Ceiling Grid Lines Don’t Move

Never had this one happen until the last class I taught.  Had a student moving their Ceiling Grid lines in one of the exercises and the Lines were not moving.  I watched a couple times (to make sure they were using the Tool correctly, which they were) before I noticed something…the “Disjoin” checkbox in the Options Bar was checked, but it was greyed out…couldn’t change it.  So I had the student get out of the Move command and then grab something else (like a piece of furniture or something) and go back into the Move command.  There, we could uncheck the “Disjoin” checkbox and had them move the object (to make sure the “Disjoin” unchecking stuck).  So with the “Disjoin” unchecked, I had them go back and try to Move the Ceiling Grid Lines…bingo, it worked!

If you weren’t aware, the “Disjoin” checkbox remembers whether or not it was checked the last time you were in the Move command.  So, if you try and move your Ceiling Grids, make sure the “Disjoin” checkbox has been unchecked.

Copy Doors and Constrain

I’ve had a few people ask me recently why they can’t copy Doors from one wall to another.  I was surprised they couldn’t as I could without any issues.  But then something clicked…the Constrain checkbox.  Sure enough, if Constrain is checked, you can’t copy a Door outside of the wall it’s placed in.  So in order to copy the door from one wall to another by utilizing the Copy tool, just make sure the Constrain checkbox is unchecked.

Or, just utilize a right-click and Create Similar.

How Much RAM Should I Get

I get this question quite often from many people, whether they are looking to get a new computer or looking to make some updates to their current computer.  Here’s a little excerpt from the Revit  Model Performance Technical Note…

“Please keep in mind the amount of local machine RAM required is approximately 20 times the size of your compacted central project file.  Each linked file would apply to this total as well.”

What this really talks about is how much RAM is required to OPEN a Revit file.  So if you have a 100MB Revit file (I like easy math!), you’ll need 2GB of available RAM to open that file.  Got a 100MB Revit Structure file linked into the Arch file, better have 4GB of available RAM when you open the Arch file.  Notice, I’m not saying that you need “X” amount of installed RAM, it’s “X” amount of available RAM  to open a Revit file.

Because of this requirement, I’ve been recommending that people utilize a 64bit OS so you can get at least 6GB of RAM installed, but preferably 8GB of RAM.  Unless you are working on small projects and you’re Revit files are going to hover around 50MB or less, then you could get away with 4GB of RAM and potentially a 32bit OS.

Disallow Join vs Don’t Clean Join

Ever wonder what the difference was between these two, or even know that there was a difference between these two options?  Both are part of the Wall Joins tool and are selected by different methods. 

The Disallow Join option is selected when you pick the end of a wall with the Wall Joins tool when it’s not connected with another wall, or now in 2011, when you right-click on the drag grip of a wall and select Disallow Join.

     OR    

The Don’t Clean Join option is available when you are trying to manipulate a wall join.

Now for the difference…and we’ll work with the 2 walls at the intersection. 

If you use the Disallow Join, you’ll get this result…

And if you use Don’t Clean Join, you’ll get this result…

As you can see, Disallow Join doesn’t allow the walls to cleanup at all.  Where as the Don’t Clean Join keeps the walls joined, but doesn’t clean up the materials.  In this case, that meant the gyp board didn’t try to cap off the masonry wall.

Revit Architecture 2011 Update/Service Pack 1

Well, this managed to come up without much notice.  And if you’re looking at the Autodesk website, you won’t find the update either (at least so far at 9:00 am CST).  It did pop up on my Communication/Info Center that there was an update.  The link will bring you to a “local” htm page that has a link to the readme and a button to Update your software.  This link does know if you have a 32bit or 64bit installation. 

Now that the Autodesk webpage has been updated and you’re looking to download the exe, you can grab them at the following link…

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973244 

Here’s the list of the main updates…

The list of supported video cards and drivers has been updated.

Improves stability in working with families.

Improves stability when deleting views.

Improves stability when export to gbXML.

Improves stability when view "Analytical Surfaces" in the Export gbXML dialog.

Correct export of embedded curtain walls to gbXML.

Improves stability when export to DWG.

Improves stability when export a split view with shared coordinates to DWG.

Respects crop region with blocks when exported to DWG in wireframe visual style.

Correct placement of annotation when exported to DWG.

Improves stability when Export to DWF.

Improves stability and performance when working in the Materials dialog.

Improves IFC import to display a warning when encountering a geometry issue that would have previously caused instability in some cases.

Improves Properties Palette and canvas interaction that caused unstable graphics if family regenerations were interrupted.

Updates to placed instances will now occur when reloading a Family Parameter into project environment as a Reporting Parameter.

Improves In Canvas Parameter Labeling to allow a Reporting Parameter to be created when an Instance or Type Parameter could not be.

Disables Reporting Parameters between In Place Families and Reference geometry.

Correct parameter names display within the Decal Dialog.

Improves consistency between Revit and Max when exporting lights with IES files via FBX.

Restored custom quality setting that controls number of refractions in a rendering.

Improves the performance when adjusting the exposure of a rendered image.

Improves issues encountered when rendering elements with different phase settings.

Repairs upgrade issue with certain light fixtures using IES files.

Repairs printing issue where Scope Boxes from Linked files were visible despite Print settings turning them off.

Ensures correct orientation of Elevation tags when tag family is edited.

