New Features in Autodesk Revit 2011

This is a list of new features for Autodesk Revit 2011. This list contains new features in Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011, Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 and Autodesk Revit MEP 2011.

I am going to start what is common in all platforms.

1. User Interface

A. Contextural Tab Display:

By default a contextual tab will display when an element is selected, but users may now choose to keep the current tab active instead.
Access: Click AppMenu > Options > User Interface > uncheck Display the Contextual Tab on Selection.

B. Contextual Tab Display Behavior:

After creating an element, clearing a selection, or exiting from a tool, the ribbon can now be set to either return to the previous tab (the default behavior in the Project environment) or to stay on the Modify tab.
Access: Click AppMenu > User By default a contextual tab will display when an element is selected, but users may now choose to keep the current tab active instead. Interface > Tab Display Behavior.

C. Modeless Properties Palette:

Revit now displays instance properties of views and elements while you are working in a project.
This modeless palette also hosts the Type Selector (which can still be added to the QAT by right-clicking on it).
By default, it is docked above the Project Browser on the left side of the screen, but it can be docked in other locations or completely undocked (floated) elsewhere on the screen or another monitor.
Use the Element Filter drop-down (immediately below the Type Selector) to display/change parameters for the view or for currently-selected elements.
During sketch modes (roof, floor, etc) you can use the palette to change the properties for the element being created.
Access: The Properties palette can be toggled on/off via the Properties button, or keyboard shortcut (PP. VP, or Ctrl-1).

D. Modify Tab is Both Static and Contextual:

The Modify tab is now available without having first selected an element (static). When an element is selected or a placement/creation tool is launched, all Modify tools remain in the same location and the element-specific panels are added to the end (contextual).
Access: Click on Modify tab.

E. Modify Tools Improvements:

Many tools in the static Modify panel may now also be used without first selecting an element.

Access: With nothing selected, click a modify tools (such as Move, Rotate, etc) and the cursor will change to indicate the tool. Select the elements you wish to modify (hold down the Ctrl key to add more elements or the Shift key to remove elements) then finish the selection via Enter, Spacebar, or the contextual (right-click) menu.

F. Quick Access Toolbar Customization:

The QAT has new customization control (tool order, spacers, etc) via the Customize Quick Access Toolbar dialog.
Tools added to the QAT in one environment (say the Project) will now be added to other applicable environments (say the Family Editor, etc).

Access: Click on drop-down arrow at the end of the QAT > Customize Quick Access Toolbar; or right-click on any item in the QAT.

G. Resizable Dialogs:

Many dialogs are now resizable – These include: Visibility Graphics, Manage Links, Object Styles, Worksets, View Templates, New Schedule, New Material Takeoff, Phasing, Loaded Tags, Design Options, Insert Views, Export CAD, Manage Place and Location, Materials, Mechanical Settings, Electrical Settings, Building / Space Type Settings, Schedule Settings, Edit Circuits, Select Panels, Select Connector.

H. Worksets and Design Options:

In addition to the ribbon, new controls for Worksets and for Design Options now appear in the Status Bar at the bottom-right of the Revit window.
These tools will display, and allow you to change, the current active settings.

Access: View tab > Windows panel > User Interface button.

2. Worksets

A. Workset Visibility Enhancements:

Workset visibility has been given greater control on a project-wide basis:
Worksets dialog now offers the option to change the visibility of a workset globally.
Worksets tab in individual views has been enhanced to allow the per view workset visibility to be visible, not visible or to follow the global setting (from the worksets dialog).

3. Annotation

A. Tags – Custom Elevation:

User can create and customize Elevation Tags: Customers can edit their elevation tags in a manner similar to customizing section marks. There are two new annotation templates: an Elevation Body and an Elevation Pointer. The pointer family must be nested into the body family. Once the pointer is nested, it can be copied, rotated, and mirrored to represent the desired elevation tag. There is not a limit to the number of Elevation pointers that an elevation body can host.

