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.

Are Reflected Ceilings Views Truly Reflected Views

Have you ever wondered this?  Or wonder if Revit is just really looking UP in a ceiling view?  When looking at a typical reflected ceiling plan, you may really not be able to tell if it’s looking up, or if its looking down at the “mirror”.  But, when placing say Model Text on a ceiling (and looking at it in a Ceiling View) it actually shows a little clearer picture…

Now, if you look from a 3D View (specifically from the bottom) the text looks “correct”…

I had this come into play when doing a small little project for a customer.  I built a sign tower and the customer wanted some text on the bottom of the base as it was being 3D Printed.  So when I placed the text in the Ceiling Plan View, it was backwards.  I had to open up a 3D view and look at the model from the bottom direction if I wanted to work with the text in the “correct” orientation.

If you think about how Revit is viewing the ceiling plans, it’s using a Top View, but cut at 7’-6” (default).  If you look at the images, notice that the east/west directions are not the same…they are flipped.  So you are still looking down onto the objects when in a Ceiling View.  Here’s a Top view in Wireframe, looks just like the Ceiling Plan View…

So yes, the Ceiling Views in Revit are Reflected!  That Cut Plane that is used in a Ceiling View is really the location of the imaginary mirror to view a Reflected Ceiling Plan.

Shameless Plug for Navisworks - Autodesk University 2010 Voting

So I submitted a class on Roofs for AU 2010 and for some reason, it’s not showing at all in the voting list.  Since voting ends Friday, May 21, I’m going to do a shameless plug for the Navisworks session that I did submit (and is actually showing) – Transferring Project Standards in Navisworks.  The quick scoop…utilizing the XML files that can be exported to utilize in other projects.

If you are thinking about attending and would like to attend (potentially) this class, please log-in to the following site and VOTE for my class –

http://www.autodeskevents.com/au2010/index.cfm?event=voting.login

Thank you in advance if you do vote for my class!

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.