Revit or FormIt for Massing?

Revit and FormIt each have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to Massing. As an AEC Specialist at Ideate, I am deeply familiar with both. Here I highlight the differences and provide examples of how you can get the best of both worlds by using them together.

Revit lets you use parameters and organic forms in creating masses. However, it is not very intuitive when it comes to creating families. It requires a plan for content creation and someone with advanced skills in Family creation.

FormIt 360, on the other hand, is very intuitive and easy to use, but has no parameters to drive content form. It does create forms categorized as “masses.” FormIt files (*AXM) can be converted to Revit files and the default “masses” can be used for energy analysis and By-Face creation of Revit elements.

These two products can also work together, giving you the benefit of intuitive modeling in FormIt, and the ability to swap FormIt forms, or “masses,” for true organic masses in Revit, when needed.

Revit masses representing activities can be assembled to create a school proposal.

FormIt Groups can be easily modeled to create forms categorized as masses and convertible to a Revit mass in Revit. FormIt 360 Pro is a product in development so its features are evolving day-by-day.

A FormIt Group is used to pass changes along in a project file and to separate components. It is like a Family (Revit), Block (AutoCAD), Component (Sketchup), and a Cell (Microstation), but is editable inside of the project file.

While intuitive, FormIt also involves some planning around controlling visibility, managing groups, creating content as separate AXM files, working with Materials and Scenes, and more. Reviewing an application’s features is not enough. You need to understand how best to apply those features.

Watch my video, Revit or FormIt for Massing?, for a demonstration on how both products can be used together to leverage their strengths, as outlined below.

Revit:
+ Data rich (parameters)
+ Parametrically driven
+ True Organic Forms

FormIt:
+ Intuitive modeling
+ Familiar functionality (Sketchup)
+ Interoperability with Revit

For more information on the software solutions, training, and consulting Ideate provides, please visit the Ideate Inc. website.

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Jim Cowan

AEC Senior Application Specialist

Jim Cowan’s extensive AEC design industry experience, Autodesk design solutions expertise, and status as an Autodesk Certified Instructor have made him a sought after university curriculum developer, instructor, and presenter. Jim’s areas of expertise include eLearning, interoperability between solutions, and overcoming barriers to the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Educated in Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot–Watt University and in Landscape Architecture at the University of Manitoba, Jim has a special focus on sustainability issues: daylight analysis, sun studies, lighting analysis, modeling buildings, and conceptual energy modeling (models with shading devices). You can learn more from Jim on his YouTube Channel.

Two Ways to Get an Overhead Water Tank into Your InfraWorks 360 Model

In a recent InfraWorks training for a water services company there was need to show a water tank in the InfraWorks model. You can achieve that in the following two ways:

Option 1
For a non-elevated ground level water tank, you can use the Point of Interest > 3D Model > Shapes > Green Solid 1M Cylinder. It doesn’t have to be green, this was the first in the list. You can also use this for oil tanks in an oil refinery.

 

This is a simple process – follow the numbered steps from the figure above. You may need to scale the model after insertion as needed.

Option 2
For an elevated water tank, you can import a 3D model from Sketchup warehouse https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/. This website has known landmarks such as Golden Gate Bridge as well as some generic models uploaded by the community. Search for a model that is appropriate for your job. Once you have found a model that works, simply download the latest version of the model as an SKP file.

Drag and drop the SKP file inside your model in InfraWorks. A dialog box pops up in InfraWorks asking you to use cloud account to process the import and then another one that says that the materials might not be imported. Accept the defaults and click okay at both the prompts – we will address the material issue at the end of this write up.

 

The next step is to configure the model. Simply double click the model in the Data Sources panel (as highlighted in red in the figure above) to display the Data Source Configuration dialog box.

Then follow the numbered steps to specify the model Type as Building and click Interactive placing… The dialog box will hide; double click to place the object in the model.

 

After that the Data Source dialog box will appear again – click Close & Refresh. That completes the process. Notice, I did not fret about the units of coordinates.

Now the object does not have any material or texture. To fix this you will need to open the SKP file in Sketchup and export the object to DAE file from Sketchup. Then you will need to make sure all supporting files including the DAE file are in the same folder. Now you can drag and drop the DAE file into InfraWorks instead of SKP file.

