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Tuesday, October 25, 2022

This Is the End My Friends

It is with a heavy heart that I write today to inform you that this is the end of Revit Add-ons as a going concern. Why you may ask. I took over this site a little over a year ago as a side hustle reliant upon ad revenue. Come ad renewal time last December, we lost approximately 80% of our advertisers. Why that was likely varies. In some cases, marketing focuses simply shifted. In others, new marketing managers with different priorities were in place. Some may have even skipped renewal owing to the relationships they had with my predecessor, founding editor Tim Grimm. These relationships can sometimes take years to build, and be just as time-consuming to rekindle.

In any event, at our current ad revenue level, it simply does not make monetary sense for me to continue the site as a side-hustle. Put simply, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

Tim's still working for Bentley Systems so it's a no-go for him too.

So that, as they say, is that. The site will remain up, and it's apropos that our most steadfast paid advertisers, Bird ToolsRevit WorksRevolution Design, and RTV Tools, along with a few others that offer just freebies, will have their ads remain on the site in perpetuity.

Goodbye friends. Drop me a line if you feel like it.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Free Worksets Management

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Worksets Management is a free plugin for Autodesk® Revit® developed to streamline various worksets related activities. This application contains 6 useful tools to boost daily productivity, and ensure project requirements compliance and data consistency.

1. Create:

  • create all or selected worksets based on the provided list in a text file
  • validate whether worksets listed in the text file are currently in the model

2. Rename:

  • worksets rename based on new name column value

3. Grids/Levels:

  • assign selected grids and/or levels to the selected target workset
  • assign all grids and levels to the default "Shared Levels and Grids" workset

4. Revit/CAD:

  • assign selected linked Revit and/or linked/imported CAD to the selected target workset
  • create and assign a new workset for selected linked Revit and/or linked/imported CAD

5. 3D:

  • create the combined 3D view for selected worksets
  • create a single 3D view for each of the selected worksets

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Instance Locator: Map AutoCAD Blocks to Revit Families

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

With this application, you can increase your modeling speed when creating BIM based on DWG information. Just import DWG links and Instance Locator will allow you to map every type of block with  Autodesk® Revit® family type. You can place elements on walls, ceilings and floors.

You can refer to elements on the file or on Revit links. Choose to orient them up, down or laterally to the wall. Also you can place the instances at a fixed height with or without reference element.


Monday, May 16, 2022

Free Power Automate from Autodesk: Connect Design Data to Microsoft Power Automate Automated Workflows

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

With Microsoft Power Automate, anyone can build automated business processes between hundreds of apps to boost their productivity. Now, by using Autodesk® Data Exchange Connector for Power Automate, you can also connect design data to your automated flows.

Through Data Exchanges, you and your collaborators can share and use subsets of design and make data in your app of choice. Automatically receive notifications in Slack or Microsoft Teams when updates to your exchange occur, create costing spreadsheets based on specific Autodesk® Revit® categories, or generate insightful PowerBI dashboards that include only the information you want to share – all in Power Automate, via the Data Exchange Connector. Start connecting your design data today by exploring our pre-defined workflow templates on the Power Automate platform.

Currently available for Revit data through the Autodesk Construction Cloud®.

Connect and visualize your design data in apps
such as PowerBI in your flow

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Free Webinar April 29: New TestFit Add-in for Revit

From the announcement:

Topic

TestFit Addin for Revit

Description

Join us for our webinar featuring the brand-new Revit add-in for TestFit clients. Moving beyond our Dynamo scripts, the TestFit Addin for Revit will allow users to easily create a Revit model from TestFit, handle Interior Fitouts and export kits-of-parts to TestFit.

Take advantage of TestFit for quick and fast feasibility studies, and avoid data drop by bringing it straight in to Revit for detailed documentation.

Time

Apr 29, 2022 12:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register for the webinar here »

Free Speckle: Open Source Data Platform

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Speckle is a platform with endless possibilities, organizations all over the world rely on our collaboration, interoperability and automation systems to deliver better buildings, faster.

Speckle is made of multiple parts, the main ones being the Web App and the Desktop Connectors.

This package includes a simple installer and manager for our Desktop Connectors.

