A document was recently released that essentially describes differences in the way that Tekla and RST respond to changes in a linked architectural model. This document doesn’t really take into account the other benefits of working in a completely Revit environment – not having to convert to and from IFC, tagging through links, scheduling, bidirectionality, and so on (I don’t feel a need to keep listing reasons 🙂

Download the comparison PDF (keep in mind this was prepared by/for Tekla)

via
LinkedIn

There are quite a few interesting ways to animate a Revit model these days.  You can use Image-O-Matic, things like Level Displacer, and there is also an interesting SDK sample for animating structural elements.

From The Building Coder:
One of the very visually impressive Revit 2014 API samples is the DisplacementElementAnimation application.
It automatically animates groups of structural building members in any Revit BIM, proceeding sequentially from bottom level to top.
It creates and executes an animation of the model by disassembling and then reassembling it from the ground up. The members are sorted into groups based on category and level and displaced from their actual position. Each group is then animated using the Idling event until the model is reassembled.
It is an external application, so it is not automatically made available by installing RvtSamples, which just provides access to the external command SDK samples.

Read more:
http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2013/08/animation-and-the-displacementelement-class.html

To get this running, you will need to install the 2014 SDK, open the applicable CS project, add the Reference Paths, Build it, add the dll and create the necessary .addin file.  However, if you want this type of animation – it will probably be worth it!

Along similar lines, you may be interested in the 2014 DevDays resources:
… here are the complete materials from the Revit 2014 DevDays presentations:

We are seeing this error on a received Structural model:
Analytical model edge cannot have a length of zero (0)

Revit does not offer a solution – you can’t Delete Checked, and you can’t press OK.  It just keeps coming back.

Unticking the “Structural” instance parameter for the hosting floor will work (it just gets rid of the problematic Analytical Floor), even if unticking the “Enable Analytical Model” box in the Properties Palette won’t…

However, I think this is a bug or at least an undocumented problem that needs a better fix.

Some forums mention the issue, but there is no real solution yet:
Analytical model edge cannot have a length of zero… – Autodesk Community
Analytical Model Edge Warning

“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

A recent article on gostructural.com describes the basic tools used for coordination between disciplines in Revit.  Its worth a read for “Revit coordination beginners.” 

It covers the three primary coordination tools in vanilla Revit:

  • Copy / Monitor
  • Coordination Review
  • Interference Check

Here are a few little gems from the article:
The elements that can be included in the copy/monitor process include: Levels, Grids, Columns, Walls, Floors, and Openings

Coordination Review actions:

  • Postpone: take no action on the element
  • Reject: makes no change to the element in the host file
  • Accept Difference: Accepts that a change has been made between the monitored elements but no change is needed between the elements
  • Modify/Rename/Move: If the element is renamed/moved, this option will rename/move the element to match the monitored element
  • via
    http://www.gostructural.com/magazine-article-gostructural.com-6-2013-coordinating_your_autodesk_revit_structure_project_with_other_revit_disciplines-9339.html

    Heads-up: Daniel Hughes on LinkedIn

    AutodeskEd’s Youtube channel has been very busy – I have collected 25 videos specifically relating to Structural users, including information on:

    • Reinforcement
    • Rebar
    • Assemblies
    • Parts
    • Loads
    • Interoperability

    Link to playlist:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p1NoxzJz1A&feature=share&list=PLdw8FwXDx_djMvsIrcdzRMyEZ4WSBV4Fj

     

    Check out lot’s more at:
    Autodesk Building Solutions channel — http://www.youtube.com/user/AutodeskBuilding?feature=watch

    The goal of this Preview Version of “SOFiSTiK Reinforcement for Autodesk® Revit®” is to enable the productive design of 3D reinforcement with Autodesk® Revit®. This particularly includes the creation of 2D plans and steel schedules.
    via
    SOFiSTiK AG – Finite Elemente & CAD Software f�r den Ingenieurbau: LabsReinforcement

    Register / download link

    Heads up:
    http://bimblog.typepad.com/autodesk_bim_blog/2012/08/sofistik-bewehrung-f%C3%BCr-revit-2013-als-labs-version.html

    There is a extensive list of whitepapers for Revit Structure over at this link.  A few particular items of interest are shown below:

    Coordination between Revit Structure and Revit Architecture
    Structural engineers who use Revit Structure software can coordinate their work with architects using Revit Architecture software. This paper examines how building information is shared between Revit Structure and Revit Architecture users.

    Coordination between Revit Structure and Revit Architecture (pdf – 623Kb)


    Maintaining BIM Integrity in the Structural Engineering Office
    A key benefit of building information modeling (BIM) is the ability to share digital model data among members of the design team. This paper examines the role of the structural engineer in the BIM process and explains how the integrity of the building model is maintained during the structural engineering process.

    Maintaining BIM Integrity in the Structural Engineering Office (pdf – 674Kb)

    via
    Autodesk – Autodesk Revit Structure – White Papers