Friday 28 July 2017

A More LT Version of LT


Post have been on the thin side on this blog primarily because I don't really have a need for full blown Revit these days populated with lots of information. I'm more into the BM than the BIM for small domestic schemes that I do these days.

As and existing Avanquest Software customer I was offered 3D Architect Express version 18 software for £10 usual RRP £25.99 and thought why the hell not, lets have a play and see how user friendly it is. 

I had a scheme where the client was having trouble visualising the 2D plan I had sent her. In no time at all I had made two models.



The software is extremely intuitive to use and I had not looked at any of the videos, which I will do now to see what else I can get out of it. Placing a camera in the corner of a room and looking at the opening in the wall between the Kitchen & Rear Reception from the front reception was a piece of cake, I should have made the stairs a little longer but I was just playing. 




As Version 19 has just been released I'm sure I will be offered a cut price update shortly. I did ask if I could jump onto beta testing but it appears that's not possible at the moment. 

For more information about the different flavours of 3D Architect see here

There is defiantly a need for a much lighter and much cheaper version of Revit LT especially for the smaller practice. Hell I may have to take another look at dare I say it Sketchup ! and other economically priced 3D offerings.

Personally I like to own my software and not use it off a cloud based system or pay as you go format, if its reasonably priced I will update it if the updates and improvements are actually worth it. IMHO there was no need for most of the improvements in AutoCAD after the 2004 version.
.

Monday 20 June 2016

Associated Builders and Contractor - News Release


News released today by the  Associated Builders and Contractors [ABC] at 11 a.m. Eastern –”Autodesk’s advanced full lifecycle construction technologies and training brings innovation to 21,000-strong ABC membership”.

As outlined in the news release [made today by company executives in Washington, D.C., during  ABC’s Legislative Week] the goal is to enable construction professionals to work smarter by harnessing the power of the digital era to help increase productivity, reduce redundancy and eliminate waste.
OK being based in the UK who may or may not be part of the European Union in a week or so there, does not appear to be any real substance to the press release as far as I can see unless they are offering substantial discounts to ABC Members.

Tuesday 14 June 2016

Autodesk and Trimble Sign Agreement to Increase Interoperability


On first view you think this is kind of interesting that Autodesk want to do this bearing in mind their history with regards the amount of legal fees they have spent trying to keep the dwg format to themselves. Don't want to be so friendly and open about that one do they.

Then the penny drops, of course IFC is basically similar as the DXF format, i.e. a way to exchange data, that keep the native software format out of competitors hands, so the only question is why are they only doing this now? The users wanted this a few years ago.

The About Autodesk below should read Autodesk sell software to make shareholders profit and basically the staff are fantastic and would like to give the users what they need, however the company business objectives get in the way and stops that happening.

I'm still waiting for NanoCAD to create NanoBIM or someone similar to create better cheaper 3D modelling and BIM tool as the cost of the current software is excessive to say the lease. A more open IFC format makes that possibility.
   

PRESS RELEASE
 
AEC Customers will Gain Greater Flexibility Throughout the BIM Project Lifecycle

SAN FRANCISCO and SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 14, 2016 -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) and Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) have entered into an interoperability agreement aimed at saving customers time and reducing project costs typically associated with workflow inefficiency across different suppliers’ technologies. This will benefit architects, engineers and contractors, and importantly, project owners by enabling more freedom to optimize technology workflows needed to meet the complex requirements of today’s construction projects.

Autodesk and Trimble have a shared goal of meeting the evolving needs of the building and infrastructure industries. Reliable, fluent exchange of information among multiple stakeholders and platforms is essential to this end. The Trimble and Autodesk collaboration demonstrates their ongoing commitment to support open industry standards such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie), and can enable current and prospective Autodesk and Trimble customers working on the same projects to work together seamlessly through optimized file compatibility across applications.
 
Under the terms of agreement, Autodesk and Trimble will take steps to accelerate interoperability by exchanging Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and developer tools to build and market interoperable products. This allows the two companies to improve upon existing data exchanges, as well as open up new workflows between their products. Tighter product-to-product integration can enable design and construction professionals to share models, project files and other data between select Autodesk and Trimble solutions both in the office and the field, and allow for the reuse of information during design and construction throughout all phases of the project.

“The strength of a company is best measured by its willingness to do what is right for its customers and the industry at large. This interoperability agreement, like others we’ve signed, speaks to Autodesk’s commitment to openness,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk.  This collaboration with Trimble speaks to our shared dedication to making the building process more efficient and productive for all involved.”

