How to use the Copy Monitor Tool

How to use the Copy Monitor Tool

 On the Collaborate tab you’ll find the Coordinate panel where the copy monitor tools reside.

We start with the Copy Monitor tool.

From the drop down you can select either Use Current Project or Select Link.

The Current Project tool allows you to copy and monitor objects within your project. You would use this when multiple people are working within the one project.

The Select Link tool allows you to select objects from a linked file and either copy the objects into your project and monitor them or monitor existing project objects compared to objects in the linked file…

Here’s an example:

We have Structural Column placement from our Structural Engineer.

   Structural Column Layout                                         

The Structural file is linked into our Architectural Model. My Architectural Model has Grids and Architectural Columns Wrapping the Structural members.

Pick the Structural Link using the Select Link tool, and then select the Copy tool and then select the Structural grids and Columns (check Multiple).

After selection the objects you want to copy monitor select the Finish on the Option bar.

You can also modify the Copy/Monitor Options and specify the settings for the type of elements.

When you have finished selecting elements to copy into your project click the big green Finish check mark.

These elements are now part of your project and you can manipulate them as required.

The original element remains in the linked file but is watched within your project.

Here I have changed the linked structural columns to Red so we can see the difference. I have moved the copied column to the left.

Some elements such as openings and door and window openings are automatically copied with their associated elements.

So… now if I open my structural file and move the column and grid element, save the file and refresh the link Revit recognizes that some elements have moved and will give me a Warning. Select Ok.

Now that we know that objects have changed we now need to run Coordination Review selecting the linked file.

This will open up a Coordination Review dialog box.

You can Group the information in a variety of combinations of: Status, Category and Rule. If you can’t see anything in the list check each group type.

Also here, under Actions, you can specify how the copied element will be treated: Postpone, Reject, Accept difference or Rename/Move/Modify…(basically, move to new location).

  You can also select the element and click the Show button which will highlight the changed object in your project. You can also generate a HTML report if so required.

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To Revit or not to Revit...again... but updated.

So I sent a Blog out earlier today.... and then retracted it after reading this update from Revitforum:

We're happy to announce that Autodesk is now calling the whole domain dispute "completely unintended", and that it seems like they'll let us keep the revitforum.org domain as there appears to be nominative fair use. Common sense prevails!

We will however, have to add some minor disclaimers and tradegraphs to the forum, to fully comply with Autodesk’s trademark use guidelines. We'll be cooperating with the law firm over the next few days to ensure that it's done correctly.

You can read the reply letter from the law firm here: http://www.revitforum.org/out-there/12753-revitforum-org-domain-13.html#post78989

Thank you to all our members, and thank you Autodesk for doing the right thing.

But after thinking about it I thought I'll post it anyways...I'm glad this has been resolved quickly... Here is a re-posting of the Blog from earlier today.

Well this is interesting.... I just read a message from my LinkedIn group "Revit Forum"...
Here is an excerpt...

As some of you may be aware, Autodesk, Inc., makers of Revit, have retained the law firm of Donahue Gallagher Woods to notify all domain holders that have the word REVIT contained in their top-level domain name, that they are infringing on the Autodesk REVIT trademark. They have requested that we change the domain name of revitforum.org to one that doesn't contain the the word REVIT.

We refute these claims of infringement. The use of the trademark "REVIT" in the domain name "revitforum.org" is protected by the "Nominative Fair Use" legal doctrine that provides an affirmative defense to trademark infringement as enunciated by the United States Ninth Circuit, by which a person may use the trademark of another as reference to describe the product.

So what the H#$$ is Autodesk doing?

If my global company had a product that others were willing to promote for me I'd be happy! 

I would want to be seen as a supporter of promoters of my product and give some leeway to those who are incorporating the product name into their marketing.

What's next? Revit user groups? Revit Blogs? Online support groups?

User groups, Blogs and the Revit Forum are the main source for tips, technical support and a general "community" approach for those using this software.

Is this going to have a trickle down effect? Are brand specific car club enthusiasts now going to have to rename their club to "Generic Japanese 4WD sport car" club?

Autodesk should support and encourage Revit Groups, Blogs and Online forums, even if this means that occasionally the product gets attacked or criticized.  This is how they make their product better, in fact that's how any of us get better by being exposed to our faults. 

