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.

Revit MEP 2012 Update 2 – September 2011

In case you are too lazy to search to the Autodesk site... I've posted it here

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Enhancements_List_RME_2012_UR2.pdf

Update 2 is not a full install; rather it is using service pack technology similar to AutoCAD®- based products. Update 1 is built into Update 2, so you don't need to worry about installing the first one before installing the second one.

Improvements made in Update 2 build (20110916_2132):

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2012 Enhancements

• Improves stability when routing ducts which utilize an elbow or takeoff to complete the run.
• Improves stability when dragging a Panel Schedule into a sheet.
• Corrects the classification of embedded windows within a curtain wall contained within a linked file which is used as the boundary to create spaces.
• Improves the regeneration time of Ducts after applying a Visibility/Graphics Override.
• Improves stability when creating a new zone in the zone editor and specifying an already existing name in the properties palette.
• Improves performance when adding an air terminal to a system.
• Retains System Type when coping elements from one project to another.
• Retains pipe and fitting connections when moving piping layout to another level.
• Improves the display of duct with insulation and lining for hidden line views when contained within a linked file.
• Improves display of insulation on segments when viewed in ceiling plans.
• Maintains the type parameter values for panel schedules viewed on a sheet.
• Maintains circuits when upgrading Revit MEP 2011 projects in Revit MEP 2012.

Autodesk Revit® Platform 2012 Enhancements

• Improves stability when switching the visibility setting of linked file from By Linked View to By Host View.
• Corrects Ambient Shadow on objects which are contained within a mirrored linked file.
• Improves the import of IFC files which contain overlapping walls.
• Improves stability when exporting a project to DXF which contains a dimension style that is referenced more than 255 times within the project.
• Corrects the resolution of the background image when calculating offset and scale.
• Corrects duplicate column creation when using Create columns by Grid when some columns are already created on the grid.
• Improves stability when setting a view to Realistic display mode.
• Improves stability when navigating in 3D view after canceling a Print operation.
• Corrects silhouette display for perspective views in projects with linked files.
• Corrects the angle of Photometric Web based light sources when exported to FBX.
• Retains the original IES files when exporting to FBX.
• Reduces the scenarios where element IDs may become remapped or removed when Synchronizing to Central.
• Improves stability when removing layers from floors, roofs and walls.
• Corrects gbXML export of curtain walls where window openings were classified as air opening when using simple complexity mode.
• Improves stability when accessing HELP
• Help
• Corrects mapping of Cable Tray, Cable Tray Fittings, Conduit and Conduit Fittings when exported to IFC.
• Improves the consistency of beams being unique objects when exported to IFC.
• Improves the placement of slabs when exported to IFC.
• Improves the creation of beams, such as length, when imported from IFC.
• Disables switching to 3D view if current view only is set when exporting to IFC.
• Enables the export of filled regions to IFC.
• Enables mass based curtain panels and mullions to be individual elements when exported to IFC.
• Enables Structural Columns to be exported to IFC.
• Allows elements hidden by category to be ignored when project is exported to IFC.
• Enables Unicode support for both Import and Export of families.
• Changes setting for "Export views on sheets and links as external references" to be enabled when exporting to DGN.
• Allows exporting to DWFx if the view is blank.
• Improves stability when exporting to DWG.
• Improves the export of custom wall hatch patterns to DWG.
• Improves stability after displaying a warning message.
• Enables the use of Family Parameter when using the Material Browser Paint tool.
• Improves stability when modifying part assemblies.
• Improves stability when working within the Phases dialog.
• Improves placement of linked point clouds based upon their origin.
• Improves stability when printing to PDF in batch mode.
• Improves stability when saving a family into the same folder as the type catalog.
• Improves stability when upgrading projects.
• Improves stability when setting a workset from Editable to non-Editable.  

The New “Revit Server”

Link to AECbytes "Revit’s New Server Extension" Article (September 28, 2010) by Lachmi Khemlani.  Lachmi Khemlani is founder and editor of AECbytes. She has a Ph.D. in Architecture from UC Berkeley, specializing in intelligent building modeling, and consults and writes on AEC technology. She can be reached at lachmi@aecbytes.com.