Our Desktop Connectors are plugins for some of the most popular AEC software, including: 

  • Autodesk® Revit®
  • Autodesk® AutoCAD®
  • Autodesk® Civil 3D®
  • Dynamo
  • McNeel Rhinoceros
  • Grasshopper
  • Unity
  • Unreal Engine
  • Blender
  • Excel
  • QGIS
  • PowerBi
  • Tekla
  • ETABS
  • ArchiCAD
  • SketchUp
  • ...with more on the way soon!

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Formwork: Calculate Formwork Area

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Formwork Area is a plugin for Autodesk® Revit® that allows users to calculate the formwork area. This plugin allows the user to customize which face of the formwork to show up and also works with link models.

Main features:

  • Calculate formwork area.
  • Render formwork.

demo

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

hsbCLT: Detail Cross-Laminated Timber Projects

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

hsbCLT for Autodesk® Revit® works with native Revit® objects, seamlessly transitioning from architectural design to fabrication. It enhances the hsbDesign platform to detail cross-laminated timber (CLT) projects. It is a toolset of lamella layers connected to form high-density wall, floor, and roof panels, matched with tools to complete the design and production in CLT construction. Flexibility to define detailed panel styles, varying surface qualities, coupled together in a library with predefined grain directions aligned to spans of panels, can connect walls to floors to roofs. In addition, defining openings in walls can be filled with windows and doors automatically detailed to the manufacturing criteria. 

Standard connections like lap joints and joint boards are easily adaptable and supported by industry leaders and customizable electrical installations and HVAC configurations. In addition, the finalized outputs include detailed BIM production documents - compatible automated dimensioned layouts, material lists, and site assembly documents.

hsbCLT enhances the intelligence of Revit® built-in elements, making your models even smarter. Furthermore, through continuous integration with the latest production methods, hsbcad ensures limitless users' design, extending BIM possibilities with complementary hsbcad tools.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Free Export Schedule

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Adds the ability to export a schedule to an Excel file. Unlike the current export via a text format the app can respect font styles, column widths, merged column headers and background colors. 



Friday, April 15, 2022

Free Knauf Planner Suite: Insert Knauf Products & Systems Based on Simple Questions

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Knauf Planner Suite is your productivity tool for BIM planning. With its seamlessly connected product search, data validation, and tendering functions within one BIM plug-in it offers you an integrated solution that supports you at all stages of your planning journey.

The right product at hand 

The Plug-In allows you to find and insert Knauf products and systems directly within Autodesk® Revit®. Based on simple questions, it gives you an overview of systems that match your requirements. Furthermore, factors, such as regional availability, are considered to make sure that all recommendations are relevant for your project location – which is especially useful for cross-border projects. At the click of a button, BIM objects of your selected systems will be inserted into your BIM model including all relevant specifications.

Always up to date

Of course, BIM objects in the Plug-In are based on the most current data. To ensure this remains true for products you inserted into Revit in the past, the Plug-In features a data validation function. With this function you can easily check the accuracy of all Knauf systems in your model. Any objects with updated information can then be brought to the most current version at the click of a button.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Naviate Accelerate: A Productivity Suite of 50+ Tools

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

The core in Naviate for Autodesk® Revit®

In Naviate Accelerate you will find all the common specifications and features for your Naviate for Revit. With your chosen discipline on top, you will have access to the Naviate best suited for your work tasks and project planning. 

The common ground in the industry

Naviate Accelerate contains all the features found across the AEC industries, from collaboration, productivity and documentation. With best-practice workflows and task management like Family Browser, Filter Elements, Sheet Manager, and Edit Parameters to mention a few.

Filter Elements

Filter any object based on type or instance parameter value from the entire project. You can combine filters and save them for reuse. If it's in Revit you can filter it.

Filter any object based on type or instance parameter value from the entire project.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

homeAR Connect

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

The homeAR platform is purpose-built to display home designs in Augmented Reality with just a phone or iPad. The homeAR mobile app allows you to deliver designs in full-scale AR in the real world or in dolls house scale AR, providing an impactiful and informative way to present to clients.

homeAR connect provides a direct export from Autodesk® Revit® to the homeAR web portal where your models are optimized for AR and then published in the homeAR mobile apps

homeAR Connect features

  • Export existing models from Revit to homeAR
  • Requires a homeAR account

homeAR features

  • Full Scale Augmented Reality view
  • Dolls House Augmented Reality view
  • Multi-user viewing (for viewing models on multiple devices simultaneously)
  • Simple positioning tools
  • Sharing and publishing tools (including QR codes)
  • Webview (for browser viewing)


AGACAD Easter Sale: Save 50% Off Each Second License

From the announcement:

For a limited time, get 50% OFF on every 2nd license for annual subscriptions.

