Classroom Training - Open AutoCAD, Revit and Navisworks 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.

1.7-1.8::San Francisco
Navisworks Fundamentals

1.8::Portland
Revit Architecture Families

1.12-1.14::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

1.12-1.14::Sacramento
AutoCAD Fundamentals

1.12-1.14::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

1.26-1.28::San Jose
Civil 3D Fundamentals

Know your software. Sign up now! 

Contact the Ideate Training Department at 888.662.7238 x1012 or education@ideateinc.com

Collaborate with Design and Construction with Advance Steel

As a steel detailer or fabricator, do you face challenges collaborating with engineers and contractors? Then this event is for you.
Register for this webcast to learn how:

• Revit steel design accuracy and libraries have been enhanced to help generate more accurate and reliable data exchanges with fabricators and contractors. This also includes discussing recommended modeling best practices for engineers when sharing models downstream.

• Revit and Advance Steel work together to improve collaboration between design and detailing. The bidirectional integration makes it faster and more transparent to synchronize changes between Advance Steel and Revit.

• Navisworks Simulate can help you as a steel contractor better estimate, coordinate and plan your steel project while also improve communication with the general contractor.

Bring your questions and participate in our live Q&A with product and industry specialists.

Date: Thursday November 19, 2015
Time: From 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Register Now!

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

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

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.   

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Ideate, Inc. Tech Team Member Kate Ming Earns California Engineering License

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 01/21/2014 - Ideate, Inc., an Autodesk Gold Value Added Reseller, today announced that Ideate AEC Application Specialist Kate Ming, having passed all required Professional Engineer (PE) and Civil exams, was awarded her Civil Engineering license through the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and Geologists (BPELSG) on December 18, 2013. 

Kate Ming has a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Prior to joining Ideate in May of 2013, Ming was engaged in general civil design on large infrastructure projects for a multinational company. She is versed in roadway, rail, and utility design. She also has experience with utility demand analysis and Low Impact Development plans. As a Civil 3D Autodesk Certified Professional Kate provides training and support for Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and InfraWorks.

“We congratulate Kate on this achievement,” says Bob Palioca, President of Ideate, Inc. “Her continued professional growth only enhances the expertise she brings to the Ideate team and her ability to assist our customers as they implement fast-evolving BIM technologies to maximum advantage.”

About Ideate, Inc.
Ideate, Inc. is a leading Autodesk solutions provider, offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting to AEC professionals. Established in 1992 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Ideate is recognized as a Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk's highest levels of authorization. Ideate, Inc. operates Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATC) in California, Oregon, and Washington. For more information visit www.ideateinc.com

Ideate, Inc. is also an Autodesk Authorized Developer with 25+ years’ experience in software development and Ideate Software has specific focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Ideate, Inc. Publishes New Study in Success Featuring HDR Wayfinding/Signage and Ideate BIMLink

SAN FRANCISCO, California – 8/15/2013 - 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 Study in Success, “Ideate BIMLink Manages Seen and Unseen Data for HDR Wayfinding/Signage.”

Wayfinding presents significant challenges to planners who have to collaboratively identify logical traffic patterns, solve problems in architectural and urban spaces, and ultimately help people navigate unfamiliar environments. Immense amounts of disparate data have to be incorporated into BIM models that are primarily designed for other purposes.

The Study in Success explores ways the HDR Wayfinding/Signage studio is using Ideate BIMLink to manage the seen and unseen data in its BIM models. By using Ideate BIMLink, the HDR Wayfinding/Signage studio is enhancing workflows, making the best use of Revit- and non-Revit users’ time, and shaving from half to two-thirds the time required to create message schedules.

HDR is a global employee-owned firm of more than 7,500 AEC professionals in more than 185 locations. Rick Sorensen, Wayfinding/Signage, HDR, says, “With Ideate BIMLink, we can take full advantage of Excel’s capability to reveal multiple lines of data at once. We may not be able to see all the data in the model, but we can see it all in Excel.” Autodesk Revit-user Sorensen receives input from the non-Revit using members of the studio team in Excel. As a result, he does not have to spend a second thinking about model integrity. Instead, he tasks Ideate BIMLink with pushing the Excel-checked data back into the BIM model. The accuracy is reliable, and that contributes to even greater efficiency. Efficiency allows for a better end result and value to the owner.

