BIMiTs® DataLink Version 2017.20.4.18.0 Released

From the Autodesk App Store...

About This Version

Version 2017.20.4.18.0, 9/7/2016

NEW FEATURES

• Import changes to values of editable parameters in Excel back into the Revit model.
• Multiple Excel templates are supported for one model.
• Possibility to export/import your settings in order to implement DataLink easier into your corporation.
• Selection of your Revit elements based on selection of the elements in the Excel list.

*Bug fix: problems with material export

ENHANCEMENTS

• Improvement of the read/write process, which speeds up the extraction.

Description

With this plugin for Autodesk® Revit® 2017, you can extract your BIM data to a custom Excel template. Choose the categories and the family, project or shared parameters, from within the Revit interface, that need to be defined in your Excel template. The user has the possibility to customize the Excel workbook with own formulas, layouts, and map the Revit parameters with the custom fields in the workbook.

The data is exported separately for Category Instances and Category Types, Material Instances, Project Information, used in the model. This can be done for each category. This tool distinguishes oneself because of its possibility to dig up data that cannot be shown in Revit schedules (i.e. volumetric data on stair treads, risers, supports, compound structure of walls and floors,).

Case Study – HOK & RTV Xporter PRO

How to Save Hundreds of Hours by Automating the BIM Documentation Process

Courtesy of RTV Tools

What project managers need to know is that automating the BIM documentation process is going to save time and money, says HOK Design Technology Specialist, Shaun Peppers.

Scheduled to open in 2020, the new $1.8 billion, 1.7 million sqft, three-story Salt Lake City Airport terminal designed by HOK will accommodate 23 million passengers per year.  It is one of the largest construction projects in North America. Read Peppers's explanation on how HOK used RTV Tools in the Salt Lake City Terminal redevelopment to automate BIM.

Sharing all the documentation and data across the vast amount of offices involved is tricky, to say the least. Currently, the SLC project is exporting upward of 4700 virtual PDF prints weekly. We were also exporting 51 Navisworks NWC files from the Revit models twice-weekly for clash detection and daily AutoCAD exports for civil coordination.

In the early stages of design, printing was done manually across all disciplines. Documents could take weeks to get to everyone who needed the information by which time the models had progressed and so the data would become out of sync with the current design.

The larger models take half an hour to open, then an hour and a half to manually print 300 sheets. If you multiply that by ten people every week then you’re looking at thousands of hours over the project.

There was also no way to control the quality of the prints because we were getting different formats from different people. It was like the ‘telephone game' by the time it had filtered across everyone.

RTV Tools’ Xporter PRO is an add-on for Revit that automates documentation processes allowing users to schedule prints to two physical printers while simultaneously creating digital files such as DWG, DWF, PDF, IFC and Navisworks, all unattended.

" The data needed to be streamlined and up to date at all times to prevent log jams. "

What we were missing was a way to export and print data in an efficient way. After researching and looking at possibly developing a tool internally, we decided to try out RTV Tools’ Xporter. We worked with the developers at RTV Tools to resolve the issues we were facing and one by one we tackled software roadblocks.

What's Hot in Revit Add-ons for August 2016

August was a MONSTER month here on Revit Add-ons, as we received more than 60K pageviews in a month for the first time, topping off at 62,584! Consequently, a number of posts also put up big numbers. In fact, 19 of them had the kinds of numbers that I usually see in perhaps one or two monthly posts.

One of the challenging things about putting together these monthly "What's Hot" articles is deciding where to make the cut, that is: the cutoff between those posts that make it and those that don't. This month, that's surprisingly difficult to do because, with the exception of one, a bunch of posts were grouped relatively tightly together.

Excluding the 4 roundup-type posts (in gray), there were 15 posts that put up very respectable numbers. Of these, 66% were related to significant updates to popular add-ins, in order: 3D PDF Converter by 3DA Systems, View Filter Manager (these first two were a little surprising to me), Enscape, hsbTimberOnRevit, BOM to Excel, Dynamo, Unifi, ElumTools, BIM Batch Suite, and RTV Xporter PRO.

