Updates to SmartBIM Library and SmartBIM QTO

Full press release can be read HERE.

Reed Construction Data today announced updates for two of its leading BIM solutions, SmartBIM Library (SBL) and SmartBIM QTO, tools to help Autodesk® Revit® users increase efficiency and organization in the design phase.

The release of SmartBIM Library version 3.8 offers users improved thumbnail creation for all Revit families and adds support for publishing curtain wall panels in user-created catalogs.

SmartBIM QTO 1.3 has improved functionality for exporting a quantity takeoff to Microsoft® Excel.

More information on SmartBIM Library and SmartBIM QTO can be found at www.reedconstructiondata.com/bim/bim-library/ or www.reedconstructiondata.com/bim/qto.

2010 Advantage Pack – Keyboard Shortcuts

So I installed the Subscription Advantage Pack and the first thing I looked for was the Keyboard Shortcuts UI that was added.  It took me a second to find it…it’s under the View Tab and the User Interface button.

It’s pretty easy to use.  Select the command in the list, go down to the “Press new keys:” and enter the shortcut you wish to use.  If you’re wondering what existing commands already use, use the Filter drop-down list and choose All Defined. All Reserved will show you what the “Windows” shortcuts are tied to.  You can also use the drop-down to look at specific Tabs, Menus, etc.  Once you get your shortcuts defined, hit OK and your set to go!

2010 Advantage Pack Installation Clarification

I mentioned in my first post announcing that the Advantage Pack was coming out that this sounded like it was going to be a point release…kind of like a new program.  The Subscription Release Pack is only about 98MB (64bit version) and installed like the previous 2 service packs.  It does update the build number to 20090925_1815(x64), so it is an update to the program and it is not a separate install like I may have eluded to.  Sorry for any confusion that I may have caused.

Revit Architecture 2010 Advantage Pack Available

It figures, Autodesk releases the new update when I’ve been swamped…which I shouldn’t complain since I’ve been busy.  Anyway, I just wanted to do a quick post that the Advantage Pack is now available in the Subscription Center.  Click the Product Downloads in the upper left corner after you login do get to the actual download.  Once you get to the download page, you’ll have the ability to download what you want to.

Instead of going into a long post about each extension or new feature, I plan on making smaller posts highlighting some of the features.

New Revit Tools-Features Available Soon for 2010 Products

**Credit goes to David Light where he provided information about this subject on his blog…especially for those of us that couldn’t attend**

As you may have already seen out on the blog-o-sphere, some bloggers were invited to see a sneak peak at some new features the folks at Autodesk are getting ready to roll out for the Revit 2010 products…which is being called the Revit 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack.

Unlike previous extensions they’ve released to subscription customers, this is going to be very similar to a “point” release…kind of like they did in the Release 9 days (before they went to the year designation) where they introduced 9.1 around the same time of the year.  So this will be a whole new release from the sounds of it.

There is one small thing…

It’s only going to be available to subscription customers!!

Here is a list of improvements that will be included with this new release…

• Additional keyboard shortcut commands
• A UI to control keyboard shortcuts
• Conditional formatting in all products
• DWG export improvements
• Text formatting – from shortcuts
• Find and replace text
• Model lines to Detail lines and back
• Link file improvements
• API improvements
• Autodesk Revit Model Review
• Revit DBlink
• Image modeler will now be included so you can create point cloud data from images and export this to DWG and import this into Revit
• Wood Wall Framing tool

Also, many have been wanting/waiting to see some of the tools in Revit Structure to be available in Revit Arch…the wait is over!  These tools will now be included in Revit Architecture…

• Curved beams
• Beam copping
• Create Trusses
• Tag beam systems
• Slab directions and decking
• Slanted columns
• Split with Gap

One the new features/release is available for download (which sounds like possibly this week), I will throw out a post mentioning that they are available.  I’ll also post as I can about the new features.

