Revit 13/14 Easter Egg

I never ran into the situation I'm in now with Revit 2013 that I'm in now with 2014 where a project was started in CAD (ACA version) then brought into Revit after SD or Programming Phase, but I checked & 2013 can. So pre-revit 2013 AEC content from ACA (aka:ADT) wouldn't show up in Revit so one would have to use the function to "Export to CAD". Of course, it doesn't translate the 3D info, it only shows the 2D info.

Template Strategies

My venture on revamping my current strategies to make my Revit Template more ravishingly riveting is nearing completion with just some polishing needed in some areas, but let us not count the chicks before your eggs have hatch ;) Also, be aware that the Project Template is an ever evolving entity, or like an old/high-end vehicle that needs constant TLC. That's expected as BIM is ever evolving in all aspects from modeling to the API to most importantly the Strategies implemented as I'm doing here, so my "Template" will continue to mature adapting to any nuance. Here is a List of my Strategies that I've deemed pivotal & listed in somewhat of an order of importance:
1.)Project Browser
2.)Shared/Project Parameters
3.)Object Styles
4.)Line Types/Styles/Patterns & Weights
5.)View Templates/Types & Filters
6.)Text & Dimension Styles
7.)Fill Regions
8.)Nomenclature
9.)other Settings & Content {Seed Files for standard drafting views (for code/project/partition info & details) / legends /system families /schedules}. A clean Model is a healthy Model.

Why is the Project Browser my number one? Well, work-flow is like safety at a construction site. In order to be safe for example one must tie-off  when at heights greater than 6', or like keeping the work area clean, and so on. In essence, Safety is about proper work-flows for any given task at the construction site, whether actual or virtual. So the PB is about keeping our View structure very organized to very easily & quickly browse-able to place the views onto Sheets & or just for coordination purposes. I've been fortunate enough to be like a fly on the wall (by having someone from within explaining the thought process) of a few major A/E Firm's strategy for their templates. After comparing & after having a very deep thought process of the work-flows each presented; I went with the firm that had a major influence for the creation of the USAEC Standards after having done a project with the required Template. The only Major difference from what I originally started with was that they had an extra layer of dissemination so incorporating it was more of a matter of adjusting the nomenclature. So it made me confident to see my Template "Theory" as very "Applicable"; or meaning others independently coming to the same conclusions as I ;)

There is nothing more key after the work-flow has been established than both types of Parameters: Shared & Project. This is where the cream rises to the top, where it's no-mans-land for the typical CAD Manager, lisp routines need not apply. This is why any firm getting their feet wet in BIM needs a "BIM Manager". To utilize & to produce Shared Parameters is to have been in the trenches & to anticipate the fires that may ascend to the forefront. If their is potential then you should plan for it.

Of course, Object Styles is what layering is to CAD, but better. I began with applying the N.C.S. line weights to what could apply. Then tested may instances of view types & scales to get the right balance. This not complete without having figured out all the Line Settings, & Fill Regions; which help set up your strategies for all your different View Settings that it's like having an "Ace in the Hole", because it can easily help bring life any project. Be prepared to waste plenty of paper plotting to test all those styles/theories till you find harmony. I create a Legend View consisting of all the graphic standards/styles to easily track all the settings.
As for text & dim styles, & also including fill regions having a good nomenclature strategy goes together like a hot peach-cobbler with ice-cream, or like peas & carrots. I like to use "T" to identify settings of  transparency & "O" for Opaque, or "D" for drafting & "M" for model at the end of the name as these settings/styles are important to compliment the graphics you're aiming to accomplish & or for its purpose without having to dig into the setting to analysis what is happening in the existing view. Plus, it distinguishes your standards from the ones imported by something other.

Other settings/content worth the effort my very well reflect upon the Firms culture & or project/business market types. In my case I have several Seed files (rvt files, since we are into many types of business markets) containing all sorts of system families, legends, & "Standards". It's best not to fill up the template with all sorts of system families/content, but I do try to have as much of the schedules present (especially types for QA/QC), & some I leave in the seed files to be transferred when needed like partition schedules for types to be placed under the detail info for example. Remember, having your final template between 5-10 MB is an ideal setup. It was easier when I was just concentrating on Healthcare, but now it's small retail/business, government D.O.D. branches, municipalities, clinics, office buildings, aviation & possibly hospitality real soon. So I have files for every type of system family that may apply to a business market along with their Standard Sheets used in identifying project information. So I've heard that with every new version of Revit you should created a new template or at least "Transfer" the setting/styles, but maybe it would be wiser for every 2 years take a deep look at your template strategies to see what's in the best interest from every vantage point. As Bruce Lee once masterfully said,

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

I hope this helps you go down the right path to revamping or if starting the new venture into BIM. So to find your Revit Zen, or your Yin to your Yang. I've seen plenty of Blog posts of the topics listed, but not too many about presenting all the best coherent strategies (as seen through my eyes) for the project template. If I get requests to reveal more of my strategies in-depth, then I'll gladly do so as here I think that I've really condensed it here. It's been a long journey, but of which I've just now started to "Enter the Zen" after tackling the challenge nearly 2 years ago after seeing what I used previously really wasn't meshing well in the new environment. Remember, one simply can't transplant a template or parts of it into another culture without understanding its origin, it must mesh or find that creamy middle in your own template dynamic. I'd gladly share my template, but without my Shared parameters, but the one provided by the USAEC is what I would best recommend for anyone to start with considering the warnings I just mentioned. Giving mine away would be for most like trying to put a square peg into a round hole, so go, never be satisfied & be water my friend ;)

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The Cloud & Newforma

So we were looking at having A2K host our Newforma server based on its spec requirement. Well, it's way cheaper to host it locally like under $10K (one time fee), but if by A2K then you are looking at +$7K PER year. It's a no brainer ;)

To Split, or not to Split the Model...

