Using Revit as a Team. Use Same Builds.

When using Revit on a project, make sure everyone on the team is using not only the same version, (2011, 2012, etc), but the same build number as well.  The build number can be found by clicking on the question mark pull down in the upper right corner, and click the About button….

From there, you’ll see the splash screen of the version, and the build.  The first 4 numbers in the year the build was released, (2010) The next 2 are the month of the release, (09-September), the next 2 are the day of the release, (03-third).  The last four are the actual build number 2115, and the service pack number is new to the newer versions.  Might not be shown for earlier versions.

 

I’ve seen fatal errors in Revit when teams are using the same version, but different build numbers, and users are syncing their builds local file to the central file, and the central file is receiving updates from multiple builds, when there have been some changes to the software code, and there is a discrepancy  between two items, one new version, one old version, and Revit doesn’t know what to do. 

In order to make sure everyone is using the same build, everyone should be using the latest build.  For 2011, its build 20100903_2115 Web Update 2 Service Pack.  For 2012, it’s build 20110916_2132 Update Release 2.

Project Spark - A future Revit LT?

Project Spark is a technology preview of a new future Revit Architecture (BIM) solution. Using Project Spark, building professionals can create designs efficiently with real-world building objects, produce more reliable documentation faster, and share files with consultants using Revit or AutoCAD-based products.

Project Spark looks like a striped down version of Revit and does not support conceptual design, analysis, rendering, advanced collaboration, and API.  It may turn out to be a Revit LT version of sorts.  I would guess they would come out with all flavors of Revit, but they are only testing the architectural version.  MEP and Structural hopefully would be available when released.
Currently, you cannot open Revit Architecture or Revit MEP 2012 in Project Spark. Files created in Revit are not supported in Project Spark. However, Revit 2012 files can be linked into Project Spark.
You also cannot open Project Spark files in Revit Architecture or in Revit MEP 2012.  Because Project Spark uses a newer Revit file format, it is not currently possible to open files created in Project Spark with Revit 2012.

They're looking for feedback on the overall concept, usability, and learnability of the product.

You can download the preview here.


You can view the tutorial here

Easily share your BIM with eTransmit for Revit

Here is a snippit from Autodesk Lab's website...

With eTransmit for Revit, you can:

• Copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder for internet transmission. This removes the typical error messages when you copy central files using the operating system.
• Locate dependent files automatically and include them in the transmittal folder, reducing the possibility of error. All dependent files are automatically converted to use relative paths to ensure that the dependent files can be located by the model.
• Choose to include related dependent files such as linked Revit models, CAD files, DWF markups, decal images, and external keynote files. You can transmit any Revit (.rvt) model that has been upgraded to Revit Release 2012.
• Transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing. eTransmit for Revit will also work with non-workshared Revit models.

Common uses for eTransmit

• Internal archiving
• Sending deliverables to clients
• Model exchange between consultants/partners
• Model cleanup
• Sharing models between disciplines

Availability

The technology preview will operate until December 31, 2011.

More on the Revit Server Extension

To get a better idea about Revit Server, check out this video from the Revit Clinic Blog

http://revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/10/10-things-to-know-about-revit-server.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Ftherevitclinic+%28The+Revit+Clinic%29

Bell & Gossett products now available in Revit format

ITT Bell &Gossett (http://www.bellgossett.com/) announces a new extensive online library of 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) content files in Autodesk(R) Revit(R) 2010. A total of 113 Revit families and 5,252 types have been created for the following HVAC product lines: Pumps: VSX, Series 1510, 1531, 80, 80-SC, 60, and 90 Pump Accessories: Suction Diffusers & Triple Duty Valves Engineered Specialties: Rolairtrols and B&D Expansion Tanks U-Tube Heat Exchangers Bell & Gossett contracted with CADworks(R), one of two certified Autodesk Content Network providers in the world, to transform its HVAC product drawing files into Revit families, which are parametric components that serve as the basis for all designs. Users can select the files directly in Autodesk Revit with a one time download of the Bell & Gossett Content Module at http://www.cadworks.net/bellgossett and picking the appropriate models from the Content Library.

