It's all "Relative"....

Using Relative paths for Revit files is a common practice since most of us are sharing our files with consultants and the odds of them having the exact same network configuration is slim.

Unfortunately there is a problem with Relative paths. Revit will only consider a link to be relatively pathed if the linked file is in the same folder as its host.
So if you link a file from another folder and set the path to Relative, Revit will still remember the path to that file and look for it along that path when the host file is moved or copied.

This isn't the end of the world, but it will require reloading of linked files when they are shared with consultants, copied or moved.

Revit MEP Content

Hey all of you Autodesk Subscription customers! There are 2 new content extentions available for download on the subscription website.

The US Content Extension for Revit MEP 2009 has imperial and metric duct and pipe fittings along with their associated Lookup Tables. These fittings adhere to SMACNA and ASME standards.

The UK Content Extension for Revit MEP 2009 has duct fittings adhering to the DW/144 UK industry standards.

We all know how important it is to have content, content and more content in order to create our building models so this is definitely a step in the right direction.
The nice thing is, the families in these extensions were created based on input from users of the software (imagine that!)

Not an Autodesk Subscription customer? Contact your local Autodesk Reseller to find out how to become one.

Reveal Around the End of a Wall

I've had enough people ask me this so I decided to post it.
This is a simple thing that is often misunderstood.
When an embedded reveal comes to the end of a wall - it can't wrap around the corner.
So sorry Charlie...

So, you simply have to create a separate wall of JUST THE MATERIAL that is doing the wrapping.
When this new wall is placed along the end of the primary wall - the materials wrap right around the corner just fine.
And any 'embedded'reveals will wrap also.
Bahda Bing.

But if the reveals were placed as Hosted Sweeps (NOT EMBEDDED) - the returns can be edited to 90 degrees and pulled back across the end of the wall.

This can't be done to embedded reveals.

MY PERSONAL OPINION: Don't fake stuff. Build it right so it works and looks right and can also give you accurate material take-offs.

Just Ask!

Transitioning to a BIM solution is a big step. It is far too important of a decision to make without knowing as much as you possibly can.

Revit is intuitive and fairly easy to learn but with today's fast paced project schedules many people don't have the time to learn by trial and error. Time lost by trying to "figure this stuff out" is a pain in the wallet and can lead to a wrong idea of what BIM is really all about. (See Mike's rant below about falling back to AutoCAD)

There are lots of resources out there and many people willing to share their experiences and lessons learned.

Don't be afraid to ask!

Are you really BIM ready?

Requirements for BIM deliverables are becoming more prevalent in RFP’s for building design and construction services. Are you and the rest of the project team prepared to satisfy these requirements?

Do not fool yourself or others; buying a box of BIM software does NOT make you BIM ready. Preparedness to satisfy the BIM deliverable requirements entails an understanding of the Integrated Project Delivery process. It requires all project team members (designers, constructors, owners and other key players) to embrace the nine principles of IPD. Otherwise, it will be difficult to fulfill the requirements for a BIM deliverable let alone achieve the benefits of an IPD approach.

There are many issues to consider and you should not attempt this process alone if you are new to it. You should bring a BIM subject matter expert on board your team to help you be successful in the process.

You can download the AIA Integrated Project Delivery Guide from http://www.aia.org/ipdg. In this document you will find the nine IPD principles along with a wealth of information to guide you along the IPD path.

Who Builds What?

This is an incredibly important question when working with consultants on an Integrated Project. WHO BUILDS WHAT? is a question that must be addressed early in the Design Process.

WHEN WORKING WITH LINKED FILES:
Who builds the ceiling?
Who places the lighting fixtures?
Plumbing fixtures?
Who places the beams and columns?
What about the slab floor or the joists?
Who adds the furniture?
ETC...

THINK before you build/model.

Several models linking in from different firms into one integrated model can get quite complicated if these decisions are not made up front.
Ideally they are worked out early, so there is little or NO duplication of modeling in the Building Information Model (BIM).

Should I or Should I Not?

When downloading a Revit web update have you ever pondered whether you should include the content library when downloading?

I do not recall previous web updates including new or improved content for Revit Structure. However, Web Update 1 for RST 2009 does include improvements to joist girder families and tags. These improvements make the joist girder content more consistent with industry standards.

I ALWAYS download the content when downloading a web update just in case there are any improvements or additions to the content library.