In the modern world of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Excel remains a cornerstone of data management and analysis. Whether it’s for budgeting, scheduling, or data tracking, most professionals are familiar with and rely on Excel’s powerful capabilities. However, when it comes to integrating Excel with complex BIM tools like Autodesk Revit, the process can often be cumbersome and inefficient. This is where CTC’s Spreadsheet Link and Schedule XL come into play. These innovative tools bridge the gap between Excel and Revit, allowing users to harness the best of both worlds. In this post, we’ll delve into how Spreadsheet Link and Schedule XL streamline workflows, enhance data accuracy, and ultimately help you manage your Revit projects with greater efficiency and ease.
1. Understanding Spreadsheet Link
What is Spreadsheet Link?
Spreadsheet Link is a tool developed by CTC that connects Revit with Excel, allowing for seamless data integration between the two platforms. This integration is especially valuable for teams where not everyone uses Revit, as it enables efficient data management and collaboration.
Key Features
Bidirectional Data Sync: Synchronize data between Revit and Excel effortlessly. Updates made in Excel can be reflected in Revit and vice versa.
Customizable Templates: Create and use custom Excel templates tailored to your project’s specific needs, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Data Manipulation: Leverage Excel’s advanced data manipulation and analysis capabilities before syncing the updated data back to Revit.
Benefits
Enhanced Collaboration: Easily share an Excel file with team members or stakeholders who do not use Revit. They can update the file with necessary information, which can then be synchronized back into Revit, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
Improved Efficiency: Save time by allowing non-Revit users to handle data updates and modifications in Excel, reducing the need for manual data entry in Revit.
Reduced Errors: Utilize Excel’s data validation and formatting tools to minimize errors before syncing data to Revit.
2. Exploring Schedule XL
What is Schedule XL?
Schedule XL is a tool developed by CTC that enhances Revit’s scheduling capabilities by enabling users to import Excel files directly into Revit. This functionality is particularly useful for teams who use Excel for data management and want to integrate that data seamlessly into their Revit projects.
Key Features
Import Excel Files into Revit: Schedule XL allows you to import Excel spreadsheets directly into Revit. This means you can leverage Excel’s powerful data manipulation and formatting features while ensuring your data is accurately reflected in your Revit schedules.
Customizable Data Mapping: The tool provides flexible options for mapping data from your Excel file to Revit’s schedule parameters. This customization helps in aligning your Excel data with Revit’s requirements, making the import process smooth and accurate.
Benefits
Enhanced Efficiency: Importing Excel files into Revit with Schedule XL saves time and effort by eliminating the need to manually re-enter data. You can prepare and format your data in Excel and then import it directly into Revit, streamlining your workflow.
Improved Accuracy: Excel’s data validation and formatting tools help ensure that your data is correct before it’s imported into Revit. This reduces the risk of errors and discrepancies in your schedules.
Simplified Collaboration: Schedule XL facilitates better collaboration by allowing team members who are more comfortable working in Excel to manage and update schedule data. You can easily share Excel files with collaborators and import their updates into Revit without hassle.
Flexible Data Management: Leveraging Excel’s features for data manipulation, analysis, and formatting provides greater flexibility in managing complex schedule data. You can perform detailed analyses and apply sophisticated formatting in Excel before bringing the data into Revit.
3. Integrating Both Tools for Maximum Efficiency
Combined Benefits
Using Spreadsheet Link and Schedule XL together can create a powerful workflow where data management and schedule editing are streamlined and more efficient.
For instance, you can use Spreadsheet Link to manage and update room data in Excel, you can then generate custom Schedules in Excel and then use Schedule XL to handle the corresponding schedules, ensuring consistency and accuracy across your project.
Workflow Tips
Consistent Data Management: Maintain consistency by using Excel for data updates and Revit for design changes.
Regular Syncing: Ensure regular syncing between Revit and Excel to keep data current and accurate.
CTC’s Spreadsheet Link and Schedule XL are indispensable tools for Revit users looking to enhance their workflow, improve data management, and boost overall efficiency. By integrating these tools into your BIM process, you can unlock new levels of productivity and accuracy, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.
For any inquiries, reach out to your sales representative or contact us at info@solidcad.ca. Together, let’s transform how you manage contract administration in Revit and elevate your projects to new heights of success.
Effective contract administration is vital for project success in the AECO industry. By leveraging CTC’s powerful plug-ins for Revit, such as the Model Dashboard, you can enhance project visibility and streamline workflows for project leads, senior architects, designers, and BIM managers.
