Shipping Delays for Revit 2009

Although Revit 2009 started shipping on April 15 it seems that here in Ontario there have been delays. Most should start recieving DVDs next week. In the meantime here are some links if you wish to download it:

Revit Architecture 2009:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=11017599

Revit Structure 2009:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=9281007

Revit MEP:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=9262907

Revit 2009 Shipping Dates

An update on shipping dates for the entire Revit 2009 line of products:

April 15, 2008

Area Program Technique

Below is a very useful technique from one of our committee members, written by Sheena Sharp...

A new program can be really daunting, but while I was first exploring REVIT, I noticed the area calculations and became intrigued. So I imported several AutoCAD floor plans of an 85,000 sf hospital that we were renovating into residential suites. I originally had the intention of building walls until I discovered that walls were not necessary to perform area calculations, so I could do preliminary area calculations without building a model, and with area features that are far more powerful than AutoCAD's.

It works like this:
1. Load the AutoCAD drawing in, one floor per level.
2. Go to the "Room and areas" menu and select "area plans".
3. Select "rentable" and the level you want to create. Note that there is now list of "area plans" under views. (I would recommend not creating exterior walls)
4. Select an area plan, and draw a bounded are using the Area boundary tool.
5. Next select the "area" tool which allows you to place an area tag in the centre of the bounded box.

Voila, you have the area calculated. You will find that REVIT is far more forgiving about closing areas: close is good enough. Also, each room is not a loop, as in Autocad, but a boundary forms the boundary for two rooms. Move the boundary and notice how the calculations change.

But the real power is in the schedules. Go to the "view" menu and choose schedules, Areas, Rentable. As an example, when you are starting out, you may want to keep track of the percentages of area assigned to rentable suites and those assigned to circulation and mechanical spaces.

To create that schedule:
1. Right Click on the area element (move the cursor until you see and "x" in the area and right click)
2. Change the name to something that you want to track.
3. Create a schedule in the view menu, and choose the name, the area and the count.
4. Create a calculated value called Percent, click percent, and choose OF area BY grand total.
5. In the sort by tab, choose Name, grand totals and deselect "itemize every instance"
6. In the format tab, select area and then click on the "calculate total box. To the same for Count and Percent.
7. Click OK.

The different "names", are sorted and summed. No more transferring areas to a spreadsheet. No more recalculating when an area changes. In addition, there is a really nice feature to colour the drawings. Go back to the Room and Area Menu and select area colour scheme. Insert it on to the area plan. Select it and then "edit colour scheme" on the options bar. You are able to change the colours, and the variable that is used on the legend. (For the above example, choose "name"). Again, voila, a presentation-ready plan.

I have moved on to creating multiple area analyses, in the same project. You do this by going to the view menu and choosing "new", "schedules". Click on Areas: rentable and rename the set of schedule. You will now be able to create an entirely separate set of area plans with different boundaries.

I recently moved on to using area schedules to keep track of the variance between the program areas and the proposed areas. This is done using the "key schedule" feature. The key schedule has one field which is a "key". When you assign a key name to a room, the key schedule information like "existing area" and "proposed area" is transferred to the new room. Use a calculated value to calculate the difference between the plan area and the proposed area. Even if you decide to delete that room, or change it to another function, the original program information is not lost.

Although I am getting much more comfortable at creating models and presentations, the area calculations remain my favorite part of REVIT for fact that they remove the tedious nature of one of the important tasks of initial design.

March 26 Meeting Minutes

Thanks to all 50 in attendance for participating in our meeting. We had some very interesting presentations and discussions. Here's a brief review of our evening...

Theme: The BIM Model: New Concerns and Opportunities

The BIM Model- Liability Conversation

The BIM Model- “Printing” a Tactile 3D Model

Charles Simco
Shibley Righton LLP
T: 416.214.5265 F: 416.214.5465

E: charles.simco@shibleyrighton.com

7:00-8:00 The BIM Model- Liability Conversation

Charles was interested in coming to our meeting to learn about this emerging technological change in our industry. As a Toronto Litigation lawyer, Charles defends architects against professional liability claims and also practices construction law, commercial litigation and employment law. Charles made the point that legal practice always has to catch up with technology. Adapting Client/Architect Agreements to BIM technology is another example of that. Only the 2D hardcopy documents are currently the ‘contract documents’ unless this is otherwise specified. Charles reviewed a sample disclaimer. It is basically saying that if the 3D model is to be used by anyone other than its originator, he or she cannot be liable for its content.

Some audience questions...

Q: What happens if the 3D model is the contract document?

A: This should be addressed in a specific contract.

