The Revit Clinic

Updated: Render Appearance Dialog Crash

I made a few adjustments to the previous Crash when launching the Materials or Render Appearance Dialogs post to include some new information.  You can find the updated post here.

Creating Property Set Libraries in Revit 2012

Revit 2012 now allows you to create appearance property set libraries, and share them as needed.  I wanted to outline the process and where the associated files are created for reference:

You can create new libraries under Manage > Create New Library

Choose the location you wish to save the library file.  This can include network locations if desired.  This will create the library file, which has an .adsklib extension. From there you can drag property sets to the library, which will store them.

Once you create or open an existing library it will now appear on your library list.  

With the move to user-specific files for Revit 2012, once a user adds a library to Revit [technically you only have to initiate the dialog and the file is later created], the following file is created:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012\MaterialBrowserConfig.xml

Each library a user adds is appended to this .xml file, along with the library path.  

You could technically copy and paste this .xml file between users should you wish to standardize shared libraries.  If you delete the file, any libraries you added no longer appear in your list.  The actual libraries [.adsklib file] still remain, only the user link to the library is gone.

If you paste in a new MaterialBrowserConfig.xml file, the libraries will immediately appear.  Revit 2012 does not have to be restarted; you can simply close and reopen the materials dialog.  Just make sure the Materials dialog is closed when you paste in the new .xml file, otherwise Revit will overwrite it again with the previous list.

Some additional information from the Help Documentation below:

Managing Property Set Libraries

Revit 2011 & 2012 Crash when launching the Materials or Render Appearance Dialogs

The typical behavior for this issue is an Autodesk Revit has stopped working error when you attempt to open the Materials or Render Appearance Library dialogs:

Revit 2012 Release

This issue should be improved with the Revit 2012 update 1 release; links are available below to download:

Revit Architecture 2012 UR1

Revit Structure 2012 UR1

Revit MEP 2012 UR1

Revit 2011 Release

For Revit 2011 utilizing the following troubleshooting process should resolve or reduce the occurrence of this behavior.

1.  Windows Tablet PC Input Service

Verify if there are any Services (Local) running called Tablet PC Input Service.  If so stop the service, launch Revit, and see if the crash persists.

2.  Wacom Tablet Drivers \ Service

Verify if there are any Services (Local) running similar to Wacom Consumer Touch Service.  If so stop the service, launch Revit, and see if the crash persists.  

If Revit still crashes, verify if the workstation has Wacom Tablet drivers.  Uninstall the driver if present in the Windows Control Panel to see if the crash persists.

3.  Windows Temp Folder

Close Revit 2011; then empty the contents of the Windows Temp folder at: 

%Temp%

You can copy \ paste the address above into a Windows Explorer path.

4.  Windows Accessibility

Verify if the workstation has any of the Microsoft Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Ease of Access Center tools enabled.

For example, with On-Screen Keyboard or Magnifier enabled Revit can crash at the Materials dialog in a similar manner.  If so, test disabling the access tools temporarily to see if the crash persists.

5.  Run as Admin

Right-click on the Revit 2011 shortcut > Run as Administrator.  See if the crash persists. 

6.  Simplified Startup

Restart Windows with Microsoft MSCONFIG > General, and do either a Diagnostic Startup or Selective Startup.  Verify if the crash occurs in a simplified environment.

If the issue persists, the following process will help us better understand if we are dealing with the same scenario.  If you are on Autodesk Subscription, I would recommend creating a support case with all of the information from this post.  If you are not on Subscription, please create a post on the Autodesk Revit Discussion Groups here referencing this information for additional assistance.

1.  If you log onto another workstation, and do the same process, does the crash occur?  Or is it simply isolated to this 1 workstation?

2.  Does the crash occur in a new project file, or is this isolated to a specific project file?

3.  What exact steps are you taking to cause the crash in the Materials Editor?

4.  Does the crash occur if you navigate to the materials dialog via different routes as follows:

[A]  Manage > Materials > Render Appearance > Replace
[B]  Select a wall > Edit Type > Structure Edit > Material > … > Render Appearance > Replace
[C]  Manage > Materials > Select “Wood” material > Render Appearance > Click down arrow next to Image > Edit Image

Image Example

Please include the following documents if creating a case:

• Latest Revit journal file from after the crash.  Journal locations here
• System Information .NFO file

Troubleshooting Elements that disappear when Rendering

I have worked with a few reports of this behavior reported by David Light and on the Autodesk Discussion Groups.  I wanted to also include the troubleshooting process which has resolved many of these occurrences below:

Each step should be tested individually as the root cause may vary from workstation to workstation and all steps should not be required.  Test rendering the same view after each step:

1.  Windows Temp Folder

Close Revit 2011; then empty the contents of the Windows Temp folder at: 

%Temp%

2.  Hotfix – Black Preview Swatch

Apply the swatch hotfix below, which contains an updated material file:

Hotfix – Black Preview Swatch

3.  Uninstall \ Reinstall the Revit 2011 Shared Material Library

The following technical solution outlines both uninstall and reinstall steps:

Uninstalling the Autodesk Material Library 2011

If the issue persists, there are 2 additional items to verify:

• Run Revit as an administrator by right-clicking on the shortcut > Run as Administrator.  Verify if the results are consistent.
• Log onto the same workstation with a new Windows user [preferably one that has never logged onto the workstation] and test the render with the same project \ view.

