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Monday, December 17, 2012

3D PDF for Revit from tetra4D

For Architecture, Structure and MEP 2012/2013.

3D PDF for Revit allows easy sharing and archiving of Autodesk® Revit® design and construction data with anyone, anywhere.  All they need is the free Adobe® Reader. Easily create and share interactive 3D documents enabling everyone from clients, to sub-contractors, building owners, and beyond, to participate in the building information modeling process (BIM). Share design information without putting your source model at risk or requiring recipients to download unfamiliar viewer applications. The free Adobe Reader is installed on 98% of desktops worldwide so it's easy to share all design data in the universal 3D PDF format. With up to 97% smaller files than the original 3D model, you can easily conduct design reviews electronically.

tetra4D is THE Source for 3D PDF Technology. As the exclusive provider of 3D technology for Adobe® Acrobat®, tetra4D provides customers best in class solutions to combine the value 3D CAD data with all the benefits of PDF document management and data archiving. Let tetra4D and its global partners help you configure a 3D PDF based solution specific to your unique business processes.

There's more information available on the Tetra4D website.

Monday, December 10, 2012

YeahSo SupportAndHanger

"YeahSo SupportAndHanger tool provides you a quick and easy way to layout supports and hangers. It applies to all MEP curves including pipe, duct, cable tray and conduit.  It has following features:
  1. Support all MEP curves (Pipe/Duct/Cable Tray/Conduit)
  2. Manual layout support or hanger
  3. Delete support and hanger on selected MEP curves
  4. Split MEP curves for a fixed length
  5. Support to use customized support or hanger
  6. Automatically layout support or hanger
  7. Support two methods of auto layout
  8. Support position update when host curve moves
  9. Support elevation update when host elevation changes
  10. Support geometry update when host size changes

"The first five functions are free, and the last five need to purchase a license. However they are all available during the trial period which is 30 days after you install."

There's more information available on the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

3DPDF Converter for Revit® LTV

"3D PDF Converter for Revit® LTV is an integrated software working within the Revit® environment that enables users to publish rich, interactive, 3D PDF files that are significantly smaller than the original Revit® 3D models. The software uses the 3DA Technology as a one button file conversion that is easily exchangeable and viewed with the free Adobe Reader. ( The converter does not require Adobe XI Pro to create 3D PDF’s)

"The 3D PDF Converter for Revit® LT Visualization connects the extensive Building Information Modeling (BIM) community for the first time with a Revit plug-in that supports data sharing using 3D PDF based on the PRC file format. The software uses the same native 3D technology used by Adobe to create and consume 3D PDF files, ensuring that data generated from Revit design has guaranteed compatibility to Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader. The result is accurate, data-rich 3D models that are up to 97% smaller than the original Revit file."

There's a 15-day free trial of this add-in available on the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Wiip Numbering

"Allows you to renumber rooms, doors, columns, text notes and all objects that can be numbered.

"All numbering system are supported: numeric, alphabetic, roman numerals, with a prefix and / or suffix. You can specify the starting value, the increment value and you can put zeros or spaces to the left of your number for easy sorting.

"An exclusive system allows you to include the row and / or the column number if the objects are arranged in rectangular arrays. No need to select each item one by one. Select a set of objects, a direction and the program renumbers automatically all elements."

There's more information available on the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website for the trial version here and the paid version here.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Migrate Parameter to Parameter - Free Case App for December 2012 (Updated)

"Have you ever needed to schedule an item of data that Revit would not let you? This is a common hurdle for many and now there's a free tool that you can use to get around this. Common uses include migrating Wall Base Constraint Element Names (Levels) into a schedulable parameter. I'm sure you guys will find lots of uses for this one."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the Case Apps website.

Update 5/8/2016: CASE and the CASE Apps website are no more but, courtesy of WeWork, the CASE Apps are now open source. They may be accessed on GitHub.

BIMstop Revit Tools - for Browsing Families

The BIMstop Revit Tools app allows you to easily browse and place families directly from a curated Revit only version of BIMstop.com

The app adds new buttons to your Revit ribbon that allow you to:
  • Browse a smaller toolbar sized version of BIMstop's library within Revit and download families directly into your project
  • Browse all of the families you have already downloaded
  • Browse your own private library and the other shared libraries you have access to
  • Create a quick schedule of all the families used in your project

There's more information available on the Autodesk Exchange |Apps website.

