Why did I ever cut it???!!!
Friday, 4 July 2008
Monday, 23 June 2008
Do you want to use a Text Override in Revit? Great just don't be too clever because you can really fuck your world up.
Below is the dialog that pops up when you click the Numerical Value of a dimension in Revit, since the release of 2009. Good so far... I like the new additions to just Prefix & Suffix... The whole Above & Below fields are quite useful.
What isn't altogether wonderful is the "Replace with Text" value. I say altogether because we can get this to be horribly incorrect, even though it's a good tool when used correctly. If objects report an odd dimension then just move the objects; please don't use fake dimensions and really only use the Text Override for text ONLY.
I know that you may be thinking I am off base here but remember the fact that we weren't able to fake a dimension meant we had to actually do our job correctly(er)... what was so wrong with showing the supposed number with V.I.F. after it, etc.... I know there are uses for replacing the actual # with text only but we can always find a way to subvert that system and get our documentation to be, well, just plain wrong; And don't our contracts say that the printed documents take precedence?!!! If so this new functionality is one to steer clear of, lest we add a new item to the list of possible litigation we are exposed to.
If they would have asked me I would just have had this value be visually toggled or it would simply not allow any numbers in it... Why? Look at the 2 dimensions in the next image and tell me what the top dimension says... (Note: The bottom dimension is the true dimensional value)
Yeah, by using that accent grave ( ` ) symbol I made Revit's previous incomparable correctness fall apart. All would be good if Revit would have actually not allowed the number to be fucked with, like the following dialog states...
The fact that while one can't use the "foot" and "inch" symbols ( ' and ") together; one could use the accent grave ( ` ) symbol, etc; then Revit sees the whole string as text and bottom line DOES for all intents and purposes allow the reverse of what the previous image says.
Remember, If you want to keep your job then just move the objects if a dimension is reporting an odd value; please don't use fake dimensions and only use the Text Override for "Text".
The following is another good issue to think about if you use "broken" or "split" views: CLICK ME; I'M FROM AUGI.
Below is the dialog that pops up when you click the Numerical Value of a dimension in Revit, since the release of 2009. Good so far... I like the new additions to just Prefix & Suffix... The whole Above & Below fields are quite useful.
What isn't altogether wonderful is the "Replace with Text" value. I say altogether because we can get this to be horribly incorrect, even though it's a good tool when used correctly. If objects report an odd dimension then just move the objects; please don't use fake dimensions and really only use the Text Override for text ONLY.
I know that you may be thinking I am off base here but remember the fact that we weren't able to fake a dimension meant we had to actually do our job correctly(er)... what was so wrong with showing the supposed number with V.I.F. after it, etc.... I know there are uses for replacing the actual # with text only but we can always find a way to subvert that system and get our documentation to be, well, just plain wrong; And don't our contracts say that the printed documents take precedence?!!! If so this new functionality is one to steer clear of, lest we add a new item to the list of possible litigation we are exposed to.
If they would have asked me I would just have had this value be visually toggled or it would simply not allow any numbers in it... Why? Look at the 2 dimensions in the next image and tell me what the top dimension says... (Note: The bottom dimension is the true dimensional value)
Yeah, by using that accent grave ( ` ) symbol I made Revit's previous incomparable correctness fall apart. All would be good if Revit would have actually not allowed the number to be fucked with, like the following dialog states...
The fact that while one can't use the "foot" and "inch" symbols ( ' and ") together; one could use the accent grave ( ` ) symbol, etc; then Revit sees the whole string as text and bottom line DOES for all intents and purposes allow the reverse of what the previous image says.
Remember, If you want to keep your job then just move the objects if a dimension is reporting an odd value; please don't use fake dimensions and only use the Text Override for "Text".
The following is another good issue to think about if you use "broken" or "split" views: CLICK ME; I'M FROM AUGI.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Looking for some guidance on how to use scope boxes? Wondering just what you can use them for? Thought so...Here is one way to use them to get multiple floor plans to be the same exact size on sheets... Ooooh consistency; I like it...
1) DRAFTING>SCOPE BOX (Yes any way you like... I use SB as a keyboard shortcut...)