The Autodesk® Revit® Server Extension helps geographically dispersed teams more easily collaborate on projects of varying size and complexity. Web-based services help keep teams coordinated as they work on a single project from separate locations.

The Autodesk Revit Server Extension helps you to:

• Work more effectively as a single project team over a distributed wide area network (WAN) with higher performance and efficiency
• Maintain a seamlessly integrated collection of Revit central models on a single server that team members can access from local servers
• Easily manage products on Revit central server using the web-based Revit Server Administrator tools
• Benefit from built-in redundancy in case of WAN connectivity loss

This Subscription Advantage Pack consists of two separate components: an application update, Revit 2011 SAP, and a server component, called Revit Server 2011. An installation of Revit Server may function as a local server or a central server. However this document does not draw any distinction between the two, as the installation and removal requirements are essentially the same for both.

Revit Server 2011

Systems hosting Revit Server 2011 must have:

• Microsoft Windows Server^® 2008, 64 bit (not 2008 R2)
• Microsoft IIS 7.0
• Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1

Refer to the Revit Sever Installation Guide supplemental documentation for more detail on system prerequisites.

Revit’s New Server Extension 2011 Video

Revit MEP 2011 Update 2 – September 2010

Revit MEP Update 2 – September 2010

Important Note:
Update 2 is not a full install; rather it is using service pack technology similar to AutoCAD®- based products. Prior to installing the Update 2, please verify that you have already installed the First Customer Ship build of Autodesk Revit MEP 2011 which is available below.


Update Enhancement List
Improvements made in Update 2 build (20100903_2115):


Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Enhancements

• The list of supported video cards and drivers has been updated.
• Improves stability when opening a recovery file.
• Improves the selection of the proper fire damper size when inserted into an oval duct.
• Remembers the last justification when adding duct from the draw duct option within the right click menu.
• Corrects the creation of a small duct segment when a reducer is inserted due to a change in duct size.
• Improves stability when dragging a duct end to the connection point of hosted equipment.
• Improves the automatic joining of Cabletrays.
• Corrects the value produced for a calculated value column within Panel Schedules and Demand Factors.
• Allows the load value of a spare within a panel schedule to be editable.
• Corrects the display of Wire Size and Type properties to be “—“ for spares in panel schedule.
• Corrects the unit formatting of cells within the Load Summary of a Panel Schedule.
• Corrects the display of circuit number on wire tag when using circuit naming By Phase.
• Improves snapping an adapter to sprinklers when inserted from the project browser.
• Corrects the Air Changes per Hour calculation when running a heating cooling load analysis.
• Improves the connections produced by Routing Solution layouts of pipe or duct.
• Improves consistency of adding pipe, duct, conduit and cabletray when snapping to non-MEP elements.

Autodesk® Revit® Platform 2011 Enhancements

• Improves stability when locking of constraints within families.
• Improves stability when modifying the properties of an element.
• Ensures „Select All Instances‟ when used on viewports within a sheet does select all the viewports.
• Improves stability when using the “Create Form” tool when In-Place edit a mass.
• Improves stability when using “Complex” complexity mode during gbXML Export.
• Corrects glazing area when using “Simple” complexity mode during gbXML Export.
• Improves stability when editing element Phase inside a group.
• Improves consistency of the ifcflowsegment and ifcflowfitting properties during a re-export to IFC.
• Improves stability when exporting to AutoCad 2000 DWG files.
• Improves stability during export to DWG files when exporting a view with a linked DWG in "new layers for overrides" mode.
• Improves stability after switching location within the InfoCenter settings
• Improves stability of InfoCenter when logged into Revit with a double byte username.
• Improves stability when selecting materials from within the materials dialog.
• Improves stability when switching between views
• Improves visibility of manually applied hidden lines during printing and exporting of Structural Hidden Lines views
• Improves performance when using spinner control in the Decal Types dialog.
• Improves stability when selecting array elements from within the Reveal Hidden Elements display mode.
• Improves stability when finishing Sketch mode.
• Improves stability when selecting a reference plane within the conceptual mass editor.
• Improves stability when launching multiple sessions of Revit.
• Corrects shadow casting of linked RVT files when in realistic display mode.
• Improves stability when dragging sun.
• Improves stability when upgrading Revit 2010 project file.
• Corrects color of masked regions when rendered in Consistent Color display mode.