I've been dealing with large revit projects ever since I got thrown into the Ocean/ to the wolves/ my feet wet, etc ;) Recently I've been asked by many in my community of what are the best practices/rules & or workloads I use to splitting a model. There are many factors & circumstances that should play into whether to Split the model. My 1st rule is to complete as much of all the basic walls, windows, doors, openings, floors, roofs, & ceilings. Then if need be (+7 people in the model at an early stage) utilize as many worksets based on Regions & or construction/package type; ex. "West Wing-Interiors" or "West Wing-Walls" etc. [note: if lots of lag is happening when selecting/modifying objects early on when +7 users are in the model, then make sure your network is to snuff like having Gigabyte Switches, etc, strategies to eliminate bottle necks to your local network] I would be preferable holding off till you start CD's before the split. As for model size use the rule set in James V's book "M.A.R.A. (revit version here)" (he also gives good pointers to splitting the model in his book) as long as your x64 PC has sufficent RAM with(+12GB), then no real need, or till wait times to open a model utilizing specific worksets to open has meet its threshold (being, if it takes more than 5mins to open; check the warnings log too). At which point it's best to Split. Also, if it's a large bldg with many design options, then possibly have them as links (I've done the same for phasing) if they encompass a large enough area. A large model with many Design Options, you're either looking for trouble & or looking for Murphy. Good Journeys ;)

Exporting to AVI: The Quality vs File Size Dilemma

Till recently I had no real need to dive into the options of utilizing Codecs for an AVI file, whether it be for a walk-through or a sun study. This wasn't until Multi-Office collaboration came into play & pleasing the Project Principle in charge in a satellite office ;p (his 1st Revit Project; talk about getting your feet wet in Revit on a 1 million SF project), sending AVI files back and forth through a Corporate IM platform (we are currently testing Webex Connect in a trail phase, but have been hearing so much about Microsoft Lync that we're holding off on an official IM until we sort out our Cloud Infrastructure that will be finalized firm wide later this year, which I'm working on another post dedicated to this experience).

Encoding is a complex topic so let me provide the best site I could find to express the ends-n-outs of what I know because it's a ton of material to cover (I had a past in video encoding/converting for personal use; cough, cough, but I digress, lol). So this Link gives the overview, and these codecs below have been found to be the best codecs out there not only by me, but a sort of consensus by the masses; XVID (xvid.org,), and H.264 (Shark007)(divx.com, or h264encoder.com, which are a 2 step process involving Conversion of uncompressed data). So the easiest of the two (when dealing with possible settings) is to go with XVID. So is H.264, but depending on the two (divx/h.264), it either has too many possible settings to deal with and requires the added step of converting. In my weak attempt to find a codec version that will populate the Codec options before exporting I wasn't able to find something really "championed" by many, but if you want you can try finding something other than Shark007's Windows 8 Codec (x64). In general when exporting an "animation" in Revit with these codecs that I recommended have a limit. It's a max output resolution of 1290x1024 (Horizontal by Vertical , if either parameter passes this threshold usually your options decrease for Decompression types and or possible errors could occur.)

With XVID I recommend to use the default settings, or for any of the other provided codecs for that matter. So remember:
(image taken from a walk-through, not Solar Study) 1290 (horizontal max) x 1024 (vertical max), haven't played to see if it's interchangeable. I personally have always preferred the widescreen ratio.

 So this is what shows up after installing XVID, and SHARK007's x64 Codecs. If you're unaware the defaults in Revit are the 1st 3 listed and the last one listed.

When I tested a single day Solar Study in Hidden Line Mode as my sample from 7am-5pm in 30min intervals with 4frames/sec = ~10sec of video the file size was more than 5.5mb using "MS Video 1", and quality was very low at the highest setting; considering my history with Visualization tools. Then when Uncompressed it was just over 50mb. Finally when I used XVID the quality was as crisp as in the "view" seeing it live in Revit on your monitor at a file size nearing 0.5mb. When I used the Conversion option it was also an added 0.5mb compared to XVID when I played with the frame settings. Between Divx & H.264 conversions, H.264 wins.  When having both tools set to the highest mark Divx showed more pixelation & H.264 showing no degradation at all.

Hope this helps. Please comment on any other tools that populate the codec option (aka: Compressor) to encode the AVI file format using XVID/DIVX/H.264 codecs.

Into the BIM Future: The Cloud (aka:remote Data Center, aka: so long Revit Server)

It's semi-official, just waiting on the Final-Final projection numbers. PGAL, my employer, will be transitioning to The CLOUD that'll be managed by "Advance 2000". Many kudos to Chris & Will. It just so happens FKP, Cannon Design, HDR to name the few are also/have moved to the cloud, which is a better solution than Citrix, fewer headaches for one major reason.
What makes this move so appealing is the fact when you compare Apples to Apples (amount of bandwidth & how much you pay for it) the savings are through the Roof. For PGAL it amounts to ~50% of our IT Infrastucture of all of our Satellite Offices included. Now in our 3rd year projection (hardware replacements due to expired warrenties) we'll have 60% savings, then in the 6th year it would be 100% savings, then repeat :)
So our savings are going into tools for Productivity such as; Newforma, OpenAsset, Knowledge Architecture, Cisco's Webex Connect (firmwide IM) to name a few.
So what does moving to the cloud give us; Mobility, Accessibility, Connectivity, Productivity, Scalability to name a few things. Now with the M$ Surface Tablets (1st without a stripped down OS, but with a full version OS, aka: Windows 8) its like the missing link to full mobility with full productivity. Sorry, an iPad/Android tablet can only take you so far, and a typical Laptop has its Cons. A tablet with a full version OS has nothing but Pros when it comes to being mobile & in the field.
In the coming posts I'll be elaborating more of the benefits & how things "work" when utilizing the cloud solution (aka: the future) ;)

