Thursday, November 20, 2008
Trane now has content for Revit MEP
Trane now has content for Revit MEP. Trane has created a few of their Heat pumps and Roof top units in Revit MEP that are parametric and contain the appropriate connectors needed to connect them to logical systems inside of a Revit MEP model. They also contain the correct data needed to schedule the equipment automatically.
Even though there are only 5 families; within each family are a hundred or so family types to choose from.
You can create a schedule in Revit MEP to schedule the mechanical equipment in your project. The schedule is parametric and will fill itself out based on the mechanical equipment that is placed in the project. The schedule may need to be filtered to show only specific equipment types or type marks.
All columns in the schedule are filled out by the options selected for each unit with the exception of the AIR FLOW CFM. This number is driven by the connected flow of ductwork. The external static pressure and BHP should be manually adjusted after analysis of your duct design.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FAMILY:
Load the individual family file (Voyager YC 12-25Ton R410A.rfa) that has been provided into your project file. Change the family types and voltages as needed. The remaining options are adjustable via element properties.
to use the economizer and power exhaust options adjust the "1NONE_2ECON_3PWREXH" parameter to one of the following choices:
1 - FOR NONE (TRANE OUTSIDE AIR HOOD ONLY)
2 - FOR AN ECONOMIZER (CANFAB 100% BAROMETRIC RELIEF)
3 - FOR POWER EXHAUST (CANFAB MODULATING POWER EXHAUST)
Contact your local commercial Trane sales office for details, or log on to:
Product configurations are packaged together, in Voyager and Precedent files.
Log on, register for updates, and start using the files today, for your building project.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Implementing BIM into your office article
Here is a really good article on implementing BIM into your office:
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Revit Webcasts worth checking out
| Revit Implementation Series #1 - Templates | ||
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| Revit Implementation Series #2 - Family Creation and Management | ||
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| Revit Implementation Series #3 - Training | ||
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| Revit Architecture and Design Visualization for Sustainable Design | ||
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| Best Practices for Roofs in Revit Architecture | ||
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| Detailing in Revit Architecture | ||
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| Ceiling Plans in Revit Architecture | ||
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| Revit Architecture and Sustainable Design | ||
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| BIM Coordination | ||
View Past Revit Architecture Webcasts | ||
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Migrating to Building Information Modeling (BIM) | ||
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Design Visualization for BIM |
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AutoCAD Architecture - Webcasts
Annotation Techniques in AutoCAD Architecture |
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Best Practices for Roofs in AutoCAD Architecture |
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Layer Management in AutoCAD Architecture |
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Rendering in AutoCAD Architecture |
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Implementing AutoCAD Architecture |
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Elevations and Sections in AutoCAD Architecture |
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Project Organization with AutoCAD Architecture |
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View Past AutoCAD Architecture Webcasts |
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Visit the AutoCAD Architecture Resource Center |
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How to Render Google Sketchup Models in Autodesk 3ds Max Design | ||
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Leveraging AutoCAD Architecture in 3ds Max Design | ||
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Design Visualization Webcasts
Making the Move to 3ds Max Design
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT
The Importance of Design Visualization and Autodesk 3ds Max Design
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 |
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View Past Design Visualization Webcasts
Revit Architecture Suite 2009.1 - FINALLY!
Autodesk released Revit Architecture Suite 2009.1 as of Septemeber 15, 2008. This new release bundles Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Architecture (formerly know as Architectural Desktop), and AutoCAD under one license. The best part of all of this - no increase in price or subscription fee (for now anyway). Please note: there are NO feature enhancements to any of the applications in this 2009.1 release. All I have to say is "it's about time guys"!
Under the Previous Use Policy with the Subscription program, you have access to the following versions:
- Revit Architecture Suite 2008
- Revit Series Building 9.0 & 9.1
- Revit Series Building 8.0 & 8.1
- AutoCAD Architecture 2008
- Architectural Desktop 2007
- Architectural Desktop 2006
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
DWF versus PDF
DWF is Autodesk's version of PDF - but it is way better!
Built in to all Autodesk products, DWF publishing helps you enhance collaboration and easily exchange project information with extended teams. Download the FREE Autodesk DWF Writer to securely share 2D and 3D data as DWF files—no matter what design application you’re using.
- Publish portable, secure 2D and 3D DWF files.
- New Plug-ins for SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, and CATIA software applications.
- One-click DWF files from Microsoft applications (Internet Explorer 7 supported).
Features: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8411823
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Impression
Impress your colleagues and clients with compelling presentation-ready graphics created directly from your DWG and DWF files. Autodesk Impression software is easy to use, saves you time, and recognizes data from your CAD files.
Autodesk Impression is available FREE to AutoCAD, AutoCADArchitecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure Suite, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure software products’ subscription customers.
www.autodesk.com/impression
See what you can do: http://download.autodesk.com/us/impression/2009overview/index.html
Feature List: http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autodesk_impression_2_feature_overview_final.pdf
Free Tutorials: http://impression.autodesk.com/learning/
Autodesk Impression is available FREE to AutoCAD, AutoCADArchitecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure Suite, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure software products’ subscription customers.
www.autodesk.com/impression
See what you can do: http://download.autodesk.com/us/impression/2009overview/index.html
Feature List: http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autodesk_impression_2_feature_overview_final.pdf
Free Tutorials: http://impression.autodesk.com/learning/
Monday, June 23, 2008
DWG TrueView and DWG TrueConvert
Autodesk offers FREE downloadable utilities to help you with things like viewing a DWG without having AutoCAD and converting DWG format. Use the free DWG TrueView to accurately view, plot, and publish authentic DWG and DWF files. And now, DWG TrueView incorporates all the functionality of DWG TrueConvert. This means you can translate any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file for compatibility. Check it out at: www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview
View, Print, Measure, and Mark-up
Do you still plot out drawings just to review or red-line them and then give them back to the CAD person to make the changes? Or maybe you have purchased an AutoCAD LT just so you can open DWGs to view and print them. Well, here's something to consider: Design Review.
You can either download Deisgn Review from Autodesk's website at www.autodesk.com/designreview or if you are using any 2009 version of Autodesk software, it is part of your package already.
Wanna see how this workflow works? Check out: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=8411969 and http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/adr08_aec_final.pdf
The best part about Design Review is it is FREE! So, if you are one of those LT users, I just saved you about $200 per year! And a paperless (or at least a less paperful) approach is better for our environment.
You can either download Deisgn Review from Autodesk's website at www.autodesk.com/designreview or if you are using any 2009 version of Autodesk software, it is part of your package already.
Wanna see how this workflow works? Check out: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=8411969 and http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/adr08_aec_final.pdf
The best part about Design Review is it is FREE! So, if you are one of those LT users, I just saved you about $200 per year! And a paperless (or at least a less paperful) approach is better for our environment.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Cross-grade your AutoCAD LTs until July 18/08
If you have any AutoCAD LTs (2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009) and have ever wished it was full AutoCAD or better, now is the time to cross-graded them!
Autodesk is offering a promotional price $US2495.00 to cross-grade to AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure, and/or Revit Structure Suite.
This is a fantastic deal! And the higher you go up the product line, the greater the savings! For example, normally cross-grading from AutoCAD LT 2006/2007/2008/2009 to Revit Architecture Suite 2009 is $US4888. So doing it now under this promotion saves you a whopping $US2393 per license - THAT'S ALMOST 50% off!
Autodesk is offering a promotional price $US2495.00 to cross-grade to AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture Suite, Revit MEP Suite, Revit Structure, and/or Revit Structure Suite.
