Design.  You can browse all videos related to Rhino at the following link.
DesignReform – Learning – Rhino

Here is a link to the first in the Computational Design series:
Intro to Comp. Design – 1.1 Curves and Lines
This is the first video in a series of our Introduction to Computational Design class.  We will start out with Rhino and Grasshopper and get into Python scripting.  Session One is an introduction to Rhino.  In this video we set up a framework of Curves and Lines to use as a structure for exploring the basics of Rhino geometries.
Media files Caseinc-11CurvesAndLines697.mp4

If you are particularly interested in Grasshopper, check out the series starting at 2.1:
Intro to Comp. Design – 2.1 Installing Grasshopper
We start off by installing the Grasshopper plug-in to Rhino.
Media files Caseinc-21InstallingGrasshopper516.mp4

Using Firefox and Downthemall, I could quickly download all of the *.mp4 files from the following feed address:
Direct link to feed

Google Reader link

The measure of a man

Luke Johnson
One of the main gauges of architectural space is a man. The proportions of his body serve specific module, significantly affecting the size of a work of architecture, its elements and in general on all subjects.

Robert Shamilevich, author of the blog Art Architecture, provides the following free Detail Component packages for download.  Each link is a RAR file with multiple Detail Component families inside.  These Detail Components may assist you in presenting your drawings, and in giving them some sort of understandable scale:

People (скачать образец семейства*)

Trees (скачать образец семейства*)

Quote and links via
Google Translate
of
Art Architecture: Архитектурный рисунок в Autodesk Revit

Using a single RVT link with Multiple Design Options for Multi-Storey

Luke Johnson

I have used a similar technique for residential housing – where you can have repetitive plans with only small differences. It can even be adapted to work in a demolition scenario.

The visibility in each applicable view must be set appropriately, but the net result is cleaner and easier to control than the other methods.

Thanks to Aaron Maller for the video.

Vasari shows off to its big brother

Luke Johnson

Hey Revit, look what I can do!

if you bring a #Revit model into #Vasari the grid lines show up in 3D like reference planes-that can be really useful for coordination

via @pete1352 Matt Petermann on
Twitter / @pete1352: if you bring a #Revit mode …

This is actually pretty cool.

The same goes for Levels – in Vasari they show up in the 3D View.  Obviously, normal Reference Planes also show up in 3D:

Built-in Energy calculations in Revit Architecture

Luke Johnson

Depending on where you live in the world, you likely have to satisfy certain regulatory authorities as to the environmental performance of you building.  Various external tools may be used for this.

However, what if you could configure your Schedules in Revit to do these calculations for you?  Youtube user FreshgroundEarth has uploaded a video describing how to do this to satisfy SANS (South Africa National Standards) requirements:

At about 7 mins, he demonstrates the use of a ‘gizmo’ placed on elevation, enabling the calculation of facade area, which in turn relates to mechanical heating / cooling calculations.  He also calculates glazing areas using a parameter filtering method.

This is a good demonstration of leveraging the Revit model for a specific regulatory condition.

It would be nice if  *one day*  the various regulatory authorities actually provide Revit templates that are already set up for these calculations, to save each company in each part of the world from reinventing the wheel to suit the regulatory constraints of each particular project.

Making unhosted components like unhosted Doors and Windows

Luke Johnson

Sometimes you may want to use a Door or Window family that is not hosted by a particular wall.  That way, if the host wall is deleted, the unhosted component will still persist.  Here’s how:

  1. New – Family – Generic Model
  2. Draw something
  3. Family Category and Parameters – change to Door or Window
  4. You may wish to set to Work Plane Based (so you can schedule by Level)
  5. Save
  6. Load into project
  7. ‘Door’ command – you can choose your unhosted Door family, but it does not need to be placed in a wall.  It can ‘live’ independently.

These unhosted components can be useful if you want to retain schedule information for a door that has been removed from the project design.  You can make an unhosted door that only has a few invisible symbolic lines in it – nothing that will print, but it will still schedule and can have a Description like “Door deleted from Construction Set”.

Confused about BIM Terminology?

Luke Johnson

You may be interested in this list of abbreviations and definitions.

For example, have you ever wonder what IFC means?

IFC’s – Industry Foundation Classes, is a data exchange method that specifies elements that are used in building construction in an agreed manner that define a common language for construction. IFCs provide a foundation for the exchange and sharing of information directly between software applications of a shared building project model. The IFC data model is a neutral and open specification that is not controlled by a single vendor or group of vendors. It is an object oriented file format to facilitate interoperability in the building industry, and is a commonly used format for BIM. The format is known as ifcXML. ifcXML2x3 (current version) is currently supported by Autodesk, Graphisoft, Nemestchek and Bentley. www.iai-international.org

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BIM Terminology