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    • Author: Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Working From Home with HIVE – CTC

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    This article was created by CTC Software

    So, you need to work remote from the office and you have discovered it is a bit of a pain for production. Or, perhaps you have yet to discover the pains of extended remote work and you want to be prepared? CTC Software has tools to make all aspects of production more efficient, including the remote workforce.

    The biggest delay when working remotely in Revit, after the project model access, is getting and loading content. The project model has been properly solved by Autodesk’s BIM360 eco system. Sadly, that system is not very efficient at holding the content and allowing it to be loaded into project models. This content loading process typically involves someone using a VPN connection to remotely access the office network, then browsing across that VPN connection. When the time comes to load family content it is rather slow, but even worse is when system families or typical detail views must be accessed. These pieces of content are stored in project models, and these models can be rather large. Opening and transferring settings from these models is extremely slow across VPN.

    CTC has heard it said, “Well, I’ll just use Google docs, or Dropbox then…” Well, this may work, but keep in mind, small company libraries are about 1GB of content per Revit version so this could easily mean storing and syncing 4GB of Revit content, and this is estimating conservatively. Most firms have way more than that.

    So, what is the solution? CTC Has a toolset called HIVE. It is tuned to manage Revit’s custom libraries but can also be used for any kind of content. Since we are discussing Revit here, understand this, HIVE allows easy google-like searching of the regular loadable families, System families, typical drafting views, Schedules, and even fully assembled sheets. This all can be done with very minimal setup, and users get the content they need on-demand. All they need is an internet connection. This would not require any VPN for the content stored in HIVE.

    CTC has run demonstrations of HIVE from conferences like Autodesk University and BiLT. These conferences often have acceptable but certainly not speedy internet, and sometimes the internet at these events can be very unstable. While there, CTC often conducts HIVE demonstrations, browsing for any needed content with no perceptible delay.

    What does this mean for you? Well, your BIM Management team can easily configure HIVE to host all needed Revit Content, and your workforce can access it from any workstation connected to the internet. They will need the internet anyway to work on BIM360, so the system requirements and connections are already in place for them to use HIVE almost instantly.

    Contact your local CTC representative to get your trial of HIVE and understand how you can purchase this perfectly tailored solution for times just like the ones we currently find ourselves in.

    Contact:

    Mughees Altaf
    Account Manager — AEC Productivity Tools
    mughees.altaf@solidcad.ca 

    AutoCAD 2021 is Here

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    It’s that time of year again folks; Autodesk has released their flagship product in AutoCAD 2021.  Here is an excellent article explaining the new changes.  Below are the features that are close to this BLOG writer’s heart.

    Format

    There is no format change this year.  Excellent!

    Enhanced Commands

    Trim and Extend have new default behavior resulting in fewer clicks.
    Revision clouds are now their own object.  Including a new Arc Length property.

    The Break At Point command can now be repeated resulting in fewer clicks.
    Drawing version history comparison for files stored in cloud services such as OneDrive and DropBox.

    The block palette now contains a Library for blocks stored in cloud services or other folders.

    AutoLISP

    A brand new AutoLISP development interface which uses Visual Studio Code with a LISP extension.  Auto-complete functions and parentheses.

     

    Manage drawings more efficiently with Batch Link | Revu 2019

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    This article was originally published by Bluebeam, Inc. in the Knowledge Base.

    The Batch Link® feature automatically creates hyperlinks for a group of PDFs, like when you’re working with a multi-drawings set or details on drawing sheets. You can specify the criteria used to create these hyperlinks or automate the process using filenames, page labels or the AutoMark function.

    You can also use Batch Link to:

    • Create a navigational link on your title block that takes you to the sheet index.
    • Add Studio Project files to the Batch Link wizard.

    Learn how to take your batch linking to the next level with these tips!

    If the set of files you’re going to batch link contains a title block, you can use it to create a navigational link that takes you back to the sheet index, similar to a home button. All you have to do is swap out the search term generated in the Batch Link wizard (usually the sheet number) for your project number. If you don’t have a project number, you may use any text string found on the title block of every page.

