Subscription Advantage Pack for Navisworks 2011

This release year’s software enhancements available to Subscription customers center around integration and communication.  The offering includes:

• New avatars
• Appearance profiler add-in
• Extended support for existing applications
• New file format support

Select from an extended range of third-person avatars to better explore project models and communicate stakeholder perspectives.

New Avatars

Represent various roles such as safety professionals, construction workers and building inhabitants.

Override the appearance of multiple objects within the model based on user-defined classifications.

In fewer clicks than before, we can color-code objects by property values such as systems and even sub-components of those systems to clarify related objects or groupings.

Keep workflows current with support for existing applications:

• Primavera P6 v7
• Google™ SketchUp™ v7
• Autodesk® Inventor® products

And improve object quality and access to property information through direct file support with PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER® parametric file format.

Pro/E Support

Subscription customers for Navisworks Manage & Simulate, the Education Suites, and the Factory Design and Plant Design Suites can begin taking advantage of this offering today.

Take Advantage of Extensions for Revit Structure 2010

Subscriptions users…if you haven’t downloaded and installed Revit Structure 2010 Extensions and/or the Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010, you are missing some additional, valuable features that may provide time-saving functionality.

While there are several add-ins, I’ll focus on two for structural detailing. It is true in a Revit Structure model that connections do not need to be detailed to take advantage of the analysis capability, but at times it is advantageous to represent a connection in 3D for communication, presentation, etc. The following screen shots show tools for and “End-plated Column to Beam” connection, and a “Column Base” connection. Both tool sets use a dialog-driven approach that simplifies a three-dimensional detailing process by selecting from a “catalog” of choices to define the connection.

Extensions Manager

After selecting the column and beam to detail a connection for, launch the Extensions Manager and select Beam to column – end plated. Then select appropriate settings for each tab in the dialog to define the connection. Materials will be used from the template so your settings may need alteration if you do not find settings you are wanting.

Settings Dialog

Added Connection

To edit settings of the connection, select the assembly, launch the Extensions Manager and double-click on the tool again to access the dialog.

A second modeling feature is for column base detailing. The process is similar with selections to define the specifics you need.

Settings Dialog

Added Base Plate

Even though connections aren’t usually needed for documentation purpose by Engineers, Detailers and Fabricators using Revit Structure 2010 can take advantage of these and other extension tools to streamline their workflow.

Access your Subscription account today and see what is available for you to enhance how you work with Revit Structure 2010.

Introducing Ecotect Analysis Training Series

What a busy Autodesk University this year! I’d like to thank all the attendees of my 2 sold out Ecotect classes. What a great time! It’s obvious that there is a lot of excitement about this great product and we’ve been getting requests from all over the country asking one thing – “Where can we go to get Ecotect training?” Well, I’m happy to announce the launch of a series of classes that CADsoft Consulting is offering starting in January that will get you up and running in no time. We’re kicking things off with 3 classes, instructed by me, Patrick Villella. They will be web based, so you can attend them from anywhere in the country. They will be live, though, so you will be able to ask questions and get answers as we proceed through the topics. Class 1 is an intro, and classes 2 and 3 will be hands on. You’ll be able to download the custom datasets and will be given time during the session to work through the exercises on your own workstation, while being able to ask questions as we go. Plus, you can attend from the comfort of your own office or home! Click the links for cost info or call up CADsoft Consulting at 480.820.0408 to ask about package pricing.

Each class will be 90 minutes in length.

January 15th – 90 minute Webinar

Class 1 will be an Introduction to Ecotect to analyze building performance. We’ll cover the following topics:

• Overview of Ecotect
• How to model in Revit for GBxml Export to Ecotect
• Overview of calculations that can be performed in Ecotect
• Possible workflows and steps for improving building performance

Register for Introduction to Ecotect to analyze building performance.

January 29th – 90 minute Hands-On webinar

Class 2 will be an in-depth look at Evaluating Material Selection Using Ecotect. We’ll cover the following topics:

• Establishing baseline heating & cooling loads
• Visualizing which materials and orientations need improvement
• Changing materials
• Analyzing improved material performance
• Creating custom materials

Register for Evaluating Material Selection Using Ecotect.

February 12th – 90 minute Hands-On Webinar

Class 3 will be an in-depth look at Evaluating Daylight and Artificial Lighting Using Ecotect. We’ll cover the following topics:

• Importing DXF files
• Establishing sky settings
• Analyzing daylight using analysis grid
• Creating lights
• Creating light fixtures using materials
• Importing and using IES files for electric lights
• Meeting lighting footcandle requirements
• Understanding the pros and cons of using Ecotect for LEED calculations

Register for Evaluating Daylight and Artificial Lighting Using Ecotect.