Revit Sheet Management with Vault 2012

This Subscription Extension is the latest release for Revit Sheet Management with Vault 2012.

With Autodesk® Vault®, integrating data management into your workflows is seamless and intuitive. The new Add Sheets command in Autodesk® Revit® will allow users to publish sheets directly to Vault, where they can be plotted and managed using Vault’s built in tools. Once sheets are added to the vault via this new command, users will be able to batch plot sheets to create print packages across several Revit files and maintain versions of sheets.
The new Subscription Extension also enables users to create visualization files of vaulted Revit data. This can be done after files are checked on demand or on checking utilizing the Vault Job Server.

Source: Autodesk Subscription Release Date: 2011-11-26

Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2012

Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2012, release date 2011-11-08 is now available for subscription holders.

This download contains all previously released Revit Extensions and updates. The file installs the Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2012. It also includes the Extensions Engine, a platform that hosts each extension within Revit Structure 2012.
The Q3 Update includes updates to several extensions including Composite Design, Bridge Design, and enhancements for interoperability with Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis Professional 2012 and AutoCAD® Structural Detailing 2012 software. Refer to the “Feature Summary” for complete details.

Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 are compatible with the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Revit Structure 2012 software.

Revit Structure 2012 Update 2 now available

The latest update for Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 software, Update 2 is now available thru product download. For a list of improvements, you can download the Update 2 Enhancement List by following this link:

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Enhancements_List_RST_2012_UR2.pdf

For the Update 2 product download:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=16840966

Once you installed the Update 2, you must also apply the latest Hotfix – Apply material family parameters using the Paint tool.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=17929243&linkID=9280927

This hotfix restores the ability to apply material family parameters to faces of family elements using the Paint tool.

Revit Server Quick Reference

To connect to the Revit Server Administrator for the first time:

In a browser window, enter the following: http://<ServerName>/RevitServerAdmin

For example, if your server name is Cenpr414, enter the following:
 http://Cenpr414/RevitServerAdmin

Ensure that you enter the correct server name in the specified location.

The Revit Server Administrator web-based tool displays. Use the Add to Favorites option or create a shortcut for future access.

Connecting to a Local Revit Server:

1. Click in Revit program Collaborate tab>Synchronize panel> Connect to Revit Server
2. In the Connect to Revit Server dialog, enter the server name or the IP address of the server. Note: You cannot change to a different Revit local server if multiple Revit sessions are open, a server-based central model is open, or the local server is not available.
3. Click connect.
   
   Once a valid connection is established, the successful connection status icon displays and the server name updates.
4. Click Close.

 

Collaboration

The latest issue of AUGIWorld is full of Collaboration articles. To name a few concerning Revit which might interest you here as follows:

• Revit Collaboration: Then and Now: Troy Gates looks back on how collaboration workflow once worked in Autodesk Revit, and how it is done today. An emerging technology is also making inroads.

• Collaboration with Revit Structure—Work Sharing: Phil Russo takes you step by step through collaboration in Revit Structure. Lots of tips and tricks here.

• Collaboration and Data Management for AEC Projects: What’s Autodesk’s vision for collaborating with the Revit platform?  It’s 360. Revit Design Product Line Manager Anthony Hauck elaborates.

The direct link to the issue:

http://www.augi.com/images/uploads/augiworld_issues/AW201108_lr.pdf

Linking One Revit File Into Another

- Before linking, clean up the file before linking (if possible).

     - Audit, detach from central, keep worksets
     - Check warnings, check links, consider deleting unnecessary
        elements, purge.

- Remember the Revit linked files/worksets rule!
- Map Phases if needed
- Multi-discipline firm? Consider only linking copies of central files.
- Sending files? Consider Autodesk Labs eTransmit for Revit 2012.

Source: Imaginit Technologies

Revit Memory Usage Explained

Below is a quick video explaining how Revit uses memory, as well as ways to best optimize your system for best performance.

http://vimeo.com/16251172

Don't lose your Revit memory!

