Revit Model Review

Download with Revit Advantage Pack
Along with the upgrades to Revit, Keyboard shortcuts and structural tools, there are 3 external tools added with the Advantage Pack.  These tools are available for all three Flavors of Revit and work the same.  The added applications are: Revit DBLink, Autodesk Revit Model Review and Autodesk ImageModeler 2009.  Today I am going to discuss the Model Review

Model Reviewer

Model Reviewer was developed by Avatech, and Autodesk Reseller, and sold to Autodesk. It is now part of the Revit Advantage Pack and downloaded from users subscription page.  There are a couple of parts to the model review software.  The extension that is accessed inside Revit, Check files that store the checking rules, and Results files viewable inside Revit or using the Results viewer. 

Model Review must be installed inside of Revit as an extension. The installer generally handles this but I had a bit of difficulty and it took a couple of tries.  Once installed the button appears on the Ribbon in the Add-Ins tab with it's own Panel Titled Model Review.  There are 2 buttons that interact with the model review, Check and Manage. Check starts the checking process, asking for a check file and which model to check. The program can check the current file, current and linked, or all models in a folder. 

The Check File is set and configured using the Manage Button on the Ribbon.  After choosing the Check File and Revit file(s) the process will begin. The program will step through all rules in the Check File for each model selected.  This may take some time depending on number of models, number of rules and objects accessed by the rules.  When the program is finished, it will display the results. The results are saved in the Model Review folder in My Documents. It will be titled .bcf.  The results viewer can be opened separately from Revit to view results files.  The Results viewer can also export the results to an html file available to your browser anywhere.  However the html file is read only and does not interact with the model.

Setting up the Rules

The Manage button on the Ribbon opens the manage dialog.  In this dialog users can create, edit, organize and delete Check Files.  At the top of the dialog, the list of rules for the check file are listed. Users can manage the Check rules there. Selecting a check in the top opens up the options tabs on the lower portion of the dialog allowing users to set check options for each rule as well as change the name and description.  There are 33 different check templates and many of those have numerous settings.  We will be looking at different checks and properties in future blogs.

Creating and Saving Check Sets

The file menu allows users to open, save, save as.. and create new check files. Users can start with a predefined file, blank file or any file they open.  Add or modify check rules for each file and save to the proper location.  However if the files are not added to the profile they will not be available for checking a model.

Managing Check Sets

The profile menu allows users to choose which check files are listed in the Check Model dialog box.  The standards tab contains the current files allowed for checking.  Use the add button to add a new check file, edit to rename or repath a file, and delete to remove a file.  The Folders tab changes where the results are stored as well and where any additional plugins can be found. There is currently one plugin to check for firewall/door ratings.  I understand there will be more to follow and possibly 3rd party plugins as well.  Once the profile s edited, save and open the check model dialog, select the check file and run the check.

This week we will be reviewing the following rules: Family Size, Visibility, Parameters.

Autodesk Advantage Packs

Autodesk yesterday released all the Advantage Packs for their various software platforms. For those of you in the AEC market and the BIM market this means:

• Revit Architecture 2010
• Revit Structure 2010
• Revit MEP 2010
• Navisworks 2010
• Autocad 2010
• Autocad for Architects 2010 (ADT)

The good news is the update is a patch and series of extra plugins instead of a full install.  The update also includes the SP1 and SP2 patches for Revit and the Autocad based update includes many patches and hotfixes. 

Today I am going to focus on the Revit platform and what changes were added to each one. We are going to start testing the features and writing about them here over the next few days. 

