Updated FABmep Import for Revit MEP Now Available via Autodesk Labs

 

Autodesk Fabrication CADmep supports detailing, fabrication, and installation workflows for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors, and provides tools that extend design-intent to create more accurate, intelligent, constructible models of building services systems. Autodesk Revit is specifically built for Building Information Modeling (BIM), empowering design and construction professionals to bring ideas from concept to construction with a coordinated and consistent model-based approach. The flavor of Revit that adds capabilities for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing is Revit MEP.

For more information, to read more on this subject and download see the posting over at It's Alive In the Lab

 

Extension for Autodesk Revit 2014 on Autodesk Exchange App

Source BIM & Beam website

A few pack edges of Revit Extension 2014 have been released on the Autodesk Exchange App Store.

These tools are

Subscriber Benefit Apps.
Civil Structures for Autodesk Revit 2014
Frame Generator for Autodesk Revit 2014
SDNF Import/Export for Autodesk Revit 2014
Composite Design for Autodesk Revit 2014
Excel Based Model Generation for Revit 2014
Timber Framing for Autodesk Revit 2014
Grids Generator for Autodesk Revit 2014
CIS/2 Import/Export for Autodesk Revit 2014
Compare Models for Autodesk Revit 2014

Which would be bloody marvellous if the subscription centre login page would remain on screen as you attempted to login !!!

 

Revit Structure 2014 - Multi Rebar Annotations & Enhanced Rebar Shapes

Here is a nice little video from Ideate - Bollywood Style

What ever happened to all those BBC voice trained presenters?

Autodesk Revit 2014 - Enhanced Analytical Model

Where do Autodesk find these people to do the voice overs on these videos? - it sounds like "Fronk" from Father of the Bride or "Serge" from Beverly Hills Cop have gone to Autodesk.

The Growth through BIM Report authored by Richard Saxon CBE

The Growth through BIM Report authored by Richard Saxon CBE was published by CIC last week. This was a UK Government (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) funded report to report on how best to turn the UK BIM Strategy into economic growth in the home and export markets.

Click Here to download

Dancing Babies Rule.....

I saw this and it made me smile, so decided to share......



Dancing with my baby-me. evian Live young.
Music: Here comes the Hotstepper - Evian remix by Yuksek
Download on iTunes: http://bit.ly/BabynMe

NanoCAD the Free Alternative to AutoCAD

OK I like FREE, I have downloaded and played with Nanocad for a few days now, and it is really exceptional value for money ;0). It's as good as IntelliCAD and better than A9Cad and if you are still playing with 2D then don't give Autodesk any more money for AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT check out NanoCAD at http://nanocad.com/

The interface is not the latest Ribbon and it has an AutoCAD Classic type interface but hell I started using AutoCAD at version 2.5 in DOS and still love the Classic windows 2004 interface. and it will run LISP routines - check out the Comparison Chart

Then go download and play for FREE

How long until we see FREE Alternatives to REVIT it's gonna happen one day ;0)

