Fin de Año / End of the Year

As 2009 ends, I realize it's been a difficult year; my duties have changed as CAD Manager, I was nervous to take on a few things, but luckily I was able to handle things successfully. Beginning in 2010, I will be doing basic Revit lessons for staff that are not currently using the program but need to keep up to date. I will be sharing in posts what I show and discussing lessons I learn as I go along. Wish me luck and I hope I can teach you a few things also!

Happy New Year!

Al fin se acaba el 2009, este ano fue dificil y tuve muchos cambios en mi posicion de CAD Manager. He agregado deberes que estaba nervioso tomar, pero afortunadamente pude manejarlo con éxito. Comenzando 2010, intentaré hacer lecciones básicas en Revit para mantener el personal que no lo utiliza actualmente hasta fecha. Estaré compartiendo en postes lo que he mostrado y he aprendido haciendo las lecciones. ¡Deséeme suerte! Y espero que les pueda enseñar unas pocas cosas también.

Prospero Año Neuvo!

Blog de Revit en Espanol

Ahora encontre un blog interesante con mucha informacion, tiene 3 blogs! Es del autor Luciano Gorosito de Argentina.

VenadoRevit es el blog que encontre, pero al navegar veo Clases de Revit, y Familias de Revit.

Espero los guste y ayude, a mi me gusto, y espero poder leer mas y aprender algo nuevo!

Y muchas gracias a Luciano por tanta informacion.

Ciao!

New Web Communities

I've found a couple of web communities that have been growing fast and have been a good source for interaction and learning.


Revit Society was started by Daniel P, to focus on Revit and learn from others. Daniel being in the structural world, there may be less people to tap into than there are in the architectural world.  The website has grown and has many many members. What I've liked is the international community joining in and connecting with each other.  So far there are people asking questions, posting video tutorials to help each other out, there's even an area set up for students. Daniel started the website, with blank forum page, magazine page, groups page, but members have started creating in each area and it's been a great source for me to see what else is out there. I hope you visit and join.


BIM Fusion is not Revit specific but all about BIM.  Their forums area does break things down by industry and program, it's a great setup.  There are also areas for videos, blogs, events and groups to setup.


Both websites provide a chat area for members.


BIMable.com is a neat website also; this one is all about providing information about BIM.  I like to check it out once in a while to see what news there is related to BIM and my industry. It's nice to have it all in one place!


I wanted to share these web sites I've found as they have been a great find.  I hope you find them useful also.

AUGI - Career Center

Not only does AUGI have a program to teach us, the forums help us learn from each other, there are publications that keep us updated on the products and technology we use, but now they are also going to help us find a job! Isn't that awesome! AUGI has created a Career Center.


AUGI's Career Center has an area for Job Seekers, for Employers and Recruiters.
For Job Seekers: You can post your resume, create an account to receive alerts on job postings, etc.
For Employers/Recruiters: View posted resumes, post a job, create an account etc.


Another reason to join AUGI, please pass on this information to anyone you know that needs it!

2 months later - AU 2009

So I've not posted in a while, this has been harder that I thought, I have lots of topics but I'm not a good communicator, but I've made a promise to post even if I sound like a fool (I don't embarrass too easily). 

AU is coming soon less than 100 days now, and this year I hope to make lots of connections, our office has some exciting projects where I need to be an expert at Revit soon, well I don't have to be but I really want to be, so I will be picking a lot of brains at AU2009!!

To start - I'm studying up on how large projects are put together and I found a great post today on AUGI I'll be trying out some of what I read and I'll post my results soon, for sure this time!

No e publicado en dos meses, esta aventura ha sido más difícil de lo que yo pensaba, tengo un montón de temas, pero no soy buena en la area de comunicación así que he hecho una promesa a mi misma, que publicare aunque suene un poco absurdo (no me avergüenzo fácilmente).

La conferencia de Autodesk, AU empieza pronto, faltan menos de 100 dias, y este año espero conocer y conectarme con muchas personas.  Nuestra oficina tiene algunos proyectos interestantes donde tengo que ser un experto en Revit pronto, bueno no es necesario pero si quiero serlo.  Estare   hacienda muchas preguntas y molestando a much gente en AU2009!!

Para comenzar,  estoy estudiando cómo los proyectos grandes son arreglados en Revit. Y encontré un poste hoy en AUGI que estaré probando en estos dias, y esta ves de seguro publicare mis resultados!

Revit 2010 Conceptual Design White Paper

On the design reform webiste you can find the white paper that Autodesk will be or should have already released, sorry I don't have the link to the Autodesk page.

Check out the Revit tutorials they have on their website, they are pretty good and very helpful.  When Revit 2010 was freshly out, I used David's tutorials to get my head around the new conceptual massing family.  I prefer it over the old way of creating masses, hopefully those tools will end up in the Family editor next version :o)

Enjoy!

Revit tools and Add-Ons

RT?  Sorry my Twitter "language" is taking over.

I wanted to share a post from the CAD vs BIM blog. 

Jay has listed the "current" available tools we can use with Revit, from various sources, really good information!

With the API open and people getting programmers to help out, (if they are not programmers already)  we should see this part of the Revit "market" grow.

Enjoy!

Revit OpEd: Central File Naming

Revit OpEd: Central File Naming

This is a great post.  Regarding the "traditional" way of naming a central file.  A key new feature in Revit 2010 is change our ways.

New things to come with this version of Revit, I hope to make the time to post about it all, but with many others already posting, I thought I'd start by linking to one I thought was good.

Este es un buen post, por Steve Stafford, y esta en Ingles.  Es con respecto a la manera tradicional de denominar un "central file."  Una nueva caracteristica en Revit 2010 que va a cambiar nuestra manera de guardar un archivo.

Algunas cosas buenas del nuevo Revit, me voy a dar el tiempo de empezar a explicar un poco mas para todos!

Ciao!

Revit 2010 - Create New Local

With the new version out (over a month now). I had to revamp my training handout.  I've already trained 6 new users!   I will now be having Friday sessions, which I'm calling Revit Review, to get our existing users up to speed, we'll see how that goes.

The ribbon has been good I think.  It is a little frustrating to jump aroudn between tools, but I like the icons and the tooltips, I tell all users to pay attention and use them as reminders of how to use tools they don't use often, hopefully I'm right and it's a good idea.

In looking at our settings and way of work, not much has changed, but there are a few new little features thrown in that help those of us that "cad/bim manage" get to look into.   Like the new option  "Create New Local."   Read this post in The Revit Clinic blog.   It is a good idea, but most users don't use the Open dialog to open any files, most prefer to find the file in windows explorer then they double click, something I don't approve or prefer but it happens.

As I find more "little features" I'll pass them on.  Oh yea, one I learned this week - Move the Options Bar  below the drawing window.  Just a right click over the area, doesn't make sense to do it but you can!

Autodesk Assistance Program - Programa de Asistencia de Autodesk

I wanted to share a press release by Autodesk:  Autodesk Assistance Program Offers Help to Displaced Workers

This is great help for those that are wanting to keep up to date with the software they are used to using.  I've had people ask me where can they learn Revit, close to home, not too costly, and here Autodesk comes to the rescue.

I hope many take advantage of this help.

Quiero compartir un comunicado de prensa de Autodesk:  Autodesk Assistance Program Offers Help to Displaced Workers

En los Estados Unidos hemos tenido mucha perdida de trabajo, pienso que tambien otros paises estan pasando lo mismo.  Esta es una ayuda para aquellos que quieren mantnerse al corriente con el software que utilizan. Gente me han preguntado donde pueden aprender Revit, y aqui Autodesk viene al rescate.

Espero que muchos aprovechen de esta ayuda.

Ciao

AUGI

Their forums are a great resource!  If you don't know what AUGI is and you've been using Revit for over a year, then you're missing out.  You should sign up and check it out.  Browse the forums once a week if you can't do it more often. You'll be surprised how much you will learn.  You'll start by learning about tools you didn't know existed, then by learning how to use some you thought were difficult, and finally when you're very comfortable with them how to use them differently.  That's always fun, to learn the different ways to use Revit, I've enjoyed that, maybe I should post on that kind of thing. . . we'll see.   Well don't forget to check it out!  www.augi.com

On another note, for those of us who are active memebers of AUGI, check out this blog post from Steve B 2D OR NOT 2D  AUGI needs our support, please check it out.

Graphics Settings (Otra vez)

It's been a while! But luckily because I've been so, so busy.

Back to my dilemma of which way to go, edit Lineweights or change Objects Styles.  I had to do both, in this case.  I was hoping to only have to change Object Styles, since most were set to the same lineweight, it was obvious change would be needed.  But then I noticed at some scales the lineweights had to change a bit, to differentiate a little more.

In the object styles, most of the default lineweights had to be bumped up.  Most of the settings were bumped up by one typically. Annotation is where most lineweights changed.  This applied to both my templates, which is a good start.

For lineweights, I didn't have to make too many adjustments, but added some scales that aren't set up, like 3/16" and change about four of those settings, which isn't too bad.  I didn't touch the Annotation lineweights, that would be counterproductive, there is no need to make things more complicated and add to the list of what is being managed by me and not Revit. 

I was hoping making changes to Object Styles would be enough but not so.  For one of my templates it didn't work because there are many smaller scale plan views that needed to not look so bland.  I'm only using about 6 lineweights but there is somewhat of a significant difference between them. For my other template details and section views are more important and those settings in Revit work fine.

My next task has been annotation symbols.  I hope to give a brief description of what I have so far, and how every changing it is, as I learn more cool tricks and tips.

Ciao

Graphic Settings - Lineweights

I'm working on setting up a new studio, merging/combining two sets of standards.  Currently both are CAD and I will have a CAD and Revit setup.

The current set up I have is ongoing, constantly changing, more like morphing because we aren't married to our AutoCAD settings or way of doing things.  But in what I'm currently setting up, it's not so  simple.  Lineweights and dimensioning are not negotiable.  The word "graphics" has been repeated to me so many times, I can't understand why, Revit can handle them.

Tackling lineweights is simple, but I have two options: Object Styles, or Lineweights.

For this situation I prefer the lineweights method. I can set them by scale, which is the preferred method in this case.  I need a major differentiation between 1/8" and 1/4" scales.

There are three different settings to change: Model, Prespective and Annotation.  With 16 lineweights to chose from, 8-16 being the most likely not to be used very thick lines.

Model lineweights are set by scale.  Perspective and Annotation are not, they are set per setting as in weight 1 will always be .0030" in all scales.  In Model weight 1 is different per scale.

Model and Perspective handle model objects/lines, walls, doors, windows, etc.  Annotation sets the width for all text and annotatoin lines, like sections and dimensions. They will be consistent per scale. 

I hope to have this finalized by next week.  I'll post my results, if they are as I hoped :o)

Estoy trabajando en la creación de un nuevo estudio, uniendo dos conjuntos de normas.  Actualmente ambos son CAD y voy a tener una configuración para Revit y para CAD.

El conjunto actual que tengo cambia constantemente, más como transformar porque no estamos fijados a nuestra configuración o la forma de hacer las cosas en AutoCAD.   Pero en lo que estoy haciendo no es tan simple.  Las pesas de líneas (lineweights) y dimensiones no son negociables.  La palabra "gráficos" se ha repetido tantas veces, no entiedo porque, Revit si puede manejarlos.

Abordar lineweights es simple, pero tengo dos opciones: Object Styles, o Lineweights.  Para esta situación, prefiero el método de lineweights.  Puedo fijarlos por escala, que es el método preferido en este caso.  Necesito una deferenciación mayor entre las escalas  1/8" y 1/4".

Hay tres configuraciones diferentes de cambiar: Model, Perspective, y Annotatoin. Con 16 lineweights para elegir, del 8-16 son las más gruesas y probablemente las menos usadas. 

Model (modelo) lineweights, son fijados por la escala.   Perspective (perspective) y Annotation (anotación)  no, ellos son fijados por establecer el peso, como el peso fijado para 1 siempre sera .0030” en mi situación.  En Model, 1 es diferente por escala.  Model y Perspective manejan el model de objetos/líneas, como paredes, puertas, ventanas, etc.  Annotation establece lo ancho de todo texto, y líneas de anotación, como secciones y dimensiones. Haciéndolos constantes por escala.

Espero completer esto para la próxima semana.  Publicare mis resultados, si son como esperaba :o)

#AU2008

This was my fourth time attending, I always enjoy how much more I can learn and the many people I meet.

This year my focus was Revit and BIM Management.  I took advanced sessions in Revit and I was happy with the results and very excited to start playing and figuring out how to implement some of what I've learned.  The keynote's were good, we got a teaser on the next Revit realease, showing the ribbon and the new modeling tools, that was exciting. Not much was said of the ribbon but it was visable!

This year I volunteered to help out at the AUGI area, I was excited to meet other memebrs.  I go to the Revit forums almost daily and if I'm not asking a question I try to answer a few if I can of course.  I volunteered 3 days, 2 at the AUGI booth and it was fun helping people sign up and explaining to the what AUGI is all about.  Another day I was at the LUG booth and that was a little more intimidating to me as my fellow volunteer at the time was the incoming president for his LUG and I'm just a member :o)  but it was great learning from him and others.  Thanks to all I met and remember to check the AUGI website often!

Being on Twitter was great! I don't have email/internet on my cell phone (by choice) but I was signed up to get text updates from AUGI@AU and it was great to know what was going on like the TOP Dawg contest.  With different Twitterer's posting it was awesome to keep up to date with things I had no idea went on at AU.  Next year I hope to be even busier than this year!

The Blogger social was intimidating, since I'm very new at this but I did get to meet Steve Stafford, whos' blog I follow and I was hoping to meet. I was chatting with Jay Z from Gensler , and Steve B. from USCAD, they both had Unconferece sessions that I heard were good, I couldn'tt attend.  Will H from Will2Play was also around, he's been great to help to me, especialy when I took on the CAD Management role.  He had live webcasts while attending giving overviews of what he had learned, they may be available for viewing at his website.

The one session I was so looking forward to was great!  Dave B (Do U Revit?) had a formulas session, it was the last day very early morning (for me) but I couldn't and didn't miss it.  It wasn't diasppointing, a little overwhelming but I couldn't wait to try out what I learned.  I was hoping ot meet him since I have learned a lot from his blog,  but it would have to be another time.

If you're registered on AU online, check out the sessions available for viewing and download some handouts it's very worth it.  I look at those handouts throughout the year there's usually something that helps in those weird situations where you don't know quite what to do.