B. Temporary Dimension:

User Controlled Appearance of Temp Dims: Customer can now access and change the background of a temporary dimension (between transparent and opaque), as well.
Edited References are Remembered: Customer can grab the blue grips defining what a temporary dimension is measuring and place them onto other more important references. This edit is then remembered the next time an object is selected and Temporary Dimensions are displayed. The system remembers these edits until the Revit document is closed.

C. Text Enhancements:

Added the ability to create text notes with bullets and numbering (see new ribbon controls).
Added the ability to specify leader attachment points on a text note (see new ribbon controls and instance properties).
Added the ability to put a box around a text note (see type properties).
Added the ability to adjust the distance between the leader end and the text note (see type properties).
Added Find/Replace text functionality (see new ribbon control).
Added options for exporting text to CAD formats to maintain Visual or Functional fidelity.

4. Visual Enchancements

A. Sun Path and Sun Settings:

The existing “Sun and Shadow Settings” dialog is now titled “Sun Settings”, and has been revised to work with the new Sun Path functionality.
Sun Path can be turned on from the View Bar and in the Properties Palette (checkbox under “Graphics”).
With SunPath visible, user can “grab” the Sun with their mouse and “move” it to a desired location. They may also enter a time and date in text boxes adjacent to the Sun and its Daily Path.
The Sun’s time and date can also still be set in the Sun Settings dialog.

B. Rendering:

Customer can specify Background Image for Rendering: The customer can now browse to an image file to display as a background in their rendering. There are various controls for sizing, fitting, and adjusting the image to the crop region of the view being rendered.
RPC Content does not render:
The RPCs and RenderSettings folders must be copied from [INSTALLDIR]\Data\ into C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials2011\assetlibrary_base.fbm folder.
Custom render settings dialog does not work:>/li>
The RPCs and RenderSettings folders must be copied from [INSTALLDIR]\Data\ into C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials2011\assetlibrary_base.fbm folder.

5. Display Enchancements

A. Ambient Occlusion:

Accessed via the Graphics Display Options Dialog box.
Only available when Hardware Acceleration is enabled.

B. Realistic View:

Accessed via the Visual Styles button on the View Control Bar.
Elements that have material definitions assigned will display texture maps in real time.
Only available when Hardware Acceleration is enabled.

C. Consistent Colors View:

Accessed via the Visual Styles button on the View Control Bar.
Displays faces of elements in flat color; faces of elements that are oriented at different angles to the camera will display in the same shaded color.

6. Parameters Enchancements

A. Reporting Parameters:

Customer can now apply a “reporting parameter” to reference elements in family templates. Reference elements are walls in a wall hosted family template (such as door or window family) or default reference planes in family templates. Reporting Parameters are “read only” and can be used in formulas and displayed in schedules (if they are “shared parameters”).

B. UI Improvements and Defaults:

Parameter Properties creation dialog has been organized to improve workflow. Default Parameter type is now set to Length. There is now a mapping between type of parameter and Grouping of parameter.

C. Loose Labeled Dimensions:

Improvements to in canvas workflows from Conceptual Design environment in 2010 are now in other Family categories in 2011. Customer can lock parameters in the types dialog. Customer can also drag geometry or references that are controlled by parameters without getting a “Constraints not Satisfied” error. The Family environment is easier to work in without having to enter the Family Types dialog as often.

D. Editing Labeled Dimensions in Canvas:

Customer can now click on a parameter (labeled dimension) and input a new value. This will save time by avoiding the family types dialog.

7. Performance Enchancements

A. Model Open:

A portion of model open is now executed in multiple threads. File must be already saved in latest format. Upgrade is not multi-threaded.

B. View Open:

Time to open views has been reduced, especially large complex 3D views.

C. Curtain Wall manipulations:

Changes to curtain walls that propagate to many elements have been improved.