The Problem: Navigating Revit’s Complexity
Revit users often grapple with identifying critical project metrics due to several challenges:
Lack of Visibility: In Revit, project metrics such as the number of in-place families, line style counts, and total warnings are dispersed across the project, making it difficult to obtain a clear overview. Users may remain unaware of numerous instances in the model that require attention.
Limited Reporting Tools: Revit does not offer built-in tools for comprehensive error reporting on metrics like in-place families, line style counts, and many others.
Manual Inspection: Identifying project metrics usually involves manual inspection, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. This process makes it challenging to spot every instance that needs correction.
No Warning System: Revit lacks real-time warnings or notifications regarding project metrics, their impact on performance, or compliance with best practices. Users often do not receive alerts until issues have escalated.
Limited Documentation: Many Revit projects suffer from insufficient documentation and standards related to project metrics, complicating the enforcement of consistency and error identification.
Growing Impact: Failure to adhere to project standards and improper modeling workflows, such as the excessive use of in-place families, can lead to performance issues, increased file sizes, and longer load times. These issues accumulate gradually, making them less noticeable initially.
To overcome these obstacles, Revit users must resort to a mix of manual checks, custom scripts, and third-party tools. Implementing best practices and standards for family usage is crucial in preventing such issues. This is where the CTC Model Dashboard steps in as a comprehensive solution.
The Solution: CTC Model Dashboard
The CTC Model Dashboard is an innovative Revit feature designed to enhance project oversight by populating custom parameters within a Revit model with specific metrics. This tool provides a visual presentation of over 30 metrics, offering users a clear snapshot of their project’s health.
Key Features:
Visibility of Metrics: Place the CTC Model Dashboard titleblock on your Revit “Starting Page” to display project metrics upon opening a model.
Customizable: Use the titleblock as-is or customize it to meet your specific needs.
Comprehensive Data Collection: Gather 30+ project metrics, including:
Open and save times
Quantities of placed and unplaced/unused Revit objects
Total warnings
File sizes
Linked elements
Worksets
Text types, line styles, dimension types
Real-Time Updates: Metrics are updated every time a user saves or syncs the Revit model.
Proactive Issue Identification: Helps you spot problems early and address them before they escalate.
To utilize the CTC Model Dashboard, a license for the CTC BIM Project Suite is required. This suite includes over 19 premium Revit add-ons, enabling users to streamline repetitive tasks, analyze modeling scenarios, extract model data, and much more efficiently within the Revit environment.
Partnering with SolidCAD
At SolidCAD, we are more than just software providers; we are your partners in achieving excellence in contract administration. Our team of experts is here to guide you in effectively deploying the CTC Model Dashboard and other CTC plug-ins, ensuring you gain the maximum benefit from these tools. We offer tailored consulting services to help you integrate these solutions seamlessly into your workflows, enhancing your project’s performance and efficiency.
For any inquiries, reach out to your sales representative or contact us at info@solidcad.ca. Together, let’s transform how you manage contract administration in Revit and elevate your projects to new heights of success.
Navigating through the intricate world of Dynamo, it is crucial to stay updated on its continuous enhancements and refinements. In this part, the first of a series dedicated to Dynamo updates, we’ll delve into six (6) user-centric new features and enhancements aimed at enriching the user experience and broadening the horizon of what is possible with visual programming.
This blog aims to nurture curiosity about Dynamo, encouraging the reader to explore its capabilities and experience with its features.
In this part 1, we will discuss the Six (6) New features and enhancements.
Enhanced Node Autocomplete
New Dynamo settings with Import/Export and Deployment
In-Product Node Documentation
Insert Graph into an Open Workspace
Enhanced 3D Node Preview in Dynamo
Improving Workspace Organization with Advanced Grouping
Each of these enhancements is designed to cater to different aspects of the Dynamo experience, whether you are an architect, engineer, designer or a passionate Dynamo enthusiast, these improvements have the potential to elevate productivity and deliver more efficient BIM projects, saving valuable time.
The world of visual programming is continually evolving, equipping developers with more refined tools and functionalities. Among the recent enhancements in Dynamo is the “Recommended Nodes” feature in Node Autocomplete.
Dynamo’s Node Autocomplete, once enabled, now features a “Recommended Nodes” enhancement driven by machine learning. This improvement provides more relevant node suggestions based on Confidence Level. Suggestions are derived from extensive training on real-word Dynamo patterns. Users have the flexibility with Low Confidence suggestions can easily switch suggestions methods.
A Deeper Dive
Introducing the “Recommended Nodes” Feature in Node Autocomplete
Dynamo’s Node Autocomplete has been enhanced with a significant feature: the “Recommended Nodes”. This feature, driven by advanced machine learning, it offers precise node suggestions to optimize the visual programming workflow.
What is “Confidence Level” for Precision in Suggestions?
Once the Node Autocomplete is enabled in the Preferences, it can be activated by double-clicking on an Upstream or Downstream node port in the graph. the Autocomplete node ranks suggestions to ensure the most relevant and appropriate connections are prioritised. Each suggested node is assigned a Confidence Level, reflecting the algorithm’s certainty about its relevance and suitability within the given context. A higher confidence rating (percentage) prioritises nodes that are more pertinent, further prioritising the design process.
What are node rankings and suggestions from Real-World Learning?
The node rankings and suggestions are derived from the algorithm’s extensive training on the Dynamo dictionary, Dynamo host samples, and real Dynamo graphs. By understanding real-world patterns, it can make informed recommendations. As a result, the Autocomplete node offers customised and reliable suggestions, that can significantly improve the visual programming experience in Dynamo.
What is “Low Confidence” nodes?
Nodes assigned a lower ranking percentage are considered nodes that the algorithm have less confidence in their usability/match with the selected port and are conveniently categorized under “Low Confidence”. They are available for optional selection, ensuring flexibility in node choices. The criteria for which nodes fall under “Low Confidence” can be adjusted.
How to swiftly alternate between the Ranking Methods?
Regardless of the Preferences settings, users can effortlessly switch between the Recommended Nodes and the previously existing Node Type Match method directly from within the Autocomplete node. This ensures a seamless workflow, eliminating the need to delve into separate settings or menus.
Enabling Node Autocomplete – Step-by-Step
From the Dynamo tab, select Preferences.
Under Features, locate the Node Autocomplete option and expand it.
Toggle the switch to ‘On‘ to the left of Enable Node Autocomplete.
Select the Default Ranking Method
Type the number of nodes that will show in the Autocomplete node
Toggle the switch for Hide nodes below a specified confidence level to ‘On‘
Close the Preferences Panel
How to Select nodes from the high-ranking List – Video
Beginning with a single node:
Autocomplete node is initiated by double clicking on one of the node’s input ports
Top ranked node is selected from the list
This process is repeated for the other ports
How to Select nodes from Low Confidence list – Video
Beginning with a single node:
Autocomplete node is initiated by double clicking on the Category input port of the All Elements of Category node.
The top ranked Category.ByName node is selected from the list and automatically connected
Autocomplete node is initiated by double clicking on the Name port of the Category.ByName
The String node is selected from the Low Confidence list and automatically connected
How to Select nodes from Low Confidence list – Video
Beginning with a single node:
Autocomplete node is initiated by double clicking on the Category input port of the All Elements of Category node.
The top ranked Category.ByName node is selected from the list and automatically connected
Autocomplete node is initiated by double clicking on the Name port of the Category.ByName
The String node is selected from the Low Confidence list and automatically connected
Feature summary
The introduction of the “Recommended Nodes” feature, enhances the functionality of Dynamo’s Node Autocomplete. Utilising machine learning and data from real-world usage patterns, this user-centric enhancement allows users to create graphs with greater efficiency. With the added flexibility to feature aims to provide ore relevant and reliable node suggestions. Alongside the ability to adjust confidence criteria and switch suggestion methods, users have tools at their disposal to refine their visual programming experience.
New Dynamo setting with import/export and deployment.
Feature Overview
In the vast spectrum of visual programming tools provided by Dynamo, the ability of exporting and importing settings using XML files stands as another practical addition, accessible right from the Preferences panel. This feature not only facilitates the sharing, deployment, and transfer of preferences, but also serves as an efficient backup mechanism. Ensuring consistency in Dynamo settings across the company, it provides a safeguard against unintended changes and streamlines collaboration efforts.
Exporting Settings in Dynamo from the Preferences Panel – Step-by-Step
Note: Before making changes or importing existing preferences, exporting current configurations to an XML file is a prudent step. This acts as a backup, allowing importing them back if needed.
From the Dynamo tab, select Preferences.
In the “Preferences” dialog box, click on the section (that contains the specific settings to export.