This is a fantastic deal! And the higher you go up the product line, the greater the savings! For example, normally cross-grading from AutoCAD LT 2006/2007/2008/2009 to Revit Architecture Suite 2009 is $US4888. So doing it now under this promotion saves you a whopping $US2393 per license - THAT'S ALMOST 50% off!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Got Any 2006 (or older versions)?
If you review my posts in January, you will see a post discussing Autodesk's marketing roadmap on Retirement and Legacy versions. Well, that time of year again is fast approaching for the Phase 1 Promotions on Retirement and Legacy. So let set this up:
As of late March this year (2008) Autodesk has been launching their newest version of software(s) - 2009. Therefore they will continue to support versions 2008, 2007, and 2006 this year. Versions 2005 and earlier are now considered Legacy. Furthermore, come March 2009 version 2006 will be Retired just before version 2010 is launched.
So, how do you get current and not fall too far behind? Well, that is where the promotions will help. Let's talk about Retirement first - in this year's case, 2006 licenses. If you have any 2006 licenses, you can upgrade or cross-grade them to a 2009 version using the Retirement Promotion(s). This promotion will follow this structure:
Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 20% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 15% discount if purchased without Subscription.
Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 15% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 10% discount if purchased without Subscription.
Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 10% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 0% discount if purchased without Subscription(in other words, regular upgrade pricing).
Likewise, Autodesk is running a Legacy promotion this year. So if you have any older versions (2005 back to R14 or equivalent) you can bring those licenses current to 2009 via the Legacy Program and Promotion. Regularly, a Legacy license can be brought current for 30% off the price of a new license and subscription must be purchased. Here is how the promotion works:
Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 40% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased
Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 35% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased
Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 30% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased (in other words: regular Legacy Program pricing)
So, the best time (best deals) are between May 1 and July 18.
Hopefully this information will empower you to net the best possible pricing if you are looking to upgrade or cross-grade older licenses. If you need a more specific understanding on your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact me, I would be happy to assist you.
As of late March this year (2008) Autodesk has been launching their newest version of software(s) - 2009. Therefore they will continue to support versions 2008, 2007, and 2006 this year. Versions 2005 and earlier are now considered Legacy. Furthermore, come March 2009 version 2006 will be Retired just before version 2010 is launched.
So, how do you get current and not fall too far behind? Well, that is where the promotions will help. Let's talk about Retirement first - in this year's case, 2006 licenses. If you have any 2006 licenses, you can upgrade or cross-grade them to a 2009 version using the Retirement Promotion(s). This promotion will follow this structure:
Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 20% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 15% discount if purchased without Subscription.
Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 15% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 10% discount if purchased without Subscription.
Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 10% discount off the regular upgrade price when purchasing upgrades with annual Subscription or 0% discount if purchased without Subscription(in other words, regular upgrade pricing).
Likewise, Autodesk is running a Legacy promotion this year. So if you have any older versions (2005 back to R14 or equivalent) you can bring those licenses current to 2009 via the Legacy Program and Promotion. Regularly, a Legacy license can be brought current for 30% off the price of a new license and subscription must be purchased. Here is how the promotion works:
Phase 1 – May 1 to July18 - 40% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased
Phase 2 – July 19 to October 17 - 35% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased
Phase 3 – October 18 to January 16 - 30% discount off the regular new price and Subscription is required to be purchased (in other words: regular Legacy Program pricing)
So, the best time (best deals) are between May 1 and July 18.
Hopefully this information will empower you to net the best possible pricing if you are looking to upgrade or cross-grade older licenses. If you need a more specific understanding on your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact me, I would be happy to assist you.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Revit Architecture 2009
Here's waht you can expect to see in Revit Architecture 2009:
Dimension Enhancements
Revit Architecture 2009 makes documenting your designs even easier. With new dimension capabilities, users can dimension to intersections and arc centers. New dimension text formatting enables users to apply common text effects, such as bold, italics, and underline, to their dimension text.
A second new addition to dimensions is the ability to override dimensions with text. While this feature enables users to override dimensions with text such as “Varies, See Stair Plans” or “11” MIN” and thereby achieve new flexibility in their documents, the feature helps to maintain model integrity by disallowing user overrides that misrepresent actual dimensions. For example, users cannot make a 14’ 4” dimension read 14’ 6”.
Revision Enhancements
The new revision enhancements allow architects and designers achieve the various revision styles that they demand. New flexibility enables revision tables to build from the bottom up or top down. Also, numbering sequences can include and be sorted by numbers or letters. A new field called “Issued By” helps revision tracking.
New flexibility for revision layouts includes an ability to rotate the schedule on a sheet and to set revision schedules to fixed or variable size.
The added control and flexibility over revisions makes the differing standards in various regions around the world easy to meet.
Room Enhancements
The behavior of rooms in section has been expanded to include several new capabilities.
For example, rooms can be displayed or selected, and vertical limits can even be changed. Finally, color fills can be applied in section and elevation.
In Revit Architecture 2009, new productivity and possibilities can be gained by expanding room behavior in sections and elevations.
Room Tag Improvements
In Revit Architecture 2009, the added control over room tags helps designers expand the range of documentation possibilities to match the styles of individual firms.
Similar to the functionality of door, window, and other tags, when rooms in a view are not tagged, users can save time by tagging all of them in one step. Room data is very important, and when a room moves, the tag can move with it to save time.
In addition, room tags can be rotated to achieve various effects. For example, users often want to rotate a room tag to fit in a narrow space. Finally, room tags have the ability to align to rotated dependent views.
View Templates and Mirror Project
New control over view templates combined with new flexibility to mirror a project helps architects and designers derive a more efficient workflow by reusing existing project work.
View Templates: A new dialog box builds an easier-to-use tool while users now have the ability to pick and choose which view properties they apply from the view template.
Mirror Project: Designs often change without warning and require designers and their tools to remain agile. The new Mirror Project tools mean a project can be mirrored to accommodate owner requests or repetitive designs.
Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.
Quality and Rendering Performance
With mental ray software and building information modeling (BIM), you can generate photorealistic or stylized imagery, precise building models, and fully contextualized design visualizations for envisioning, planning, and presenting architectural projects of any size. The mental ray rendering engine brings award-winning quality to the fingertips of the architect for in-process visualization.
Revit Architecture 2009 includes an extensive library of materials that are predefined and organized into material classes (for example, carpet, glass, paint, metal, liquid, and fabric) that are easily browsable by thumbnails or searchable by keywords. Material libraries combine with other mental ray capabilities such as physically accurate lighting, photometric light capabilities, real sun and sky solutions, and an optimized render solution for architectural scenes.
The addition of the mental ray rendering engine optimizes the computing-intensive rendering process to deliver the highest-quality results in minimal time. The result is a significant reduction of in-process render times and an increase in photorealistic consideration, which empower your initial creativity and perception in a competitive market.
Advanced Visualization with 3ds Max Design
When even more advanced tools are required for your designs, the new FBX software export feature enables accurate transfer of geometry, lights, materials, settings, and perspectives to the award-winning 3ds Max software.
3ds Max software offers advanced control over light settings as well as object and character animation that help bring extra life to your designs. At the core of 3ds Max lies an ability to predict light reaction on surfaces. 3ds Max offers new functionality that helps architects and designers find efficient daylighting solutions through daylight simulation and analysis tools.
Worksharing Monitor (via Subscription only)
The Worksharing Monitor gives actionable, real-time information to users on the project team. For example, team members can
Be aware of the current status of central files
Monitor progress of editing requests and notifications
Plan for the best time to save to central
Autodesk 3D UI
The Autodesk 3D UI provides an intuitive, standardized navigation experience across multiple Autodesk 3D design products.
Whether you are new to 3D or an advanced user, you can navigate 3D scenes more effectively, and your extended team can apply the same software skills across different products and disciplines.