In search of the Holy Revit Grail: Ultimate Revit Template...WELL...close enough

In my hiatus from posting my unique BIM experiences (note: I don't like sharing my perspectives that are in any way similar to what other more popular Revit Bloggers post before me; "regurgitation" runs rampade on the WEB. I like being a Shepard, not a Sheep)  I've been all but. Directing BIM implementation, strategies, management, Project Coordination, etc for +5 offices for more than the past 2 years by myself rather than "by committee" of +5 offices (from my previous employment) has opened me up to even broader insight too much to really reflect a bit until now. Managing family life with 3 daughters (1.5, 3.75, & a 6 year old) & a management position is no easy task to squeeze an inch in of professional reflection time for the most part, L.O.L., but alas, here I am again.
    I wanted to share a little GEM for the ones' struggling because of coming too late to the BIM Party & or Unfortunate Luck of just now getting into the BIM scene. By the way...tell your Bosses they're +5 years too late & a dollar short no doubt ;p Any way to help the unfortunate ones if you go here https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/BIM you'll find Templates for all Disciplines. It's not perfect it does have a few holes/errors/omissions, but its "Core Strategy" for the BIM work-flow ranks up there with mine (from 2 years back ;). I'm putting my proverbial money where my proverbial mouth is and giving them some of my perspective. David Johnson is their point man if you'd like to give your 2 cents after reviewing the "living document" as they call it. I feel it "holds mustard" in making it into a Community Document to have a well balanced Template like the philosophies from people over at  http://www.openrevitstandards.com/  or like http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/. Also, the Client Organization I've seen produce the best BIM Standards document is from http://www.panynj-cadstandards.com/. Some people hold their IP (intellectual property) too close to their chest. How will this BIM world really progress if not by "sharing" (core religious beliefs). I'd gladly share mine...some day soon, but after I take it from a Modern Art Masterpiece (it's complicated) to a more astonishing Renaissance piece (in harmony). I take pride in my work ;)
    Being the "Lone Wolf" has had its gratification, and that's adding members to my "Wolf Pack". Seeing that "Intellectual Light Bulb" turn ON is just PRICELESS!; the So long to CAD (dumb lines) & HELLO NURSE! (smart objects) salute.
    I could never send enough thanks to Gregory Arkin over at http://bimboom.blogspot.com/. It's always a pleasure when I get a chance to speak with him, over the phone. On the agenda...BIM Cloud Solutions. There's nothing better than listening to people with "Perspective" & like-mindedness. I could listen to him & Colin Cowherd from ESPN all day ;D

How the BIM Process effects the "Studio" environment

I haven't been able to post many of my recent experiences due to the fact after having my 3rd child (3rd daughter, oh my!) and then being part of a staff reduction, then luckily finding another BIM Manager role quickly (was a miracle, thank you Lord); well, it's been a very busy the past several months. After being part of a group Implementing BIM in my previous employment, I now find myself in the same role, but sweeter. I hold the reins & their is no BIM committee slowing me down b/c I am the committee, lol. So that's a load of responsibly of having to deal with and traveling to 9 offices rather than staying at 1 location doing video conferencing previously.

The 2 Firms are structured totally different down to their mission statements. I happen to chat with an ex-co-worker recently about it, then it hit me, an epiphany of sorts. The key ingredient of Implementing the BIM process to make it a Grand success from every direction is how the "Studio" is structured & not just have everyone using BIM tools. Now I've seen it first hand from both sides and the winner is my current place of employment for utilizing Integration & Versatility.

How not to have an office studio structured to ensure a grander success....

Having your own Designers in their own "Island" & the Production team really degrades the BIM Process & in it's own hidden way hits at the "Bottom Dollar" or ROI if you will. So the Production Team is using Revit & the stubborn Designers that want to keep using CAD & Sketch-up will be their demise, but that's also a culture issue for not demanding BIM across the board. Then the more you have "Designers" going straight into designing & not learning about "reality", well, you don't have to be a Rocket Scientist to figure out the rest of that story. Now here are the results that I experienced. The Designer selects a "theory" for SD then in DD we explain the "applied dynamics" and possible issues that may affect the "desired" look they are wanting to have, then some back & forth & further studies for how the details will work; a constant zooming In & Out of the Project Lens & more effort than it should be for each design intent in every area since the "Designer" has little or no experience of the Production Process thus missing out on learning how things really come together. Just like when someone looks up the meaning of a word they will always remember it rather than someone just telling them what it is, which has to occur several times before it sinks in. I understand the argument of this approach being that to get a more "Specialized" service thus being efficient, but for BIM, pha-get-a-bout-it, as they say in NY. The front end my see "efficiencies", but it's all lost & then some moving into the DD phase as described above. So will the "efficiencies" for the Production team for this reason.

The way I'm seeing it in my current location is that SD & DD is "Steamlined" as is the Studio team, along with being "Versatile". A faster ROI if you will. So a person more geared toward Design will have the lead on "designing", but having taken part of the production process (being Versatile) will make an informative judgment eliminating so much of the back-n-forth/tit-for-tat because they will do the necessary exploratory process of how the "details" will look & not just the surface of the elements in composition. As the saying goes, "The devil is in the Details". Of course, with more experience come more knowledge, but in the world of today it's the story of the Lion vs. Gazelle. No longer are the days of being the "Toilet Architect", where you got specialized in area per area. It's all Integrated learning on the go, like the gazelle wanting to survive, you snooze you loose. So "A house is divided against itself cannot stand." (Specialized Studios), and "A family that prays together, stays together" (Integrated Studios). Now that HINTS to many other factors that are leading to Great successes that I'm noticing all around me & fewer, "elsewhere". For me it's as clear as daylight which process works best. All I wish to say to the firms with the "old school" format, keep doing what you're doing b/c your days are numbered.