“This collaboration demonstrates our mutual commitment to provide design and construction professionals with a seamless experience from both Autodesk and Trimble design-build-operate solutions,” said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president at Trimble. “As a result all stakeholders across the construction lifecycle can optimize their workflow efficiency.”

About Autodesk

Autodesk makes software for people who make things.  If you’ve ever driven a high-performance car, admired a towering skyscraper, used a smartphone, or watched a great film, chances are you’ve experienced what millions of Autodesk customers are doing with our software. Autodesk gives you the power to make anything.  For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

About Trimble

Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming a broad range of industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB), visit:  www.trimble.com.

Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Trimble is a registered trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited.

Tuesday 15 March 2016

FREE Revit Training on the Web

Revit Quick Start Program is designed for both beginners and industry professionals looking to explore Revit

Program :

Section 1: Getting Started
Section 2: Introduction to Mass in Revit
Section 3: Converting Masses into Walls, Floors & Ceilings
Section 4: Next Steps

See https://www.udemy.com/revit_3dtraining_quickstart/

Lectures 8
  • Video 1 Hour
  • Skill Level Beginner Level
  • Languages English
  • Includes Lifetime access
    30 day money back guarantee!  I'm really not sure how that works when it says it's FREE ? Available on iOS and Android Certificate of Completion
  • Wednesday 10 February 2016

    Autodesk 10% reduction in staff


    I've been a little light on posts on the Learning Curve due to a healthy amount of projects awaiting my attention and the rebuilding of the LRUG London Revit User Group new web site. 

    I had lined up someone from Autodesk to present at LRUG in March, but it appears he will no longer be working for them as a result of the Autodesk 10% reduction in staff.   

    "As we progress through our business model transition, we continue to take a comprehensive look at our company to see where we can be more effective and efficient. To realize maximum value for both our customers and shareholders, and as a follow-on to previously discussed cost reduction actions, we are restructuring so we can focus resources on areas that will accelerate the move to the cloud and transition to a subscription-based business," said CEO Carl Bass.

    Thanks for that Carl that's of real value to me as a customer and someone who runs a User Group for Autodesk products.

    Actually there are lot's of us out there that don't want to use the bleeding cloud! Especially last week with BT and VIrgin when we lost our internet connection for a day, it was like going back to the early days of LAN's and not wanting a Network copy of your software.   

    Read More at http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-02-04-autodesk-restructuring-925-lay-offs-planned

    This post http://www.cgchannel.com/2016/02/autodesk-lays-off-925-staff/    states 

    However, postings on discussion board TheLayoff.com from users claiming to be Autodesk employees suggest that cuts may, if anything, be even more severe in the product development teams.
    As yet, the reports are uncorroborated, but we’ve contacted Autodesk, and will update if we hear back.

    Here is an interesting and informative Post http://techcrunch.com/2016/02/11/facing-an-array-of-challenges-autodesk-shifts-to-subscription-pricing/





    Thursday 17 December 2015

    Satistics and Lies


    OK I started to complete the NBS 2016 BIM Survey until I got to this question, then I gave up













     








    What a loaded question, where is the Minority of Projects option?

    This is not the only badly created survey sheet on the survey but in terms of usage there should be a percentage range for jobs something Like 0    <25%         26-50%           51-75%          >75%   and 100% 

    Not ALL - Majority - Never and Don't Know !

    Come on RIBA get real and think about what you are asking or perhaps and you are asking the questions that will give you the results your actually after and not the real picture of what is actually happening at the pointy end and not just at the major government players.

    Tuesday 1 December 2015

    Autodesk Project Alexandria Becomes the Commercal Package BIM 360 Docs


    Autodesk Declares a New World Order in Construction Document Management
    Project Alexandria Technology Preview to become new commercial offering in early 2016: Autodesk BIM
    360 Docs 

    Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) announced today at Autodesk University, Autodesk BIM 360 Docs, a comprehensive, cloud-based service for the construction industry that provides a virtual workspace to create, access, maintain, markup and share 2D and 3D project documents, plans and models


    Formerly known as Project Alexandria, Autodesk BIM 360 Docs is marketed on the basis it will help to save time, reduce risk and errors in construction projects.  BIM 360 Docs is designed to ensure that the entire project team is building from the correct version of documents and plans.
     