Learning new tools in the Autodesk portfolio just got a little easier.
Data Exchange
When the topic of collaboration is brought up, the notion of easily exchanging design data immediately comes to the forefront. Obstacles to easy data exchange range from not having the same software that was used to create the initial data to not having the appropriate reader to view the design data. Revit Architecture 2009 helps alleviate data exchange pain by providing native support for a variety of file formats.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without the need for plug-ins or other downloads. For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via download.
New DWG enhancements make collaborating with those relying on DWG-based workflows easier, and the FBX export increases interoperability between Revit Architecture 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design software.
Revit Architecture 2009 users can more easily share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team.
Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.
Plotting
New improvements allow drawings that rely on Hidden Line Removals (e.g. many Floor Plans, elevations, etc) in Revit Architecture 2009 print faster.
Start-up
Upon start-up, Revit Architecture 2009 displays a graphical representation of recent projects and recent families that have been opened by the user. This allows quick visual access to recently used files as well as faster Revit Architecture 2009 start-up.
API Expansion
The continued development of the Revit Architecture 2009 application programming interface encourages growth of the Autodesk Developer Network and enables partners to develop new function-specific tools that work with the building information model. Including:
• UI Suppression
• New Event Handlers
• New Element Creation
• Performance Increases
• ODBC Round-Tripping
Dimension Enhancements
Revit Architecture 2009 makes documenting your designs even easier. With new dimension capabilities, users can dimension to intersections and arc centers. New dimension text formatting enables users to apply common text effects, such as bold, italics, and underline, to their dimension text.
A second new addition to dimensions is the ability to override dimensions with text. While this feature enables users to override dimensions with text such as “Varies, See Stair Plans” or “11” MIN” and thereby achieve new flexibility in their documents, the feature helps to maintain model integrity by disallowing user overrides that misrepresent actual dimensions. For example, users cannot make a 14’ 4” dimension read 14’ 6”.
Revision Enhancements
The new revision enhancements allow architects and designers achieve the various revision styles that they demand. New flexibility enables revision tables to build from the bottom up or top down. Also, numbering sequences can include and be sorted by numbers or letters. A new field called “Issued By” helps revision tracking.
New flexibility for revision layouts includes an ability to rotate the schedule on a sheet and to set revision schedules to fixed or variable size.
The added control and flexibility over revisions makes the differing standards in various regions around the world easy to meet.
Room Enhancements
The behavior of rooms in section has been expanded to include several new capabilities.
For example, rooms can be displayed or selected, and vertical limits can even be changed. Finally, color fills can be applied in section and elevation.
In Revit Architecture 2009, new productivity and possibilities can be gained by expanding room behavior in sections and elevations.
Room Tag Improvements
In Revit Architecture 2009, the added control over room tags helps designers expand the range of documentation possibilities to match the styles of individual firms.
Similar to the functionality of door, window, and other tags, when rooms in a view are not tagged, users can save time by tagging all of them in one step. Room data is very important, and when a room moves, the tag can move with it to save time.
In addition, room tags can be rotated to achieve various effects. For example, users often want to rotate a room tag to fit in a narrow space. Finally, room tags have the ability to align to rotated dependent views.
View Templates and Mirror Project
New control over view templates combined with new flexibility to mirror a project helps architects and designers derive a more efficient workflow by reusing existing project work.
View Templates: A new dialog box builds an easier-to-use tool while users now have the ability to pick and choose which view properties they apply from the view template.
Mirror Project: Designs often change without warning and require designers and their tools to remain agile. The new Mirror Project tools mean a project can be mirrored to accommodate owner requests or repetitive designs.
Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.
Quality and Rendering Performance
With mental ray software and building information modeling (BIM), you can generate photorealistic or stylized imagery, precise building models, and fully contextualized design visualizations for envisioning, planning, and presenting architectural projects of any size. The mental ray rendering engine brings award-winning quality to the fingertips of the architect for in-process visualization.
Revit Architecture 2009 includes an extensive library of materials that are predefined and organized into material classes (for example, carpet, glass, paint, metal, liquid, and fabric) that are easily browsable by thumbnails or searchable by keywords. Material libraries combine with other mental ray capabilities such as physically accurate lighting, photometric light capabilities, real sun and sky solutions, and an optimized render solution for architectural scenes.
The addition of the mental ray rendering engine optimizes the computing-intensive rendering process to deliver the highest-quality results in minimal time. The result is a significant reduction of in-process render times and an increase in photorealistic consideration, which empower your initial creativity and perception in a competitive market.
Advanced Visualization with 3ds Max Design
When even more advanced tools are required for your designs, the new FBX software export feature enables accurate transfer of geometry, lights, materials, settings, and perspectives to the award-winning 3ds Max software.
3ds Max software offers advanced control over light settings as well as object and character animation that help bring extra life to your designs. At the core of 3ds Max lies an ability to predict light reaction on surfaces. 3ds Max offers new functionality that helps architects and designers find efficient daylighting solutions through daylight simulation and analysis tools.
Worksharing Monitor (via Subscription only)
The Worksharing Monitor gives actionable, real-time information to users on the project team. For example, team members can
Be aware of the current status of central files
Monitor progress of editing requests and notifications
Plan for the best time to save to central
Autodesk 3D UI
The Autodesk 3D UI provides an intuitive, standardized navigation experience across multiple Autodesk 3D design products.
Whether you are new to 3D or an advanced user, you can navigate 3D scenes more effectively, and your extended team can apply the same software skills across different products and disciplines.
Learning new tools in the Autodesk portfolio just got a little easier.
Data Exchange
When the topic of collaboration is brought up, the notion of easily exchanging design data immediately comes to the forefront. Obstacles to easy data exchange range from not having the same software that was used to create the initial data to not having the appropriate reader to view the design data. Revit Architecture 2009 helps alleviate data exchange pain by providing native support for a variety of file formats.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without the need for plug-ins or other downloads. For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via download.
New DWG enhancements make collaborating with those relying on DWG-based workflows easier, and the FBX export increases interoperability between Revit Architecture 2009 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design software.
Revit Architecture 2009 users can more easily share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team.
Form Finding
This new type of mass geometry can be combined with the existing parametric capabilities of Revit Architecture 2009 to create new forms based on algorithmic design variations. Extending the range of what is achievable during conceptual design and family creation, swept blend functionality offers more opportunity to express complex forms.
Plotting
New improvements allow drawings that rely on Hidden Line Removals (e.g. many Floor Plans, elevations, etc) in Revit Architecture 2009 print faster.
Start-up
Upon start-up, Revit Architecture 2009 displays a graphical representation of recent projects and recent families that have been opened by the user. This allows quick visual access to recently used files as well as faster Revit Architecture 2009 start-up.
API Expansion
The continued development of the Revit Architecture 2009 application programming interface encourages growth of the Autodesk Developer Network and enables partners to develop new function-specific tools that work with the building information model. Including:
• UI Suppression
• New Event Handlers
• New Element Creation
• Performance Increases
• ODBC Round-Tripping
What's new in Revit Structure 2009
Here is a listing of some of the highlights of Revit Structure 2009
Sloped slab enhancement
With Revit Structure 2009 you can now edit the shape of slabs with curved edges, which enables you to accurately model more complex slab and roof conditions.
You can also modify the split lines that the software automatically creates in the slab when it is warped. This new option provides much more flexibility for editing the shape of the slab to represent the exact way it should be built.
Slabs made of metal decks can also be sloped and warped and represented as accurately as plain concrete slabs.
Beam cutbacks
In previous releases, cutbacks were applied to all members of an end join. The new beam cutback feature improves the display of steel beams in coarse level of detail.
