The Revit Clinic

Remove Revit DB Link New or Recently Used Connections from List

This useful tip comes from Aaron Lu passed along by Harlan Brumm.  By default any connection, regardless if it currently exists at the location stored, will appear in the Revit DB Link New or Recently Used Connection list:

If you want to clear out this list at any point I have included the process below:

1.  Close Revit 2010.
2.  Navigate to the following folder location:

For Windows XP
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\IsolatedStorage

For Windows Vista
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\IsolatedStorage

3.  There should be a number of named folders at this location; navigate down until you find a folder typically called AssemFiles.  If you don’t see this simply search for a file called Revit DB LinkConnections.txt.

4.  Delete Revit DB LinkConnections.txt.

5.  Launch Revit 2010 > Add-Ins > External Tools > Revit DB Link to verify the list is blank.

The file is created \ modified every time you create a new connection and contains the connection information.

After deleting the file the New or Recently Used Connection list should appear blank.

Learn to customize Autodesk AEC products at June DevCamp in Boston

The upcoming Autodesk AEC DevCamp is the software developer conference for anyone in the AEC industry considering or actively customizing Autodesk AEC technologies, including Autodesk Revit (Architecture, Structure and MEP), AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, Navisworks and more. 

This Event is Open to everyone - Autodesk customers, VARs, and members of the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN)!!

The AEC DevCamp features more than 30 software development training classes taught by Autodesk engineers in a casual “fun “Camp” environment.  There are introductory programming classes for people just starting to customize (I would be in this group) and advanced topics on how to architect and implement state-of-the-art software solutions for professional software developers.

In addition, there is a business track for software business owners who want to learn how to expand their business by leveraging Autodesk’s sales and marketing resources.  The cost to attend this three day AEC DevCamp is $500 per attendee till April end ($600 later).

You can learn more at http://devcamps2010.autodeskevents.net/

Modifying the Plan Rep subcategory for Foundations doesn't update in view

You may have tried to adjust your foundation line color or pattern using the Structural Foundations > Plan Rep subcategory, and noticed that it didn't seem to do anything...

That is because it doesn't; it is actually a legacy item that does not control anything. So if you want to change the display of your foundations, use the overall Structural Foundations category instead.

To avoid confusion for any of your users, you can delete the subcategory from your template file. This unnecessary subcategory is removed by default in the 2011 templates.

 

Can't Find the Tap! How Fitting

The following is an excerpt from a conversation that I've had with my wife at least three times in the last six months:

Me (yelling): "Has anyone seen my sunglasses?  I just had them!  If anyone took them, so help me...!"

Wife (yawning):    "They're sitting on top of your head."

Me:    "Oh.  Well then, where are my car keys?  I've told the kids to leave th.....

Wife (interrupting):    "You're holding the keys in your left hand."

Me (red-faced):    "He He.....umm....well...yeah...I..was just...you know...testing...."

You've had the same experience, right?  Be honest.  OK...maybe you haven't. 

But, we've seen a few instances where customers could swear they loaded a duct fitting into their project, but couldn't find it where they expected it to be.  Let's see if we can solve the mystery.

Let's say you load into your project the following family from the Imperial Library\Duct\Fittings\Multi-Shape\Taps directory: 

 

Now, suppose you want to set this fitting to be the default tap on your duct.  Based on the name of the fitting (Rectangular to Round Takeoff), you might assume that you can set this fitting to be the default tap on rectangular duct.  However, when you go to Type Properties of rectangular duct to set the default tap, this family does not appear in the list.  You could swear you loaded it.  So you reload the family.  Same result.  You start checking the other fitting types (elbow, cross, transition).  Still, no dice.

So, before you start blaming the electrical engineers or the architect for the missing fitting, let me clear this up:  the fitting is sitting on top of your head.  Nah...I'm just kidding.

This fitting can be specified as the default tap only under round duct type properties.  Here is a video to illustrate:  Rectangular to Round Takeoff

If this post can prevent just one feud between engineering disciplines, I would rate it a 5......but that's just me.

Corrected: Post Installation Tasks for Revit Architecture 2011

We made an adjustment to one of our installation videos, Post Installation Tasks for Revit Architecture 2011 yesterday.  The material library uninstall order was listed incorrectly in the original video.

The updated video, which is embedded below, contains the correct material library uninstall order:

Corrected: Post Installation Tasks for Revit Architecture 2011

In addition we have 2 technical solutions which reference the material library uninstall order:

Clean uninstall of Autodesk Revit 2011 products 

Uninstalling the Autodesk Material Library 2011

The material library is uninstalled in reverse order as they appear in the Control Panel > Uninstall or Change a Program.  Essentially if needed you remove them from largest to smallest size:

I hope this helps clarify any confusion on this issue!

