Revit Wish List

AUGI has announced wish list voting on AutoCAD, Inventor, Civil 3D, and Revit Architecture. What is important to you in the continuing development of Revit? Click on the this link to voice your opinion. http://www.augi.com/revit/ballot.asp

USG Design Studio

It seems as though in the last month, USG has developed an amazing amount of information able to be downloaded for use in Revit. You can find it at http://www.usgdesignstudio.com

This includes Wall Types, Acoustic Ceiling Tile and their Specialty Ceilings. As you can see below they have a simple search tool for the wall types depending on the what you are looking for. You can choose by material, interior or exterior, fire rating, STC rating and the framing type.



After you have made your selections you can download a Revit file that includes multiple versions of the wall types fitting your search criteria. It shades the insulated walls in yellow and the non-insulated ones are white. You can change these to fit your standards but it makes it easy to distinguish between the types.


You can then create schedules utilizing the impressive amount of information provided if desired or just use it for your reference when creating partition type drawings or specifications. This information includes URL, Fire Rating, Fire Test #, USG Fire Test URL, STC, Sound Test #, UL URL and Specification URL.

Also, if you think this is impressive you should also check out the ceiling information. It is great that manufacturers are now focusing their efforts on Revit rather than just AutoCAD or dxf.

Revit Architecture & MEP as a Team

So we have just finished our bid/permit set for the project utilizing Revit Architecture and Revit MEP. While it has shown me that it has a lot of potential, it will have to be developed over more projects. This was the first project completed by this MEP/FP engineer in Revit MEP so they had to crib in a lot of typical details from AutoCAD in order to get the drawings done on time. Also, due to Revit crashes they had to finish the fire protection drawings in AutoCAD.

We plan to have a meeting in the next weeks to evaluate the process and I will share the information that we compile so that others may work more effectively. This is also very important since we received approval to proceed with two new buildings on the same site. We are going to push this project forward utilizing complete use of Revit Architecture, MEP, and Structure. Each of the consultants are on board so hopefully we can weed out some of the issues and have a very successful project.

No change in programs can ever go perfect so I will try to weed out the comments that are due to learning and those that are due to how we work together. More to come soon so check back often. I will also post the 3D renderings once they are done. The facade work as shown below includes brick, EIFS (stucco), metal panel and curtainwall system.

JELD-WEN "Stands Out"

I recieved an email today in response to a previous post on manufacturer content from JELD-WEN. The subject of this email was "Most extensive 3D window drawings available online for designers". This is definately true and is making JELD-WEN stand out in the window market for Architects who use Revit. They have set the bar high for other window manufactuers and you will know why when you look at this link.

www.parametrx.com/912/templates/index.asp

You can configure any custom type of window and/or door from JELD-WEN. After configuing the unit you then get a link to download the unit you configured. The configuration options include: Size, finish, operation, and more. The doors come with the hinges and handles on the family. It is amazing to use and I commend JELD-WEN for creating an exceptional tool.

Area Plans

Area Plans can serve a great purpose to contractors who are bidding a project. It also helps to define the exact scope of work to be completed so that you have a more even comparison between bidders. We always include area plans and a schedule, as you can see below, on the cover of our pricing and construction drawings. There are a lot of variance on the cost of a project including addition vs. renovation and finished vs. unfinished spaces. A simple diagram helps the client, contractor, and subs to quickly see the scope of work and the intention of the project.