RobiNZ CAD Blog

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Friday 30/11

A mixed bag of Revit, from Beijing Olympics to Supply-Chains?, then a dash to the airport for that relaxing 14 hour jaunt home. Leave on Friday, arrive on Sunday!

The Successful Implementation of Building Information Modeling in a Construction Project for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
8:00 AM-9:30 AM ME400-1
Lido - 3106   

Revit® Architecture: Beyond Documentation -- From Rapid Prototyping to Supply-Chain Integration
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB404-1
Murano - 3303

My Autodesk University Schedule

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Meeting "The Mistress", or was it "The New Lynn Allen"

I’ve been attending Autodesk University since 2004 but somehow never managed to meet Melanie, “The Mistress of the Dorkness”, Perry. I met her husband Mike last year (he’s the English Gentleman in the photo right) but AU2007 was the first chance to meet Melanie. I’ve known her virtually for a long time via the Autodesk Discussion Groups, AUGI, My Feedback, email and her world famous CAD blog: Mistress of the Dorkness. Meeting fellow Bloggers and blog readers is a highlight of Autodesk University. No matter how often it happens to me there is genuine surprise, and pleasure, that anyone actually reads all this stuff! 

Last night, at the Subscription event, while Melanie & I were chatting one of her readers introduced himself. He was excited to meet her and said “I love your blog, you’re the next Lynn Allen”. Melanie was flattered and I was stunned when, with impeccable timing, the door near us opened and the current Lynn Allen walked in. I said “Melanie has something to tell you” and the story was told to an amused (real) Lynn Allen.

Mike has visited New Zealand before and I suspect Melanie is keen to see the land where they filmed “The Lord of the Rings” (which she loves). Maybe next time I see “The Mistress” it will be closer to home!

Mistress of the Dorkness
Melanie (Stone) Perry's [aka. Wanderer] CAD Blog! Well, this will mostly be dedicated to CAD/Technology (especially as it relates to Facilities Management [FM] and BIM), but, I'm sure other things will catch my fancy, and I'll share them here.

Court says The Warehouse can be sold...

Let the games begin… 

Court says Warehouse can be sold - 29 Nov 2007 - NZ Herald

Shares in The Warehouse Group surged as much as 25 per cent today after the High Court granted supermarket giants Woolworths and Foodstuffs permission to bid for New Zealand's biggest discount retailer…

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Thursday 29/11

I’ve just started experimenting with virtual machines as a way to test software so the first session will be interesting. Other than that it’s a Revit day, notice a theme this year?, with everything from games to facilities management. The day ends with the “AU Dinner Party” whatever that means…

Running Revit® Architecture in Virtual Machines
8:00 AM-9:30 AM AB300-2P
Palazzo J-I 

Autodesk's Revit® Platform, AutoCAD® Architecture, and Autodesk® 3ds Max®: Real-Time Game Technology for Visualization
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB304-2P
Palazzo J-I 

Architectural Building Information Modeling: Transferring Information into the Facilities Management/Asset Management Process 
1:00 PM-2:30 PM FM310-1
Lido - 3002

From Concept to Construction: Real-World Construction Management Techniques and Best Practices with Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB314-2P
Palazzo J-I 

Advanced Massing Studies in Revit® Architecture
5:00 PM-6:30 PM AB318-5P
Palazzo J-I   

AU Dinner Party

My Autodesk University Schedule

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Wednesday 28/11

Today starts with the AEC Industry presentation. It’s always cool to see how others use the software & get a peek into the future of AEC software. The day ends with a  Technology mainstage and a look a the future of operating systems and hardware. I missed this last year and regretted it. TWL are in the midst of server virtualisation and contemplating application virtualisation. We have a great team looking after infrastructure, so it’s not a concern of mine, but it’s always useful background to help understand what they are talking about!

Building the Future - AEC Industry Presentation 
8:00 AM-9:30 AM MS200-1
Palazzo H-D 

Approaches and Processes of Using Revit® Architecture, Structure, and MEP in Complex Projects
10:00 AM-11:30 AM SE204-2
Murano - 3303

Sustainable Design Systems Based on Revit® Architecture
1:00 PM-2:30 PM AB210-2P
Palazzo J-I   

Design Options and Phasing in Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB214-1P
Palazzo J-I 

Effective Techniques for Large Projects in Revit® Architecture
5:00 PM-6:30 PM AB218-3P
Palazzo J-I 

Technology Mainstage
7:30 PM – 9:30PM
Palazzo E-1

My Autodesk University Schedule

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - "Designing the Future" Main-stage

This year the main-stage was "in the round". A huge room with centre stage, giant screens facing in all directions, and seating (it seemed to me) for all. Mighty impressive when all is said to be about 10,000! On the outside wall a huge 360º continuous screen surrounded the room.