    This is nothing new construction companies many of the larger ones have been using document management systems for some time, they can be a god send or a curse in equal measure. Some of them have illogical dashboards and require a couple of days to learn how to use them.
     

     

    Tuesday 10 November 2015

    Autodesk Release New Structural & MEP Fabrication Suites


    Announcement of two New Suites by Autodesk today Autodesk Release Structural Fabrication Suite with a annual desktop subscription price of $3,500 and Autodesk MEP Fabrication Suite with a annual desktop subscription price of $4,600, if the usual Autodesk policy works forget conversion from $ to £ use $ = £  
    OK what do you get for your money? According to Autodesk
    "The Autodesk Structural Fabrication Suite, which includes Autodesk Advance Steel 2016, AutoCAD 2016, Autodesk Revit 2016 and Navisworks Simulate 2016, offers tools to better connect structural design to detailing by allowing you to work more collaboratively within a BIM environment. Revit, AutoCAD, and Advance Steel together can help users streamline the detailing process by integrating steel detailing expertise alongside the design.  Advance Steel’s model based environment helps users produce accurate detailed drawings faster, helping to speed time to fabrication. The inclusion of Navisworks Simulate helps extend fabrication to the field by supporting estimation, coordination, and 4D simulation of steel projects. Models can be easily shared and viewed with contractors, improving coordination and reducing waste."
    The reality is that especially in the UK not many structural engineers actually details the connections in a steel; framed building they provide the moments and shear loads and leave it to the steel manufacturers to produce. Indeed if you actually bothered the steel manufacturer would normally replace it for one of their own anyway. So in the UK I see a very limited user base for this suite.

    OK so what is Advanced Steel - Its another program that Autodesk have purchased, modified and now piggyback it off Autodesk. The Video below is very informative.


    Regarding the Revit and Advanced Steel workflow and connectivity there is a video below however the narrators accent plus he appears to have his head in a galvanised bucket producing loads of echo and reverberation is so strong it's detrimental to the watching experience unless your really into 'Allo 'Allo! 

    Hopefully a heads up to Autodesk about accent, diction and sound quality of recordings on demo videos. 



    In the UK can only really see fabricators buying this suite and most of them already have their own software, so additional copies for existing Advance Steel users maybe but very few structural engineering practices would buy this. The odd one or two like Arups and Atkins may want to buy Advanced Steel on it's own to add to their existing building design suites.    

    According the Autodesk In the Fold

    "The MEP Fabrication Suite is a portfolio of interoperable 3D construction software that enables MEP contractors, detailers, estimators and fabricators to move to BIM based workflows at a lower cost of entry.  The Suite offers tools to streamline your detailing and fabrication workflows, including the latest versions of CADmep, ESTmep, CAMduct, AutoCAD 2016, Autodesk Revit 2016 and Point Layout." 

    So where does this leave Building Design Suite owners who only want to pick up CADmep, ESTmep, CAMduct and Point Layout already having their copies of Revit and AutoCAD  2016?.

    Autodesk are seriously worried about the switch to the subscription format and these suites and the new pricing structures benefit the larger companies but not the smaller companies.

    Friday 6 November 2015

    Revit & Dynamo - What Is It & How Do I Use It?


    Dynamo is a new way or working with Revit, its an open source application not owned by Autodesk (yet) but it has been shipped with Revit since 2015. It adds intelligence and extends the logic & functionality of Revit. It's a very visual programming language that allows you to add behaviour to the model that makes it easy to automate tasks.

    Below are a couple of recent webinars that have introduced Dynamo to users.



    This recorded webinar will introduce you to Dynamo, an open-source add-in for Autodesk Revit. Dynamo gives Revit users a fundamentally new way of working, with new tools to solve design problems. Learn how this easy-to-learn visual programming environment has practical uses in in your day-to-day Revit work.



    Dynamo is creating waves in the industry as a visual programming tool that greatly extends the power of Revit. At the end of this presentation you will understand what Dynamo does very well and how it can help you improve quality, simplify design iterations and reduce tedious tasks in Revit.

