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Whats New from

Autodesk 2014

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Also in this issue: Inventor Gets Social

Behind the Scenes in

AutoCAD MEP

Better Model Definition

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April 2013AUGIWorldT h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f A u t o d e s k U s e r G r o u p I n t e r n a t i o n a l

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contents

columns

6 18

4440

4 Editors Note

47 Inside Track

AUGIWorld

6 AutoCADWhats New in AutoCAD 2014

11 InventorIncreasingly Social

18 Revit ArchitecturePredictions of a Present

Future

27 AutoCAD MEP Behind the Scenes in

AutoCAD MEP

31 Revit StructureBetter Model Definition

36 AutoCAD Civil 3DThe Proof Is in the

Pudding

40 Navisworks ManageNavisworks Joins the

Material Family

44 Revit MEPFocus on Engineering

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www.augiworld. com

EditorsEditor-in-ChiefDavid Harrington - [email protected]

Copy EditorMarilyn Law - [email protected]

Layout EditorTim Varnau - [email protected]

Content Managers3ds Max - Osama AliAutoCAD - Curt MorenoAutoCAD Architecture - Melinda HeavrinAutoCAD Civil 3D - Christopher FugittAutoCAD MEP - William CampbellColumn: Inside Track - Lee AmbrosiusInventor - John EvansNavisworks - Michael SmithProduct Review - Lonnie CumptonRevit Architecture - Jay ZallanRevit MEP - Todd ShackelfordRevit Structure - Phil Russo

Advertising / Reprint SalesDavid Harrington - [email protected]

AUGI Management

President

David Harrington

Vice-President

R. Robert Bell

Executive Director

Mark Kiker

Treasurer

Desire Mackey

Secretary

Melanie Perry

AUGI Board of DirectorsShaun Bryant

Scott EbertTommy Holder

Michael Smith

Matt Worland

Scott Wilcox

Publication InformationAUGIWorldmagazine is a benefit of specificAUGI membership plans. Direct magazinesubscriptions are not available. Please visithttp://www.augi.com/account/register to join or up-grade your membership to receiveAUGIWorldmagazine in print. To manage your AUGI membership andaddress, please visit http://www.augi.com/account. For all other magazine inquires please [email protected]

Published by:

AUGIWorld is published by Autodesk User GroupInternational, Inc. AUGI makes no warranty for theuse of its products and assumes no responsibility forany errors which may appear in this publication nordoes it make a commitment to update the informatiocontained herein.

AUGIWorldis Copyright 2013 AUGI. No informa-tion in this magazine may be reproduced withoutexpressed written permission from AUGI.

All registered trademarks and trademarks included this magazine are held by their respective companieEvery attempt was made to include all trademarksand registered trademarks where indicated by theircompanies.

AUGIWorld (San Francisco, Calif.)ISSN 2163-7547

Hello, Dear Reader!

Happy Holidays! For the Autodesk community, the annualrelease of new software is indeed cause for celebration. Likekids with new toys, our authors have removed the wrappingand busied themselves testing and playing with the new

software. Within these pages they offer up their personal experiences and insight.Some things are wonderful; some things could use a second look. After all, nothing isperfect, especially software.

So we start out with Brian Benton, who just cant stop writing, sharing his thoughtson what is new and improved in AutoCAD 2014. Tis program has a very longhistory indeed. And our sidebar this month, by Michael Beall, uncovers how to hideand isolate work. Next we have John Evans, our manufacturing guru, who talks upwhats new in the Inventor 2014 article. Johns article is a show-and-tell: packed fullof commentary and illustrations about Inventors many new and enhanced features.

Ten we jump to the Revit timeline so that Jay Zallan and Marcello Sgambelluri canexplain what is new and exciting in Revit Architecture 2014. Of course, a good deal ofthe subject matter is platform, so even users of those other verticals should give thisa read as well. Next author Elisha Sage goes behind the scenes in AutoCAD MEP2013 and discusses customization and more. And our own Philip Russo takes a steelyeyed approach to his review of the new release of Revit Structure 2014. If you dont do

structure, feel free to just frame the pages.

Moving on to Civil, BIM and all things 3D, author Andrew Walther makes a meal ofthe new features in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 while he describes what it is in store forus. And then our own Michael Smith puts what is new in Navisworks Manage 2014 towork and colors his article with materials and takes off for the skies! Groan, my punsare failing me. Jumping back to the Revit world one more time, odd Shackelford putsan eagle eye on what is new in Revit MEP 2014. From what I can tell, his article isvery, very energized.

Rounding out of this wonderful issue of AUGIWorld, And finally in our monthlyInside rack we welcome a new author! Lee Ambrosius has returned to AUGIWorld.

You may remember Lee from a few years back as our AutoCAD author. He hasnow taken up the task to keep us in the know about all sorts of new productscoming to market.

And that is it! Get ready to get upgraded and informed with this newest issueof AUGIWorld.

ake care,

David Harrington

Editors Note

APRIL2013

AUGIWorld
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Specifications SpecWizards BIM Objects CAD Details Catalogs Videos Green Reports arcat.com

ARCAT.com provides architects, engineers,

spec writers and contractors with the mostcomprehensive on-line resource forbuilding product information. You

will find this and more online atARCAT.com for FREE, and no

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AutoCAD 2014

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by: Brian Bento

Autodesk has released the latest version ofits flagship design program AutoCAD2014. AutoCAD 2014 is the 28threlease of AutoCAD and is noted as

being version 19.1. It continues with the AutoCAD2013 .dwg file type and format and is supported on Windows XP,Windows 7, and Windows 8 operating systems. No official supportfrom Autodesk will be given for Windows Vista. AutoCAD 2014continues Autodesks reach for the clouds with its integrationof Autodesk 360, new geographic location tool, reality capture,design feed, and increased control and management exchange apps.Autodesk also makes an attempt to protect us from malicious fileswith the Secure Load tools, but they are tricky to use and willpotentially be a sore spot with CAD and I managers. Now letstake a look at these new features.

THE USER INTERFACEAutodesk recently adopted a new logo and branding. Figure 1shows the new Application Menu Icon for AutoCAD 2014 alongwith the new file tabs.

Figure 1: The Application Menu is updated to reflect Autodesks newbranding. File Tabs can assist in file navigation and creation.

Te File abs are a carryover from a third-party add-on and anow part of AutoCAD. Click on a tab to access the file, right-cli

Whats New in

AutoCAD 2014
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AutoCAD 2014

on a tab to open, save, or close a file or files. Te Plus Sign onthe right will start a new file or open one. Clicking on a tab whileit is active will give you a preview of the files model and paperspace tabs, providing quick access. Click the File tabs button in theribbon on the View Panel to toggle these tabs on or off.

THE COMMAND LINE

Te Command has been enhanced with several auto completefeatures. Tere is a new Autocorrect that will help you spellcommands properly. Auto complete will provide a list of commandswith your typed text no matter where that text is in the word. Teprogram formerly only displayed commands that started with yourtyped text. yping SEING will display many more commandsthan in previous versions.

Te command line now has Adaptive Suggestions. AutoCAD willlearn which commands you use most often and display them first inthe auto complete feature. You can also take advantage of SynonymSuggestions. Tese are alternate strings of text that can be typed inplace of the command. ype ROUND to start the fillet command.

Tis list can be edited using the Edit Aliases tool in the Managetab in the ribbon. When AutoCAD provides you a suggestion for acommand you are typing, there is an icon that you can click to openeither Help or to perform an Internet Search for the command.

Te command line also has access to layers, blocks, hatch patterns,text styles, dimension styles, and visual styles. If you type BOLand there is a block in the file named BOL, the Insert commandwill start with the BOL block ready to go. Expandable categoriesare available in the command line to make it easier for users tonavigate. You can customize the behavior of the command linessuggestions by using the controls in the Input Settings menu.

