March 31, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Navisworks, Vasari, and Revit Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
4.1::Navisworks 101:
Introduction to Navisworks Manage
4.8::Ideate 101:
Getting Started with Vasari 
4.11::Ideate Software: Ideate BIMLink
Ideate BIMLink for Revit MEP Projects  
4.15::Revit 201:
Revit Design Options
4.17::Ideate Software: Ideate Explorer
Revit Auditing with Ideate Explorer
4.22::Ideate 101:
Network License Manager
4.29::Revit 201:
Getting Started with Daylighting Studies
Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

Get It. Know It. Use It.

Classroom Training - Open Revit and AutoCAD Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.
4.8-10::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.15-16::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics
4.15-17::San Jose
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
4.22-24::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.22-24::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals
 Know your software. Sign up now!

March 27, 2014

Inserting a Bing Map Image - AutoCAD 2015

At Ideate we have been hard at work, rummaging through all of the new software and highlighting the most important new features in the 2015 product line. Last year AutoCAD added a function that allowed you to add map images from Bing to your drawings. This year, that functionality has been enhanced and improved.

Geolocation Map Insert Basics


First, I’d like to review how this function works. On the insert tab of your ribbon, you can access the Set Location > From Map function.  



After you agree to the terms of service, the Geographic Location – Specify Location (Page 1 of 2) box will pop up. Choosing a location is now broken into two pages within the Geographic Location box, as seen below. First, indicate an address in the Specify Location box. After you search and drop a pin at the location, click the next button go to the Set Coordinate System box. In here, only relevant coordinate systems are shown. Also, added to the 2015 release is the ability to search for other coordinate systems.



Once a coordinate system is selected and the center point and north arrow is specified, you will be allowed to zoom in and out on your image.


New Features


In addtion to the location tools and image type options (Map Aerial, Roads, Hybrid, or off) on the Geographic Location tab, you can Capture an Area and Viewport for plotting purposes and to preserve the current map data. This embeds the map into the drawing and allows you to work offline. 



After creating your Captured Area or Viewport, a Map Image tab will appear when the boundary of the area or viewport is selected. This tab has additional editing features, including changing the image resolution, brightness, contrast and fade. Additionally the boundary area can be edited using grips or other AutoCAD commands. Lastly, to ensure that the image is up to date, you can update the image while you are online.



To recap the new additions to the Image Map function, below is a list of the improvements.

  1. The Geographic Location box is now broken into two boxes, the first being the location and the second being the coordinate system 
  2. The ability to search for a coordinate system
  3. The ability to capture and embed an area with a selection box or viewport to be accessed when offline
  4. The Map Image tab that has Image Resolution, Image Controls, and Reload Image options for the embedded area
  5. The ability to edit the embedded map area grip and boundary using common commands
Keep up with the new and improved features of Autodesk software by regularly checking this blog. Ideate’s technical team is dedicated to sifting through and illuminating new and improved features in the 2015 releases. Also check out this video to learn more about Geolocation Map Insert Basics.

Also, for information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com


Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2015 releases for Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Revit Architecture, AutoCAD and more: ideateinc.com/2015


Kate Ming, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Kate is an Application Specialist at Ideate, Inc. and is a Professional Engineer with 6 years of industry experience. At Ideate, Kate provides training, consulting and technical support services for our customers.


March 25, 2014

Ideate, Inc. Publishes Spotlight Success Study Featuring NBBJ Seattle and Ideate Software

SAN FRANCISCO, California – 03/25/2014 – Ideate, Inc., a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer and Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry with a special focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM), today announced the publication of its latest “Spotlight on” customer success profile featuring NBBJ Seattle and its use of Ideate Software.

NBBJ is a design practice of worldwide scope with locations in Beijing, Boston, Columbus, London, Los Angeles, New York, Pune, San Francisco, Seattle and Shanghai. The firm’s comprehensive, end-to-end services include architecture, environmental graphics, interior design, landscape architecture, lighting design, planning and urban design. Important projects in the US Pacific Northwest have included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, the Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center, Bellevue, Washington, and Amazon.com at Denny Triangle, Seattle, Washington.

The firm has been using Ideate Software, a comprehensive set of Autodesk Revit tools, to maximize its BIM advantage by improving information flow, facilitating collaboration and making the management of BIM data faster and easier. Richard Sachs, Project BIM Coordinator, NBBJ, Seattle, Washington says of Ideate Software, “I have been using both Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Explorer for Revit heavily.” He adds that without these advantages, “I would not be able to do my job as project BIM lead.”