Revit 2011 Google Maps® Location Dialog

Revit 2011 products implement a Google Maps mapping service interface for the location dialog.  This makes it easier visually select a project location.  You can still toggle to the previous default city list as well.  I’ve included an image of the new interface below:

You can manually enter coordinate values or drag the red location marker which will update the project latitude and longitude coordinates:

Also you can now search for locations by street address to easily pull up the exact project location and corresponding latitude and longitude values:

Solid Fill Distortion When Printing

For anyone who may have come across this potential issue I want to outline two common causes.  The symptom is a view which appears correctly but when printed to a physical or digital printer [such as to PDF], solid fills appear in the view or distort on existing objects.  Often it may appear similar to shadows set active in the view.  I’ve included an example image below:

 

1.  Check if your view has any solid filled regions

While not common, a solid filled region could potentially conflict with the print output when using the Vector Processing method.  Before printing the view, highlight the filled region[s] and choose Arrange > Send to Back.  This will often resolve the printing conflict.  Alternatively you could turn off the filled region display.

2.  Check for View Properties > Color Scheme

Verify if the View Properties > Color Scheme is set active.  Even if the color scheme contains no values, once active it could potentially distort existing fills.  Try setting the Color Scheme > (none) before printing to see if the issue persists.

In addition to the alternatives above, printing the specific view with Raster Processing should also eliminate this issue should you come across it.  This setting is accessible under Print > Print Setup > Hidden Line Views > Remove Lines Using > Raster Processing.

'Can't Make Type' Error When Loading MEP Family

Some users have experienced an issue where an error occurs when loading certain air terminal families in Revit MEP and selecting one or more types from the type catalog.  As shown below, the error reads "Can't Make Type", followed by the name of the family and type.

 

There seem to be two families from the Revit MEP imperial library that produce this error:

• Supply Diffuser with Plenum - Linear Slot - Hosted
• Return Diffuser with Plenum - Linear Slot - Hosted

The main reason for the error is that the values in the type catalog for the Diffuser Width parameter are not formatted as decimal fractions. 

To resolve this issue, replace the existing type catalog files for these families with the fixed versions included in the zip file below.

Here are the steps:

1. Save the zip file below to your local desktop
   
   
2. Extract the files to the following directory:
   
   For Microsoft XP installations (32 and 64 bit): 
   C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\RME 2010\Imperial Library\Mechanical Components\Air-Side Components\Air Terminals
   
   For Microsoft Vista/Windows 7 installations (32 and 64 bit): 
   C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RME 2010\Imperial Library\Mechanical Components\Air-Side Components\Air Terminals
   
   
3. Overwrite the existing files
   
   
4. Load/reload the families into the project
   
   
5. Select one or more types from the type catalog

The warning should no longer appear when loading the families.

Download Fixed Type Catalogs

(Note:  these files are fixed in Revit MEP 2011.  If you've installed 2011, you can replace the 2010 files with the ones installed with 2011)

There is also a technical solution for this issue posted on the Autodesk website here

 

Rendering & Materials in Revit 2011

There are a number of additions and changes to the rendering toolset & user interface for the 2011 release.  I wanted to organize some of this information below which I hope is helpful…

Render with a background image

This was a much requested feature in Revit 2009 and 2010 which has been implemented in Revit 2011.  I’ve included the technical solution link below:

Rendering with a background image in Revit 2011 products

Render Processor Core Limit

The 4 core rendering processor limit has been lifted for 2011; I have included a technical solution below on this issue:

Rendering processor core limit for Revit 2011 products

Materials > Render Appearance User Interface

There are some additional options for materials and the user interface has been retooled for the Materials > Render Appearance page.  I have included an example image below:

Revit 2011 Render Appearance Larger Image

Realistic Visual Style

You can now view materials in the active view in Revit 2011 products by utilizing the Visual Style > Realistic.

 

It is important to note that hardware acceleration must be enabled to utilize this feature.

Protein 2.0 Appearances

Revit 2011 products use Protein 2.0 appearances, in single project library.  This increases the interoperability between products such as 3ds Max/Design 2011.  One item to keep in mind is that when exporting FBX files they must be opened in a 2011 compatible application to see these materials, textures and lights.

Additional information is also listed in the technical solution below:

Materials and lights in Revit 2011 FBX file not visible in 2010 applications

Troubleshooting Wall Phasing

I've included 3 important items to check in a view where walls may not appear to be following phasing settings.  There are 3 videos below [with sound] for reference:

1.  View Phase / Phase Filter Settings

First item to check is the Phase of the view under Properties > Phasing > Phase.  Verify this is set as needed.

Next note the Phase Filter.  Under Manage > Phases > Phase Filters find the phase filter on the list.  For any category set to Overridden the settings on the Graphic Overrides tab will be utilized.  Navigate to this tab next.

Verify the settings for each phase category appear as needed:

Video Example

2.  View Filters in Use

A view filter will override phasing settings so ensure to check if there is one in place under Visibility / Graphic Overrides > Filters:

Video Example

3.  Wall Height

Unconnected Walls below 6'-0" will not appear as cut in the view; this is important to keep in mind if you have a specific line setting which is not being displayed for some walls.  

Verify the wall height to see if it falls under this category as it may be a display, and not a phasing setting:

Video Example