Revit View Range
Jan 28, 2012
I just commented on a post over at the Revit Kid. It reminded me about a video I had posted some time ago on the View Range feature in Revit. I went looking for the link and discovered it had gone missing. So, I decided to repost it here. The video was recorded a few releases ago, but is still relevant to today’s version of Revit. Please enjoy.
Revit Parameters
Jan 19, 2012
I had a client email me about Parameters. They were having a tough time getting their head around the different types, so I thought I would make a quick post about it.
In Revit there are four kinds of Parameters:
System Parameters
Shared Parameters
Project Parameters
Family Parameters
System Parameters which include the two you highlighted are built-in to Revit and cannot be changed, but they are always available. This means they show in tags, schedules, projects, families, etc. Project Parameters are custom parameters you add to a project. When adding a project parameter, it is available to all objects of the specified category throughout the project and CAN appear in schedules but NOT tags. You create them with the command on the Manage tab of the ribbon. Family parameters are only available to the Family in which they are added. They do NOT show in tags or schedules nor to other Families of the same category. However, you can make a custom parameter (Project or Family) available to tags and schedules by making them a Shared Parameter. Shared Parameters are defined in an external text file (a Shared Parameter file) and you can access them also on the Manage tab. It is VERY important that you have a single shared parameter file for the entire firm to “share” thus the name. You do NOT want more than one Shared Parameter file. All this file is used for is to define the parameter. Once defined, it knows how to behave. So ALL shared parameters will be created from this single source file. The end users will not need to have access to, nor do they need to even know about the Shared Parameter file. Kind of like a recipe for your favorite cookies. You need the recipe to get the cookies right, but you don’t need the recipe to enjoy eating them.
If you think there is any chance that a custom parameter will want to be scheduled or tagged, you should make it a shared parameter. So on your titleblock, you need to make those custom parameters at LEAST a project parameter. This will tell Revit what to do with them. But consider making them Shared for additional flexibility down the road.
| Kind of Parameter | Who Creates it | Where does it live | Appear in Tags | Appear in Schedules | Description |
| System Parameters | Built in | Project and Family | Yes | Yes | Built-in to Revit, You cannot change it |
| Shared Parameters | User Defined | Project and Family | Yes | Yes | Custom Parameter created for the highest portability and flexibility |
| Project Parameters | User Defined | Project | No | Yes | Custom Parameter accessible to all objects in a Project |
| Family Parameters | User Defined | Family | No | No | Custom Parameter accessible only to the Family |
Hope that helps to clarify things a bit.
All Capital Letters – ALT Part 2
Jan 11, 2012
Quick follow-up to yesterday’s post. I found a few decent fonts for this task. In the screenshot here you can see “Arial Caps” and “Tahoma-Capped”. I found both of these at this site. They appear to be royalty free. At least there was no indication otherwise on the site. Also I forgot to mention yesterday that this same approach is effective at capping the headers and the data. Enjoy.
All Capital Letters – ALT
Jan 10, 2012
Steve over at Revit OpEd just posted about making the subtotal at the bottom of a Revit Schedule appear in All CAPS. Traditionally, architectural drawings use all caps for all lettering. As Steve points out, this goes back to traditional hand drafting conventions and trying to ensure consistency between various draftspersons. Consistency in lettering is no longer a problem in the computer age, but some habits linger. When email and posting to online web forums first became popular back in the early 90’s many forums had FAQs explaining rules of “online etiquette”. One of these rules was always: “Don’t use ALL CAPS, IT IS LIKE SHOUTING”. I think in this day and age, most online users know this rule now and you don’t see too much all CAP use anymore… that is unless you are looking at architectural drawings and then the All CAPS thing is quite prevalent indeed. Personally, I prefer mixed case. EVEN on architectural drawings. I rarely use the CAP Lock key on my keyboard. However, it is still a pretty common desire among Architects, Designers and Engineers to use all CAPs in documentation.
That brings us back to the subject of Steve’s post. Steve points out that Revit does not offer us a way to make the automatically created labels on Revit schedules such as “Grand Total” in all CAPs. This is a limitation or “feature” of the software depending on your point of view. Steve proposes a work around. Well, this got me thinking if there was another way to achieve this. I decided to do a quick test with fonts. It turns out that to “trick” Revit into doing this automatically without having to use manual text is to use a font that uses only CAPs. I had a few on my system so I did some quick tests.
As you can see, the fonts I had available were not great examples for this application. The Telegrafico font has really small numbers. The Tonio font does not have a dash character and the PTF Nordic font is a bit too bold and rounded. Therefore, consider them “proof of concept.” If you get an acceptable font, (or create one if you know how to do that), then all you have to do is set the Schedule to use this custom “all CAP” font in the Appearance tab.