Of the 5 posts related to new add-ins, in no specific order, AutoTurn crushed it, our product review for BIMsmith, though it was the last post of the month, was a comer, IdeateApps put up healthy numbers, and the verbosely named Extract Selected Families Outside Model and the self-explanatory Sheet Renumbering add-ins rounded out the bunch.

All that being said, the cut has to be made somewhere, and I'm going to highlight the first 4 posts. The other 11 will receive honorable mentions. Great month though.

The following descriptions are those of the respective vendors.

AutoTurn for Revit

AutoTURN® for Autodesk® Revit® delivers an easy to use swept path analysis tool for Revit users, allowing engineers, architects and other design professionals to perform simple turning maneuvers under the Revit environment. Revit users have the AutoTURN intelligence, database and experience in turning capabilities and swept path analysis at their fingertips, enabling them to perform turning simulations and identify possible constraints or design limitations.

Read the full story about the AutoTurn for Revit here.

Introducing Off-Color Commentary with "Rusty Says..."

We're introducing a character here on Revit Add-ons named Rusty. Rusty will occasionally weigh in on posts with some off-color commentary. He's intended to be humorous, but sometimes might be a little snarky too.

As some of you may know, I took a rather unusual path to Revit. I started my career as a young drafter in the US Marine Corps. After my military service, I chose a career in civil engineering and became something of a MicroStation guru (gasp!). I even worked for a Bentley Systems reseller for a time. It was after that job that I decided I wanted to do something different, and moved into the architectural realm with the wonderful firm NBBJ as a Bentley Architecture technologist. And it was a few years after that that I embarked on my Revit journey. So yeah, my path has probably been... atypical.

I mention all this because it was a MicroStation-centric author who inspired Rusty, and I like to give credit where credit is due.

Keith Little wrote and published numerous MicroStation books under his Adage Books banner. They were among the best technical books I've read because they presented material in very engaging, and even humorous, ways. The books featured a character named Bubba who often opined prosaic in "Bubba Sez" sidebars, and this was the inspiration for Rusty. (This was like 20 years ago. It's funny what sticks.)

The first time I thought to introduce Rusty was when a vendor, to remain unnamed, introduced an add-in that was priced comparable to Revit itself. Fortunately, that vendor later dramatically reduced the price of its product.

Rusty's a cowboy owing to our popular roundups, and his red hair fits in nicely with our color scheme.

We intend to have some fun with Rusty, and hope he gives you a chuckle or two.

Check out Rusty's debut in this post about Kiwi Codes' Bonus Tools!

Roundup – For the Week of August 21, 2016, New and Updated Revit Add-ins on the Autodesk App Store

The week of August 21st saw the introduction of 4 new Revit-related add-ins on the Autodesk App Store: IdeateApps, a small suite of very useful tools, EnrColumnPro, a commercial version of the free EnrColumn add-in with added functionality, RVT 2 DWG, the 3rd in a series of standards compliance tools, and Batch Content Library Updater, for upgrading project, family and template files.

Numerous add-ins were also updated, including significant updates for Kiwi Codes' Bonus Tools and Autodesk's IFC 2017, among others.

NEW

IdeateApps Trial - 2017
IdeateApps is a set of Autodesk® Revit® -based tools designed to increase the productivity of the entire project team, helping to keep projects of all sizes and complexities on time and on budget | Trial

About This Version: Version 2017.0, 8/26/2016 – Product introduced in August 2016

EnrColumnPro
Create concrete columns automatically or by using template Reinforcement on existing concrete columns. Convert block CAD columns to Autodesk® Revit® columns. Create template columns | Trial
About This Version: Version 1.0.0, 8/25/2016 – Initial Release.

RVT 2 DWG (PWGSC Ontario)
Convert Autodesk® Revit® Sheets to Autodesk® AutoCAD® DWG files - Compatible with PWGSC Ontario CAD Standards (version 8.x) | USD 600.00
About This Version: Version 1.2014.800, 8/25/2016 – Initial release for the PWGSC Ontario CAD Standard.