Benefits of the Bell &Gossett (www.bellgossett.com) Revit content include: Easy access to integrated content in Autodesk Revit, eliminating the need to search and download files from external websites Fully certified content created by CADworks and approved by Bell & Gossett Bell & Gossett content is created in the latest Revit version (2010), and will be automatically upgraded to future generations, requiring no user patch downloads Changes to designs are automatically updated across the entire project and are easy to track; there is no need to re-enter information Multiple simultaneous design alternatives are allowed within projects Flexibility and control over visualization of projects"This new Building Information Modeling drawing library will be very beneficial for mechanical system designers at architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators, building owners," said Mark Handzel, Director of Building Services, Americas at ITT Residential & Commercial Water. "The on-line design will eliminate the need for downloading extensive libraries of drawings and assure that all drawings are 100% accurate."

Revit Content Setup and Use Video

AUTODESK REVIT MEP 2010 SUBSCRIPTION RELEASE PACK

User Interface Enhancements
Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010 software includes enhancements to the user interface, as described in the following topics.

Temporary Dimensions in Layout Mode
When editing duct and piping systems in Generate Layout mode, temporary length and angle dimensions display to assist placement.

DWG Export
When you export a file, you can specify whether to export colors as Index Color or as True Color. See Colors in the User Guide for more information.

Text Formatting Shortcuts
When editing text in a text note, you can format selected text by pressing Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic, or Ctrl+U for underline. See Adding Text Notes and Editing the Text Note in the User Guide for more information.

Split Walls with Defined Space Between Them
The Split with Gap tool allows walls to be split leaving a specified gap between them. See Splitting Elements in the User Guide for more information.

Keyboard Shortcuts
In this release, Revit MEP provides a new interface for managing keyboard shortcuts for Revit tools. With this interface, you can

• Add keyboard shortcuts and assign multiple shortcuts for each Revit tool.
• Remove keyboard shortcuts.
• Import keyboard shortcuts from another user. Also use this function to migrate shortcuts from a previous release.
• Export keyboard shortcuts to share them with other users, or to use the resulting file in a spreadsheet program, where you can sort, organize, and print a list of shortcuts for quick reference.
  See Keyboard Shortcuts in the User Guide for more information.

Find and Replace Text in Text Notes
The Find/Replace tool provides a way to find and replace text in text notes in Revit MEP projects. This tool also searches the text in detail groups. You can use this tool to replace placeholder text on several sheets at once. See Finding and Replacing Text Notes in the User Guide for more information.

Convert Line Types
Sometimes the line type in your Revit MEP model is not the type you want to work with. The Convert Lines tool converts existing model lines, detail lines and symbolic lines into the preferred line type. See Converting Line Types in the User Guide for more information.

Performance

Several areas of improvements were made in the Subscription Release Pack for Autodesk Revit MEP 2010, including areas such as linked files.

Documentation
For this release, the following enhancements have been made to the Help documentation:

• Walls: This documentation has been revised to improve its organization and provide more conceptual and procedural information.
• Curtain Elements: This documentation has been revised to improve organization and workflow.
• Multi-Discipline Coordination: This section has been greatly enhanced to provide more conceptual, workflow, and procedural information, as well as best practices and troubleshooting about use of the Copy/Monitor and Coordination Review tools.
• Troubleshooting View and Visibility Issues: This new section discusses best practices and suggested solutions for problems with display, view, and visibility.

Autodesk Revit Model Review

From Subscription Only...

Automate the process of reviewing and auditing building information modeling (BIM) projects in Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010, Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2010, or Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software with the Autodesk® Revit® Model Review plug-in:

• Check the accuracy and consistency of a model against standards set by your firm, your clients, or industry best practices.
• Correct inconsistencies with a single click or with instructions provided when manual fixes are required.

Revit MEP Space Naming Utility is Now Available on Subscription

The Space Naming Utility for Revit® MEP 2009 software is an intuitive tool that automatically assigns the names and numbers from architectural rooms to Revit MEP spaces. By downloading the Space Naming Utility for Revit MEP 2009 software, you can eliminate the need to manually assign names to the spaces, helping save time and simplifying your workflow.

Once the tool is installed, you can access it from the TOOLS pulldown menu. That opens up the dialog box that gives you options on how you would like to rename the MEP spaces.