Expand Subsections: Expand subsections to reveal the individual preferences.
Review and Set Preferences: Review the individual preferences and ensure they are set according to your desired configurations.
Export Settings: Once you have reviewed and set all the preferences you want to export, click on “Export” within the “Preferences” panel to initiate the export process.
Choose Export Location: A file explorer window will appear, allowing you to choose a location for saving the exported settings file.
Rename File: The first exported settings file to that location, will be automatically named “DynamoSettings.XML”, otherwise the file of the being exported will have a suffix appended to it (i.e. DynamoSettings_12345678.XML). Renaming the exported file or adding/replacing the suffix will help identify the settings later.
CloseFile Explorer Window: After providing the file name and selecting the export location, close the file explorer window.
The exported XML file will contain the chosen configurations and can be used later to import the settings into Dynamo or share them with others who might benefit from the same configurations.
Importing Preferences – Step-by-Step
Weather reapplying exported settings, deploying them across multiple instances or incorporating received ones from another user, the effort is minimal. Simply use the Import tool in the Preferences panel to integrate them.
From the Dynamo tab, select Preferences.
In the “Preferences” dialog box, click on Import
Locate the XML file: Locate and select the XML file that contain the configurations you want to apply and select it
Import Success? Click OK
With these few steps, the settings in the Preferences panel will update to reflect the ones imported thru the chosen XML file.
For settings outside the Preferences panel in Dynamo, it is necessary to restart both Dynamo and its host program for the settings to take effect.
Deployment with XML files
Using XML files for transferring preferences, offers a structured method for sharing, transferring, or reverting settings in Dynamo. It supports uniformity, collaboration, and quick settings adjustments.
How to Export and Import Settings – Videos
Here are two short videos that demonstrate how to export and import setting using XML files:
The Node Autocomplete feature is enabled, and the Auto-Backup Interval time is modified
The preferences settings are exported to an XML file that is renamed
The preferences settings are exported to an XML file that is renamed
An existing XML Dynamo settings file is imported in which the Node Autocomplete feature was disabled, and the Auto-Backup Interval was set to 1 minute
Feature Summary
Utilizing XML files, Dynamo’s export and import tools offer a straightforward approach to managing configurations, remaining a user-centric environment by enabling users to both preserve and modify their setup.
In-Product Node Documentation
Feature Overview
Dynamo’s revamped Documentation Browser simplifies node understanding with improved in-product node documentation. The Documentation Browser Accessed by right clicking a node and selecting Help…, it organizes information into three main parts: Node Information, Inputs and Outputs and Node Issue Help when things don’t go as planned.
A feature familiar to many, the Documentation Browser is Dynamo’s in-product node documentation designed to give users quick access to node details without leaving the application. It is now reimagined and refined to provide more organized and detailed per-node documentation.
Feature Details
The Documentation Browser is now segmented in 3 sections:
Node Information: This section provides information about the selected node. While the aim is to offer clarity on a node’s functionality, some nodes have In Depth information.
Input and Outputs: This section presents a breakdown of the nodes inputs and outputs complete with their type, a brief description, Inputs Default Value and Outputs Data type.
Node Issue Help: This section appears only when a node error is detected. It is intended to offer guidance to address the error.
The enhanced in-product node documentation provides structure and efficient way for users to access and understand vital information. This streamlined approach addresses the fundamental need for clarity and accessibility in Dynamo’s complex environment.
In-Product Node Documentation – How it Works – Video
Showcasing the improved in-product node documentation within Dynamo offers just a glimpse. It is recommended to dive into the improved documentation firsthand, allowing for a richer understanding of its advancements and nuances.
Insert Graph into an Open Workspace
Feature Overview
Dynamo’s “Insert” tool, amplifies the modular assembly approach in visual programming., by streamlining the integration of graphs within graphs or within empty workspace. This enhancement ensures a boost in workflows efficiency, reusability, modularity, and clarity within the Dynamo ecosystem.
The optimization of the user experience in Dynamo is enhanced by the “insert” tool. While copy-pasting graphs served as a functional method, this new tool provides an elegant, integrated, and straightforward approach for optimizing the workflow even further.
Feature Benefits
Precision: Minimize manual errors and ensure that graphs are integrated correctly
Efficiency: Speed up the process by bypassing the older copy-paste approach.
Streamlined workflow: This tool’s introduction fits seamlessly with established workflows, simplifying the integration/nesting process.