Autodesk® Revit® 2011 API Enhancements

• Setting formula for Manufacturer/Type Comments as string no longer throws an exception.
• Improves consistency between User Interface and API when using Family Type count
• Improves the consistency of maintaining the preview image when Save/SaveAs.
• Improves the consistency of creating the detail curve when the view’s detail sketch plane is not located where expected within the database.
• Improves detail curve creation when the view does not have an implicit sketch plane.
• MEP API: Cabletray Connector Angle property no longer throws an exception when rotating a cabletray.
• MEP API: The following Electrical Parameter Types have been exposed to DB.ParameterType:
• CABLETRAY_SIZE
• LOADCLASSIFICATION
• ELECTRICAL_TEMPERATURE
• ELECTRICAL_DEMAND_FACTOR
• CONDUIT_SIZE

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Update 1

Download is the latest update for Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 software as part of AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite 2011 software.  There are separate downloads for the 64 bit and 32 bit versions.

Update 1 is not a full install; rather it is using service pack technology similar to AutoCAD®- based products. Prior to installing the Update 1, please verify that you have already installed the First Customer Ship build of Autodesk Revit MEP 2011.  This is how Autodesk has been pushing updates out lately, which is different than in years past where you had to download and install a whole new build of the program. 

The service pack can be applied to both the standalone and suite versions of Autodesk Revit MEP 2011.  This is also different than in years past.  Autodesk used to have different downloads for the Revit MEP build and the Revit MEP Suite build.

For a list of improvements, please download the Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Update Enhancement List: or see them below.


Update Enhancement List


Improvements made in Update 1 build (20100614_2115):

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2011 Enhancements

• Improves stability of the Location dialog.
• Improves performance of panel schedule views.
• Allows Calculated Values to be added to Load Summary section in panel schedule templates.
• Improves display of panel schedule borders.
• Improves the stability of distribution systems that use a L-G Voltage value of None.
• Enables Slope and Justification editors for layouts that include duct and pipe accessories.
• Enables Copy/Move/Array tools for layouts with sloped and non-sloped pipes.
• Improves sizing when a round takeoff is connected to a rectangular duct.
• Improves stability when changing the location setting for heating and cooling load calculation in worksharing.
• Improves stability when connecting conduit to equipment surface.
• Improves surface connection between different design options.
• Improves cable tray bend radius control.
• Improves temp dimension witness line snapping in surface connection edit mode.
• Improves converting cable tray tee to cross.
• Improves stability when drawing a cable tray from equipment.
• Improves stability when editing type properties of electrical equipment.
• Disables the Modeless Properties Dialog when a value is changed in the Type Selector to avoid confusion or an incorrect property change.
• Updates the pressure drop calculations through a transition using the coefficient loss method when reporting the static pressure on systems.
• Improves Move functionality to allow the user to select different views without having to reselect elements.
• Improves Move and Copy functionality to allow the user to move/copy at any angle when an elbow fitting is included in the selected elements.
• Improves Move and Copy functionality during movement in 3D views.
• Improves Move and Copy functionality to maintain depth when used in elevation or section views.
• Improves Rotation functionality to allow the rotation of sprinklers in elevation views.
• Disables disconnect warnings when drawing round duct from a rectangular duct using the tap fitting “Tap-Perpendicular”.
• Ensures the direction of the connector on Air Terminals is verified for the proper orientation of the Air Terminal.

