BIM & BEAM

Export a Dragonfly model to Revit

Hi All,

Back in March 2009, I wrote a blog post about Dragonfly which was available to download for testing at Autodesk Labs. The site has seen very brisk traffic since its launch in March.

I recently learn that Dragonfly has the ability to export a model to Revit using the Revit API.

What is Dragonfly?

Dragonfly is a web-based application for home improvement projects targeting entry level "designers" like the homeowner.   Dragonfly's intuitive design tools help you rapidly create and furnish a floor plan, experimenting in real time with your ideas in 2D and 3D before making it real!  Dragonfly also enables you to share any saved designs with others by simply clicking the "Share" icon in the upper left hand corner of the Designer window.

For professional designers who use Dragonfly, you can export the floor plan and furnishings as a Revit RVT file.

All you need to do is log onto Dragonfly:

http://dragonfly.autodesk.com

Below are some screen captures of how to export to Revit:

 

Select Export to Revit:

 

Then open the model in Revit:

 

Enjoy!

Wai

Share the Value of Autodesk University (Special AU Online Offer Ends Soon)

 

Hi All,

 

There is a special offer for you to share the value of AU content with your co-workers and friends who do not currently have full access to AU Online.

It's easy. Just forward this message to your co-workers and friends who might benefit from the thousands of hours of training screencasts and session materials on AU Online. When they click on the following link, they can register and get immediate access to all AU Online content. This offer is good until June 1, 2009.

http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=promo&code=5n1_116473_09

Thanks for helping us spread the word about the value of learning, sharing, and networking on AU Online.

Wai

Autodesk Labs - iCopy for Inventor

 

There is a very cool and interesting technology that Autodesk has recently put in the Labs that you might want to give a try - iCopy for Inventor.

Often a design will incorporate multiple instances of a standard element that needs to be adjusted with each occurrence. When dealing with a large number of elements, making these adjustments manually is time-consuming and prone to error.

The Autodesk Inventor iCopy Technology Preview can significantly improve your productivity by enabling you to make multiple copies of an assembly that automatically resize to fit your design. By capturing a few key constraints, such as connection points and paths, iCopy creates and inserts multiple instances of the assembly, automatically adjusting the size and shape of each occurrence based on your functional requirements.

iCopy for Inventor helps you:

- Save time by easily customizing commonly-used assemblies

- Avoid errors when working with complex designs involving multiple paths

- Innovate by exploring multiple design iterations quickly

 

Download it free today, and tell us what you think!

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/inventor_icopy

 

Have fun 

 

Wai

Autodesk Lab - RDB Link Tool for Revit Family

 

Hi All,

The RDBLink tool is now available in the Autodesk Lab for you to test drive:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/revit_rdb/

The RDBLink tool allows the user to export data from the elements in a Revit project and maintain relationships against data that exists outside of Revit. The tool allows for both import and export of the project data and will allow the user to make changes on the database side that affect the data within the project once imported. Also, during subsequent exports of the data to the same database, only data from the project will be affected, so any new fields or tables added to the database for your own purposes will remain intact along side the newly exported data. The RDBLink import tool provides a grid view of the data to allow the user to make any final edits before import. This grid control also allows the user to create Revit Shared Parameters which will add new fields for those parameters to the database in the related tables. Changes to these new fields within the database will update these Revit Shared Parameters upon future imports.

Supported Applications

§  Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010

§  Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

§  Autodesk Revit MEP 2010

 

Supported database platforms

§  Supported databases when running under 32 bit: MS Access 2003/2007 and SQL Server 2005/2008.

§  Supported databases when running under 64 bit: SQL Server 2005/2008.

 

Enjoy,

Wai

Using the Conceptual Form Simulation Extension in Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

Hi everyone,

We have just a posted a new video to Youtube (see below) highlighting the new Conceptual Form Simulation Extension available for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010.