Batch Content Library Updater
Bulk upgrades all projects, families, and templates in a folder and its subfolders | USD 20.00
About This Version: Version 1.0, 8/23/2016 – Initial release


UPDATED

Scope Box Purge
Quickly purges unused Scope Boxes from your Autodesk® Revit® project, but can also be used to get an overview of views and elements are using which Scope Box | Free
About This Version: Version 1.1, 8/26/2016 – Minor user-interface fixes.

Scope Box Reorder
Quickly reorders all or selected scope boxes in the project so the list in properties is ordered | Free
About This Version: Version 1.4, 8/26/2016 – Minor user-interface fixes.

Scope Box Synchronizer
Quickly imports and synchronizes Scope Boxes between different projects as well as reorders Scope Boxes in the project | Free
About This Version: Version 1.4, 8/26/2016 – Support for A360 Collaboration for Revit, minor user-interface fixes.

Sheet Manager
A set of tools for Autodesk® Revit® which save the views owned by a sheet. It also allows for applying those views to other sheets, and you can also work with Sheet templates | USD 7.99
About This Version: Version 1.0.6, 8/26/2016 – Updated for 2017.

Greenlee BendWorks®
This app optimizes electrical conduit modeling and splitting based on Greenlee benders. Output files may be loaded into programmable benders, or printed for traditional nonprogrammable benders | Trial

About This Version: Version 2.1.6, 8/24/2016 – Able to sort errors in "Conduit Check and Export" dialog box; Added more conduit compatibility checks

Bonus Tools
Bonus Tools contains 100+ apps and can help any practice save time. Download, test and experience time saving tools that allow you to focus on the important tasks at hand | Trial

About This Version: Version 20.16.08.05, 8/24/2016 – For release notes, see this post.

RVT 2 DWG (PWGSC Ontario)

From the Autodesk App Store...

The RVT 2 DWG Suite is a line of conversion utilities (which includes processes as well) that allows users to convert an Autodesk® Revit® Model to a standard Autodesk® AutoCAD® DWG file format. We use the Revit Export to CAD option that is built into Revit of course, but our conversion utilities much further and have been customized for different Federal and Provincial Government Dept. and for commercial clients usage as well.

Who needs it? Anyone using Revit to create AutoCAD drawing files that need to meet a specific DWG CAD Standard. It does not matter if you are the Architect, Structural, Mechanical or Electrical engineering or if you are an Interior Designer/Decorator. If you’ve committed to Revit because of its efficiency over AutoCAD (or other CAD platforms) for production drafting, then you need to finish it up by adding RVT 2 DWG. It will save you countless days of labor!

If you need to convert to DWG, but with a different company standard that is not listed below, give us a call, we would be happy to adjust our software to meet your requirements!

RVT 2 DWG is currently available in 4 different Standards, PWGSC Atlantic, PWGSC NCA, PWGSC Ontario and NS DTI (Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure).

How does it work? The conversion is a 3 step process. The first part of the process (before creating the model) is to learn how to use the pre-built Revit families (such as TitleBlocks, Elevation, Section and Detail Markers and other, all included as part of the conversion utility – specific to your standard) which will be compliant to the standard that you are trying to convert to. The second part makes use of the Revit Export to CAD conversion utility to map the Revit object to AutoCAD layers, as close as possible based on the standard you are trying to export to. However, as you know, Revit messes up the Text Styles, Dimensions Styles, layers and many other items. So there is a 3rd step. The third and final step is our conversion utility (which can be run in batch mode using ScriptPro) which takes the DWG file (created by Revit, using our template) and cleans up the messy DWG, in order for your DWG file to pass any QA check.

Autodesk IFC 2017 Add-in Version 17.2.0.0 Released

From the Autodesk App Store...

