Revit Detail

Important note: Although I have not received any money, I have been given a free license of the 3d converter in return for this product review. Saying that, I plan to give it a fair review highlighting both the good and bad points of the software, all of the bad points have been submitted to the developer in the form of feedback which they are hoping to incorporate in later releases. The following views and comments are my own opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of '3DA Systems'.

Hello everyone,

I came across this plugin for revit that exports 3D PDF directly from Revit which i think is really cool, before now you would of had to use 2 or 3 converters to get the same result. I gave it a 30 day trial and found it to be really useful especially when dealing with clients. Before now there was 3D DWF but they require the end user to also have a copy of the software on their machine which is not always the case, nearly every machine out there will have a PDF Reader.

If your interested in downloading a trial or purchasing the product, follow the link here http://www.3dasystems.com/products/ They also have good how to videos and links the good relevant blogs about revit and BIM.

Pros

Relatively cheap
Easy to use in terms of export setting
Can have multiple graphical styles
Can switch between Isometric and Perspectives views
Multiple controls including 3D comments and Measure tool,
Can save different 'views' inside the PDF to be quickly selected later
3D sections, including the option to save the cut plane location (creating floor plan views)
Can access all the 'Data' that has been applied inside of Revit.
Small Files ranging from about 4mb to 10mb for larger revit files
30 day trial to check it out

Cons

You have to have Acrobat X pro installed on your machine which cost around $200 on top of the converter.
They do not currently have 'save setting' in the exporter, this means each time you export you have to reapply the setting you like.
Currently when the 'Model Tree' is open you can see the data of a particular object but you can not directly select it (like a web link) you must export an xml or cvs file. This is fine for a technical person but for clients it is a little difficult.

Over all i think it is a great little tool and worth reviewing yourself.

Video below of my review and sample PDF can be downloaded here.

06 Sample File (with model tree) Note: you have to download the file to your computer to be able to review the 3D content, it will not work in Google documents directly

Cheers

Peter

One of my viewers asked recently to post the workflow that i follow, so here it is. Excuse the formatting, copying across from indesign to blogger didn't really work(but its all in there).

Comment please, i'd like to see what others think?

Last post for this year, Hope everyone has a nice break over the holidays.

Cheers

Peter

This is an example of a modelling guide that will start you off from the beginning tru design/planning to construction :

Preparation (2-3 Hours (Max))

Prep Autocad files for importing, clean, explode, purge etc.

Save Autocad files into the same import folder (near where the revit central file folder will be located server)

Setup (1 Day (Max))

Start new revit file base on the ‘Template’;
Create Worksets, (apply list in Revit standards document);
Save Central file (Naming convention per Revit standards document)
Save Local file (Naming convention per Revit standards document);
Create Levels (main plans), Enter elevation to create. Organise browser by applying ‘user’ parameter;
Next step is to Import base Autocad Plan/Site plan (done in ground floor plan);
Set Project North -vs- True North. Once finished delete Autocad file;
Re-import Autocad file in project north view, Pin drawing;
Set Extents, move elevations so that they are clearly around intended building/zone. Draw reference planes of out edges of building/zone, enter East elevation and drag the levels so that they start/stop on these reference planes, Repeat for the South elevation;
Set Grids, Either trace from the Autocad file or draw new ones over the acad file;
Now Import remaining Autocad files and move into correct location, using grid lines as the guides to help locate the plans properly (if you have no grids, reference planes must be drawn to help you align the different Autocad plans);
Setup Working views (duplicate original levels) rename the ‘copy‘ view with your initials at the front of the level name, organise browser by applying ‘user’ parameter;
The file is now ready to start modelling;