    There are going to be many videos on this subject but here are just a few to get you going from AutodeskEd keep an eye out on AU this year as there are bound to be masses of Dynamo classes

    Part 1A - Getting Situated  
    Part 1B - Getting Started with Nodes
    Part 2A - Basic List Management
    Part 2B - Nested List Management
    Part 3A - Computational Logic
    Part 3B - Computational Logic  
    Part 4A - Parametric Assembly
    Part 4B - Parametric Assembly
    Part 5A - Advanced Topics - Custom Nodes
    Part 5B - Advanced Topics - Python Programming

    Friday 30 October 2015

    Autodesk Seek for Autodesk Revit Add-In Goes Live


    After the 5 month the free* technology preview of Autodesk® Seek for Revit is nearly over and the Add-in goes live on Monday 2nd November 9am Eastern whatever that is in GMT.

    Autodesk® Seek for Revit allows you to conveniently access high-quality BIM models, drawings, and product specifications for more than 66,000 commercial and residential building products, representing over 400 manufacturers, from inside Autodesk® Revit® 2015 or 2016 software.

    Quickly search or browse over 66,000 products

    Easily place RFA or RFAs with additional Type Catalogs

    Preview product details before placement into your project

    Conveniently specify the download location for your files and your search results page size preference
     



    When seek started in 2007 the content was, shall we say very iffy, and no better than lots of other AutoCAD block and Revit family collections on the internet. As a CAD and BIM manager I didn't want users downloading and using content gathered off the web because of the problems they can bring with them.

    In 2009 the Revit Model Content Style Guide or RMCSG was created .



    Link to download the Revit Model Content Style Guide  If you do download it, typically Autodesk It’s all a bit catch 22 the instruction on what to do are in a readme.pdf file in the zip file that you download and extract, so here they are outside of the download for your information:-


    1 Download the zip file


    2. Extract the contents of the zip file to a local directory
     
    3. Navigate to the Extract To folder you specified, and open the Revit_Model_Content_Style_Guide_v2_1 folder.

    4. To begin, open the General_Guide\Revit_Model_Content_StyleGuide.pdf file. Review this document to understand the workflow and basic guidelines and standards for model creation.

    5. Open the Category_Specific folder, and notice that there are subfolders for specific part types. Open a part type subfolder, and review the documents and cample content as required by your content needs.

    In 2012 Autodesk actually started a QA system on the content being submitted to Seek and QA Badges are provided. To find out more about these see The Power of Badges at http://blog.seek.autodesk.com/?p=7


    The graphic below shows seeks use in providing quality content in the BIM Workflow


    Despite the Autodesk QA system I suspect that a lot of BIM Managers will still want to vet anything going into their companies Revit models, until they have total faith in the Autodesk QA system and you have to face it there have been problems with Autodesks produced families in the past, and the system has to prove its self worthy of their trust.

    That being said it's great to see positive steps being taken by Autodesk to improve the Seek service and quality of content. Hopefully it will mean a  faster rubber stamping by the company BIM Manager to use it. 

    There are programs out there that assist BIM Managers in company content management but that's for another post on another day.

    LRUG hope to be running some family creation sessions next year, and it will be good to get some feedback from members on the new Seek add-in and the quality and actual use of the content and any internal vetting systems that are in place.
    .

    Monday 26 October 2015

    Revit 2016 R2 New / Improved Feature Videos


    View Underlay



    View Filter



    Mechanical Design



    Isolate Solids Voids



    Railing Preview



    Thermal Zoning



    Named Reference Plane

    Thursday 22 October 2015

    More than 25 Updates and New Features to Revit Released Today


    Great news for Autodesk Revit software subscribers.  Autodesk have released a major update for Revit today to both Maintenance Subscription and Desktop Subscription customers*.

    Autodesk Revit 2016 R2 builds on the speed and project performance improvements that distinguish Revit 2016 and includes more than 25 updates, many requested by users. With further improved software performance and scalability, plus new features, the family of  Revit 2016 R2 releases enables subscribers to more effectively and efficiently capture design intent. 
    Revit 2016 R2 is fully compatible with the existing Revit 2016 releases and has no file format changes so users can install the update without disrupting existing ongoing work in Revit 2016.

    Autodesk state that "this Revit 2016 R2 represents significant incremental value for Autodesk Maintenance and Desktop Subscription customers who get immediate access to the most current Revit capabilities."

    At the moment there are lots of questionnaires regarding the value of  Autodesk Maintenance and Desktop Subscription being asked on the Autodesk Advisors portal and Autodesk and their Dealerships have been warning of the impending end maintenance subscriptions and migrate to a total "rental-based" model. Autodesk are not the first to do this Microsoft have already gone there with Office and I really don't know why they keep asking for users opinions as they are going to do it anyway.