Revit 2011 FBX to 3ds Max 2011 Tips

I wanted to organize a few tips when exporting from Revit 2011 to FBX format and going into 3ds Max 2011…

1.  Keep the Revit \ Max version in mind

A Revit 2011 FBX export should be imported into 3ds Max 2011 due to the protein appearance format.  For additional information see the technical solution here.

2.  Apply the 3ds Max Hotfix 4

Hotfix 4 – Autodesk 3ds Max 2011
Hotfix 4 – Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011

There were several FBX improvements, including 3 specific to Revit with the 3ds Max 2011 hotfixes.  I have included the 3 from the readme below:

•FBX files from Autodesk® Revit® with RPC content loaded as empty scenes; all of the content now loads correctly.
•An empty scene was created when loading RPC assets from Autodesk® Revit® through FBX.  An empty scene is no longer loaded.
•When using Autodesk Revit 2011, FBX texture maps were using GUID labels for naming texture maps; texture maps now use their appropriate file names.

3.  Update the FBX Plug-in to 2011.3.1

From 3ds Max 2011 > Import > FBX > Web Updates > Yes > Download Free FBX Plug-ins, FBX Converter, and FBX QuickTime Viewer > FBX 2011.3.1 Plug-in for 3ds Max 2011 [32-Bit or 64-Bit].  Close Max 2011, run and install, launch Max 2011.

4.  Where are the Revit materials stored?

After you update the FBX Plug-in version, the .FBM folder issue is corrected for importing and linking FBX files.  The .FBM folder will now be created and saved in the same location as the FBX file you imported \ linked.

Previously, before the updated plug-in version, the materials were always unpackaged to the users %Temp% folder.  While the hotfix corrected some of the naming issues, in order to have the .FBM folder created [which contains the un-packaged materials, .xml files, .mi files, and .exr files] ensure to update the FBX Plug-in from step #3 as well.

5.  Preparing the model and exporting \ linking \ importing into Max

Included below is a quick process to take from Revit to Max via FBX:

•  In Revit, in a 3D View hide elements or use a section box you do not want to be included in the export.
•  The default 3D View you do this in will be included in the FBX file.
•  R >  Export > FBX, name and save file.
•  Next you want to link the file into Max.  From the File Link Manager, browse and select the FBX file to attach.  Or import under Import > Import.
•  Rendering > Render Setup > Assign Renderer > mental ray Renderer.

6.  Additional documentation

If you have access I would recommend reviewing the Autodesk University Revit® to 3ds Max® via Autodesk® FBX® documentation or screencast here.

In addition, the Revit 2011 Help Documentation has the process + tips here.

If anyone has any additional items they would like to add please leave a comment below! 

 

Exported Solar Study Frames appear to jump around in Revit 2011

You may have noticed when exporting a solar study animation in Revit 2011, depending on the shadows and view size some of the resulting animation frames appear to jump around.  For example, the building location may appear to move from frame to frame.

If you have come across this behavior, the approach below should correct the resulting animation when you export a new study:

1.  In the solar study animation view, verify that the Sun Path is OFF.

2.  Export the solar study normally under Export > Images and Animations > Solar Study.

Even though the sun path is not included in the animation if visible, it can interfere with the extents of the view causing inconsistencies from frame to frame.

Thanks to Tobias Hathorn for the above approach.

Adjusting the Scale of a Camera View

While a perspective view cannot be assigned to a set view scale (ie 1/4" = 1'-0"), you can adjust the size of the view to make it larger or smaller.

For example, let's say you have this simple camera view set up and placed on your sheet. You want the view itself to be larger, without changing what is shown/cropped:

 

To change the scale of the view, select the crop boundary and go to Modify | Cameras > Size Crop:

 

In the Size Crop dialog, select the button for Scale (locked proportions). Then adjust the Model Crop Size dimensions as desired:

 

The Scale (locked proportions) option maintains the aspect ratio and the field of view remains the same.

 

This process can be performed in either the Camera view itself or on the Sheet.

 

10 Tips for Improving Revit Rendering Times

Some of these quick tips add up in reducing your rendering times for Revit; so I’ve included some of my favorites below.  If you have a good one not included here please add a comment!