Modelling - Stage 1 (5 Days)
Building

External Walls, Using ‘place holder’ generic walls types, model in the basic external walls. (windows and curtain walls will come later, just enclose building to begin with);
Floors, Using ‘place holder’ generic floor types, model in the basic floor outline using the external walls as the boundary. (Floor finishes will come later, just the basic shape to begin with);
Roofs, Using ‘place holder’ generic roof types, model in the basic Roof outline using the external walls as the boundary. If it is a pitch roof type generally set the boundary 300mm from the outside edge of the external walls. Place a section in the model and move roof height into the correct location;
Columns, Using ‘place holder’ generic column types, place the main columns / structure, check the top of columns meet the correct floor slab or roof level above;
Internal Walls, Using ‘place holder’ generic wall types (usually 100, 140 or 200mm) model in the internal layout, trace autocad plan if available, check the top of walls meet the correct floor slab or roof level above;
Doors, Using ‘place holder’ generic door types, place the doors to each room in the model. Duplicate the basic door and create alternative sizes if the size you require is not in the template;
Rooms, Place rooms into the project and rename as you move around the plan. If it is a ‘repeating’ type project, when your placing the rooms you should select the room types from the drop down liston the ribbon, this activates all the predefined schedules and filters for the room data sheets in the template;
Windows / Curtain Walls, Generally all windows will be drawn as curtain walls to start off with as they are very flexible in their shape and divisions and do not require advanced window families to be available in the server library. We will generally use 100mm deep mullions for small windows and 150mm or 250mm deep mullions for shopfronts to begin with until we know actual size. The curtain wall type should be set to ‘automatically embed’ so it cuts its own shape out of the external walls;
Sweeps, profiles custom canopies, Add any extra features, gutter, reveals or profiles to the external walls and roofs. Canopies are usually a roof or floor with a special edge profile;
Ceilings, Place default ceiling height across the project using external walls and internal walls as the outline. If there are bulkheads, use a generic 50mm or 100mm wall type as vertical part of the bulkhead (if the bulkhead is curved us a custom sweep;
Furniture (this may be done after site plan works depending on the type of project, the deliverables requested and deadlines);

Site Plan

Toposurface, Model Toposurface by importing the survey Acad file, then place individual points over each level until the surface is built;
Roads, Define roads outside of the site by adding a ‘sub-region’ to the toposurface;
Building Pads, Cut the building shape and car park shape out of the toposurface by using Building Pads;
Car park surface, Place the car park surface by using generic floor types. Slope the car park by adding a ‘sloped arrow’ to the floor;
Car park components, Using the component tool place items such as car spaces, road marking signs, note the components should be hosted by the main slab (floor);
Walkways and custom road markings, These are created by modelling a 5mm floor type (usually white for marking, green for walkways). If the main car park surface is sloped you should copy the ‘sloped arrow’ from the main slab and paste it into the sketch of the walkway. Set the floor 5mm offset from level so it is above the main slab;
Kerbs, Model Kerbs or planter walls by using generic wall types usually 150mm or 215mm thick. Edit profile if required;
Grass/Planter, Model Grass/Planter areas with a generic floor type with grass finish;
Site furniture, place bollards, bins, benches etc. by placing components loaded from the library;
Site entourage, Add for rendering and visuals, place trees and cars to the site, note the entourage should be hosted by the main slab (floor);

The initial modelling stage is complete, now it is time to setup views for printing and perspectives for rendering;

Views and Annotation - Stage 1 (3 Days)
Plans

Setup Printing Views (duplicate original levels or working views) rename the copy with to the appropriate printing title, organise the browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;
Create and apply Scope box to view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;
Apply View Templates to plan views to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
Annotate plan views with planning key notes, levels and dimensions as required;
For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to plan views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white plans;

Elevations

Place new Elevations/Elevation marker into the model if new elevation views are required. Rename with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;
Move elevation Extents and Depth to suit each elevation;
Apply View Templates to Elevation. Set shadows and sunlight to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
Annotate Elevations views with planning key notes, spot elevations and dimensions as required. Use 2D entourage Detail Components such as planting and people to show more context;
For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to elevation views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white elevations;

Sections

Place new Sections into the model if new section views are required. Rename with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;
Move elevation Extents and Depth to suit each section;
Apply View Templates to section. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
Annotate Sections views with planning key notes, spot elevations and dimensions as required. Use 2D entourage Detail Components such as planting and people to show more context;
For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to elevation views These are generally to be in addition to black and white elevations;

Site Plans

Duplicate (-without detailing) the floor plan. Change the cut level to show the roof plan if required;
Create and apply Scope box to view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;
Annotate plan views with planning key notes, levels and dimensions as required;
For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to plan views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white plans;

