November 25, 2014

Ideate, Inc. Publishes Ideate Software Presents: Spotlight on Aperte Design

San Francisco, CA, 11/25/2014–Ideate, Inc., a multi-decade veteran Autodesk Developer Network member and Autodesk Gold Value Added Reseller today announced the publication of its latest “Spotlight on” customer success profile featuring Aperte Design and its use of Ideate Software. Of specific focus is the firm’s use of Ideate BIMLink. 

Ideate Software is a set of far-reaching Building Information Modeling (BIM) data management tools that help the Revit community clean up models, delete problem items, analyze files quickly, improve speed and accuracy in data flow, increase collaboration and overcome repeated workflow interruptions. 

San Francisco, California-based Aperte Design, headed by Revit Specialist BIM consultant Nancy McClure, CSBA, LEED AP, works with multiple design teams to define workflow processes that leverage software tools to streamline tasks, which in turn allows teams to spend more time focusing on their designs. On projects ranging from government research labs to grand scale transit-oriented housing developments, McClure integrates Ideate BIMLink into many workflow processes, from early stage Programming through to documentation data management. 

McClure notes that with the help of Ideate BIMLink, she is shifting teams away from isolated design tasks to workflow methods that leverage data more globally. She explains, “Ideate BIMLink breaks down key category barriers in Revit, allowing project data to be broadly referenced without duplication and risk of error.” 

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says about the shift away from tedious, error-prone data entry toward higher value design tasks, “It is a source of great delight to know our Revit-based solutions are helping our customers continually improve and enhance their Revit workflows. “ 

Ideate has published “Ideate Software Presents: Spotlight on Aperte Design” online. Download the Customer Spotlight Success Study.

Ideate BIMLink carries a five star rating on the Autodesk Exchange Apps Store, and is available with a non-commercial free trial. For more information, call 888.662.7238, or contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.

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. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

This post was originally published on the Ideate Software Blog.

# # #

November 24, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Ideate Software, Revit, and Infrastructure Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
11.25::Ideate Software:
Ideate BIMLink
for Revit MEP Projects
11.26::Revit 201:
Coordinating Revit Architectural Mode for Consultants
12.4::Revit 201:
Roofs in Revit Architecture
12.5::Infrastructure 201:
Section Sheets - Code Set Styles


12.9::
Ideate Software
:
Revit Project Management with Ideate BIMLink
12.11::Revit 201:
Revit MEP and Low Voltage Systems
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 Architecture, AutoCAD, and AutoCAD 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.
12.2-12.4::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
12.2-12.4::Sacramento
AutoCAD Fundamentals
12.8-12.10::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
12.9-12.11::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

12.11-12.12
::San Francisco

AutoCAD Beyond the Basics

12.16-12.18::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
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November 18, 2014

Ideate Software Reception at Autodesk University 2014


Register For the Reception Here! 

Customer Appreciation Reception:
As an Ideate customer, you are invited to attend our Ideate Software user group meeting and customer appreciation event during AU 2014.

Please join us for a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception the evening of Tuesday December 2nd, at the beautiful Aureole Las Vegas in the Mandalay Bay Resort. We look forward to spending the evening celebrating a great and productive 2014, with plenty of BIM chat as well. 


Tuesday, December 2nd 2014 
8:00pm-10:00pm 

Aureole Las Vegas (map) 
Mandalay Bay Resort 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South 
Las Vegas, NV 89119 

Come See Ideate Software Booth at Autodesk University 2014: 
Thank you for your continued support of Ideate Software. We look forward to seeing you at AU in December. Join us at booth 164 to check out the new developments with Ideate Software and how it can enhance your Revit workflow. 

Event: Autodesk University (AU) 2014 
Where: Booth 164, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada 
When: December 2–4, 2014 

For more information: View the full invitation. Register here. 

Ideate Software keeps you on the leading edge of BIM.

This post was originally published on the Ideate Software Blog.

Going from the Field into Revit via Ideate BIMLink

Many Ideate BIMLink customers are leveraging coordinate data in new and exciting ways. In an earlier blog post we wrote about taking Revit data from the BIM and into the field and now, with the newest version of Ideate BIMLink (for both 2014 and 2015), we have added the ability to go from the field and into the Revit model. This means that the surveyor can go out and locate the actual spots for footings, columns, etc., and import that via Ideate BIMLink to update the model information to match the as-built surveyed data. 

‘Out-of-the-box’ content to support going between the field and the Revit model with coordinate data.
The “Generic_Model-Survey_Pts” link is just one of the out-of the box samples that ships with Ideate BIMLink and can be found within the Construction Links folder as shown. This link supports a workflow which exploits the new ability within Ideate BIMLink to relocate Generic Model and Mass elements by directly editing the XYZ values. 

Use Ideate BIMLink to edit the XYZ values of Generic Model instances to locate survey points within your Revit model:


Work-plane based Generic Model elements have editable XYZ values.
This process is documented within the online help topic. Let us know what you think AND also how else you’ll be leveraging your Building Information Model data with this new functionality! 

This post was originally published on the Ideate Software Blog.

About the Author

Glynnis Patterson, NCARB – Director of Software Development Glynnis is a Registered Architect and has worked within the BIM industry since 1998. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, she has worked as an architect, educator and construction site manager. Glynnis is currently the Director of Software Development Services at Ideate, Inc. and continues to work with AEC clients worldwide, developing, and consulting on solutions to Building Information Modeling challenges. In her spare time Glynnis does volunteer work for eclcofnj.org and growitgreenmorristown.org. @GVPinNJ

November 17, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Revit, Infrastructure, and Ideate Software Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
11.18::Revit 201:
Site Tools

11.24::Infrastructure 201:
Object & Label Styles
11.25::Ideate Software:
Ideate BIMLink
for Revit MEP Projects
11.26::Revit 201:
Coordinating Revit Architectural Mode for Consultants
12.4::Revit 201:
Roofs in Revit Architecture
12.5::Infrastructure 201:
Section Sheets - Code Set Styles


12.9::
Ideate Software
:
Revit Project Managment with Ideate BIMLink
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.
12.2-12.4::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
12.2-12.4::Sacramento
AutoCAD Fundamentals
12.8-12.10::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
12.9-12.11::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

12.11-12.12
::San Francisco

AutoCAD Beyond the Basics
Know your software. Sign up now!

November 12, 2014

A B C D Elevation Marks in Revit

Add text into the interior elevation marks to display a consistent view designation letter on every orientation.
Sometimes, there is a need to dummify Revit to override the default behavior in order to achieve certain tasks. In the case of Interior Elevations, the Mark Arrowheads are hardcoded to report a unique designation in line. Revit cannot have redundant detail numbers in sheets. However, we can cheat Revit by adding text into the Interior Elevation Pointer family that displays a consistent view designation to every interior elevation orientation. We would need to customize the Viewport and create a dummy view title using a Generic Annotation to aggregate multiple elevations into a single Title. Learn the workaround as well as the pros and cons of this method in the video tutorial.


Cesar Escalante, AIA, LEED AP, CCCA
AEC Solutions Application Specialist

Cesar has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Central America in El Salvador, a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas, and is a CCCA (Certified Construction Contract Administrator). His experience includes roles as Project Manager and Project Captain at architecture firms in Oakland, California. As a member of the Ideate Tech Expert team, Cesar teaches Revit Architecture Fundamentals and provides client support and consulting. Cesar’s interest in the built environment includes his work as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

Get it. Know it. Use it.





November 10, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Revit, Infrastructure and Ideate Software Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
11.12::Ideate Software:
Revit Auditing with Ideate Explorer for Revit

11.13::Revit 201:
Stairs and Railings in Revit
11.14::Revit 201:
Revit Import into 3ds Max Design

11.18::Revit 201:
Site Tools
11.24::Infrastructure 201:
Object & Label styles
11.25::Revit 201:
Ideate BIMLink for Revit MEP Projects
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 AutoCAD 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.
11.18-11.19::Portland
Revit MEP - Electrical Fundamentals
11.18-11.19::San Jose
AutoCAD Beyond the Basics
12.2-12.4::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
12.8-12.10::San Francisco
Civil 3D Fundamentals
12.9-12.11::Sacramento
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
Know your software. Sign up now!