Way Off Topic – Chicago Area Photo Book

Earlier this year, I picked up a new Canon DSLR camera and have been getting into photography even more as the year has gone on.  Which was perfect timing for a little “contest” that CBS2 Chicago put out there for Chicago area photographers to be featured in a new hard-bound, coffee-table book to be published and out for purchase in Dec. 2009.  So, I’ve submitted a few pictures that I’ve taken over the past few months and I’m looking for some help to possibly get published…so I need your help if you are will to help me out!  The voting will end around October 16, 2009.

Below is a portion of an email that will give you a link to the site to sign-up and vote, as well as a link to my picture page.  You do have to sign-up to vote, but you won’t receive emails or spam or anything from signing up unless you specify it in the Privacy settings.

__________________________________________________

Dwane Lindsey discovered a great website and wants you to be a part of it. cbs2chicago.com is looking for the best photos of the Greater Chicago area to be published in a unique hard-bound, coffee-table book.

Dwane submitted a photo or two and would really appreciate your vote. Everyone who submits a photo is eligible for some great prizes, and of course the opportunity to get their art published in this great local book. Photos that achieve a high score (by vote), and editors' selections will be published in the book, so the book is truly the best of the Greater Chicago area. Registration, voting and submission are all free (and a ton of fun), so join Dwane and help shape the Capture My Chicago book today!

What are you waiting for? Go vote for Dwane's photos now!

__________________________________________________

If anyone does signup and vote for my photo’s, THANK YOU very much in advance!!  And, if you’re into the Chicago scene…this might not be a bad little book to purchase.  (No, I don’t get anything if you buy a book or even vote for my photo’s…just a picture and recognition in the book.)  Oh, one other thing…if you don’t think my photo’s are worthy of being in the book, please don’t feel bad if you Nix the picture.  I don’t see whether or not it’s a good or bad vote.

Revit Architecture 2010 (RAC 2010) Service Pack-Web Update 2 Now Available

I’m somehow not surprised this came out today (9-30-09), the second Service Pack/Web Update for Revit Architecture 2010.  The download can be found HERE.  There are two separate downloads…one for 32bit and one for 64bit.  Make sure you download the correct version!

Revit Structure and Revit MEP Updates are also available!

As always, be sure to read the ReadMe File before starting the installation!!

And if you haven’t seen the Architecture update list, here it is below…

Improvements made in Update 2 build (20090917_1515):

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010 Enhancements

• Annotation objects no longer disappear when panning a view that spans two monitors.
• Improves stability when switching between Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 software and Google Earth™ software.
• Improves the modification behavior of hosted sweeps (i.e. gutters) attached to joined roofs.
• Improves stability and performance when modifying walls.
• Improvements to shared nested families.
• Improves stability when modifying masses.
• Improves design option rules adherence for walls in different design options and worksets.
• Family and type information can now be read in Autodesk® 3ds Max® software from an FBX® file exported from a non-English version of Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010.
• Improves stability when adding views to sheets.
• Improves stability when making a design option primary.
• Improves stability of printing views in wireframe mode.
• Shadows will no longer be cropped when a view is printed or exported to a DWF™ file.
• Subscription notifications are now available from InfoCenter.
• Improves stability when reading IFC files.
• Improves stability when opening a project with an inserted TIF image and when importing a TIF image.
• ViewCube® navigation tool and the navigation bar will now display correctly after unlocking the computer.
• Improves stability when removing panels from the ribbon.
• Improves stability when cancelling a move, delete or copy command.
• Improves performance of view renaming and the Workset dialog.
• Mass floor schedules will now update when a level is renamed.
• A form element that has a divided surface applied to it will now be correctly generated after a copy, paste, or move.
• Improves stability when exporting to DWG.
• Dimension and spot elevation values will now display correctly in a dependent view.

Autodesk® Revit® API 2010 Enhancements

• Improves stability when subscribed to a DocumentOpened event.

Note:

• The service pack contains changes from the previous service pack (Update 1 - June 2009).
• The service pack can be applied to both the standalone and suite versions of Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010.