    The real problem as I see it, is the burden it places on Autodesk to actually perform.  When we were all herded to jump on the subscription wagon rather than upgrade when significant improvement warranted such an upgrade we were enticed with Subscription Advantage packs half way through the year.

    That worked fine for the first couple of years and then the quality and return in investment dropped significantly and many users and bloggers were wondering was Revit dead. No it's very much alive but still has a crap text editor which has been high on the users wish list for some time.  

    Can Autodesk keep up the quantity and quality of improvements to Revit on a regular basis, and actually give the users what they need rather than fluffy stuff, who knows but they have set themselves one hell of a target to perform, and this time they really have.     
     
    Here is a view into just some of what the Revit R2 update delivers:     

    Faster: Revit 2016 R2 features continued improvements to software performance and scalability: 

    o    Orbit, pan and zoom more quickly with the new Draw Visible Elements Only option. Revit improves navigation speed by working only on displaying the visible elements of a view. This occlusion culling is especially beneficial with complex files and views in which regeneration of a significant amount of content is suppressed.  
         
    We Bloggers had a preview of the before and after versions side by side and the speed increase is significant, especially on large models



     
    o    Keep working during update of color schemes and the associated color fills with Color Fill Background Processing. Revit 2016 R2 updates room, space, HVAC zone, duct, and pipe color fills using multiple CPUs, which alleviates model interaction delays associated with these computations.

     

    Revit 2016 R2 updates room, space, HVAC zone, duct, and pipe color fills using multiple CPUs. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

    Smarter: Revit 2016 R2 has new and improved tools to help users better-capture and embed design intent in a model.

    o    Embed design intent in a model by using project-wide parameters to drive dimension and element instance parameters with the Global Parameters feature.  A global parameter can measure dimensions and calculate formulas to drive dimensions and parameter values in other elements in the project.

    Embed design intent in a model by using project-wide parameters to drive dimension and element


     
    o    With Family Visibility Preview, get a better view of design intent by filtering out geometries that are not viewed. Work more quickly by previewing geometries and making adjustments before loading a Family into a project.

    Better:  We’re always striving to improve Revit based on user feedback. Over 20 user-requested enhancements include:

    o    Unload links per user to increase performance and improve memory usage without affecting other project team members

    o    Copy/Paste commands in perspective views

    o    Cancel print or export of multiple views and sheets with one click

    o    Filter solids/voids in separate entries to more easily multi-select the geometries to make bulk changes

    o    Enhanced rotation controls and insert part option in fabrication part modelling


    Unload links per user to increase performance and improve memory usage without affecting other project team members. Image courtesy of Autodesk.
    Autodesk state "As an incremental install, Revit R2 can be less disruptive for users and administrators by spacing out changes vs. incorporating larger annual updates. Any downtime or disruption to work processes can be more easily out-weighed by the gains in performance, usability and stability." 

    Availability
    Autodesk Revit 2016 R2 is available to Maintenance and Desktop Subscription customers worldwide starting today, October 22, in the following languages: Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.

    *Autodesk Revit 2016 R2 is available to current Subscription customers of Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium and Ultimate, Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Ultimate, Autodesk Revit Collaboration Suite, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit Structure, Autodesk Revit MEP, Autodesk Revit LT and Autodesk AutoCAD Revit LT Suite software

    For more details and videos showing the features on an Autodesk web page follow this Link

    UPDATE

    The Autodesk Revit team has posted the Revit 2016 R2 videos to YouTube. Use this link to see the set of 20 short videos organized with what the team feels are the most important features listed at the top of the set: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY-ggSrSwbZrEna9aQFiQxXSrWuqACNUD

    Thursday 8 October 2015

    React Structures is a free technology preview of structural analysis for BIM


    Autodesk® React Structures software is a free technology preview of structural analysis software for BIM that provides intuitive tools to quickly analyze a variety of structure types within a single software platform.




    Autodesk® React Structures is intuitive structural analysis software that connects to the BIM process. Download the technical preview for free.

    Autodesk wants and need your feedback.  This is an early look into what they are building.  It is by no means complete and you will see things that are not enabled or maybe even missing.  Rest assured, they will be coming.
     
    The React team will be providing frequent updates which will expose new functionality and features, incorporate your feedback, and fix issues that you identify.  They will be asking for your opinions on the things they are working on, and they might even ask you to test out a workflow or two and give them some feedback on how it went for you. 
     
