Why is the large project workflow broken?

We along with so many others are forced to occasionally break out our largest projects into separate files.  Either because of amount of team members (more than 5 and the file slows down) or the file size (x64 can only do so much for you).  So the breaking into separate files has been the recommended workflow for as long as I can remember.  So why is it so broken?  Let’s take doors for example:

1. Filter by Level

Our projects have hundreds to thousands of doors, therefore it is impossible to have one door schedule to fit on a sheet but numerous door schedules which spans multiple sheets.  So the logical thought is to break by level through filters but this is not an option when I enable “Include Elements in Linked Files”.  Even if I started the linked file from the active and it is exactly the same level.  This seems ridiculous and makes one second guess the accuracy of reporting from multiple files.  To resolve this we have two options.  One is to hope that the door numbers start with the level number. i.e. Door 101A is on the 1^st level.  Then you can filter by the number begins with option.  If not, you must rely on a method of manually entering a shared parameter in both files but what happens when someone makes a mistake on data entry or misses one?

2. Keys from Key Schedules Disabled

We use Key Schedules to control numerous aspects of the door schedule.  Key Schedules are great since it helps provide more consistency to a project or the office.  So why when I enable “Include Elements in Linked Files” does it disable my ability to select the keys in the active file?  I need to either go to the door or have an additional duplicate schedule to make my changes that does not include the linked files.

3. To/From Room Disabled

This has finally been fixed in 2012 but the tagging rooms and room functionality for links has been broken since the beginning.  I am pleased to see this finally but wonder why it took so long?  I would love to see a release of Revit that fully focused on legacy issues that have driven everyone nuts for years and years.

Unless there is a change that will magically allow us to have one file, just fix it!  I understand the desire to expand the options and future functionality but we have not forgotten the legacy broken tools and workflows.  I hate to be training someone and be asked why this or that does not work because I can only respond with “We have told them but nothing has ever been done.  It has always been that way and may stay that way.  I guess we just need to deal with it.”

Autodesk University Sessions to Check Out #AU2011

Two readers had told me their AU classes and while I should have put this up sooner, better late than never.  Both of these are Revit Structural classes but I have found that there is something to be gleamed from any discipline as long as they are great sessions.  These two guys are good at what they do and I think they will be great leaders at Autodesk University. Registration is suppose to open today.  Sign up soon since the great sessions fill up quick.

SE4254 – You Want Design? Structural Engineers Can Do Functional Graphics in Autodesk Revit Structure Too!  Allan Brown 

His explanation below really showcases something that every discipline user of Revit struggles with.  How do you graphically show what has been reviewed and what needs work.  I have looked over Allan’s handout and he already has an impressive start to completing the handout and information for the presentation.

The idea of the class has really came around from working with design teams and even internally and how we communicate with each other. How do we let each other know what elements have been designed or what has not, how do we know when people have tweaked the analytical model, have users assigned structural elements to the correct reference levels, how do we tell what is constrained and what is not. These are things that more times than not users do not provide graphical feedback so other users can understand how the model has been built and what level of completion it is at. The other idea is how to manage design, not everybody round trips through analysis models, a lot of people still work from design overmarks, so how do we convey that from within the model? What I've tried to do is create something that's very basic in nature to create, but can provide you a wealth of information that aids not just other design team members and anyone you are worksharing with, but it also helps yourself keep track of the model.

SE3520 - Modelling Concrete and Steel Projects using Revit Structure Graham Stewart

Anything that has to do with best practices and project setup is very beneficial since a good start will help assist in having a smooth project.

This class is designed for structural engineering professionals with beginning or intermediate experience in Revit Structure. This class will cover a combination of best practices on how to model in Revit Structure, including project setup, using scope boxes and filters, various types of schedules, and general modeling principles. Attendees should have general Revit Structure knowledge

AB4564 – Autodesk Revit for Presentations: Graphics That “Pop” Jason Grant

Don’t forget to check out my session.  Here is the description and a little teaser video for you.

This class will focus on the art of a drawing and how entourage, tweaking settings, and not using Revit out of the box can add "feeling" to your drawings rather than just displaying your walls, doors, and windows. Focusing on using Revit as your main presentation tool and output, we will explore how techniques that are applied using other graphics and modeling software can be mimicked within Revit to create a more efficient workflow as well as drawings that will impress. Custom families and settings will be shared.

Mosaic Project, 123D Sculpt App and Pixlr-o-matic App - Three New Developments from Autodesk

Mosaic Project

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/mosaic/ Mosaic Project is interesting and holds a lot of potential but I don't know what the goal is exactly.  It seems like it will be a place to pull together all of your Revit interests into one place.  Except, there is no real ability to customize where it is pulling information.  There are some great blogs listed but that list only contains about 10% of what I follow for just Revit and BIM related blogs.  The videos only look to the Autodesk channel on YouTube but if a company were to use Mosaic for their employees then they would most likely want to also have this pointed to their own content also.  You can also add the Autodesk discussion groups but not AUGI and Revit Forum.  The Revit Facebook page is on the page but no sign of twitter (#Revit).  So, it is a great culmination of some Autodesk sources with a few other blogs sprinkled in but not enough customization to be a place I can reduce my searching efforts. 

123D Sculpt "Free" (For a Limited Time)

http://123dsculpt.com/ This is a really interesting app which showcases what the future of free form modeling may be.  It is very similar to clay where you can add material, remove material and smooth but you don't get dirty.  Will be interesting if we have the ability to export the mesh at some point.  Tom with Inside the Factory had similar experience as I did when I first tried it.  Not as seemless as the video below portrays at first but I can see if I spent a few days on it then I could know the ins and outs and create some cool models.  Ohh and freaky app icon... I would suggest changing that.

Pixlr-o-matic "Free"

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixlr-o-matic/id450263811?mt=8

I have had some stability issues with the app closing unexpectedly but otherwise there are some cool effects and borders that can be added to an image.  You can save the altered photo or post on Facebook.

Blazing Fast Revit Renderings - Project Neon

Autodesk Labs has released Project Neon for Revit, finally.  I think this just happened unless I somehow missed it but I had to drop everything and try it.

First go to the labs site (Project Neon) and download your installer to add a Web Services tab to Revit 2012.

Choose Render Online and Sign In 

Pick your settings.  Ok... so who actually will use draft?  You won't after you hear how long the best rendering took. 

Go online by clicking My Rendering Gallery within Revit.  Check the status of completion here or wait for them to email you when it is complete.  You go here to re-render with other settings and downloading the image.

Final Rendering took 4 minutes with the Best option.  As I write this, my not too shabby computer has been rendering the same image with the same settings for 30 minutes and it is only 20% complete.

Crashed your computer, Now no Revit License

This might be the same for Revit 2012...

One day we lost power at the office and a handful of computers were not able to get licenses for Revit 2011 after they got back online.  We have also seen this a few times when someone just randomly crahsed their computer. The users get a general license error and uninstalling/reinstalling Revit usually does not work in fixing the issue. Solution is easy though if you know the right place to look.

Solution:

Rename this file: CascadeInfo.cas

On the next launch of Revit, a new CascadeInfo.cas will be created. Below is the location of this file:

XP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\AdLM

Windows 7 - C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdLM