The Revit Clinic

Revit 2011 Shared Parameters Converter Extension

For those users’ on Subscription, you can now download the Revit 2011 Shared Parameters Converter from Subscription Center.  I want to go through 2 approaches to using this extension and the steps below:

Convert Family Parameters to Shared Parameters

Say you have a number of families which contain parameters set to Parameter Type > Family Parameter.

You can convert same-named family parameters for any number of files through the following steps:

1.  Add-Ins > Extensions Manager > Shared Parameters Converter.

2.  First specify the 3 folder locations for the Source files, Destination files and Log file:

 

Source – All of the files you wish to convert
Destination – Where the updated files will be copied
Log – Records the process information for each family file updated in a text file saved here.

3.  Next specify which shared parameter text file you wish to utilize parameters from.

4.  Once you have all of the locations set, copy and paste any number of families you wish to convert into the source folder.  These original files will not be modified.

5.  Then click Configuration; this will read all of the groups and parameters from the shared parameters text file you specified.  Expand any groups and highlight a parameter.  Click the right arrow to add it to the list to replace as a shared parameter.  Specify which category to group the parameter under:

6.  Click OK when complete.  Then click Run to start the conversion process.  The modified family files will be copied into the destination files location.

Add Shared Parameters to Family Files

The process is the same as above, but the difference here is that you will be selecting shared parameters from your shared parameter text file to add to families. 

If a parameter, with the same name does not exist in the family it will be added as a new shared parameter.  You can use this approach to quickly add a number of shared parameters to family files.

I have also included the 5 conversion rules the utility will follow from the Help file below:

1.  For the parameter of source file not contains the same name with configuration -- -- Add the shared parameter according to configuration.

2.  For some family parameters with same name already exist in source files -- -- Change the parameter from family parameter to shared parameter, and assign to the group (except for "other" group) according to configuration.

3.  For some family parameters with same name and different properties (Instance/Type) already exist in source file -- -- Change the parameter from family parameter to shared parameter only, other properties constant

4.  For some shared parameter with same name already exist in source file -- -- it will regarded this file as failed file and copy it to failed folder which is at the same lever of the destination folder

5.  For some family parameter with same name and different types already exist in source file -- -- it will regarded this file as failed file and copy it to failed folder which is at the same lever of the destination folder.

Transfer Project Standards > Project Info and Shared Coordinates

By default when using Transfer Project Standards > Project Info, you can overwrite information such as the project location and project information.  For example the data on the following two menus would be updated when doing so:

If the coordinates for the project base point or survey point vary between the two files, this location will also be updated.  For example in the host file you used Project Location > Coordinates > Specify Coordinates at Point and modified the location at some point.  Or you simply entered new values in the project base point.

The coordinates [for the project base point or survey point] from the file you are transferring project standards from will replace the host file if you choose overwrite.

Manage >  Transfer Project Standards should list the items to be updated:

 

For example, the file I am transferring project standards from has project base point coordinates as follows:

My host file is set as follows:

After I transfer project standards > project info > overwrite, the host file coordinates will update to match the file I transferred from:

Where the project base point and survey point are not visible by default this may not be immediately obvious and is good to keep in mind!  It is also useful should you need to quickly reset the coordinate values to match another file.

Extensions and Utilities for Revit 2011 subscription users

I am pleased to say that a number of Revit 2011 extensions and utilities are available for download from the subscription center for those customers.  www.autodesk.com/subscriptionlogin

Here is what is available:

ALL (Architecture, MEP, and Structure):

• Autodesk Revit DB Link 2011 
• Autodesk Revit Model Review 2011   
• Worksharing Monitor for Autodesk Revit 2011 
• Batch Print for Autodesk Revit 2011   
• Globe Link for Autodesk Revit 2011  

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011:

• Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 

Autodesk Revit MEP 2011:

• Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit MEP 2011  
• Space Naming Utility for Autodesk Revit MEP 2011

Autodesk Revit Structure 2011:

• Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2011  

I've downloaded them all already, but I highly recommend the worksharing monitor to everyone that can get it.  It is a great tool for workshared projects.  

Changes to the AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite Package for 2011

Some of you may have noticed that your AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite does not have a separate AutoCAD disc. This is because for the first time, AutoCAD Structural Detailing can be installed on both 32 and 64 bit platforms.

If you take a look at my similar blog post for 2010, Small Changes to the Revit Structure Suite Package in 2010, you'll see that in 2010 AutoCAD Structural Detailing went from being a separate install to being combined with the AutoCAD install. The separate AutoCAD disc was still shipped because users on 64 bit systems couldn't install AutoCAD Structural Detailing.

So now that both 32 bit and 64 bit users can install AutoCAD Structural Detailing, there is no need for the separate AutoCAD disc. The AutoCAD Structural Detailing installation will provide a shortcut to be able to run basic AutoCAD.

Revit 2011 Graphics Q&A

I've compiled a list of some of the common questions \ answers on graphics related issues.  I hope this helps organize this information in one place:

When launching Revit 2011 I receive a Some features may not be fully supported by the video card and driver on this computer message

See the following technical solution, Some features may not be fully supported by the video card and driver on this computer.

When using remote desktop to connect to my workstation why is hardware acceleration disabled?