2) When in the SB tool be sure to name it (or them), then draw the scope box(es) and adjust it (or them) to the necessary size(s). Below I have two; Left Wing and Right Wing... It's political season, I guess...
The next image is the Properties of the Left Wing SB.
Here is what they look like in plan:
Here is what they look like in 3D: Hint; Be sure to set the height appropriately for your use; it may be the entire building, it may be just a few floors...you gotta think this one through and you may employ several methods in any one project...
3) This next step (which I do not illustrate with images) is to duplicate all necessary views (in this case I used two Plan Views; but Section and Elevations can leverage SB's too). I created two duplicates of both the Level 01 and Level 02 Plans and named them Left & Right, as needed. (Yes we will have a lot of views)!!!
4) Then, using these Views' properties dialog you would associate the necessary views to their corresponding (or applicable) Scope Box.
The following image shows how nice and aligned not only the plans are (Revit likes to do that automatically -sort of-), but it also shows how the edges and extents of geometry is perfectly aligned and the same size...
-Any more questions? Leave a comment and I'll respond...
1) DRAFTING>SCOPE BOX (Yes any way you like... I use SB as a keyboard shortcut...)
2) When in the SB tool be sure to name it (or them), then draw the scope box(es) and adjust it (or them) to the necessary size(s). Below I have two; Left Wing and Right Wing... It's political season, I guess...The next image is the Properties of the Left Wing SB.
Here is what they look like in plan:
Here is what they look like in 3D: Hint; Be sure to set the height appropriately for your use; it may be the entire building, it may be just a few floors...you gotta think this one through and you may employ several methods in any one project...
3) This next step (which I do not illustrate with images) is to duplicate all necessary views (in this case I used two Plan Views; but Section and Elevations can leverage SB's too). I created two duplicates of both the Level 01 and Level 02 Plans and named them Left & Right, as needed. (Yes we will have a lot of views)!!!
4) Then, using these Views' properties dialog you would associate the necessary views to their corresponding (or applicable) Scope Box.
The following image shows how nice and aligned not only the plans are (Revit likes to do that automatically -sort of-), but it also shows how the edges and extents of geometry is perfectly aligned and the same size...
-Any more questions? Leave a comment and I'll respond...
Friday, 30 May 2008
This will only help those with this family but that number is growing (here at work, at least). For those who need it here are the parameters explained... Yes, click the images to see enlarged views!!!
Family Parameters: Airside_LoadingBridge.rfa
Plan View related parameters illustrated:
Elevation related parameters illustrated:
How's that?
Family Parameters: Airside_LoadingBridge.rfa
Plan View related parameters illustrated:
Elevation related parameters illustrated:
How's that?
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Have you tried to upgrade a file (or files) to Revit 2009 and found that it or they won't upgrade (yet)? Well, we have and although Autodesk Support is one possibility for a solution, that can take weeks + to get a result and even though I am the person that emails them most every day asking if they are done, it can take a while (understandably...they have a lot of clients!!!).So what am I talking about? OK, I will tell you:
Yesterday I got a message from a colleague who wants to be referred to herein as Sasquatch (Actually he corrected me, saying: "Quasimodo would have described me a little better! Ha Ha") so, thanks Quasimodo...(AKA John C Raiten).
So anyways, John asked if I had any ideas as to how he could upgrade a 140MB project file to Revit 2009, since I recently had a problem file that needed ADSK's help in upgrading. I got in touch with him this morning to suggest he try a parsing of the file, since there seems to be no other options beyond this or ADSK Support... Well I found that he finally had success (Yaay!!!) and here is the synopsis:
"If at first you don't..."
1) Detached and 'saveas-ed' (lol) a new Central file, so as to not destroy the original file.
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...
2) Purged Unused, Audited, removed errors. (always a good set of ideas).
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...
3) Removed all links.
...tried to upgrade the entire project file with no luck...
Now here it gets fun...remember I said parse? well Sasquatch tried that after the obvious ways it "SHOULD" have worked all failed...
4) Grouped logically related bits of geometry (did I mention this project is approximately 5,000,000 sf?) why do I add that? Well, when I say bits I mean a Shit-load: He then saved the groups out as Links.