Autodesk® Revit® Platform 2011 Enhancements

• The list of supported video cards and drivers has been updated.
• Improves stability in working with families.
• Improves stability when deleting views.
• Improves stability when export to gbXML.
• Improves stability when view "Analytical Surfaces" in the Export gbXML dialog.
• Correct export of embedded curtain walls to gbXML.
• Improves stability when export to DWG.
• Improves stability when export a split view with shared coordinates to DWG.
• Respects crop region with blocks when exported to DWG in wireframe visual style.
• Correct placement of annotation when exported to DWG.
• Improves stability when Export to DWF.
• Improves stability and performance when working in the Materials dialog.
• Improves IFC import to display a warning when encountering a geometry issue that would have previously caused instability in some cases.
• Improves Properties Palette and canvas interaction that caused unstable graphics if family regenerations were interrupted.
• Updates to placed instances will now occur when reloading a Family Parameter into project environment as a Reporting Parameter.
• Improves In Canvas Parameter Labeling to allow a Reporting Parameter to be created when an Instance or Type Parameter could not be.
• Disables Reporting Parameters between In Place Families and Reference geometry.
• Correct parameter names display within the Decal Dialog.
• Improves consistency between Revit and Max when exporting lights with IES files via FBX.
• Restored custom quality setting that controls number of refractions in a rendering.
• Improves the performance when adjusting the exposure of a rendered image.
• Improves issues encountered when rendering elements with different phase settings.
• Repairs upgrade issue with certain light fixtures using IES files.
• Repairs printing issue where Scope Boxes from Linked files were visible despite Print settings turning them off.
• Ensures correct orientation of Elevation tags when tag family is edited.
• Improves stability when switching among the tabs in RVT Links Display Settings.
• Improves stability when ungrouping arrayed elements.
• Improves Filter Rules.

Autodesk® Revit® 2011 API Enhancements

• Elements will now be properly joined when the ExternalCommand concludes when using automatic regeneration and automatic transaction
• ExportImage(ImageExportOptions ) no longer throws an exception when given a set of views
• ElementParameterFilters now operate properly against ElementType elements
• Improves stability when saving a family and there are event subscribers for Save or Save As.
• Closes the Family editor environment after loading a family via the API
• Improves stability when using selection APIs to pick grid elements.
• Dynamic Model Update: GetChangeTypeGeometry() now triggers properly when active type is changed
• Improves stability for Dynamic Model Update: when registering updaters and more than one application is registered

Upgrading Your Custom Revit MEP Library from 2010 to 2011 Format

Because some architects might be early adopters to 2011, and some architects might wait until the first service pack is released before upgrading their projects to 2011, engineers will find themselves working with architects using different versions of Revit.  Because Revit is not backwards compatible, engineers will have to run multiple versions of Revit MEP to match each architect that they are working with.

The history of this issue is that everybody working on a Revit project must be using the same version of Revit.  Architecture, Structural and MEP must all be the same.  If one team is using an newer version, the other teams who are using an older format won't be able to read the newer format.  The new format has new tools, new objects, and new settings that older versions don't understand, and weren't written to automatically know what new objects would be coming out in the future.  Now if one team is using an older version, the other teams will be able to open an older version, and upgrade that project to the newest version, but the team using the older version won't be able to open the new format version of the other team members.

So now that we understand why we have to install multiple versions of Revit MEP on our workstations, we will also need to have multiple versions of Revit Libraries on our server.  The 2011 directory, obviously will have the newest contect, and that content can only be used for 2011 projects.  That content cannot be used for 2010 projects.  So any 2010 project must use content from a 2010 content directory.  Any custom 2010 content can be copied, and the copies can then be upgraded and added to the 2011 directory.


To Use the Content Batch Upgrade Utility:

1. Copy Upgrade_RFA.txt and Upgrade_RFA.bat into the root directory of the library that you want to upgrade.
2. Run the Upgrade_RFA.bat to create the file list to upgrade, famlist_rfa.txt.
3. To launch the utility, from the library directory, drag Upgrade_RFA.txt onto the Revit icon on your desktop.
4. After upgrading, delete all backup files from the library.

Make sure all of your .rfa files are not read-only and delete all backup files from the library. If a particular family fails to upgrade properly, the utility will stop.  If this occurs, open famlist_rfa.txt in Microsoft Notepad, and remove all previously upgraded families and the failed family from the list. Save famlist_rfa.txt, and re-run the utility.

Revit MEP 2010 Update 2 Just Released

Update 2 is not a full install; rather it is using service pack technology similar to AutoCAD based products.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=12899931

There are two separate downloads…one for 32bit and one for 64bit. Make sure you download the correct version!