November 6, 2014

Added Features and Performance Improvements in Ideate BIMLink for Revit 2015 & 2014

Ideate, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of Ideate BIMLink 2015.1 and Ideate BIMLink 2014.4. These Ideate Software solutions bring an array of enhanced features (video) customers have requested and are designed to work with Autodesk Revit 2015 and 2014 respectively. 
RECENT ENHANCEMENTS: 
Customers have asked and we have listened. This version contains often-requested enhancements: 
  • Get only the data you need with extensive filtering 
  • Make light work of comprehensive take-offs with support for linked Revit files
  • Enhance QC with newly editable properties. Just a sampling: Workset, Scope Box, and Phase 
  • Go BIM»field or field»BIM with XYZ editing and publishing 
  • Create NEW Areas and Masses to facilitate space and code calculation tasks
  • Make collaboration easier by creating Schedule Keys for Door Hardware, Rooms Style, and other Key Schedule work. 
Ready to adopt BIMLink? Check out the newly updated prices and bundles. 

For additional questions email: sales@ideatesoftware.com.

This post was originally published on the Ideate Software Blog.

November 5, 2014

Ideate, Inc. Announces New Ideate BIMLink for Revit Improvements

San Francisco, CA, 11/05/2014–Ideate, Inc., a multi-decade veteran Autodesk Developer Network member and Autodesk Gold Value Added Reseller today announced the availability of Ideate BIMLink 2015.1 and Ideate BIMLink 2014.4. These Ideate Software solutions bring an array of enhanced features [video] customers have requested and are designed to work with Autodesk Revit 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Ideate Software is a set of far-reaching Building Information Modeling (BIM) data management tools that help the Revit community clean up models, delete problem items, analyze files quickly, improve speed and accuracy in data flow, increase collaboration and overcome repeated workflow interruptions.

This recent Ideate BIMLink update lets BIM and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) managers, project leaders, facility managers and other users access, analyze, extract and edit BIM data with speed, ease and accuracy. Users can quickly pull volumes of information from a Revit file into user-friendly Microsoft Excel and round-trip the data with equal ease.

Ideate Director of Software Development Glynnis Patterson says, “These new releases encompass the performance improvements industry professionals have requested. We make sure our BIM data management solutions are robust and our updates meaningful and frequent.”

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc. says of the new Ideate BIMLink release, “As our AEC customers encounter heightened needs for collaboration across disciplines and greater client demands, we respond. This point release is evidence of our ongoing commitment to our customers’ success.”

Customers who tested the new features offered comments on the most valuable aspect of Ideate BIMLink to their workflows. Tay Othman, Job Captain for Gensler, noted greatest value in “Automation and extending Revit capabilities.” Erica Spicer, Project Coordinator at PDR said, “Having the model be the central up-to-date single point of truth for all schedule-related information.” And Dan Morrison, VDC Engineer for BPi - BGC POS International acknowledged, “Being able to manipulate data in ways that can’t be done within Revit.”

Ideate BIMLink carries a five star rating on the Autodesk Exchange Apps Store, and is available with a non-commercial free trial. For more information, call 888.662.7238, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com, and for support, contact support@ideatesoftware.com.

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. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

This post was originally published on the Ideate Software Blog.

# # #

November 3, 2014

eLearning - Upcoming Revit, Infrastructure and Ideate Software Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 
11.5::Revit 201:
Project Setup for Revit MEP

11.6::Revit 201:
Revit Server
11.11::Infrastructure 201:
Analysis for Master Planning

11.12::Ideate Software:
Revit Auditing with
Ideate Explorer for Revit
11.13::Revit 201:
Stairs and Railings in Revit
11.14::Revit 201:
Revit Import into 3ds Max Design
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 Architecture, Revit MEP & 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.
11.11-11.12::Sacramento
Revit MEP - Electrical Fundamentals
11.18-11.19::Portland
Revit MEP - Electrical Fundamentals
11.18-11.19::San Jose
AutoCAD Beyond the Basics
11.24::Portland
Revit Architecture Families
12.2-12.4::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals
Know your software. Sign up now!