The new tool applies beam join types and priority. The default “priority one” beam is the beam that other beams frame into. An editor enables the user to modify the join configuration and provides graphical controls (blue arrows) at the end of the beams participating in a join.
Miter joins can be created for elements of the same type. A miter lock (only available in Coarse mode) enables the user to keep a miter join for physical representation in fine level of detail while changing the symbolic cutback representation in Coarse mode.
Vertical Move by Common Join
This feature was previously used at the end of a single selected beam. Now the feature provides the elevation control at the intersection of several elements that join.
For structural framing “beam” members only, the user can select a common join and change the elevation. When an elevation is changed using the control, the selected beams disjoin, move to the desired location, and rejoin. In each beam property, the end and start level offset values are adjusted correspondingly.
Reinforcement Macros
Reinforcement macros for concrete columns, beams, footings, walls, pile caps, and slab openings
Subscription customers can benefit from extensions available for Revit Structure 2009. The Reinforcement extensions increase the user’s ability to incorporate automatic reinforcement into concrete elements. Easy to install and use, they extend the capability of Revit Structure 2009 to handle concrete reinforcement details.
Concrete reinforcement
Revit Structure 2009 increases the user’s ability to place individual reinforcement bars into a concrete model as specified by third-party analysis and design software.
Many standard rebar shapes (00, 01, S1, T1, and so on, for ACI codes) are available in a browser, and each bar can be placed with one mouse-click.
Rebar shape dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) can be edited in a manner similar to that for the Revit families.
Additional parameters can be displayed in schedules, and reinforcement automatically created by a third-party application can be accurately scheduled.
The cover is now a property of concrete elements, making it much more flexible to edit and modify. Cover can be set by the different faces of the concrete element, enabling you to, for example, take into account the exposure of certain faces to weather.
A new rebar visibility state enables you to view rebars as solid.
Foundation improvements
Revit Structure 2009 speeds up the creation of foundations: instead of placing them individually, you can now create multiple foundations at the same time. For wall foundations, check the “multiple” option before selecting several walls. For isolated foundations, choose to create them by structural columns or grid intersection.
Wall foundations ends can now be modified. Just grab the end of a continuous foundation and drag it manually where you need.
Dimension improvements
Revit Structure 2009 enables dimensioning at line intersections: lines, grids, reference planes, location lines (walls, floors).
You can now
• Run linear dimensions to center of arcs without turning on visibility of the center mark
• Dimension concentric arcs with linear dimensions
• Apply bold, italic, underlining, and width factor to all dimension styles
You can create a set of dimensions that all start from a common baseline.
You can also create multiple dimensions that measure a perpendicular distance from an origin point (or datum): ordinate dimensions.
In some situations, drafters need to add information to dimension values. For example, a dimension might be applied to an element whose real-world dimension is not known. In this case, the drafter might want to add a note that the dimension should be verified.
This capability is particularly useful for “typical” details, to reference another sheet that contains specifics.
This capability also enables drafters to add supplementary information to clarify a dimension’s meaning when there is potential for ambiguity. For some text notes, the dimension format works better than a freestanding text block and leader.
Beam tags
Beam tagging is an important part of creating a structural framing plan. Depending on the complexity of the structure, beam tags can contain many different pieces of information. Providing the structural engineer and drafter with the tools to place and modify this information is crucial.
Spot elevations are improved to enable you to select beams in Coarse mode. The spot elevation “asks” the beam for its elevations at the end- and midpoints, based on its bounding box.
Note that spot elevations can be taken at the top or bottom of beams. Spot dimensions (spot elevations and spot coordinates) can also now be rotated.
Tags for structural framing have been improved so that they retain the placement of the tag based on its location relative to the curve driver. Specifically, this functionality allows a structural beam tag to be placed at the end of a beam; it then moves and repositions with the beam.
Tags also now enable parameters and text to be concatenated into a single label.
Concrete drawings
Where appropriate (for example, in a concrete slab-over-beam representation), elements in concrete that are joined should be represented as a single mass in section views, as users expect. Revit Structure 2009 automatically joins columns to slabs, beams to slabs, columns to walls, beams to walls, and slab edges to slabs.
Revit Structure 2009 improves the way concrete beams join. When you place two or more concrete beams so that their ends join, Revit Structure 2009 automatically creates a default join that can be interpreted correctly with minimal editing.
When an element is losing its volume due to the Join Geometry command, Revit Structure 2009 now creates a stick representation that lets the user select the previously invisible element. Use Join Geometry command between two elements where one of them is completely enclosed by the other.
Graphical column schedule
Add shifted-columns to graphical column schedule (GCS)
Add columns to GCS that are off center from the grid intersection but still within the column geometry (bounding box). The column is labeled with the column location mark, which represents the closest distances to existing grids, for example, A-5’ 6” – 2 6’ 6” (5’ 6” from grid A and 6’ 6” from grid 2).
Add grouped columns to GCS
Add all grouped columns in plan to GCS.
Multiple grid selection drop-down: column element properties
Add a drop-down list to column element properties that shows different GCS label combinations. This enables the user to choose among multiple options where different grid intersections are possible.
With Include Off-Grid Columns turned on, the user can choose the Off-Grid Units Format option.
3D navigation
Common to all Autodesk 3D products now, the 3D navigation tools provide easy orientation of the model and a new way to zoom, orbit, and pan. The Rewind option is useful when you want to return to a previously used view, angle, or position of the structure.
Selection count
It is now easier to count the number of elements of a type in the model.
Visibility tools
The visibility/graphics settings for linked files support three general modes of operation: "By Host View" (make the link look as much as possible like it is part of the host file), "By Linked View" (make the link look how it looks in some view in the linked file), or "Custom" (manually specify the appearance). Prior to release 2009, we only supported the use of linked views in floor plans. Now the functionality has been expanded to work in section, elevation, and 3D. Referencing a linked view that already has the right appearance can save considerable work.
The greatest importance of this functionality is that settings like filters, workset visibility, display of annotations can now be controlled in section, elevation, and 3D.
Another enhanced feature related to visibility is the Linework tool.
Linework now supports:
- Edges in linked rvt files, when displayed "By Host"
- Polylines, generally from imports
- Projection edges caused by plan regions
Note that the following classes of generated edges can now be lineworked separately on the same face:
- Front cut edges
- Back cut edges
- Side cut (projection edges caused by plan regions)
- Silhouette edges
All edges of a particular class on the same face will still have the same line style. Edges of different classes can have different styles.
Publish to DWFx
Revit Structure 2009 enables you to exchange data with other design team members by providing native DWF support for Windows Vista users.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without any plug-ins or other downloads.
For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via a download.
Users of Revit Structure software can seamlessly share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team. This capability reduces the need for expensive paper-based sharing and proprietary software that can limit use and cause costly project delays due to lack of clarity or insight.
Sloped slab enhancement
With Revit Structure 2009 you can now edit the shape of slabs with curved edges, which enables you to accurately model more complex slab and roof conditions.
You can also modify the split lines that the software automatically creates in the slab when it is warped. This new option provides much more flexibility for editing the shape of the slab to represent the exact way it should be built.
Slabs made of metal decks can also be sloped and warped and represented as accurately as plain concrete slabs.
Beam cutbacks
In previous releases, cutbacks were applied to all members of an end join. The new beam cutback feature improves the display of steel beams in coarse level of detail.
The new tool applies beam join types and priority. The default “priority one” beam is the beam that other beams frame into. An editor enables the user to modify the join configuration and provides graphical controls (blue arrows) at the end of the beams participating in a join.