This second service pack contains the changes made from the previous service pack (Update 1 - June 2009).

This service pack can be applied to both the standalone and suite versions of Autodesk Revit MEP 2010.

Improvements made in Update 2 build (20090917_1515):

Autodesk Revit MEP 2010 Enhancements

• Wire length in the Circuit Properties dialog will now display “Not Computed” for the wire length when a panel has not yet been assigned to a circuit.
• The calculation of complex space volumes for heating and cooling loads has been improved.
• Panel and circuit information can now be displayed in a mechanical equipment schedule.
• Improved the ability to swap one type of pipe or duct accessory for another type of pipe or duct accessory.
• When use of the Split tool on a duct segment creates a union, the union is no longer automatically deleted when a new duct is connected to the union.
• Improvement of a duct segment centerline alignment when rotated in an elevation view.
• Windows and doors set as demolished will no longer appear in a gbXml export.
• Improved stability when copying elements from one family to another in the Family Editor.
• When the Create Similar tool is used for a sloped pipe, the slope is now properly maintained for the new pipe.

Autodesk Revit Platform 2010 Enhancements

• Annotation objects no longer disappear when panning a view that spans two monitors.
• Improves stability when switching between Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 software and Google Earth™ software.
• Improves the modification behavior of hosted sweeps (i.e. gutters) attached to joined roofs.
• Improves stability and performance when modifying walls.
• Improvements to shared nested families.
• Improves stability when modifying masses.
• Improves design option rules adherence for walls in different design options and worksets .
• Family and type information can now be read in Autodesk® 3ds Max® software from an FBX® file exported from a non-English version of Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010.
• Improves stability when adding views to sheets.
• Improves stability when making a design option primary.
• Improves stability of printing views in wireframe mode.
• Shadows will no longer be cropped when a view is printed or exported to a DWF™ file.
• Subscription notifications are now available from InfoCenter.
• Improves stability when reading IFC files.
• Improves stability when opening a project with an inserted TIF image and when importing a TIF image.
• ViewCube® navigation tool and the navigation bar will now display correctly after unlocking the computer.
• Improves stability when removing panels from the ribbon.
• Improves stability when cancelling a move, delete or copy command.
• Improves performance of view renaming and the Workset dialog.
• Mass floor schedules will now update when a level is renamed.
• A form element that has a divided surface applied to it will now be correctly generated after a copy, paste, or move.
• Improves stability when exporting to DWG.
• Dimension and spot elevation values will now display correctly in a dependent view.

Autodesk Navisworks 2010 Service Pack 1 Now Available

Download Here
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=13861499&linkID=10382102

General Updates

This service pack fixes the following defects.

• Clash Detective. Camera now transitions more smoothly between clash results.
• Object Animation. When adding a keyframe to the end of an animation the object movement now remains consistent.
• Comments window. TheID column in the Comments window is now labeled Comment ID.
• Hyperlinks and Smart Tags. Autodesk Navisworks now remembers Hyperlinks and SmartTags visibility settings between sessions. New Show Hyperlinks and Show SmartTags options have been added to the Options Editor (Interface node).
• Sectioning. The section bar slider now maintains correct settings when user switches between viewpoints.
• Collaboration. When using the collaborate function all window states now remain consistent.
• AutoCAD Interoperability. AutoCAD elements are now correctly displayed on the Properties tab of the Selection Tree window.
  Installing Autodesk Navisworks 2010 no longer causes issues with AutoCAD VBA customizations.
• Inventor Interoperability. You can now view Inventor 'surface models' in Autodesk Navisworks.
• IFC Interoperability. Improved support for IFC 2X2 files. Missing components and misplaced Geometry issues are now resolved.
• Revit Interoperability.
  Structural usage text designated in Revit is now displayed in Autodesk Navisworks.
  Window and door openings are now supported when exporting NWC files from Revit.
  Revit models modelled in mm now appear the correct size in Autodesk Navisworks.
• AutoCAD Visual LISP. Visual LISP feature of AutoCAD 2008 and 2009 now functions correctly after Autodesk Navisworks 2010 is installed.