November 24th, 2011
By Mark Fox
It seems Autodesk have just released another technology preview on their Autodek Labs Website, which they have cunningly named ‘Structure Generator’ – Can you guess what it does?
This is what us structures folk want to see. I haven’t had chance to play with the tech preview yet, but I definitely will be. It’s only available until 1st April 2012 so that does give much time for tinkering. Why not go and enjoy another freebie from Autodesk (although possibly not free for long?).
Here is the Autodesk blurb on what it is:
Overview
Project Structure Generator for Autodesk® Revit® Structure and Autodesk® Revit® Architecture software is a technology preview that provides a connection between massing models and objects created during conceptual design and structural elements such as …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
November 21st, 2011
By Mark Fox
Localisation for us folk over here in the UK is important. Atleast it is to us. Paul Oakley has been asked to put forward a report on whats wrong and/or whats missing from the OOTB (out-of-the-box) UK content for Revit.
Why not head over to Alans Blog ‘HERE’, and contact Paul directly. This is yet another chance for us all to have an input into what we want from Autodesk to make our daily uses of Revit atleast a little bit easier.
August 24th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Ever had this error?
“Revit Current License Status.
License unavailable. A license is required to run Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 on this computer.”
License unavailable. A license is required to run Autodesk Revit Structure 2012 on this computer.”
A bit of history as to how I came to receive this message. I opened up Revit for the first time, and it hung on the splash screen. I had to do a hard reset to breathe life back into my trusty machine.
Well, there isn’t a lot of documentation regarding this error on the big ol’ internet. I had a quick look and gave up, thought I’d hassle our reseller instead. I’m glad I did. Within approx 30 seconds I got a reply to my email. Seems the local license file was corrupt. It was suggested closing all my Autodesk applications and moving/deleting ‘c:\ProgramData\FlexNET\’ would resolve the problem. It did, happy days!
It has since come to light that the cause of it hanging was related to the network connection. My boss threw his coffee all over Mr. Network Hub who sits next to my desk the other day, it transpires Mr. Network Hub didn’t much appreciate it. Anyway, that was causing spasmodic network connection which resulted in a crash mid-opening of Revit, hence the corrupt local license file.
I run Revit Structure 2012 on Windows 7 64-Bit. I don’t know if the location of the ‘FlexNET’ folder would be different for the numerous versions of windows that are around (XP, Vista, 32/64-bit), so if it isn’t where I suggested above, you may need to do some searching.
Are you bored now? Well go and do some work! 
Happy Reviting!
August 13th, 2011
By Mark Fox
I have recently had a couple of conversations with Alan Wooldridge (RST Learning Curve, LRUG, AUGIUK etc.), about walls. Don’t stop reading!!! I know that sounds like the start of a very boring blog post, but it’s not!
Alan has rightly pointed out there are a number of holes in the OOTB walls (and no they aren’t for windows or doors)! See the 3 London Revit User Group slides below.
Clearly this isn’t the most efficient, understandable, or even consistent approach to walls. No disrespect to Autodesk, they do a cracking job with Revit, but, there are bigger and better uses of their time, such as developing the software and not the content. That is after all what they do!
Anyway I’m straying from the point, the walls could be better.
Enter Alan Wooldridge in conjunction with Ralph Pullinger (Autodesk).
These guys are spearheading the development of a UK based system wall family template. …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
July 26th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Meeting No.2 For Bristol Revit User Group was held a couple of days ago on Tuesday July 19th 2011. It was a good evening which a few of us more hardcore Revit lovers continued at a local pub.
So what happened? Well the agenda looked something like this…
1745 – 1800: Registration
1800 – 1900: Ian Howard of 4th Dimension Software & Revit Store will kindly be presenting his Library of Revit content and tips & tricks of the family editor.
1900 – 1945: Chris Hobbs talks Autodesk Vault. What it is, what it does, and why you want to know.
1945 – 2000: BRUG progression discussion – The floor will be open for people to share their views on what they want to gain from attending BRUG meetings. Requests for presentations, discussion regarding BRUG committee, best way to communicate BRUG information (Linkedin, email, website?) etc.
2000 – closing: Discussion to continue at local watering hole as before.
We didn’t dilly dally, Ian jumped in and started taking us through …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
April 13th, 2011
By Mark Fox
The functionality of CSC’s analysis link extension for RST is about to get better… a lot better
…click the image to visit CSC’s website
Part 1 (Part 2 to follow…)
Over the last 12 months I have had numerous encounters with importing/exporting models between Revit Structure and external structural analysis software. The majority of my experience of Revit/Analysis model exchange has been to/from CSC’s Fastrak and …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
March 22nd, 2011
By Mark Fox
How good the features are is as always a matter of opinion
I’m not going to cover all flavours of Revit here. For a start this is a Revit Structure blog and secondly I don’t use the other flavours, so couldn’t give you a fully informed review if I tried.