About This Version

Version 17.2.0.0, 8/23/2016

• General:
• Finished French localization.
• New Export Functionality:
• Use "Reference Level" as the base level of the element when exporting certain MEP components.
• Support export of mass density units.
• Export Bug Fixes:
• Export rooms and areas even if they have improperly closed internal boundaries.  Note that the IfcSpace created may then be missing expected interior holes.
• Fix error when exporting some 0 height walls when they have associated parts.
• Only associate a door or window with one opening, even if the door or window is inserted into multiple walls, as per the IFC standard.
• New Import Functionality:
• Add an API option that allows for always reading in bounding box information, even if the entity has a Body representation.
• Allow reading in curve information that's not contained in the Axis representation, to allow for wireframe import.
• Map IfcOutletType and IfcProtectiveDeviceType to Electrical Fixtures and Specialty Equipment, respectively.
• Improved support for IFC2x and IFC2x2 files.
• Support proper scaling of mass density units.
• Import Bug Fixes:
• Don't complain about missing IfcOwnerHistory for IFC4 files.
• Properly scale metric bounding boxes so that they are the correct size.
• Stop ignoring some IfcGroups (and IfcSystems) that weren't included in the structure as Revit previously expected.

Description

The IFC for Autodesk® Revit® 2017 contains up-to-date improvements on the default IFC import and export capabilities of Revit contributed by Autodesk and our Open Source contributors.

While this app is not necessary for IFC support, it is recommended that users that depend on the quality of their IFC files download this app and keep it up-to-date, as new enhancements and defect fixes are added, for more information on IFC, please visit the building SMART website ( http://buildingsmart.org) or the Revit wiki (http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2017/ENU/?guid=GUID-6708CFD6-0AD7-461F-ADE8-6527423EC895).

The free IFC 2017 add-in is brought to you by Autodesk.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Kiwi Codes' Bonus Tools Version 20.16.08.05 Released – Includes 101 Tools!

From the Autodesk App Store...

About This Version

Version 20.16.08.05, 8/24/2016

• 90 Copy View Templates - new - Copy one or more View Templates from one or more Linked files.
• 91 Advanced Sheet Duplication - new - Duplicate one or many Sheets from any File.
• 92 Copy Plan Region By Parameter - new - Bulk copy Plan Regions between Views by Parameter.
• 93 Grid Alignment By Parameter - new - Bulk align Grid 2D extents between Views by Parameter.
• 94 2D Element Usage - new - View the relationship between Views and 2D Family Elements items.
• 95 Family Standards - new - View the Family Standards.
• 96 Room Paint Bomb - new - Bulk Paint Walls by Room Material.

• 97 Room Paint Report - new - Report on Painted Walls, Floors, Ceilings and Roofs surrounding Rooms.
• 98 Find Painted Elements - new - Find all Painted Elements with a Project.
• 99 Copy Scope Box - Copy Scope Boxes between files.
• 100 Schedule Usage - View what Sheets a Schedule is placed on.
• 101 Select Title Blocks - Bulk change multiple Title Blocks.
• 21 Sheet Duplication - Improved speed with Schedules
• 22 Views to Sheets - Improved speed with Schedules
• 44 SheetEMup - Improved speed with Schedules
• All tools with Category Lists - Increased speeds on large projects.

Description

Bonus Tools contains a massive 100 apps that can help any practice save time.
This trial version is a full featured version of Kiwi Codes Bonus Tools that will last for 21 days after installation.

Please see here for a full list of tools: http://www.kiwicodes-support.com/Bonus_Tools_Home.

Bonus Tools is brought to you by Kiwi Codes. It's priced beginning at 35.00 USD.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Editor's Note: Want even more Bonus Tools goodness? The Kiwi Codes website also lists tools #102 through 106! Click here for information on these tools and all the others.

EnrColumnPro – Revit Add-ons Readers Save 50%!

Editor's Note: We received a message from the developer indicating that EnrColumnPro includes all the features of the free version, plus new features available only in the Pro version.

From the Autodesk App Store...

With this app, you can now create templates of concrete columns, including.