Revit Architecture Features

• Added a structure tab with many structural tools now in Architecture
• Floors can now have structural deck shown
• Deck direction can be altered and shown in plan
• Beam coping is added
• Beam systems can now be tagged with span information
• Sloped columns are added
• Curved beams are added
• Beams can be attached to a 3D imported CAD model
• The truss tool is now available in architecture

• Convert Detail lines to model lines and vice versa
• Keyboard shortcuts are now editable in the application
• Shortcuts can be edited, exported imported and shared
• Conditional formatting in schedules is now available in all 3 disciplines
• This was available before but unknown since the button was hidden
• Text formatting can now be accomplished with keyboard shortcuts
• Ctrl-B, Ctrl-U,Ctrl-I
• Find and replace tool for text elements
• Users can split walls with a gap in between (Added split with Gap on Modify Tab)

Revit MEP Features

• Temporary Dimensions for general layout mode in ductwork and piping
• Convert Detail lines to model lines and vice versa
• Keyboard shortcuts are now editable in the application
• Shortcuts can be edited, exported imported and shared
• Conditional formatting in schedules is now available in all 3 disciplines
• This was available before but unknown since the button was hidden
• Text formatting can now be accomplished with keyboard shortcuts
• Ctrl-B, Ctrl-U,Ctrl-I
• Find and replace tool for text elements
• Users can split walls with a gap in between (Added split with Gap on Modify Tab)

Revit Structure Features

• Element Section Area and Linear Weight in Schedules
• Insulation tool added
• Convert Detail lines to model lines and vice versa
• Keyboard shortcuts are now editable in the application
• Shortcuts can be edited, exported imported and shared
• Conditional formatting in schedules is now available in all 3 disciplines
• This was available before but unknown since the button was hidden
• Text formatting can now be accomplished with keyboard shortcuts
• Ctrl-B, Ctrl-U,Ctrl-I
• Find and replace tool for text elements
• Users can split walls with a gap in between (Added split with Gap on Modify Tab)

BIM standards for Owners

In my last post I discussed an owner looking at the BIM deliverable and having an issue with the software they were going to purchase to manage this model after completion. Many owners are looking at BIM right now and wondering about learning and managing the software tools necessary for BIM. We have even had owners say that buying or using Revit would make them architects and they do not want to become that. So, how do owners interact with the model and what do owners need to do? There are a number of activities that can assist building owners and managers that involve the BIM process. (Note I said process not software) First owners need to understand the process, deliverable and tools. After they understand much of that, they need to create a BIM standard. Many owners have begun this process (See list below) and have published some good but early BIM standards. These standards set both the design and construction processes as well as the final deliverable for the model and data. Many of these owners based these standards on their pilot BIM projects and set standards based on what worked for them and left out what did not work. Owners may not ever take over control of an entire model per say, but may require data to be delivered in a specified manner like COBIE or a format that works with the software they intend to use for management. This may even be 2D CAD with embedded data from the model. COBIE has begun to deal with the problem of owners receiving loads of data from the AEC team at the end of the project. They get all this paper and it takes months or years to sift through, file and update maintenance systems for the new air handler that is different than the previous model. Because of this set of tasks, many owners never get this completed and maintenance lags, equipment fails and need to be replaced. Using the model can assist in a couple of ways. First the data a model contains is much better than we were putting in our CAD drawings. Plus most owners did not have a method to extract the data from CAD because it is hard. BIM can create simple spreadsheet files of DATA that owners can use, or more complex databases for integration into existing systems. BIM also allows users to explore the building in 3D as a single unit rather than flip through drawings, layers and files. Locating the main trunk line to reset an air senor is much faster and easier with BIM. Plus they have a complete inventory of the building ready for reporting to agencies and future designers and contractors. However BIM models are also large and complex animals. How does an owner understand what is there and how accurate the information is? They all need to be using a BIM checking software like Solibri or Navisworks to get reports to determine the accuracy of the data. Accepting a BIM model without checking will just open them to problems later either with remodels or maintenance. Owners should be asking for interim submittals where they check the models for compliance to both their standard and accuracy.

Batman BIM

I'm Batman.


When I was a kid I always wanted to be Batman. I am sure many others had this dream as well. With the Batmobile, Batcable, Batcopter, Batboat..... If we had enough money we could buy or build the Batanything.