D. Sync with Central:

Links should not trigger regeneration if they remain unchange

8. Enhancements and Features

A. Align in 3D:

Align in 3D views in Project Environment: Customer can use the align tool (Found in the modify gallery) on vertical surfaces in 3D views. Examples include aligning the tops of walls with one another (and locking that relationship) or aligning surface patterns from adjacent walls to one another.
Align in 3D views in Conceptual Design Environment: Customer can use the align tool (Found in the modify gallery) in a very robust way in the Conceptual Design Environment. Customer can align almost any element to another element and lock the relationship. Examples include: point, line, face, edge, vertex, ref plane, level – all and any of these can be aligned to one another.

B. Conceptual Design:

Accessed through the Massing families, subprojects are Divided Surface Improvements (Intersects), Form Element Improvements (dissolve, workplane viewer, form element sketch editing), and Adaptive Components.

C. Location:

The old “Manage Place and Locations” dialog is now called “Location Weather and Site”.
The former “Place” tab is now titled “Location”, and contains a new map-based method of specifying a project’s location, as well as the exiting list-based selection method.
The former “Locations” tab is now titled “Site”; its functionality remains unchanged.

D. Repeat Last Command:

Customers can now use the “Enter” key, or Right Click context menu to repeat the last command used.
Customers can right click and view the last 5 commands used and then they can Repeat Recent Commands.

E. Guide Grids:

Customers can display “Guide Grids” in Sheet Views only by going to the “View Tab”, “Sheet Composition Panel”, Guide Grid.
There can be multiple types of Guide Grids with different grid spacing stored in the project and applied to Sheets via element properties of the Sheet.
The Guide Grid can be used to align Views placed on sheets consistently. The Guide Grids can be snapped to Grid Lines, Levels, Ref Planes, View Ports.

F. Keyboard Shortcuts:

A new Keyboard Shortcut dialog facilitates the assignment and management of hot keys for most Revit tools and commands.
New shortcuts are available immediately, without having to restart Revit.
Access: Open the dialog by typing KS (its default shortcut) highlight the tool/command, then type up to 5 alphanumeric keys, press Assign and OK; or click AppMenu > Options > User Interface > Keyboard Shortcuts > Customize.

H. Help:

Currently only working with Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default system browser.

9. Linking Files:

A. Linked Files Tagging and Reference Management:
New functionality around interfacing with linked models includes:
Tags may now be placed on elements in a linked model with the exception of areas, zones, spaces, keynotes, floor span symbols, path reinforcement span symbols, area reinforcement span symbols or the multi-tag beam annotations
Tags and face based elements which have been hosted on elements of a linked model will now be flagged and collected in a new browser which may be accessed on the collaborate tab via the new “Reconcile Hosting” command.

B. Linked Model Workset visibility and control:

Several enhancements to treatment of linked model have been implemented – These include:
Linked Revit model viewed “By Host” will set the visibility of linked model worksets which share the same name as host model worksets to the visibility of the host model worksets in that view.
In view Visibility Graphics under the Linked Revit Models tab, linked model worksets can be individually turned on or off
Linked model worksets may now be opened or closed from the “Manage Links” dialog by selecting “Manage Worksets”.

10. Sheet List

A. Creation of Placeholder Sheets:

Customer can create a sheet list and add “Placeholder” sheets to represent consultant sheets that could not otherwise be displayed in the Revit file. The Placeholder sheets have the same editable parameters as normal sheets, but do not show up in the Project Browser.

B.Turning Placeholder Sheets into Real Sheets:

The Placeholder sheet functionality can also be used to create multiple sheets quickly. When making a new sheet using the “Sheet” command the list of Placeholder Sheets is displayed – these can be multi-selected and assigned a titleblock – thus creating many sheets at once.

11. DWG Export

A. In this release improvements have been made to the Export to DWG feature.

B. You should see increased visual fidelity when export Revit files to DWG.

C. Export option for True Color from Revit to DWG has been added.

D. Export option for Text treatment from Revit to DWG has been added.
Revit Structure 2011 New Features

1. Structural – Analysis

A. Several structural analysis enhancements have been implemented – These include:

Horizontal projection from columns and beams.
Horizontal projection from the center of a wall core.
Vertical projection auto detect behavior of columns.
Vertical projection from beams.
Manual analytical adjustment of columns.
Rigid Links enhancements between Beams & Columns.

