tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80919740442258516112012-02-16T01:55:13.108-05:00David Moodynoreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-12015778055632066192010-04-17T10:14:00.003-04:002010-04-17T10:28:43.443-04:00

So, I haven't posted anything in a long while, and I should explain.What have I been up to? - Recently got my Authorization to Test letter regarding my Architectural Registration - Started studying for the ARE4.0 tests (all 7 of them) - Transitioned an office from AutoCAD to Revit 2010 from June 2009 to November 2009 - Moved to Canada to work at the office I formally transitioned - Started

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-37758740099722732612009-12-30T14:36:00.004-05:002009-12-30T14:41:25.787-05:00

I just noticed that my blog is listed on Steve Stafford's blog Revit OpEd. That is just a little motivation to keep this up (or rather get back to it). He might not have sought me out or found some pearl of wisdom from me, but at least I am there.I guess I'll start with some 2010 stuff when I have the time. There is a lot to talk about and a lot I have learned since my last posting.I have also

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-18445135398476143652009-07-07T09:47:00.003-04:002009-07-07T09:53:45.579-04:00

The latest Update to Revit Architecture 2010 is available for download.Make sure to get it and test out all the new changes. Most of the list is really just fixes to errors and bugs that the newest version (and ribbon) created or had.Autodesk WebsiteList of fixes

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-1149793260977207452008-11-04T15:27:00.002-05:002009-07-06T21:38:46.063-04:00

Insert from File Tired of having two projects open at the same time just to copy details and drawings over? Let’s try the Insert from File and Views… option instead. From here we will need to select the RVT file that we would like to copy some information from. Revit will go through the same process as opening the file, but instead we are shown a display of all the

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-47075095903797357362008-11-03T12:17:00.004-05:002009-07-06T21:35:33.309-04:00

Using the revision feature of Revit Revit allows for tracking of revisions and tagging clouds. Problem Without using the Revision feature of Revit, our drawings wind up with a chart that lists all revisions regardless of relevance to the sheet. Solution Create a border that has a Revision Schedule in the title block. (more on this later)Create revisions in your

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-72128425043179271622008-11-02T12:32:00.003-05:002009-07-06T21:23:43.836-04:00

Dependent Views I don’t know when this feature became available, but it was sometime between 9.1 and 2009, 2008 maybe? Next time you need to break up a plan into multiple callouts why don’t you try this little technique. Most of us create an overall view and then do double or triple duty and have to tag, annotate, and dimensions all of those callout views. This can be a time consuming

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-91063884774879700362008-11-01T20:43:00.002-04:002009-07-06T21:20:54.552-04:00

Plan Regions Can’t quite get your plan to cut the building where you need it? Still missing some windows or details vital to the completion of the documents. Have no fear, the Plan Region is here!! What’s that you say? You don’t know anything about Plan Regions!! These are a great way to create a callout plan within a plan. First, sketch the area we want to show at a

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-37896012362577373472008-10-25T12:25:00.002-04:002009-07-06T21:17:35.873-04:00

Poché walls I was working on schematic plans recently, and ran into a design dilemma. We wanted to show the existing columns and walls as solid black entities. Revit will allow you to do this when you have demolition plans. I want to do this, but I am not phasing the project yet. Instead, I can create a new wall type for the poché by duplicating the one I want. I will

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-86033616233068391542008-10-22T12:24:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:53:30.230-04:00

Worksets A little recap on the username and workset issues some of you may be running into. Remember, anytime that more than one worker needs to use a file at the same time, you will have to have worksets. Once worksets are enabled, these are tracked through the use of your username. To access your username, just go to the Settings menu and select Options. This menu is

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-7699192782582572042008-10-20T12:24:00.003-04:002009-07-06T21:06:32.936-04:00

Edit witness line One thing I hated for a long time was dimensioning in Revit. Sure it was much easier than in AutoCAD, but every time I miss clicked, I wound up with my dimension string too short. Then, if I wanted the dimension string to be one element, and I do (it must be the OCD), I would have to redo that long run of dimensions. This sometimes would result in my doing the

