Worksharing Display Modes - Revit Tip

A great Revit tip is Worksharing Disiplay Modes, which is conveniently accessible inside of Revit.  With these modes, users can easily visualize their model to understand what is happening in many areas in and around their project's environment.

Prior to worksharing display, it was difficult to see which elements within Revit each user had ownership of.  This oftentimes than not, created workflow issues when borrowed elements were modified.   Another common problem is when users would forget to switch to the proper workset prior to placing elements in Revit.  This resulted in multiple elements appearing on the wrong worksets.

The solution to avoiding these unnecessary workflow hurdles has now been simplified by using the Worksharing display command. With this command enabled (see control bar image below), users can choose between four worksharing display modes.

  

 
Checkout Status
Helps users distinguish between elements that are owned
by the individual, others or no one.

 

Owners
Individual owners will help users visualize exactly which elements are belonging to which users.

 

Worksets
The worksets tab helps users visualize elements based on the workset to which they're associated.

 

Model Updates
Allows users to see changes to the model and to observe which elements have been deleted and/ updated.

 
Users can make changes to the colour display of these modes by selecting Worksharing Display Settings.

Do you need some ice for your drink?

Here is a very interesting article from the Toronto Star speaking about new age building designs and the potential hazards that are created from ice and snow build up on the exterior. 

When the this ice and snow eventually give way to gravity, it is coming crashing down to the streets below.  We do wind analysis, sun/shadow studies, line of sight studies and wind/snow load calculations; so do we need to now do winter melt-down analysis?

Toronto Star: More ice risk seen from new building towers

Autodesk Subscription: What you need to know

Do you know that your Subscription contract is with Autodesk; not the reseller you purchase from or renew with?  This is a very common misunderstanding amoung a lot of Subscription Contract Administrators.  Subscription is a direct contract with Autodesk that provides you with standard entitlements for your software licenses.  These standard entitlements are no different no matter which reseller you deal with.  Autodesk's standard Subscription entitlements are: 

Version Upgrades when released (typically yearly around the end of March)

 Web-based Technical Support directly with Autodesk (not live)

Access and use of Autodesk's cloud services (Autodesk 360)

Additional Licensing Rights (Previous Version, Home Use, and Out of Country)

So you don't lose out on any of these entitlements or privileges no matter which reseller you decide to deal with.  It is like buying a car, you are not locked into dealing with the same dealership you purchased the car from; you can take your car to any dealership for service and the support from the car manufacturer is the same.  The dealership may offer you more value-add to encourage your continued business with them.  So Autodesk resellers may do the same.  Where there may be a difference is what the reseller opts to offer as additional entitlements that are not part of the standard Autodesk entitlements.  For example, Redcage Solutions offers Free, Unlimited:

 

        Live Technical Support from our Autodesk certified Application Specialists

Installation / Deployment Support for all your licensing

"How-to do something in the software" questions

Tutorials on how to use Autodesk 360 cloud services

Asset / Contract Management services

Hard-copy Media requests

Ultimately, pick a reseller that you are comfortable dealing with, one that goes the extra mile for you without trying to charge you for everything you need.  One that Specializes in your firm's discipline and has the expertise on staff to provide you with the best level of knowledge, support, and service on your Autodesk investment. 

Autodesk and U.S. Department of Energy Team on Open Sourcing Major Update to EnergyPlus Engine

At Greenbuild 2013, Autodesk Spotlights New Initiatives and Technologies for Sustainable Building Community 

In a public handoff to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) at Greenbuild 2013 in Philadelphia today, Autodesk is donating completely re-written EnergyPlus engine source-code, to be made available under the DoE's open source license.

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