In the new BIM paradigm, it appears that software has become the new BatBIM set of tools. Prior to BIM we could buy CAD, spend weeks customizing it (while not getting work done) and have a very productive application that solved many problems and allowed us to produce quality drawings. However we then needed to add Rendering, so we purchased a rendering application, used it once and it sat on the harddrive for two years before using it again. Architects did this over and over with different applications that were promised to make our lives easier and firms more profitable. Most did not.


When firms began to adopt BIM they invested in the new applications under the same guise of saving money improving quality etc. And to many firms suprise it actually worked.



Now as we mover further into BIM we have run into another set of issues. How can a design firm actually use BIM if they cannot model the entire building? Can most architects create ductwork, custom trusses, pipes and conduit? Do we need to?

 The prevailing wisdom appears to be NO. None of the major BIM platoforms offers a swiss army knife of BIM, instead prefering to segregate the applications into architect, struct, mechanical and electrical. As designers start to become more BIMcentric they will need to have access to all of these elements and should have them available in one application. This is not to say software companies need to give away features, but the ability to create basice ductwork, structures or electrical devices is needed. Likewise many engineers may need the ability to create walls or add a door to the electrical closet they are upgrading.


What about owners and building managers? They may need to relocate a duct or pipe during a small internal remodel. do they need to get a $5k application to relocate a single pipe? Owners regularly upgrade and do small remodels that need to be documented but may not have a full design team. They need the ability to manipulate the elements the design team created for the next 75 years.



We have been getting a number or requests during our consulting to assist with selection of a BIM authoring platform. There are a number of pros and cons to each platform and many users have preferences based on past software purchases platforms and company loyality. All of those interests aside we did some research to determine which platforms had the most "Stuff" and how those applications worked together. The results were a little revealing and we found that to create all the stuff in some platforms you had to work in on flavor while others you needed to purchase all the modules or you could not create an entire building. Many users are single discipline in their focus and this is not really an issue. However we have recently begun to work with a number of users who need access to different areas of building design and have the need to access and edit all the components of the building. As well some multi disciplined offices may need to change how they purchase software based on what types of objects they will be creating.


BIM Element Matrix



Below is a table of common BIM elemtents and the ability of the various software packages to create those objects. Disclaimer: I do not count elements that are modeled using solid tools and basic assignment. Many people can extrude a circle and call it a duct. I am discussing real functionality of a duct tool with connectors transitions and the ability to analyze.

BIM Package Feature Matrix
	Revit			ArchiCAD		Bentley Building
Elements	A	ME	S	A	M	A	M	E	S
Architectural Components
Walls	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Openings	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Room	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Doors	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Windows	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Stand alone Components	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Columns (Architectural)	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
Roof	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Ceiling	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Floor	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Railing	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Stair	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Ramp	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Structural Components
Column Grid	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Columns (Structural)	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Beam	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Brace	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Foundation	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Complex Truss	LIMITED	NO	YES	LIMITED	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
HVAC Components
Space (MEP Spaces)	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO
Duct	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Duct Fitting	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Flex Duct	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Air Terminal	NO	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Mech Equip. (Stand Alone)	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO
Plumbing Components
Pipe	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Pipe Fitting	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Flex Pipe	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Plumbing Fixt (Stand Alone)	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO
Sprinkler	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Electrical Components
Wire	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO
Conduit	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO
Cable Trays	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO
Hangers	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO
Elec. Equip. (Stand Alone	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
Elec. Device (Stand Alone)	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
Light Fixture (Stand Alone)	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO

Introduction

Hello all, My first blog entry for this new Blog on Building Information Modeling and what is happening in the Seattle area. My name is Chris Hubbard, AIA. I own Quarry Group. We work with a number of clients in the area to assist with BIM start up, content, standards, training and verification. I will be sharing some news and information on the industry and how it impacts building design, construction and ownership. We are starting this blog to coincide with our new website launch, hope everyone will check it out. It should be up by the end of this week (August 21)