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-38787807082022035082008-10-15T12:23:00.006-04:002009-07-06T21:03:40.153-04:00

How to create a new central file of a project You need to make a backup of your central file often. These can become cluttered and have a greater potential for crashing. It is also a good idea to make copies of the project during design phases when a major change is being made to the project. This is a simple process if completed correctly, and can be an onerous task if not. The first

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-48251808876403702782008-10-13T20:10:00.005-04:002009-07-06T20:57:05.335-04:00

Central files and local files Revit files are the hub of all the information contained in a project. When users start a new file, this file is the only file all the information is contained there. If you move or copy the file on the server, there won’t be any warning messages or problems. Without worksets enabled, your Revit file will act like any other file type you know of; only one

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-9572403720466317602008-10-12T12:21:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.138-05:00

How to start a new projectAlways start a new project from a template file! These files are different from Revit files because their file extension is .rte and not .rvt. They are specifically designed to be used as a starting point for a new project. You will also never run into a problem with central files, local files, and usernames.This method prevents you from bringing along a bunch of

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-57633720866307564772008-10-10T12:16:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.139-05:00

LevelsBlue dots vs. Black dotsDon't know what the difference between the blue level dot and the black level dot is? Don't worry, I will help enlighten you.Anytime you create a new level, Revit will generate a floor plan and ceiling plan associated with this new level.This new level will show up in every elevation and section you work in from now until forever. No way to fix this unless you

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-62107574743125373922008-10-08T12:15:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.140-05:00

Linework toolProblemSometimes an elevation needs a little tweaking to look 100% correct. Revit will show too much information sometimes, and we need to tone down the amount. For instance, these walls are all the same exterior finish, so they should show as one continuous material.SolutionUse the linework tool to edit the way lines look. We just need to hide the common edges of these walls.

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-82823811239456950192008-10-07T20:42:00.003-04:002009-07-06T20:46:07.265-04:00

Sort Sheets in the Project Browser Here is a quick tip on sorting your sheets in your Project browser. First, we are going to use a setting already in place in our files the Discipline Order. If you have set up your drawing list correctly, then this should already be set on every one of your sheets. If it isn’t, then fix it. Now that we are straight on our sheets we

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-56358287612021459042008-10-05T12:15:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.142-05:00

Grid LinesEvery wonder what that little 3d note next to your grid line means?ProblemIf you are like me, then you like your grid lines to match up across your page. Sometimes, Revit has a mind of its own and changes these on us.I swear those were lined up that last time I looked at this sheet.SolutionUse that little 2d notation to your advantage! If a grid line is moved in another location in

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-1888131316169371652008-10-02T12:14:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.142-05:00

Tag by MaterialSave time by using even more tags!!!ProblemYou don't use tags to label stuff, even when you could. You love your text too much. Bad Revit user, bad.SolutionTag by material instead of by category.Now on frame elevations, you can tag the glazing panel and all the panels of that type will have the same label.Tagging is so easy, Revit will even let you fill in the text the first

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-28442352232403597522008-09-25T12:13:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.143-05:00

Center objects in a spaceManage objects and that dreaded EQ symbol easily.ProblemI want to center an object or element in a space. I also want the dimensions on either side of the element to read EQ, but Revit doesn't allow me to change the text of any dimension strings.SolutionSet your dimension string to the center of your object, and make sure the EQ is not crossed out.Now, with the dimension

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-49454786590817928522008-09-20T12:12:00.004-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.144-05:00

Shortcut keysWork faster with shortcut keys!ProblemMost of us have come from the days of AutoCAD, where working faster meant knowing every one of the 500 shortcut command keys. Now we are forced to work with Revit and its' point and click interface.SolutionKnow your shortcut keys! There is a whole text file that lists every one of the 499 commands that Revit has.C:\Program Files\Autodesk Revit

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-379835242543480382008-09-15T12:11:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.145-05:00

Tag defaultsTag stuff once and don't have to change it later.ProblemSomehow, unbeknownst to you, the default tag has been set to some random format. You can't change the tag type as you are tagging items. Only a few properties can be changed as you go.SolutionYou want that tag to show up right the first time you create it, so if it's wrong - fix it. You can change the default tags in two ways.