2. Structural – Beam System

A. Several beam system enhancements have been implemented – These include:
Specify Beam Direction with walls and beams.
Specify Beam Direction from an independent sketch line.
Remove the Beam System while retaining beam elements.

3. Structural – Concrete Join/Cleanup

A. Several concrete end joins and cleanup conditions have been improved for:
Curved beam.
Variable beam profiles.

4. Structural – Connection Symbol

A. Several connection symbol enhancements have been implemented – These include:

Load new connection symbol families.
Load and manage connection symbol families.
More choices for connection symbols are allowed for structural columns and framings.

5. Structural – Reinforcement

A. Several structural reinforcement enhancements have been implemented – These include:

Reinforcement for Spiral.
Reinforcement project units.
Reinforcement of Slab Edges.
Configuring rebar sets.
Additional hook bend radius for rebar.
Concrete host cover reference has configurable object style.
Concrete host cover reference visibility.
Major spacing of area reinforcement in tags.
Reinforcement with spiral rebar.

6. Structural – Slanted Column

A.Several slanted column enhancements have been implemented – These include:

Plan view placement.
Column end geometry position control when attached to a beam.
Cut column tangent to an attached structural floor.
Unattached column end cut appearance.
Beam join elevation on resized columns.

7. Structural – Truss

A. Several truss enhancements have been implemented – These include:

Bottom chord attaches to structural floors and foundation slabs
Sketch chords on attached trusses
Remove the truss family while retaining beam elements

Revit MEP 2011 New Features

1. Cable Tray and Conduit Modeling

A. Can create and modify cable tray/conduit and relevant fittings in plan/section/elevation/3D view.

B. Can add cable tray surface or point connector and conduit connector in Family Editor.

C. Can connect conduit to cable tray.

D. Can connect conduit to an equipment anywhere surface with conduit/cable tray surface connector.

E. Define bend concept for cable tray/conduit without fittings type.

F. Can schedule cable tray/conduit, fittings and run.

G. Variable radius bends for conduit/cable tray.

H. Definable conduit materials with specified inside/outside diameters.

2. Copy/Monitor – MEP fixture

A. Revit MEP now has enhanced copy-monitor features:

Plumbing fixtures, air terminals, mechanical equipment and lighting fixtures may now be copy-monitored from a linked model.
Fixtures may all be copied at once using the new Batch Copy functionality (only applies to MEP fixtures).
Fixtures from linked models may be mapped to host families or copied directly into the host project via the “Copy Original” setting.

3. Duct – Oval Duct

A. Flat Oval duct is now an option when creating duct within a project.

B. When upgrading projects Oval Duct will not be available until Project Standards are transferred from the 2011 template.

4. Electrical – Panel Schedules and Demand Factors:

A. Panel Schedule Template editing:

The preview window in the Edit Borders dialog is not repainting.
A deleted project parameter may still display in a panel schedule template until it is closed and reopened.
Multiple selection of non-contiguous cells is not supported.

B. Panel Schedule View:

The distribution system/voltage does not update dynamically.
Changes by other users are not always refreshing when using Reload Latest.
Merged cells flicker when the view is updated.
Circuits may end up in the same slot when a panel schedule is rebalanced.
Multiple selection of non-contiguous cells is not supported.
Move Up and Move Down tools are not working in Switchboard and Data panels.

C. Load Classifications:

Load Classification parameters may not display correctly when load are updated and LCs are added/removed.

5. Piping – Companion Flanges:

A. Flange content is not combined with other Fittings content, but instead can be found in:

[Revit Path]\[library]\Pipe\Fittings\Gray Iron Flanges
[Revit Path]\[library]\Pipe\Fittings\Steel Flanges

It started off with a member of the Blue Beam team leading a demonstration (via WebEx) on what changes they have been making, and to see how they have streamlined the pdf to meet the needs of many different clients from Architects and Engineers to General Contractors. (This is not your dad’s pdf creator).

