Showing posts with label ACA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACA. Show all posts

November 4, 2011

BIM, CAD, Revit and Commerical Interior Design

Many argue that BIM requires all work be done in a BIM authoring tool, like Revit. BIM does not exclude the incorporation of legacy data that exists world wide. In fact, for BIM to evolve the AEC industry it has to accomodate decades of hand drawn and CAD produced documentation. Does this information have the ability to contain and share the same volume of information and capability that a Revit model does? Absolutely not, however, legacy data provides valuable historical and as-built records that are useful for informing the design team while they create and/or re-create all or part of a project in Revit.

I suggest that there is far more renovation, remodel and addition work and less new construction. There is far more built environment than under construction. BIM is well positioned for new design, construction and operations where as much of interior design works in previously occupied space. Most of that space was not designed using BIM in its modern context. It only makes sense that to use Revit for commerical interior design, a designer must consider leveraging existing electronic files as part of the design or to build on top of. Until BIM is fully adopted in the AEC industry and all existing space and architecture is recreated using BIM authoring tools, it is logical to use CAD files as part of a BIM workflow.

Most fees do not have the capacity to re-model an entire facility or space for a renovation project. When the technology advances to streamline the 3D laser scanning to Revit model workflow and reduce the cost, then designers will opt for this path. So, for the near future, leverage scans of hand drawn drawings or CAD files in your Revit project to leverage the best of both worlds and available legacy information.

November 2, 2011

Network license file - parser

Did you know there is a nice way to read your license file?


Autodesk License Parser - shows your license file in an easy to read report. This report will contain the full name of the licensed product, the serial number along with the number of seats. It will also show you the date the serial number was issued.

Revit? Why, when I have AutoCAD?

I loved drafting as a kid. Give me my T-square, triangle, and french curve. Drawing a perspective view was SO COOL!



I learned AutoCAD in 1987 and it was AutoCAD v2.6; what a cool program! I then used AutoCAD R9 when I graduated; loved it! Kept moving forward with AutoCAD R14; did everything I needed it to do. I customized AutoCAD like crazy. Why because I could and my users loved it. In 2000 I saw a program called Revit. It did 3D and was cool. Tried it on a project and it just didn't work for us. Revit could never replace my AutoCAD and the way I customized it for my users. I refused to consider Revit because AutoCAD did EVERYTHING I needed it to do. Then came AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and then AutoCAD Architecture; cumbersome but wow it had some nice features; I still don't need Revit, I now had ACA. Then I was forced to use Revit. Really? Are you kidding? AutoCAD does EVERYTHING I need it to do! So I went to Revit Architecture training.



Revit Training Day 1: I was convinced Revit is a toy and I can still work faster in AutoCAD.



Revit Training Day 2: hmmm.... This program seems to have it's advantage. My elevations, sections, and schedules are partially done. How'd that happen? Wait my schedules are done? My schedules are done! Hey, wait, what? MY SCHEDULES ARE DONE! Oh, no. I have to make a design change. Now what? Make the change and my plans, elevations, sections, and schedules are updated. I can't do that in AutoCAD! Well I can if I setup ACA Project Navigator with my constructs and elements and train my users what they are. What is a construct? Isn't it obvious? Nope. What is a Revit wall, a door, a window? I know what those are.



Revit Training Day 3: I setup my sheets. Drag my plans, elevations, sections, details on to sheets and all my section tags, elevations tags, callout tags are filled in for me! Wait, that means less time setting up CDs and more time spent designing! Should I continue to use AutoCAD or use Revit?



Should I ride my bike to work or drive my car? I think I'll drive my car.


Mark Petrucci