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-32117258283137253842008-09-10T11:30:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.146-05:00

Remove unused components from your fileWith as large as some of these buildings get, it is always good to reduce the amount of information in your Revit file, especially when you don't need it.ProblemUsing old files to start a new project creates a lot of unnecessary components and information that you may not need.SolutionRemove the offending information with your project browser. Simply scroll

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-79846009247600528952008-09-06T20:41:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:38:41.631-04:00

Export to AutoCAD Let’s say that I need to update my consultants with plans. How do I do that when we use Revit and they use some arcane format called AutoCAD? Simple, we are just going to export our highly detailed 3d model to a 2d line drawing for them to use. Just choose File and move to Export. On the flyaway, select CAD Formats. This will bring up the export window.

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-28489057293151123292008-09-05T11:29:00.005-04:002009-07-06T20:34:22.073-04:00

Quickly rotate a camera viewYou can rotate your view while in a 3d camera view to tweak what you are looking at.ProblemUsually, you need to change the view depth and angle of view from the plan for a camera view.This can be difficult, especially since the camera can disappear once you have unselected it.SolutionChange and rotate from within your camera view. Simply hold down shift as you click

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-44009199088960848592008-09-04T20:39:00.003-04:002009-07-06T20:32:44.228-04:00

Printing When printing multiple sheets in Revit there are several things to remember. Don’t forget them either. Use Revit PDF Writer 4.2 for most all of your PDF output. Remember to name your files appropriately. See the naming convention format that your office u. We don’t like bad names. Also, make sure to save your files to the server every time you need to

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-51520881577821673002008-09-02T11:28:00.001-04:002008-11-04T21:02:09.151-05:00

Dimensioning frame elevationsWhen it comes time to dimension a frame elevation Revit can give you a lot of trouble displaying the desired dimension string.ProblemRevit sometimes will not display a dimension string you just completed.SolutionInstead of displaying some dimensions in a frame elevation, Revit will often hide portions of a string from view. Sometimes the solution is simply making the

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-66746751253674123592008-08-29T12:26:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:19:37.766-04:00

More Rotating I forgot to add a great tip to rotating objects the other day. If you ever wanted to change your rotation point you can! When you rotate objects, Revit will take the center point as the reference for rotation. Well, I want to rotate by a certain point and make one of my walls horizontal. How do I do that? Simple really, just hove over the arrow and it should

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-61102058307103499632008-08-28T12:26:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:15:37.888-04:00

Rotate and copy Don’t neglect your Options Bar when running commands! If you want to copy something and then rotate it in another direction, there is one simple way to do this. You will need to run the rotate command instead of the copy command. Once you start this command, the Options Bar will appear with some modifiers specific to this action. We can just hit the

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-51471806514782616762008-08-25T11:04:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.301-05:00

Faster door scheduleThe standard door schedule that we have been using is very large and full of more of those Yes/No boxes. It needs to be more concise.ProblemThe schedule for hardware is a pain to check, read, and create. There are a million different check boxes that need to be reviewed.SolutionWe have a generic schedule that calls for all this information based on the location or type of

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-79843539081093020442008-08-20T11:03:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.301-05:00

Room tags in sectionsTired of having to update your text strings in sections every time something changes? Or maybe you can't quite tell what room that really is cutting through.ProblemPlacing text as a means to tag a room is un-Revit. It also means that you will have to manually update all the text if anything changes. Let's face it, I'm lazy and don't want to do anything twice.SolutionYou

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-31658003521101159182008-08-15T11:03:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.301-05:00

Workset sharing problemsSometimes it can be difficult to work on a project when other users have pieces checked out.ProblemIf you are working in a project that has worksets enabled, users will checkout sections of the model while they are working on it.When you need to edit the same object, Revit will not allow it until the other user relinquishes control.SolutionFirst, if both of you are working

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-52933887870261059752008-08-10T11:02:00.002-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.302-05:00