Miter joins can be created for elements of the same type. A miter lock (only available in Coarse mode) enables the user to keep a miter join for physical representation in fine level of detail while changing the symbolic cutback representation in Coarse mode.
Vertical Move by Common Join
This feature was previously used at the end of a single selected beam. Now the feature provides the elevation control at the intersection of several elements that join.
For structural framing “beam” members only, the user can select a common join and change the elevation. When an elevation is changed using the control, the selected beams disjoin, move to the desired location, and rejoin. In each beam property, the end and start level offset values are adjusted correspondingly.
Reinforcement Macros
Reinforcement macros for concrete columns, beams, footings, walls, pile caps, and slab openings
Subscription customers can benefit from extensions available for Revit Structure 2009. The Reinforcement extensions increase the user’s ability to incorporate automatic reinforcement into concrete elements. Easy to install and use, they extend the capability of Revit Structure 2009 to handle concrete reinforcement details.
Concrete reinforcement
Revit Structure 2009 increases the user’s ability to place individual reinforcement bars into a concrete model as specified by third-party analysis and design software.
Many standard rebar shapes (00, 01, S1, T1, and so on, for ACI codes) are available in a browser, and each bar can be placed with one mouse-click.
Rebar shape dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) can be edited in a manner similar to that for the Revit families.
Additional parameters can be displayed in schedules, and reinforcement automatically created by a third-party application can be accurately scheduled.
The cover is now a property of concrete elements, making it much more flexible to edit and modify. Cover can be set by the different faces of the concrete element, enabling you to, for example, take into account the exposure of certain faces to weather.
A new rebar visibility state enables you to view rebars as solid.
Foundation improvements
Revit Structure 2009 speeds up the creation of foundations: instead of placing them individually, you can now create multiple foundations at the same time. For wall foundations, check the “multiple” option before selecting several walls. For isolated foundations, choose to create them by structural columns or grid intersection.
Wall foundations ends can now be modified. Just grab the end of a continuous foundation and drag it manually where you need.
Dimension improvements
Revit Structure 2009 enables dimensioning at line intersections: lines, grids, reference planes, location lines (walls, floors).
You can now
• Run linear dimensions to center of arcs without turning on visibility of the center mark
• Dimension concentric arcs with linear dimensions
• Apply bold, italic, underlining, and width factor to all dimension styles
You can create a set of dimensions that all start from a common baseline.
You can also create multiple dimensions that measure a perpendicular distance from an origin point (or datum): ordinate dimensions.
In some situations, drafters need to add information to dimension values. For example, a dimension might be applied to an element whose real-world dimension is not known. In this case, the drafter might want to add a note that the dimension should be verified.
This capability is particularly useful for “typical” details, to reference another sheet that contains specifics.
This capability also enables drafters to add supplementary information to clarify a dimension’s meaning when there is potential for ambiguity. For some text notes, the dimension format works better than a freestanding text block and leader.
Beam tags
Beam tagging is an important part of creating a structural framing plan. Depending on the complexity of the structure, beam tags can contain many different pieces of information. Providing the structural engineer and drafter with the tools to place and modify this information is crucial.
Spot elevations are improved to enable you to select beams in Coarse mode. The spot elevation “asks” the beam for its elevations at the end- and midpoints, based on its bounding box.
Note that spot elevations can be taken at the top or bottom of beams. Spot dimensions (spot elevations and spot coordinates) can also now be rotated.
Tags for structural framing have been improved so that they retain the placement of the tag based on its location relative to the curve driver. Specifically, this functionality allows a structural beam tag to be placed at the end of a beam; it then moves and repositions with the beam.
Tags also now enable parameters and text to be concatenated into a single label.
Concrete drawings
Where appropriate (for example, in a concrete slab-over-beam representation), elements in concrete that are joined should be represented as a single mass in section views, as users expect. Revit Structure 2009 automatically joins columns to slabs, beams to slabs, columns to walls, beams to walls, and slab edges to slabs.
Revit Structure 2009 improves the way concrete beams join. When you place two or more concrete beams so that their ends join, Revit Structure 2009 automatically creates a default join that can be interpreted correctly with minimal editing.
When an element is losing its volume due to the Join Geometry command, Revit Structure 2009 now creates a stick representation that lets the user select the previously invisible element. Use Join Geometry command between two elements where one of them is completely enclosed by the other.
Graphical column schedule
Add shifted-columns to graphical column schedule (GCS)
Add columns to GCS that are off center from the grid intersection but still within the column geometry (bounding box). The column is labeled with the column location mark, which represents the closest distances to existing grids, for example, A-5’ 6” – 2 6’ 6” (5’ 6” from grid A and 6’ 6” from grid 2).
Add grouped columns to GCS
Add all grouped columns in plan to GCS.
Multiple grid selection drop-down: column element properties
Add a drop-down list to column element properties that shows different GCS label combinations. This enables the user to choose among multiple options where different grid intersections are possible.
With Include Off-Grid Columns turned on, the user can choose the Off-Grid Units Format option.
3D navigation
Common to all Autodesk 3D products now, the 3D navigation tools provide easy orientation of the model and a new way to zoom, orbit, and pan. The Rewind option is useful when you want to return to a previously used view, angle, or position of the structure.
Selection count
It is now easier to count the number of elements of a type in the model.
Visibility tools
The visibility/graphics settings for linked files support three general modes of operation: "By Host View" (make the link look as much as possible like it is part of the host file), "By Linked View" (make the link look how it looks in some view in the linked file), or "Custom" (manually specify the appearance). Prior to release 2009, we only supported the use of linked views in floor plans. Now the functionality has been expanded to work in section, elevation, and 3D. Referencing a linked view that already has the right appearance can save considerable work.
The greatest importance of this functionality is that settings like filters, workset visibility, display of annotations can now be controlled in section, elevation, and 3D.
Another enhanced feature related to visibility is the Linework tool.
Linework now supports:
- Edges in linked rvt files, when displayed "By Host"
- Polylines, generally from imports
- Projection edges caused by plan regions
Note that the following classes of generated edges can now be lineworked separately on the same face:
- Front cut edges
- Back cut edges
- Side cut (projection edges caused by plan regions)
- Silhouette edges
All edges of a particular class on the same face will still have the same line style. Edges of different classes can have different styles.
Publish to DWFx
Revit Structure 2009 enables you to exchange data with other design team members by providing native DWF support for Windows Vista users.
DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without any plug-ins or other downloads.
For Windows XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via a download.
Users of Revit Structure software can seamlessly share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team. This capability reduces the need for expensive paper-based sharing and proprietary software that can limit use and cause costly project delays due to lack of clarity or insight.
What to expect in Revit MEP 2009
Here is a listing of some of the new and/or enhanced features that we can expect to see in the upcoming new 2009 release of Revit MEP:
MEP spaces
Revit MEP 2009 includes the ability to create spaces that are independent of rooms. Areas that are to small to be classified as a space are accounted for automatically. This capability provides increased control over how the geometry of the area is defined in the analysis results. The result is a more accurate analysis model.
Spaces inherit the architectural room information initially created in the architectural model. Those spaces can be associated to zones. The spaces automatically update as the room boundary updates in the architectural model, whether the model is in the host file or linked.
Easily assign information, such as occupancy or latent and sensible heat gain, to a single or multiple spaces.
HVAC zone element
New to Revit MEP 2009 are HVAC zones. This powerful feature enables engineers to dissect architectural rooms into identifiable spaces and groups of spaces, based on engineering volumes, required as part of systems equipment selection as well as to perform accurate heating and cooling loads calculations.
Zones also appear in the system browser to provide more flexibility to identify which systems are in which zones. In addition, zones can be color filled for easy visual reference.
Now you can represent building spaces based on engineering needs.