Improves stability when switching among the tabs in RVT Links Display Settings.

Improves stability when ungrouping arrayed elements.

Improves Filter Rules.

For the entire list (including the API updates), you can view the PDF HERE.

Important Note:
Update 1 is not a full install; rather it is using service pack technology similar to AutoCAD®- based products. Prior to installing the Update 1, please verify that you have already installed the First Customer Ship build of Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 which is available below.

Revit 2011 Subscription Download Available

If you are a subscription customer, you should be able to download Revit Architecture 2011 (and Revit Structure 2011) via the Subscription Center.  As of 12:45 pm CST, I was able to get into the Subscription Center and access the downloads.  If for some reason you log in and get the Temporarily Unavailable message, please be patient and check back into the Subscription Center after a little while…it seems like everyone is probably trying to download Revit, so they are probably having bandwidth issues. Glad that this wasn’t a repeat of last year where they pulled the links.

Notice that Revit MEP 2011 was not mentioned above…apparently, MEP 2011 will be available later tonight or first thing in the morning on April 16.

For those of you that are not on subscription, stay tuned as the public download should be available very soon.  I will post an update when the public download is available as well.

Revit 2011 Available – Maybe??

**EDIT** – The download is available – **EDIT**

So, there have been a few posts out there that are saying that Revit 2011 is available for download via the Subscription Center.  But, if you try accessing the Subscription Center (at least right now, 12:00 noon CST) you will get a screen that says …

Couple theories…either everyone is downloading Revit 2011 and the system is completely taxed, OR maybe it was pushed to the site too soon (ala last year…see this post) and they’ve made the site “temporary unavailable” so they could pull the links???

Who really knows what’s going on, but at least we know that the download will be ready (if it’s not already) very soon.

Revit 2011 Blogger Webcast

Here are some bullet-point highlights I took from the Blogger Webcast today for Revit Architecture 2011…

• Design Options and Worksets accessible via the Status Bar
• Workset visibility updates
• Box option around Text
• Select All Instances in View
• Decals show in the new Realistic View
• 1 Mile radius from Origin limit has been extended to 10 miles
• Consistent Material Library between 2011 products – Revit has new materials
• 4 Core limit removed for Rendering in Revit
• Background images for Rendering
• Last Command is remembered, accessed via right-click or the Enter key
• Filters through Links
• Tagging elements though links
• Editing base sketch when working with Massing (this was missing in 2010)
• (some) Structural Tools are core in Revit Arch, not part of a subscription pack.  Things like sloped columns, enhanced beam system tools, curved beams, floor decking (sorry, no roof deck), etc.
• NWC Exporter will now have the ability to kick out Room info and objects
• Interactive Sun Path

And I know I don’t talk much about MEP, but WOW…2011 looks nice!  They really went to town with Revit MEP 2011 and have some very nice new features.

Want to see some videos from 2011, check out the YouTube channel from Autodesk - http://www.youtube.com/AutodeskBuilding

Revit Architecture 2011 System Recommendations

Ah, a new release and a new set of system requirements (recommendations) for your pc’s to run Revit 2011.  Actually, looking at the list the only thing that really stands out is they are actually support Windows 7…which really isn’t a surprise since many have been using 2010 without an issue for a while.  Here’s the information from the Autodesk website…filtered slightly.  If you want to see the full list, check out this PAGE.

Operating Systems
32-Bit
Microsoft® Windows® 7 32-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, or Home Premium edition; Microsoft® Windows Vista ® 32-bit (SP2 or later) Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, or Home Premium; or Microsoft® Windows® XP (SP2 or later) Professional or Home edition

64-Bit
Microsoft® Windows® 7 64-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, or Home Premium edition; Microsoft® Windows Vista ® 64-bit (SP2 or later)(recommended), including Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, or Home Premium edition; or Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional x64 SP2

CPU Type
32-Bit
Windows 7 or Vista processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology

64-Bit
Windows 7 or Vista processor: Pentium 4, AMD Athlon dual-core, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology, or Quad Core Intel® Xeon® W3570 3.20GHz, 8M L3, 6.4GT/s Turbo or equivalent AMD processor (recommended)

Memory
32-Bit
3 GB RAM

64-Bit
3 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended) NOTE: If you are running a 64bit OS, get a minimum of 4GB, but definitely recommend a minimum of 8GB…especially if you work on larger/complex projects.

Display Card
Display adapter capable of 24-bit color for basic graphics or 256 MB DirectX® 9-capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 (recommended) NOTE: Try to get a dedicated graphics card…saw too many issues with shared cards in 2010.

What’s New in Revit Architecture 2011 and Availability

Well, the day has come where Autodesk 2011 information is all over the place.  Instead of just reposting a bunch of stuff that you’ve probably already seen, I’m going to instead point you to a great post that David Light put together on his blog - http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com/2010/03/whats-new-in-revt-architecture-2011.html - about the new features in Revit Architecture 2011.  Great post David!

I’ll be posting more as the new release hits the “streets”, or in the Subscription Center site anyway.  And, the preliminary date for Revit Architecture to be available is April 8.  Take this lightly, as it could very well change.  I’ll post though when I get the official word.

Oh, and Autodesk has updated their website with the new information for 2011…

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=8479263#channels_What’sNew

This release looks to be one of the better releases, so I look forward to this year in Revit!