Faster and cleaner door schedulesCreate a door schedule and modify all sheets at once.ProblemA Yes/No type schedule means that you need to check each sheet. This type has three settings, on, off, or blank. Once you check away from blank you are only left with on or off.This can create a confusing schedule to read.SolutionCreate a schedule that uses text fields instead of Yes/No. When you edit

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-69184149396338477992008-08-05T11:00:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.302-05:00

More on Frame ElevationsCreate a new tag to separate your frame elevations from typical elevations in your project browser.ProblemYour project browser can become very full with all the views and elevations.SolutionTo help organize the elevations into categories you can create a new tag for specific types. Start from the Settings menu and click on the View Tags slide out. Choose Elevation Tags…

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-54553572173300978922008-08-01T10:59:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.303-05:00

Edit multiple sheetsEver printed an entire set only to find that some sheets have the title block information incorrect?ProblemYou have 60 sheets in your drawing set and all of them need to have the same information changed.SolutionYou can change any of the shared parameters on your sheets all at once. Simply select all the sheets from the project browser window on the left of the window. You

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-16546959350050291592008-07-20T10:58:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.303-05:00

Section Clip Plane (courtesy of Bill Davis)You can effectively make a "near clip plane" by turning on Section Box in a perspective view.…it acts a little wacky in a large model though.

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-31897695568676851372008-07-10T10:57:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.304-05:00

Draw less bathroom elevationsBathrooms have very specific dimensional and location requirements to meet numerous codes.ProblemEvery bathroom we draw has to meet these codes, but we draw all our bathrooms from scratch. Once the bathroom is drawn, we have to show compliance by documenting distances, heights, and equipment locations. We do this with numerous elevations and plans that require lots

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-54368390072463413332008-07-08T12:26:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:08:02.454-04:00

Filter content Tired of trying to select individual elements in your project? Use the filter feature! It’s that little funnel thing in the toolbar. When you have items selected, click that little baby and watch the magic happen. This will bring up a dialog box with a list of all the items that you have selected. You can systematically remove pieces from your selection

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-44820273316728617992008-07-01T10:56:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.304-05:00

Frame TagsPlacing text next to storefront systems as a frame tag does not utilize the Revit tag feature. Previously, we had used this text to hide the tiny frame elevation tag. However, from my previous tip we know that these tags showing are no longer a problem.ProblemUsing text as a means to tag frame elevations is archaic and not very BIM-like. Revit has tagging features that we need to

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-35062673409958211112008-06-20T10:55:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.305-05:00

Frame Elevation DiagramsInstead of making tiny frame elevation tags, use a separate floor plan and edit the properties of the tags.Problem Using tiny frame elevation tags makes more work to hide the tag in the original plan, and requires you to manually hide every tag individually. This is time consuming and also means that any new plans will require the same amount of work to clean up and

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-65342550378214015102008-06-10T11:00:00.000-04:002008-11-04T21:01:52.305-05:00

Join/Unjoin GeometryOne of the many uses for the Join Geometry tool allows you to cut multiple objects with one instance.ProblemWhen we add a Wall Mod to a standard wall we have created two independent elements in the model.If we cut the standard wall with an opening, a door, window, or storefront system, then we have only cut one of the two walls.SolutionYou could edit a sketch of the elevation

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-61953106540585171482008-06-03T19:33:00.000-04:002008-12-11T20:31:35.645-05:00

In case some of you were wondering, I have been contributing my Revit tips to a great blog on Line Meets Curve.Tangentworks 550This is a brand new company that has created a wonderful application specifically for the architecture, engineering, and construction fields. I use this software nearly as much as I use Autodesk Revit. My company adopted Revit early on, having realized the immense upper

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8091974044225851611.post-79680012881124288882008-05-31T00:26:00.001-04:002008-05-31T00:33:02.545-04:00

I am a Revit user at a small firm in Atlanta utilizing the software in the design and construction fields. Working at a small firm doesn't afford us with a full-time CAD manager, so some of us here have taken up the cause. I split my time between modeling, designing, and CAD management duties. A few months back I even took the initiative to create a series of tutorials meant to help fellow

David Moodynoreply@blogger.com0