So not only am I the Firmwide BIM Manager/BIM Leader, I also assist in resolving design issues, production, coordination, & utilizing Navisworks. I'm worth every penny they are paying me, lol. I feel free to fly rather than a bird in a cage.

The Missing BIM Link to getting Real BIM Bids

For Architects wondering the best implementations to set up to produce a model that will give the GC/Subs the necessary info; & for GC’s/Subs reproducing 2D-CAD DWG’s or even re-building a Revit model with their own “I” from an A/E/MEP firm & yourselves that had to get their feet wet in BIM for the first time because the Client DEMANDED it; the answer has been right in front of your face. Again it has been right in front of your face, & not under your noses or over your heads, well, maybe a little over your heads for some (doing little bim & not Big BIM). The little know fact in spitting out BIM Bids in minutes (for the GC’s with fairly advances Library of info using a “particular format”) to less than a day to the following day (for those that had that “Epiphany” not too long ago)

So what is this EPIPHANY; using UNIFORMAT Codes, plain and simple. Every time you edit a type family the Answer was staring you right  “IN DA FAIICCE” (I couldn’t resist using the reference from the Hangover, my Wolf-Pack & I never get tired of watching that, lol, but I digress…) So, just look for the parameter in the “Identity Data” Category called “Assembly Code”, nuff said.

The extent the Architects need to know Uniformat Codes is down to the first 3 Levels; anything past 4 to infinity are user defined. As for what BIM GC’s/Subs/Architects need to know if they’re still “lost in the cloud” is this:

…Masterformat tells you what the construction item is. Uniformat tells you where the construction item is. The presence of the construction item in the project defines the why. When a construction item is coded with a Masterformat number and a Uniformat number, you are given information as to what and where the construction item is. With Uniformat levels, the initial ones give you solely the where information. But as an item is assigned deeper levels, a blurring between where and what occurs and the increased detail provides the item with more and more what information. This is done by placing Masterformat numbers (or the user’s own codes) as portions of deeper level Uniformat numbers…

The feedback I’ve been getting from BIM GC’s is that “Design-Build & CM at Risk” type projects are their preferred. Now if you’re a genius or really keen on the business side of things then this short paragraph holds more within “reading between the lines” than what I’ve written in this post. To survive & be one more step ahead you must be, what Bruce Lee wisely once said when it come to Adapting, “Be Water my friend”. My own BIM Mantra, “Harness the “I’ in BIM”.

BIM Tools worth mentioning…

I first caught on to the existence of  Ideate when Steve Stafford posted an opening for them in his Revit Jobs blog. Then just a few weeks ago Gregory Arkin posted a link to Ideate’s own blog introducing its new tools.  In a way I see Ideate’s tools as bridging the gap from having to use M$ Office Tools with Revit DB Link tool down to more interaction within Revit itself.  I found that what Avatech attempted to create with “Model Review”, which Autodesk “acquisitioned” it before Avatech “merged” with Imaginit, was lacking a little more Imagination in which Ideate seems to capture from my perspective. I only wished I had these type of tools when I first started using Revit. Check out the links for these tools for yourself:

www.ideatexplorer.com or its Blog; available
www.ideatebimlink.com or its Blog; release date to be in December 2010

BIM Management Tips in a Multi-Office setting or not…

As I learn more about what’s going on in other BIG & Small firms one thing is apparent, and that is how well of an oiled BIM machine I created with my previous employer. The following are some ingredients to a “Well Oiled BIM Machine” with multiple offices.  The best philosophy I encountered is that, “we are all one firm, and not a firm of multiple offices”, and that is the key “spicy” ingredient.

As common the Network Drives should be the same in all satellite offices; Libraries, Projects, Secured Info, Departmental Info, Marketing, Training materials,  etc.  Also, usually there should be a server whose Content is used to update the Libraries of all the offices with all sorts of  “standards”  from CAD to Revit to MAX; so if the following is not the CASE it should go without saying because it will save lots of headaches & coordination issues. So in this Server there should be a Directory for the OOTB Families Autodesk provides, one from on-line downloads like from Seek/Arcat/RevitCity, and another one that are Certified to Office Standard, and finally one with Non-Certified (to be certified) along with Folders containing Project Specific Families in case those may want to be vetted  & classified as “Certified” later on.  Of course, the Project folder should have its own Families folder because every Project calls upon certain circumstances that will best be severed modifying a standard/certified family.

The best ally for a BIM Manager is to Record all training sessions using Camtasia whether it’s an in office training session or a Go-To-Meeting between multiple offices like a Lunch-n-Learn/Brown Bag Special or just a scheduled training session. That way the whole session can be stored on the network for future use of reeducation and you can then also create video clips of specific tasks discussed during the session and also used to have training manuals using hyper-links to it and also included within the Revit family, and finally also hyper-linked to the “Office WIKI” directing a user to all the office Content/Templates/Standards/Training Materials & How-To Manuals.

Next is something I just mentioned, the “Office WIKI” aka: The Office Intranet Home Site. Since I hate informing the public of things they have probably already came across (I like all my content to be “Original/Unique” to my perspective), but necessary in this case to keep it short you can go to the following Links from Aaron Maller that will get my point across: Office Wiki, Office Library

Next, is to form Committees with as many who want to attend, but with 3 Senior members per Office consisting of their BIM Managers & Model Managers (aka: Project BIM Leaders or Project BIM Coordinators) in charge of the wants & needs for their office. Then 3 members to Chair the whole Committee & having the authority to decide the final direction in a giving topic, because otherwise it’s “Death-by-Committee” . This “Model” will have the info going in both directions as well all directions from the BIM Chairs all the way down to the average user everyone is on the same page just like the “I” in BIM. Sometimes the most Clever Ideas will come from the people not competent enough to carry out what they propose, so the “Committee” can facilitate that. I recommend that in the beginning the group should meet once a week & as things get less creative then to every 2 weeks then to once a month. Also the group needs to adapt, so maybe there are times there is a meeting once every week of the month or twice a month; whatever the situation calls for.