• Create concrete column by two points according to the template.
• Create concrete columns at any floor.
• Convert CAD columns to Autodesk® Revit® columns.
• Create template columns.

Your trial version will lasts for 3 days, with full features.

Please email Hardware ID (which is available inside application) to 'info@enrvision.com' to get the license file.

About This Version
Version 1.0.0, 8/25/2016
Initial Release.

The EnrColumnPro add-in is brought to you by ENRVision. It's priced at 40.00 USD. The developer is offering the add-in to Revit Add-ons readers at a discounted price of 50% off or 20.00 USD. To receive the discount, use this link.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Batch Content Library Updater

From the Autodesk App Store...

Bulk upgrades all projects, families, and templates in a folder and its subfolders. Simply select a folder, customize your selection with checkboxes, and click "Update." This tool opens each file in the current version of Autodesk® Revit®, which automatically updates them, saves the file, and closes it.

About This Version
Version 1.0, 8/23/2016
Initial release

The Batch Content Library Updater add-in is brought to you by Centek Software, LLC. It's priced at 20.00 USD.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

QuickPrint

From the Autodesk App Store...

The easiest and fastest way to print in Autodesk® Revit®. This easy to use app allows the user to print any amount of views, sheets or even schedules in just one click. The user may predefine the default settings such as the ìnstalled printer to be used and the Revit print set up from the previously saved list in the printer dialog.

The app features:

1. one-click printing,
2. one-click print set creation,
3. one-click to print schedules,
4. customize your own settings,
5. combine multiple files for PDF printouts,

You can add shortcuts to
Revit's quick access toolbar

Also create printing sets as quick as one click!

Select any views/sheets/schedules from the project browser and print!

Select your default settings

For more information please visit www.avatarbim.com

This is a trial version with a 30 day free use period.

About This Version
Version 1.0.0, 9/9/2016
Initial release.

QuickPrint is brought to you by AVATAR BIM. The price was not known at press time.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Related

Product Roundup – Add-ins from AVATAR BIM

Free End User Assistant Add-in

From the Autodesk App Store...

End User Assistant monitors and records an Autodesk® Revit® working session for other DZ Studio's add-ins.

Revision Cloud Monitor

Prompt user to type in correct information in "Comments" parameter.

Warning prompt when user skip writing in "Comments"
property after a cloud is being created

User Editing History

Record all the created/modified/deleted Revit elements by user, and store the records on each save/sync. [User Editing History] add-in can access and see all users' records stored in a file.

User history window

Main window

Performance impact viewer

About This Version
Version 1.0.0, 9/6/2016
Initial release.

The free End User Assistant is brought to you by DZ Studio.

There's more information available on the Autodesk App Store.

Avail for Revit – Initial Commercial Release Now Available!

Avail is a product we here at Revit Add-ons have been excited about for some time now because it features an agnostic approach to content management that feels fresh and new.

Avail made its public debut with the release of ArchVision's Detail Warehouse just about a year ago. Now Avail has been released with deep Revit integration for managing your assets.

What follows is the Avail for Revit product announcement from ArchVision. Soon to follow will be a product review of Avail, so keep an eye out for that here on Revit Add-ons!

From the product announcement...

AVAIL for Revit is now available!‏

New Product from ArchVision!



We’re pleased to announce that AVAIL is now available!  AVAIL is a new, one-of-a-kind content management solution for Revit and all of your visualization assets.

Register and download today!

Save On SpaceMouse Enterprise and SpaceMouse Enterprise Kit – Ends 9/30/16

Here on Revit Add-ons, we're fans of 3Dconnexion's input devices. In fact, in product reviews, we gave their SpaceMouse Pro and CadMouse each an A+.

Recently we posted about 3Dconnexion's new flagship product, the SpaceMouse Enterprise, and we can't wait to get our hands on one!

Also, we featured the CadMouse, SpaceMouse Pro and SpaceMouse Enterprise in our list of Essential Revit Add-ons because, when your off-hand goes from just mashing the <Escape> key to being a fully productive member of the team, it's transformational.

