Dynamo 0.3.4 for Revit and Vasari Released

It's been quite a while since I last blogged about Dynamo, the free visual programming environment for BIM. In fact, I completely overlooked Revit support being added in version 0.2.0 last December!

A new build, 0.3.4, was released on May 28th.

Dynamo is a visual programming environment for Building Information Modeling. While Revit and Vasari are already parametric, Dynamo extends and enhances the capabilities of these BIM tools with the abstracted data and logic environment of a graphical algorithm editor, and allows users to share their work with others less inclined to write code themselves.

Dynamo is an open-source project and anyone with a programming background can download the source, build, extend and contribute back to the community. To learn more about the code, download the latest source, or contribute back, visit the Dynamo site on gitHub. The current version runs on top of Revit 2013 and Vasari Beta 2 and 3. 

New Features in April 2013 Release 0.3.0

Fixes

    Dynamo now works alongside Revit Python Shell and other conflicting addins
    Solar Radiation example works
    More stability

New and Updated Nodes

    Adaptive Components
    Formulas using N-Calc syntax
    Compute Face Derivatives
    Project Points on Curves and Faces
    Extract Solids, Faces, and Edges from elements
    Evaluation of Curves and Edges
    Selection of Imports, Host objects, Edges, Faces and Solids from Element
    Watch3d improvements
    Python node Autocomplete (in progress and only in Revit)

Functionality and UI

    Appearance Cleanup
    Preview geometry in Dynamo Background
    Category and Node Browsing Improvements
    Ability to pass lists into nodes (Lacing and auto-mapping of lists)
    New Node appearance
    Graph retains memory and parametric control of elements created in previous sessions

Engineering

    MVVM standardization

Samples

    Adaptive Component Placement
    Face Extraction from Solids
    Formulas
    Create Point Sequence
    Some existing sample cleanup

There's more information available on gitHub.

Credit: the Buildz blog.

New CADstudio Revit Tools 1.7 for Revit 2013 and 2014

CAD Studio released a new version of the add-on application CADstudio Revit Tools (which I previously blogged about here) version 1.7 with support for the BIM software Autodesk Revit 2013 and 2014 and with seven new tools. These new tools are aimed mainly to Revit Architecture and Revit MEP users.

Revit Tools version 1.7 bring these new functions:

• Revit 2014 - a separate version for Revit 2014, currently identical functions to the 2013 version, new enhancements planned
• Copy sheets - copies (duplicates) selected sheets and views with given prefixes and suffixes
• Room area - calculates true area for a selected room. It detects all voids and openings and offers to include or exclude them.
• Rooms list - shows the list of rooms in the current project and allows to calculate true area for selected rooms
• Duct insulation - create multiple insulations on existing ducts and pipes (all pipes in a given system/diameter)
• Duct description - adds annotation symbols on ducts and pipes
• System direction - adds flow direction of vertical pipes to the floor plan
• Thickness - creates a shared parameter containing the pipe thickness (pipe wall), e.g. for labels

There's more information available on the CADstudio website.

The trail version of the add-in may be installed from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

New Tools Added to PPI's Revit Briefcase

The PPI Group's Revit Briefcase (which I previously blogged about here) is a series of add-ins for Revit® Architecture, Structure and MEP.  The Briefcase is able to extend the capabilities of the Revit® project in various key areas.  They are easy to use and make working with Revit® easier and more effective.

New! Data Link

Gives the user the ability to export Revit Data out to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. In Return, you can import the Excel spreadsheet back into the Revit project model.

New! Select by Category and/or Type

Gives the user the ability to select Revit elements by their Category or Type within the project or current view.

New! Quick Category Toggle On/Off Tools

Now you can use the Quick On/Off category toggle buttons for Revit Elements such as Component, Elevation, Floor, Wall, Curtain Panel, Grid, Level, Reference Plane, Room Separator, Section and Tag.

New! Create Assembly Views

Gives the user the ability to create assembly views based on view orientation. Then places them on a user specified Titleblock and spacing.

There's more information available on the PPI Group website.

