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    • CUI command in AutoCAD

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    In this post I will show you how to Customize User Interface and how CUI command allows to customize drawing environment to suit your needs.

    The Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor in AutoCAD provides a wide range of options to create and modify all the content that can be displayed with a workspaces. The Customize User Interface allows user to not only create new user interface elements and commands from scratch, but you can also copy existing user interface elements and commands to modify them.

    When customizing the CUI file that come with AutoCAD or creating your own CUIx files, the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor creates a backup copy of the file when you first start making changes to the CUI file.This file stores the settings you’ve configured in your AutoCAD customized user interface. Customization files located in the user’s appdata folder (see Figure 1).

    Figure 1. Customization Files Location

    First of all, check which layout tab is set current when a drawing is opened.
    In workspace settings check Automatically save workspace changes option (see Figure 2).

    Figure 2. Workspace settings

    Open the Customize User Interface Editor by typing CUI command (see Figure 3).
    Once the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor have been opened, user can view the contents of the loaded customization files by expanding the elements in the tree structure and viewing the properties of the elements. By selecting the Customize tab user will be able to modify interface elements such as Ribbon Tabs, Menu Tabs, create new Custom Tabs or add Commands. 

    Figure 3. Customize user interface menu

    After changes were to workspaces were finished, set newly created workspace to Current and hit Apply and OK buttons. On return to your screen have a look if you got what you wanted. If you are satisfied with the result change Workspace Settings back to Do not save changes to the workspace option.

    Watch the video below that demonstrates the entire process.

    So you think your Revit model is corrupt

    Posted on by SolidCAD

     I am going to talk about file corruption in Revit. To keep things brief I will be doing a few separate posts on this topic. Today I will touch on 4 points:

    • Initial Investigation
    • First steps to resolution
    • Common causes
    • What if you can’t resolve it…

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    Initial Investigation

    When you encounter an undesirable action or message from Revit is it important to take note of a few things. Ask yourself:

    • What action did I attempt?
    • What response did I get from Revit?
    • Can you audit file?
      • Make sure you save a copy of the file first as you will need to reopen to perform the audit action.
    • If your file cannot be opened, can you open a previous version of the file?

    To pinpoint the origin of the issue you need to ask yourself a few more questions:

    • Can you complete the action in another file?
      • The issue most likely originates with this file
    • Can another user complete the action in that file on a different machine?
      • Issue most likely originates with this machine
    • Can another user complete the action in that file when logged in on your machine?
      • Issue most likely originates with the user’s setting

    Armed with this information you can look for other likely culprits:

    • Take note of any major changes that have recently occurred in the file
    • Take note of any major changes that have recently occurred in linked files
      • Check each linked file for similar behavior
    • Look for recent changes to Revit
    • Make sure your Revit install has the latest updates
      • Use the Manage Account webpage
    • Check is all users on this file are on the same Build Number
    • Find our how much free space you have on your machine
      • Clear out old temp and journal files (keeps most recent 3-5)
    • Are you using a certified video card?
    • Do you have the most recent Driver Update?
    • What about windows dot Net Updates? Are they current?

    First steps towards a resolution

    • Audit
    • Selective Purge
      • 3 times to get it all
    • Save as
      • This writes a new file omitting lots of miscellaneous junk that is no longer required
    • Read Journals
    • Seek Support – Summit or Autodesk

    Common causes

    Knowing some of the common causes can give you hints on where to look for possible solutions. Autodesk has an article about data corruption on the knowledge network, linked below but here are a few big ones to get you started.

    • Users have different Revit builds
    • File Size
      • This includes temporary files. They can be huge; and they don’t go anywhere.
    • Nested families and groups in excess
      • Connection error during save, sync/load latest
    • Error when writing to storage location
    • Previous crash during an action
    • Database is incorrectly modified
      • Add-ins
      • Even Specialty fonts sometimes

    These cause instabilities in the file which can result in crashes and the inability to complete the following actions.

    • Sync
    • Audit
    • Open/create new view
    • Access V/G overrides
    • Save
    • Purge
    • Edit object
    • Open file

    The answer we all dread

    Sometimes there is a bug in the program, something that requires a repair or reinstall of Revit. This will preserve the registry. While a clean reinstall will fix registry issues, to do this follow the alternative uninstall directions in the knowledge network.

    Unfortunately, this happens and when the problem truly is the program there is only one solution.

    Submit Autodesk Customer Error Report with your email

    When the CER dialog appears be sure to fill in your email address and submit the report. The more instances of a CER for the same issue the better visibility it has for the development team at Autodesk. Its even better if you can include details. This information helps the development team, and if they have your email then the following actions are possible.