SysQue™Supports for Revit MEP

This Autodesk® Revit® MEP ADDIN will allow you to easily add Hangers and supports to existing and new MEP Systems within Autodesk® Revit® MEP. The supports can be added to flat and sloped systems. User specific settings can be created and stored that include offset distances from fittings and joints as well as what hanger type to use. Hanger rods will automatically stretch to the above structure including floor above, concrete, and structural steel beams. Offsets from center of steel beams can also be given to provide an acurate position for a side beam clamp position. All of the hanger rod points can then be sent out in a point file for exporting to Trimble® MEP for onsite field point layout.

There's more information available on the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Revit Workflow Version 3.0 from Revolution Design Features Major Improvements

  • General
    • Licensing dialog has been upgraded to a new easy to use wizard interface.
    • 2011 version has been discontinued, workFlow 3.0 is available for 2012 and beyond only.
    • A 'Check for Updates' feature has been implemented. workFlow will check for a newer available build on startup and notify the user if a new build is available and give a download link. This dialog also contains a checkbox to disallow future checks.
    • Install paths have been fixed so that uninstalling earlier versions does not break newer versions.
    • Settings now persist from version to version.

Keynote Manager Version 12.0 from Revolution Design Features Major Improvements

Added
  • The entire user interface (UI) of Keynote Manager has been given an overhaul to make it faster, cleaner, and more usable.
    • Keynote Manager now allows opening of multiple files at the same time with a simple tabbed interface.
    • The 'Insert from Other File' function now has an option to insert from other open files.
    • Keynotes can now be edited on the fly without a dialog box.
      • Keynote descriptions are a simple text box that can be edited at will; changes are committed upon pressing 'Enter' or moving to another text box.
      • Key values can be edited by double click.
      • Parents/Stacking can be edited with simple drag and drop.
      • When the description value is committed the case will automatically be changed to match the auto casing setting (if applicable).
    • The main interface for each text file now contains a vertical toolbar along the left side for quick access to basic commands.
    • Comments and links are now listed in an expandable palette below their associated keynote.
      • Comments and links can be added or managed for the selected keynote with toolbar buttons.
      • Link display is directly clickable (with palette expanded) and will open the linked file or web location.
    • The find/replace and spell check functions have been integrated into the interface as expandable palettes.  These palettes can be hidden completely with toolbar buttons.
      • With the spelling palette expanded, simply select a single keynote and any words not contained in the dictionary will appear in the 'Not in Dictionary' list.
      • Use the 'Next' button to find the next word not in the spell checker dictionaries.
    • Character Map can now be opened from a toolbar button.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

IMAGINiT Adds Three New Utilities for Revit 2013

IMAGINiT has added three new utilities to their 2013 version of their IMAGINiT Utilities for Revit:

Parameter Concatenater – Assemble multiple parameter values into a single text parameter using a custom expression.

Revit Excel Link – Export Revit project data to Excel and Import data from Excel to a Revit project.

Dim Text Update - Override multiple dimensions using chosen text options.

There's more information available on the IMAGINiT website.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Autodesk FormIt - Conceptual Design Modeling on an iPad

Autodesk® FormIt mobile app helps you capture building design concepts digitally anytime, anywhere ideas strike. Use real-world site information to help create forms in context and support early design decisions with real building data. Experience a continuous Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow by synchronizing designs in the cloud for further refinement using Autodesk® Revit® software products and other applications.

Express design ideas with easy-to-use tools:
  • Create forms quickly from a gallery of shapes
  • Directly manipulate forms using gestures for easy model changes
  • Save designs to the cloud and share with others

Easy access to site information:
  • Set project location in a searchable maps interface
  • Import satellite image of your site
  • Design directly in the context of your proposed building location

PPI Group's Revit Briefcase

The PPI Group's Revit Briefcase is a series of add-ins for Revit® Architecture, Structure and MEP.  The Briefcase is able to extend the capabilities of the Revit® project in various key areas.  They are easy to use and make working with Revit® easier and more effective.

PPI's Revit Briefcase includes:
  • Selection Filter - Displays a tree of elements in a project grouped according to your selection (e.g. by Category or by Level).
  • BIM Manager - Generate a system of folders that is used in every new project, export/import tool, multi-type editor.
  • Legends - Generate a legend of different elements in just a few steps.
  • Modify - A set of tools for aligning text according to selected elements.
  • Query - A set of tools for querying element properties.
  • View - Edit Crop Region to current view.
  • Build - Room to Floor command

New Features added regularly!

There's more information on the PPI Group's website.