GreenSpider - The Free Point Clouds Plugin for Revit

GreenSpider is a little piece of code developed to narrow the gap between computational concept design, terrestrial laser scanning and Building Information Modeling. Even if it’s still very primitive, GreenSpider is a free Autodesk Revit plugin developed by Simone Garagnani, taking advantage of Revit API, .NET libraries and C# programming language. GreenSpider conveniently parses ASCII text files representing 3D vertexes, whether generated by computational modeling software or terrestrial laser scanning equipment.

Once installed through this installer package on Windows-based pc's, GreenSpider 2.1 can be accessed in Revit mass modeling environment.

In order to import geometries, especially in form of decimated point clouds, some files called points.gsp (GreenSpiderPoints extension) have to be prepared: gsp format is basically an ASCII text file format where XYZ numerical values, in form of array, represent geometric vertexes dinamically sorted and separated by semicolons, while commas are used for decimal marks. Correct .GSP files are arranged by GreenSpider Translator 1.2, a module which now can be directly invoked inside Revit. The Translator opens XYZ plain files with no normals, recognizes and parses them in correct format. Importing different set of point clouds is now easier since the Translator can be initialized each time through the Reset button, erasing previous .GSP and temp files already acquired in Revit.

GreenSpider 2.1 is way much easier to use than any other previous release! Now users can choose where to store .GSP files, which are to be prepared for single translations no more. Now file can be browsed allowing multiple translations with different names for different slices.

GreenSpider 2.1 icons

GreenSpider is still a prototype, even if it reached its 2.1 release; it allows to run two commands identified by two different drop-down icons in Revit add-ins menu: GSpoints and GScurves. The first one simply imports vertex point cloud as reference points in mass modeling environment, while the second traces a spline interpolation among imported points sorted through a TSP process, in order to build surfaces after recursive .GSP imports.

GreenSpider Translator r1.2 can now perform two different kinds of point sorting, along X and Y axis, in order to allow a better tracing for GScurves command.

There's more information available on GreenSpider on the TCProject website.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog.

Free Journal Cleaner Updated to Revit 2014

Dante van Wettum has updated his free Journal Cleaner to support Revit versions 2014 and earlier.

This application may be downloaded from the 1869* Web website.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog.

IMAGINiT Clarity 2014 Released

IMAGINiT Technologies has released the 2014 versions of IMAGINiT Clarity, IMAGINiT Clarity LT and IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare. These three web-based collaboration tools also include new and improved features.

Designed to extend the value of the Autodesk Revit Server platform, IMAGINiT Clarity and Clarity LT enhance control of Revit Server set-up, automate repetitive tasks and securely provide valuable data to non-Revit users.

For architectural, engineering and construction firms that do not use Autodesk Revit Server, IMAGINiT Clarity Workshare improves the traditional file-based work sharing approach and fully automates numerous time consuming Revit software related tasks.

“Our IMAGINiT Clarity product line has our customers covered – regardless whether their BIM team is using Revit or Revit Server,” says Bob Heeg, executive vice president at IMAGINiT Technologies.  “The combination of listening to customer feedback, keeping pace with the latest Autodesk releases and always finding enhancements to provide added value is IMAGINiT’s winning combination.”

"We're getting a lot of mileage out of Clarity for our Government and Medical facility projects,” stated Jason Gardner, BIM manager at Hoefer Wysocki Architects. “Once the model is ready, the ease-of-use and speed with which we can get information to our clients and principals is nearly instantaneous. Something that used to take us hours upon hours to do, now happens automatically in the background because our team has set up the project models with Clarity and we're able to keep our principals and clients happy and informed throughout the design process," concluded Gardner.

Free Add-in Wizards for Revit 2014 from The Building Coder

Over on his exceptional The Building Coder blog, Jeremy Tammik has released updated versions of his Add-in Wizards for Microsoft Visual Studio, C# and VB versions.

Jeremy also details usage of his wizards and provides links to previous posts about the same.

From Jeremy's post today:

"I can simply install the wizard zip files in the appropriate locations, start up Visual Studio, create a new C# or VB Revit add-in project using the wizard default settings, and immediately hit F5 to start up Revit.exe in the debugger.