The firm has used one Ideate Software solution, Ideate BIMLink, for the sequential labeling and scheduling of 9,000 curtain panels. The fact that the solution is automated and accurate via Microsoft Excel has saved the firm valuable time.

NBBJ has used a different Ideate Software solution, Ideate Explorer for Revit, to create selection sets for the panels. As Sachs explains, “Revit allows you to select all Instances by Type, but it’s more difficult to select all the Types of one Family; Ideate Explorer makes short work of it.” 

BIM project auditing is another Ideate Explorer for Revit use. With it, Sachs says, “I can easily find CAD imports that Revit gives you no easy way to find. I can select all the room separation lines and move them to the correct workset.”

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says, “Our customers are relying on our robust, resilient Revit tools to power them through their most complex, sophisticated BIM projects. We are delighted with the success of our Ideate Software customer, and gratified to learn of our role in making data management on a vast scale much easier for NBBJ.”

Ideate has published “Ideate Software Presents: Spotlight on NBBJ Seattle” online. Download the Customer Spotlight Success Study at http://ideatesoftware.com/ideatebimlink/success/

About Ideate, Inc.
Ideate, Inc. is a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer with 25+ years’ experience in software development and specific focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM). As an Autodesk solutions provider, Ideate has offered quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries since 1992. Headquartered in San Francisco, California and operating Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in California, Oregon and Washington, Ideate is recognized as an Autodesk Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk’s highest levels of authorization. 


Ideate Software is a comprehensive set of far-reaching BIM data management tools. Ideate BIMLink powers the “I” in BIM, allowing users to pull data from an Autodesk Revit file into Microsoft Excel for fast and precise editing, and push the data back into Revit with equal ease. Ideate Explorer for Revit lets users search, filter, quantify and select to easily manage the 100,000+ elements in a Revit model. Both solutions help Autodesk Revit users solve problems in AEC workflows and help the Revit community leverage BIM to its fullest advantage.

Autodesk, Autodesk Revit and ATC are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Microsoft Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.    
# # #

March 24, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Navisworks, Vasari, and Revit Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
3.25::Revit 201:
Revit Server
3.26::Ideate Software: Ideate BIMLink
Revit Project Management with Ideate BIMLink
4.1::Navisworks 101:
Introduction to Navisworks Manage
4.8::Ideate 101:
Getting Started with Vasari 
4.11::Ideate Software: Ideate BIMLink
Ideate BIMLink for Revit MEP Projects 
4.17::Ideate Software: Ideate Explorer
Revit Auditing with Ideate Explorer
4.22::Ideate 101:
Network License Manager
4.29::Revit 201:
Getting Started with Daylighting Studies
Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

Get It. Know It. Use It.

Classroom Training - Open Revit, AutoCAD and Civil 3D Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.
4.1-3::San Francisco
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals
4.8-10::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.8-10::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.8-10::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
4.15-16::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics
4.15-17::San Jose
Revit MEP Mechanical and Plumbing Fundamentals
4.22-24::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.22-24::San Jose
AutoCAD Fundamentals
 Know your software. Sign up now!

March 19, 2014

Syncing Settings Using Autodesk 360

A while ago, I wrote a blog post introducing the main uses of your Autodesk 360 account. Since then, while covering tech support at Ideate, Inc., I’ve gotten a lot of questions about migrating settings using your Autodesk 360 account. To avoid potential mishaps, I have outlined the very basics of syncing settings that you might not know, but need to. There are three main concepts that are necessary to understand to successfully use the sync settings option. 

Support path file naming must be consistent between the cloud and your local settings. 

What happens when you sync your software settings to Autodesk 360 is that a version of your support files will be saved to the cloud. When you sync a computer’s settings from the cloud, those files are replaced with the cloud’s files. For example, your acad.cuix file will be replaced with the cloud’s acad.cuix file. 

If the files do not have the same name, this will not work properly. For example, if you sync a custom cuix file named ideate.cuix to Autodesk 360, then on your home computer try to sync your settings to the settings from your Autodesk 360 account, you could run into a problem. In order to successfully sync your home computer with the file saved to Autodesk 360, the names must match. If you’ve tried this in the past, and syncing didn’t work properly, check the file paths and the file names of what you want to sync and make sure they are the same. 

You cannot migrate setting between different releases of software. 