Thanks for starting the conversation Steve.
M-six BIM toolset preview
Jan 10, 2012
I am a little late on this one, but I got a message in my LinkedIn box the other day. Other bloggers (What Revit Wants and Revit OpEd) have already shared this, so let’s call this an echo. It was from a company called M-six. They have a video preview of their new soon to be released toolset. Looks VERY interesting and delivers on the stuff many of us in the BIM space have been saying BIM had potential to do. I think it is worth keeping an eye on these tools and how they develop.
Year end reading
Dec 27, 2011
For many of us, this week is a little slow. Maybe you are not fortunate to have it off from work, but just the same, many folks are away or otherwise winding down the year. Sounds like a good time to catch up on reading if you ask me. Now it might be more enjoyable to read the latest novel or perhaps if you are like me, you got a copy of the Steve Jobs book for Christmas. But the boss may not look too kindly on this kind of reading on the job…
But, if you were “caught” reading a copy the latest Revit or AutoCAD training materials, not only would the boss be unlikely to be upset, you might even get an “attaboy” out of the exchange. 
So to help us celebrate the New Year, we have extended the exclusive 40% off deal previously offered only to attendees of Autodesk University. Now through December 31st, you can get 40% off the cover price of The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit MEP and The Aubin Academy Master Series: AutoCAD MEP titles. To get the discount, you have to order from the Create Space eStore link. Just input the discount code: SGESYKP2 during checkout.
Please enjoy the book and the special limited time discount. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Minor Correction in our AutoCAD MEP 2012 book
Dec 11, 2011
On page 81, Figure 2.13, we reversed the descriptions of letters c and d. Thanks to Steve for pointing this out.
#AU2011 Resources Posted
Dec 11, 2011
Did you make to #AU2011 this year? If you are like me, there are too many classes to attend in the short three days we are there at the confernce. Or maybe you couldn’t make it this year. Well, the folks running the conference outdid themselves again with a terrific event. They are also hard at work preparring all the recorded classes for posting to AU online. You can visit right now and find some of the resources such as class papers and PowerPoint presentations (where available). More to come soon.
I have posted all of my class materials right here on my website. You can find the papers for each of my four Revit Architecture classes in both PDF and ePUB format. You can also find all of my dataset files used in demostrations and labs. For my Family Editor Step-by-step Introduction class, I have also posted video recordings of the entire class. I recorded these before AU and they include both the material I covered live in Vegas as well as many bonus lessons I did not have time to present in the short 90 minute lab. You can find all of these items posted here. Enjoy!
Un-BIM-lievable!
Nov 20, 2011
Planning to attend Autodesk University? If so, make sure you check out the class: “Un-BIM-lievable! You Did What with AutoCAD® Architecture?” Class ID: DL5808. This class is presented by my longtime client friend Patricia Wines of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI). She will be joined by two of her WDI colleagues Michael Ross and Jess Kuncar.
In Patty’s own words:
“I hope I can count on you all to attend our 8:15 am class on Thursday morning.”
“We are going to be showing some AMAZING models we have created in AutoCAD, and some great imagery from projects in construction. I realize time is limited at AU, and I know we are scheduled at the most inopportune time after a big party, but I promise a great presentation. So if you have customers/partners/users interested in how to execute BIM in ANY platform, I urge you to attend our session. We are really excited about what we’re going to present. We hope you’ll join us.”
I will echo that sentiment. WDI does some amazing stuff that just “wows” me every time I’m there. Here is the official class description:
This class will demonstrate that sufficiently utilized design software can create beautiful, graceful, complex, and intriguing BIM models. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are ubiquitous phrases used in the marketplace today and studied in universities, and they might well be the most overused and misunderstood. The word might more accurately be spelled b*I*m, because the building and the model are second to the information and its consumer. Knowing how much information is required and providing a supply of it equal to the demand makes for the most efficient and useful models. In this class, a number of successful designs will be discussed, focusing on the work created for Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, and in particular, the extremely successful Voyage of The Little Mermaid attraction.
If you are able to attend this session, I am sure you will find it one of the most satisfying sessions of the conference. Come join me in the back to give Patty a big cheering section!
Fixed!
Nov 18, 2011
The book pages are working again! If you are looking for datasets or other information on the either of the following titles:
The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit MEP 2012
The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit Architecture 2012
The pages are back up and running. Thank you for your patience.
Revit MEP book Dataset issues
Nov 16, 2011
It has just been brought to my attention that the downloads portion of the the Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit MEP 2012 page is broken! This means that the link to downloading the dataset files is missing as well. I have my web designer working on fixing the problem but in the meantime, I wanted to post an alternate link to the dataset files. You can find them located here. The Readme file is here. My appologies for any confusion. We should have the normal page back up and running shortly.