Technology	nanoCAD 4.5 www.nanocad.com	AutoCAD 2012 www.autodesk.com	AutoCAD 2012 LT www.autodesk.com
User interface and basic technologies
User interface	classic	ribbon+classic	ribbon+classic
Multiple document mode	yes	yes	yes
Layer, block and linetype managers	yes	yes	yes
Object snap, object tracking and polar snap	yes	yes	yes
AutoCAD commands syntax	yes	yes	yes
Command line: autohide mode, changing parameters  (font, color and height)	yes	yes	yes
Command line: hyperlinks for command options	yes	–	–
Autocomplete of entered commands	yes	yes	yes
SHX and TTF fonts	yes	yes	yes
Autorecover of drawings	yes	yes	yes
Unlimited Undo/Redo commands	yes	yes	yes
Aliases, menu and toolbars settings	yes	yes	yes
Selection of similar objects	yes	yes	yes
Selection of overlapped and superimposed objects	yes	yes	yes
User coordinate systems	yes	yes	yes
External references, XREF	yes	yes	yes
Operations with raster images	yes	yes	yes
Linetype editor	yes	–	–
Creation of viewport from model space	yes	–	–
Dynamic blocks	yes	yes	yes
Dynamic input	–	yes	yes
2D-drawing
Information about object’s properties  when the cursor goes over it	yes	yes	yes
Notepad for text data exchange	yes	–	–
Calculator	yes	yes	yes
Multifunctional grips	yes	yes	yes
Associative dimensions	yes	yes	yes
Associative hatches	–	yes	yes
Additional commands for layers	–	yes	–
AutoCAD tables	yes	yes	yes
Excel-style table editor	yes	–	–
Additional tools
Parametric 2D-design	–	Using dependencies	–
Creation of user libraries consisting of objects with  geometric, descriptive and behavioral properties	–	Dynamic blocks	–
Adding dialogs to control objects behavior	–	Using external      programming	–
Editing of external references	partly	yes	yes
Display of 3D-drawings	yes	yes	yes
Creation of mesh objects	yes	yes	–
Switching of visual styles	yes	yes	–
3D-views	yes	yes	–
Orbit command	yes	yes	–
Operations with solid 3D-objects	–	yes	–
Printing
Working with model space and paper space	yes	yes	yes
Viewports	yes	yes	yes
Objects transparency	yes	yes	yes
Color dependent printing (CTB)	yes	yes	yes
Batch plot	yes	yes	–
Printing in PDF	using external      PDF-printers	yes	yes
Printing in PLT	yes	yes	yes
PDF as a background	–	yes	yes
Programming, development
OLE Automation (Visual Basic Script/Java Script)	yes	yes	–
Visual Basic for Applications	–	yes	–
AutoLISP (with DCL)	yes	yes	–
C++	NRX	ARX	–
.NET	yes	yes	–

11 Revit 2014 Essential Skill Videos from Autodesk

Here are 11 Essential Skill Revit 2014 Videos from Autodesk, enjoy ;0)

01 Autodesk Revit: Getting Started

02  Autodesk Revit: Visibility and Graphics (Esssential Skill)

03 Autodesk Revit: Analytical Model (Essential Skill)

04 Autodesk Revit: Sketching (Essential Skill)

05Autodesk Revit: Selection (Essential Skill)

06 Autodesk Revit: Navigation (Essential Skill)

07 Autodesk Revit: Modeling (Essential Skill)

08 Autodesk Revit: Model vs. Annotation Elements (Essential Skill)

09 Autodesk Revit: MEP Systems (Essential Skill)

10 Autodesk Revit: Levels (Essential Skill)

11 Autodesk Revit: Families (Essential Skill)

What's New In Autodesk Revit 2014

Here is a nice little video from Autodesk

Design Review Upgrades from 2013 to 2009 !!!!!

It's that time of the year again - New Software fresh BUGS!

So I launched Design Review 2013 which told me there was an upgrade OK hit the button and guess what it links too

It's BACK TO THE FUTURE time again

Come on Autodesk sort yourselves out

SEC First Steps to BIM Competence - A Guide for Specialist Contractors

BIM guide gets Cabinet Office endorsement First steps to BIM competence: a guide for specialist contractors which has been developed by the Specialist Engineering Contractors´(SEC) Group and the National Specialist Contractors´ Council (NSCC), in collaboration with the University of Northumbria´s BIM Academy, has been endorsed by the Cabinet Office. Electronic copies are available at the NSCC and SEC websites: www.nscc.org ; www.secgroup.org.uk

What’s new in Revit 2014?

As they sing at the start of one of the Bond movies - "Nobody Does It Better" and that always applies to a review of what's new in the latest version of Revit by my friend and fellow LRUG  London Revit User Group founder member David Light

Go see and read at http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/whats-new-in-revit-2014.html




Other reviews and information on Revit 2014 include :-

Revit Rocks!            Materials Dialog Box  

Autodesk WikiHelp  What's New in 2014  

Boost Your BIM      Revit 2014 API Updates

BPA Blog                New Revit 2014 Building Performance Analysis Features

Bomb Building Information

The Bomb Sight project is mapping the London WW2 bomb census between 7/10/1940 and 06/06/1941. Previously available only by viewing in the Reading Room at The National Archives, Bomb Sight is making the maps available to citizen researchers, academics and students. They will be able to explore where the bombs fell and to discover memories and photographs from the period.