Using the Conceptual Form Simulation extension, you can perform a simulation of static analysis of a 3D solid defined in any of the Revit® products:

You can import the following information into the Extension:

·    Geometry

·    Material parameters

·    Supports

·    Loads

·    Load cases

·    Load combinations.

Here are some simple steps to perform a simulation using this Extension:

·      Define a solid in Revit ® and meshes on the solid faces

·      Launch the Conceptual Form Simulation extension (meshes are exported as finite elements)

·      Modify material parameters or thickness values for finite elements (if necessary)

·      Define supports at the mesh nodes

·      Define loads

·      Perform calculations

·      View the calculation results (internal forces, displacements, animations of displacements); you can save the result report in a Microsoft Excel© or Microsoft Word© file

Enjoy,

Wai

New Robot Extensions bring simulation and analysis earlier on in the design process with Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 and Robot Structural Analysis

Hi all,

 

Watch this short video to see how you can bring simulation and analysis earlier on in the design process with Revit Structure 2010 and Robot Structural Analysis with the new Robot Extensions.

 

Scott Hammond of Autodesk, demonstrates in this video how to use the new Robot Extensions for Load Take Down to perform analysis within Revit Structure. Try it out yourselves by downloading the new Robot Extensions on the Subscription Site. Please note that you do need a license to both Revit Structure and Robot Structural Analysis to access the Robot Extensions:

Autodesk University (AU) 2009 Call for Proposals

As you all know, Autodesk University (AU) is the premier annual event for Autodesk users from around world. Each year, this conference and exhibition offers outstanding training, exhibits, and networking opportunities that help design professionals advance their careers and gain a competitive advantage.

Attendees look to Autodesk University for Autodesk and partner solutions that can help their organizations achieve success in today's fast-changing industries. Each year, AU offers an excellent curriculum presented by outstanding speakers who are leaders in their industries.

AU 2009 will be held from December 1-4 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV—one of the world's finest meeting and convention facilities.

To be considered as an AU 2009 speaker, we invite you to submit a proposal online. We welcome multiple submissions from experienced presenters and also offer several different class types, such as classes, lectures, hands-on labs, and discussion panels, to suit whatever your speaking style is. Also, new this year is the addition of a 60-minute Virtual session.

We're definitely in need of intermediate and advanced classes that speak to traditional course offerings for general, architectural, MEP, structural, construction, civil design and geospatial, but we're also very interested in knowing how professionals like you are successfully using Autodesk tools collectively to solve critical challenges in the following industries:

• Building – How are you using a model based design and construction approach, with BIM at the core, to capture opportunities in retrofit and renovation, and to meet building energy and sustainable design requirements? How is the Autodesk BIM portfolio enabling you to improve your existing construction management process and streamline communication with stakeholders ensuring projects stay within budget and time schedules? 

• Civil Engineering – How are you using the Autodesk family of products for civil to address key issues within transportation, environmental and land development projects such as; road and intersection design, sustainable design, infrastructure renewal, and bridge design?

• Utility/Telco – How are you using the Autodesk family of products to address key issues such as smart grids and sustainable design, aging infrastructure renewal, substation design, plant design, and network design and management,  in the electric & gas, water / wastewater, and telco industry segments?

• Process and Power - How are you using Autodesk products to deliver plant design and upgrade projects, meet environmental regulations and increase plant efficiency?  

The deadline for submissions is April 30th, 2009, so there's still time to join us in making this year's AU the best ever!

Click here (http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=call_for_papers_home) to submit your proposal.

Thanks

Wai

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010, Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis 2010 and AutoCAD® Structural Detailing 2010 are now available!

Hi All,

We are pleased to announce that the Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010, Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis 2010 and AutoCAD® Structural Detailing 2010 are now available!