I sincerely hope Autodesk reconsiders this legal approach as it could seriously damage their image. 

Maybe someone at Autodesk can explain their approach, I'd be interested in hearing why they are doing this and I'd post their explanation. Maybe it would make sense? 

Either way I'm willing to listed if their willing to explain.

So is Autodesk going to approach me and ask me to change the name of my Blog? 

Maybe I should be called Archi Jedi, or MicroStation Jedi? BIM Jedi sounds good! 

I do like Bim Buddha....

Sc

Using Filters to change specific objects colour

We had a minor issue here working on a project with multidisciplinary linked Revit files.
In particular the MEP Model which showed the plumbing elements and floor drains in colour.

We wanted to "halftone" or make the floor drains grey without half toning the rest of the linked file categories (drains are a plumbing category same as W/C's and sinks etc...) using filters.

Here is what Dan came up with...

Here we are using Filters and specifying the Category which then gives up a category specific filter rule list!

Cool stuff!

Sc

Happy Nirvarna Day

February 15th is Nirvana Day!!
No it doesn't have anything to do with the band Nirvana and Kurt Cobain.

February 15th commemorates the death of the Buddha (Historical Buddha) and his entry into Nirvana.

Why, you ask, am I telling you this!

Well, many believe that the "Jedi Way" is, in part, taken from Buddhism (among other philosophy's).

When we teach, learn or work with people we may feel frustrated leading to anger. This is because we may be impatient or frustrated in trying to express our ideas or instruction. 

Quite often we do not realize that what we are saying is being interpreted by other people completely different to how we perceive our ideas are being expressed.... maybe I'm doing it right now! 

Anyway what I'm getting at is when you feel you blood pressure starting to rise take a deep breath, and put yourself in the other persons shoes. This will open your eyes on the situation and allow you to be able to resolve, or work through the "perceived" issue with a greater amount of clarity to you thoughts.

Be a BIM Buddha!

"Namo Amitofo"  Yoda.

If you wish to learn more about Jedi Philosophy check out this link to "Yes and Other Answers".

Sc.

Revit to Impressions to AutoCAD and back into Revit

Luke Johnson over at "What Revit Wants" recently posted a blog on round tripping Revit to Impressions to AutoCAD and back into Revit.

I believe Impressions is a little known and under utilized  program that is available to many Subscrition members. It's a great program to use and in some instances can replace photoshop completely... it also recognises when changes have been made to a AutoCAD file and can update your Impressions file.

It's another tool for your utility belt !!

Check out Luke's blog on Revit - Impressions - Photoshop - Revit here.

And check out the Impressions web site here. Impressions Community

Sc

Shaft Opening Symbolic Lines

Here’s a little tip I just discovered with the help of a couple colleagues.

Did you know that when you create a shaft opening you can also include symbolic lines that will show the extent of the shaft opening in all views…?

Here’s how.

Start your Shaft Opening tool.

 

After you have sketching the outline of your shaft using Boundary lines you also have a tool to draw the Symbolic Lines, you can use the symbolic lines to indicate the extense of the shaft opening.

When using Symbolic lines you also have the option to choose the Line Style.

                                                         Sketching the shaft 

                                                             End result 

                                  (as shown on every level the shaft is shown)

Colour Coordination Views

We can use colour to help us coordinate disciplines in our project using Filters.

Here’s how it's done.

 Above is an example of a typical reflected ceiling plan view with no Filters applied.

Note that Mechanical is typically coloured as they use different colours to indicate flow direction etc. However you’ll notice that multiple colours are used for the mechanical model, this can get confusing when trying to decipher each discipline.

So, using filters we can assign each discipline a colour making it easier to see clashes between each consultants model, as shown below.

 First we create a filter for each discipline.

·         Visibility Graphics, Filters Tab.

      Select the Add tool and create filters for each discipline selecting the relevant Categories applicable to the discipline.

·      Once you have created the Filter you need to then assign a colour to the line types of each filter.

Once you have created these filters you should then save the view as a View Template so you can then assign the View Properties to Duplicated Views called Colour Coordination Views.

Here is an example of applying the filter to a Sectional view.

In this case there are no overrides for the Interior model and the Structural filter override is set to blue.

See how clearly each disciplines model is displayed making it easier for you to coordinate and verify.

Sc