I was up until stupid o’clock last night watching in action some of the new features of the Revit 2012 ‘Galaxy’ being demonstrated live. I firstly would like to thank Mr David Light a)for wangling me a ticket & b)for such a great write up… (I think he may have prepared a lot of his post in advance, I must remember to do the same next year).
If I take the new features of RST in isolation there is a fair amount to be excited about. The biggest of the feature enhancements to RST has to be the ’super-charging’ of the analytical model. I’m going to keep this basic for fear of spilling too much information.
Ability to:
Control the visibility of the Analytical Model through its own object style tab (should have been like this from the start Mr Autodesk!).
Floor and wall analytical representations have been given a surface (nice extra, especially given the ability to isolate the analytical model).
Quick access to enable/disable analytical model of elements (handy dandy!)
Colour coding of analytical model end segments. (Yes, makes sense, but can we make it clearer?)
Nodes (this one is gooood! Much more control! Productivity gains for preparation of analytical model for external analysis).
Autodesk have also improved the functionality of the 3D reinft. tools. I won’t bother listing the improvements, I doubt it will have much impact on many of you.
There are some nice improvements to the graphic display options and visual styles. Improvements to selections with the addition of ghosting. New tools for creating assembly groups and assembly views, and a new ‘parts/divide’ model tool.
A particularly nice addition is the ability to freeze and tag 3D views. This is something Glenn Jowett of Revit ST has been fighting for for a number of years.
As I mentioned earlier this is my first hit at being able to post on the new features. I am unsure of the detail to which I can go into so I have erred on the side of caution, rather than upset those nice guys and gals at Autodesk.
Autodesk have, to my mind, been wasting their time on the enhancements to modelling 3D reinft. (I may well have to come back and delete this post in a couple of years if they actually make the theory usable). As pointed out by David Light HERE Autodesk would probably be wise in addressing some fundamental basic enhancements that would dramatically improve all end-users experience of the software. Currently as Alan (Sir Cadalot) says over at RST Learning Curve, Revit 3D reinft. detailing is currently a 3D toy.
Overall i’m excited! Whilst many of the basics have yet to be developed, this release has introduced a number items which will have an impact on the day-to-day use of the software.
Watch this space. Once released I will endeavour to start posting tutorials to help get you all (and myself) up to speed!
Happy Reviting… not long to wait now!
March 18th, 2011
By Mark Fox
As I am trying desperately to find the time to blog, Autodesk have seen fit to invite me to a private view of some Autodesk webcasts going live on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd March. Us lucky bloggers who have been invited to these private webcasts have been given permission to to Blog/Tweet etc. about the new features which will be highlighted.
This is awesome news for those of you who don’t beta test, and are desperate to find out about what’s included in this years release. I can’t wait, and I largely know what’s coming!
If you wanna find out the new features first, then …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
March 9th, 2011
By Mark Fox
It seems to me that we are deep into a transition, a transition to a superior approach to the way the construction industry undertakes its role.
We all know what I’m talking about, and we all know it is coming. It seems that the question of whether or not BIM will be adopted by the industry has been answered, …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
February 18th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Thats right folks it’s time for another issue of Augi World – Its now monthly since combining with AEC Edge.
HIGH-RES Download HERE!
LOW-RES Download HERE!
Read it online HERE!
If you’re reading this blog you are probably already aware of publications such as AUGI World. But if not, you should be. These publications are a source of much knowledge, the guys that submit articles make their email addresses readily available and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you dropping them an email to show your appreciation, particularly if you found the articles(s) of benefit. I know I’d appreciate it if I had an article published.
Anyway enjoy the publication and you can look forward to another one next month.
February 4th, 2011
By Mark Fox
How do you model sloped roof framing? Its not as straight forward as you might think!
There appears to be a number of different approaches to modelling sloped structural framing. Here I thought we’d take a look at the two best options to suit most situations.
I would strongly recommend playing around with your options for modelling sloped structural framing. I don’t believe there is a one method suits all approach to this topic. Your approach will be largely dictated by the level of complexity of the roof. If I had to give one golden nugget of advice regarding modelling sloped structural framing (or anything else for that matter), it would be THINK BEFORE YOU MODEL.
This is what we want to finish with…
Firstly I assume you have modelled your …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
January 27th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Any blog worth its weight has mentioned the comedic ‘6 Phases of Revit’ by Chris Zoog. I thought it would make a nice office poster!
So here it is folks…
I’ll be getting on to more meatier (useful) articles again now. I should be posting the next article early next week, providing I get it finished. But, to whet your appetites, its all about sloping structural framing methods. What not to do, What to do, and What…the hell?
One last thing. Bristol Revit User Group had its first informal meeting yesterday evening. Small and pleasant seemed the order of the day in the end. I’m looking forward to getting some more structured meets organised and more people on board. Thanks to Rob Clark of Cadassist and Craig Howell Jones of BDP I could have talked Revit all night, and these were the first two guys I’ve found that share the passion. Thanks again.