People should be Identified in every niche of BIM that can problem solve in those areas; so if one is having issues solving a family from breaking there should be an email group for ones expert in Family Creation, for issues solving project errors, etc. Let the unusual be know & so their answers. The problem solvers should pass down their newly attained knowledge to the users as FYI emails. Don’t have anyone be afraid to send FYI’s to all the BIM Groups as issues are discovered and solved or for that matter situations.

Finally, Revitize as many standard details because the more time is spent  creating & redlining them than other items being coordinated. So now less time is spent coordinating & more adapting the details to the project.  Also, another very helpful BIM site for BIM details is from ArcXL, considering how much you’re paying the intern to build the details & a senior member who vets them for the project, it’s a very cost-efficient approach at reducing that cost.

Will Work for BIM

It looks like the firm I'm with hasn't won a “real” project in many months, therefore presenting the inevitable, less work to go around. It's hard for a big firm to win projects when others are bidding cents on the dollar, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for"; at least we kept them honest by being their Peer Review. As the other saying goes, "Life is like a Bowl of Chilli, what you do now, may Burn your A$$ later", lol. The only ones not affected were the “Designers”. Maybe I should go back into that line of work? You know it’s bad when the one’s that are left are the “cream of the crop” & they have to be let go.

So all this week I did lots of networking besides send out my resume. Just by chance a call to a fellow colleague to give him my new email (to replace my work email) & luck just happen to strike. So I'm praying daily for the opportunity to be fruitful to stay in Houston, because all my other friends have taken from 4 months to over a year to even get an interview, so I'm very thankful because I'm looking at having to move to NYC or LA to get a job ASAP with my talent. Even thou I have a family (a wife & 2 girls & one on the way) I'm fearless in pursuing avenues to other cities; you can say I have the "fortitude" (thank God the lessons learned from playing “Football” & from my Religion, I apply them well to my way of Life & Career). And as they say on the Streets, "sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, to survive".  So now with time on my hands after TCB, it's back to fine tuning my Revit Skills & praying for those calls or emails to come in. Oh, & one last thing in case nothing else pays off, I'm putting an APB that I'm for Hire & I wouldn't mind packing my bags whether you pay for my relocation or not. For me BIM "is a hell of a drug", I just can't wait to do it again, and again, and again, he he he. Peace & Hair Grease, I have to get back at learning new ways to utilize the Revit API. 

My Resume

The Revit API, the next Frontier for BIM, Part 2

I agree with "Lindsay and Parley" assessment in part 1. Where my "wishful thinking" is aiming its sights on is best describe by your comment, " I don't think however that the BIM group is large or organized enough to create TRUE open source application coding". I believe that getting the open source application coding started sooner rather than later may be more wishful thinking today, but in the near future, well you never know what the future holds. Unless a market is created for it like what Apple/ Android market did with their products where "there's an App for that" created everyday. That is where I would like the "community" (cough-cough AUGI, cough-cough Autodesk, lol) to start focusing some of their efforts towards. So yes get attention with a "paid version" (yeeaa for Capitalism), but please also release a simplified free version & or a niffty little tool along with its Code for the greater good of the "BIM Frontier".
I had to make Part 1 a little provacative so someone could get my juices flowing, and that's why I ended the post with "to be continued", lol. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I was having too many distractions. Maybe there can be a Part 3... Oh yeah, it will be outlined in my journey with the API.
So little ole me will be trying to duplicate some of the feasable "tools" out there along with my own inspirations, which I will gladly share the finer details of my journey.
Just had an idea pop in my head about "creating the market" of sorts. If Autodesk would have an open competition where the best, let's say up to five, get selected to be part of the "for subscription" only downloads. How's that for Capitalism. What say you Autodesk, and if only they would, lol.

The Revit API, the next Frontier for BIM

For the past few months I've been methodically researching & thinking (trying not to reinvent the wheel, if it's already out there) of ways to create Addins to increase workflow/productivity. I've ran into a few things from the AU classes that really pop out, which are CP322-1, CP222-2, & CP314-2. I've ran into using programs like C#, VB.Net, & best of all VSTA. The reason I concluded with using VSTA as my primary tool for building "Apps" for Revit is because it's 64bit compatability. The next runner up was VB.Net, but its flaw is that it runs in a 32bit mode & it has to jump through hoops to connect to 64bit, thus making the "Need for Speed" useless. The precursor for both of these tools are programs like C# or C++, basically any program that starts with a "C", LOL. Any Computer Science Majors out there wanting to fill me in on the origins of writing "Code", feel free to do so.
Now earlier I said the word "Apps" that comes from the term used form phone Apps market. Basically my vision for the future in BIM API is that when people begin to say if, "can BIM do this", people will start to say, "I have an App for that", LOL. The only area that I see BIM being "caged" is when it comes to "Intellectual Property" from the "Indedendent Programmers". All "I" have to say about that is, What ever happened to the "I" in the BIM philosiphy. If you're in it for BIM then you're in it to "Share Information". Of course, there are some out there that share like Jeremy Tammik that do so & "I" love seeing that, but others that develop an Addin that's like the next best thing since sliced bread keep it klinched. Now "I" understand this is "Capitalism", but we are talking about BIM here, the next frontier. What would you best be known for a "Pioneer" or just another "Capitalist" for BIM, and that's my rant, LOL.
Now the next best thing since sliced bread is using the Revit VSTA to develop your "App", which if you look at Session ID "CP314-2" it will inform you of its location. If you view "CP322-1", then you'll know the direction I'm wanting to go when it comes to the API Development (productivity) & "I" will joyfully "Share" the "Fruits of my Labor"; to be continued....

