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    • Tag: CTC Tools

    Unleashing the Power of BIM Data Suite: A Comprehensive Guide

    Posted on by David Medeiros

    In the world of data, gathering and analyzing is crucial. Everyone’s clamoring for more data, and CTC Tools are here to deliver. The BIM Data Suite offers multiple ways to access data for your BIM models, refits, and more. Let’s dive into the setup and where to find this valuable data.

    Data Collection with Project Activity Logger (PAL)

    The data collection process begins automatically with our Project Activity Logger (PAL). PAL extracts data from refit projects upon opening and syncing too Central. Users won’t even notice it working in the background. All the data, such as project details, file open times, and more, is logged to an SQL database. This happens seamlessly as you work in Revit.

    So, where does this data go? It’s stored in an SQL Server database, which can be on-premises or hosted in Azure. CTC Tools can connect to these databases, and we’ve even provided a Power BI template to help you visualize the data.

    Powerful Data Analysis with Power BI

    In Power BI, you can explore various aspects of your projects, including file sizes, project setup, user activities, sync to Central times, and much more. You can also identify patterns, track warnings, and analyze the performance of your models over time.

    This data can be immensely helpful in identifying issues, tracking changes, and improving the efficiency of your Revit projects. It’s a treasure trove of insights that can drive better decision-making.

    Pinpointing Warnings and Affected Elements

    The BIM Data Suite offers extensive insights into your Revit projects. For instance, it identifies unique warnings, the affected objects, and their specific warning messages. It even pinpoints the element causing the issue, whether it’s related to walls, room separation lines, or other common refit warnings. You can access element IDs, enabling you to locate and fix these problems within your Revit project.

    This information remains up to date with each sync to Central. All you need to do is hit “refresh” to get the latest updates.

    Detailed User and Project Insights

    The suite provides a wealth of user and project details, including versions of Revit in use, installed add-ins, and more. You can track user activities, performance metrics, and even which views people are spending the most time in. It offers a unique perspective on where efforts are focused during different project stages.

    There’s also an additional Project Snapshot Exporter, which extracts a comprehensive snapshot of your project based on specified filters. This data can be stored in your SQL server database or saved in various formats, providing versatility in data analysis.

    Creating Project Snapshots

    The BIM Data Suite is a powerful tool for understanding your Revit projects, keeping everything organized, and making informed decisions. When it comes to taking project snapshots, the process is straightforward:

    1. Fix your file paths, ensuring they are accurate.
    2. Place the JSON file in the model compare folder.
    3. Select the data you want to capture – you can choose from various filters, including categories, data types, and parameters.
    4. Click “Begin” to initiate the snapshot.
    5. The snapshot will work through your project, capturing data. You can open the Power BI file to view your snapshots.

    Summary and Conclusion

    In summary, the BIM Data Suite is a powerful and versatile tool for managing and analyzing data from your Revit projects. It empowers you to:

    • Access valuable insights into your projects.
    • Track changes and project health.
    • Identify issues, track warnings, and enhance efficiency.
    • Analyze data to make informed decisions.
    • Improve the organization of your data and projects.

    Whether you’re a BIM manager, project manager, or a Revit user, the BIM Data Suite provides valuable data analysis and management capabilities. It offers a comprehensive solution for navigating the ever-expanding world of data within your projects.

    For those interested in learning more, our website, webinars, and resources are excellent starting points to explore and implement the BIM Data Suite. Your projects deserve the insights and organization it offers, so don’t hesitate to unlock the full potential of your data.

    With the BIM Data Suite, you’re equipped to navigate the data-rich landscape of BIM with confidence.

    For any questions reach out to your sales rep or contact us at info@solidcad.ca.

    CTC MEP3 2020.1.2 Update

    Posted on by David Medeiros

    What is the CTC MEP3?

    The Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Productivity Pack leads the market as the ultimate content package today, precisely tailored for businesses engaged in the fields of both mechanical and electrical design engineering. The MEPPP seamlessly consolidates the Mechanical and Electrical Productivity Packs into one easy to use pack, ready for immediate deployment straight out of the box.

    CTC MEP3 Overview:

    • Project setup time is decreased by utilizing comprehensive project organization.
    • 50 view templates for all view types, including schedules and 100 predefined view filters.
    • 350+ mechanical families based on manufactured content.
    • Over 225 mechanical details with all Revit linework and annotations
    • More than 350 electrical families with over 200 symbols
    • All family content is fully integrated with extensive schedules & tags.
    • User manual includes links to instructional videos.