The project has scanned original 1940s bomb census maps , geo-referenced the maps and digitally captured the geographical locations of all the falling bombs recorded on the original map. The data has then been  integrated into 2 different types of applications:

Click Here to find out more and use the interactive map to see what dropped where.

IFC4 officially released

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IFC4 has been finalized, and it is officially released on 12. March 2013 for production.

London / Munich / Waltham 12. March 2013

.
After over 6 years of development and over 1100 issues being resolved, on 12. March 2013 buildingSMART international has finally released the new generation of IFC schemas - IFC4. It will now be the basis of future work of establishing new open BIM enabled work flows by defining new IFC4 based model view definitions.

The official IFC4 release includes both the IFC4 EXPRESS schema to support current STEP-based IFC exchanges, and the ifcXML4 XSD schema to support new simple ifcXML transactions,

>>read and download the final IFC4 specification<<

RANT

I hate these bloody web sites where you have to register and set passwords just to download material, I have registered historically and have never received any form of communications from them.

For Christ sake just use a download counter it’s just registration for registration sake!!!

It’s even worse when all you want is to do is download a brochure.

RANT OVER

The BIM Protocol, a Best Practice Guide for Professional Indemnity Insurance when using BIM

The BIM Protocol, a Best Practice Guide for Professional Indemnity Insurance when using BIM and an Outline Scope of Service for the Role of Information Management. The Documents are available at the CIC - Construction Industry Council web site

The BIM Protocol and its 2 x appendices:BIM Protocol Appendix 1 BIM Protocol appendix 2

Best Practice Guide for Professional Indemnity Insurance when using BIM Scope of Services for Role of Information Management

In addition PAS1192-2 :2013 has also been released and can be downloaded free of charge from here….
http://shop.bsigroup.com/Navigate-by/PAS/PAS-1192-22013/

Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling”

This specification defines the requirements for delivering BIM to Level 2."

An overview of the document can be found here….http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/pas11922-overview/

The RIBA Plan of Work 2013

Extrace from the RIBA Web site

"The RIBA Plan of Work 2013 will be formally launched on 21 May 2013. The launch will comprise the publication of the Plan of Work and new online tools, as well as support technical guidance as follows:

• 'RIBA Plan of Work 2013 – Overview' available in hard copy and downloadable pdf versions, both free
• 'RIBA Plan of Work 2013 – Online', a free electronic version which can be customised to meet your requirements
• 'Guide to using the RIBA Plan of Work 2013' from RIBA Bookshops
• 'RIBA Job Book' from RIBA Bookshops
• 'Assembling the Project Team'’ from RIBA Bookshops
• 'RIBA Agreements: alternative schedules of services mapped against the RIBA Plan of Work 2013' from RIBA Bookshops.

Earlier versions of the RIBA Plan of Work will continue to remain available to allow users to make the switch over a period of time."

Read it all here

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Addressing the 5 most important BIM questions

Thank Matt for sending me the link to this blog posting from Charles A. Doppleganger over at Eat Your CAD

"Adopting BIM is a difficult and often unrewarding task. As the BIM Manager you are expected to have all the answers to all the questions anyone may ever throw at you. It can be very intimidating being thrown into a high-level meeting and being expected to explain the principles to principals in suits and ties. It’s not quite the same as arguing the case with all your Twitter followers is it? Well, fear not, my avid readers, for I have outlined the 5 most important BIM questions you could be asked below.

The next time you are called over to the project architect’s desk to explain how he should answer a letter from the client, or are heckled by some clever know-it-all at the end of your presentation, refer back to these answers. Everything stated is total, irrefutable fact, and anyone who says any different is welcome to their incorrect, uneducated and frankly idiotic ideas. But not on my blog."

Read More

Merry Digital Christmas

A Fool And Their Money......The B1M

Saw this  "The B1M (the BIM one million) is now live at www.TheB1M.com. Please share your BIM learning and experiences to inspire wider uptake around the world. "on Linked-In and had to have a look.