Update on DB Link - using 64bit ODBC drivers

Below is a step-by-step of using the ODBC option on Revit 2011 64bit & MS Office 2010 64bit. This is so much better than having to deal with the "SQL Server" option because of using MS Office 32bit with Revit 64bit . The only draw back I found is that since my office is using "Newforma", which is not 64bit compatible, we are held down to only using 32bit. So my current workaround is to set up a "Remote PC" using MS Office 2010 64bit to do the Export/Import process. I havn't got around to testing if we can Import from a PC that has a 32bit version of MS Office, but soon enough when my busy schedule subsides back to normal.

Step #1: Go to your Add-In Panel in Revit & click on External Tool & select the DB Link Tool

Step #2: Click on the ODBC Tab & select the "Select a new connection" & click Export

Step #3: In this Dial. Box select "New" (Creating the Data Source Name, its use could be like Per Project)

Step #4: Then select what I have highlighted "MS Access Driver" & click "Next"

Step #5: Click on "Browse"

Step #6: Then select its Location, give it a Name & Click "Save"

Step #7: Click on "Next" Then click on "Finish"

Step #8: Click on "Create" in the Database Column

Step #10: Creating the DB & giving it a Name; (the DSN could be to the Project as the DB is to a file; each file will have its own DB if you did understand that already) & click "OK"

Step #11: Click "OK", click "OK" again, click "OK" one more time & select the DSN that was started in Step #3 & finished on Step #7 & Click "OK"

Step #12: Click "OK" one last time & let the Exporting process run its course.

So when needing to Import the DB back in after Editing it from Access or a linked Excel file; from Step #2 you would select a recently used connection (representing that files DB) and select the "Edit & Import" button then an Editable Dial. Box showing the Database pops up then select "OK" & the Process will run after that & this would be the perfect place to verify changes or if by chance Access is not installed then can be Edited from there.

BIM-ology

The past year has been a complete metamorphosis for BIM (just using a refernce from one of Gregory Arkin's posts). It all started with Architectural discipline as far as 10 yrs ago. Then 3 yrs ago there was a Blip on the radar for MEP disciplines getting really started into it. Now we have come full circle. These past 18 months has been the defining moments where Contractors/FM/Owners have really stepped up to the plate (at least the smart ones). So the ones’ now looking from the outside in have their days numbered. Consider yourselves “Dinosaurs” or going by the way of the Dodo Bird, LOL, to be replaced.

More times than not too many Architects are wasting their times with “little bim” rather than seeing the “Big BIM” side of things. It seems the only groups I really see jumping on the “Big BIM” bandwagon are the Contractors who really have their business hat on firmly on their heads. Architects are a little too preoccupied thinking about Design a higher percentage of the time at the beginning than the “Bottom Line”, which is Money, Money, Money, Money….Money (Lyrics from The O-Jay’s, LOL), and only afterward does it become more apparent when starting the DD phase. I really feel that most Architects are missing the boat because of their Designers that are more detached from the BIM Process by being stubborn by not wanting to learn to use BIM tools like Revit (FYI…BIM is a Process & Revit is a tool for that Process) & leaving it to the Production Team to translate it from Sketch-up or "CAD:" or from some other BIM-abomination.

The only thing AIA has done to lift a finger or to lift a pin on BIM was to create the E202 document. Now the AGC created something even better for BIM contracts like the “ConsensusDOCS" & is out in full force providing it’s industry with a leg up on all sorts of things from BIM to Lean Construction to Green Construction. All the Architects really have is AU, the endless tangled web of the USGBC, and a few meaningful Blogs, which none really pertain to AIA; and all these resources take time to navigate through. Take for instance the AGC; they have their act more together the way they have their “AGC BIM Forum” structured along with their main site of the AGC and other Blog Forums. Just last night I navigated through all the resources I would need to go on my way of being a successfully BIM GC. As for the AIA’s resource like the AIArchitect and of the sorts it took me a good week of sifting through all the content that would make an Architectural Firm a little successful at best with BIM.

What it boils down to for me is that the majority of Architects are far away from being the Master Builders from Egyptian times to the beginning of the Modern Era. It used to be that all Architects had the influence of selecting/recommending a GC's, and now days the roles are beginning to shift the opposite way where the GC has the upper hand in influencing the Owner to select an Architect. Why you might ask; simply said their Industry is Embracing BIM at a higher rate than Architects. Designers need to start thinking like GC’s where they are very conscious of where the money is going. Something like how can I design something to Impress & save the Owner $$$ . The answer is to embrace the BIM process from the moment a concept is put into action. Maybe you should be taken back to school by “The Revit KID” (Jeff) & taught a lesson from “Revit3D” (Gregory Arkin) and then consult with the “Revit OpEd” (Steve Stafford), LOL. Just giving props to the one’s that helped me get on top; and this is another Rant brought to you by my experiences with BIM and speaking to more and more GC's adopting BIM/IPD. It's by "Intelligent Design" that the fitest survive and the ones that adapt prevail.