(Hmmm, perhaps you are beginning to see now?) ...wait for it...
5) He repeated this a handful of times; until only Levels, Grids and Annotations, Views, Sheets realistically everything shy of the actual building, existed in the original file.
...tried to upgrade the now building-less project file with luck... (Yes I said WITH luck, now we are getting somewhere). This point of time is also known as the dénouement...
6) Upgraded each of the linked group files, one-by-one.
...I can sense the end...
7) Linked them all in to the new 2009 main file, Bound them (oooh kinky) and ungrouped them and...
It Fucking worked!!!
-Fade-to-Black-
Monday, 19 May 2008
I see this (Smart Geometry type of thing) being widespread (on the horizon) and in Revit... do you AutoDesk? If not then I will include herein excerpts from an interesting article (and a link to the original); so perhaps we can get some groundswell for these capabilities to be built into Revit.
-My editorialization is in maroon.
"Robert Aish leaves Bentley" Yes, it's a link.
by Lars Hesselgren - 01 November 2007
"...Most people's reaction to the news that Robert Aish has resigned from Bentley and
is joining Autodesk is "Well what happens to GC now?". As you may imagine this was indeed the reaction of myself and the members of the SmartGeometry Group... (I say what happens to Revit now!!!???)
...We have to acknowledge the enormous role Robert played in creating Generative Components.
It was very much ‘his baby’...Robert Aish from YRM and Intergraph Master Architect days had joined Bentleys and was testing his first iteration of GC, so he joined the group. Our first outing with an incredibly rough Alpha was in Cambridge (2003); Robert did a new build every day...
...And of course at the end of the day Autodesk’s move underlines the acceptance into the marketplace of tools designed for the new design age where computers are used as active design participants. It is a fundamentally different concept from BIM which is a wonderful data storage method, but which leaves design out of the equation..." Yeah, Design is back into our tool box and perhaps one day it'll really be available and flexible in Revit too. -Or will that idea just be killed off?
Now, I know that there are methods for creating "approximations" or "visualizations" of complex designs, based on relatiotional formulas (I refer you to Phil Read's AU class that he gives each year) but those massing studies are a bit limited and don't generate building components, that are adequately quantifiable or "real", etc. they mainly look like objects... We need real objects to be controlled in any manner we dream.
I have one humble request: ADSK please get this type of geometry creation into Revit ASAP, I suggest you ask Mr. Aish; I'd bet he can show you how...he is on payroll, no???!!! ...or is this already happening (insert sly smile here) ...Hmmm...
...That ends this transmission...
Saturday, 10 May 2008
A new Revit user came in with this question... "Why doesn't my Curtain Panel Tag show the number?" ...Breath just breath...since I have heard this type of thing a lot I didn't burst out into a cynical laughing fit... ((WTF is the Parameter "Number"? I know it's being picky but if we would all call things what they actually are then life may be a much better place... It's not misremembering, it's telling a lie Mr. Clemons!!! Well anyways, back to my first tangent: I think they mean to call into play the parameter "Mark"). See it's just my cynical streak running wild... Oh well, on with the solution.
Since there was no value input for Type Mark in the object; and since we want to see the Mark (AKA: Number) we need to change the label to look at the parameter "Mark": (popular guy)
the panels in question will go from this:
To this:
Now just apply this to every possible tag (And more???!!!) you have and you could have 1 to over 100 problems solved with this one posting!!!
Select the Tag in question and choose EDIT FAMILY, from the Options Bar; then in the family editor, select the original parameter label and click the "SELECT PARAMETER" button from the Options Bar; you should see something similar to the following:
Since there was no value input for Type Mark in the object; and since we want to see the Mark (AKA: Number) we need to change the label to look at the parameter "Mark": (popular guy)
Then simply load (the modified family) into your project (saving the family is probably suggested...just remember to change the name :-)).
Now, when the Mark value is input in the object(s) Properties' (similar to the next image)...
Now, when the Mark value is input in the object(s) Properties' (similar to the next image)...
the panels in question will go from this:
To this:
Now just apply this to every possible tag (And more???!!!) you have and you could have 1 to over 100 problems solved with this one posting!!!
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