"Revit is started up, my add-in is automatically loaded, and I am able to click on my new external command in the External Tools menu to test it immediately without having entered even one single byte of code myself.

"The new command even executes in zero document state, although the default external command skeleton implementation throws an exception trying to access a property on the current UI document, which is null. It shows you that everything is working correctly right away, though."

There's more information available on The Building Coder blog.

Free PermRemovAreasRooms Revit Add-in from dp Stuff

"PermRemoveAreasRooms Revit API addin allows you to delete rooms or areas permanently on the fly directly from any of your Revit views without having to do it from the Revit schedule. You have two options: either pre-select the elements and run the tool to delete just the rooms/areas in your selection, or you can collect ids of rooms/areas that you want to get rid of and copy/paste them via 'Type In Element Ids' method."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the dp Stuff website.

Credit: Luke Johnson's What Revit Wants blog.

Free ChangeTextCase Revit Add-in from dp Stuff

"This add-in allows you to alter the CASE of Revit TextNote elements. You will have an ability to chose between UPPERcase, lowerCase, TitleCase, and SentenceCase. Apart from that you would be able to chose whether you want to alter selected text notes only or all visible text notes in the active view."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the dp Stuff website.

Globe Link Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

"Globe Link for Revit 2014 platform products helps users streamline preliminary project planning by enabling them to present conceptual designs in the context of the project site.

"With Globe Link, users can publish 3D building information models directly from Autodesk® Revit® 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2014, and Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2014 software into Google Earth™ mapping service. Users can also acquire site information from Google Earth mapping service and import it into Revit 2014 software applications for building and site layout purposes. Globe Link is optimized for Google Earth version 5 mapping service."

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website.

Model Review Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

Automate the process of reviewing and auditing building information modeling (BIM) projects in Autodesk® Revit® 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2014, Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2014, or Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2014 software with the Autodesk® Revit® Model Review plug-in:

• Check the accuracy and consistency of a Project or Family against standards set by your firm, your clients, or industry best practices.
• Correct inconsistencies with a single click or with instructions provided when manual fixes are required.

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website.

Space Naming Utility Add-in for Autodesk Revit MEP 2014

"The Space Naming Utility for Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2014 software is an intuitive tool that automatically assigns the names and numbers from architectural rooms to Revit MEP spaces. By downloading the Space Naming Utility for Revit MEP 2014 software, you can eliminate the need to manually assign names to the spaces, helping save time and simplifying your workflow."

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website or from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

DB Link Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

Import and export data between an Autodesk® Revit® 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2014, or Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2014 project and an external database, and then more easily maintain relationships of linked data with Autodesk® Revit® DB Link.

• A grid view of the data enables you to make any final edits before import.
• Databases can be updated following internal or external changes.
• The grid control enables you to create Revit shared parameters to add new fields to related tables in the database.
• Changes to new fields within the database automatically update Revit shared parameters upon future imports.

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website.

Batch Print Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

"Batch Print provides an easy way to print a large number of drawings (views and sheets) from a Autodesk Revit 2014, Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014, Autodesk Revit Structure 2014, or Autodesk Revit MEP 2014 software project.

"After preparing the default printer and the Revit software project, use Batch Print to send any number of drawings to the printer and to control the order in which they print. When you start the print job, Batch Print manages the printing of the drawings, requiring no further interaction from you. If desired, you can monitor the progress of the print job using a status dialog."

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website.

Worksharing Monitor Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

Worksharing Monitor facilitates the use of Autodesk® Revit® 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2014, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2014, or Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2014 software in a worksharing environment, in which multiple people work on one project. For workshared projects, Worksharing Monitor answers questions such as:

• Who is currently working on this project?
• Is my local copy of the project up-to-date?
• When will my Save to Central operation finish?
• Has my request to borrow elements been granted?
• Are any issues interfering with my work on a Revit software project?

Note: Worksharing Monitor is not useful for standalone Revit software projects, which do not use worksharing to divide the work for a project among several people.

This add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription website.