Zone and light fixture data
Revit MEP 2009 provides the ability to export not only newly created HVAC zone data, but also lighting fixture element data for use in the IES, providing more robust analysis data and greater user control over how that data is analyzed downstream.
Heating and cooling loads
Heating and cooling loads reports have also been enhanced to reflect the powerful HVAC zones and spaces functionality new to Revit MEP 2009. Loads reports have been reformatted to logically display crucial design calculation results, including check sum values for identified zones or spaces. Viewing and navigating the Heating & Cooling Load dialog box and reports have also been enhanced. The Loads dialog box can be expanded for better analytical model scrutiny and includes new report navigation buttons to help you quickly locate desired report information.
You can also expand the dialog box to full screen and modify multiple spaces or zones at the same time. The heating and cooling loads report summary includes new engineering-specific parameter controls that provide more robust calculation results, as well as greater control over zone and space selection, and phasing.
Improved gbXML (green building extensible markup language) workflow integration helps maximize information going to third-party analysis programs with the benefit of the new spaces and zones.
Plumbing calculations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced plumbing flow calculations to more accurately reflect plumbing standard flow calculations and conversions from fixture units to flow values in GPM. You can also view the fixture units in the System Inspector.
The total fixture unit parameter can be scheduled. In addition, the flow is a demand value, based on fixture unit count. The conversion between fixture units and actual GPM flow is based on universal plumbing code standards so you can estimate demand based directly on fixture unit.
Piping enhancements
Model sloped piping for all plumbing systems according to industry code. Simply define the rise over run while laying out your plumbing design, and let Revit MEP 2009 do all the calculations. With enhanced slope propagation, applying a slope to a run of multiple pipe selections, through fittings, is a breeze.
Revit MEP 2009 also offers improved routing features to help speed up your system design and layout, by providing improved proposed routing solutions to better match design considerations.
3D family content
Content, content, content! Revit MEP 2009 substantially increases MEP-specific content, and we are not stopping there! With this release, architectural and MEP content overlaps to streamline the architectural and engineering workflow, by providing MEP-specific content to architects for use in space planning.
Significant enhancements have also been made to content part type and behavior, helping to ensure that custom content creation maintains Revit MEP systems design integrity.
In addition, Autodesk Labs allows engineers to search and find generic or manufacturer-specific building products or components and associated design content. This content could include 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and descriptions for that product or component.
Modeling in section and elevations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced design tools, and the ability to model in section and elevations improves design and layout functionality. Reduce time and number of steps required to create complex routing layouts by modeling in 3D, plan, and now section and elevations as well.
Design layout tools
Ease of use is key to laying out systems. Revit MEP provides the Layout Path tool especially for that purpose. In this release, users have greater control for more comprehensive layouts. Easily modify proposed layout solutions using the Layout Path tool by simply dragging main and branch sketch lines to better customize your layout. And of course, if you change your mind while still in the Layout Path tool, simply undo to reconfigure your design layout path sketch.
A streamlined user interface is a hallmark of the Revit® platform. Revit MEP improves on this by including option tool buttons for auto connect, justification, and tag on placement.
Size list integration
With the goal of providing tools to create virtual building systems and components, sizing table integration increases capacity to control system settings to reflect real-world MEP systems requirements. Quickly define the behavior of MEP systems components for more robust design and calculation results.
Select sizes from a list, or create custom sizing directly in the Settings dialog box. Comprehensive pipe sizing and fluid-based control parameters in Revit MEP software are based on materials, roughness, connections, and schedule/type.
Electrical wire sizes can be configured with correction factors as well as ground conductors.
The ton unit has been added in Revit MEP 2009 to provide check sums based on units that engineers use to calculate, size, and select mechanical equipment.
Transfer project settings
Increased coordination is central to Revit MEP 2009 enhancements. Now, easily transfer significant MEP project settings from one project to another. Quickly update project settings with revised project information, such as customized settings developed in integrated size lists.
Panel schedules and tick marks
Users have asked for greater control over the appearance of electrical schedules, and Revit® MEP 2009 answers that request. Now, format your electrical panel schedules just like other Revit® schedules, and improve sheet placement and information documentation by placing numerous panel schedules on a single sheet.
In the same way that size lists have been integrated, wire tick marks have also been integrated as standard families, helping to ensure greater usability and scalability. You can now edit them in family editor.
MEP detail lines
Revit MEP now has MEP detail lines that enhance construction documentation. Detail lines appear as solid lines for MEP graphical representation when you add detail to documents.
Draw detail lines in any MEP discipline view and help ensure that the MEP components stand out against the screened architectural background.
Mechanical display and layout
Size ductwork with improved duct justification integrity, helping to ensure communication of design intent. When using an eccentric reducer, be assured that the justification remains the same even after resizing.
Revit MEP 2009 works the way engineers think. Duct sizes appear natively in plan and section as they should appear based on industry documentation standards. In plan view, see width and then height; in section view, see height and then width.
Graphical and view control
Revit MEP 2009 now gives you greater display and graphical control with the powerful new ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ features that help you to navigate and view your BIM model with ease.
ViewCube and SteeringWheels are multiplatform viewing tools. Use these intuitive view navigation tools to quickly manipulate views to maximize efficiency. Also take advantage of the same rendering engine provided in Autodesk® 3ds Max® and Autodesk® VIZ software for high-quality 3D rendering with the mental ray® application.
View display performance
Revit MEP 2009 improves performance of hidden line regeneration, resulting in better working view performance.
Revit MEP helps to improve efficiency by sending users a more detailed error message to facilitate better design decisions.
MEP spaces
Revit MEP 2009 includes the ability to create spaces that are independent of rooms. Areas that are to small to be classified as a space are accounted for automatically. This capability provides increased control over how the geometry of the area is defined in the analysis results. The result is a more accurate analysis model.
Spaces inherit the architectural room information initially created in the architectural model. Those spaces can be associated to zones. The spaces automatically update as the room boundary updates in the architectural model, whether the model is in the host file or linked.
Easily assign information, such as occupancy or latent and sensible heat gain, to a single or multiple spaces.
HVAC zone element
New to Revit MEP 2009 are HVAC zones. This powerful feature enables engineers to dissect architectural rooms into identifiable spaces and groups of spaces, based on engineering volumes, required as part of systems equipment selection as well as to perform accurate heating and cooling loads calculations.
Zones also appear in the system browser to provide more flexibility to identify which systems are in which zones. In addition, zones can be color filled for easy visual reference.
Now you can represent building spaces based on engineering needs.
Zone and light fixture data
Revit MEP 2009 provides the ability to export not only newly created HVAC zone data, but also lighting fixture element data for use in the IES
Heating and cooling loads
Heating and cooling loads reports have also been enhanced to reflect the powerful HVAC zones and spaces functionality new to Revit MEP 2009. Loads reports have been reformatted to logically display crucial design calculation results, including check sum values for identified zones or spaces. Viewing and navigating the Heating & Cooling Load dialog box and reports have also been enhanced. The Loads dialog box can be expanded for better analytical model scrutiny and includes new report navigation buttons to help you quickly locate desired report information.
You can also expand the dialog box to full screen and modify multiple spaces or zones at the same time. The heating and cooling loads report summary includes new engineering-specific parameter controls that provide more robust calculation results, as well as greater control over zone and space selection, and phasing.
Improved gbXML (green building extensible markup language) workflow integration helps maximize information going to third-party analysis programs with the benefit of the new spaces and zones.
Plumbing calculations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced plumbing flow calculations to more accurately reflect plumbing standard flow calculations and conversions from fixture units to flow values in GPM. You can also view the fixture units in the System Inspector.