Right-click in the command line to gain access to this menu.Tere are a few small things added that many users will like. Tenumber of layers displayed on the ribbon has been increased, andlayers are now displayed in a natural order, meaning that layersnumbered 1, 6, 32, 16, 3, and 225 will be sorted 1, 3, 6, 16, 32,and 225. Before, they would be sorted 1, 16, 3, 32, 6, and 225.Te new Merge Layer option in the Layer Manager allows you tomerge all objects on multiple layers to one layer while purging theother layers.

Figure 2: The Command Line has many new auto complete optionsavailable.

Xref linetypes are no longer displayed in the linetype list or in theProperties palette. Before, they were displayed in these lists, butyou could not assign them to the object. Tey just got in the way.Xref attachment type is easily toggled between Attach and Overlayby double-clicking the type in the xref manager and selecting thestyle you want to use, even after it has been set. You can also switchbetween Absolute and Relative path. You can also remove the pathcompletelythe -XREF command has a new PAHWAY optionavailable to facilitate these changes easily through scripting.

THE CLOUDSeveral new features in AutoCAD 2014 get their power from thecloud. You will have to be logged into your Autodesk 360 account touse many of these new tools. One feature is to sync your settings. Saveyour settings to your account and download them to any machine onwhich you are logged into your account. Tis also enables commandline Internet search, Autodesk Live Maps (we will look at thoselater), Design Feed (the best feature in this update), and exchangeapps. Te Online ribbon tab has been renamed to Autodesk 360 tobetter match the branding of Autodesks cloud features. Tis ribbon

tab includes the new Open Folder tool that allows easy access toyour Autodesk 360 folder on your workstation. It also provideseasy access to the new Design Feed tool. Te Autodesk 360 ribbontab also includes tools uploading images for a drawing that you canshare online through Design Feed.

DESIGN FEEDIn my opinion, this isthe best new featureadded to AutoCAD2014. Design Feed,introduced to us in

AutoCAD WS, enablesusers to communicatethrough a drawingby adding notes andimages for discussions.You must be loggedinto your Autodesk360 account to use thisfeature. When in use,it will display a palettewhere you can sharemessages and imageswith colleagues, clients,or consultants throughAutodesk 360. Postsappear with relateddrawings on a desktop,on the Internet, and onmobile devices. Tesemessages and imagescan be associatedwith a location inthe drawing or justgenerally relate to thefile. Tere are tools that

Figure 3: Design Feed provides a meansfor communicating with others about a

specific file.
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allow users to tag colleagues, clients, or consultants in order to notifythem of the post. Tese notifications are delivered via email and alsoappear within AutoCAD. Once the post is completed and saved toAutodesk 360, authorized users can view the drawing and associatedposts. Te people who have been tagged can post replies. When apost, along with its replies, are no longer active, users can resolve thethread to hide it in the Design feed palette.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONAnother new feature are the Geographic Location tools. Tesetools allow you to find the location of your project and projecta map into your drawing. Tis can help design your site-basedproject according to its geographic surroundings. Tese maps willnot print and are intended to aid in design only. For some, this willmake the new feature useless or at least not good enough to botherwith. But others may find it can help to quickly verify geographicfeatures for their project. You must be logged into your Autodesk360 account to take advantage of this new cloud-based tool. Youset your location using the Set Location tool in the Insert ribbontab. You can set it using the new Autodesk Maps Service or you

can opt to set it using a KML or KMZ file. When using AutodeskMaps to determine your location, you can search for an address,latitude/longitude, or zoom and pan across the map.

When a map is displayed in your file it will always be set belowyour drawing geometry. You wont have to keep messing withdraw order to keep it underneath anything. If you are workingon a GPS-enabled workstation or laptop, use the Locate Me toolto determine your current location. Tis is a great feature whenworking on the job site.

EXCHANGE APPSAutoCAD 2014 has direct access to Autodesk Exchange AppGet there by going to the Featured Apps ribbon. Tis ribbon talso includes a selection of featured apps that are available fdownload. Te Plug-Ins ribbon tab gives access to the ExchanApp Manager and the Import SKP file tools. Te Exchange ApManager makes it easy to view and update installed apps. Doub

click on an app to choose the Help option (from a right-click mento learn more about it. You can also uninstall or rate the app heas well. Keep in mind that any apps you purchase are associated your Autodesk Exchange account.

POINT CLOUD SUPPORTAutoCAD 2014 comes with a new tool, Reality Capture, whiruns outside of AutoCAD, similar to Reference Manager. Tis totakes raw 3D laser scan data of any object or project and processit into point-cloud data that is more easily read by AutoCAD. Tenables users to take a large amount of point cloud data and pit in a more manageable format. Autodesk ReCap will convert tdata into RCP files that reference RCS files. Recap supports mapopular formats including Faro, Leica, and Lidar.

AutoCAD can now support RCP and RCS files in addition the previously supported PCG and ISD formats. Once a poicloud is attached, the Contextual tab displayed has more featurthan were previously available. Stylization controls (colors) anow available, making the displayed data match the scanncolors of the actual object. Tis will assist in visualizing tscanned object. Tere are also settings for displaying the colo

Figure 4: Geographic Location uses Autodesk Maps Service with maps provided by Microsoft Maps.

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AutoCAD 2014

And Heres HowTo Hide and Isolate Work

You need to plot Phase I, but you dont want to see the Phase II components. You could have put the Phase I stuff on its own layer,but its too late and you need to turn it off now.

Ah, thats where we need a review. Every fiber of our AutoCAD being says if you cant seeit, it has to do with layers. Nowadays, you can just Hide the objects. Please note, this hasnothing to do with the HIDE command for hiding 3D objects.

MEMO: We have had Isolate Layers for years, but that would either turn Off or Fade/Lock layer content.

NEED TO KNOW

Click the yellow light bulb in the bottom right corner before or after you select the objects, then click Hide Objects.

You can select the objects first, then right-click and go to the Isolate shortcut menu.

Hide Objects = Te selected objects are hidden.

Isolate Objects = Everything is hidden except the selected objects.

If there are hidden objects in the drawing, there will be a red light bulb in the lower right corner.

You can Hide multiple times within a drawing, but End Object Isolation (red light bulb) reveals all hidden objects.

OBJECTISOLATIONMODE

Te Isolation/Hide condition of the objects is temporary. Close the drawing, open it again, and theyre all back.

Te Isolation/Hide conditions of the selected objects is retained as the drawing is opened and closed, until you end the objectisolation.

Disclaimer: No Layers were harmed during the presentation of this review. Any resemblance to layer-related procedures is purelyintentional but, curiously, had nothing to do with layers.

Michael E. Beall (B. Arch.) is an Autodesk Authorized Author and the owner of CAD rainer Guy, LLC.He has been presenting onsite CAD training around the planet for more than 30 years. Contact him [email protected] give him a call at 502.500.2267.

of the objects to a Normal setting (colors based on the normaldirection of point) and a setting for Intensity (sets the reflectivityvalue of points). If normal or intensity data was not captured,these options will be grayed out and unavailable. Tere are alsomore clipping tools in the ribbon, similar to the clipping toolsin an xref drawing. Tis reduces strain on computer systems inthat there will be less data to have to deal with. Auto updateis turned OFF by default, making panning and rotating of the

views smootherthe computer will not try to render the screenevery time the view changes.

TOUCH SCREENAutoCAD 2014 has Windows 8 touch screen support. If youare using a Windows 8 touch screen device, you can benefit fromsmoother zoom and pan performance. Tere is a new controlfeature on the System tab of the Options dialog box that displays
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Inventor 2014by: John Evans

In this years new Autodesk Inventor release,Autodesk focused on increased productivity inthe Assembly environment, as well as some user-requested improvements scattered throughout

the platform, along with the ever-increasing shadowof social networks and sharing, Autodesk has addedfeatures to help users help each other and to share

their models through the Autodesk 360 service.

Tis article focuses on improvements in these areas:

INVENTOR

User Interface Sketches Parts Assemblies Materials Drawings Interoperability

INVENTOR PROFESSIONAL

Mold ooling

COMMUNICATION

Autodesk 360 Grapevine Inventor IdeaStation eamWeb

OTHER ENHANCEMENTS

USER INTERFACEBASIC SKILLS INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

Basic Skills Interactive utorials are available to assist users increating their own 3D objects in Inventor.