Free GRAITEC BIM Connect Add-in for Autodesk Revit

"A fluid design process using BIM technology

"With 25 years experience in structural analysis and design, GRAITEC has a complete suite of analysis and design software, which allows construction engineers to rapidly and efficiently dimension their works.

"To continue to provide a fluid design process, GRAITEC provides bidirectional integration with Autodesk Revit Architecture and Autodesk Revit Structure.

"This integration allows Revit users to more rapidly get an optimized design of their projects and to produce all fabrication drawings. This integration also reduces the risk of potential errors when changes occur.

"The interface with Autodesk Revit Structure and Autodesk Revit Architecture is made possible because GRAITEC products are fully BIM oriented. GRAITEC implemented its BIM technology so each real object has a virtual counterpart with accurate associated properties and behavior. Using BIM, GRAITEC provides an optimal solution for accelerated creation of the structural analysis model and automatic creation of drawings, bill of materials and lists. This BIM technology increases general productivity and reduces errors during the entire design to construction process."

There's more information on this add-in on the GRAITEC website.

RTV Xporter Add-in for Autodesk Revit

"RTV Xporter for Autodesk® Revit®, automates the process of exporting and printing drawing sheets and views in Autodesk® Revit®.

"Quickly browse, search and filter Revit® drawing sheets and views using the intuitive RTV Xporter user interface. Automate the process of creating PDFs, DWG, DWF, DWFx, DXF and IFC files.

"RTV Xporter’s built-in parametric file naming engine automatically saves the exported files to match any company’s or project team’s file naming conventions with ease.

"RTV Xporter also supports batch printing to two separate printers simultaneously giving your project teams more time to design and coordinate their BIM projects.

"With virtually no setup required, just install and automate!

"RTV Xporter is ideal for Architects, Interiors Designers, Engineers, Landscape Architects and Visualization Artists using Autodesk® Revit®.

"RTV Xporter features include:

"Automatic creation of PDFs, DWG, DWF, DWFx, DXF and IFC files from Autodesk® Revit® drawing sheets and views.

"Built-in parametric file naming engine automatically saves exported files to match any company’s or project team’s file naming conventions.

"Batch print large format and reduced hardcopies to two separate printers simultaneously.

"Minimal and fast learning curve with the intuitive and clean graphical user interface (GUI).

"No setup required, just install and automate your work processes today."

There's more information available on the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

HVAC Solution Revit Add-in

"We have a simple wish at HVAC Solution software: to change the world.  HVAC Solution software is a dynamic interactive systems building software for HVAC systems design.  The only software of its kind; built by engineers for engineers.  It works the way you think.

"Imagine connecting a boiler to a coil in a few easy steps; you have just sized all your pipes and pumps and performed literally hundreds of calculations in seconds.  Connect to that system an air handler and a VAV box and you have an extremely versatile and powerful design tool.  HVAC Solution software takes you from the end of your building loads to the end of your HVAC design project by selecting and scheduling your equipment.

"Once all your equipment capacities have been determined the schedules and schematics can be imported into Revit using the new HVAC Solution Revit Add-In feature."

There's more information available on the HVAC Solution website.

Free ClarkDietrich Wall Type Creator Add-in

"The ClarkDietrich Wall Type Creator™ is the first Revit® add-on design tool that intelligently incorporates detailed information on wall elements and design properties, such as UL assemblies based on fire rating requirements, STC sound ratings and limiting height design. This type of interactive platform, in which details have been linked together, is truly unparalleled and gives architects and contractors everything needed to successfully design even the most challenging wall assemblies.

"The system's intuitive design and integrated data on wall assemblies allows users to seamlessly search and update entire wall designs based on specific input parameters. The wall type is created to reflect the proper assembly of materials necessary for wall construction, including: manufacturer and product information, types of sheathing, overall wall width, UL and STC data, wall height design, LEED® information and product SubmittalPro® data sheet links.

"ClarkDietrich recognized a need among architects and contractors for BIM systems to include more detail on wall assemblies, in order to automate and streamline the building process. The BIM Wall Creator opens the door for architects to pass models onto contractors with the assurance all materials will work together within the overall building design."