Scan to BIM 2013 from IMAGINiT

IMAGINiT’s Scan to BIM (previously posted about here) was the first software to provide the ability to view and interact with point clouds inside of Revit.

You can now view point clouds directly inside Revit. Scan to BIM™ takes this one step further, enabling you to not only visualize point clouds in Revit, but also to interact with them, assisting with automated recognition and placement of architectural elements such as walls and columns, as well as MEP elements such as pipes, ducts, conduits and more

Features with this release include the ability to create native Revit geometry from the point cloud and to analyze differences between the model geometry and the point cloud.

Other new features in Scan to BIM 2013.1 include:
  •     Create Arc Walls and Column
  •     Manage the visibility and information for all your loaded point clouds
  •     Measurement of Points and Point Density
  •     Toggle Point Cloud Visibility – easily turn it on or off
  •     Getting Started Videos – ramp up faster with our growing list of how-to videos

There's more information about this add-in on the IMAGINiT website.

Friday, November 16, 2012

ARCHIBUS Smart Client Extension for Revit: Web-based Integration of Facilities Data with BIM Models

Integrate facilities and infrastructure data with BIM models over the Web for comprehensive building lifecycle management and reporting

Benefits
  • Provides an intuitive, graphical bi-directional link to Revit using Web Services, enabling an easy, incremental approach in transitioning to BIM technology
  • Supports all facility management elements in BIM models
  • Puts BIM data to work immediately for building operations-related processes
  • Connects seamlessly to ARCHIBUS applications for increased productivity and data accuracy

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has enabled a richly detailed and collaborative approach to the way buildings are designed and constructed. What it lacks, however, is a way to easily scale to the portfolio-level and connect with business data. ARCHIBUS Smart Client Extension for Revit addresses that need with a true BIM 4.0 application designed from a facility manager’s perspective. It provides quick access to Revit graphics and COBie information using Web Services to connect Revit models to ARCHIBUS enterprise data. This gives users a 4-dimensional view of an organization and its processes. In addition, the Smart Client Extension implements rules and workflows that coordinate the bi-directional data exchange and updates the BIM model itself, to keep everything in-synch.

There's more information available on the ARCHIBUS website.

ARCHIBUS Overlay for Revit: BIM Capabilities That Improve Building Lifecycle Management

Link drawings to facilities and infrastructure data bi-directionally, synchronizing updates to each environment for improved accuracy and productivity.

Benefits
  • Expands capabilities into Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve lifecycle management
  • Increases accuracy of information through visualization and simultaneous updates to Autodesk applications and the ARCHIBUS database environment
  • Improves productivity by expediting the creation of working drawings with a suite of ARCHIBUS architectural drawing and design tools

The task of separately managing drawings and alphanumeric data is often an inefficient duplication of effort. Ensuring a facility or infrastructure drawing also contains information on associated assets and people is critical, particularly with the inevitable updates and changes that can occur on a daily basis. The ARCHIBUS Overlay with Design Management for AutoCAD® & Revit® seamlessly integrates drawings and alphanumeric data with Autodesk's AutoCAD®, AutoCAD® Architecture, and Revit® Architecture environments. The result is a single, unified information environment for managing facilities and infrastructure that improves productivity and data accuracy, while leveraging your existing investment in Autodesk tools.

There's more information available on the ARCHIBUS website.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Keynote Browser from Kiwi Codes

"Kiwi Codes Keynote Browser enables users to easily add, edit and delete Keynotes. It also allows users to compare the Keynote file against all Elements in any Revit project, checking for assigned, non assigned, and broken Keynote links (where broken Keynote links are elements with a Keynote number assigned that no longer exists in the Keynote file)."

There's more information available on the Kiwi Codes website.

Sheet Counter from Kiwi Codes

"Sheet Counter is a simple automatic sheet counter for Revit 2013 which counts how many sheets are in the project and numbers the sheets ie sheet 23 of 97.

"You can remove, exclude or add sheets and Sheet Counter will automatically renumber the sheets for you."

There's more information available on the Kiwi Codes website.

Element Renumber from Kiwi Codes

"Easily renumber any Revit element that has a “mark” value, including doors, windows walls etc.  Also renumber Viewports and Grids.  Add Prefix and suffix to mark values.

"Remove all duplicate “mark” values in a selected category in one easy step using Category Renumber."

There's more information on the Kiwi Codes website.

Free Column Splitter from StrucSoft Solutions (Updated)

From the Autodesk App Store...

Splits one or multiple structural or architectural columns by point(s), level(s), or reference plane(s) with specified gap offsets.