Figure 1: Interactive tutorials

Connect Interactive tutorial interactive introduction to theConnect Command.

New location for Interactive utorial files permitsunrestricted access to allow users to add their own. Te newdefault path is:

Inventor:

IncreasinglySocial

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Drive:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2014\Interactive utorial\en-US\.

Interactive utorial visual enhancements new size, shape,and color of ribbon command pointer and video play button.

CREATE INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

Instructions and sample files for use in creating your own interactivetutorials are in a separate download provided by Autodesk here

(including sample files):http://www.autodesk.com/interactive_tutorial-2014-64bithttp://www.autodesk.com/interactive_tutorial-2014-32bit

SKETCHESLINEAR AND ARCHED SLOTS

New tools allow sketched slot profile geometry to be created alongcenterline using the following options: Center to Center Slot centerline orientation, length, and a

width parameter. Overall Slot overall length, orientation, and width parameter. Center Point Slot Mid point to end of centerline, orientation,

and width parameter. 3-Point Arc Slot 3-point arc and width parameter. Center point Arc Slot radius point, start, angle, and width

parameter.

Figure 2: 3-Point Arc Slot

PARTS Create a work point at the center of a sphere. Color overrides in derived components can be discarded and

those override settings are now persistent.

SELF-INTERSECTING SWEEPS

Tis has been an issue for a long time. Inventor doesnt warn usersthat a problem exists until after the command is issued, nor doesit specifically assist you in determining the resolution. AutodeskInventor 2014 provides users with an enhanced sweep command,which allows large profiles to be swept along small fillets and bends.Where radii overlap in tight corners, the obvious intersectionis retained.

Figure 3: New Sweep solutions

Note: Tis functionality only applies to solids at this time.

NON-TANGENT SURFACE SWEEP PATHS

New sweep capability permits creation of swept surfaces alonpaths where the geometry is non-tangent.

ENHANCED BOUNDARY PATCH

wo options have been added: Automatic edge chain provides streamlined workflow whe

selecting multiple edges, and includes non-tangent geometry Boundary patch create complex shapes using weight facto

for smooth and tangent boundary patch types.

Figure 4: New Boundary Patch functionality

FILLET SUCCESS DIALOG

Tis is a nice addition. When a fillet fails to be developed inselection of numerous edges, the possible solutions are previeweOnce the successful portion of the operation is completed, a dialois displayed showing: unsuccessful features count total count of selected edges

option to accept the successful featuresOnce accepted, a repeat operation will include the original radiusize and selection in an attempt to add remaining features to thupdated model shape.

ASSEMBLY Export of driven constraints improved by optimizing th

WMV and AVI export for optimal quality (default). Appearance property available in Bill of Materials an

Parts List.
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PLACE COMPONENT

When placing the first component into an assembly it is no longerautomatically grounded. Tis is provided through the Placecommands context menu, which contains new options for rotationand placement. Tis option is deselected by default.

Figure 8: Place Component

One of the favored features is found by selecting multiple files

from the Place Component dialog, allowing users to place all ofthose components at their grounded origins in one shot. Manyusers will also love the ability to rotate the parts about the originaxis on placement.

Figure 9: New Place tool

Place Grounded at Origin feature works wonderfully.

FREE MOVE / ROTATE

Allows components to be dragged about the canvas, whilerelationships are put on hold. A rubber band is added to show

the component is in Free Move. Te relationships are indicatedwith glyphs, which can be selected to easily see how and wherethey were applied, offering a context menu in which to edit theconstraints as needed.

Free Move is a temporal state. Once activated, the components arefree to be moved about until an update is performed, whereby thecomponent relationships will be reinforced. Free Rotate functionsin a similar manner.

Figure 10: Free Move tool

ASSEMBLY COPY AND PASTE

Enhancements allow the assembly to be copied with the joints anorientation intact.

SYMMETRY CONSTRAINT

An option in the Plane Constraint dialog; allows two objects remain symmetrically placed in relation to a plane or planar face

Figure 11: Symmetry Constraint

ANGULAR CONSTRAINT IMPROVEMENT

Improvements include Status Bar instructions, visual cuof direction and angle in Graphics window, and an updatemodel preview.

EXPRESS MODE

Large assemblies typically open 4-6X faster. When enableassemblies are loaded in Express Mode when the unique filthreshold has been exceeded. Some commands are not preseuntil the assembly load is completed.

Note: Part data is stored in the assembly file in this mode, enlarginthe file significantly. Keep this in mind.

IMPROVED GRAPHICS PERFORMANCE

Pan, Zoom, and Rotate of large assemblies has been enhanced both Full and Express modes by: Increased frame rate from 10Hz to 20Hz

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Inventor 2014

Largest component is drawn first Multi-core support

A New Consolidation Background operation draws objects with thesame appearance as a single group, improving GPU performance.

INSERT FRAME COMMAND ENHANCEMENT

Tis option in the Insert dialog allows construction and center line

types to be excluded/included in the frame geometry selection.

CAMERA SETTING IN VIEW REPRESENTATIONS

Context menu options are now available to Save Current Camera,Restore Saved Camera, and AutoSave.

MATERIALSMATERIALS BROWSER

Figure 12: Materials Browser enhancements

Additions to the Materials Browser include: Show/Hide Library panel and tree icon greater control over

your view. Home Button control display of saved libraries. Library Folder icon provides more access to Library

operations. abbed Interface in Materials Editor.

Figure 13: New Tabbed Material Editor

Multi-select materials and appearances to add to a library. Lock and refresh icon shows when shared libraries are being

edited (locked) or need to be refreshed (out of date). Visual Aids italic and underline text indicate differences

between the document materials and appearances and library.Tese improvements are related to those in the Inventor 2013service pack 1.1.

Lots of behind-the-scenes changes to improve performanceand usability.

DRAWINGS Appearance property can be added to BOM and parts lists.

SPLIT TABLES

Now various tables such as parts lists, holes, revisions, and generaltables can be split into multiple segments, retaining the commonheader for each. Split/Unsplit able options are now present inthe tables context menu, which splits the table into two parts.Te new split segment table is displayed as a child relationship tothe original parent table in the Drawing browser. Changes to the

parent propagate to the children, but not vice-versa.

Figure 14: Split Tables

RASTER VIEWS

A new option in the drawing view dialog creates raster views thatdo not evolve into precise views until user specified. Tis allowsimmediate update to views that contain large assemblies withoutthe delay of a full recompute. raditional green brackets surroundthe drawing view, and a red diagonal is present for the view in theDrawing browser.

A context menu permits individual views to be made precise, aswell as a Graphics View menu that now contains the Make All

Views Precise/Raster option.

INTEROPERABILITYBIM SIMPLIFY

Where complete component definitions are not required fortransfer, intellectual properties can be removed and simplifiedproduct representations can be created with Simplify tools.Tis feature can also produce Revit Family files with nativeform features.

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Figure 15: Simplify tab

Te following options are available: Include Components create view representation with

selected components. Define Envelopes box or cylinder envelope representation

of selected features. Create Simplified Part Uses current view representation to

exclude hidden components.

Figure 16: Define Envelopes tool

REVIT FEATURE RECOGNITION

Tis set of tools uses geometry simplification tools that allow usersto represent the model with features Revit will recognize.

Figure 17: BIM Simplify and Recognition tools

Remove Details recognized fillets and chamfers are removed

along with user selected faces. Fill Voids cap off holes and pockets with surface patches

resulting in solid fills. Define envelopes simplify a component with box/cylinder

envelopes of selected features. Recognize extrude converted to Revit feature. Recognize revolve converted to Revit feature. Recognize sweep converted to Revit feature. Auto recognize automatically recognizes extrude and

revolve features, and removes fillets and chamfers.

BIM EXCHANGE

Parts can be exported to a native Revit Family file using thExport Building Component in the BIM Exchange environmenConnector, property, parameter, orientation, category, aninsertion point information can be added.

CHECK REVIT FEATURES

Displays HML report with model information contained in th

Revit Family file feature translation rules. Tis is used to determinthe success of the Revit Family file translation, including the statof each feature and reasons for unsuccessful translations.

TRANSLATORS

Additional model translation support has been added.

Export: Parasolid version 9.0 through 25.0 Pro/ENGINEER Granite version 1 through 8.0 CAIA V5 version R10 through V5-6R2012

Import: CAIA V5 version R6 through V5-6R2012 NX version Unigraphics 13 through NX 8.0 SolidWorks version 2001 plus through 2012 Up to Wildfire 5.0, Creo Parametric version 1.0 through 2.0

REVIT INTEROPERABILITY SUB-COMPONENT

Import a .rvt (Revit project) file in Place Components dialo Export .rfa (Revit Family) file in the Export Buildin

Components dialog.

Note: Tere is an option to install this functionality that is npresent by default.

MOLD TOOLINGEXTEND RUNOFF SURFACE COMMAND

Rule and component tangent-bassolution allows direction of the developerunoff surface.

AUTODESK 360A new Launch Website command is presein the Online Documents panel of the ribbo

giving access to the users managed files on Autodesk 360. Autodesk 360 files can be opened and saved through Fil

Place/Create Component dialogs. Autodesk 360 notification icon installed in the taskb

notification area, allowing mouse-over status updates.

DEPENDENT FILE TRACKING

Assembly and related part dependency tracking is now fulsupported through Autodesk 360, so all related parts aautomatically sent to the cloud when the parent assembly saved there.

DRAG AND DROP TO WINDOWS EXPLORER

A new Autodesk 360 Drive feature is placed in Windows Explore

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Inventor 2014

allowing users to drag and drop files that sync to their account. Allreference files are synced automatically.

GRAPEVINEA new online problem-solving community has been developed to

allow Inventor users to ask questions in a comfortable communityenvironment. Easy-to-use visual tools such as screenshots can beannotated and attached to the question post.

Te Grapevine is accessed through the Help panel, and usersare notified when their responses are available. Te Grapevine isintended to allow social interaction and encourage participation.

AUTODESK INVENTOR IDEASTATIONAutodesk has developed a forum to allow users to share theirideas directly with the developers. Features include tracking ofusers ideas, peer comments, and kudos. Te more kudos an idea

receives, the better the likelihood that feature will be turned into areality. Idea statuses change and can be tracked from post to releaseimplementation.

TEAM WEB (CAD ADMINISTRATION TOOLS)

eam Web allows a company to employ an intranet portal forcustomized company help, which might include regularly updatedstandards, easy lookup tables, and various resources. Te eamWeb command launches the site and is configurable in the InventorApplication Options. eam members can access the site throughthe Help Menu -> eam Web. Tis functionality is not new, but isbeing refreshed along with the numerous social tools.

OTHER

IMPROVEMENTSUPDATE DESIGN/

MIGRATION IN TASK

MANAGER

Te ask Scheduler nowincludes options for both the

Update Design and Migrationtasks, where you may controlthe inclusion of assemblygraphics for Express ModeTis option is turned off bydefault. Export errors from askScheduler log file to Excel.

DEPLOY ADDITIONAL

SOFTWARE

Users can include add-ins,components, and other

applications when creatinga deployment. Tis can beaccessed through the landingpage of Inventor. Autodesk Exchange Control

Block access to Autodesk Exchange through the deployment.

POINT CLOUD ENHANCEMENTS

Autodesk ReCap, a separate installed application, indexes PointCloud scan files and creates .rcs and .rcp (Reality Capture Scanand Project) files that can be imported into Inventor. Multiple scanfiles can be collected into a project and then attached as a group inInventor. New Insert at origin setting permits users to insert the Point

Cloud at 0,0,0.

John Evans is an Autodesk CertifiedInventor Professional living in theFlorida Panhandle, where he providestechnical troubleshooting at Gustin,Cothern, and ucker, Inc. His careerthrough the Aerospace Design, manu-

facturing, and maintenance spans 24years and includes a tour in the USAF.John now works as a design consultantand author from his company JohnEvans Design and manages the blogDesign and Motion, where he com-bines his passions: Autodesk Inven-tor, simulation, and motion control.He is a regular attendee of AutodeskUniversity and has recently joinedekni Consulting as a contribut-ing author for the Creative Inventortraining series. He can be reached at

[email protected]

Figure 18: Grapevine commenting
mailto:john%40johnevansdesign.net?subject=mailto:john%40johnevansdesign.net?subject=

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Revit Architecture 2014

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by: Jay B. Zallan and Marcello Sgambellu

Predictionsof a Present

FutureAt the time these sacred texts werepenned for this issue, the release dateof Revit 2014 was fast approaching.Marcello Sgambelluri and I thought it

would be fun to call on Revitdamus to peer into thefuture and give ouruh hissynopsis of Whats New in Revit2014. Tough space is limited in this article and we can highlightbut a few, the newest offerings in Revit 2014 from Te Factoryare sure to open vast, uncharted frontiers within the galaxy that is

BIM, in the cosmos of AECO. Jay B. Zallan

PART 1Jay B. Zallan

THERE WILL BECOME A GREAT TOGETHERNESS

THROUGH A DRAGGING & DROPPING OF PANES AND

GREAT SPACE WILL OPEN ANEW

Framework Feature | Dockable Window EnhancementsA picture is worth 1,000 words, so ponder the tabs at the bottomof the window shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Yesdockable windows! Tat Revitdamus is really accurate. Nowwe will be able to combine the following windowscalled paneswhen docked togetherinto one window. Tose available to dockare the: Project browser Properties palette System browser Reconcile hosting browser Rebar shape browser

Simply heed what Revitdamus says and drag & drop any numberof these windows onto one another, just like docking, except ontop of one another. Voila no more windows, now they are panesin a larger window contextuntil you drag one away. Ten it willbecome a window again, to float freely or dock elsewhere.

MODIFY VIEWS WITHOUT MODIFYING THEM | REMOVE

EXCESS BY ADDING ACCESS

Platform Feature | emporary View Properties

Change the View Properties temporarily without affecting thesaved view state. Wait, did I get that right? Yes!

First thing with this new functionality mode, it looks as thoughthe Working or User Views conceptthough not the primaryreason for this new functionalityis going away. Going away inmany cases and, at the very least, it will take leave from my processimmediately. No matter how much I embraced and championedthe User view concept, I think it might be time to explore movingon from that excess of seemingly unnecessary views (for themost part).

With the emporary View Properties mode enabled, one canchange the view as needed to meet current and shifting workflows,whether by Visibility Graphic (VV) Overrides (on the fly) orby creating View emplates (V) (on the fly or beforehand)and applying them temporarily. All this while preserving theprinted look if that view is on a sheet, and why wouldnt it benow? Additionally, this workflow will not create worksharingissues for others while another user is in the emporary ViewProperties mode.

What else does this mean? One can create a View emplate andeither apply it temporarily OR persistently. Te View emplates

for emporary or Persistent application are one in the same, sowhile we will be able to get rid of the User/Working Views, wemay get a new explosion of View emplates themselves. Notnecessarily a bad thing, though.

While in this new emporary View Properties mode, any (read asANY) property associated with a view template can be modified,but will not be saved, as stated either by VV changes or appliedVs. When this mode is closed, all the modified properties willreset to the views previous, saved state.

Although created initially from Structural requests, I can seethis becoming a valuable tool in the tool shed that is efficiency.Furthermore, I see its reductive impact on file size being a greatimpact not only of view quantity, but also of sheer file size andworkability. Removing the view overload that many a Reviteurcurrently battles is surely a gain.

As to the issues, in case you are interested here they are. emporary View Properties replaces the prior emporarily

Display Only Analytical Model Categories Debug the Structural Analytical Model and the Connection

Status parameter can be isolated via a filter to easily change theseobjects in the view; for instance changing their color, thus allowingeasy isolation and repair of the Structural models Unconnectednodes. Where will Architects take it? Oh, I have my ideas! Whatsay you, MEP?