For more on this process refer to a blog I wrote earlier on our Ideate blog:

http://bit.ly/1OJFRVE

Also, this video from Willy Campbell of Autodesk explains the same thing:

http://autode.sk/1OAxHBj

For more from Ideate follow our blog and connect with us on our social media channels.

 

Thank you for reading. For more information on AutoCAD and other Autodesk products, and information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com.

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Guarav Bagga

Senior Application Specialist Infrastructure 

Gaurav is a Senior Application Specialist for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 18 years of experience in construction and related software industry. With this extensive design technology background he helps engineering and surveying companies, federal and state government agencies, and ENR 500 firms critically analyze and improve their construction drawing production process. He implements Civil infrastructure design technology led by InfraWorks and Civil 3D and has helped Ideate grow Civil Infrastructure Services. Being an industry recognized speaker he has presented cutting edge design technology at several industry conferences such as Autodesk University. @BeGeez

 

InfraWorks 2015: Import Sketchup Model

Last year I wrote a blog post on how to import a Sketchup model into InfraWorks. This post is essentially an update to that post. With the current release of InfraWorks the process has been simplified to just a drag and drop of a SKP file, which you can download from Sketchup 3D model warehouse. Here is a result:

However, as you drag & drop your SKP file I have noticed it will not bring the materials and textures associated with it, see below:

So the trick is to convert the SKP file to Collada, DAE, format by simply exporting SKP from the free Sketchup Make 2014 to get the following result:

So download and install Sketchup per the link above the export:

As you export to DAE it creates a folder with all associated material images.

Simply drag and drop the DAE file inside your InfraWorks model, assign it the right Type and place it interactively using your mouse. Click Close & Refresh.

You are done. Enjoy!

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Senior Application Specialist,
Infrastructure Solutions

Gaurav is a Senior Application Specialist for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 18 years of experience in construction and related software industry. With this extensive design technology background he helps engineering and surveying companies, federal and state government agencies, and ENR 500 firms critically analyze and improve their construction drawing production process. He implements Civil infrastructure design technology led by InfraWorks and Civil 3D and has helped Ideate grow Civil Infrastructure Services. Being an industry recognized speaker he has presented cutting edge design technology at several industry conferences such as Autodesk University. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

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Autodesk Exchange Apps!

In a recent class here at our Ideate Seattle office, one of our customers had requested a custom code that adds drawing tabs to their AutoCAD application. They had created this in the past to show drawing tabs at the top of the AutoCAD drawing window so their users would have an easier time switching from file to file with multiple drawings open.
 
What many AutoCAD users may not know, or simply may not have taken advantage of, is that the Autodesk Exchange site (built-in to AutoCAD programs) has both free and paid Apps for many of the features that users have been requesting. These add-ons are not part of the out-of-box applications, but can be easily installed onto existing products on your workstation.
 
One of these features just happens to be Drawing Tabs. 
 
Here are a few more Apps that may be of interest:

SketchUp Import (.SKP) Files
 
QR Codes (Converts text to a QR code in your drawing)
 
Screenshots (Adds a plug-in to take quick and easy screenshots of your drawing file)

DWG Compare (compares two versions of a file to display differences in the drawing area)

If you’ve never used Autodesk Exchange you can sign-in directly through the application using the blue and grey “X” in the upper right. Once you’re logged in, pick a product and you’ll be able to search through the available apps. The price ranges depend on who created the App and what it can do. Many of them are free, including the five mentioned above.

Sign-in directly from AutoCAD and other Autodesk Products

Autodesk Exchange also includes Apps for additional Autodesk products. In fact, we at Ideate have two of our own programs available through Autodesk Exchange. If you’re a Revit user, look for Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Explorer for Revit.  

If you’re considering some custom code to add a feature or function to your application, check out the Autodesk Exchange site first. Chances are there may be someone out there who’s already done the work for you!

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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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Import Sketchup Model into Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler

At Ideate, we are asked about the value of purchasing the Infrastructure Design Suite. Included in Infrastructure Design Suite Premium and Ultimate is Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler; a great program for quickly visualizing your design in context for meetings with stakeholders and/or clients.
 