Enhanced Collaboration: Ensures that graphs to be nested maintain their functionality and integrity when shared among different users
Workflow enhancements
This functionality goes beyond nesting graphs, it reshapes how professionals approach their graphs creation in Dynamo. While enabling efficient integration, it offers:
Modular approach: Emphasizes the discrete unit of design, promoting a design as you go approach and encouraging decomposing complex tasks into distinct graphs and seamlessly stitch them together in one file as needed.
Reuse & Recycle: Once a graph is created, it can be reused repeatedly across different multiple projects, maximizing efficiency.
Maintained Clarity: It promotes preserving a tidy and organized library that is ready for integration.
Inserting a Graph into an Open Workspace – Step-by-Step
The introduction of the “Insert” graph tool in Dynamo, elevates the visual programming experience of both novices and seasoned users, fostering better organization and collaboration leading to an increased efficiency.
Start a new graph or open an existing one in the workspace.
Navigate to the File tab and select Insert.
Locate the graph you want to insert and select it. (Note: If the graph is inserted in an existing graph, it will be located below it)
Review and connect the newly added graph as desired.
Feature Demonstration – Video
Like other tools in this version, this tool has also to be experienced firsthand.
In this demonstration 2 graphs will be inserted in a new file, and stich together to export door’s data from a Revit project to an Excel file.
Enhanced 3D Node Preview in Dynamo
Feature Overview
Dynamo’s 3D Watch node ensures the geometry remains in sight, even when the connected node preview is turned off. This feature provides an uninterrupted spatial understanding without distractions
In certain cases, there may be no need to toggle node preview of a node on just to see the spatial context. Watch 3D now shows geometry for all directly connected nodes, even if their preview is turned off. With this update designers can remain immersed in their workflows while still retaining visual clarity.
How it Works – Step-by-Step
Right click the node connected to the 3D Watch node and uncheck Geometry Preview.
Run the graph. The geometry will stay visible in the 3D Watch Node after the graph.
This enhancement is not merely a technical update; it is a thoughtful design decision. It acknowledges the core principle that visual continuity is a must in spatial design tools like Dynamo.
How it Works – Video
In this demonstration the Geometry Preview is turned off in the GeometryColor.ByGeometryColor node. After the graph is run, the color disappears in the background but remains in the 3D Watch node.
Improving Workspace Organisation with Advanced Grouping
Feature Overview
Another enhancement in Dynamo is group functionalities. Custom Group styles, resizable headers, intuitive color adjustments, various customization option, together with the added convenience of dragging nodes into groups and, removing them using Alt+Left Click, makes organising the workspace a more intuitive endeavor. Additionally with settings exportable from within the Preferences panel, sharing. Backup, or deployment becomes smoother and more consistent.
Feature Details
Resizable Headers: Customize to content’s needs. Adjust the headers size for better readability or a neater visual look.
Automatic Text Color Adjustment: Dynamo toggles between black and white text based on group’s background color, ensuring readability.
Direct Access, Drag & Drop and Easy Removal:
Quick Style Change: While Styles are created and set in the Preferences panel, Adjustments like color and font size are just a click away with the context menu.
Direct Node Organisation: Dragging a node straight into a group for swift organisation.
Easy Node Removal: Removing a node from a group is made easy using Alt+Left Click.
Exporting Settings Via Preferences: Groups Styles Settings can be backed up, shared and deployed by using the Export tool in the preferences panel. Consistency is ensured across teams and projects.
Why it Matters
The enhanced grouping functionality in Dynamo emphasize:
Efficiency: With intuitive nodes organisation, direct style customization and easily readable group labels, workflows become faster and smoother.
Collaboration: he ability to export and share settings ensures that teams work with a consistent visual framework, enhancing collaborative effort
Personalization: With a wide range of customisation options, Dynamo allows users to create a workspace that reflects their styles and project needs.
Dynamo’s advanced grouping features in this update increase clarity and efficiency, adapting as workflows grow in complexity. The result is potentially a better organised, efficient, and customized visual programming environment.
How it Works – Video
In this demonstration, a new Group Style is created and applied to a group and text size is changed.
Part 1 Conclusion
The six Dynamo enhancements we explored in this blog are clearly geared towards refining the user experience a boosting efficiency in visual programming. From Node Autocomplete to the revamped group functionalities, each feature aims to empower design professionals even further.
Keep an eye for the part II of this Dynamo for Revit 2.17 series where we’ll keep spotlighting more of Dynamo’s updates throughout. Until next time!