Autodesk^® Revit^® Structure 2010 Feature Summary

Here are the main themes with some of the new features and enhancements that were made on Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 software:

 

 

Enhanced modeling capabilities

            Slanted columns

            Conceptual form modeling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better productivity

            Ribbon UI

Application menu

Quick Access toolbar

Enhanced tooltips

Spot Slope Dimensions

Column Location Mark in schedules and tags

Estimated Reinforcement Volume in schedules

Amplify your efforts

Native 64‐bit support

API (application programming interface) enhancements

Visit here for more info: www.autodesk.com/revitstructure

 

Revit Extensions (Subscription Only)

Steel Connection Modeling

            Conceptual Form Simulation

            Load Takedown

            Steel Composite Design

            Content Generator

 

 

Visit the Subscription Center to download: http://www.autodesk.com/subscriptionlogin

Autodesk® Robot™  Structural

Analysis 2010 Feature Summary

Here are the main themes with some of the new features and enhancements that were made on Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2010 software:

STRUCTURE MODELING AND ANALYSIS

            Import DXF/DWG files as a background

New object types—building components

Loads on cladding

New rules for load combinations

French Eurocode 1 Snow and wind loads

New loads library (ASCE 7-05)

Harmonic analysis with damping

Static/dynamic analysis of diaphragms

Improved footfall analysis

User-defined Eurocode safety factors

Regional settings for Australia

Regional settings for Sweden

Updated Italian steel section database

Educational version

 

 

 

 

 

Reinforced Concrete Design

Display prefabricated parts and openings on 3D view

User interface enhancement

Common reinforcement bar databases

Check spread footing for additional loads

New codes - Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1 2004/AC 2008)

NAs for EN 1992-1-1 2004/AC 2008

 

Steel Design

New common steel connection definitions

New codes - AS4100:1998

New codes - NAs for EN 1993-1:2005

 

 

 

 

To learn more, go to: www.autodesk.com/robot

AutoCAD^® Structural Detailing 2010 Feature Summary

Here are the main themes with some of the new features and enhancements that were made on AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2010 software:

 

AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2010—Steel

Imperial units supported

Bolt database based on the AISC 13th edition

New sections and databases

Import/Export to Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2010 software

Save the model in simplified ACIS format

Define and edit schemes

Define objects of mark type

New functionalities in drawings and tables

New functionalities in connections and parametric structures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2010—Reinforcement

Imperial units

ACI bar shape codes

New Reinforcement schedules (U.S.)

Spread footing, column, and beam reinforcement common with Autodesk Revit Structure

Export of drawings from Autodesk Revit Structure using Imperial units

Enhanced Surface Distribution functionality

Arbitrary distribution of bars

A new method of calculating the length of bar segments

Copy parameter modifications to other objects

Save AutoCAD Structural Detailing objects in AutoCAD blocks

Repair damaged files

Improvements connected with the BS Standard

Graphic shortening of bar segments and wire fabrics

Denmark: new reinforcement databases

Sweden: new reinforcement databases

Portugal: new reinforcement databases

India: new reinforcement databases

 

 

 

To learn more, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=12189178&siteID=123112

Autodesk Assistance Program Offers Help to Displaced Workers

Hi All,

 

There is a press release announced this morning about the Autodesk Assistance Program being launched in North America for unemployed architects, engineers and designers.  You can learn more about this program at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Autodesk-Assistance-Program-prnews-14855503.html

 

You can also listen to an interview/discussion with Mr. Steve Blum (our senior vice president of Autodesk Americas sales) about this Autodesk Assistance Program. It can be viewed here at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2soQzmRqY1I

 

 

Thank you

 

Wai

Autodesk Design Review 2010

Hi All,

As some of you might know already, Autodesk Design Review 2010 officially released last week and is available to download from the web  (www.autodesk.com/designreview-download)!

Major improvements in Autodesk Design Review 2010 include:

-          enhancing the usability of the product,

-          opening PDF directly in Autodesk Design Review,

-          adding commonly requested markup enhancements,

-          adding and verifying digital signatures,

-          and enhancing DWG viewing.