The web site is missing a picture on the front page, then you read on and find its £2 a poke and limited at just 1 Million people (at the moment) so that's 2 Million Pounds, nice idea for making money and that's about all ;0)

My initial reaction was, If you are going to waste £2 give it to a charity, those already into BIM know who all the usual faces are already.....and those joining will find out soon enough.

Then Fred Mills • replied

Hi Alan, thanks for the comments. Please see the news article below. It would be very short sighted of us to make £2m and go off on a jolly. This is about making a long term impact on our industry and promoting BIM around the world. You're welcome to join in.http://construction-manager.co.uk/news/new-bim-website-aims-million-users/

After reading the information on the press release it kinda gives it a little more credibility and this information should really be on The B1M front page, but there are so many of these BIM clubs forming, I will give £2 to charity instead.

Autodesk University 2012 - I couldn't be bothered

Due to past lack of virtual performance from Autodesk University – this year, I didn’t look at the outlines for the classes , I didn’t make a list of those that I wanted to stay up late and watch (semi- live as a lot were pre recorded anyway) – In fact I have not bothered with AU at all !

First visit to AU web site was this morning to pick up the really valuable information that “All AU Classes will be available in about two weeks”  So in a couple of weeks I will harvest the good stuff and consume at my leisure……

How many of you out there are doing the same this year I wonder?

Star Trek - Into Darkness....

Just like Veruca Salt - I want to see it and I want to see it NOW! -

MAY 17th Next Year .... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo .

CIC Regional Hubs - A BIM Focus

For information and downloads from CIC Regional Hubs - A BIM Focus event visit http://www.cic.org.uk/aBIMfocus/

Revit 2013 File Upgrader

After looking for the old File Upgrader Batch Utility for 2013 and not being able to find it - I found that it is no longer supplied on the disks or memory stick but can now be downloaded off the Autodesk Exchange Apps web site

"File Upgrader will batch upgrade previous versions of Revit files to the Revit 2013 format. The tool is intended to help upgrade family contents, template files as well as project files. Every time users open a Revit file which was saved in a previous version of Revit, a standard dialog is displayed in the Revit user interface stating that the file is being upgraded. During the display of this dialog, Revit tries to upgrade the document to the current version. This slows down the process of opening a file. To save time opening older file versions during each of the subsequent attempts to open the file, users can manually open each of the Revit files and save it to the current version. This can be time consuming if there is a large set of files to upgrade across various folders and sub-folders. The File Upgrader tool saves time and manual labor by automating this process. The plug-in has been provided with the complete source code needed to build the application, with the intention of encouraging users of Autodesk software to use programming to tailor the products they use to their specific business needs."

HTH - Alan
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There is more to life than Revit & BIM

I now have an additional Blog about my Allotment!

Yep nothing to do with the Construction Industry, CAD, BIM, Health and Safety or Party Wall matters ......... This is the "off subject" Blog about (as the title suggests) my Allotment.

My daughters now 21 and 18 think that their dear old Dad is really getting old, and they also think it's cute that I've got an allotment! and that perhaps I'm also going a little crackers......They could be right ;0)

The purpose of the allotment blog is to record my progress and perhaps to get some feedback and comments on what I'm doing right and wrong and to remind me how much I have actually achieved, when I really don't feel like I'm getting anywhere or moving as fast as I would wish.

In my head I'm still between 23 - 26 and think I can function at the speed and without the consequences of physical work - Truth is I'm 54 and my body knows it and no doubt will let my brain know by sending messages from aching muscles.

See http://cadalot-allotment.blogspot.co.uk/ 
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Revit Update 2 Links

OK it would appear the updates are a part of the Subscription Advantage pack I blogged about below however you can get hold of the Update 2 for your flavour of Revit from the Updates section of each product page:

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2013 UR2

Autodesk Revit Structure 2013 UR2

Autodesk Revit MEP 2013 UR2

The update for Autodesk Revit 2013 can be found in the Design & Creation Suites Support > Data & Downloads > Updates & Service Packs section.

Autodesk Revit 2013 UR2

Installation ReadMe files and Update Enhancement PDFs are available at each of these locations as well.