Hardware Acceleration will be disabled for remote desktop clients.  Software mode will instead be utilized.  You should receive the following dialog at startup if launching Revit over a remote connection:

 

On the Revit Graphics Hardware List are there driver download links?

There are no links to download the drivers directly on the list at this time.  It is recommended to instead visit your graphic card manufacturers web site to download the same driver version outlined in the document.

I've updated my driver and I still get a message at 2011 startup; why is the dialog still coming up?

Take note of the specific message on the dialog after Problem:.  If your card is supported/recommended but you are running a driver more recent that the version tested, a dialog will still appear at startup [which you can dismiss if needed].

Ambient Occlusion does not appear to be active, is there a setting I need to modify?

Ensure that your graphics card is supported and that hardware acceleration is enabled.

Why in my realistic view are materials not visible?

Ensure that your graphics card is supported and that hardware acceleration is enabled.  See the following technical solution, Materials are not visible in a Revit view set to realistic visual style, for additional information.

What if my card or driver does not appear in the list or I have issues with a specific card?

You can use the Report a Problem link to submit specific graphics card issues with Revit 2011 products you may encounter.

Inconsistent Units

Have you seen this message when working in a family or editing formulas in a Schedule?

I run into this myself sometimes within the Family editor or in a Calculated Value in a schedule.  Here is a example I ran into the other day. 

I wanted to calculate the cost of a material based on its Area and the amount that material costs per SF in Revit.  I started with a Material Takeoff Schedule and added the Material: Area parameter and the Cost Parameter.  Then, I added a calculated value parameter to the schedule.  I wanted a cost of the material so I made the parameter a Currency parameter type and entered my formula.  Oops, I got the Inconsistent Units message.

 

The problem is that the Revit doesn't understand how to get an area to be a currency.  We understand as humans because we can process the units ourselves.  We can comprehend which unit type we want in the end, but Revit sees the Area as a square footage unit and simply sees the cost as a number.  For Revit, cost is just a multiplier of the Area (cost really has no unit value in Revit) so Revit wants a Area in the end because that is all it knows. 

Quickly change the parameter type to a Area, and Revit accepts the formula.  However, I don't really like that as a final solution.  Revit now displays the MyCost parameter I made as a SF measurement, not a amount like I want.  

So how do we get a number here?  We need to remove the units from the Material: Area or from the MyCost parameter by dividing the parameter by 1 Square Foot.  You can either do it before you calculate the final cost or after, you will get the same results.  This trick can be used in tons of situations to get the values you need. 

It is good to think of most parameters (not linked to geometry) as not having units assigned to them and instead type the units in the name of the parameter.

Using Number parameter types for your calculations, allows Revit to compare numbers with numbers and you don't have to worry about what it thinks of the units.  You can then use Units that Revit might not support or understand in the parameter name, but simply have them be numbers for the actual calculations that Revit performs.  

Removing units is as easy as making a new parameter that is a Number parameter type and taking your original parameter and dividing it by 1 of the original unit.  This works for Lengths, Volumes, and Areas as the above screen shot shows. 

I'd be very interested to hear your experiences with parameters in families or schedules and calculations with units. Let me know what you think. 

Modeling in Revit is Easier than Remodeling in my Bathroom

Living in a two bedroom condo on the smaller side makes you appreciate any space you have.  Especially when discovering space underneath the stairs behind our bathroom wall.  While removing the existing gypsum board and installing some concrete backerboard for the new tile on this wall, there was no way I could justify closing the wall up entirely [I had to build some type of storage]. 

So I did; both in Revit and in reality.  The Revit version was complete well before the work in progress.  This is probably because cleanup is easier in Revit, I can do it faster and I don't have to put away my tools at the end of each day!

I wanted to share a process for creating a relatively simple shelving family with some nested shelves and a cabinet-face panel.  The flash video is linked below; you should be able to save the flash file as well if you would like to keep it for future reference.

 

Cabinet Shelving Tutorial Video

The video above is about 17.5 minutes as it includes the entire process.  Feel free to skip through it if you are familiar with any of the steps along the way.  As always should you have any questions or topic requests for future posts feel free to comment below!

Revit 2011 Products Available for Download on Autodesk.com

Most Subscription customers should have been able to download their 2011 products starting yesterday, and now the download link is also live on Autodesk.com for all 3 products.

I have included the direct product download links below:

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011

Autodesk Revit Structure 2011

Autodesk Revit MEP 2011

Moving forward if there are topics you would like to see some future posts on please leave some comments below!

Dimensioning to the center of a circular slab

You may have noticed that circles drawn in Revit have an instance parameter Center Mark Visible that will turn on the center mark for dimensioning.

Unfortunately this parameter is not available in a slab sketch. So what if you want to dimension to the center of a circular slab?

One possible method is to edit the slab sketch and use the Split tool to create separate nodes in the circle that can be dimensioned to. You can click here for a video illustrating this process.

Sweeps and Swept Blends and Profiles along a Curved Rising Path

I’ve created a quick video tutorial [with sound] which I have included below:

Video Tutorial

You may have an issue when you have specific curves and rising paths for sweeps.  Depending on the geometry of the slope, a profile may not sweep along and maintain the same angle from start to finish.

One approach which typically works well is to instead use a Swept Blend, and specify the same profile at both ends.  This will additionally give you angle and offset dimensions at each end.

I hope this video helps!