Select how to split the column

Click 'Settings' to change gap offsets

Upper textbox will leave a gap offset to the top column.
The lower textbox will leave a gap offset to the bottom column.

About This Version
Version 2016.1.2, 6/3/2016
Added Autodesk® Revit® 2017 support.

The free Column Splitter add-in is brought to you by StrucSoft Solutions Ltd.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Updated 10/22/2016 with the latest available information.

Further Reading

Roundup – Add-ins from StrucSoft Solutions, Including Some Free

Free Family Categorizer from Kiwi Codes

"This tool takes all the families located in the specified folder and sub folders and organizes them into Category named folders in the target directory."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the Kiwi Codes website.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Innovaya Composer for Revit

Innovaya Composer for Revit is an add-on program for Autodesk Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP . It imports the Revit design element information into Innovaya project model and exports the model into an .INV file, which can be read by all Innovaya applications, including Innovaya Visual BIM, Innovaya Visual Quantity Takeoff, Innovaya Visual Estimating, Innovaya Design Estimating, and Innovaya Visual 4D Simulation.

There's more information on the Innovaya website (although the page link only indicates support up to Revit 2011, Innovaya's homepage has a blurb about Revit 2013 support).

AEC-APPS - Community Driven Apps

"Hold on to your hats! AEC-APPS, the brainchild of CASE and SOM, will launch a private beta in the next few weeks. AEC-APPS is a community-driven collection of apps specifically for the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. If you, like us, are overwhelmed by the constant flux of new software and plug-ins for the AEC industry but want to keep updated on tools important to you and pick up a few new ones, AEC-APPS will allow you to do just that!"

For more information, see the AEC-APPS website.

Monday, November 5, 2012

CloudRender

CloudRender™ enables faster rendering by utilizing cloud computing allowing you to continue working in Revit.
  • Render and work in Revit, simultaneously
  • Utilize high performance computers on the cloud
  • Show complete top quality renders
  • Keep client appointments
  • Upfront pricing

CloudRender can be downloaded from the Limitless Computing website.

Tekla Interoperability Downloads

Reliably exchange data between Revit and Tekla Structures with the free Import from Tekla and Export to Tekla add-ins. These free add-ins may be downloaded from the Tekla website.

ReVVed - Free Add-ins from PKH Lineworks

ReVVed is a collection of Revit extensions that have been designed with the draftsperson in mind. ReVVed turns repetitive tasks into one click commands. These commands work with architecture, structure and MEP flavors of Revit. Commands like:
  • Text Tools - merge multiple text notes into a single note or change the case of notes.
  • Component Commander - allows loaded components to be searched and found easier.
  • Web Link - opens a web browser to the URL stored in Revit components.
  • Polyline - adjust the total length of end-to-end lines. (Like travel distances)
  • Open Folder - opens Windows Explorer to the folder where the project or linked file is located.
  • Project Commander - store critical information about the currently open project in a handy place.

The free ReVVed add-ins can be downloaded from the PKH Lineworks website.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Free Super Shared Parameter Loader from Case (Updated)


"The stock parameter loader is a huge pain for many users and offers very little power when dealing with large sets of parameters. This tool allows you to load multiple parameters at once. You can also visualize the parameters in their group associations as well as their data types. The CASE subscription version for this tool supports filtering as well as adding new parameters to the file from either parameters that exist in the current model or from user entry. Family parameters are only support by the subscription version.

"Installation is handled from within the CASE Add-In Manager!"

This free add-in may be downloaded from the case apps website.

Update 5/8/2016: CASE and the CASE Apps website are no more but, courtesy of WeWork, the CASE Apps are now open source. They may be accessed on GitHub.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

100,000 Pageviews and Counting...

The Revit Add-ons blog surpassed 100,000 pageviews all time in October. Thanks to all of you who have contacted me over the months to let me know that you have found this blog to be a good resource; it makes the work worthwhile, and it's rewarding to see that the monthly pageview count continues to grow.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ARCxl Details and Planroom

"The ARCxl Details and Planroom is a large non-proprietary library of pre-configured construction details and detail components.  ARCxl also offers a planroom for security protected document management, distribution, tracking, and bidding.

"The library is provided to improve the efficiency of its users by offering details and components that may require very little or no time to modify for specific project use.  It is a general purpose library that covers those detail types most frequently used in the detailing phase of construction documentation.  It is impossible to provide the infinite number of possible construction details that might be used in architectural projects, but a user may create a near infinite number of different details by combining details and components from the library.