She first dove into how to navigate within the Revit Plug-in that installs right inside of Revit. She then began going through the settings exploring batch plotting, page setup, and all around pdf customization that could then be dispersed to a network for any machine connected, to be able to import those setting.

Blue Beam then went into the user interface and gave a pretty thorough breakdown of how you can customize the UI to look however you please. After showing some tools and quick tricks we were then taken and showed how mark-ups can quickly and easily be tracked and later appended to for archiving and possible RFI tracking.

Our last stop was with the Blue Beam Studio where multiple remote locations are able to open the same PDF and everyone is able to make comments and mark-ups on the same view and see them in real-time as a way to show and track changes as they arise. If you missed this month and would like to learn more please comment to this post or visit http://www.bluebeam.com for more info.

As if that wasn’t enough for our second User Group back, we also had a wonderful guess speaker that is out of Avatech’s Omaha office. Mr. Dan Chapek a member of Avatech’s Civil Design team was there to demonstrate just how easily an Architect or a design professional can collaborate with a civil design team.

First, Dan started off introducing himself and showed us just what kind of info. he will typically have from a gps survey. From there he created contours so that an architectural design professional might be able to understand the existing grade. This 3D model from Civil 3d will then be imported into Revit where we will place it at the height and location of where the design building is proposed to be. After aligning our survey point to a given point by the Engineer we can then publish coordinates. Now that our building is properly coordinated to real world coordinates he exported the building model out to and .ADSK file that Civil 3d can read. Once he imported this file into his Civil 3D file he was then able to see exactly where the building was located and could then do finished grading to complete the site. It was a very good demonstration of how Civil Engineers are getting their hands on Bim.

………….and if that wasn’t enough……

A few user group members in attendance asked a few questions about laser scanning, and wouldn’t you know it Dan just happens to be Avatech’s best expert at that. Typically, the meeting is over at 8:00 p.m. sharp but a whole new topic got brought up and Dan decided to dive in for anybody that was interested in staying.

He first showed us about 3 different projects that had gotten shot with the HD laser scanner and it was impressive. He then went through and showed how another program called Cyclone can take an object with a min. 300 points located on it and translate it to a structural shape (ie w, channel, angle, etc.) or a pipe. There was a lot of interest shown in this as many practical uses were brought up as well as prices and availability.

We hope to get Dan to come back and maybe even bring a scanner with him as we explore and get more info. on this emerging technology.

The Revit Server Extension, for all three Revit products, enables users to work more effectively as a single project team over a distributed wide area network (WAN) with higher performance and efficiency by maintaining a seamlessly integrated collection of Revit central models on a single server that team members can access from local servers. 

The next tool is the Conceptual Energy Analysis tool gives users the ability to evaluate design options side-by-side based on reports that compare energy use, lifecycle costs, and breakdowns of consumption and loads. This tool is available for Revit Architecture and Revit MEP 2011.

You can visit the following sites to get more info.

For Videos:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=15731389&linkID=9243099

For Advantage Packs:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=15500544

Chris Boeke returns for a third year of trying to present information and inspiration, organizing presenters, demos, and content.  Thankfully this year he doesn’t have to do it alone.  Jess Mickle has volunteered to lend a helping hand, presenting, blogging, and assisting in organizing presenters for future meetings to come.  He comes from an extensive background of experience with the Revit software that will for sure be utilized.  Of course none of this would be possible without our partners, Avatech Solutions.  With their generosity, expertise, and available resources, RUGDM has been able to continue supporting local users with free training and networking opportunities.

Thanks to everyone who attended last night, the meeting became a great brainstorming opportunity – ensuring future topics cover those that are important to you the user.  Ranging from family creation, rendering, third party apps, and demo days, RUGDM will be able to present valuable information that will be of interest to everybody.  Make sure to check back for a schedule in the coming weeks.