Book Dataset Updates posted for Metric Architectural Files
Oct 24, 2011
The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit Architecture 2011:
http://paulaubin.com/books/the-aubin-academy-master-series-revit-architecture-2011/
The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit Architecture 2012:
http://paulaubin.com/books/the-aubin-academy-master-series-revit-architecture-2012/
Look for the download labeled; “Metric Dataset Update”
A self-extracting WinZip file is provided containing the missing files. To install these files, simply run the EXE file and let it unzip to the location of your existing MasterRAC 2011 or 2012 folder. No files will be overwritten, but by unzipping this way, they will be placed in the correct subfolders.
If you use Imperial units, you do not need this update.
New edition of Revit MEP book now available
Oct 16, 2011
The latest edition of The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit MEP 2012 is now available. You can learn more about the book and place orders from this page. Like our AutoCAD MEP title, this book is authored by myself and Darryl McClelland, Martin Schmid and Gregg Stanley. We are publishing this title through the CreateSpace service under the imprint G3B Press. The book is currently available for order directly through the CreateSpace eStore. Be sure to input the coupon code on book page to save $10 off the cover price. The book should also be available soon on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other resellers. It usually takes a few days to as many as a few weeks to get into their systems. The full text of the book will also be searchable on GoogleBooks. The title is not yet live on GoogleBooks, but should be very soon. The GoogleBook service serves as the index for this title. Simply input a serach query into the field on the book page and it will show you all the locations found including page number references in the physical book. The dataset is live and available now for immediate download. We hope to have an ePub version of the book available very soon as well.
Thank you in advance for those that visit the book page and especially those who purchase a copy. Your comments and feedback is also most welcome.
Revit Architecture Rendering at lynda.com
Oct 8, 2011
As promised the second of my two new lynda.com courses: Revit Architecture Rendering, is now live! Revit Architecture like most Autodesk 3D products uses the Mental Ray rendering engine to create photorealistic renderings from 3D views directly in the software. This all new course at lynda.com outlines the entire process from the creation of 3D views, to modeling and materials, lighting and generating a rendering. An overview of the table of contents includes the following:
- 1. Introduction and high level concepts: covering the basic rendering process and prerequisites.
- 2. Creating 3D Views: Understanding 3D views, creating axonometric views, creating camera views.
- 3. Modeling: covers approaches to modeling, Walls, Sweeps, imported geometry and modeling tips.
- 4. Materials: explores an overview of materials, material graphics, material appearance, creating custom textures and sharing materials between files.
- 5. Location and Sun Settings: covers geographic location, sun settings, true north and the Sun Path tool.
- 6. Lighting: covers inserting artificial lighting Families, understanding light fixture Families, manufacturer’s fixtures, lighting groups and other lighting tips.
- 7. Rendering: explores the render dialog in detail: quality presets, customizing, resolution, lighting settings, output settings.
- 8. Walkthroughs: learn how to set up a Walkthrough, edit a Walkthrough and output a Walkthrough.
- 9. Output and other tips: Output your renderings, create non-photorealistic renderings, create solar studies and more.
I am really excited about how this course turned out and I hope you will drop by and give it a look. You can visit the lynda.com site to learn more and sign up for a subscription. While you are there, you can also check out the all new Revit Family Editor course that went live last month and the Revit Architecture Essentials as well.
You can see the intro movie on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUYTbT4nrO0
Full disclosure: I receive a referral for each subscriber to lynda.com from the links on this site. I also receive royalties for my courses posted on the lynda.com site.
New Revit Family Editor Course on lynda.com
Sep 22, 2011
I am happy to report that the first of my two new Revit courses on lynda.com is now available. The new course: Revit Architecture: The Family Editor includes an update to my Revit Family Editor Series DVD training and so much more!
The original DVD series covered the basics of the Family Editor for version 2010. This new lynda.com course expands greatly on the material included in the original series and updates the material for 2012. The original series was approximately 4 hours in length. This new lynda.com course is a whopping 6 hours and 44 minutes! In addition, the production quality available at lynda.com is far superior to what was produced in the original series. Given changes made to the Family Editor since 2010, the higher quality and expanded table of contents, I think you will find the new course a very worthwhile update to the original.
Revit Family Editor Course Highlights
Here is a snippet of the table of contents:
- 1. Introduction and high level concepts: covering what a Family is, the Revit element hierarchy, libraries and differences between model and annotation Families. Strategies and course focus are also covered.
- 2. Annotation Families: covering kinds of annotation, creating Generic Annotation and Tag Families and using Shared Parameters in Tag Families.
