Images in Schedules Using Revit 2015

In this release of Revit, Autodesk introduces the new IMAGE parameter type. This new parameter is displayed by default as an Instance and Type parameter for most of the model system and component families. Views, Sheets, Datum, and View Specific families are excluded. The IMAGE parameter type is one of the displays as an available choice of parameter types when creating custom projects or shared parameters.

The new 'Image' Type

When an IMAGE parameter is built into a family, users can associate it with an image loaded in Revit or select from any path. The images are managed by the ‘Manage Image’ dialog box which was improved in this release with several new features. 

1. The ‘Add’ button will embed a new image.
2. The ‘Reload’ button to refresh or update the image file.
3. The ‘Reload From’ button will repath the image file from a different folder location.
4. The actual path of the images is displayed in the new ‘Path’ Column.

New enhancements in the "Manage Image' dialog

The images will be embedded into the Revit project, and like any other image, it will have some impact on the file size. To keep the file size under control, keep the images less than 300kb in size, with a maximum measure of 300 x 300 pixels, and a resolution lower than 96 DPI. Several common image editors like Windows Paint, Photoshop, or SnagIt Editor will enable you to fix or re-size the images in batches. 

This new functionality enables us to create legend-type schedules. For example: Furniture, Light Fixtures, Walls, Finish Materials, etc. This is also a great function for Room Data Sheets!

Images displayed in a sample Finish Material Schedule

See how you can build a Finish Material Schedule and a Wall Rating Legend using this new feature in the video discussion Revit 2015 Images in Schedules.

Images displayed in a sample Wall Schedule

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

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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.

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Accessing the Enhanced Geolocation Features in Civil 3D

For those of you who have been following our blog over the recent weeks, you may have already read about the enhanced Geolocation Feature in AutoCAD 2015 that allows you to automatically connect and download aerial map information from Microsoft Bing Maps.

Since Civil 3D is built on top of the AutoCAD platform, the Geolocation feature is accessible in Civil 3D 2015. However, it’s not part of the default Civil 3D Workspace that is loaded with the out-of-box installation. To add the Geolocation Tab and access the new features through the Ribbon, we’ll need to do a little bit of CUI customization.

Start out by launching Civil 3D 2015 and opening a drawing file. The Civil 3D Workspace should load by default, with a similar setup to what you’ve seen in the past. Take note of the Ribbon Tabs listed at the top of the Application Window. The Geolocation tab that shows up in AutoCAD 2015 is missing from the default Civil 3D Ribbon.

To load the Geolocation Tab, launch the CUI (Customize User Interface) dialog box (Commandline: CUI).

1. In the upper-left window, highlight the Workspace you want to modify (Civil 3D Default) 
2. When the Workspace appears in the upper-right window, click Customize Workspace  *Text will turn blue after clicking Customize Workspace
   
   
   
3. Back in the upper-left, expand the Partial Customization Files collection (click +)
   
4. Under Partial Customization Files, expand the ACAD collection (click +)
   
5. Expand Ribbon (click +), the Tabs (click +)
   
6. Under the Tabs section, find the Geolocation item and click the box to add a check mark (it may appear as a green solid box by default)
   
7. Back in the upper-right, click Done to confirm the changes to the Workspace
   
8. Click Apply, then OK at the bottom of the CUI dialog to apply changes and exit.  
   

The Geolocation Ribbon Tab should now appear alongside the original Ribbon Tabs of the Civil 3D Workspace. 

Click on the tab to access the enhanced Geolocation features, and add some Microsoft Bing Map images to your Civil 3D® drawings.  

NOTE: The Geolocation option can also be found under the primary Ribbon Tabs section in the CUI dialog. Based on our initial testing, this option displays a blank Geolocation tab that does not include any of the panels shown above. The option found under Partial Customization Files displayed the full Geolocation Tab and all Panels per the instructions outlined in this blog.

For more information on how the Geolocation features work, check out the blog posts and videos from my fellow ENI Application Specialists - Kate Ming and Gaurav Bagga.

*A link to the video can be found HERE!

Keep up with our blog to find out more on the latest and greatest features of the 2015 Autodesk product line. ideateinc.com/2015

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

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Matt Miyamoto, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist
Matt is a licensed Civil Engineer in the state of Hawaii. Matt obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has 7 years of private sector design experience which he applies in his role as an application specialist with Ideate, Inc. His project experience includes residential and commercial site development, private and public sewer, water and drainage systems, harbors improvements, and roadway improvements. While in Hawaii, Matt was involved in multidisciplinary projects for City and County agencies, State Departments, the Army COE and private developers. @MattM_PE

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