Autodesk University...a repeat of last year?

Ok, here is another RANT!!

Once again I was declined for my proposed session(s) at Autodesk University...
And yes even though I'm disappointed that my session wasn't accepted I understand why....simple numbers, 600 sessions 2000 + submissions!. What are the odds of not getting selected year after year??

BUT ! I take exception to the email I received from Autodesk telling me my session was declined.

We used several criteria when choosing speakers and topics - primarily conference experience, evaluations of presenters from past Autodesk University conferences, and proposed topics. Due to the large number of high quality proposals, we even had to disappoint some speakers who had excellent scores from previous AU conferences. 

Selecting past presenters over and over and over again is making AU a little stale... correction... very stale.

I understand they want to guarantee that the speakers are good, but if you want to keep it fresh you've got to mix it up some, even if that means giving new speakers opportunities. 
And speakers with unique topics... developing area's of how the software is being used as well as processes using multiple software... not to mention BIM Management !

Aghhh.... anyway, as I mentioned, I'm disappointed .. 
Not sure how many more AU's I'll be attending, it's getting tough to find high level sessions... Which is why I really enjoy RTC...which unfortunately I wont be able to attend this year   :-(

So if you do want to attend a conference with unique sessions come and visit my at this years Central States Revit Workshop (CSRW) in August.

And if you cant make it to CSRW... we'll, I guess I'll see you at RTC in 2014 or at AU latter this year... but maybe not next year... unless my session get's accepted?!    ;-)

Sc

Conspiracy theory

Ever noticed that the Google Drive logo is similar to the Autodesk Logo?

Autodesk Logo

Google Drive Logo

Conspiracy theorists may speculate that the two are related or are conspiring to take over the internet (aka the world)...

Seems unlikely... more like maybe Google and Autodesk use the same marketing company??

Who knows....

What do you think?

Sc

Visibility Graphics of Linked Mechanical Model

Since Revit MEP 2012 Mechanical engineers have been using “Systems” to develop their Revit models. These ‘Systems” have impacted how we can manipulate the graphics when linking into the Architectural model.

Here is how we can change the MEP model when linking it into our Architectural model.

Here is what the MEP model looks like when linked into the Architectural model.

  3D view in hidden line.

Open the Visibility Graphics dialog box (VV or VG).

Go to the Filters tab and add a new filter, create a new Filter called Mechanical.

In my template I already have a Mechanical filter created.

  

Modify the colour of the Projection/Surface Lines and the Cut Lines to black.

Also check the halftone box, this will change the mechanical components to halftone making it easier to distinguish the Architectural and Mechanical models on the printed drawings.

  

You model should now look like this….

By using Filters to control the visibility of the linked file every time we update the link the filters will apply.

Sc

Poche or Pooch?

This has been bugging me for ages.... firstly I didnt understand how to pronounce Poche and secondly it seemed like an unlikely word for what it is!!

I finally had to look it up on Dictionary.com
Here is their definition...

po·ché

/poʊˈʃeɪ/ Show Spelled [poh-shey]

noun

the walls, columns, and other solids of a building or the like, as indicated on an architectural plan, usually in black.

Origin: French, past participle of pocher to make a rough sketch.

Anyway.... the reason I finally had to look it up was that I came across an issue where the "Poche" wasn't showing up in my Revit section views... as it was the issue I was having wasn't related at all...

So just to recap... the Poche base......

"For 3D views, specify the material applied to elements that are cut by a section box in coarse-scale views. Click in the Value column, click , and select a material.

In medium and fine views, the elements that are cut by a section box display the layered structure of the host.

For example, the following image shows a 3D view cut by a section box at a fine level of detail. Elements (wall, building pad, toposurface) cut by the section box show the structure or cut material."

 

Sc.

Oh... one more thing to add...
Here's a picture of my pooch..

Using Grid Lines for Property Lines

Here is a quick tip on how to use Grid lines to represent Property lines in your project.

Duplicate your Grid Type and call it Property Line GL

Turn off the Symbol and change the Line Type to match your property line.

            

Using grids for your property lines you can show the Property Lines in your elevation and section views to graphically display how close the building is to the property line.

Sc

Revit frustrations !!

Here's a link to a colleagues Blog Cafe Jabbacino and her recent frustrations with Revit...

Something I think we can all relate too.. ;-)

Sc

i-drop

I had a colleague show me this nice little feature from Autodesk.
It'll look familiar if you've use AutoCAD Architecture before.

The i-drop indicator allows you to simply drag and drop content from the web into your drawing session or Revit project.

A great example of this is the furniture from Steelcase, here you can drag and drop (using the i-dropper) furniture symbols into your Revit project. 

Very handy tool which works great. You can test that it works on the Autodesk web site where you can download i-drop.

Sc

SiteWorks and LandCad

Have you ever looked at EaglePoint tools for site development for Revit?

We bought a license or Siteworks and LandCad years ago to work on a specific project where we had a Revit model that had a lot of development and it worked great.... have since forgot about it till recently where we will use it again on a highly developed Revit site.

Ever had to develop a Revit site model with roads, landscaping, manipulate the grade etc...you'll know how time consuming it can be...Siteworks make it sooo much easier!

Check it out, it'll be worth it...

I'm going to develop internal training on the tool since we have a network license of the program, and will probably buy a few more licenses once everyone is familiar with how to use it. I expect once they see it it'll be quite popular in the offices.

Sc

BIM for Construction Leaders

Just a reminder about the “BIM for Construction Leaders” seminar to be held at the Sidney Pier Hotel on Vancouver Island on June 7^th.

http://www.morinwood.ca/BIMconstructionleaders.html

Building Information Modeling is changing the construction business.

Join Morinwood and its partners on June 7, 2013 for a free seminar is for Developers, Architects, Engineers, General Contractors and Subcontractors who want to understand the impact of this technology, and the opportunities it presents for our changing construction industry.

Guest speakers include:

• Greg Baynton · Vancouver Island Construction Association | Construction Trends
• Richard Brown · VIHA | The Owner’s Perspective
• Scott Chatterton · CEI Architecture | Business Value of BIM
• Tom Morin · Morinwood Mfg Inc | Subcontractor Experience
• Steve Dean · Autodesk | BIM in 5 Years

Should be a great event and a fantastic networking opportunity.

You can register to attend at the link above…

See you there!

Sc