Source: Microsol Resources

Revit network license Error [-5.412.0]

Issue:

When you launch the Revit program you are unable to obtain a network license with the following License Error - "A valid license could not be obtained by the network license manager - Error [-5.412.0]"

Solution:

Search for the folder where the CascadeInfo.cas is located and rename this file like for example CascadeInfo_cas.old. For Windows 7 users, navigate to the following folder: "C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Adlm".

DWF Underlay from Revit into AutoCAD

FAQ:

The background color of the DWF file which I inserted into AutoCAD drawing is white. I need a black background while drawing in model space.

Fix:

In Revit, before you do an export to DWF, make sure that view’s Visual Style is set to Hidden Line and nothing else.

Pile Auto Numbering

I have seen a thread in one of Revit forums and also in our office this question is often asked. "How do I auto number all of the piles in a piling plan?"

Well, since Revit Extensions 2008 was out, it is there, this auto numbering. It is called “Element Positioning” to be found under Extension Manager, see figure 1 below. Please take note that figures shown in this article may vary from the current Revit Extensions version.

Procedures:

1.      Open Element Positioning.

2.      Select or filtered the piles you want to number, (pile mark), see my example below.

3.      Go to Numbering option. In this case, I have chosen order of axes as “XYZ”.

4.      Next step is Naming. Use the formula as in the figure below. Elements formula is %E. Other values are initial ones.

5.      Move to Tags option. Do not forget to set “Insert tag” to “ON”. For Tag insertion options, tag-to-element distance is your choice, depending on the way you want the numbering to be positioned.

6.      Once you are done with the steps above, Click on OK, and there you go, your piles will be marked with auto numbering.

Autodesk 2012 Software Releases

Hoera! It's time of the year that the new Autodesk 2012 products are launched. I was able to take a sneak preview of the new products thru a live public webcast held last Monday, 21st of March hosted by Amar Hanspal, Senior Vice President of Autodesk. The products are very promising and I am sure you will agree.

Getting excited about it? See it for yourself.

The Autodesk 2012 products are here! Check them all out!

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=16353133&siteID=123112

I will be backed once I get my fingers on it and I'm hoping to have some more information to share with you. It's going to be very exciting year for Revit users. Thanks for dropping by.

Concrete Panel

How would you like to model your concrete panels for your project? This is often a question found elsewhere. You need it to be a wall. For a rough representation, use wall reveals for showing panel joints. However, it might cause a headache when wanting the panels as separate pieces.

For performance issues, I would not recommend using in-place families. There's a lot of overhead to the model in terms of size.

Lastly, I will still advocate using a column family to represent concrete panels if there is a need for shop drawings. You are more flexible in using it, like placing it on a slanted position, do the shape whatever you want. Any other suggestions out there?

Simplified Export to DWF

There are times that your project needs various paper sizes for sheet hardcopy. It is sometimes very annoying when you have to choose a print setting to use.

To simplify this procedure, I advise you to use the following “Print Setup” as shown below when to need to do a DWF Export with various paper sizes.

You simply choose from the drop box Name: <in-session> and for the Paper Size: <Use Sheet Size>. Once you have done with these settings, you will be able to export to “dwf” using any paper size. You do not need to open this Print Setup dialog box to set the print to A0, A1 or whatever you need for your hardcopy.

Let this tip work for you from now on.

Floor Spot Elevation Problem

This seems to be a common problem when you issue Annotate>Spot Elevation and the top face of the floor you want to annotate cannot be detected and a symbol shows up, like a screw head. The Spot Elevation can only locate the edge of the floor as shown below and not somewhere on the floor surface.

If your Visual Style is set to “Wireframe”, Revit cannot locate the floor top face and that is why a screw head symbol shows up. To fix it, always set your Visual Style to “Hidden” and not to “Wireframe” in order that you will get your Spot Elevation Annotation correctly on the middle of the floor.