WHERE IT EXISTS | AS MEP HAS SO TOO YOU

Family Love | Room Calculation PointsTe new Room Calculation Point has been added to all family

types that are room aware. Furniture Doors Casework Specialty equipment Generic models

When these families are placed into a project, sometimes portionsof their geometry are located outside a room, space, or withinanother element, which results in no calculable values beingreported. Enabling the Room Calculation point allows the userto move the location of the calculation point to fall inside the

required space. Note: these changes to the Room CalculationPoint must be made in the family environment, but who knows? Ifwe ask nicely, perhaps this new object will become variable in theproject environment.

VARIATION TO ONE REMAINS WITH THE ONE OR THE

MANY | DESIRE GROWS SO TOO CHOICE

Parameter Enhancements | Values Can Vary by GroupInstanceTis ones pretty straightforward, some parameters need variantsbetween Group Instances, even though all else remains coincident

Figure 2: Temporary View Properties

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Figure 5: Split elevations

Figure 6: New Materials dialogs

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Note: Tere are far too many enhancements to the MaterialEnvironmentso many that they could be the subject of an entirearticle in themselves. Add to that all of other new and modifiedfunctionalities in Revit 2014, both mentioned and not mentionedin this article, and there simply is no room for proper depth ofexplanation herein. Terefore, look for my companion piece onhttp://cad-vs-bim.blogspot.com/under a title bearing an ominoussimilarity to the title of this article.

PART 2Marcello Sgambelluri

CROP REGIONS SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO RECTANGLES

IN THE YEAR OF 14

New Feature | Non-Rectangular crop regionsIf you do not want a particular portion of the model to show up inyour callout view, then simply use a non-rectangular crop region!Everyone has been waiting for this one for some time.

Now there is no need to use large masking regions to cover upelements in a plan view, etc., and (arguably) no need to hideelements in a cropped view.Tis new feature is amazing and very simple to use. Follow thesteps below to create one. In a plan view click View > Callout > Sketch and you will be

placed in sketch mode.

Use the draw tools and sketch the boundaries of the croregion.

Click Finish. If you want to reset crop region, simply select it and cli

Reset Crop. See Figure A for some samples of non-rectangular cro

regions.

THERE IS TO BE GREAT CONTROL OVER ELEMENTSELECTION

New Feature | Controlling the Selection of ElementsTis new feature is similar to freezing layers in Autodesk 3Max and others or defining elements as not selectable. Seemsimple enough, but there is much more to it. Te selection featurare located below the modify tab, shown in Figure B.

By toggling links, underlay, and pinned elements off, it meathat those types of elements will not be able to be selected by eithclicking or by a selection window. By toggling select elements b

face off, it means that you have to select the element by its edgnot its face. Finally by toggling the drag elements off, it means thyou are not able to move an element by simply dragging it. All these selection features have been added to ensure elements are nselected or moved accidentally.

Tank you, Revit!

Figure A
http://cad-vs-bim.blogspot.com/http://cad-vs-bim.blogspot.com/

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PRO

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PRO

DUCTFOCUS

SCHEDULES SHALL HAVE MORE FAMILY CATEGORIES

AND USHERED IN WITH NEW FORMATTING

ENHANCEMENTS

Scheduling Enhancements | Family Categories AddedTis is great news! Now the following families are able to bescheduled.

Generic models Entourage Structural path, area, and fabric reinforcements Beam systems Pads Levels Grids Architectural columns Roof soffits And many more

My personal favorite to be added to the schedule list is the levTis is the first time that the elevation of a level can be scheduleBefore, the only way to schedule an elevation of a level was vthe elevation of a footing. Also, phase properties are able to bscheduled. Tis includes phases to be created and phases to demolished.

THE SHADE WILL DESCEND UPON SCHEDULED TIME,

WITH IMAGERY, COLOR AND LIGHT

Scheduling EnhancementsMajor scheduling enhancements and layout changes have bemade in Revit 2014. Some of the new enhancements include grview formatting and cell formatting. Tese new features allow yoto add column shading, borders, font overrides, insert rows ancolumns, delete rows and columns, merge cells, add images (adImages? Wow!), add project parameters, and add plain text to thschedule. Some of these new features are shown in Figure C.

Figure B

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DOUBLE-CLICKING ELEMENTS SHALL SAVE YOU TIME

AND MONEY

New Feature | Double-Clicking Elements Places Tem in Edit

ModeTis features title explains it all. Prior to Revit 2014, if you everwanted to edit an element you would have to click on the familythen click edit in the ribbon. Not anymore! For example, double-clicking on a non-system family in Revit 2014 will automaticallyopen the family in the family editor. Double-clicking on elementsplaces them in edit mode. System and non-system families, sketch-based elements, views and schedules, assemblies, groups, and stairsdrawn as components are allowed to be edited by double-clicking.Note that some elements have multiple edit modes and double-clicking that element may yield an edit mode you may not want.For example, non-system families have both edit type and editfamily and double-clicking by default will activate the edit family.

Tere are double-click settings under the options menu (see FigureD). If you are unsure, just single click and click edit the element theold fashioned way.

In closing: even Revitdamus knows to look in the Help Syste(yes, its still F1) and thoroughly explore the Whats New sectioas well as go into every (read as EVERY) tool, button, drop-dowsetting in the Revit 2014 interface and explore with two concepheld in mind: See if you can find that which is new, yet not documented. What is available that I do not currently know?

Knowing what is there will give you power beyond currelimitations.

Jay B Zallan is Director of BIM atPerkowitz+Ruth Architects & Stu-dio-111, Jay brings unique & qualifiedinsights into the business & creative

processes of Architecture with provenstrategies for production & growth.Mr. Zallan has over 20 years of Ar-chitectural experience and enjoys a var-ied & diverse portfolio of Architecture

and Art. He is currently the Presidentof the Los Angeles Revit Users Group,AUGIworldmagazine Revit Architec-ture Content Manager, BIM AdvisoryBoard member for Graphic Standardsand he is a frequent lecturer on Cre-ativity, BIM and Virtual Design &Construction. He can also be found pre-senting at Autodesk University, Revitechnology Conference and as a guestlecturer at the University of SouthernCalifornia, LACMA, as well as manyother industry & AIA events.

Marcello Sgambelluri is the BIMDirector at John A. Martin & As-sociates Structural Engineers in LosAngeles, CA. He has been using Au-todesk products for over 15 years in-cluding AutoCAD, 3ds Max, andRevit Structure. He is a member ofthe ASCE-SEI BIM committee andcontinually speaks at structural profes-sional conferences across the country.Marcello teaches classes regularly atAutodesk University that focuses on

free form modeling in Revit and hebeta tests the yearly releases of Revit.He has worked on many projects thatincorporated complex geometry includ-ing the Walt Disney Concert Hall inLos Angeles, CA, the Stata Center atMI, and the om Bradley Interna-tional erminal Expansion at LAX.Marcello received B.S. and M.S. de-

grees in Civil Engineering and is a li-censed Civil and Structural Engineer.

Figure C

Figure D

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AutoCAD MEP 2013by: Elisha Sage

Behind theScenes in

AutoCAD MEP

In this months AutoCAD MEP focus article,well look at some lesser-known or under-utilizedtools in the program. Hopefully, these few tipsand tricks can help you better utilize MEP and

make you more productive.

First well start with something simple but extremely usefulthat can benefit users at any level. Tis is customizingthe CUI, or Customize User Interface, file to maximizeour effectiveness and time management while drafting.

Start this process by inputting CUI in the command line whichwill open the CUI dialog box (Figure 1). All the different optionsand menus can be a little overwhelming, but it really isnt that

complicated.

Te first thing to do is save as the current CUI file as your own.Tat way you can always go back to the stock CUI file that comeswith AutoCAD in case something gets messed up down the road.

Tere are many options within the CUI interface, but well lookat adding custom commands that can help on a daily basis. Wellbuild a custom command that zoom extents, purges the drawing,and does a save. Tis is something I use every day in coordinationefforts with other contractors who dont need/want miscellaneousxrefs and layers I may use. We can easily build this command andadd a button to the ribbon using our CUI file.

