Locating a Revit project to an existing grid

Setting Shared Coordinates in Revit is straightforward.. But what happens if you have been issued with an existing building grid and need to make sure that your model data is always coincident?

13th of November 2012

Practical Architectural Modelling by Nigel Davies published

Nigel Davies has recently written “Practical Architectural Modelling with AECOsim Building Designer”, a step-by-step introduction to BIM using of Bentley’s AECOsim Building Designer. This book is designed for both new and experienced architects and engineers. It covers the design of a BIM project from start to finish, providing the reader with a basic knowledge of individual aspects of AECOsim Building Designer and acting as a stand-alone reference guide.

‘Practical Architectural Modelling’ provides both a quick reference guide to the use of each tool and a progressive learning path for modelling and delivering a BIM-based construction project. Each clearly categorised chapter is broken down into short and easy to follow tasks covering what you, as a designer, need to become quickly and successfully productive using AECOsim Building Designer. It focusses on practical, pragmatic advice, working through real examples of the challenges you may face when dealing with new BIM methodologies.

Stacked with shortcuts and administration tips throughout the exercises, ‘Practical Architectural Modelling’ provides the level of detail necessary to ensure you make the most of Bentley’s AECOsim Building Designer. Always with an eye on “the bigger picture” at all stages of a project, from early concept design through to focussed construction documentation, the experienced advice contained in this book will help you transition to the process of Building Information Modelling and maximise the potential of your design data.

Published by Bentley Institute Press, it is now available in a special limited edition "advanced copy" from Bentley's website.

by Nigel Davies, 1st of June 2012

Coordinating BIM coordinates

The problem: You need to coordinate the AutoCAD, MicroStation and Revit files so that they all reference in the same coordinate space...

21st of April 2011

FREE: MicroStation productivity tips

The Evolve CADsmart Training handouts cover all the essential tools necessary for efficient draughting in each of KnowledgeSmart's key areas. The handouts provide guidance on the basic settings for each tool along with hints and tips on how to use the tools more effectively. ensuring that you understand exactly what is needed to improve your skills and efficiency using MicroStation. There is something here for all levels of experience.

Available as individual documents based on each stage, or as a complete set covering the full CADsmart assessment, these guides are an essential learning aid.

Use these FREE sample tips in your own office: publish them individually on your company intranet, send them out as emails to your CAD users, or print them out and leave them next to peoples’ workstations.

by Evolve Consultancy, 15th of October 2010

Locating a project

Ensuring that a MicroStation project is accurate and to the correct coordinates...

7th of July 2010

Working with Real World Co-ordinates

Due to the way MicroStation’s co-ordinate system works, there are some limitations to be aware of in regard to the accuracy of elements if you are working to real world co-ordinates...

18th of November 2009

Reposition Tool

Co-ordinating CAD information across a design team is made easier if everyone’s information is drawn in the same space. Unfortunately, unless you have thought about co-ordinate systems, it is often the case that the survey, the architectural, civil and structural engineering data is drawn in completely different locations. It may be that you have to change from OS to a site grid as the project moves into the construction phase.

Before RepositionTool, this would have required you to move and rotate all you references or relocate all your files by hand. Now you can reposition all your project files in one go using Evolve’s RepositionTool. By using the cell library provided, placing start and end points, RepositionTool will relocate your entire project.

2nd of September 2009

How can I flatten a 3D file to 2D?

What’s the process for flattening information to 0,0,0 (from different heights) in a 3D file (when it should be a 2d file)?

29th of January 2009

ModZ

In our search for great utilities, we discovered this great little application by Bob Biggar? Similar to AutoCAD’s “Flatten” ModZ will, um, flatten elements to a specific z-depth.

9th of October 2008

How can I move the end of a line so that it is exactly at a co-ordinate point?

You can do this using a number of tools. One of the easiest ways is to use the Modify tool...

25th of September 2008