    1. Go to Batch > Link  > New. The Batch Link wizard opens.
    2. Add the PDFs to be processed.
    3. Select Next. The second page of the Batch Link wizard opens.
    4. To generate your list of search terms, choose the Page Region option, then click Select.

    Next, define a region on the PDF and generate Search Terms

    1. Click and drag to define a region on the PDF. When the region has been defined, the AutoMark dialog box appears. Click OK when finished.
    2. When the correct sheet number displays next to Search Term in the Scan Preview section, click Generate. The Manage Links list is automatically populated.

    Lastly, look through the Search Terms and edit destination

    1. Look though the generated list of search terms to ensure they match their correct destination.
    2. Change the search term for your project number (or any text string from the title block).
    3. Select OK, then Run.


    Now you have a link on your title block that takes you back to the sheet index.

    Have you ever wanted to Batch Link your Studio Project? You can do this by adjusting your Studio Preferences.
    To enable Studio Project files for Batch Link:

    1. Go to Revu > Preferences  (Ctrl+K).
    2. From the sidebar, select Studio and then Options.
    3. Clear the Open and save files to Studio from toolbar only check box.
    4. Open the Project file.
    5. Go to Batch > Link  > New.
    6. Select Add Files and add your Project files.

    Now you can add your Project files to the Batch Link wizard.

    Roof Truss versus Rafter and Extending to Core tool

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    I would like to point it out two tools that can make a big difference when designing roofs, the Truss or Rafter tool and the Extending to Core tool. They also affect the shape and size of the eave truss.

    Revit offers to options to justify the roof and the reasons why is because the bearing condition is very different between the two. The Rafter or Truss option is only available if we choose the Pick Walls tool.

    When we select Roof by Footprint, and the Pick Walls tool, we see at the Options Bar the Extend to wall core check box.

    The diagram below explains the different roof configurations that result from switching on and off the Overhang Extend to Core option and the Rafter or Truss option. When the Extend to Wall Core is activated, Revit will measure the overhang from the core. When it is not activated, it will measure the overhang from the exterior face of the wall. Also noticed how the Truss and the Rafter connections change. The Truss sits on the Exterior face of the wall while Rafter sits on the interior face of the wall.

    Another advantage of using the Pick Walls tool is to assure stability when editing the overhang. When we use the Pick Lines tool, Revit create a line that not attached to the wall. Notice that there is no option to change between Truss or Rafter. Below I draw a roof using the Pick Lines tool and another one using the Pick Wall command. See the difference when I change the overhang dimension.

    Notice that when using the Pick Lines tool, the roof and the wall are not aligned and to fix that we would have to drag the roof manually. On the contrary, using the Pick Walls command, the roof remains aligned to the wall. Whenever is possible, it is best to justify the roof using the Pick Walls tool when creating the roof footprint. By doing that we are avoiding future issues, saving time and getting the most out of Revit!

    Path of Travel update on Revit 2020.2

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Since my last post about the path of travel, Autodesk made a very useful update on the path of travel tool.

    The path of travel was calculated automatically by Revit picking the start and end point. Now we have the ability to add waypoints along the path of travel. This allows us to drag the points and adjust the path. You can also delete the waypoints to restore to default position.

    To activate the tool, simply select the path of travel. The tool will appear under the Modify| Path of Travel Lines. Select the Add Waypoint, click on the path of travel and drag it to adjust it. To delete it, select the Delete Waypoint and click on the point.

    Finally, plan and profile sheets that update after design changes

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Plan production tools in Civil 3D are great for creating plan and profile sheets, but what about when the inevitable design changes come and you need to update your sheets? You either update them manually or recreate all new sheets. With CTC Software’s Sheet Generator, you can create plan and profile sheets that update after designs change, including refreshing of viewports, north arrows, matchlines, sheet names and numbers, sheet set data, and more. Sheet Generator provides better control on Profile Views, more flexible sheet management workflows, and easily dovetails with your company standards.

    For more click here

    Bluebeam: DYNAMIC FILL

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    When I sometimes look at some architectural projects, I tell myself that as much as the design is beautiful, the various estimators involved in the project must have pulled their hair out. So, let’s look at this wonderful (but still underused) function of Dynamic Filling.