    This is the opportunity to tell Autodesk what you need from your next analysis tool.  Great customer feedback is one of the most important building blocks for a great software product.
     

    The React Structure web site, forum and blog can be found at  http://react.autodesk.com/

    More information can be found at the In The Fold Blog  

                                                    

    Tuesday 15 September 2015

    BIM FRIENDS


    OK Cool Video and I have subscribed because I'm curious how useful a resource this is or is not going to be? 

    Is just going to yet another social media resource like Linked-IN, Facebook and the numerous other or will it offer something new, refreshing and informative?

    The test will be if you are still going back after the first month after launch as we are all being BIMmed to death! 



    Get your invitation for the launch : http://www.bimfriends.com

    Here is a little more information about BIMFRIENDS that has been released to the Blogging community

    BIM friends is a newcomer to this fantastic BIM world, it’s a specialized social network and collaborative platform for BIM, the purpose of this website is to connect the BIM users each other’s and offer them all contents kinds and services in one place :

    Social networking section, the heart of the website, members can follow in one place all activities of the community, they can add new friends like Facebook or follow other members like Twitter, they can join local groups and be part of many sub-communities organized by software’s and fields, they can post updates and photos also like most of social platforms.

    Blog section where we publish a weekly products reviews and BIM news, not only the website editors can post in this section but all members can do it and write about topics they like, news or present simply their projects or products for example.

    Discussions section zone where members can start threads and ask for technical support or other members opinions, a forums like area.

    Events section to gather all BIM related events, local and international, webinars, training sessions, workshops and BIM friends meetings around the world. All members can post and join events.

    Gallery section, a BIM show area where members post their projects renders, a great place to see what the other members are working on, you will find videos and tutorials about BIM softwares.

    Downloads section where members can share many types of contents: BIM objects (ex. Revit families), documents, applications and plugins.

    Business section where we list all BIM related products, services, jobs, trainings, companies and freelancers, you can find and add with ease your own listings and get members reviews.
     

    Tuesday 14 July 2015

    Keysoft Solutions have acquired the LANDCADD software suite from Eagle Point


    This is a significant step towards Keysoft solutions expanding their Building Information Modelling (BIM) solutions and responds to the growing need to visualise landscape proposals in 3D.

    Mike Shilton says "The plan over the next few months is to take the best from KeySCAPE and LANDCADD to provide a single, integrated solution in the near future".

    Friday 10 July 2015

    PAS1192-2 due to go to public consultation on 31st July 2015




    PAS1192-2 due to go to public consultation on July 31st, this is to align the PAS with the other documentation prior to packaging the Government BIM Level 2 guidance and standards in September. Consultation period is only four weeks and the draft will be posted here: http://drafts.bsigroup.com/.
     
    Remember You cant complain if you don't take time to review and give feedback

     

    Wednesday 10 June 2015

    Autodesk Ideastation - worth a look

    OK I had missed this one, but now I have found it I've added it to my blog so I can remember where to find it.

    Basically Ideastation is where users can go to give product enhancement ideas. You can filter the site by product as well so you can see just the ideas for Revit, AutoCAD, Inventor and any other product Autodesk offers.

    You can search to see if what you were wanting has already been asked for and if it has you can give it "Kudos" basically liking it showing Autodesk how many people really want this idea. As well as see what comments have been added some are work arounds people have been using that might be helpful until the idea is implemented.

    You can also see the stage it is at some ideas are in Review others have been accepted. It is a great way as a user to get your ideas or wants out there and you might be surprised how many other people want them too.

    Home Page http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/custom/page/page-id/Ideas-Page

    REVIT Ideastation = http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit/ct-p/2003

    Thursday 30 April 2015

    Revit 2016 New Features


    A selection of videos






    .

    Friday 17 April 2015

    NBS National BIM Report 2015




    The fifth NBS National BIM Report - the industry's most comprehensive report on BIM – looks at how UK building design professionals are adapting to the use of BIM.

    With just months to go until the mandated use of Level 2 BIM on public sector projects in 2016 this year's report acts as an essential barometer for the construction industry's readiness.
    Essential reading for those adopting – or considering adopting – BIM and available completely free to download.
     

    Friday 10 April 2015

    NBS Toolkit in 90 Seconds

    The NBS BIM toolkit designed to help users complete projects to Level 2 BIM moved its public beta phase on Wednesday 8 April at BIM Show Live in Manchester. This allows the industry to begin trialling the toolkit and giving valuable feedback for the final stages of development, before it is officially launched in the summer.