- 3. Simple Model Families: covering the overall model Family creation process, hosts and hosted, reference planes, constraints, labeled dimensions, work planes, flexing and testing.
- 4. Family Geometry: detailed look at: Extrusions, Blends, Revolves, Sweeps, Swept Blends and void form basics.
- 5. Beyond Geometry: includes coverage of identity data, Family Types, Type Catalogs, material parameters, visibility parameters and subcategories.
- 6. A Family in a Family: covering nested Families, Shared Families, Profile Families and parametric arrays.
- 7. Controlling Visibility: explores symbolic lines, element visibility, level of detail display and controlling overhead display in plan.
- 8. Building Complex Parametric Families: begins tying together many of the previous topics to create a more complex whole. Covers planning, reference plane strategies, nesting components, arrays, parameters, formulas driving parameters and <family types> parameters.
- 9. Parametric Annotation Family: ties together many previous topics to create a more complex annotation Family. A parametric key plan Family using conditional formulas to drive visibility is showcased.
- 10. Driving Angular Parameters: Controlling rotation and angles can be a challenge. This chapter uses a Door Family as an example to showcase how to parametrically control rotation and angular parameters.
- 11. Advanced Strategies – Control a curve parametrically: Controlling curves can be a challenge. This chapter uses a brick arch Family to showcase how to parametrically control the flexing of curves in the Family editor. It also delves into advanced and complex formulas used to drive circle geometry. Advanced trigonomic functions are utilized to constraint the curve’s flexing behavior.
The This course is designed to get you up to speed with the Family Editor quickly. You can view a YouTube preview of the class here.
lynda.com library is a fantastic resource to learn a huge range of topics. With a large focus on creative software packages and topics, you will find tremendous value in not only the Revit course offerings but programs like 3ds max, Photoshop, MS Office, SketchUp and more. I hope you take a look at my new Revit Architecture: The Family Editor course today, and while you are there check out the other terrific courses that lynda.com has to offer.
Full disclosure: I receive a referral for each subscriber to lynda.com from the links on this site. I also receive royalties for my courses posted on the lynda.com site.
New Revit courses coming soon to lynda.com
Sep 7, 2011
I spent this past week in Ventura, CA recording two new courses for lynda.com.
Paul in the Booth
I already have the Revit Essential Training course on lynda.com that covers all the basic skills you need to get up and running with Revit Architecture. The essentials course was recorded for Revit 2011, but remains applicable to 2012 as well. I cannot yet disclose the details of the two new courses, but the overall topics will include the Family Editor and Rendering! The courses shoudl be ready very soon, so please stay tuned for more details. Thanks!
Full disclosure: I receive a referral for each subscriber to lynda.com from the links on this site. I also receive royalties for my courses posted on the lynda.com site.
The Rise of the Planet of Revit
Sep 4, 2011
Just playing around and whipped up Ceasar’s window as a Revit Family.
Under new management!
Jul 19, 2011
I am happy to announce that the newest edition of The Aubin Academy Master Series: AutoCAD MEP 2012 is in the final proofing stages. We are just days away from release now. This year the book will be published under a new imprint and publisher: yours truly! Our previous publisher Cengage Learning has transfered the rights to us. We are publishing the newly revised and updated for 2012 title under the imprint G3B Press. (There is a back story to this name, but I will save it for another day). Books will be manufactured on-demand using the CreateSpace service. CreateSpace is an Amazon company providing print on demand services for books, CDs and DVDs.
Learn more about this book.
***UPDATE: Ordering is now LIVE for this book! Click the link on the book page above to learn more and place an order. For a limited time, use discount code: YPTMBGMF at checkout to save $12.00 off the cover price! This code will be valid for a limited time only. You must use the CreateSpace eStore link on the book page to input this code. Thanks for considering our new book.
Read more
Revit 2012 Book Dataset Files
Jul 14, 2011
It has been brought to my attention that the dataset files for my latest edition of The Aubin Academy Master Series: Revit Architecture 2012 have not yet been posted to the CengageBrain website. I am of course dismayed by this situation and I am working closely with the publisher to rectify it. However, I have ALL datasets for ALL of my books posted on this website. You can simply click the Books link at the top, click the book you have and then scroll down to find the downloads. The 2012 Revit Architecture book dataset can be found here.
Thank you!
Digging
Jul 11, 2011
Have you ever tried to dig a hole in wet soil? You dig in and lift out your shovel of wet earth, only to have the soft slushy soil surrounding it simply fill in and impede your progress. Take another shovelful, and soon there is more there to take its place. You never seem to get done… Can’t seem to get to the bottom.
This is my email inbox…
Recent Posts
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- All Capital Letters – ALT Part 2
- All Capital Letters – ALT
- M-six BIM toolset preview
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