    Before starting with this tool, we are going to create a surface with Area Measurements tool which we will call Ground surface and which we will save in the toolbox (it is important for the continuation).

    Once our surface has been created, we will finally use Dynamic Fill. To do this, first go to your menu, then in Tools, go to the Measure section and then go to the last Dynamic Fill icon. Or else, type “j” on your keyboard 😊

    It will bring up this menu on your screen

    Now, let’s take an area that is hard to calculate on our plan like this one for example

    Click on the paint bucket   to select it then point with your mouse at the area that must be measured area and keep pressing the right button and you will see like paint pouring into the room

    Once the room is filled, we will choose what we want Bluebeam to calculate by choosing our previously created surface to apply it on the painted area

     

    Finally, we click on Apply and here we go!

    _______________________________________________________________

    Create custom legends and QTO with Data Wizard

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Tabling, legend creation and QTO workflows leave a lot to be desired in Civil 3D, forcing to use many different subpar tools, or worse, performing the work manually. With Data Wizard you can scan any number of drawings for AutoCAD and Civil 3D objects to generate legends, tables, QTOs, and more, all to company standards, and all automatically. When drawings change, refresh tables to automatically incorporate updates. Save out templates for quick recreation of custom tables and legends.

       

    For more click here

    BING Images Won’t Appear

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Have you ever turned on background BING imagery inside AutoCAD products only to find they don’t appear?  There could be a few reasons for this:

    • No Geolocation or coordinate system is set.
    • You’re not logged in with your Autodesk account.
    • You’re zoomed into an area compatible with the geolocation you’ve chose.

    These two are the pre-requisites for using images from BING, but there is one more which has many of my customers stumped.  Have you ever seen this message?  You almost certainly have.

    If you choose Yes, then you will see your images.  If you choose No, you won’t.  If you check that little button on the bottom left, you’ll never see this message again.  Good, right?  Well, if you chose Yes, then yes.  If you chose No, well…you’ll never receive this message again and you’ll never see images!

    There is a saviour, however.  There are other message like this in AutoCAD.  Toggles that prevent that box from appearing in the future.  These are called “Hidden Messages” and they can be turned back on by opening AutoCAD’s Options dialog box [OPTIONS].  Then opening the hidden message settings in the System tab.

     

    I hope you can use this to avoid any unnecessary frustration in your day.

    Keeping Your Revit Model Healthy by Utilizing CTC Express Tools

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Many firms struggle to fully keep their Revit models healthy. There are manual, and tedious workflows that can be error prone.

    Do you want to do a thorough health check of your model prior to sending it out? Exhausting time checking to ensure information is correct, accurate and consistent across the project team, and projects can be tedious. Let’s look at a few tools from CTC Software that can help you make this process quicker and more effective project to project.

    1. BIM Manager Suite – Dimension Checker, Project Cleaner*, Type Swapper, Shared Parameter Manager, Family Processor, Import Link Manager
    2. BIM Batch Suite – Family Loader*, Family Exporter*, Plotter & Exporter
    3. BIM Project Suite – Model Compare, Spreadsheet Link

    Problems We Face

    1. We need to have, and should have standards
    2. Standards can be hard to maintain
    3. Standards can be cumbersome and tedious
    4. Consistency can be hard to track manually

    Workflow Process with 3 CTC Tools

    Shared Parameter Manager – Much easier way to manage your shares parameters compared to the out of the box method. Browse your master shared parameters file and compare to a source file. Filter differences between the master and source file, and add, modify, delete, move, duplicate, and find/replace.

    Family Processor – Able to make multiple changes to multiple families in batch to ensure the content’s schedules are consistent and accurate. Powerful when you are building a library, adding new content, or downloading content from manufacturers. Builds a summary health check file of each family so the BIM Management team is able to track new or changed content.

    Family Loader* – Once the content is up to date and standardized by using Shared Parameter Manager, and Family Processor, you can batch load those specific fixed or new families in a project.

    *For Free Tools, contact SolidCAD to discover and evaluate your current workflow in Revit and let us find the right solution for you.