Q: What happens when multiple architects and consultants have different responsibilities in the same model? Who owns the model, who takes responsibility?

A: Same principles apply now as did in the past; keep good records ie. save time stamped hard and electronic copies throughout the process.

Linking Revit files is a clear way of working between consultants without accidental changes.

Revit does provide a very coordinated set of drawings and model which may reduce errors.

Charles mentioned that we can't anticipate every issue that MAY come up. He hasn't heard of 'BIM' being a key issue so far in a lawsuit.

Questions for further discussion:

Q: You can always agree to provide a client with the model but can a client demand it after the fact and there be no coverage under the province licensing acts?

Q: Frank Gehry's 3D contract available?

8:15-9:00 The BIM Model- “Printing” a Tactile 3D Model

Allan M. Agard

Branch Sales Manager
Entire Imaging Solutions Inc.

317 Adelaide St.Toronto, ON. M5V 1P9

Ph: (416) 593-5701

Cell: (416) 710-6448

Fax: (416) 593-5665

aagard@entireimaging.com

Saima Elahi

3D Model Sales Representative

Entire Imaging Solutions Inc.

Office: 905-673-2007 Ex. 240

Cell: 647-296-8725

selahi@entireimaging.com

Entire's 3D modelling advantages are: speed and accuracy

A condo sales office can be opened months earlier using this service.

Entire is also a 2D print shop and committed to working with ORUG to iron out printing issues from Revit.

If you have problems printing contact jpolding@cadmicro.com and we will get the ball rolling.

Domenic from IBI (pictured below, left) shared his experiences working with Saima from Entire on various 3D models.

Models are either powder or polymer
Can be made any size but may need several pieces

Problems with the design (ie. structure) can be discovered early on in the 3Dprint process.

You can purchase Google Earth terrain for most of Canada, import into Revit, design your building(s) and then 3D print it.

The new FBX export from Revit to 3DStudio will really help cut down the time that Entire would have to spend on the model.

Nine lucky people won scale models of the beautiful building pictured below...

Ballpark pricing for the model picture above:
Small(6"x6"x3"): $800
Medium: $2000
Large(24"x36"x8"):$5000

Thanks again and if you have any comments or suggestions please contact Jay Polding at the email address above.

NOTE:

Ballenford books – a one-of-a-kind architecture bookstore in Toronto in Mirvish Village – is sadly closing its doors. If you ever venture to try to find architecture books at Chapters, only to discover a wee little section in the corner, then you’ll see the importance of an architecture/design-dedicated bookstore like Ballenford’s. Please forward this to any or all of your architecture friends and get them to buy some books! If we can’t save the store, then at least we might get great books at discounted prices out of it.

Welcome New ORUG Divisions

Welcome to the ORUG MEP and Structural divisions. These both will contain relavent technical and industry articles. John Wong will be heading up the ORUG MEP. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing components are key to the BIM model. This is a key component to fully test our buildings before we build them.

John's Bio..
John Wong, BScE. is CAD MicroSolutions’ resident MEP (Mechanical,
Electrical, Plumbing) Engineering Applications Specialist.
After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Queen's University, John worked for a top mechanical/electrical
consulting engineering firm in the Greater Toronto Area. He
applies his industry-specific experience to AutoCAD MEP, Revit
MEP, and the Integrated Environmental Solutions

Great Revit Learning SIte

This site is great for finding help on almost anything! Many common questions are answered.

FYI, some of the info is a little outdated. Still good though.

March 26 Meeting Details

Date: Wednesday March 26, 2008

Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Location: Alice Fazooli's, 294 Adelaide St W, Toronto ON, M5V 1P6.

Click here for map. For those taking the TTC, it is conveniently located near both Osgoode and St. Andrew stations on the Yonge-University-Spadina line.

Content: The BIM Model: New Concerns and Opportunities

Liability Conversation
This portion will be an interactive, moderated discussion with Charles to discuss industry concerns about legal liabilities and the BIM model.

Charles Simco - Shibley Righton LLP Charles has been recognised as an expert in the practice of Construction law and professional liability. He has been invited to speak about a variety of topics relating to his expertise at various legal and construction organizations.

Printing a Tactile 3D Model
Allan and his Technical Expert will discuss big picture reasons for using 3D printing as well as technical procedures. He may also offer free services as a giveaway.

Allan M. Agard - Entire Imaging Solutions Inc.Using 3D CAD files, Entire has been providing professionals with the highest quality digital 3D colour replication models for the past 36 years. Customization is provided to meet the specific needs of every client. Models are produced in days.

If you would like to become an ORUG member or attend this meeting as a guest, please contact Jay Polding at jpolding@cadmicro.com.