The Mad Cadder

Working Together - Revit + Showcase

Here's a great blog post from Jim Cowan describing the workflow from Revit to Showcase.

The rendering capabilities within Revit are good but static. Every time a material change is required, the scene must be rendered again to suit. Bringing the model into Showcase allows for changes to update the rendered model instantaneously.

 

Revit + Showcase

Revit LT is coming

Autodesk has announced that Revit LT will be released within the month. For more information visit: Revit LT

For a comparison of Revit vs. Revit LT visit: Revit vs. Revit LT

Remove Proxy Objects From AutoCAD DWG

Have you every wanted to remove Proxy Objects in a DWG created by programs like AutoCAD Architecture or 3rd party add-ons? If so, read this great post from Shaan Hurley blog called Between the Lines:

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2012/07/remove-proxy-objects-from-autocad-dwg.html

 

Default Ribbon in Revit

In any version of Revit 2012, a user can rearrange the panels in the Ribbon interface to suit their work flow.

There is a way to reset the Ribbon interface so that the panels return to their original position. 

Locate and delete the UIState.dat file. For Revit MEP 2012, in my computer the file is in the following location (Windows 7):

C:\Users\mrotolo\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit MEP 2012

WARNING: Deleting this file will also remove any customization done in the Quick Access Toolbar. I would recommend making a backup of this file before deleting.

Autodesk University - Day 3

AU continues to be great. The Exhibit Hall last night presented great technology and was a great opportunity to network.

It also amazes me how many people still love AutoCAD. I am sitting in a class regarding CAD Standards and its full and it's not even Lynn Allen presenting.

If you have never attended Autodesk University and you either use or consult with any Autodesk software, you should attend.

Stop Staff from Modifying the acad.cui

Here is a great article from AUGI - Matt Worland.

It talks about not customizing the acad.cui but creaing a partial .cui file. Also, take the standard acad.cui file, place it on the server and map it as the Enterprise CUI.

On top of all this, use a profile to push these settings to the rest of the staff in your office.

Link: AUGI - Enterprice CUI

Autodesk University - Day 2

Class are good but networking with other especially in the Exhibit Hall is awesome.

There is so much innovation displayed and new perspectives on BIM and other interesting topics.

Unfortunately one more day to go.

Autodesk University Day 1

So far so good. Opening ceremony was great. The focus was on innovations coming from people or groups you would never expect from was an eye opener. Think different is the key. Looks like they took a little out of the Steve Jobs play book.

Autodesk University (AU) - ATC Summit

ATC Summit Meeting @ Autodesk University

AU starts for most people tomorrow but there is a pre-conference meeting for Autodesk Authorized Training Centers.

I can't divulge all the particulars but I can say that they are raising the bar in the value of Autodesk Certification for students and instructors.

Instructor qualifications will be more demanding which is great. It will weed out the weak ones. No more teaching out of the courseware, LOL!

Which version of AutoCAD should you load?

Every year Autodesk releases a new version of AutoCAD but, should you install it right away?

Through my experiences as a CAD Manager and now as a Application Specialist my suggestion is to wait for the 3rd release of the current file format. What does this mean? Since the 2004 version there has been 3 file format relased which include 2004, 2007 and 2010. 

AutoCAD 2004, 2005 and 2006 are all release 2004 format.

AutoCAD 2007, 2008 and 2009 are all release 2007 format.

AutoCAD 2010, 2011 and 2012 are all release 2010 format.

The version with the least amount of bugs and fastest is always the 3rd release. Therefore, in the past I have always suggest loading either 2004, 2007 and now I suggest 2012.

For a CAD Manager this means that a complete overhaul of AutoCAD will happen every 3 years. This also allows for better budgeting of software.

It is always best if every user in the office is working on the same version.

And above all, create a customized company CUI file that can be carried forward through to the new releases. If you are still living in the world of MNU, MNS, MNC it time to learn CUI.