Thanks again to everyone who attended.  Remember to feel free to invite co-workers, family, and friends who may be able to gain information from our meetings.  And be sure to tell them, we meet on the third Thursday of every month from 6-8pm and to contact us with any other questions.  In fact, our next meeting is October 21^st, so we’ll see you there.

Last night’s theme for discussion was the Revit Model Style Guide.  An Autodesk provided documentation package that is free to anyone who wishes to download it here.  The style guide can become the building blocks of model content for your office, and is used to provide quality model components guidelines on the Autodesk Seek Library.

When first extracting and opening the documentation package, you’re presented with an assortment of files that can overload the inexperienced user of the Revit Suites – of course you are welcomed with a Readme file that can hopefully navigate you through it all.

The core contents of the package are a group of files that help organize and manage your content building standards.  With that I’m of course talking about the Master Parameter file, Part Type list, Shared Parameter file, and the Subcategory list.  Each one brings something unique yet important into your content building process.  I will quickly highlight each one.

Master Parameter.xls: An excel spreadsheet that organizes system and shared (custom) parameters that are used in each model component.  If at any point the individual or company finds themselves reusing a certain parameter, they can add it to the list to ensure a consistent implementation across all family components to improve scheduling and production processes.

Part Type List.xls: The meat and bones behind your file naming and organizational standards.  The part type list breaks down an effective method to categorize new family components for easy identification in you content libraries.

Subcatagory List.xls: One of the road blocks with Revit comprehension is representing objects of 3D world in a 2D environment.  Visibility control becomes the most important resource that anyone can learn and understand to achieve optimum results.  This is done by Object styles and subcategories.  Using the Subcatagory list, one now has the control over each piece of their entire family on how it will appear in any particular view, but a consistent standard still needs to be upheld to ensure a uniformity across multiple families.  The subcategory list becomes your database of recognized standard object styles that are used in each type of family that will then react appropriately together when loaded into one particular project.

Shared Parameter File.txt: This really should be called the Master Shared Parameter file.  This is the file that is loaded with each project to then control those custom parameters that may be used across multiple families.  This file shares its importance with the Master Parameter spreadsheet for accurate documentation of all parameters to ensure a consistency across multiple families.  Using this “Master” Shared file, you can control the quality standards of each family by utilizing the same exact parameters that have been approved by your Quality Control team.

If none of this makes perfect sense yet, don’t worry, within the package is the Revit Model Style Guide pdf file that will walk you through the Planning, Modeling, and Testing guidelines to help improve upon your modeling processes.  I recommend this to everyone as it’s a true turning point into Building Information Modeling, along with support the theory of proper component sharing for quality, productive family creation in multiple disciplines.

Job Responsibilities:

To be in attendance for most meetings

Schedule presenters by contacting professionals around the area

Brainstorm topics and presentations

Update the website, providing tutorials or meeting minutes

If interested, contact us through the Contact Us tab.

The first matter for the evening was the reschedule of future RUG meetings.  With a January survey under wraps, RUGDM will now meet on the third Thursday of every month to allow those who’ve been unable to attend to hopefully make a future session.  This of course differs from the current schedule of meeting on the second Thursday of every month.  And as always, I’ll send out a reminder the week of the meeting to help everyone with this transition.

Building Information Modeling was again the topic of discussion for the remainder of the meeting.  With so much information to cover, each meeting we will try to tackle what BIM means to Revit and the software of choice for us Revit User Group members.

We begun the meeting going around the room discussing how Revit is utilized in everyone’s work place and project life cycles.  We posed questions like: “How are you currently using BIM?”, “What challenges have you faced regarding BIM?”, “And what was the main reason for choosing to implement BIM into the workplace?”.  Well one consensus was definitely apparent – BIM is a buzz word that is floating around and catching hold about as quickly as “Green”.  Most individuals understood what BIM was, but weren’t completely sure if they were actually using it or just saying it.  Hopefully this is something we can further clarify as our discussions on BIM progress.

