Revit OpEd: Reset Shared Coordinates

Revit OpEd: Reset Shared Coordinates: There isn't an easy button to just eliminate shared coordinates in a project. You can move the Survey Point back to the same spot as th...

Grumpy Muppet Returns: More Terminology Confusion

I have previously written about the lack of terminology consistency in Revit. This slows the understanding of certain Revit topics. Makes me wonder how this terminology is translated into Revit in other languages. Many around the world will just use the English version, but would some of you who use Revit in another language let me know how the different versions of Revit are translated? You can comment below or send me a Tweet @jaypolding

Site/Coordinates Naming

The Level Type Property 'Elevation Base' reads the opposite of what I would expect.

If I change the Project Base Point to an elevation of 100' and change the Level to reference the Project Base Point, the Level will read 0'. But if I change the Level to read the Survey Point the Level will display 100'.  On top of this, changing the Survey Point Elevation has no visible effect on the Level.

Worksets

Editable Yes.
This means that it is NOT editable. Try explaining that the first time! I know, it refers to the Workset only being Editable by the Owner, but it IS confusing.

11 Names for a Family:
http://revit.blogspot.ca/2010/09/revit-translation-naming-families.html

General Naming Rant:
http://revit.blogspot.ca/2013/10/grumpy-muppet-revit-terminology-and.html

Edit Sketch
Floor: Edit Boundary
Roof: Edit Footprint
Wall: Edit Profile
Railing: Edit Path

Could Autodesk consolidate all of the above into one button which says "EDIT SKETCH"? Because that is all you are doing.

Top and Bottom of Stuff

These could also be standardized:

Walls: Bottom/Top Constraint
Floor: Level
Roof: Base Level
Beams: Reference Level
Stairs: Base/Top Level

ORUG Meeting, Feb 6

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Proving your designs are sustainable.

Verifying radical sustainable design strategies using Revit, CFD and other tools.

The purpose of this event is to connect and discuss the issues and topics that affect us.  On February 6, 2014 we will look at how to prove your design is sustainable.  The industry is going ‘Green’ yet the majority of what is being constructed seems to be performing in the opposite way.  We will discuss radical sustainable design strategies using Revit, CFD and other tools.

Agenda

Welcome and Update
Guest Speaker Mark Drieger of ATA Architects
Addressing the SB10 Building Code Energy Requirements
Appetizers will be served throughout event

This event is proudly sponsored by:

Dates

February 6, 2014

Times

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Prices

Free Admission

LocationThe Brazen Head Irish Pub (map) 
165 East Liberty St.
Toronto, ON M6K3K4

Register

Register

Creating Contract Admin Sketches-Revitdialog

I've yet to find a good alternative to the following workflow for Contract Admin. Little tip, use a Solid Fill instead of a Masking Region for desired effect on titleblock. Please comment on this...

Thanks to Chris from Revitdialog for this blog post...

Managing the Contract Administration Phase

....Two situations can happen during the Contract Admin phase, 1. A view that is already part of the bid documents needs to be modified in some way.  Think, more information – not a change in design – which is similar but different.  2. The contractor is hinting that a view that doesn’t exist in the bid set should be provided.

Regardless of the situation the work flow is the same.  Modify or create your view.  Put on a sketch titleblock that has a mask in it.  PDF / DWF the view.  Send to contractor.  There is this notion that you have to save each and every sketch that goes out of the office in the Revit environment.  I don’t see the need and it just complicates things.  You’ve already archived the bid set.  You already have a PDF / DWF snapshot of your changes.  Are you afraid that, the less than 1% of the time, you’ll have to go back and modify a view that was already issued?  It’s not that difficult to add the titleblock again.  I’ve automated mine so it requires very little effort.

Another question came up that had no resolution within the session.  How do you number the sketches?

You really have two ways of doing it.  The traditional way of naming them ASK-001, 002  ect.  Most are familiar with that naming method.  I would add an additional parameter field in the titleblock cross referencing what it was issued for (Site Instruction, Change Order, etc).  Makes things a little bit easier.

Another method I found to be beneficial is to document how it was issued, as my starting point.  So if I was at the 100th Site Instruction, I’d name my sketch sheet SI100-A01.  If I was issuing out a change order, it would be CO005-A01.  If you ever picked up that document off a desk, you knew immediately how it was issued.  Warning – those with severe OCD might not like that method.  In that case, you might be stuck with the previous method.

Modify what you got.  If you don’t have it, create it and put it on a sheet.  Add your titleblock and then PDF / DWF your sketch.  Send it to the contractor.  Go have a beer because your model is up to date and you did the least amount of work possible to keep the construction beast fed and moving.  Repeat. Read the full blog post here.