Build your own PC, & Save $$$ Over Time

I'm in the market for creating a "newer computer". Ever since my college years I got into building my own PC's to suite my need, "my need for speed" :P. The creed I live by is really simple; Bigger, Better, Stronger (& everything that encompasses their meaning). It's something I picked up while working as a Fitness Professional (aka:Personal Trainer, but with an applied nutritional approach) and it was great because the facilities where open 24 Hours a day, :P, but I digress.
So the main point is teaching yourself about how to build a PC, because in the long run it's cheaper by only upgrading the components that need to be at the time of a malfunction, deficiency or wanting more UMPH as Madden says, lol. For instance, the current PC that I built has been in my hands for almost 4 years that has parts that go back to 5-6 years ago (the CPU) which happens to be an AMD 64-bit Processor 2.2 GHz equivalent to an Intel 3.5 at the time; then every so often better Drives, RAM, etc... Now with Windows 7 utilizing "Ready Boost" (using solid state drives like Flash Drives for extra RAM) life is even greater.
Basically heat is the main reason performance degrads over time (so clean the PC inside and out of dust along with reinstalling the OS every 18-24 months) besides the registries of an OS. Over the years the processing speed has not gone up much, but their "intelligence" has improved like the best one out there being the "i7" (Quad-Core with Core Virtualization meaning adding 4 more virtual Cores giving you a total of 8 Cores or a Dual Quad-Core) soon to be outdone by the "i9". Just keep in mind that on average every 18 months some new technology (CPU technology) comes out.
Now there are 2 types of i7 chips 1156 (8-series) & 1366 (9-series). The higher number basically indicates an average of a +200 dollar difference when you add up all the PC Parts like the Motherboard, RAM (Double or Triple Kits), CPU Fans, Power Supply (600-800 min. watts), PC Case, PCI Cards (video cards), Optical Drives, & Hard Drives.
So for the Power Supply requirements depend on how all of the parts produce power (watts). Like for every 128MB of RAM it needs about 7watts, cooling fans under 12watts?,CPU 130-200watts, Video Cards 15-30watts, etc... The higher the performance (more $$$) of the component the more wattage it needs.
I have a friend that just bought a desktop with an i7 860 with 6GB RAM and he wrapped up the performance with Revit with one word...."Wicked!". Now that Revit 2011 is utilizing multi-thread technology to an extent it is the best reason to upgrade to speed up the "BIM Process".
Investing now to upgrade your Home PC or better yet building one & using some components from your current PC is the best time unless it's been within a year then wait those 18 months before upgrading.

Follow-Up to my DB LINK research

After trying it myself with only 1 person companywide that new something about using ODBC being in another City, which really wasn't helping. I happened to run into something as always after spending too much time thinking that you're on the verge of Inventing the Wheel you find that there was something here already. At least meaningful knowledge was gained making me a more "Valuable Asset", which is key being that the Economy is what it Is, lol. Well, the source is from Cyril Verley who I happened to loose sight of lately being so busy, lol (http://www.cdvsystems.com/) & the tool is called "CodeBook v9" or also go to (http://www.codebookinternational.com) . From the cdv site you have to Register then get access to download the videos showing you the ins & outs, but it's so worth it. Since I'm involved more with doing Healthcare Projects it catered to what I was aiming for utilizing the DB Link for.
(Soon to have a Link to DB Link User Guide here/downloadable content)


The Codebook tool is best utilized for complex building types otherwise using DB Link with just M$ Access/Excel is a Great tool in general; & on a side note after beta testing MS Office 64-bit version with the Revit 2011 Beta 64-bit you'll be able to modify more parameters faster than tediously using the Revit Schedules updating a field at a time and waiting for each field to update the model & other settings that you would have to manuver through Revit to update.

My next challenge is learning more about utilize Revit as a Designer to teach most of the Designers the ins & outs/tips & tricks instead of using Sketch-Up, yuck. The good news that I'm seeing is that with every new release it's becoming more appealing to my Designers. The major hurdle is getting the OK to upgrade their hardware. Come on Economy, LOL.

Reaching the "ZEN" of Revit; aka: The Power of the API

Since my last Post it's been a busier time than what I thought it would be thinking I would have contributed more posts, LOL. Working on a Large Semi-BIM Project (MEP was the non-BIM member) I thought since it's BIM fewer RFI's right, but I think the Contractors got smart & said Let's make it a Fast-Track type Project so the likelyhood of having Holes of Info is greater, LOL. (In the beginning the Pressure is on the Architect, but it's sweet because we get the last laugh because towards past the middle it all starts to fall on them to perform.) Tho there has been a plus of 800 RFI's & over a 3rd of which they failed to fully coordinate all the DWGS on there part (telling them to Refer to the latest Revision of the Sheet or Refer to Sheet so & so Dummy or that it no longer applies due to changes in a P.R., LOL) so technically the "Real RFI Count" is closer to the 400's or less taking away the "confirming RFI's" regarding meetings. They tried to have a Case built up just in case they tripped and fell behind schedule to say the we are delaying them because of the many RFI's that are past due (they complaint if even 1 RFI went past due saying it's delaying them, but how is asking a ? over something that they know it will be resolved when issued on a Scheduled date delaying them and not in the current scope of building it till it's issued?), but that ain't happening, LOL. And that's the Rant for today.

The more I have immersed myself in the world of BIM I have had an apiffany of sorts. Now that I see the majority of Users are getting more comfortable & confident in there abilities. Recollecting when I was an Athlete in the best shape I was always looking for the little things to improve my technique/skill/abilities by looking for the new age workouts/equipment that would give me that edge. So this is what I'm getting at with the API being that think that will aid in that improvement, and in this case it's Time rather than technique/skill/abilities. As the saying goes "Time is Money" or as an Athlete every little "inch/extra step/split second/or as Madden says UMPH" counts.
So I'm starting to visit all the API Blogs & AU Classes. The AU Class that Poped out to me that I can relate most to is the class CP304-2. He has his own blog @ http://jasongrant.squarespace.com/. Basically because I'm in his shoes right now when he was looking into developing tools throught the API & being someone on the Production Team & not a "Techy" so to speak. So check him out.
Right now I'm looking into utilizing the DB LINK tool as much as possible (beta testing M$ 2010 64-bit ODBC drivers with Revit) then developing any API tools to accommodate our workflow & or ones that we can implement into our workflow. So in the coming weeks I'll share some of that experience. Learning C#, VB.net, VSTA, OH MY!