Problem – you are using Infrastructure Modeler to present your next urban development project proposal. And to make it more realistic and compelling you want to insert a 3D model of the nearby landmark giving the project stakeholders a visual perspective. You have seen 3D models of buildings in Google Earth but this is Infrastructure Modeler. Not Google Earth!
 
The 3D buildings you see in Google Earth are sketchup models. But can you import these 3D models in Infrastructure Modeler?

Is it possible to import any sketchup model into Infrastructure Modeler? The answer is Yes. Here’s how!
 
Before I raise your hopes – I am not aware of any direct way to achieve this so we will have to take a detour via Civil 3D.
 
So the process is to:

1. Import the model first into Civil 3D by using the Sketchup Import plug-in. This plug-in can be downloaded and installed from Autodesk Exchange which is found in the Infocenter on the top right as shown below.

2. Then export this model to an FBX file
3. And finally import and configure it in Infrastructure Modeler. Configuring includes move, scale, rotate as necessary to georeference.

You can possibly insert the sketchup model in Civil 3D project drawing that contains the georeferenced image and terrain and move, scale and rotate the model to georeference it here in Civil 3D.
 

Import the Model in Civil 3D
From within Civil 3D, Plug-ins tab > Sketchup Import panel > click on Get 3D Model

From Sketchup Import – Get 3D Model window, click on Download Model to download and insert the model in Civil 3D. Depending upon what’s available you will be given options – I got the 9MB model.

Here is the 3D model of Golden Gate Bridge in Civil 3D.

Export the Model to FBX
Go To Application Menu > Export and save the file as FBX format.

In the FBX Export Options dialog box, choose what you want to export appropriately – I exported everything visible – the drawing had only one model.

Import the Model in Infrastructure Modeler
From within Infrastructure Modeler, click on Data Source in the Home tab to open the Data Source palette. Click 3D Model as shown below and then pick the above FBX file. I had already imported the surface and image from Civil 3D 2012 using LandXML and Raster data sources, respectively.

Once the model is imported you need to configure it.
 
In the Data Source palette, double click on the row corresponding to the FBX file you just imported.
 
In the Data Source configuration dialog box,

Assign it a type depending upon the data, I chose Buildings, could have chosen City Furniture as well.

Assign a coordinate system to the data source (on the top), in this case I used XY-FT because the data does not have any coordinate system. Then there is a coordinate system for where the data will get placed in the model - I assigned the appropriate California State Plane coordinate system. I also had to scale the model down 12 times to convert meters to feet. You can see the scale factor of 0.083 for X, Y, Z. 

Click on Interactive Placing… and then double click in the model area to place the sketchup model in the project. Remember, it’s a double click. 

You may have to move and rotate the model to place it accurately.

That’s it, you are done. 
Here is the final result in Infrastructure Modeler. Enjoy!

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist

Gaurav is a well rounded Application Engineer and Project Manager for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 15 years experience in construction industry and has been helping numerous small, medium and ENR 500 firms maximize their CAD investment for the last ten years. Gaurav is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He has taught at several conferences, CAD Camps and Autodesk University. He has taught AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Land Desktop and Map 3D to thousands of students and helps Ideate develop the Infrastructure Services curriculum and courses. With his extensive CAD technology background he helps Bay Area engineering and surveying firms analyze and improve their design and drawing production process thereby improving productivity and the bottom line. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

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Study in Success - California Lottery Wins Big with Integrated Project Delivery

Ideate is proud to announce publication of its latest Study in Success entitled California Lottery Wins Big with Integrated Project Delivery.

The subject of the study is the California Lottery Headquarters. The Ideate developed Study in Success details how the technology-reliant process of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) facilitated the successful creation of the six-story, 155,000-square-foot headquarters project throughout the phases of design, fabrication, and construction.

As a green building project, the California Lottery Headquarters project was to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It was also the first IPD mandated project for the California Lottery. The project partners – LPAS Architecture + Design, Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers, Inc., Interface Engineering, Architectural Glass & Aluminum and Otto Construction – formed a collaborative IPD alliance. Ideate, Inc. assisted with training and consulting in Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions including software, technical support, training and consulting.

Excerpts from California Lottery Wins Big with Integrated Project Delivery

According to AGA Project Manager David Peck, “When we would come to the weekly IPD meeting, we would have as many as 30 items to discuss. And, each issue would be discussed. None would linger past two weeks. We see this as a double win. The separate trades don’t wind up having to explain added costs because there are no added costs. There’s no finger pointing. And the owner gets exactly what is expected and paid for.”