After saving the CUI file as your own, hit the Create New Commandbutton (Figure 2). On the right side of the CUI editor is a propertiesdialog box to fill out with the information involved with thecommand making (Figure 3). Well input the actual command in theline labeled Macro. Tis is where we can enter the same commandswe use in the command line. Tere are a couple special characterswell use in the Macro input box:- ^C Escape Key- ; Enter Key- \ Pause for User Input

For the sample command were building, the input will look like this:

^C^C_zoomextents;purge;qsave;

Te double ^C at the beginning ensures we exit any possiblecommand were in at the time.

Now well make an actual image to use as our new button. Im goingto use the Save button image as a place to start, then add my owntext on top to differentiate it from the standard button, in this caseBIM so I know it is my own button (see Figure 4).

Te last thing to do is add this button to the ribbon, menu, or toolbarDo this by dragging and dropping the button wherever you want it.

Now that was a fairly easy but very useful customization that willhelp us on a daily basis.

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AutoCAD MEP 2013

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CONSOLE MODEIm sure that most users of AutoCAD MEP use blocks in theirdrawings. Im also sure there are plenty of people using LISPcommands for any number of actions within AutoCAD. Sometimeswe want to make changes but dont really need the actual graphicalinterface opened. AutoCAD has a tool for this called ConsoleMode (Figure 5).

Console Mode is a command line interface that is a fast, simplifiedversion without the graphical window. What is so great about thismode is it loads drawings extremely fast and can still use mostcommands. It also allows someone who normally isnt capable ofopening certain drawings to work on them.

We can purge the drawing, changes layers, insert blocks, ansoftware developers can run workflows. Tis can also enable us teasily run script commands and automated operations such as LIScommands.

CUSTOM SIZESNow lets look at something we can do with the catalog editor thcan help us in everyday drafting.

Sometimes we have a unique need for a certain size conduit/pipeduct/cable tray or any number of items within our MEP catalogHeres how to add additional custom sizes we may need.

Figure 1

Figure 2 Figure 4

Figure 3

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AutoCAD MEP 2013

For example, I am going to add sizes to the plastic conduit inthe US Imperial catalog. By default the conduit only goes up to2. Lets step through this process and youll see how simple it is

Start by opening the Content Editor from the Manage tab in thetoolbar. Once Content Editor is open, use the Open command toopen the appropriate catalog we need to edit. In this case it will bethe Conduit (US Imperial). By default, all catalogs are located atthe following path: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2012\enu\MEPContent\USI\. For this case we will choose Conduit folderand then Conduit (US Imperial) .apc file.

With the catalog open, we can begin to edit the desired part system.We will start with the Plastic-> Glued->Conduit Plastic GluedTis gets us to the tables we need to edit (Figure 6). Start by leftclicking on the last part size in the table, then going up to the menubar and under Edit->Insert->Row (Figure 7). Now we have inserteda row on which we can add our own size of conduit.

Well take the next step up and add 2 plastic conduit. Te firstcolumn has the overall diameter of the conduit [D1] and the secondcolumn has the inside diameter of the conduit [ND1]. Well add the2 to the [ND1] column and 2.9 to the [D1] column (Figure 8).

Tis completes the process for the straight piece of conduit.Now we need to repeat the process for any other parts that we mayuse for the plastic glued conduit. Te process will be the same. Teremay be more parameters to enter, such as radius or other lengths, butits very straightforward.

Tere are a couple more steps to getting MEP to recognize thatweve added this new size to our part catalog. First we have to runthe command CAALOGREGEN. Te purpose of this commandis pretty self explanatory.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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AutoCAD MEP 2013

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Second we have to update the PVC/Plastic Routing Preference. Wedo this because by default it only includes up to 2 conduit shownin the drop-down menu for conduit sizes. o update our Routingpreferences, go to the Manage tab->Style Manager drop-down->Conduit Routing Preferences (Figure 9). With that menu open,update the sizes available by selecting NONE under transition type(Figure 10). Now press Apply and close the Routing Preferenceswindow. Were almost done! Te only thing left to do is SAVE thedrawing that weve been in while doing all this editing, close it, thenreopen the same drawing and voilawe now have the ability to addthe custom-sized part to our drawing. Not too bad at all.

PROTECT THE

STANDARDId like to touch on a couple things thIm sure most of us deal with within oucompanies from time to time: companand drawings standards. For better worse, every CAD detailer has hi

her own way of drawing, maintainindrawings, setting up the user interfacand so on. Sometimes this can cause a bheadache for companies that are trying maintain some sort of company standard

AutoCAD actually has a tool that cahelp a CAD manager maintain orderthe Enterprise CUIx File. Tis tool allowthe CAD manager to make the CUfile read-only on all user machines the company.

Te process is very simple. Te CAManager creates the CUIx file they wathe company to use and saves it to shared network location. o ensure thno one can modify the file, the foldshould be shared as Read-Only. Teeach CAD machine will need to hathe new CUIx file imported. Tis cabe done on each machine individually by using the Deployment wizard. Anthats itevery machine will have thsame look and feel and tools availabl

I hope that these tools in AutoCAD MEcan help you on a day-to-day basis. Eacyear, AutoCAD grows more and morgiving us tools that help us work smartand faster. Sometimes we just need little guidance to find these tools ana bit of advice to be able to use them tour advantage.

Elisha Sage currently works for Walk-er Engineering in San Antonio, exas.

He is the BIM Coordinator and CADEngineer for Walkers San Antoniobranch. Elisha grew up in Michiganand attended Lawrence echnologicalUniversity where he received his Bach-elors in Mechanical Engineering. Hehas had almost 5 years of experience inthe BIM coordination and CAD fieldworking for electrical and low voltagecontractors. He plans on utilizing hisCAD and BIM skills to allow him tocontinue to grow with his company.

Figure 9

Figure 10

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Revit Structure 2014by: Philip Russo

From 10,000 feet, if you look at theAutodesk Revit Structure ribbon youwill not see any differences between RevitStructure 2013 and 2014 as displayed in

Figure 1 below.

But dig a little bit deeper and you will discover some changesthat are geared toward providing more control over the rebar and

structural elements in the model. Tis article will look at the areasto pay attention to in the Revit Structure 2014 releaserebardefinitions, annotation, and the manipulation for all steel framing.

REBAR ENHANCEMENTS / CONTROLIn Revit Structure 2013 when you added a hook to the Std Rebarshape, a new shape was automatically added. Ten if you added a

hook to both ends, yet another rebar shape was generated. Tis is

BetterModel

Definition

Figure 1: Revit ribbon comparison

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Revit Structure 2014

Figure 8 shows the result of applying independent Y offset to abeam instead of a uniform offset, which would affect both ends.

Te independent offsets also allow you to control the point oforigin where the offset will be applied. Figure 9 shows the drop-down in the instance properties of the beam or brace selected.

o round out the added features to geometry manipulation we willfinish with start and end cutbacks being applied while placing abeam or brace. Figure 10 shows the instance properties of a beam

being placed.

Figure 7: Geometric positioning

Figure 8: Assigning independent offsets

Figure 9: Offset origination

Figure 10: Beam cutback during placement

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AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014

PRO

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FOCUS

by: Andrew Walthe

My roles as civil engineering practitionerand infrastructure and landdevelopment technology consultantmeans that I am driven by helping civil

engineering organizations become more efficientwith the use of design technologyspecifically AutoCAD Civil3D. My industry experience takes me back to the days of DCAEngineering and Softwarewhere Autodesks civil infrastructureand land development solutions beganand through thetransitions from Softdesk, to Land Desktop, and the continualevolving releases of AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Without a doubt, the major challenge that has plagued

our industry through the years of technology evolution isunderutilization. It is interesting to note that the nature ofthese challenges has changed with the technology. With themove from mylar/ink and AutoCAD to Softdesk and LandDevelopment Desktop, the challenges manifested themselves inthe convergence of drafting and design roles. With AutoCADCivil 3D, firms have begun to embrace these required rolechanges and are finding that employees are able to design moreefficiently, but often times struggle with representing designs ingood quality production drawings.