    • Emails are sent if there is a known solution, ie missing update etc
    • Emails are sent when a solution is found
    • When a case is opened Autodesk cross references for CERs submitted referencing that email

     

    How to reuse Revit content to supercharge your BIM infrastructure & standards

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Looking for efficiencies when it comes to enhancing BIM infrastructure and standards? Repurposing Revit content from completed projects is a smart, efficient method of updating your template and warehouse or content folders on an ongoing basis. It also provides the opportunity to check how well your current processes and standards are working in real project situations.

    In this video, you will learn how to identify and extract valuable content from completed projects. We will identify the items to look for, how to extract them from the model efficiently and then how to get these items into your templates and content folders.
    At the end of this video you will:

    • Learn what to extract from completed projects to build out templates and content folders.
    • Learn how to extract content efficiently from previous projects.
    • Discuss how to set up a process and checklist for your company to complete these project closeouts on a regular basis.
    • Understand how to compare completed projects up against current processes and standards.

     

    How to reuse Revit content to supercharge your BIM infrastructure & standards

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    By Michelle Ovelson, AEC Technical Consultant at SolidCAD

    Looking for efficiencies when it comes to enhancing BIM infrastructure and standards? Repurposing Revit content from completed projects is a smart, efficient method of updating your template and warehouse or content folders on an ongoing basis. It also provides the opportunity to check how well your current processes and standards are working in real project situations.

    In this video, you will learn how to identify and extract valuable content from completed projects. We will identify the items to look for, how to extract them from the model efficiently and then how to get these items into your templates and content folders.

    At the end of this video you will:

    • Learn what to extract from completed projects to build out templates and content folders.
    • Learn how to extract content efficiently from previous projects.
    • Discuss how to set up a process and checklist for your company to complete these project closeouts on a regular basis.
    • Understand how to compare completed projects up against current processes and standards.

     

    Why every project needs a BIM Execution Plan

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    In this video, you will learn why a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is important for a project of any size. Whether you’re working on a big “full BIM” IPD project or a smaller project, a properly created and developed BEP can answer a slew of questions on your project before you even knew they were going to be questions.

    We will briefly review what a BEP is, before launching into a discussion of why you should be creating a BEP and the everyday benefits to be gained. We will walk through how execution plans can help to clarify project scope, help to define the processes required, and clearly define the goals for the project. We will also go through common questions about execution plans and how they work, their set up and format.

    At the end of this webinar you will:

    • Understand the benefits of using an execution plans on every project.
    • Discover the dangers of not having an execution plan and learn how to avoid them
    • Learn how to make an execution plan clear and concise
    • Learn how to keep people involved in an execution plan throughout the project

    Using Curtain Walls for Wall Panel Systems

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    This video examines one of the best features Revit has to offer: curtain walls. We will look at how to use curtain walls for exterior finishes – like metal panels – that are not curtain walls.

    During this video we will go through two examples that demonstrate how to use curtain walls for panel systems:

    • How to set up a curtain wall to have it schedule and tag like a real wall.
    • How to gain the benefit and flexibility of the curtain wall grids and panels.
    • How to create a curtain wall for an exterior louvre façade.

    Tips & Tricks: Increase your productivity in Revit

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to do something in Revit, join us for this short video that focuses on how to improve your productivity.
    This video will review:

    • The best way to use 3D View Cube
    • How to be faster when working with pick lines
    • How to place families
    • What to do if you placed the drawing on the wrong sheet
    • Assuring the room height
    • Shortcut to type dimensions

    Best Practices for Revit Model Groups

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Revit Model Groups are a wonderful thing when you know how to use them and follow some basic rules. They allow capturing repetition in the building model, and provide a way to tag through the groups, maintaining unique instance properties of the contained elements for scheduling.

    This webinar will focus on the use of model groups for multi-unit residential projects.

    During this webinar you’ll hear:

    • Best practices for creating and editing model groups.
    • How best to organize what goes in the group.
    • How to plan your project with groups to make it as efficient as possible.
    • Have a chance to ask a product expert your Model Group questions.

    How to Organize My Schedules Using the Browser Organization

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    In this video you will learn some quick tips and the basics of organizing the schedules using the Browser Organization.

    Revit 2018 provides various options for organizing the schedules in your project browser such as Filtering, Grouping / Sorting. It works in the same way as the regular views and you can group and organize using multiple choices or adding custom parameter.

    Tips for Creating Detail Components

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Detail components are Revit families that can be placed in drafting views or detail views to add information to the model. They offer a more efficient, easier to use, and easier to control method of detailing than drawing individual detail lines.

    This video looks at how to create your own detail components from scratch or by modifying out-of-the-box families so that they match your company’s standards.

    We will look at:

    • What is the size of the family
    • The amount of detail needed
    • Where the origin points should be
    • What parameters should be included
    • Other types of controls