The presentations ranged from detail product design, recent Kiwi based acquisition MudBox featured, to Architectural Design with everything from Maya to Revit. Of real interest were conceptual applications for viewing a building in-context, at high quality, through to a complex complete city model.

The theme was green with the emphasis on design being a part of the solution to the challenges facing humanity. On that theme, the keynote from Yves Behar presented real world examples of design making a difference. This ranged from better products reducing energy consumption or, in the case of the $100 laptop, allowing more people to learn and participate in a digital world.

Thats a two three paragraph summary, tapped out between sessions, which really doesn't do justice to a stunning presentation.

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Tuesday 27/11

It’s all Revit today including a Phil Read’s “Film & Stage” session. I first met Phil back in 2001 when he was the Implementation Architect for “Revit Revit” (prior to Autodesk buy out) and came to our office. This was when Revit “arrived” in NZ and Phil’s mission was to spread the word and assist with the migration to Revit. He was so convincing I had a to write myself a multi-page document about why it wasn’t a good idea to migrate to Revit. I still revisit that document and as Revit has developed nearly all those concerns about functionality or usability have been resolved…

PS: The image is from a children’s book: “The Story of BIM – Written for 3 year old Charlotte”, Kathleen Mellor, published. Melb. Georgian House  nd.194-? I couldn’t find any other information but would be interested to know more!

General Session - Designing the Future
8:00 AM-9:30 AM (Conference Event)  MS100-1
Exhibit Hall D 

Effective Collaboration with the Revit® Platform 
10:00 AM-11:30 AM AB104-2P
Palazzo J-I 

Revit® Architecture for Film and Stage   
1:00 PM-2:30 PM AB110-5
Lido - 3002 

All in the Family: Creating Parametric Parts in Revit® Architecture
3:00 PM-4:30 PM AB114-3P
Palazzo J-I   

My Autodesk University Schedule

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - I'm here

I made it to Vegas & know Trisha did too. We met up at San Francisco Airport where, as planned, I also met another Kiwi cycling friend for coffee. Have just registered which was a painless process. Seemed even easier than last year in-spite of about 1/3 more people.

If you're here and reading this, very likely I know... I'll be the guy in a red shirt and Kiwi cap tomorrow!

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Monday 26/11

Today it’s off to Vegas and time for Autodesk University, proper. It’s a small world when a friend from the South Island of New Zealand happens to be passing through San Francisco airport, coming from Canada, at the same time I’m heading to Vegas. With a bit of luck, and airline schedules aligning, we’ll be able to meet for coffee on the other side of the Pacific!

I have a non-AU event planned tonight as couldn’t be just one casino away from SPAMalot and miss it. Wynn is next door to the Venetian but the size of things in Vegas means it’s still a bit of a hike!

It’s a feast of Python’ness this month as a couple of weeks after I get home from AU Eric Idle is visiting New Zealand with his show “He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!”. From one side of the world to the other, it’s all Python!

My Autodesk University Schedule

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - A day across the bay...

Today I travelled across the bay to Larkspur to meet with Michael Scherotter. I arrived at the ferry terminal to find the first one left about 90 minutes later than I thought so thanks to Michael for rearranging his schedule at short notice. It was a grey day so the ferry trip scenery wasn’t spectacular but I spent about half the trip getting a lesson in aerodynamics. A solitary gull worked out it could get a free ride across the bay by gliding in the “slipstream” just off the stern of the ferry. It was like one of those nature documentaries showing bird flight close-up as was within a metre or two of the stern, doing 10–15 knots, for 20–30 minutes without flapping it’s wings once. It reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the fable about a gull who was fascinated by flight, which I read years ago. It was a strange mystical book and I must admit I found Richard Bach’s books on his real aviation life as a barnstormer far better.