Now, for a limited time, 3Dconnexion is offering savings on the SpaceMouse Enterprise and on the SpaceMouse Enterprise Kit, which includes a SpaceMouse Enterprise, CadMouse, CadMouse Pad, and a twin-port USB hub.

From 3Dconnexion's promotional announcement...

Introductory offer expires September 30, 2016

Ultimate Two Handed Power
SpaceMouse Enterprise Kit

The SpaceMouse Enterprise Kit provides 3Dconnexion's most powerful products in an incredibly attractively priced package: SpaceMouse Enterprise, CadMouse, CadMouse Pad and a Twin-port USB Hub

Buy Now (free shipping)
After 09.30.16 $429
Now $399* (Excludes taxes)

Built for Performance
SpaceMouse® Enterprise

With SpaceMouse Enterprise, 3Dconnexion’s most advanced 3D mouse ever, you can instantly focus on the active task and experience an unprecedented real-time understanding of 3D engineering design.

Buy Now (free shipping)
After 09.30.16 $399
Now $359* (Excludes taxes)

Order via our online store or request a hands-on demo

Valid until September 30, 2016.

Roundup – For the Week of August 14, 2016, New and Updated Revit Add-ins on the Autodesk App Store

The week of 8/14/2016 didn't see any new Revit-related add-ins released on the Autodesk App Store. However, 15 add-ins were updated, including several from Autodesk and a few from SOFiSTiK, among others.

UPDATED

STL Exporter 2017
The STL Exporter is designed to produce a stereolithography file (STL) of your building model | Free
About This Version: Version 2017.0, 8/19/2016
STL Exporter for Autodesk® Revit® 2017

BIM Batch Suite
BIM Batch Suite provides tools that allow Autodesk® Revit® users to process workflows en masse, with a focus on importing and exporting data | Free
About This Version: Version 17.0.3, 8/19/2016 – For release notes, see this post.

BIM Batch Suite (Purchase)
BIM Batch Suite provides tools that allow Autodesk® Revit® users to process workflows en masse, with a focus on importing and exporting data | USD 324.00
About This Version: Version 17.0.3, 8/19/2016 – For release notes, see this post.

Fisa Family Browser 2017
Customizable Autodesk® Revit® families Browser that allows you to manage, find and insert your Revit families | USD 15.00/M
About This Version: Version 1.0.0, 8/19/2016 – First version.

Autodesk Site Designer Extension for Revit
Autodesk® Site Designer Extension for Autodesk® Revit® software provides site planning tools to shape the terrain for building sites within the Revit environment | Free
About This Version: Version 2016.3.0.0, 8/18/2016 – Updated version.

BOM to Excel - Reports, Tables, Quantities
Create custom BOM tables from Revit schedules. Export to Excel for professional client reporting, design documentation, QC or analysis. Instant quantities for estimating and take offs for parameters | USD 25.00/M

About This Version: Version 2.0.1, 8/18/2016 – Upgrade to work on multiple projects simultaneously

Autodesk® Seek
Autodesk® Seek enables designers to access high quality BIM files, drawings and product information for over 68,000 products, representing over 400 manufacturers, from inside Autodesk® Revit® | Subscription App
About This Version: Version 1.02, 8/18/2016 – This version includes fixes of some critical defects.

SOFiSTiK BiMTOOLS 2016
SOFiSTiK BiMTOOLS are a set of free tools for Autodesk® Revit® Structure which enhances the productivity for elaborations of views up to 50% | Free
About This Version: Version 2.0.0, 8/17/2016 – Update Release 2016-2.0

SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Generation 2017
SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Generation generates a 3D rebar model from computed analysis and design results in the Autodesk® Revit® Structure environment | USD 280.00/M
About This Version: Version 2017-1.0, 8/17/2016 – Release 2017-1.0

FDN - Find Double Nodes
FDN is an effective utility to find nodes in your analytical model that are too close to each other but not connected | Trial
About This Version: Version 1.0.6061, 8/17/2016 – Windows 10 compatibility update