Could this be the answer to better BIM Collaboration? http://bit.ly/Rfv4fb

Luke Johnson

We all want a better BIM Cloud, with smoother, faster, better team Collaboration. I know the guys behind this project – they are experienced BIM professionals who are keen to innovate, especially when it comes to using the latest technology to make the AEC world communicate more effectively.

The whole concept of moving forward together as teams, not individual silos, is one that is very enticing.

Its all a bit mysterious at the moment, but its definitely worth signing up:

http://bit.ly/Rfv4fb

Link an IFC file into a Revit Family RFA File

Luke Johnson

I’m sorry but I couldn’t help myself… after the RVT and DWG link into RFA post over here, I had to try linking an IFC into an RFA file in Revit 2015. Guess what? It works.

  1. Download and extract this
  2. Copy the IFC you want to link into the same folder, and rename it to
    source RVT to IFC.ifc
  3. Open the RFA file
  4. It will come up with a link not found message – Open Manage Links, switch to IFC tab, select the row, use Reload From and select the file named
    source RVT to IFC.ifc
    (side note: this is probably the only time you will see a Manage Links dialog in the Family Environment, so I guess this is a added benefit of the current post)
  5. It will convert and link in the IFC using the usual method.
    (I’m not sure how errors are handled at this stage, such as “unjoined geometry” etc)
  6. There you go – IFC linked into Family

All of the usual caveats apply for linking things into RFA files, as per the other post. Additionally, you can’t Bind, Copy From, host elements, or Pick edges of the linked IFC. Its only real use at this stage is for modelling context.

Bonus Tools for Revit 2015 + video playlist (Sheet Revisions manager, Clash Report XML import to Revit and more)

Luke Johnson

I have posted about KiwiCodes Bonus Tools before, particularly the Excel and data tools. A Sheet Revisions manager has recently been added to the toolset. Check out how quick and easy it is to add revisions to sheets with this:

Honestly, if you have $35 to spend on Revit addins, this Bonus Tools package is definitely what I would spend it on…

Versions for 2013, 2014 and 2015 in one install package:
Bonus Tools | Autodesk Revit | Autodesk Exchange Apps

Video playlist showing all of the Bonus Tools in action:

 

Clash Report XML to Revit:

Convert Navisworks Viewpoints into Revit 3D Views for rapid communication and collaboration

Luke Johnson

There are a couple of options:

  1. Use BCFzip format to Export viewpoints from Navisworks 2014 and into Revit camera views (ortho or perspective)
  2. Use Kiwicodes Bonus Tools or BIM One Clash Sphere Generator to import a Clash Report XML directly into a Revit project

Some of you may say “why not use Switchback?” Well, you don’t always have access to original source files necessary to make this happen. BCF is environment-neutral, and if you are using Revit zero (origin to origin) linking, you should have no problems getting this to work.

Check out this 30 second demo:

My forum post:
Re: Revit to Navisworks to Revit? – Autodesk Community

To get the CASE BCF Exporter for Navisworks Manage 2014 working, you need to make sure you are running Navis 2014 with SP1 but WITHOUT any further hotfixes. The required version number is:
11.4.0.101763

If you have already installed the hotfixes, go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, Uninstall and then reinstall Navisworks Manage 2014 completely (you will need your install media). Then apply SP1. Then install the BCF Exporter using the Case Addin Manager. You can manually copy to the following directory if necessary:
C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingAutodesk Navisworks Manage 2014Plugins

Once installed, it is quite easy to:

  • export the BCFzip from Navisworks, 
  • open in Revit addin, 
  • look for a particular view that you would like to solve, then 
  • click Open View. 
  • Set Discipline to Coordination, 
  • Detail Level to Fine, 
  • Far Clip Active – start at around 5m and adjust as necessary, maybe 
  • turn off Pipe Insulation. 
  • Make a view template of these “BCF view” settings to easily re-apply.

I think that BCF is going to become a significant part of our BIM workflows moving forward…

More info:
BCF Exporter for Navisworks 2014 – collective BIM

Navisworks .NET: Deploy Addins (Plugins) – RevitNetAddinWizard & NavisworksNetAddinWizard

NavisworksNetAddinWizard.zip – Google Drive 

Meshmixer 2.0 support structures video

Luke Johnson

 “used to generate a branching tree structure to support overhangs in 3D printing. The results are still a work-in-progress, but usually require significantly less material than other support structure techniques, and as the models get larger, also significantly improve print times. “

Learn more:
Meshmixer – 3D Mashups & Remixes

In related Maker news, download 123D Design for multiple platforms including desktop:
Autodesk 123D Design