Create Sheets

Create New Sheets for each plan, section & elevation views. Title and number each sheet according to the office standards;
Place Views onto sheets. For plan views turn on sheet grids in the properties and align each view to the same space;
Add keynotes, project notes and legends to sheets as required. Print and review drawings;
Print and Review
Print Sheets and review. Make changes and additions as required;
Issue drawings for design review or planning as needed;
At this stage the model should be backed up and recorded as a file separate from the ‘central file’ model;

Modelling - Stage 2 (20 Days)

- Develop Design

- Develop grid and pin it;

- Identify key sections, elevations and part plans. Create location plans and locate them as per TM-12;

- Detail and develop the fabric of the building, develop the structural scheme along side;

-Identify wall types, floor types and roof types needed in the project. Create these new type and number sensibly in line with standards document;

-Walls, Roofs and Floors that will become structural elements and eventually part of the structural model should be modelled separately. Eg. Lift cores, structural floor slabs. These element will be turned off later;

-Replace generic walls with developed wall types. Similarly this should be done for roofs;

-Floors should be separated into structural floors and architectural build ups. Floor finishes (except large finishes such as terrazzo or concrete screed) should not be included;

-Structural model should be developed by engineers and linked to model;

-Mechanical model should be developed by engineers and linked to model;

-Initial ceiling design should be settled, and Mechanical and Electrical object should be developed inconjunction with M+E engineers;

-Update curtain wall window glazing types to correct sizes of frames etc as the design develops;

-Model detail elements such as copings, flashings and cills as identified in sections where practical with wall sweeps and reveals.(Some finer detail will be done in 2D detail components later);

-The site layout should be checked: Updated wall locations and changing thicknesses can effect car parking spaces and clear widths;

-Where no consultant model is to be provided, link consultants Autocad information and update the model as required to show information eg. Condensate upstands etc.;

Views and Annotation - Stage 2 (15 Days)

-This is a general overview of the workflow for developing annotated drawings.

-Setup Printing Views (duplicate original levels or working views) rename the ‘copy’view with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;

-Create and apply Scope boxto view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;

-Apply View Templates to all views to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;

-Copy blank keynotes onto views. Print view and write down notes. Fill in the notes in the schedule view and place in correct location in the views as required;

-Use tags, dimensions, spot levels, keynotes, filled regions and detail components to annotate views;

-Use ‘Filled regions’ and detail lines to create site conditions over topography that does not show any buildup;

-Fill out and check schedules: door schedules, window schedules and room finish schedules in particular. Furniture schedules should be checked that the items on the schedule are activated properly;

-To accompany the door schedule elevations in drafting views should be created. These are done in drafting lines and 2D annotation. For jobs these can be copied from similar previous jobs\library;

-To accompany the curtain wall schedule, elevations of the glazing should be created. These elevations should be hidden at large scales;

-To accompany the Window and Louvre schedule, a legend view of the window blocks should be created;

-Generic details should be created in drafting views. These should be annotated and referenced in sections and plans. They should be placed on sheets;

-Sheets should be created and the views should be added to them. plans should be placed on sheets using sheet grid guides where possible. For sections and elevations the reference number should match that section number/letter;

-Schedules, legends, key notes, project risk notes should be added to each page;

-A construction legend should be created that references every element that are only described with automated tags. Also on this page there should be symbol legends, key notes legends and anything else that is referenced in the drawing set;

-Sheets should be printed, checked, reviewed and issued;

Backup Models and Revisions

Periodically the Revit model should be backed up at key stages as the model is always evolving and a past record models are difficult to keep with just 1 model. The stages the model should be backed up are

-Major concept design changes
-Planning
-Tender 1 (Information Issue before coordination with M&E)
-Tender 2 (Full Tender)
-Construction
-Any major changes at any workstage is probably worth a backup as well.

Process to backup the model.

-Detach Model from the Central Model
-Save new Model in the ‘Superseded models’ folder.
- The File name should have;
- Project Number, (09-077)
- Project Name (PMC House)
- Issue date (dd.mm.yy)
- Version (Work in Progress, Tender, Construction)
(00.000 Project Name - (Issue date) (Version))
Example (20.001 PMC House - (07.11.11)(Tender Issue))