Last time I did this trip I visited Michael at the Mindjet Office (MindManager) near the ferry terminal. I got to know Michael via his blogging for Mindjet and was impressed by his enthusiasm for combining technologies to create new solutions. He developed a prototype combining MindManager and Autodesk DWF which was of interest to me. It was great to see him again and learn about his current role as a “Synergist” for Microsoft. It’s great to he’s still “Combining Software in Amazing Ways” and excited about using new combinations of technologies to help people solve problems. As you can imagine there are lots of technologies at Microsoft to keep him busy!

Synergist Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/synergist/default.aspx

I wandered back to the hotel via downtown at dusk looking at some of the architecture, including The Transamerica Pyramid, and Christmas decorations. Tomorrow  it’s off to Vegas, to get ready for Autodesk University.

     

    

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - San Francisco

I arrived here Friday and the weather was very similar to Auckland. When I left Auckland was experiencing an early summer and San Francisco is having a late one!

I had a late, very late, lunch or early dinner with Helga who I met on an Adventure South cycle trip. It was great to see her again. After dinner we checked out a recent art installation in the form of a huge spider!

Today I rented a bike and went around the bay cycle trail, over Golden Gate Bridge, which I’d done before but was happy to repeat. It’s a stunning structure and not to be missed, especially on a bicycle. Last time I’d spent too much time time exploring the south side, towards Ocean Beach & Golden Gate park, and had to rush to meet the ferry at Sausalito. This time I explored the Marin Headlands, towards Rodeo Beach, then carried on past Sausalito around Richardson Bay to Tiburon. It was a great ride on a near perfect day. It was strange riding a bike without the clip in pedals I’m used to at home and remembering to ride on the wrong (right) side of the road but had no problems. I thought I was being clever going around to Tiburon as there were hundreds of cyclists waiting for the Sausalito Ferry. It wasn’t as busy at Tiburon but then the Ferry carried on to pickup the mob at Sausalito before returning to the city. First on meant last off, not so clever eh!

       

There’s more photos here

RobiNZ @ Autodesk University 2007 - Getting there...

By the time you read this I’ll be winging my way to Autodesk University. I’m leaving earlier than most as it’s a 14 hour flight and I have a weekend in San Francisco on the way. The plan is to catch up with some friends and, weather & legs permitting, rent a bicycle and explore the city, waterfront & Golden Gate Bridge/Marin Headlands. I ran out of time in 2004 and had to rush to meet the ferry so it will be good to revisit the area for a longer look around. I must pack my GPS and remember to ride on the wrong side of the road!

I’m typing this on a laptop while trying to decide if it’s worth the hassle of lugging it. I’d hoped to bring a slick little Tablet PC but that didn’t work out and while this HP8710w is an awesome beast it’s certainly not light! One way or another I’ll find a way to blog from Autodesk University.

My Autodesk University Schedule

Sabine Heine - Architectural Illustrator

I really liked these Architectural illustrations found via swissmiss 

swissmiss: Sabine Heine | Illustrator

Lee Ambrosius, now officially Autodesk

Autodesk has “absorbed” renowned AutoCAD Guru\Blogger Lee Ambrosius. You may know Lee from his comprehensive AutoCAD website, Hyperpics, his blog, Beyond the UI, or AUGI contributions. Lee knows more about AutoCAD than any sane person would want too  and it’s great to see his talent and dedication added to the AutoCAD team. It’s a winning deal for both sides. Congratulations Lee, see you at Autodesk University!

Between the Lines: Lee, Welcome to the Dark Side
“Lee Ambrosius will be [working for Autodesk] on the User Assistance Team in PSEB which does many things including the AutoCAD documentation.”

Inventor LT, the free technology preview arrives in New Zealand! (and aussie)

Earlier this year I was excited to see a free preview of Autodesk Inventor LT announced, then disappointed to see demand meant it was restricted to US/Canada. I went to the Autodesk New Zealand Web-site today and found the preview has been extended to NZ and Australia. Downloading now…

Autodesk Labs Blog – Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview Now Extends to Australia and New Zealand

RobiNZ CAD Blog: Inventor LT, free technology preview! (My Original post)
My dad is a talented engineer and can machine, weld, craft pretty much anything. I’m very much not a talented engineer but have always been interested in engineering design software. The hope was it could drive CNC machinery to compensate for my lack of machining skill .
That’s why the news that Inventor LT is available as a free long term preview (May 2008) caught my attention…

Tags: InventorLT

Autodesk Green Research, to be seen at AU?

As Autodesk University rapidly approaches I suspect “James Van” has found a preview of what we may see in the AEC Industry Event...

