The Best just got Better, IFC for Revit 2015 v15.2.0 released

Luke Johnson

It hasn’t shown up on Exchange yet, but it is already available for download on the Sourceforge page. There is an update to IFC 2015 (the one that is really robust, fast and accurate for Import and Export), and also some updates to 2014 IFC addins.

Direct link to the MSI installer for Revit 2015

Some of my testing:
30% file size reduction in RVT when using Link IFC on 85mb steel model from Tekla v16.1
v15.1.0 = 297mb
v15.2.0 = 210mb

66% file size increase in IFC when using export IFC to all proxies:
v15.1.0 = 288mb
v15.2.0 = 478mb

ifc2x3certificationlogo_arch-e-25-9660159

Some key Export improvements from the readme (I’ve underlined points of interest):
– The functionality for creating and using user-defined property sets has been greatly enhanced. This includes:
– Added a “DefaultUserDefinedParameterSets.txt” file to allow a user to create user-defined property sets for any setup, including the in-session setup.
– Added the “IFC2x3 Extended FM Handover View.txt” user-defined property sets file to the installation. This also fixes a typo in the original version.
– Allow the user to specify any file as a user-defined property set file, instead of being forced to use the default name and location.
– Increased the types of fields that can be used from the original 4. The full list is detailed in the DefaultUserDefinedParameterSets.txt file.
– The Setup dialog for the export alternate UI has been split into 3 tabbed pages to make it easier to find and understand the export options.

– Significantly improve performance when trying to export a highly-tessellated geometry.

New Import Functionality:

– Add an “IfcMaterial” field that contains the material name(s) associated with the element.
– Add an “IfcSpatialContainer” field that contains the name of the project, building, building story or space that contains the element.
– Create multiple layers for simple cases of elements where IfcMateralLayerSetUsage is defined.
– Import IfcGrids. There are some fundamental differences between IFC and Revit Grids, most notably that IFC grids are per-view, and Revit Grids are per-model. As such, there may be cases where some grid lines show up in more views than initially designated in the IFC file.
– Improve healing and logging of imported solid data that is slightly dirty. This should result in fewer missing objects.

Import Bug Fixes:
– Fix “missing” faces when elements were cut by openings and the IfcOpeningElement sub-category had its visibility turned off.
– Handle unbound circles used for profile definitions in certain cases.

Heads-up https://twitter.com/digiacomoemma/status/517072219739291648

Free BIM viewing, enquiry and measure tool that supports IFC, IGES, STEP

Luke Johnson

I’m not saying that AceCad BIMReview is a great program, but its another free tool to keep in mind.

There is also a good list going at http://bimblog.bondbryan.com/interoperability/, which includes:
BIM Surfer (open source WebGL viewer)
Constructivity Model Viewer (PC only)
DDS-CAD Open BIM Viewer (PC only)
FZKViewer (PC only)
Solibri Model Viewer (PC and Mac)
Tekla BIMsight (PC, Windows tablets, iPad and iPhone)
xBIM Xplorer (PC only)

Anyhow, to try BIMReview Lite, download the installer at:
BIMReview – BIM Project Collaboration

Install ‘core’ only.

Switch to the free version by direct text editing this file.
“C:Program FilesAceCad Software LtdBIMReview 7.2BIMReview.exe.config”

Like this:

Or in Options:

I noticed some cutting errors when opening IFC from Tekla (the beam ends should cut back):

Supported filetypes:

Revit Skyscraper is gearing up!

Luke Johnson

The open house is getting more ‘open’ every day. Go here to join the project:
Enter Revit Skyscraper Open House Project

After joining and logging in, access the downloads section, download the ZIP file and run the EXE. You should be greeted with something like this as the Citrix hosted solution starts up:

Once you have joined and have access to Revit Skyscraper, please feel free to comment below and I can add you to a Sandbox Project I have set up, and also add you as a contact for chat. Have fun!

I recommend you join the project and read some of the early forum posts, particularly if you pondering issues of IP, who owns the model, permissions and the like.

Navisworks CIP folders can consume lots of hard drive space – here's how to fix it

Luke Johnson

I noticed these CIP folders were consuming huge amounts of space:

So, I basically deleted everything out of these CIP folders and freed up a lot of space. Upon restart, Navisworks re-created the necessary support files. The current path on latest Navisworks version is:
C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingAutodeskNAVMAN2015ENU6412.3.1157.50MC3AvroCIP

Close Navisworks, go to this CIP folder and select all – Delete. Send them to Recycle Bin if you are worried something will break. Open Navisworks, check everything is OK, then you should be able to delete them permanently.