January 19th, 2011
By Mark Fox
And there are a couple of Revit based articles, that seem worth a read.
HIGH-RES Download HERE!
LOW-RES Download HERE!
Or follow this link to the AUGIWorld issues page.
If you want to skip the non Revit based articles, then skip straight to the pages listed below.
Page 3 – Firstly there is an interesting Q&A with David Harrington, the newly appointed Autodesk User Group International President.
Page 28 – What’s the point of this Roof? Felix Gonzalez puts a cap on it using Revit Architecture.
Page 30 – Wood Framing Walls. Phil Russo breaks down doing wood in Revit Structure.
Enjoy the latest edition of AUGIWorld.
January 18th, 2011
By Mark Fox
So, we’re now sailing through the first month of 2011. There is only one thing that any self respecting Autodesk Revit enthusiast is thinking about… Revit 2012!
It’s been almost 12 months since the release of Revit 2011, and I’m itching to get my hands on 2012 and to start to play around with some of the new/improved features.
The big difference between this year and previous years is that recently I have signed up to beta test both Revit and AutoCAD. That means I know what’s coming, and that makes me all the more excited. I don’t really know the ins and outs of it. Do beta testers get to know and test all the new features of new releases? Or, do Autodesk hold back some features to surprise us on release day? I’m hoping it’s the latter and there are some unknowns thrown in for me to have a play around with.
But, it’s not just the geeks that should be looking forward to new releases. The companies that pay the substantial sums of money to benefit from the software should be itching too. The new features and improvements to each new release can …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
January 13th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Its time for the Revit users of Bristol and surrounding areas to finally meet.
Following a post I ran in September, its finally happening.
So way back, at the beginning of September, I posted how I had found out about some other users in my local area who use Autodesk Revit. I was looking forward to actually talking to fellow users who are as passionate about the software as myself. Its been a slow process (especially in comparison to …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
January 7th, 2011
By Mark Fox
Ever had the plan representation of your vertical bracing not show up?… I have…
It seems when I created a custom structural framing family for some vertical bracing I overlooked one simple setting that meant it didn’t adopt the project settings for plan representation. Heres how to sort it out.
Below is a Prezi.com presentation showing the steps required to resolve the issue. Start the plugin by clicking the play button in the middle at the bottom. I would recommend viewing it full screen (Hover over the more button in the bottom right hand corner, then click the full screen option) and clicking through the presentation with the Right Arrow (—>) at the bottom of the plugin (you can also click the Left Arrow (<—) if you want to go back a stage). Let me know if you like/dislike the Prezi.com presentation so I can make an informed decision as to whether or not to use it in the future.
Simple step-by-step
For those who didn’t like the Prezi.com presentation here is the step by step method.
1. Open up the offending family in the family editor.
2. Click on Home>Properties>Family Category and Parameters from the ribbon.
3. Under the ‘Family Parameters’ section of the dialogue, change the value of the ‘Symbolic Representation’ parameter to ‘From Project Settings’.
4.Save you family, reload it back into your project, and your offending vertical bracing should now show in plan view as per your project settings.
I couldn’t find this info anywhere on the internet so I hope you guys find this useful.
Happy Reviting!
November 30th, 2010
By Mark Fox
Revit seems to think total volumes aren’t important. I disagree… here’s how to get your totals.
It turns out trying to do a quick takeoff of foundation material volumes (or any other material volumes) isn’t as cut ‘n’ dry as I first thought. For some reason Revit won’t total the material volume column? “How stupid!” I hear you cry, but don’t panic I’ve found a solution.
You go about creating your material takeoff schedule in the normal way. …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
October 27th, 2010
By Mark Fox
There just isn’t enough information out there for creating a Revit Structure template. So, I intend to help remedy this very situation.
In the coming posts I will be documenting my setup of the company template(s) and come the end I will post the whole document here on my blog.
The OOTB (out of the box) setup for Autodesk Revit Structure leaves a lot to be desired from the point of view of the structural engineer. The documents that are produced from modelling in the OOTB template just don’t cut it. Without a shadow of a doubt creating a company template (or templates) is necessity. …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
September 8th, 2010
By Mark Fox
Time to have a jolly at the local meet up and talk Revit with other users in your area
Have you ever wondered if there were other like-minded Revit users living or working in a town near you? I have… now I know who some of them are!!!
So, I first stumbled across the UK Revit Register on David Lights Revit Blog. I have since …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
September 3rd, 2010
By Mark Fox
Why start a blog? Why start a blog about Autodesk Revit?
I think it boils down to two things…
Why start a blog? Blogs are a great source of information, some good some bad and some just wrong. But, why would someone make the decision to start a blog… …CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
March 3rd, 2010
By Mark Fox
This blog is all about learning Autodesk Revit Structure, although I’m sure I will accidentally help Revit Architecture & MEP users occasionally. Many of the posts will be in ‘walkthrough’ / ‘tutorial’ form, but be warned, you will have to put up with many of my less useful ramblings in between the good stuff!
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