Rules to Follow or Follow the Rules

It's been one busy month & a half with deadlines every 2 weeks & on top of that having to move into my new home doing new paint, replacing carpet, accent lighting, refinishing the "original" wood flooring, & landscaping of half an Acre (Colonial Style Home)...I'm getting tired just recalling all I've been doing...LOL

Things I’ve started to notice more while in the “Trenches” & assisting an Interiors Project (a 500K SF Project); that everyone should keep from getting out of hand & some other things I just want to point out apart from the standard knowledge.

1) Too many “Junk Families” or duplications/extra that need to be refined to 1, 2 or 3 – Remind everyone on the team BIM Leaders are in charge of “approving” families to be incorporated in the files or to create more family types, or to be informed if the one creating it is deemed to be competent enough to do it on their own.

2) Also I’ve noticed “Fake Tagging”; Inform “Greenhorns” of no faking at all costs, CREATE “NOTE BLOCKS” INSTEAD. A BIM Leader should be consulted.

3) (for when Match-lines need to be slightly different in each floor) Match-lines in each level file should be set to Floor to Floor & not to Unlimited; it will be less of a hassle when dealing with Atrium spaces that require other files from different levels to be linked in.

4) Avoid “in-place, walls” as much as possible (for better wall joints); if a niche then minimize it to that spot & not the whole wall or use the Wall Opening Tool & create a wall type to have the desired depth of the niche. Model Graphic styles should be set to “wire frame” unless there are special circumstances for floor/area/enlarged plans; & detailed blowups using detail components should be set @ “hidden line” mode.

5) If a file gets corrupted only “BIM Leaders” should be the ones’ resolving the issue, or if anything goes wrong a “BIM Leader” should be involved & not just informed of a decision/action performed to make sure it’s done correctly. I’ve seen different cases where people thought they were competent enough to handle it & the issue wasn’t resolved correctly & a BIM Leader still had to handle it anyway.

6) Providing CAD Backgrounds to Non-Revit Consultants; don’t spoil them or pamper them; simplify the exporting process for you as much as possible on a Multi-Revit file Project & give them 1 hard copy of our ARCH dwgs for them to Coordinate.

7) Best Rule to Follow so Not to Shoot Yourselves in the Foot: Let the “BIM Leader” (with consultation of a BIM Manager/Leader & “some Input” from a PA & or PM with “enough” Revit Experience) decide on how to do any File Management - creating more files to link/Revit Schedules, worksets, families, what could Possibly be done in CAD if a Situation presents itself & (coordination of Dummy Sheets), etc, etc… a PA or PM should not also be a BIM Leader (they have Bigger fish to fry) because it spells disaster for when it comes to maintaining the files.

8) It’s the BIM Leaders job duty to coordinate Any Data between files, let them deal with the process.

9) After each deliverable it will be wise to have a brief “Revit meeting” to discuss issues encountered & their solutions no matter how insignificant so others can learn from it to increase their skills & to also reinforce the “Best Practices/Standards” (practices/standards of (Company Here) & of Revit) especially for the “New Team Members”, because of special circumstances in the Project, some deviations from best practices may be in effect.

10) If someone from another Office will be assisting, Isolate them to an Area that no one else in the team will “touch”. Dept/Area/Floor/View Types like walls are to floor plans & ceilings are to RCP’s & most wall components are to elevations. That way they won’t have to waste time waiting on a S.T.C. from someone on the team.

11) “Custom” & or Complex millwork/casework as families rather than “in-place families” is a good idea. “Management”

12) ALSO, the burning question most asked in all firms making the transition to Revit;
Q: “Who will be the most successful in Revit like the ones’ in CAD”
A: The Ones’ that know how all the Pieces of a Building come together & not just know how it’s supposed to “look on paper” – just because someone is a wiz in CAD doesn’t mean the same success in Revit; & the ones’ more software Savvy or inclined to learn new Software will have some success depending on their Building knowledge.

13) Remember: BIM Leaders are the first line of defense to “enforce” standards/best practices.

14) Remind Team Leaders that are more CAD oriented (still working on other CAD projects) & still new to Revit to pick-up on the Revit Terminology & Practices; they need to always be thinking in 3D when “Redlining”, so that the more experienced Revit production team with terminology (BIM Greenhorns, Annotators, Modelers, & Leaders) will have less confusion & questions to verify or even for the new Interns that may not be that savvy.

15) TIP: if you need to move a view to a different sheet have the 2 sheets open, then in the Project Browser in the Sheet Folder Expand the Sheet to see the views within; click & drag the desired view to move to the sheet in the Browser then move the Pointer to the sheet you are wanting to move it to & you’ll see the ghost outline of the view around the pointer ready for placement.

16) One should create an Official Job Duty List for the BIM Production Team so who’s ever Deemed to whichever of the 5 skill levels to concentrate more on those duties than to where more Hats than they should unless they are getting ready to up their skills, so to create less problems. ((the 5 Skill Levels: 1) BIM Greenhorn 2) BIM Annotator 3) BIM Modeler 4) BIM Leader 5) BIM Manager))

17) Create a Do’s & Don’ts list or a Lessons Learned list for BIM Projects to have all leaders in a project to read over, let’s not trip over the same Rock. So an accumulated List of Best Practices (32-bit & of 64-bit) & of “Do’s & Do Not’s” (AKA: Lessons Learned) (32-bit & of 64-bit).