BIM & BEAM

Autodesk to buy Navisworks

You can find more details at

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070531/autodesk_navisworks.html?.v=1

Nicolas

DWG Import/Export crashes

We had several users reporting crashes when they import or export dwg files with Revit Structure 2008 for the following build numbers:

DVD Build is: 20070324_1700

Web Build is: 20070404_1700

We did some investigation and we found out that the reason was related to the presence of an old version of DWG TrueView on the computer.

In order to so fix this issue, you need to uninstall DWG TrueView and upgrade it to the latest free version available at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?siteID=123112&id=9078813 . After the upgrade of DWG TrueView, RST2008 should be able to import/export DWG files properly.

Nicolas

Custom shape of stair stringer

One of my structural users specializing in industrial building type has sent me an email saying that he needs to model some exterior stairs with C-Channel stringers. However, he realizes that currently Revit Structure provides rectangular simple shape of stringer only (Figure 1).

(Figure 1)

Currently, Revit Structure doesn't have the ability to create custom shape of stringers. However, there are several workarounds to achieve that and the one that I would like to show you is an alternative use of Railing tool. Here are the steps:

- First, you need to turn off the Stair Stringer by setting the Right Stringer and Left Stringer parameter value to None (Figure 2).

(Figure 2)

- You can then turn on the visibility of Railing category that was turned off by default in Visibility/Graphics (Figure 3).

(Figure 3)

- You can now select the Railing geometry and go to the Properties in order to modify the Rail Structure type parameter. In the Edit Rails dialog box, you can assign your custom profile ex. C-Channel Profile and then adjust the Height and Offset so that it will be at same location as the stringers (Figure 4).

(Figure 4)

- In order to trim the bottom or top of the "fake" stringers, you can select and edit each Railing sketch by splitting the sketch line and assign the slope to "Flat" (Figure 5).

(Figure 5)

How to identify the Beam Start and End

Many structural users have expressed that it seems quite cumbersome in Revit Structure to quickly identify the Beam Start and End (Figure 1).

(Figure 1)

Currently, one way to identify the Beam Start and End is to go to the Properties of a selected beam and try to adjust the Moment Connection Start (or End) parameter value in order to see which end the moment symbol will show up. This trial and error process seems very inefficient and cumbersome (Figure 2).

(Figure 2)

Some Revit users have discovered another solution to help identifying quickly the Beam Start and End. The solution is to open and edit the existing beam .rfa family by adding a "Control" Horizontal symbol (single arrow) on plan. Assuming the arrow end represents the Beam Start and the arrow head represents the Beam End (Figure 3).

(Figure 3)

After modifying the .rfa, you can reload it into the project and overwrite the existing family. Now, if you select the beam on plan, you will see the blue horizontal control arrow showing up which can be used to identify very quickly the Beam Start and End (Figure 4).

(Figure 4)

P.S. Technically speaking the Control command allows users to place arrows in order to rotate and mirror the geometry of the family. However, due to the current software limitation on any 2 Pick Structural Framing .rfa family, although you can place the blue horizontal arrow, but it really cannot rotate and mirror the beam.

Wai

Freeze Drawing Extension

Robobat just released a 100% free of charge new Extension that you can download at

http://www.extensions4revit.com/n/e4r/856/20

This is a very convenient tool that can be used in any of the Revit products: Revit Architecture, Revit Structure or Revit MEP.

We got the request many times from our users to be able to "freeze" their details. Here is the use case: let us say you work on a bunch of details created from the model, you put text, annotations, symbols etc… then the architect notifies you that he has to change the level elevation or the location of a grid line or something like that… you know the story right? And then you lose all the detailing work that you did

With this tool you can easily in a couple of clicks generate drafting views out of the model views so if the model changes then you can freeze your details and reuse them on the same project or even on a new project by transferring the drafting view

Amazing Structures from China

Wai and I are both in China right now as you can see:

I am sure that you already heard about the twisted donut: It is the new headquarters for the Chinese state TV channel It's a startling sight. Two angular upward towers with a gravity-defying cantilevered cross section. Imagine working in that mid-section 40 stories up with nothing below you but air.

It is one of the most complex structures in the world

Here is a rendering of the project

We are very fortunate because the Autodesk office is located just above the construction site:

As the construction progresses, we will ask our Chinese colleagues to send us pictures so we will be able to post them.

In the meantime, here are some pictures:

And finally "The Nest" is just another amazing one: