Inside the System

Solar Radiation Technology Preview for Revit 2011 Now Available

Autodesk just released a new version of the Solar Radiation Technology Preview, making many improvements and integrating it more with the Revit interface. Solar Radiation analysis allows you to understand the effect of solar radiation on various surface of your building information model.

Free download of Solar Radiation Technology Preview for Revit 2011 via Autodesk Labs 

Using the Guide Grid to Align Schedules and Panel Schedules

The new Guide Grid functionality in Revit allows you to associate a snappable grid with a sheet to facilitate layout.  In addition to model elements (for example, you want to snap the column line A1 at a specific location on the sheet), you can also use it to align Schedules.  Just remember, you can only align elements that are already on the sheet (i.e., you can't align during placement), and you have to use the Move tool (i.e., drag-move doesn't work).

The Guide Grid tool is active on the View menu in a Sheet View... additionally, Sheets have a Guide Grid property that you can use to toggle which grid (or none) is currently displayed.

Watch this for a quick demonstration.

Customer Review of Revit MEP 2011

Mark Mergenschroer of TME published this review of Revit MEP 2011... take a look!

Revit Model Review for Modeling and Energy Standards

The Revit Model Review tool (available on Subscription Center) provides automated checks and the ability to correct some modeling issues to quickly fix common model conditions.  For example, the room bounding property of ceilings affects how you are able to define Spaces / Plenums within your MEP model.  Depending on your workflow, you may want to set ceilings to be non-room bounding, so your Spaces may be defined from Floor to Floor, allowing you to define the Plenum height in your analysis tool. 

Follow these steps to create a check in the Model Review tool, and then run that check on an architectural model.

1. On the Add-Ins ribbon, Model Review panel, click Manage.
2. On the File menu, select Predefined > Revit Modeling and Energy Standards
3. On the Check menu, select Add > Standards > Parameter Requirements
4. Select the Basic tab on the bottom portion of the window.
5. Set the following:
   1. Name:  Ceilings non-room bounding.
   2. Category: Standards 
   3. Status: Check the following:
      1. Enabled, 
      2. Allow Correction
6. Select the Details tab
7. In the Element Type(s) list, select CeilingAndFloor
8. Make sure under Parameter, Built-In is selected
9. In the Built In list, select Room Bounding.
10. Make sure Must Exist is selected, and value is set to Must Be.
11. In the Please specify one or more values or ranges, enter 0 (0=‘false’, 1=’true’).
12. Select the Filter tab
13. Set the first Drop list to Category.
14. Set the second drop list to =
15. Set the last drop list to Ceilings.
16. Click Add.
17. On the File menu, click Save.
18. On the File menu, click Exit.

The check is now saved in the check file, allowing you to re-use it in the future.  Now, to actually check the architectural model, follow these steps:

1. Open the archtiectural model you want to check.
2. On the Add-ins ribbon, Model Review panel, click CHeck.
3. From the Check File list, select Revit Modeling and Energy Standards
4. In the Model Selection list, select Current Model.
5. Click OK.

If any ceilings are defined as Room Bounding, there will be an icon in the 'Fix' column you can click to quickly make the ceilings non-room bounding.

Explore the other rules and check files to identify ways in which it may help your models be more consistent.

Pipe to Conduit Converter

Hello-

Back several months ago, my colleague Jeremy Tammik inquired about what may make for an interesting sample demonstrating some of the new functionality of the Revit MEP 2011 API.  Knowing that many of you have been using Pipe to represent Conduit, I suggested that perhaps a sample to would convert Pipe to Conduit may be both an interesting sample, as well as a useful one.  Knowing that it could be challenging to 'map' appropriate Pipe Fittings to Conduit Fittings, the sample only deals with Pipe/Conduit segments... the main benefit is that you can quickly convert the segments in situ, avoiding erasing/replacing.  Then, you can use the built in tools, such as trim, to insert elbows and the like.  Please take a look at his blog post for all the details. 

Martin Schmid, P.E.
Industry Success Manager

Mapping Load Sub-Classification Motor Parameter

I wanted to cover a known limitation with respect to the Load Sub-Classification Motor parameter.  There will also be a technical solution posted on Autodesk.com.  If you are an Electrical designer, please read on....

The Load Sub-Classification Motor parameter will need to be mapped as a family parameter in the Parameter Properties dialog. This includes out-of-the-box content as well as user-created content. To update electrical families so that the parameter works as expected:

1. Select a family to update in the project.
   
   
2. On the ribbon, click the Edit Family button.
   
   
3. Select the electrical connector.
   
   
4. In the Properties palette, click the button to the right of the value for Load Sub-Classification Motor.

 

5. In the Associate Family Parameter dialog, click Add Parameter.

6. In the Parameter Properties dialog, verify that the Family parameter option is enabled.

7. Name the parameter (i.e. Motor). This name will appear in the Properties or Type Properties of the family when editing it in a project.

8. Select either Type or Instance to define whether the parameter is an Instance or Type parameter.

9. For Group parameter under, select the section where the parameter should appear. Click OK twice.

10. On the ribbon, click the Load into Project button.

The Load Sub-Classification Motor parameter is now mapped to the family, so it may be changed in the project. This edit should be done to the family file that is loaded into projects so it will only need to be performed once.

Hope this information is helpful.
 

Request For Feedback - Piping Content

Revit MEP Community,
I wanted to open a discussion regarding a topic that impacts all users, Content. I recognize that we do not have a "complete" catalog of content available with the program today (although I don't think we could ever provide enough content), and we certainly realize that there's a critical need to deliver more content. In this case, I'm talking Piping components.

So, I want to open it up to all of you to let us in the Product Team know what content you need to properly create your pipe systems. I'm looking for specific fittings, valves, and other accessories and the standard they are based upon. You can go into as much or as little detail as you'd like. An explanation of why specific content will help you accomplish your jobs better will make your recommendation all the more useful.

I expect that some of you may want to "vent" about Piping in general (pun intended), that's okay by me, just try and throw in some content requests while you're at it.

I can thank you all in advance for any time you put into this request, as it will help us better shape the decisions we make for content creation. Many of us here certainly know what needs to be there, but this is an opportunity for your voice to be heard, and it's something I think we need to do more of as the product develops further.

 

This request is posted at the following forums... please reply there, or drop a comment on this blog post.

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=772880&tstart=0

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=1065071#post1065071

Cheers,
Martin S
MEP Customer Success Engineer

Standard Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that any/all recommendations will actually be produced, nor can I make any statements of when you would see such content.

AU 2010 - MEP Class Proposal Submittal Request

Hi MEPers,

You are a key part to the AU experience and we invite you to be a major part by sharing your knowledge and experience with others in our community.  Please read below to understand the type of classes we are looking to include in the MEP Design & Engineering track.

 

The MEP Design & Engineering track presents curriculum topics that are important to MEP and building systems engineers, designers, drafters and CAD managers wishing to learn more about Autodesk software for building information modeling (BIM), performance analysis, design and documentation.   We invite proposals for MEP Engineering classes that feature AutoCAD MEP and Autodesk Revit MEP software. We are particularly interested in proposals that touch upon topics including BIM using Revit MEP at the core of the design process, proposals that discuss rapid energy modeling and energy analysis using Revit MEP and supporting Autodesk sustainable design software or partner application as well as proposals that discuss tips and tricks for increased design productivity using AutoCAD MEP. We seek proposals suitable for both intermediate and advanced users.

Intermediate classes help users move from pilot to production. Classes will discuss how to move to a BIM workflow with Revit MEP at the core, while remaining productive by using AutoCAD and AutoCAD MEP for increased design and drafting productivity and the creation of construction documentation.  We welcome classes that discuss implementation strategies, and explain workflows such as new and existing building renovation and retrofit projects as well as hybrid workflows where AutoCAD and AutoCAD MEP compliment the workflow and enable MEP engineers to move to BIM at their pace. Classes that discuss best practices for coordination between MEP engineering firms, structural engineering firms and architectural firms who are embracing BIM are also welcome.

 

You can submit your proposals at Autodesk University 2010 Call for Proposals.

 

Proposal checklist. One of things we’ve introduced this year is a proposal checklist that lays out everything you need to do prior to making a proposal submission.

 

Speakers and lab assistants receive an honorarium and you can find out the details at Speaker and Lab Assistant Honoraria .

 

*** The last day to submit proposals is May 14^th ***

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

The MEP Team