Sorenson adds, “In the past, I would spend three days at a specific data management task that I can complete now in one-half to one-third the time. As for cost savings, we are limited on our hours per project. Anything that saves us time saves us money.”

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says, “We are delighted that Ideate BIMLink, one of our Ideate developed software solutions, is creating a new workflow solution and contributing to the success of customers such as HDR. Our software development grew out of our desire to overcome gaps our customers faced repeatedly. We continue to improve the flow of information, facilitate collaboration between Revit and non-Revit users, and make data management on a vast scale much easier.”

Ideate has published “Ideate BIMLink Manages Seen and Unseen Data for HDR Wayfinding/Signage” online. Download the Study in Success at http://www.ideateinc.com/ideas/case.html.

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) and is an Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the AEC industry since 1992. Headquartered in San Francisco, California and operating five Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in the northwestern U.S., Ideate is recognized as an Autodesk Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk’s highest levels of authorization.
 
Ideate BIMLink lets users pull data from an Autodesk Revit file into user-friendly Microsoft Excel and push Excel data into Revit with equal ease.  www.ideatebimlink.com
 
Ideate Explorer for Revit is a simple, powerful Autodesk Revit add-on to explore, quantify and manage the 100,000+ building elements in a Revit model. www.ideateexplorer.com
 
Autodesk, ATC, and Revit 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/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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Cloud Computing - An Inevitable Force

As part of my work, helping AEC firms adapt to technology change, I am often asked about “The Cloud.” First, let us start with a definition:

“Cloud computing is the use computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically the Internet).” (Wikipedia).

Often professionals say “I will never have my work ‘in the cloud.’” First, never is a long time, and technology is ever-changing. The AEC industry moved from hand drawn drawings in the 1990s and many firms moved to Building Information Modeling in the past decade. Technology marches on.

What are the business benefits of a move to the cloud for designs/documentation, etc.?

• Information can be obtained while at client offices, jobsites, work from home.
• Computer intensive activities (rendering, computation, simulations) can be done ‘in the cloud’ while design/documentation work can continue to be done (freeing up computer resources and productive time).
• Maintain a 99+% uptime of information accessibility.

Here are the perceived cons of cloud computing:

• My client will not allow it.
• This is the reason I hear the most. If this is correct, a conversation with the client is necessary to explain the limitation the restriction plays. 
• I fear my work being stolen by the cloud host (usually Microsoft, Amazon, or Google).
• This seems unlikely. The amount of data passing through the cloud service providers is so huge, it is unlikely that any one file is reviewed.
• Data being collected by the cloud host.
• This is the most logical. Google has always gathered information about your web-search activities. So, is it possible that data collection might be done to determine if your project has the word “masonry” in it – yes – but should you be concerned?

Projects require the ability to be nimble and agile – fast moving and democratized in the access to project information + data. That is the hallmark of ‘cloud’ services.

Cloud services are here to stay, and will grow in usage and functionality.  “Staying on the sidelines” is not a viable option for long.

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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.

Importance for Architectural Project Managers to be PMI Certified

Many architectural firms have a job function called "Project Manager", what credentials should they have?

- Should they be Architectural School Graduates?

- Should they be Licensed as an Architect?

- What additional credentials should they have as a  Project Manager (PM)?

Many firms are sure about the architectural school graduation, and many firms seem to value having a license as an Architect.  But that seems to  be where the credentials end.  Firms then seem to focus on particular project experience (K-12, retail, health care).

I am not discounting project experience, but there seems to be another credential needed.  However, what other credentials/knowledge are needed.

Project Management is defined as "the discipline of planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals" (Wikipedia).  I find many people define project management as delegating to others, emailing, and taking meeting notes.  This underestimates the breadth of knowledge, requirements, and skills needed to be a good project manager.  What is the answer?

Project Management Institute (PMI) (www.pmi.org) is an organization that provides credentialization and continuing education for project managers.  Why should that be crucial for architectural project managers? 

As a PMP certified professional, Architect, and project manager, the knowledge I learned:

Why it is important to get all the stakeholders involved in a project, including input that may cause project delay?

Why understanding risk and opportunity, how to mitigate risk and leverage opportunity is a key to a successful project?

How do you know when your project is either over-budget or behind schedule - at any point in the project duration?

Building Owners would find value in these traits, and could leverage your firm's ability to secure more work.  Investigate PMI's website - the testing is rigorous, but the educational and practice rewards are high.

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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.