Autodesk 360 cannot be used to migrate settings between different releases. So, if you are upgrading from 2013 to 2014, you cannot use Autodesk 360 to sync your settings from 2013 to 2014. 

Autodesk 360 does not differentiate when syncing settings between verticals (software built on top of AutoCAD) and AutoCAD. 

You need to be careful when going between different software verticals. For example, if you sync your cloud settings from AutoCAD, then sync your Civil 3D settings from the cloud, your Civil 3D workspace will disappear. This is because you have replaced your Civil 3D cuix file with the AutoCAD cuix file. The AutoCAD cuix file does not have the Civil 3D workspace. You can only sync settings between one vertical at a time. 

A list of what you can sync is in the dialog box below. 
Choose Which Settings Are Synced
So, if you’re considering using Autodesk 360 to sync your settings between different computers, keep these three things in mind: 
  1. File names and paths must be identical.
  2. Settings cannot be synchronized across different releases (ie. 2013 to 2014).
  3. Sync products one at a time when working with vertical applications. 
For information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com.

Get it. Know it. Use it.


Kate Ming, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Kate is an Application Specialist at Ideate, Inc. and is a Professional Engineer with 6 years of industry experience. At Ideate, Kate provides training, consulting and technical support services for our customers.


March 18, 2014

Expectation vs. Outcome

In today's consulting world, a lot of talk is made about setting expectations. "We have to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients". This phrase is discussed with the same certainty as looking out the window and seeing if it is raining or not. My experience with expectations, is that it is far more difficult; closer to deciding if it will rain during my vacation this summer.


"Expectation - a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future." 

Expectations require discussion, analysis, synthesis, and some push back to the client to properly "set the expectation". It is important to realize that one of the reasons the client uses consulting services is that they have a need (however undefined the need has been stated). Defining and clarifying that business 'need' is the key to setting expectations. The business need is what is the driving force for customers to reach out and look for consulting.

SETTING EXPECTATIONS

Some Strategies:
  • Proactive - If the client has to voice their expectations, you already have lost some credibility ground with the client.
  • Early - have the expectation discussion early. Don't believe that everyone understands, no matter how many times you have interacted with this client, I believe in setting expectations during pre-sale meetings (much to the account manager's dismay/objections).
  • Firm - don't agree to something your company cannot do or a time schedule that cannot be met. 
  • Decision Maker - your only true client is the person who writes the checks. Solving the decision maker's business issue(s) is the priority. 
  • Communicate - in writing where possible. This is hard for some to find time in this cell phone/texting world. If communication is done well, there is a start of a checklist to customer satisfaction. 

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

Now comes the harder part, meeting and exceeding expectations. I learned from Bob Palioca that by setting realistic expectations, exceeding expectations is an achievable and sustainable goal. His point is that if I promise 110% if what is achievable and I reach 99.9% of that goal, then my customer will be upset. However, if I promise 98% and deliver that same 99.9%, my customer will be delighted. (I met and exceeded the customer's expectations.)



"Anger always comes from frustrated expectations." -Elliot Larson

Like the last good dinner at a restaurant you had, what the clients desire is a predictable outcome at an agreed upon price. 



David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech 


Get it. Know it. Use it.


This post was originally published on David’s blog Connecting the [Data]… 

March 17, 2014

Classroom Training - Open Civil 3D and Revit Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.
3.18::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Families
3.25-27::San Jose
Civil 3D Fundamentals
3.25-27::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
3.25-27::San Francisco
Revit Structure Fundamentals
4.1-3::San Francisco
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals
4.8-10::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
4.8-10::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
 Know your software. Sign up now!

eLearning - Upcoming Revit & Navisworks Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
3.18::Revit 201:
Documenting Your Project in Revit MEP
3.25::Revit 201:
Revit Server
4.1::Navisworks 101:
Introduction to Navisworks Manage
Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

Get It. Know It. Use It.

March 12, 2014

Ideate, Inc. Publishes Spotlight Success Study Featuring CSI Global Services and Ideate Software

SAN FRANCISCO, California – 03/12/2014 – Ideate, Inc., a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer and Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry with a special focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM), today announced the publication of its latest “Spotlight on” customer success profile featuring CSI Global Services and its use of Ideate Software.