Why do you need to act now? Because time is money. The earlier you take advantage, the more you save. With AGACAD add-ins for Revit, you can:

  • save time creating 3D models and project documentation in Revit 
  • cut costs due to errors & minimize waste of materials
  • increase the sustainability of projects


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

A Blog Post on Using AGACAD's Smart Browser, Plus a Free Webinar on April 14

From the AGACAD website:

April 12, 2022 Aleksandras Šeža

Make auditing your BIM data, Revit family browsing and management look easy

Having consulted Revit users from all over the world who work in lots of different types of design companies, I can say that Revit users generally face similar challenges in working with Revit families and managing projects and have needs like these:

Working with Revit families

  • A quick and easy way to modify multiple families from different locations in one go;
  • to see in one window all the changes to be applied to the families, from the addition of a new Type to a formula change inside a given parameter;
  • to check every parameter of owned families and see if there are any duplicates or typos in naming;
  • to standardize the parameter scheme in families.

Monday, April 11, 2022

NavVis IVION

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

NavVis provides an all-in-one reality capture solution that captures and visualizes indoor environments during the construction and operational phases. With NavVis IVION add-in for Revit, NavVis users can now improve BIM workflows by connecting Revit models to 360° immersive imagery and point clouds that display the current state of the building. With this add-in, users can:

  • Create BIM models faster
  • Compare as-built with as-is
  • Spot differences visually
  • Verify measurements remotely
  • Collaborate with stakeholders online


Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Easy Openings

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Create openings in Walls, Slabs, Beams, Columns, Ceilings or Ceilings, to create passes for elements such as DUCTS, PIPES, TRAYS or CONDUITS, or even for families.

You can select the elements manually or in an automated bulk, reading CLASH REPORT from the Autodesk® Revit® or reading imported data from Autodesk® Navisworks®.

Also, you can tag the passes created manually or automatically in the view where you are.

Finally, you can create a detailed report with all the information of the openings created manually or automatically.

EASY OPENINGS is what you were looking for for your project.


Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Free Annotation Tag Controller

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

Do you feel bored whenever you try to change the tag, dimension, or text notes size? Then this plug-in will help you.

For independent tags, you can't dynamically change text properties in a project. You can make a tag that has different visibility controls for different text boxes, and then make different types in the project that you can switch between. However, it will take a long time and be very complicated if you want to change the tag in multiple sizes and multiple views.

This add-in will help you do the changes super fast with just a few clicks. In addition, you can choose which tags will be changed.

For dimensions and text notes, only with one click and you will see the magic. Now, you do not need to change its size manually!


Monday, March 21, 2022

Shadow Colour

From the Autodesk App Store:

Description

AgileForm Shadow Colour for Autodesk® Revit® allows you to test the impact of shadows cast by the proposed development and generate quick shadow studies images, fundamental to the municipal approvals process.

With AgileForm Shadow Colour, you can select a different colour for each element's casted shadow, which can be a Revit mass, linked CAD or any Revit component.

Main Features: 

  • Organize elements by layers. for example, proposed development, approval, city context, AOR etc. 
  • Get an instant preview of your study in a simple interface.
  • Create an outline for shadows.
  • Assign a different colour for shadows that are cast within a selected site.
  • Generate shadow study images, export or place them onto a sheet.


Saturday, March 19, 2022

Free Webinar April 14: The Faster Way to Modify Revit Families & Projects, with AGACAD's Smart Browser

From the AGACAD website:

The faster way to modify Revit families & projects [WEBINAR]

Keeping up with numerous Revit families is time-consuming work, especially in large libraries and projects. Even more so when you need to fill in information that comes from some external file, such as Excel.

Enter AGACAD’s Smart Browser BIM solution for Revit. It gives BIM managers, architects, and engineers full control of families and saves time on all modification tasks.