When I booked for Autodesk University it seemed a long way off. Now it’s suddenly less than a week before I hit the road, well flight-path, for AU. I’ve had a busy week deploying new hardware and service patched 2008 applications*. Now it’s time to catch up with project work before getting on the plane next Friday…

 All Things BIM: Green Design: Project Chicago
While buried in my preparation for Autodesk University (Nov 26-30), I overheard some of my colleagues reporting in from the GreenBuild conference in Chicago about a great presentation from Phil Bernstein, VP at Autodesk, on their latest vaporware effort code named "Project Chicago."…

*Only to see yet another round of Revit builds released!

PedalCAD? Cycle Powered CAD?

I like cycling but finding the time is tough. Maybe this MIT project is the solution…

Bike Powered Notebook Computer (TreeHugger)
As the bike's instructions note, if you have trouble "squeezing in that daily exercise," you can now "multitask with no problem--[you can] bike while you work!"

Why a hosted blog? TypePad Support Rules!

I had a layout problem with one of my blogs and must post about the excellent support response from TypePad.

They found a tag error in some of my posts, of my making, but the actual problem turned out to be an error coming from another service I use upsetting the TypePad template. It’s reassuring to have an expert to call for help, even better when the response is prompt, patient and helpful*. That’s one reason I’m happy to stick with a hosted service.

Thanks Jen, Laura, Kymberlie & the rest of the TypePad Support team.

* On unrelated matters I currently have been experiencing lousy response, as in none, to support tickets logged with Yahoo!Xtra (NZ), Flickr and Google Earth Pro…

Avatech's Revit Utilities

  Kudos to Avatech for sharing these free Revit utilities!

CAD Application Development: Avatech's Revit Utilities
We're taking four relatively simple Revit applications that we developed to support our Revit clients, and we're releasing them to the public today.

• Room Renumbering (re-numbering or inserting rooms in a sequence)
• Door Mark Update (to make the mark match the room it swings into)
• Change Case (for UPPER CASE, lower case and Title Case).
• RevitCity Browser

See what parametric modeling looked like in 1962...

Tomislav does it again with this brilliant look at parametric design and pen input circa 1962… 

BIMology: BLAST FROM THE PAST - (----- Architecture 1962-72)
How much are you willing to pay for forty five (45) year old technology?
Well, to see what parametric modeling looked like in 1962…

Visualizing Thermal Transfer in AutoCAD Architecture

Tomislav Zigo has a great post showing how ACA + Steady-state heat transfer analysis software can be combined to help communicate design intent.

BIMology: Visualizing Thermal Transfer Data in AutoCAD Architecture
This example focuses on a presentation technique that architects could use to clearly communicate their decision in the choice of building envelope composition.

Curved text in AutoCAD?

I got an email from a reader with the question;

“Do you know if there is a way to wrap text around a curve in AutoCad MEP?”

I haven’t looked at how you’d achieve it in a AutoCAD MEP label but for plain text this just requires the Express Tools installed. You create the curve then add the text with the Express>Arc-aligned Text command*.

Once created you use the same command to modify the layout, content and position from this dialog:

* If you don’t see the Express Menu verify if the express tools are loaded. At the command prompt, enter EXPRESSTOOLS to enable the tools. If not:

• You can install the AutoCAD Express Tools as part of the AutoCAD installation, or you can add them later using Add or Remove Programs on the Control Panel. Depending on your environment this may require admin rights or may need to done by your IT/CAD Manager.
• Express Tools are available in their original form, in English only, and are not supported. No updates have been made to the tools. Double-byte characters are not supported.

Names...

A Warehouse Group supplier made the paper today…

Sideswipe: Tuesday - 13 Nov 2007 - New Zealand Herald
Strange business names: John Christiansen of Mt Albert has always wondered what the firm of Stiffe Hooker Ltd, of Newmarket, Auckland, actually do (they're architects and engineers).

Moving Projects in AutoCAD Architecture

As part of a move to new CAD hardware I did some project file housekeeping. This required shifting 5GB of project files (store projects) and re-pathing them.

Probably about 2,000 dwg files, lord knows how many paths. After the move I loaded each project, re-pathed, then checked things to see if the new paths worked OK. The whole process took maybe 90 minutes, most of that waiting for files to copy (backups in case it all went wrong!) or move.

I didn't need those backups, it all worked perfectly. Thanks AutoCAD Architecture Team!

Caring for your Photo Memory Cards

  There are some great tips about caring for your memory cards, especially the last one which might even help if you loose one!