    Comprising a new unified classification system and digital plan of work, the NBS BIM Toolkit public beta is free to use and is now available for construction professionals to use on Level 2 BIM projects. Users will benefit from step-by-step support, enabling them to define, manage and verify responsibility for information development and delivery at each stage of the asset lifecycle.

    Friday 27 February 2015

    BIM 2016... Are you REALLY Ready?


    If you missed it or fell asleep during it you can now catch up at  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=286163703331229719#editor/target=post;postID=3661572422200864759

    So according to Mervyn who has made a really good living off BIM, and just as everyone has discovered it we are now loosing the B and it's all about IM ;0)

    A series of 4 traning BIM Webinars, in readiness for Level 2 BIM Government Target in 2016.

    Charlton Recruitment introduces “BIM 2016.. Are you REALLY Ready” a must see webinar series for anyone involved in Government construction projects as the Government's own 2016 deadline looms ever closer. Charlton Recruitment will train the market place by bringing BIM Industry experts in an open accessible forum.

    Tuesday 25 November 2014

    Drone Photoscan


    I'm looking at getting a Quadcopter with camera for Christmas but this is a
    high level drone not the boy toy I'm going to be playing with




    Bridge photoscanned to 3d pointcloud. Clip shows surface model in Memento,
    pointcloud in Revit and VR-model in Lumion

    Wednesday 19 November 2014

    Digital BIM Toolkit




    IStructE Newsletter says:-

    Project is a key enabler of the move to deliver Level 2 BIM on central Government procurement from April 2016.
    The Institution of Structural Engineers and six other professional bodies covering design, construction, operation and management in the built environment are supporting NBS, part of RIBA Enterprises, in its development of a free-to-use digital BIM tool for the BIM Task Group. BIFM, CIBSE, CIOB, ICE, RIBA, RICS and the Institution are all providing cross-industry support and technical advice to the project, which is a key enabler of the move to deliver Level 2 BIM on central government procurement from April 2016.

    The free online tool will help collaborative project teams define, manage and validate who is responsible for what at different stages of the asset lifecycle. Supporting this will be a pan-industry classification system, well defined levels of graphical detail and system information as well as a comprehensive set of product information templates.

     
    Richard Waterhouse, Chief Executive of RIBA Enterprises, said: “This initiative was always about doing something which helps the entire industry, so to have these organisations part of  our project steering group will be a fantastic support and will help ensure we have essential pan-industry engagement’.

    Sarah Fray, Director: Engineering & Technical Services for The Institution of Structural Engineers said: “The Institution and its members are delighted to support the BIM toolkit project. Broad industry engagement will be a critical element in delivering a free-to-use digital tool to help structural engineers bring about a BIM enabled industry. We are looking forward to seeing real benefits delivered to all through collaborative project work across the industry.”


    Anne Kemp, Chair of ICE’s BIM Action group, said: “ICE’s aim is to develop and support the world’s best digitally enabled civil engineers and provide thought leadership and direction to the way BIM is implemented throughout the industry. We are delighted therefore to be playing a part in developing a modern, relevant digital tool which facilitates a more consistent approach across the industry. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, helping to ensure the tool reaches - and is embraced by - all those at the forefront of BIM.”
    Eddie Tuttle, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) commented: “CIOB is pleased to be involved in a project that is at the vanguard of the approach to be taken in ensuring that we have a collaborative movement to BIM for the good of the wider industry. “

    Mark Powell, Executive Director at RICS commented:  “RICS is delighted to be involved in the development of such an important project; we see this as a major step forward in helping project teams to collaborate to achieve level 2 BIM. For the first time, project teams will have free access to a best practice design management toolkit and a common classification system that, where possible, will help link design objects with our existing measurement standards and industry benchmarked cost data from our BCIS products.”

    Nick Mead, CIBSE President Elect said: “As the professional body for energy using systems in buildings, CIBSE supports the development of the digital BIM tool to cover all aspects of buildings and the wider built environment. For the tool to successfully support the delivery of Level 2 BIM for the whole built environment it is vital that the professional institutions continue to work together to ensure that the tool is fit for purpose for all our respective members.”

    NBS also plans wider engagement with the industry via other professional bodies and institutes. Discussions, workshops, presentations and beta testing sessions will be happening over the coming months.

    More details about the project are available here.