Content is currently available in English only.

Please click the link below and sign into Autodesk Subscription to retrieve this utility:
http://subscription.autodesk.com/

Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009

Release Date: 2008-10-10


Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Revit® MEP 2009 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, and Elements Positioning. The file installs the Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009. It also includes the Extensions Engine, a platform that hosts each Extension within Revit MEP 2009.Please note that the multi-language executable file contains content in English and Simplified Chinese. Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009 are now compatible with the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Revit MEP 2009 software.


This new content can be downloaded for free from your Autodesk subscription login.

Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009

Download Revit® Extensions are a series of easy-to-use applications that extend the capabilities of Revit® MEP 2009 software in key areas, including modeling, coordination, and documentation. Specifically, the extensions provided in this executable file are: Freeze Drawings, Compare Models, Text Generator, and Elements Positioning. The file installs the Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009. It also includes the Extensions Engine, a platform that hosts each Extension within Revit MEP 2009.

INSTALLATION

• "Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009" may be installed by users with the Administrator" or "Power User" rights (in the Windows VISTA operating system, only by users with the "Administrator" rights).
• "Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009" installed by the user with the "Administrator" rights can be launched on a given computer also by users with the "User" and "Power User" rights.
• Before launching "Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009" by the user with the "User" or "Power User" rights Revit should be launched one time by the user with the "Administrator" rights (in the Vista operating system, with an additional parameter "Run as an Administrator").

LAUNCH

• To launch "Revit Extensions for Revit MEP 2009" first run "Revit MEP 2009".
• A new toolbar is displayed containing 3 new icons:
  
• Click to launch the "Revit Extensions Manager", run a particular extension or read help for further information.

Compare models Extension
Using the Compare models extension, you can compare 2 Revit® models. The extension presents differences between successive versions of a structure project.

When the extension starts, it recognizes the number of opened projects created in Revit®. If more than 2 structure projects are opened, a dialog displays where you can select 2 projects to be compared.

NOTE:
Comparing structure models that were created as a result of copying elements (for example, through the Clipboard) may not lead to good quality results. Original element identifiers (ID) may be changed in the extension, which makes element identification and correct comparison of models impossible.

After you have selected 2 Revit® models, the main dialog of the extension, used for comparing models, displays. The dialog consists of 3 tabs: General information, Elements, and Report.

Element Postioning Extension

The Extension is used to create position tags for selected elements in a Revit ® model. All element types available in Revit ®, except annotations and loads, are taken into account during positioning.

After elements and positioning parameters are selected, element tags / names (for all elements or for selected ones) are generated in the Extension. Position tags are placed in the element properties (in the Mark cell), in the current (start) view, or in views you select (the option specified in the Extension).

Basic functionalities of the Extension:
· create a set of elements and divide them into categories and types
· sort elements depending on their location in the project (horizontal or vertical)
· add a tag describing a user-defined position at the location specified in a selected view.

The Extension allows loading necessary information from Revit MEP:
· object category (column, beam)
· object family (regular I sections)
· object type (I 100)
· object geometry
· object location (level)
· material of which the object is made (after you select the option)
· bars reinforcing RC elements (after you select the option).

NOTE
If positioning is performed for standard levels, two descriptions may display for some elements: description of the element positioned below (for example, a column positioned on the lower level) and a description of the element positioned on a given level (see the image shown).

A solution to this problem (in particular, when dimensions of elements on two levels are identical) is to make a cross-section at a selected height in Revit ®; for this cross-section, a position number should be displayed.

All data defined during the element positioning can be edited using the Modify option.

Freeze Drawings Extension
Using the Freeze Drawings extension, you can separate a drawing / view from an object model so that the state of the drawing / view stays unchanged (frozen). The extension is based on the DWG Import and DWG Export mechanisms in Revit®.
All frozen drawings / views are placed in newly created views. Selected views are imported to DWG files with user-defined parameters.

NOTE:
Freezing of drawings does not include 3D views or sheets

Text Generator Extension
Use the Text Generator Extension to generate text automatically in Revit®. You can type text directly in the relevant edit field or load text from an external file, and can also define the parameters.

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