To aid in the development of what BIM means to the users and their company, the Model Element Matrix was introduced as aid to help clear up some misconceptions of what BIM can and should provide.  Based off the Model Element Table in the AIA E202 document, the Model Element Matrix is a breakdown of CSI’s Uniformat to begin defining what level of detail your model will be at a particular phase in a project life cycle.  This is where productivity can be increased and money can be saved.  By specifying where efforts and expectations will be met prior to a project kickoff, everyone should and will know their roles to make a project successful.  If interested in this document, download the sample E202 and LOD_WB files from the “Box” on the front page to begin further developing this matrix to fit your project needs.

I again want to thank everyone for coming and hope we all learned a little something further about what BIM means to us as professionals and the growth of our industry.  As a reminder, the next meeting will be on March 18th from 6-8pm.  Hope to see you there!

To stay up on theses new requirements entails a restructure of contracts and stakeholder responsibilities.  Accountability becomes even more important as now roles can, and will overlap more than ever before.  So what are some precautions we can make to ensure that those expectations are clearly defined and made available to everyone involved before a project ever begins?

This is where the Model Element Matrix comes in.  With this simple spreadsheet anyone can clearly define how much detail in a project life cycle will be developed and designed for the intent of communicating the information that is only important at that particular phase.  With technology evolving to a degree that allows everyone to spend hours refining even the smallest of details, this spreadsheet will ensure that productivity is being spent where it should be.  Based off the Model Element Table in the AIA E202 document, this table breaks down a project based off CSI’s Uniformat so that each model element gets the attention it needs.

So before you have the next meeting with a client who seems to want to start implementing BIM into their next project, take a moment to review the E202 Model Element Table, download the Model Element Matrix, and compose document that will hopefully save you time and money!  Refer to the “Box” on the front page to download your LOD_WB.

Design Options is a handy tool provided in Revit that many users feel intimidated about and never take the necessary time to fully understand.  Sometimes even a forgotten tool, Design Options is exactly as it states – a tool to provide options during the design process.  This is important to keep in mind as many users go above and beyond the intentions of what the tool was meant for, even treading into areas that other Revit tools cover.  Here are highlights covered in the meeting:

• To best utilize Design Options in Worksets, use various Design Option Sets.  This will allow multiple users to work on the same project areas utilizing Design Options.
• Annotation and Tags cannot be added to Design Options, only the components.  But this doesn’t mean you can’t tag within a Design Option.
• Duplicate views for each option and set it’s visibility graphics to always display the corresponding option.
• Use Pick to Edit to quickly modify a Design Option.

Demolition graphic representation ended our conversations for the evening.  As noticed by many users, truly showing the demolition and new construction building process requires a workaround within the Revit program.  Unfortunately Revit does not display wall demolition of components placed in New Construction, so how does one display such a thing since this information would need communicated in a set of plans?  Many possibilities were discussed, and this is of course based on what makes sense to you and effective for your practice.

• Create a Wall Opening family containing information about demolition processes.
• Place this opening in the Demolition phase of a project displaying the appropriate demolition of a particular wall to match that of a New Construction component.
• Go to the Demolition family properties and  indicate it to be demolished in the New Construction phase.
• Now place whatever component in the New Construction phase.

Also, feel free to send any suggestions to RUGDM about how to improve our meetings for the future.  We’re dedicated to trying to bring the latest and most important information to our members to ensure everyone can benefit from these meetings.  With coming up on a year next month, we would like to reflect back to past meetings and identify what has worked, what hasn’t, is there something else you would like to see or continue to see.  Thanks again for all who continue to attend, and look forward to seeing you all next month.

Speaking of next month, this will be a meeting you don’t want to miss.  Not only are we covering one of the most talked about technologytopics in our industry, but we’ll have one of the most coveted, proven speakers to bring you this information.  I’m sure you’ve all heard about the AIA E202-2008 documentation.  This document lays the framework for project development BIM management expectations.  So if this sparks your interest make sure you stop by on December 10th for our one year RUGDM meeting.