13 Tips for Using and Caring for Memory Cards - digital-photography-school.com
How should I care for my digital camera’s memory card to make it last as long as possible?

It's waiting time for The Warehouse...

The waiting game… 

It's waiting time for Warehouse ruling - Stuff.co.nz
The submissions have been made, the arguments argued. Now the interested parties, investors and the public must wait to see whether the Commerce Commission's decision blocking either Foodstuffs or Woolworths from taking over The Warehouse will be overturned…

Beating the AutoCAD Architecture/MEP Fixed Width Schedule Quantity Column?

While creating an AutoCAD Architecture Schedule I added a Quantity Column (1). As intended it combines like items to show a total number rather than each item but the result was too w i d e at the default 80 units (metric). Normally you select the column (2), modify and override the cell format (3) by editing the Cell Size fixed Width (4). However as you can see the width setting is grayed out. I couldn’t find any way to change this. I then though maybe it’s controlled by the header width setting. Sure enough the header override isn’t grayed out and can be set to any value. Problem is, that doesn’t override the fixed cell width…

After a futile attempt to “un-grey out” the cell width it was time to avoid the problem. You can hide the big wide Quantity column (Modify > Hide) and show the same values in a formula column. This is a normal column and responds to the width override setting.

Add a formula column (1, 2) then add the Quantity using the “Insert Quantity” button (3). The resulting field [QUANTITY] (4) displays the same value as the real quantity column. You can the override the cell format (5) and set any width you desire (6)which was 20 for me.

After I post this i suspect someone will tell me how it’s easy to “un-grey” that field and edit the quantity column width, if not…

MindManager Pro 7 Topic Styles (with free topic counter!)

MindManager Pro 7 introduced a handy new feature to control the appearance of map topics. Topic Styles bridge the gap between editing individual topics and Global” Map Styles which can alter an entire map.

MindManager Global Map Styles?

MindManager has long featured powerful document styling tools. You can control the appearance and layout of map by applying a Map Style. MindManager includes a good selection to get you started and they can be easily customised to create your own personal style. The images below show how changing Map Styles can totally transform a map in a click.

 

MindManager Map Styles are easily edited/created in the integrated template editor (right). This provides a generic map with every variety of layout, element and a tree depth control. Simply edit the elements as desired, save the new style and it’s applied to your map. You can also store Map Style to apply to any other map using a template/style organiser.

Editing an element in the Template Editor updates all elements of that type in the current map with one exception. If you’ve overridden a topic format in the map, by editing any feature (font, fill etc) manually, those changes are retained even if the map style is updated. If you “reset” a topic (CTRL+Space) it reverts to the current map style.

Topic Overrides can be applied feature by feature, or using the  Format Painter tool to clone a topic features from an existing topic in a click. That’s OK on smaller maps but tends to be cumbersome when maps get large. “Painting” topic style overrides to multiple topics means visiting each one with your paintbrush. Surely there’s a better way?

Introducing MindManager 7 Topic Styles:

MindManager 7 introduces the concept of Topic Styles. They sit between the global map style & individual individual topic overrides. Unlike the Global Styles these are not tied to the topics position in the “tree hierarchy”. In the style structure diagram below editing (or importing) the Global Map Style would update the layout and all (Global) Topics. Editing the Topic Style will update all it’s “child” topics. This applies even if the topic is not displayed (in a collapsed tree) when the change is made. This is really useful as previously you relied on a visual scan, or using map filters, to find all the topics to update with the paintbrush. 

Style structure & Example Map with Styles applied:
 

Using MindManager Topic Styles:

To create a Topic Style simply edit a topic to the desired appearance. Go to Format [Tab] > Topic Style > New Style From Selected Topic. The style is created and displayed in the Topic Styles Organiser pane. You can apply styles to selected topics from the Ribbon tool fly-out or directly from the Style Organiser.

To change a topic style edit any topic to the desired appearance, select the Topic Style in the organiser and “Update style to match selection”. All  dependent topics will be updated.

By default your topics are named “Topic Style 1,2,3,…” but you can rename styles in the organiser if desired.

The Free Topic Counter?

I’m not sure it was intentional but Topic Styles adds another useful feature. The organiser will show a count of the visible topics using the style. I use a “Project Topic Style” in my master map and this is a quick way to count projects. 26 as of yesterday!

 

Tags: MindManager+7