Gregory Jones, Project Architect, LPAS, remembers, “Ideate provided us with focused training on how best to translate the design effort we had done in SketchUp to Revit. From this great starting point, we were able to overcome the challenges of modeling a very complicated curtain wall and ultimately our efforts were rewarded in receiving the AIA Divine Detail Award for the way we were able to resolve the curving and stepping planes of the curtain wall.”

“With the IPD process, we were able to shave two months off the schedule.” —Brady Smith, Principal, LPAS

The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule and is on track for LEED Gold certification.

Download the Study in Success from Ideate’s Case Study library.

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Study in Success - TLCD Architecture (excerpt Part 1)

How TLCD Architecture Pioneered Adoption of BIM

Excerpt from Ideate Study in Success
Part One of a Three Part Series

In 2000, when Revit was a barely emerging solution, TLCD recognized the potential of BIM and blazed uncharted territory. The firm initiated Revit implementation and took a four-faceted approach to its firm-wide commitment. As one of the earliest adopters of BIM, TLCD has mandated BIM as its core methodology for project delivery since 2006.

Company Backgrounder: TLCD Architecture is an architectural and interior design practice founded on collaboration, exploration and innovation. The company has a strong commitment to design excellence and social responsibility; its core values are People, Place and Craft. TLCD designs buildings that comprise the core infrastructure of society, from cultural, civic, educational and medical centers, to hospitality, mixed-use and commercial projects that serve their communities.

Founded in 1965, TLCD Architecture is a 50-person practice based in Santa Rosa, California. The company provides expertise in planning and programming, architectural and interior design, furniture planning and selection. Its work evidences a strong commitment to sustainability, with 22 members of the TLCD staff LEED accredited.

The Software on Board: Autodesk Revit Architecture, Globe Link Plug-in for Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk 3ds Max Design, Google SketchUp Pro, V-Ray for SketchUp from ASGvis, LLC, Google Earth, GoToMeeting, modo® from Luxology, LLC, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite

Challenges inspire creative solutions.

TLCD staff members tinkered with a demo copy of Revit in 2000. They hailed the newcomer software solution as “cool” and began implementing it on a project.

The firm recognized that project managers and principals must be acquainted with Revit at a depth-appropriate level. The primer the firm developed with Ideate later evolved to become Ideate’s one-day course, Revit Architecture for Project Managers.

Staff members confirmed what TLCD principals expected. Revit works the way architects think. Autodesk snapped up Revit the following year, and TLCD purchased Autodesk Revit from Ideate, Inc.

At the outset, barriers to BIM arose on a number of fronts. Prospective clients, unaware and inexperienced, perceived stunning 3D visualizations as perhaps unnecessary “high-ticket” items. They needed education and TLCD became committed to educate.

As a pioneer, TLCD needed to cultivate awareness, build proficiency and encourage collaboration among professional colleagues. As a creative experimenter, TLCD needed and retained a resource for timely expert support, Ideate. As a firm adopting a new methodology, TLCD determined that having an in-house BIM champion was paramount. The firm embarked on a series of initiatives.

Create a position. TLCD Director of Design Technology spearheads BIM as a project delivery system, to intercept, evaluate and implement emerging technologies that contribute to meaningful interoperability.

Commit to training and support. New TLCD staff members complete the Ideate three-day Revit Architecture Fundamentals course. Others with responsibility for managing Revit projects take the Ideate Revit Architecture for Project Managers course. Ideate Support also proves essential for a firm that experiments and tries new approaches.

Cross pollinate within the industry. Revit user group events hosted at TLCD with Ideate have helped the firm exchange information with other trailblazing companies and consultants. In fact, leadership in the adoption of BIM has led to the cultivation of more consultants who are valuable BIM-adept resources for TLCD.

All-in commitment. TLCD opted not to run BIM pilot projects parallel with traditional projects but instead jumped into Revit with both feet.

As Guy Messick, TLCD Director of Design Technology says, “Now Revit is part of our firm’s culture.”

To read the complete text of the Ideate Study in Success http://ideateinc.com/ideas/case.html

To learn more about TLCD Architecture http://www.tlcd.com/