It is interesting to note that Autodesk has responded to the civilengineering industrys desire for better design tools and improved

data sharing/collaboration capability. Yet on the whole, oindustry has not responded appropriately to embrace what whave asked for. We need to embrace BIM technology and givethe attention it deserves, by developing project based technoloutilization strategies that encompass the development of designproduction standards, data sharing protocols and even statrainingthat account for conception to completion deliverablWe are no longer dealing with simple AutoCAD and must githis technology the attention it deserves.

So why do I recount history when writing an article about nefeatures in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014? his is because muof the new functionality offered in AutoCAD Civil 3D 201

continues to improve on existing data-sharing capabilities, antherefore warrants special consideration by engineering desigteams when developing project specific strategies for data sharinand workflows. Essentially, data sharing and collaboratiofunctionality have improved in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014, but order to properly embrace the new offering, we need to put thappropriate systems in place . Furthermore, I was pleased to leathat AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 improvements are oriented existing feature set enhancements, as opposed to introducing nefeature sets. his is clearly a sign that enhancements to existinfunctionality and stability of the latest release was at the forefroof the development process.

The Proof Is inthe Pudding

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Edit Multiple Pressure Network Parts in Profile View ByChanging Slope or Elevations When you select the pipesand fittings between them you can modify the slope of severalpipes at the same time. When you select the pipes and fittingsbetween them, you can modify the elevation of several pipesat the same time.

Compass 3D Plane he plan view Layout Compass wasintroduced with Pressure Networks in AutoCAD Civil3D 2013 to facilitate layout of pipes using allowable bendsand deflection angles. In AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014, layingout a pressure network in model view is facilitated with theCompass 3D Plane.

Additional Grips and 3D Snap Compass Settings Ycan now use the rotate grip and 3D Snap compass settinto rotate pressure network fittings and pressure netwoappurtenances in model views.

Pressure Networks and Section / Profile Views - Pressunetworks can now be added to Section Views and displayeas crossing pipes in Profile Views.

Pressure Network Part List Sorting Pressure network parcan now be sorted by size in the Parts List.

Pressure Network enhancements in AutoCAD Civil 3D 20are numerous and all encompassing, and now make this a viabfeature in the modeling and production design environment.

OTHER UPDATEShere are a number of other improvements in AutoCAD Civ3D 2014 that span a range of varying functionality. hese asummarized below. Create Sections of Projected Solids AutoCAD Civil 3

Section Views can currently display corridor, corridor surfacsurface, pipe network, material, and pressure pipe netwo

(2014) section data. You can now show an AutoCAD solin a section view. his may be useful if you have representeretaining walls, abutments and wing walls, headwalls another types of structures using AutoCAD solids, and wish show these in a Section View created from a sample line.

Extract Corridor Solids You can now extract and creaAutoCAD solids from corridor model shapes and linkYou can extract AutoCAD bodies, AutoCAD solids, AutoCAD swept solids. his functionality is especially useffor creating 3D models and renderings for proposed corriddesigns, and facilitates the transfer of Civil 3D corridor dato AutoCAD-only drawings.

New Context Menu Material Lists Commands here anew commands on the context menus to manage materlists and materials from sample line groups. his is a welcomaddition because in prior releases, material lists were creatwithout an editable naming template, and users now habetter control over creating named material lists and creatireports for generated material lists.

Figure 2: Sliding multiple pressure network parts in plan view alonga pipe

Figure 3: Moving multiple pressure network parts in plan view

Figure 5: Extract Corridor Solids

Figure 4: Compass 3D Plane

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Autodesk Infraworks and Autodesk WS You can importpipes and civil roads from Autodesk Infraworks. You can alsoexport profile data to Autodesk Infraworks. Drawings andtheir associated dependency files can be saved to Autodesk360 and edited using AutoCAD WS. hese enhancementswill enable a much broader group of project team membersto interact with model and production drawings, and willbe particularly important in connecting field (construction,field survey and inspection) with office (project design team,reviewers, and other stakeholders). Workflow definition is amust with this new functionality.

Annotation, Plan Production, and QO Pressure networkpipes, fittings, and appurtenances can be displayed in tables.Also, you can add pressure networks to plan productionsheets. Finally, pressure network parts can be assigned payitems in a parts list for QO.

Save Survey Query Files Standardized survey queries canbe exported for use in other survey databases.

CAiCE ranslator A CAiCE ranslator has been addedto the oolbox to facilitate the movement of CAiCE data toAutoCAD Civil 3D.

SUMMARYAs the title of the article indicates, the proof is in the pudding.With this new release of AutoCAD Civil 3D there is lessemphasis on new features and more emphasis on enhancingexisting functionality. In addition to enhancements and updatesmentioned in this article, there are a number of other miscellaneousimprovements geared towards increasing performance throughoutthe system. he most significant enhancements are the AutoCADCivil 3D 2013/2014 interoperability followed by other data-sharing capabilities and then updates to pressure pipe networks.As always, do your homework before rolling out to the masses.

Andrew Walther is a professionalengineer based in Comox, BritishColumbia, specializing in the ap-

plication of AutoCAD Civil 3Dto infrastructure and land develop-ment projects. He can be reachedat [email protected] or250-941-1422.

Figure 6: Context menus for sample line material lists

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Navisworks Manage 2014

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by: Michael Smit

A

utodesk Navisworks 2014 has manymajor enhancements that extend the useof models among Autodesk products.Tese features include the use of Ray

race, the Quantification tool, Measurementtool upgrades, Clash Detective upgrades, and the

introduction of ReCap.

RAY TRACE HAS ARRIVEDAn important enhancement to the Autodesk line of productsis the introduction of Ray race to Navisworks. Completingthe cycle, Navisworks will now render the Autodesk library ofmaterials. Tis improvement is a remarkable step forward as itfurthers collaboration among products. Any Autodesk materialsapplied to a model will persist in Navisworks. Te look and feel ofthe model will be consistent from Autodesk product to Autodesk

product. Using the Ray race rendering engine, you can easproduce photorealistic images as though they were created Autodesk Revit.

Furthering the rendering engine is the ability to create and appAutodesk materials to the Navisworks model. Navisworks 20introduces the Autodesk Rendering palette where you can seleany Autodesk material and apply it to the Navisworks model. Juas in other Autodesk software, you can edit a material and save thmodified version.

Te palette is broken out into two main panes. Te top pashows all the materials in the current document while the bottopane shows all the materials in the selected library. In Figure 1, tAutodesk Library is selected.

NavisworksJoins the

Material Family

Figure 1: Revit model rendered in Navisworks with Ray Trace

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Te Autodesk library is broken up in the selection tree by categorywith multiple materials in each category. You can quickly navigatethe selection tree and find the material to modify or apply toyour model.

With Autodesk Rendering you can also create and modify lightsand environments. Te Lighting and Environment tabs allowaccess to the tools necessary to customize these settings. You canadd point lights, spot lights, distant lights, and web lights. Tisis very beneficial as you can add lighting depthto the project. Te Autodesk light controls arevery similar to the Presenter light tools. Figure3 shows a spot light configuration. Any pointcan be modified by using the gizmo. Te lightcone, angle of the light, and location of the lightcan be modified. Tis ensures that the lights arepositioned correctly in your model to provide a

photorealistic view when rendered.

Another enhancement that Autodesk Renderingbrings to Navisworks is the ability to navigate themodel with Ray race active. Tis experienceis heavy on the graphics and is only effectiveif you have the hardware to keep up with therendering process.

When you wish to produce an image or video thatis rendered, simply click the Output tab on theribbon > Rendered Image. Make sure you have

Autodesk Rendering selected for your rendering image, and savethe file.

CONSTRUCTING QUANTIFICATION

CATALOGSA great enhancement to Navisworks is the ability to quantify themodel. Te Quantification tool in Navisworks lets you associatemodel geometry to a catalog. All constructed catalog items aredisplayed in the Quantification tool selection ree pane. Teworkbook selection tree is a construction of two other catalogs:the Item Catalog and the Resource Catalog.