CSI Global Services Building Information Modeling (BIM) consultants, with main offices in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and Republic of Singapore, are available across multiple locations throughout the world for clients seeking best practice systems and processes for their AEC projects. Client services include Facility Management (FM) or Lifecycle BIM, BIM Management, Modeling Services, BIM Audit, Clash Detection Services and BIM Training. 

CSI Global Services teams incorporate Ideate Software, a far-reaching set of Autodesk Revit tools including Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Explorer for Revit, as integral components in the firm’s consulting practice. 

The CSI Global Services team has been using Ideate BIMLink to export multiple parameters into a Microsoft Excel format, and that in turn allows the entire project team to access model data for more efficient project management. The shared parameters enabled by Ideate BIMLink effectively ensure that the Revit model can become the focal point for the resolution of design and construction issues, and they also assist in aligning the project’s deliverables so that they may be used for facilities management. 

The team uses Ideate Explorer for Revit so they can diminish the need to manually select items in the model, and for filtering as well. 

Greg Gudgeon, Chief Executive Officer, CSI Global Services, sums up the relationship when he says, “Working with the Ideate Software team and their superior BIM tools has been essential to the success the CSI Global Services BIM subject matter experts have achieved as we drive the adoption of BIM across the world in our major hospital projects, road and rail infrastructure projects, and large resource projects. Without the support and solutions provided by the Ideate Software team, our projects would not be the success they are today.” 

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says, “We delight in knowing that our robust, resilient Revit tools are helping global BIM leaders such as CSI Global Services power through projects of vast scope and consequence. We are proud to contribute to their notable and well-deserved success.” 

Ideate has published “Ideate Software Presents: Spotlight on CSI Global Services” online. Download the Customer Spotlight Success Study at http://ideatesoftware.com/ideatebimlink/success/


About Ideate, Inc.
Ideate, Inc. is a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer with 25+ years’ experience in software development and specific focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM). As an Autodesk solutions provider, Ideate has offered quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries since 1992. Headquartered in San Francisco, California and operating Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in California, Oregon and Washington, Ideate is recognized as an Autodesk Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk’s highest levels of authorization. 


Ideate Software is a comprehensive set of far-reaching BIM data management tools. Ideate BIMLink powers the “I” in BIM, allowing users to pull data from an Autodesk Revit file into Microsoft Excel for fast and precise editing, and push the data back into Revit with equal ease. Ideate Explorer for Revit lets users search, filter, quantify and select to easily manage the 100,000+ elements in a Revit model. Both solutions help Autodesk Revit users solve problems in AEC workflows and help the Revit community leverage BIM to its fullest advantage.


Autodesk, Autodesk Revit and ATC are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Microsoft Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.   


# # #

March 10, 2014

Classroom Training - Open Revit and Civil 3D Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.
3.25-27::San Francisco
Revit Structure Fundamentals
3.25-27::San Jose
Civil 3D Fundamentals
3.25-27::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.8-10::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
4.15-16::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics
 Know your software. Sign up now!

March 4, 2014

3D Scanning Applications in BIM - Revit User Groups

3D Scanning Applications in BIM
This presentation will be and overview of the current applications of 3D scanning technology as it relates to as-built data collection, collaboration, and BIM processes.
Who Should Attend 
Anyone who works on the project team will benefit from the information including Superintendents, Project Engineers, Project Managers, Pre-Construction Professionals, VDC Managers, BIM Managers, etc. 

Lunch provided by Ideate.
11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Lunch & Networking
12:00 - 1:00: Presentation

Oakland: March 11th 2014 - 11:30am to 1:00pm 
AIA East Bay | 1405 Clay Street | Oakland, CA 94612 
Register Online  

San Francisco: March 12, 2014 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
AIA San Francisco | 130 Sutter St., Suite 600 | San Francisco, CA 94104  
Register Online 

Sacramento: March 18th 2014 - 11:30am to 1:00 pm 
AIA Central Valley | 1400 S Street, Suite 100 | Sacramento, CA 95814
Register Online

About the Presenter 
Jordan Banning leads the Construction Technology Department at CSDS Inc. He has extensive experience in Model-Based Layout as well as 3D Scanning and Data Processing. Jordan works on multiple projects on a daily basis across all disciplines, including healthcare, light commercial, heavy commercial, and civil applications. With a broad understanding of applications of 3D Technology in the Architecture, Engineering, and MEP trades, Jordan assists clients with implementation and integration within their respective trades. Jordan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Sacramento State University and is currently working on CDT Certification from the Construction Specifications Institute.