The total fixture unit parameter can be scheduled. In addition, the flow is a demand value, based on fixture unit count. The conversion between fixture units and actual GPM flow is based on universal plumbing code standards so you can estimate demand based directly on fixture unit.
Piping enhancements
Model sloped piping for all plumbing systems according to industry code. Simply define the rise over run while laying out your plumbing design, and let Revit MEP 2009 do all the calculations. With enhanced slope propagation, applying a slope to a run of multiple pipe selections, through fittings, is a breeze.
Revit MEP 2009 also offers improved routing features to help speed up your system design and layout, by providing improved proposed routing solutions to better match design considerations.
3D family content
Content, content, content! Revit MEP 2009 substantially increases MEP-specific content, and we are not stopping there! With this release, architectural and MEP content overlaps to streamline the architectural and engineering workflow, by providing MEP-specific content to architects for use in space planning.
Significant enhancements have also been made to content part type and behavior, helping to ensure that custom content creation maintains Revit MEP systems design integrity.
In addition, Autodesk Labs allows engineers to search and find generic or manufacturer-specific building products or components and associated design content. This content could include 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and descriptions for that product or component.
Modeling in section and elevations
Revit MEP 2009 includes enhanced design tools, and the ability to model in section and elevations improves design and layout functionality. Reduce time and number of steps required to create complex routing layouts by modeling in 3D, plan, and now section and elevations as well.
Design layout tools
Ease of use is key to laying out systems. Revit MEP provides the Layout Path tool especially for that purpose. In this release, users have greater control for more comprehensive layouts. Easily modify proposed layout solutions using the Layout Path tool by simply dragging main and branch sketch lines to better customize your layout. And of course, if you change your mind while still in the Layout Path tool, simply undo to reconfigure your design layout path sketch.
A streamlined user interface is a hallmark of the Revit® platform. Revit MEP improves on this by including option tool buttons for auto connect, justification, and tag on placement.
Size list integration
With the goal of providing tools to create virtual building systems and components, sizing table integration increases capacity to control system settings to reflect real-world MEP systems requirements. Quickly define the behavior of MEP systems components for more robust design and calculation results.
Select sizes from a list, or create custom sizing directly in the Settings dialog box. Comprehensive pipe sizing and fluid-based control parameters in Revit MEP software are based on materials, roughness, connections, and schedule/type.
Electrical wire sizes can be configured with correction factors as well as ground conductors.
The ton unit has been added in Revit MEP 2009 to provide check sums based on units that engineers use to calculate, size, and select mechanical equipment.
Transfer project settings
Increased coordination is central to Revit MEP 2009 enhancements. Now, easily transfer significant MEP project settings from one project to another. Quickly update project settings with revised project information, such as customized settings developed in integrated size lists.
Panel schedules and tick marks
Users have asked for greater control over the appearance of electrical schedules, and Revit® MEP 2009 answers that request. Now, format your electrical panel schedules just like other Revit® schedules, and improve sheet placement and information documentation by placing numerous panel schedules on a single sheet.
In the same way that size lists have been integrated, wire tick marks have also been integrated as standard families, helping to ensure greater usability and scalability. You can now edit them in family editor.
MEP detail lines
Revit MEP now has MEP detail lines that enhance construction documentation. Detail lines appear as solid lines for MEP graphical representation when you add detail to documents.
Draw detail lines in any MEP discipline view and help ensure that the MEP components stand out against the screened architectural background.
Mechanical display and layout
Size ductwork with improved duct justification integrity, helping to ensure communication of design intent. When using an eccentric reducer, be assured that the justification remains the same even after resizing.
Revit MEP 2009 works the way engineers think. Duct sizes appear natively in plan and section as they should appear based on industry documentation standards. In plan view, see width and then height; in section view, see height and then width.
Graphical and view control
Revit MEP 2009 now gives you greater display and graphical control with the powerful new ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ features that help you to navigate and view your BIM model with ease.
ViewCube and SteeringWheels are multiplatform viewing tools. Use these intuitive view navigation tools to quickly manipulate views to maximize efficiency. Also take advantage of the same rendering engine provided in Autodesk® 3ds Max® and Autodesk® VIZ software for high-quality 3D rendering with the mental ray® application.
View display performance
Revit MEP 2009 improves performance of hidden line regeneration, resulting in better working view performance.
Revit MEP helps to improve efficiency by sending users a more detailed error message to facilitate better design decisions.
AutoCAD 2009 Preview / Closer Look
AutoCAD 2009 Preview GuideLearn more about new AutoCAD 2009 functionality in the AutoCAD 2009 Preview Guide.
Take a Closer Look at AutoCAD 2009
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Menu Browser
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Action Recorder
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at Quick Properties
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Quick Access Toolbar
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Status Bar
Take a Closer Look at AutoCAD 2009
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Menu Browser
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Action Recorder
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at Quick Properties
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Quick Access Toolbar
AutoCAD 2009: A closer look at the Status Bar
Thursday, March 6, 2008
2009 Cometh...
Like every year around this time we all start to eagerly await the coming of spring, out with the snow, the return of sunshine, and the rebirth of all things nature. We also await the new versions of Autodesk software, usually released around the end of March / early April. Well this year is no different than past years; make way for version 2009, for it cometh….
Expected late March is the release of AutoCAD 2009, Autodesk’s “platform” technology. What’s new you ask? Well, here is a quick list of new and enhanced items for your reference:
Menu Browser, Ribbon, User Assistance, Quick View, Quick Properties, ViewCube, SteeringWheels, ShowMotion, Action Recorder, Modeless Layer Manager, Export Layout to Model Space, Geographic Location, Dynamic Xclip, eTransmit, Materials, MTEXT, Find and Replace, Blocks, Array, Nonrectangular Viewports, Plotting, Purge, DWFx Support, DGN Support, and Window’s 32 and 64 bit Operating System Certifications.
Here are some brief descriptions on some of these:
Menu Browser
No longer is reviewing and working with several files a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface enables you to browse files and examine thumbnail images, and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.
Ribbon
The ribbon interface helps you increase overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps required to reach a command. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format so you can quickly select commands based on the work you are doing. Moving between applications is now quick and intuitive. The ribbon
is both customizable and expandable so that you can optimize it to fit your workstyle and company standards.
User Assistance
· Get additional information about items from Level 2 Enhanced tooltips
· Customize dynamic help to quickly access and link help documentation for commands
· Access Show Me animations in the help file
· Access clear and concise information for the task at hand with enhanced task dialog boxes• Search the Autodesk knowledge base and forums with the InfoCenter search bar
· Press F1 to go directly into context-sensitive help for any item
Quick Properties
The easily customizable quick properties menu increases productivity by reducing the steps to access properties information, helping to ensure that information presented is optimized for that particular user and project.
Quick View
The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, making opening the correct drawing file and layout faster and decreasing time spent opening incorrect drawing files.
ViewCube and SteeringWheels Features
The ViewCube™ feature is an interactive tool for rotating and orienting any solid or surface model in AutoCAD® software. Just select a face, edge, or corner of the cube to bring the model quickly to that predefined orientation. Click and hold the ViewCube to rotate the model in any direction. Since the ViewCube is in a fixed location on the screen, it provides at-a-glance orientation. The ViewCube will be introduced in Autodesk products as a common tool for working with 3D models.In addition to allowing quick access to the Orbit command, the new SteeringWheels™ tool provides quick access to the Pan, Center, and Zoom commands. The SteeringWheels tool is highly customizable so you can add walk-through commands to help create and record a walk-through of your model.