Te Item Catalog is required to associate any quantities to theselection tree. Tese items are used to name the summary levelinformation of calculated quantities. An example of an item is a4 concrete slab.

Figure 2: Autodesk Rendering

Figure 4: Quantification tool

Figure 3: Autodesk Spot Light with Gizmo

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Te Resource catalog is used to create detailed information thatcan be used to construct assemblies in the Item Catalog. Examplesof common resources for a wall are: wall board, coverings, studs,insulation, and so on. In our example with concrete, lets add theresource concrete and the resource 4 Rebar 18 OC.

Once resources are created in the Resource Catalog, you canassociate them with an item in the Item Catalog. o associate thecatalogs together, select the Item in the Item Catalog, then selectthe resources in the Resource Catalog, right-click the resources,and select Add to Selected Item.

When you take off model objects, all resources will also be taken off.If you add a resource to an item after you have already associatedmodel objects to the item, these objects will automatically have theadditional resource calculated.

DYNAMIC FUNCTION IN CATALOGSOne of the fundamental aspects to the Quantification tool is theability to create functions in the catalogs to calculate quantities. A

good example of this is in the calculations of concrete. If you doa model takeoff on concrete from a model authored in Revit, thecalculations are based on cubic feet. When you perform a modeltakeoff, regardless of the units you select in the catalog, the valueswill be calculated in cubic feet. In order to properly calculate thevolume, you can change the formula from =ModelVolume to=ModelVolume/27

When modifying a formula, you can modify the formula to effectonly one instance of a takeoff, or you can modify the master tomodify all instances of the takeoff. As a best practice, it is suggestedyou only modify the master for consistency.

ITERATIVE TAKEOFFSBecause the nature of construction documents is iterativNavisworks allows for your takeoff data to be updated along withe model geometry. When a model is updated, the geometry Navisworks is automatically updated in the nwcs that comprithe nwf. Te quantification tool allows you to view the changfrom one iteration of the model to another through the use of t

Change Analysis tool. Tis tool displays multiple different icoto warn you about changes to the model. When model geometryupdated, you are able to view what quantities in the item change

For example, if tthickness of a slab changthe area and perimetwould be the same, but thvolume would be changeYou will be able to hovyour mouse over taffected cell and view tchanges between the oand new versions. You th

have the option to acceor reject the changes.

UPDATED MEASURING TOOLSTe measuring tools in Navisworks have changed dramaticallallowing you to more accurately measure objects. You now hathe ability to lock the measuring tools to any xyz plane or surfaTis is important because you can ensure you are measuring othe correct plane.

With these measuring tools you can accurately perform takeo

on objects that are not modeled. For example, if you know there

Figure 5: Item and Resource Catalogs

Figure 6: Updating quantities

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a storm drain missing, you can draw it in with the measuring toolsand perform a takeoff on a non-modeled object. When takeoffsare performed on non-modeled objects, the values will not updatewith model iterations.

LEVERAGING CATALOGSWhen you have developed an extensive catalog, you can export it

to be used in future projects. Following the example of other toolsin Navisworks, this allows you to create a workflow that leveragesall your work on one project to another project.

CLASH DETECTIVE CHANGESTe Clash Detective clash algorithm was updated to allow forquicker identification of constructability issues. When multipleclashes are found between the same pair of composite objects, theywill be treated as a single clash. Clashes between two parts of thesame composite object will not be reported.

Clash item highlight colors have also been updated, allowingyou to set the highlight color of clashing items when viewingyour clashes.

A new column in the Clash Detective displays the status on theClash viewpoint. Clash viewpoints can be automatically updatedby using the Auto-Update Viewpoint setting, or manually updatedby right-clicking on the camera icon, then clicking Save Viewpoint.

Another new column, Comments, has been added to the ClashDetective that displays the number of comments associated witha clash.

Te Filter tool has been upgraded to allow you to determine

how you wish to filter the selected objects. You can select none,exclusive, or inclusive. Exclusive will show clash results where bothof the clashing items are included in your current item selection.Inclusive will show clash results where one or both or the clashingitems are included in your current item selection. You can evenchoose to create reports only on selected items. Tis feature is inthe Include Clashes group on the Reports tab.

Te toggle between Dim Other and Hide Other has been restoredto the interface in Navisworks 2014. Tis will significantlyimprove the workflow, allowing you to more quickly toggle yourview controls.

Te reporting features of the Clash Detective were also upgraded.Te new features allow you to preserve you dim setting in thenwd. Tis means that users with only Navisworks Freedom willhave the ability to view your model with the Dim setting thatpreviously could only be seen in Navisworks Manage with DimOther selected.

OTHER UPGRADESTe Section tool received an upgrade in this release, allowingyou to fit a section box to a selection. Tis allows you to selecta collection of objects and select the Fit o Selection tool toencapsulate the selected objects in a Section Box. Tis tool can

be used in coordination meetings to quickly isolate the area forconflict resolution.

Te update to imeliner allows you to export imeliner tasksand save them as a selection set. Tis means you can manageand perform actions on groups of objects, rather than individualschedule items. imeliner now also supports Primavera P6 v8.2data sources.

AUTODESK RECAPAutodesk ReCap is supported in Navisworks to allow for pointclouds to be aggregated quickly and accurately. ReCap has aWindows 8 style with tiles to allow you to navigate all its tools.It is useful software that enables you to import a large variety ofpoint clouds and edit them within ReCap.

One of the key benefits of ReCap is the ability to combine multiplepoint clouds together, then parse out the combined point cloudinto sections that better fit your project. For example, supposethat your laser scanner is set up in multiple points and it requires

five scans to view the completed building on a campus. Ratherthan export the whole campus, in ReCap you can combine thefive point cloud files together, then create sections to isolate eachbuilding. You can then export just the sectioned building for usein other products such as Autodesk Revit.

Tis new point cloud software allows you to simplify the way youwork with point clouds. Navisworks 2014 will natively read ReCapfiles, allowing a good workflow between ReCap and Navisworks.

Michael N. Smith is a BIM Man-ager for C.W. Driver, a large generalcontractor in Southern California.Te firm is highly regarded through-out the design and construction in-dustry for implementation of BIMinnovations on each project, and forcreating customized software plug-insto increase the efficiency of the latestsoftware releases. Michael is a guestauthor and technical editor of Master-ing Navisworks 2013 and instructor

for Cad Learnings Navisworks 2012and 2013 Series. He has spoken at

Autodesk University, ASHE PDC,CASH, and other conferences. Mostrecently he started Blink Forward,a revolutionary approach to hyper-linking all construction documentstogether. Blink Forward links both

forward and backward allowing for alean paperless environment. He can bereached at [email protected] orat 909.945.1919.

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Revit MEP 2014

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by: Todd Shackelfor

Mmmmm, theres nothing like that newsoftware smell in the spring. Everyyear we ritualistically tear throughthe new version of Autodesk Revit

to crown our favorite new abilities and celebratethe Wish List victories made. Much like last year, there are majorchanges and minor tweaks in the new release. In the case of MEPactivities in Revit, the clear trend is incremental growth in BIMwhile sprinkling in long-awaited Wish List items to help satisfy

the Revit foot soldiers on the frontline. he groundwork laid inprevious versions allows the 2014 version to stretch even furtherinto design, heavier calculations, and truly leveraging the syncedlinked data in the architectural and structural models. Lets walkthrough this years offerings for MEP users one at a time.

MAJOR UPDATESAUTODESK 360 ENERGY ANALYSIS

For MEP users, the biggest thing for 2014 has to be theability to do energy analysis. his is building on thethermal properties that were added in the 2013 release.As a subscription benefit, users can now leverage cloud-

based energy analysis tools powered by Autodesk GreenBuilding Studio. his can be done with massing elementsand models with or without rooms/spaces. his supportsearly and often analysis. he procedure is to go to a three-dimensional view and select the Use building elements forsimulation tool in the Energy Analysis panel of the Analysistab of the ribbon. he Energy Setting dialog appears. Usershave the ability to sp