This free add-in may be downloaded from the ClarkDietrich website.

 

Civil Structures Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

Using these Bridge Modeling Revit Extensions, you can generate bridges based on user-defined criteria.

Users can define basic parameters of the geometry of a bridge including: a road profile, a deck, abutments, piers and railings.

The road profile may also be imported from a LandXML format file.

The bridge is generated based on user-defined families that are provided with these Revit Extensions.

Bridge Modeling Revit Extensions are composed of following modules:

- Roads and Terrain Definition

This extension allows to create road objects and topography in Autodesk Revit based on data coming from infrastructure oriented sources.

- Integration with AutoCAD Civil 3D

This extension provides a bi‐directional link between AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software and Autodesk Revit to facilitate cooperative workflows between civil engineers and bridge designers.

- Bridge Definition—Concrete Slab

The extension generates entire concrete slab bridge, based on an existing road.

- Bridge Definition—Concrete Box Girder

The extension can be used to create a concrete box girder bridge, based on an existing road.

- Bridge Definition—Concrete Slab with Girders

The extension can be used to create a concrete slab on concrete or steel girders, based on an existing road.

- Document Generation for Bridges

Based on a bridge defined in Autodesk Revit, this extension automatically generates fundamental documents for the entire bridge.

- Customization of Bridge Families

This extension facilitates the registration of customized families to be subjected to all rules allowing for the automated bridge design process.

This subscription-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

 

Frame Generator Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

The Frame generator extension is used for quick defining of simple 3D models of one-bay or multi-bay halls.

It includes the load definition, carrying out calculations, designing steel bars and generating documentation for the calculated structure.

To generate a structure and carry out calculations and the structure elements design, follow the steps below:

• define general parameters of the frame
• define geometric parameters of the frame
• define loads applied to structure
• start analysis and design of a structure

This subscriber-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

SDNF Import/Export Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

The SDNF - Import/Export extension gives the ability to export and import a steel structure Revit model to SDNF file format and generate a structure model in Revit Structure
These extensions are supporting SDNF v. 2.0 and v. 3.0 versions and packets:

• Packet 00 - Title Packet
• Packet 10 - Linear Member Packet
• Packet 50 - Grid Packet
• Packet 60 - Arc Member (only v3.0)

This subscriber-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

Composite Design Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

"This application helps perform basic structural analysis and design calculations of composite steel beams in a Revit Structure model.

"Using this application, you can more quickly design / check the behavior of composite beams or you can design an entire composite floor system on a floor by floor basis within a single Revit Structure model.

"The feature works for general composite steel beam design, but will also function for non-composite design.
All design is based on AISC 360-05.

"Full bidirectional integration with the Revit Structure model is achieved using this application."

This subscriber-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

Excel Based Model Generation Add-in for Revit 2014

Using the Excel® Based Model Generation extension, you can generate Revit model based on the data defined in a Microsoft Excel sheet.

The environment of the Microsoft Excel sheet enables automating the process of structure definition.

The extension offers 2 methods of defining / modifying a structure model:

• Entering parameters directly in the Microsoft Excel sheet
• Manual definition in the dialogs used for defining parameters of individual structure objects.

This subscription-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.

Timber Framing Add-in for Autodesk Revit 2014

Using the Timber Framing tool you can generate timber structure for walls and roofs in Autodesk Revit software application.

Timber Framing tool is composed of three extensions: Wall Framing, Rafter Framing and Roof Trusses.

Wall Framing

This extension allows framing selected walls.

The extension imports walls, recognizes openings and presents them in a 2D/3D viewer. Walls can be individually framed with available framing parameters, such as: Connections, Studs, Plates, Blocking, Cripple studs, Headers, Sills.

Rafter Framing

This extension enables the definition and generation of various types of “A” frame roof models.

Roof Trusses

This extension enables the definition of truss system for roof models.

You can define parameters for the following roof structural elements: Wall Plates, Ridge Trusses and Roof Ends.

This subscriber-only add-in may be downloaded from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website.