    CTC MEP3

    Figure 1 Cover View

    Previous MEP3 Updates:

    20.1.0

    • Electrical Family Improvements
    • Electrical Hosting
    • Electrical Workflows
    • NEMA Endorsement
    • Conditional Formatting

    20.1.1

    • Mechanical Content Improvement
    • Workflow Consistencies
    • Further Parameter Standardization

    What’s New in 20.1.2?

    Performance Improvements

    • Due to changes in Revit 2021+, combined parameters have been removed to produce “10x” speed improvements.
      • 116 schedules updated.
    • Improved formulas for performance
    • Family structure optimized.

    New Schedules

    • 118 new schedules added across the MEPPP.
    • Full conditional formatting

    Updated Conditional Formatting

    • 10 design schedules updated to new conditional formatting.
    • 101 schedules updated for consistent overall formatting.
      • Organization of parameters, justification, title headers etc.

    New Parameter Groupings

    • 37 parameter types have been re-grouped across all relevant families.
    • 20 family collections have updated <type> vs <instance> parameters.
    • 35 family collections have signification calculation updates.
      • Calculations previously were not inaccurate but were optimized for performance and modernized for current calculations.

    Updated Visibility Graphics

    • 7 view collections have significant updates to visibility graphics. 

    Air Terminal Enhancements

    • Significant updates to auto-sizing
    • New non-auto-sizing options
    • Greater number of families
    • Significant performance improvement

    Families and Types

    • New tagging options (4)
    • New types
      • Condensate Pump
      • PTAC (Wall Unit)
    • New Families
      • Air Terminals (25)
      • Outdoor Split System – Residential
      • Domestic Booster Pump
      • Standpipe Valve

    CTC MEP3

    Figure 2 Air Terminals

    For a full list of all the new features, enhancements, and fixes, visit www.ctcsoftware.com and review the Mechanical Electrical Pluming (MEP) Productivity Pack release notes or download the MEPPP Information Kit.

    CTC MEP3

    Figure 3 www.ctcsoftware.com

    For any questions reach out to your sales rep or contact us at info@solidcad.ca.

    Parameter Jammer using Revit MEP and CTC Tools

    Posted on by Rikki Kenzhebayeva

    Are you a Revit MEP user and frequently download Revit content from manufacturers or sources like BIM Object? Once that content is loaded into the project, is there a struggle to get the family properly to work with your schedules? Well than the CTC Parameter Jammer tool is the one to help solve these problems.

    Downloading Revit family content regularly brings along shared parameters to your project that are different from your company’s standards. This will give inconsistent information within the schedules. Use Parameter Jammer to deal with those problems.

    Here is a schedule with a family loaded into a project but does not have information populated because of the inconsistent parameters from the family to the project.

    Run Parameter Jammer

    With a simple user interface, there a couple steps needed to map the loaded family’s parameters to match the project.

    • Select your companies shared parameter file
    • Select the schedule that the family will be residing in
    • Select the family/families that the parameters need to be modified

    In the next window, you will get a list of all the Shared Parameters from the selected schedule along with the family parameters. From the family parameter list, you will apply what needs to be done to the family. Parameter Jammer will also find same named parameters and automatically map them. When you select the drop-down list, you specify a family parameter to match the ones in your schedule. It will only show parameters that have the same units. You can also create a new instance or type parameter for the loaded family.

    A final report will be displayed to show what has been done.

    As you can see, downloadable content being used in a project does not need to have much modification for it to work properly in your current projects. Parameter Jammer gives you the ability to quickly grab information from the new loaded families and map those parameters to meet your company standards. Your schedules will be up to date and have no missing information in a matter of a few clicks using Parameter Jammer.

    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. 

    Introduction to BIM Project Suite

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    In case you were unable to attend SolidCAD and CTC’s webinar last week here is what you need to know…

    Shawn Zirbes, a Guru for everything CTC, uncovered how the BIM Project Suite allows Autodesk Revit users to automate routine tasks, manage large numbers of content files, generate database information and much more in a lot less time, all within the Revit environment.

    BIM Project Suite is meant for everyday users of all skill levels and used by firms of all sizes. To learn more about the some of key functionalities of the suite, watch the full webinar on our YouTube Channel.