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”.