"The component library is organized by division and section numbers.  When logged in you may download components to your download folder or bar and simply drag and drop them from there into a view.  

"Details may be added to projects using one of three methods.  Cut and paste from an open detail file, use the “Insert Views from File,” or “Insert 2D Elements from File” commands.

"Ordinary search terms are so general they require trial and error yet still only narrow the number of detail choices to hundreds or thousands.  We have provided very specific pull-down menus to efficiently narrow a search.  Details and components may be seen in a preview image with written description.

"The ARCxl planroom is provided for the easy upload, distribution, and management of construction drawings, specifications, addenda, and planholder lists.   The ARCxl planroom is secure and includes the ability to host public and private jobs.  It has a job calendar, thumbnail sheet previews, and full sheet image viewing with pan and zoom supported by all major browsers.  Architects and engineers posting projects may use the service at no charge.   Bidders may purchase and download orders by the sheet or by the set as determined by the design professional responsible for bidding procedures.  Bidders may print, forward for printing, or work directly from digital files.

"Note:  The app is provided free of charge and is non-expiring.  Users may download one detail and up to 10 component families from the library in a 24 hour period.  To increase your access to the library low cost annual subscriptions are available.  There may be costs associated with customized Planrooms as described on the ARCxl Planroom pages and by our support team.  Use of the Planrooms is currently only available to users located within the United States."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Export Revit to ETABS

This free add-in may be used to export from Revit Structure to the Structural analysis software ETABS.

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Views Exporter 2013 (Updated)

From the Autodesk App Store...

Automatically exports views and sheets from Autodesk® Revit® to known commercial formats, namely DWG, DWF, FBX, and Image or directly sends them to virtual printers, including Adobe PDF printer. A user can select any number of views to export. Views can be exported as separate files or DWF output can be combined into a single output file and DWG output can generate a single sheet which X-refs its views. User can filter views by user-predefined 'view/sheet sets' or by keyword. So in short thousands of views can be exported to different formats with a single click.
Trial is fully functional for 15 days.

DWG Setup

DWF Setup

Revit Extensions - Q3 Update for Revit 2013

"The Q3 Update includes enhancements to bridge modeling, integration with Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis Professional 2013, and improvements to the reinforcement extensions."


There's more information available on the Autodesk Subscription website.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

dRofus Adds Built-in Model Server

dRofus is an advanced, easy-to-use, software for integrated program management.

dRofus 1.5 beta

PRESS RELEASE

dRofus – now with a new and powerful, built-in IFC model server !

Our Project & Enterprise customers now have access to the latest version of the dRofus beta. This version allows them to load all their design files into a model server for instantaneous visualization and program validation. And, believe it or not - this feature is provided without any additional license cost.

This latest beta has an embedded, special edition, model server from Jotne EPM, - one of the leading providers in the world of this technology. (http://www.epmtech.jotne.com/jotne-epm-technology-as.241684.no.html)

This makes it easy to visualize and validate a project across multiple design models. For the first time, users of dRofus have access to the latest design models and validation reports between program and design without any additional file handling. This allows for the opportunity for several new and improved work flows, better quality control across models and increased interaction with the stakeholders of the projects.

Embedding a model server in dRofus also opens a large market among owners who wants to export project requirements and validate the design entirely through the use of an open data standard, IFC.

This new functionality in dRofus can change the way the industry thinks and works regarding the relationship between program and design, as all parties gets simultaneous access to the same updated data and design models throughout the project.

There's more information on this new release of dRofus here.

Credit: the HOK BIM Solutions blog.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Ribbon Creation Utility

Over on his The Building Coder blog, Jeremy Tammick has published a free utility from Victor Chekalin that demonstrates how developers can create custom interface items (tabs, panels and buttons) from their code.

See Jeremy's post for more information.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Free Basic Reporting Add-in for Hosting and Formulas (Updated)

"Have you ever needed to export a list of elements that host other elements? Or better yet, have you ever wondered what formulas were inside each of your families in the model? This little tool exports this information for you to a CSV file of your choosing! This entire utility runs in Read-only mode, so no worries about damaging anything..."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the Case Apps website.

Update 5/8/2016: CASE and the CASE Apps website are no more but, courtesy of WeWork, the CASE Apps are now open source. They may be accessed on GitHub.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

IMAGINiT Expands their Clarity Product Line with IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare


IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare
Share the Model, Automate the Work.
All while you keep designing.

With IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare you can save time and headaches by generating deliverables, automating tasks like printing PDFs, DWFs, exporting to IFC, gbXML, or backing up your projects. Non-Revit users can now have real-time project access including information such as room datasheets, schedules and custom reports.

Providing valuable information to your key project stakeholders, IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare will help you communicate design progress and save your staff time.

Want to collaborate securely online? Check out IMAGINiT Clarity and Clarity LT for Revit Server.

IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare uses file-based sharing and offers enhancements and tools such as:

Task Automation
  • Generate PDF and DWF files
  • Update Room Datasheets on demand
  • Automated Backup, exporting of files like PDF, DWF, IFC or Images

Friday, September 21, 2012

Wiip AmToDxf - Revit Structure to Analytical Model Via DXF

"Revit Structure can export an analytical model in a DXF file, but the result needs to be corrected before using it for calculations. Each beam is split into 3 parts (begin, middle, end) during the built-in export mechanism, as shown in the display.

"This utility exports each beam as a single line.

"It also splits the beams at each intersection, so we get a node where we need it. Each beam size is associated with a color, and layers are created for each element category."

This add-in costs USD 49 and can be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

YeS-PreFilterSelection Tool - Pre-defined Selection Filters

"YeS-PreFilterSelection tool provides following functions:
  1. Create frequent use filters before hand;
  2. Select elements based on predefined filters;
  3. Select all elements in current active view based on selected filter;
  4. Re-order the filters priority.

"This version provides 30 days full functional trial. After this period, you need to buy a license to register your product."

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

EdgeWise MEP for Revit - Point Clouds to Revit MEP Objects

"Introducing EdgeWise MEP™ for Revit®

"Finally, a fast and accurate tool for modeling as-built pipes in Revit®

"EdgeWise MEP for Revit leverages the powerful feature extraction technology of EdgeWise to automatically extract pipe solids from laser scan point clouds. Once connected into pipe runs the model can be imported into Revit as pipe objects and easily assigned to pipe families. All intelligence extracted by EdgeWise, such as diameter, length, elbow bend radii and more, is also transferred into Revit.

"Users are reporting up to an 85% savings over their normal modeling workflow."

There's more information available on the ClearEdge3D website.

Credit: Steve Stafford's Revit OpEd blog.

Zoom To Awesome - Free Auto-Zoom Add-in

The free Zoom to Awesome add-in allows users to quickly and simply zoom into selected objects. For expediency's sake, it even has a key-in to activate this functionality.

According to the developer, "If Chuck Norris used Revit - this would be his favorite tool."

There's more information available on the Arch+Tech blog.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

IsRENDER RAC - Batch Rendering in Revit

"IsRENDER RAC2013 performs processing render in Autodesk Revit in batch mode (automated).

"Features:
  • Running standalone render images
  • Running Multiple render images
  • Execution of deferred render images
  • Saving images in the project
  • Exporting images to the outside of the project 

"Please note that this version (Trial Mode) has a duration of 3 days and has limited functionality (only 2 render in batch mode)"

The trial version of this add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Material Batch Deletion

"Material Batch Deletion tool helps users search materials from project document and delete them with a single click. The search condition supports logic 'and' (& or &&) and 'or' (| or ||) to make the search more efficient."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange | Apps website.

Batch Write Shared Parameters

"Here is a handy little app we wrote for batch writing all shared parameters located in a shared parameter file to the currently open family. This app will allow for quick consistent adding of the same params to families without having to add them manually which can be very painful."

The original open source version of this free add-in may be downloaded from the BIMAdvent website.

Additionally, Alan Jackson has posted a rewritten and modified version of this free add-in on his openRevit blog site. This version binds the parameters to the "Other" category.

Revit SP.Writer - Manage Shared Parameters from Excel


"I always hear first hand from companies and end users the difficulties they have managing their shared parameters files under the Autodesk Revit platform. Lets be honest, it isn’t a fun task and Autodesk has done little to make our lives easier. Some companies are still not implementing schedules in Revit just due to the fact that Shared Parameters are so difficult and time consuming to work with."

Revit SP.Writer is intended to allow users to create, manage and organize their shared parameters outside of Revit easily allowing for importing and exporting compatible files.

Features:
  • Import Shared Parameter ’.txt’ files
  • Export Shared Parameter ‘.txt’ files
  • Create New Shared parameters
  • Selective Export from Parameter Library
  • Organize Parameters

This free add-in for Microsoft Excel may be downloaded from the BIM Source website.