ShowMotion
· Improve the design process with superior review capability
· Use Authoring mode to create animations and transitions
· Use Presentation mode to play back shots and sequences
· Create motion and transitions like those seen in television commercials by using captured camera positions to which cinematic movements may be added
Action Recorder
The new action recorder helps you save time and increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a CAD manager. Quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, and then quickly select and play back recorded files.
Modeless Layer Manager
· View changes made to layer settings without exiting the Layer Manager
· Freeze columns to aid scrolling in the layer list
· Set Layer Manager to dock, autohide, and anchor just like tool palettes
· Instantly access Layer Manager during a drawing session
Export Layout to Model Space
· Export all visible objects from the current layout to the model space of a new drawing
· Exchange drawings with other CAD systems without limiting the use of layouts
· Take a snapshot of a drawing layout to create a ready-to-use model space drawing
Geographic Location
· Create a single marker that defines the geographic location of the entire drawing
· Create a geographic marker—a visual representation of location information—automatically when location information is embedded in a drawing
Dynamic Xclip
Dynamically adjust xclip boundary frames without having to re-create the xclip boundary
eTransmit
· Purge drawings before packing
· Choose not to save a drawing before packing
Materials
· Fit gizmo to object
· Fit mapping to gizmo for material map scale
MTEXT
· Press Esc during MTEXT to save MTEXT input
· Display MTEXT table toolbar as fixed, floating, or in the ribbon
· In-place spell checking in MTEXT editor
Find and Replace
· Find and replace text in blocks
· Replace text in xrefs
· Use wild cards
Blocks
Select a block or dynamic block and then type W to invoke the wblock command, which lists the selected block’s name in the source text box
Array
Zoom and pan while previewing an array result
Nonrectangular Viewports
Find properties, input scale, and lock or unlock settings from the Properties palette
Plotting
Know immediately if a plotter device is missing, since “Missing” is now added as a prefix in the plotter device name instead of as a suffix, avoiding the possibility of truncation
Purge
Implement the shortcut key for Close in the Purge command
DWFx Support
· The future of DWF™ technology is based on the XxML Paper Specification (XxPS) format from Microsoft.
· Create DWFx files by publishing or plotting your drawing files
· Use DWFx as an underlay
DGN Support
· Access DGN V7 and V8 support
· Access DGN and DWG translation mapping support for levels, lineweight, linetype, and color
· Use a DGN file as an underlay
· Import and export to DGN file format
Windows Logo Certification
· Certified for Windows® XxP 32- and 64-bit
· Certified for Windows Vista® 32- and 64-bit
· Access native 64-bit OS support
Stay tuned for similar updates on AutoCAD Architecture 2009, AutoCAD MEP 2009, Revit Architecture 2009, Revit Structure 2009, and Revit MEP 2009.
Expected late March is the release of AutoCAD 2009, Autodesk’s “platform” technology. What’s new you ask? Well, here is a quick list of new and enhanced items for your reference:
Menu Browser, Ribbon, User Assistance, Quick View, Quick Properties, ViewCube, SteeringWheels, ShowMotion, Action Recorder, Modeless Layer Manager, Export Layout to Model Space, Geographic Location, Dynamic Xclip, eTransmit, Materials, MTEXT, Find and Replace, Blocks, Array, Nonrectangular Viewports, Plotting, Purge, DWFx Support, DGN Support, and Window’s 32 and 64 bit Operating System Certifications.
Here are some brief descriptions on some of these:
Menu Browser
No longer is reviewing and working with several files a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface enables you to browse files and examine thumbnail images, and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.
Ribbon
The ribbon interface helps you increase overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps required to reach a command. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format so you can quickly select commands based on the work you are doing. Moving between applications is now quick and intuitive. The ribbon
is both customizable and expandable so that you can optimize it to fit your workstyle and company standards.
User Assistance
· Get additional information about items from Level 2 Enhanced tooltips
· Customize dynamic help to quickly access and link help documentation for commands
· Access Show Me animations in the help file
· Access clear and concise information for the task at hand with enhanced task dialog boxes• Search the Autodesk knowledge base and forums with the InfoCenter search bar
· Press F1 to go directly into context-sensitive help for any item
Quick Properties
The easily customizable quick properties menu increases productivity by reducing the steps to access properties information, helping to ensure that information presented is optimized for that particular user and project.
Quick View
The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, making opening the correct drawing file and layout faster and decreasing time spent opening incorrect drawing files.
ViewCube and SteeringWheels Features
The ViewCube™ feature is an interactive tool for rotating and orienting any solid or surface model in AutoCAD® software. Just select a face, edge, or corner of the cube to bring the model quickly to that predefined orientation. Click and hold the ViewCube to rotate the model in any direction. Since the ViewCube is in a fixed location on the screen, it provides at-a-glance orientation. The ViewCube will be introduced in Autodesk products as a common tool for working with 3D models.In addition to allowing quick access to the Orbit command, the new SteeringWheels™ tool provides quick access to the Pan, Center, and Zoom commands. The SteeringWheels tool is highly customizable so you can add walk-through commands to help create and record a walk-through of your model.
ShowMotion
· Improve the design process with superior review capability
· Use Authoring mode to create animations and transitions
· Use Presentation mode to play back shots and sequences
· Create motion and transitions like those seen in television commercials by using captured camera positions to which cinematic movements may be added
Action Recorder
The new action recorder helps you save time and increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a CAD manager. Quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, and then quickly select and play back recorded files.
Modeless Layer Manager
· View changes made to layer settings without exiting the Layer Manager
· Freeze columns to aid scrolling in the layer list
· Set Layer Manager to dock, autohide, and anchor just like tool palettes
· Instantly access Layer Manager during a drawing session
Export Layout to Model Space
· Export all visible objects from the current layout to the model space of a new drawing
· Exchange drawings with other CAD systems without limiting the use of layouts
· Take a snapshot of a drawing layout to create a ready-to-use model space drawing
Geographic Location
· Create a single marker that defines the geographic location of the entire drawing
· Create a geographic marker—a visual representation of location information—automatically when location information is embedded in a drawing
Dynamic Xclip
Dynamically adjust xclip boundary frames without having to re-create the xclip boundary
eTransmit
· Purge drawings before packing
· Choose not to save a drawing before packing
Materials
· Fit gizmo to object
· Fit mapping to gizmo for material map scale
MTEXT
· Press Esc during MTEXT to save MTEXT input
· Display MTEXT table toolbar as fixed, floating, or in the ribbon
· In-place spell checking in MTEXT editor
Find and Replace
· Find and replace text in blocks
· Replace text in xrefs
· Use wild cards
Blocks
Select a block or dynamic block and then type W to invoke the wblock command, which lists the selected block’s name in the source text box
Array
Zoom and pan while previewing an array result
Nonrectangular Viewports
Find properties, input scale, and lock or unlock settings from the Properties palette
Plotting
Know immediately if a plotter device is missing, since “Missing” is now added as a prefix in the plotter device name instead of as a suffix, avoiding the possibility of truncation
Purge
Implement the shortcut key for Close in the Purge command
DWFx Support
· The future of DWF™ technology is based on the XxML Paper Specification (XxPS) format from Microsoft.
· Create DWFx files by publishing or plotting your drawing files
· Use DWFx as an underlay
DGN Support
· Access DGN V7 and V8 support
· Access DGN and DWG translation mapping support for levels, lineweight, linetype, and color
· Use a DGN file as an underlay
· Import and export to DGN file format
Windows Logo Certification
· Certified for Windows® XxP 32- and 64-bit
· Certified for Windows Vista® 32- and 64-bit
· Access native 64-bit OS support
Stay tuned for similar updates on AutoCAD Architecture 2009, AutoCAD MEP 2009, Revit Architecture 2009, Revit Structure 2009, and Revit MEP 2009.
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