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Free BIMxt Network Discussion March 17: "Revit and Quality Control" Including IconicBIM and Guardian

From the registration website:

Topic

BIMxt Network - March 2022

Description

Join us on March 17th at 1PM ET for our next BIMxt Network discussion on "Revit and Quality Control". We will be joined by Heather Worrell, RATIO and Parley Burnett, iconicBIM.

Be sure to reserve your spot by registering. We look forward to seeing you there!

What is the BIMxt Network?

The BIMxt Network brings together experts and practitioners using building models to discuss pertinent issues of the day. This is a fun, lively and interactive networking event that connects experts, fosters an online community of peers, and provides somewhat of a therapy session for modeling professionals.

Time

Mar 17, 2022 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register for the webinar here »

Monday, March 7, 2022

46 Dynamo Scripts from Dynamo Step by Step Scripts

From the Dynamo Scripts website:

For €30.00, you can access the following Dynamo scripts:

  1. Automatically place Room Tags
  2. Rectangular Duct Weight Part
  3. Manipulate with Revisions
  4. Elements location in the building
  5. Place Legend on the multiple Sheets
  6. Create sheets from the Excel file
  7. Enhance Tag All
  8. Smart usage of the Filled Region
  9. Intersects Tags
  10. Detect and schedule element by level
  11. Pipe supports
  12. Align elements on the ceilings
  13. Compare the models inside the Revit
  14. Cut ceilings and walls
  15. Show a critical path
  16. Create a custom duct fitting
  17. Automatic dimensions (center to center)
  18. Automatic dimensions (side to side)
  19. Pipe isometric view
  20. Automatically create aligned tags
  21. Autodesk CFD – Subtract the volume
  22. Schedule to show only elements visible on the sheet
  23. Legends and schedules list to Excel
  24. Improved AutoDimension
  25. Connect devices
  26. The number of bricks
  27. AutoCAD drawing to Pipes, Ducts or Cable Trays
  28. Enhance Tag All – Simplified
  29. Duct insulation
  30. Wall openings for MEP installations
  31. Automatically read coordinates for the legend
  32. Connect devices R1
  33. Multiple pipes hanger
  34. AutoCAD drawing to equipment
  35. Conduit fitting bend radius
  36. Family name to a family instance
  37. Cable tray clearance
  38. Add pipe insulation by pipe size
  39. To the Excel and back
  40. Cable Tray divider
  41. Find duplicate tags
  42. Create tiles
  43. Add pipe insulation by pipe size R2
  44. Installation length calculator
  45. Wall openings R2022
  46. Schedule with elements visible on the sheet R2022
For blog posts about each script, as well as other information, go to the Dynamo Scripts website »

13 Dynamo Scripts from Revit Dynamo

From the Revit Dynamo website:

Editor's Note: Although a few of the following Dynamo scripts are free, this is the first example we've seen of someone trying to monetize Dynamo scripts.


Assign a Material for Multiple Families

from $5.00

Sunday, March 6, 2022

14 Free Dynamo Scripts from Dynamo Now

From the Dynamo Now website:

The website offers quite a bit of information on Dynamo, including the following free scripts:

  • Upgrade all models in a folder
  • Importing from Excel
  • Export to Excel
  • Get Scope Boxes Name, ID & Workset
  • Create a 3D View of Each Workset
  • Get Current Selection in Revit
  • Get Parameter By Name
  • Align Views on Sheet
  • Find Elements by ID
  • Create Revit Materials with an Excel Sheet
  • Delete Line Styles By Name
  • Delete Dimensions by Index
  • Delete Unused View Filters
  • CAD Find & Delete
Download the scripts here »

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Free Dynamo Scripts for Rebar in Revit from AGACAD

From the AGACAD website:

Available scripts:

  • Diagonal rebar around wall openings and wall perimeter 
  • Edge reinforcement around wall openings and wall perimeter 
  • U/O stirrup rebar around wall openings and wall perimeter
  • Vertical and horizontal rebar meshes for walls


Download here »

7 Free Dynamo Scripts from Measured Survey Pro

The Measured Survey Pro website has 7 Dynamo scripts available for free download:

  1. Warm Floor
  2. Footpath
  3. Visibility polygon
  4. Dome
  5. Offset algorithm
  6. Random stones
  7. Elements sorting Algorithm
Download the free scripts here »