These were the files:

Across various Navis versions:

Sometimes, when enabling and disabling CIP in Navisworks 2015, I will get a crash. Save before you do it!

Shared, cross-platform, online point cloud viewing and tagging for FM with SCENE WebShare

Luke Johnson

Check it out, pretty amazing stuff. Take a virtual in-browser tour of Sydney Cricket Ground:
SCENE Webshare Cloud

The implications of this technology for facilities management are pretty significant. In some cases, projects may skip the BIM process and go straight from laser scan to FM (where the brief allows for it).

Learn more:

via
Full Webinar for FARO Scene 5.3 and Webshare Cloud | FARO UK Blog

Unifi updated to 1.5.0, now with Revit 2015 integration

Luke Johnson

My top three new features:

  • Revit 2015 Integration – export from Revit 2015, and easily load families straight into 2015 projects
  • keep your legacy content available for older projects while still being able to take advantage of new Revit features
  • Library Reports – export to CSV

Tip: if you want to create a Saved Search for a given tag, use [tag name] in the Search term box. The square brackets tell Unifi to search tags.

Release notes

To learn more about Unifi, click the banner at top right or check out my previous post:
New way to Share, Store and Search Your Revit Content

Exact version number as of today v1.5.0.35051

Dynamo: Visual Programming for Revit presentation (by Zach Kron)

Luke Johnson


Dynamo: Visual Programming for Revit from Alfred Huang on Vimeo.

“This talk will cover some of the general principles of parametric design, and specific implementations of the principles in Revit via Dynamo. Attendees will come away with ideas about how Dynamo can be used in their offices, and resources for getting a deeper understanding of the application.”

via
Dynamo: Visual Programming for Revit in Revit User Community on Vimeo

Most Powerful Subscription Release for Revit yet – Revit 2015 R2 and Autodesk Site Designer Extension (with download links and tips)

Luke Johnson

I hinted that this was coming a few weeks back, but now here it is! A massive Subscription Release, along with a giveaway of the Siteworks addin package to Subscription users.

Download the update at: Autodesk Revit 2015 R2
Download the Siteworks package at: Autodesk Site Designer Extension for Revit 2015, or on Exchange here
(Note: you will need to login to your subscription account to access these) 

A few quick tips…
To toggle between Perspective and Orthographic view:

  1. Go to a 3D view
  2. Turn on Crop View
  3. Turn on Show Crop Region
  4. Right-click Viewcube
  5. Select Toggle to… and this will show Perspective or Parallel depending on your current mode


If you are wondering what ‘quick adjustments’ you can do in Perspective views:
Basically, you can use some simple commands like Align and Move, that were previously grayed out in Perspective mode.

To search in the Type Selector:

  1. Turn on Properties pane
  2. Click in the top of the Type Selector
  3. The search box is the top row

You can now also set a custom background colour (that means ‘color’ to U.S. folks):

 
Enhancements list:
http://revit.downloads.autodesk.com/download/2015RVT_RTM/R2/Enhancements_List_RVT_2015_R2.pdf

Readme (Interesting point: The install of Autodesk Revit 2015 Release 2 will also install Autodesk Dynamo (0.7.1) and required component IronPython.)

My top 3 features in Revit 2015 R2:

  • Work in perspective views, making quick adjustments without having to change views with some modeling capabilities now available in perspective views.
  • Find content more quickly with Search capabilities in the Type Selector and all drop-down lists.
  • Navigate PDFs exported from Revit more quickly with hyperlinked views.

My top 3 features in Autodesk Site Designer (previously Eagle Point Siteworks):

  • More quickly add design elements to your site such as berms and drainage swales, minimizing the time required to mass grade a site and to try alternatives at the design development stage.
  • Special terrain families within Site Designer provide you with parameters that control widths, cut and fill slopes and other projection settings.
  • Locate hardscape components such as streets, intersections, sidewalks, curbs and walls that can follow the existing terrain and have controlled elevations and slopes – all while the toposurface is automatically maintained.

More info:
Autodesk Revit 2015 Subscribers Get Slew of New Capabilities with “R2” Update

Heads-up:
Revit 2015 R2 Release | Applying Technology to Architecture

A few notes on installation versions from the Readme:
This update requires either the initial release of Autodesk Revit 2015 (build: 20140223_1515) or Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3 (build: 20140606_1530) . Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3 will need to be applied to any installed Revit 2015 which has either Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 1 (build: 20140322_1515) or Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 2 (build: 20140323_1530) applied. Installation will also be blocked if Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 4 (build: 20140903_1530)) has been applied, a full uninstall followed by a new install of Autodesk Revit 2015 will be needed in order to apply Release 2.