1.  Watch the View Size / Printer DPI Size

Because the Width / Height of the rendering for the “Printer” Resolutions are linked to the Crop Region size of the view, make sure to verify this setting.  A large crop region combined with a high DPI will add to the rendering time.  If possible reduce the crop region size or lower the DPI to 75 or 150 DPI.

2.  Limit the number of lights you are rendering

Lights are one of the largest contributors to rendering times.  You can selectively turn off artificial lights not necessary for the view, groups of lights, or use the section box approach in #3 below.

3.  Use a Section Box

By enabling a section box in the view and cropping unnecessary geometry you can greatly reduce the rendering times.  Because section boxes also work for linked files, daylight portals and lights this is a great approach to cut down rendering times.  See #3 in my previous post here.

4.  Keep custom material maps to a reasonable size

Avoid using very large dimensional image files, or large file-size images for the Material > Render Appearance > Image.  As a reference you can open some of the included maps in a folder such as:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials2011\assetlibrary_base.fbm\3\Mats

5.  Render on a workstation with a multi-core processor

Revit 2011 products do not limit the number of processor cores for the rendering process.

6.  Render a Region

Render a region of the view to limit the geometry which will be rendered.  Keep in mind this does not limit the light[s] calculation outside the region for rendering as a section box would.

For example, an artificial light outside the region will still be calculated and show up on the rendering dialog artificial light count.

7.  Linked Files

If you don’t need geometry in a linked file temporarily unload the link prior to rendering.  Because geometry and lights are calculated and will render from a link even if it is not visible in the immediate view this can greatly extend the rendering time.

8.  Avoid adjusting the Render Quality Settings higher than necessary

Keep in mind even the included “Best” render quality setting limits the values to the following:

Image Precision (Antialiasing): 8 out of 10
Maximum Number of Reflections: 4 out of 100
Maximum Number of Refractions: 8 out of 100
Blurred Reflections Precision: 7 out of 11
Blurred Refractions Precision: 5 out of 11
Soft Shadows: Enabled
Soft Shadow Precision: 6 out of 10
Compute Indirect and Sky Illumination: Enabled
Indirect Illumination Precision: 7 out of 10
Indirect Illumination Smoothness: 8 out of 10
Indirect Illumination Bounces: 2 out of 5
Daylight Portal Options: Not Enabled

Setting these higher than the “Best” setting, can substantially add to the rendering process time.

9.  Daylight Portals

If the current view you are rendering does not need to utilize daylight portals for windows, doors and curtain walls they can be disabled.  For example, if the view does not include a window illuminated from exterior daylight you could un-check this option.

10.  Rendered Walkthroughs

I have included a previous post on exporting walkthroughs set to <Rendering> to keep in mind.

Wall Paint Glossy, Wall Paint Matte, and Paint Render Appearances

In Revit 2011 you may have noticed 3 included render appearance categories for paint which you may apply to wall elements.  I’ve organized some example images and information below to illustrate the differences in output and options for these render appearances:

Wall Paint – Glossy & Wall Paint – Matte

Wall Paint Glossy and Matte contain the same 3 options when specified as the render appearance:

Color, Finish & Application

For Color, you specify the desired paint color.  

For Finish, there are 6 levels for paint glossiness:

1 – Flat/Matte
2 - Eggshell
3 - Platinum
4 - Pearl
5 – Semi-gloss
6 – Gloss

When you choose Wall Paint – Glossy, it is set to the highest at 6.  When you choose Wall Paint – Matte, it is set at the lowest at 1.  The render appearances have this option pre-set.

For Application, there are 3 pre-sets which add fine bump maps to replicate the method the paint was applied to the wall:

Roller  - Adds fine bumps
Brush – Adds streaks
Spray – Smooth appearance

Below are the Finish examples [notice the level of light \ fixture \ floor reflection on wall paint].  From left [1 – Flat/Matte] to right [6 - Gloss]:

Larger Image

Paint

Paint, is based on the generic render appearance.  I would recommend using this render appearance if you do not want to utilize the finish \ application settings of the wall paint and instead simply specify standard color, image fade, glossiness & highlight settings.

Attached is a previous post on Image Fade.

New hotfix released for Revit 2011 products

Hi all,

A new hotfix has just been released for Revit 2011 products.  Hotfix – Black Preview Swatch is now available for download. 

The new hotfix corrects a black preview swatch in the Initial Color Dialog and helps to reduce the occurrence in some Language Formats where aspects of the User Interface fills the application window after accessing the initial color dialog.

Make sure to apply Update Release 2 before applying the hotfix and check out the Read me.  If you have the UI problem you can fix it by Resetting your Revit User Interface.  After applying the hotfix, you should not need to reset the UI again. 

Happy downloading!