Diamond Sponsors

AUGIWorld
The Official Publication of the AUGI Design Community
June 2019

Introducing
Autodesk
2020
Also in this issue:
• Promoting Industry Standards
• Set Up Revit for Success
• Don’t Forget to Say Thanks

www.augiworld.com US $8.00
 Dell Precision Workstations
# 1 W O R K S TAT I O N B R A N D I N T H E W O R L D ! *

Great minds require

great machines.
To learn more and explore products visit www.DellEMC.com/Precision

*Source/Disclaimer: IDC Quarterly Workstation Tracker, Q3 CY2018 (based on units)

AUGIWorld

JUNE 2019
contents

6 10
6 3ds Max Shader Options in 3ds Max 2020 28 Revit MEP Promoting Industry Standards

10 Revit Structure It Takes a Village 32 Revit Architecture Unitsosaurus: Set Up

Revit for Success
22 AutoCAD Civil 3D Look at What’s New in
Civil 3D

22 32
columns case study
4 Letter from the President 16 RTV Tools
14 RTC to Digital Built Environment
Institute: A New Era
18 CAD Manager
20 Inside Track

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 3

 FOCUS
2019 Letter from the President

AUGIWorld
www.augiworld. com
JUNE

Editors
PRODUCT

Editor-in-Chief
David Harrington - david.harrington@augi.com
Copy Editor
Marilyn Law - marilyn.law@augi.com
Layout Editor
Tim Varnau - tim.varnau@augi.com

Content Managers
Greetings! 3ds Max - Brian Chapman

➲W
AutoCAD - Jim Fisher
AutoCAD Architecture - Melinda Heavrin
elcome to the June issue of AUGIWorld! AutoCAD Civil 3D - Shawn Herring
AutoCAD MEP - William Campbell
BIM Construction - Kenny Eastman
It is hard to believe we are almost halfway through 2019! CAD Manager - Mark Kiker
This month marks one year since I started my own Inside Track - Brian Andresen
Inventor
consulting business, and let me tell you I have learned so much more in Revit Architecture - Jay Zallan
the past year than in most of my career. There are some things I have known about Revit MEP - Nathan Mulder
Revit Structure - Jason Lush
myself (I am not a morning person!), and there are some things I really tried not to
admit. So, here goes. My name is Kimberly, and I am a PROCRASTINATOR! Advertising / Reprint Sales
Kevin Merritt - salesmanager@augi.com

I had been employed continuously since I graduated tech school way back when. I AUGI Executive Team
President
would get up in the morning, go to work, do my job, come home, get a paycheck. Kimberly Fuhrman
Repeat. But when I decided after a layoff last year to strike out on my own, I was in for
Vice-President
some life lessons! You see, I don’t really have a boss (other than my clients) demanding Frank Mayfield
that I sit at my desk from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., five days per week. However, if I’m not Treasurer
disciplined enough to do just that, I don’t get a paycheck (see above)! Sometimes it’s Chris Lindner
just easier to sleep in, or drink that second cup of coffee while watching the morning
AUGI Board of Directors
news and catching up on Facebook. But that won’t pay the bills. Add in trying to Brian Andresen Frank Mayfield
finish a degree online, family obligations, and other commitments, and my time is Kimberly Fuhrman Todd Rogers
limited. I’m not complaining, of course. This is the path I have chosen. Chris Lindner Matt Wunch
Sam Lucido
I have learned that procrastination is the enemy of production. Some people say they
do their best work under pressure. Not me. I can and will meet deadlines if it kills
Publication Information
me, but I know that if I had just tackled a task sooner, I could have put more effort AUGIWorld magazine is a benefit of specific
into a better outcome. It has taken many painful experiences of late nights and many AUGI membership plans. Direct magazine subscrip-
tears to finally get what my fourth grade teacher was trying to tell me…”If Kimberly tions are not available. Please visit www.augi.com/
account/register to join or upgrade your membership to
could ever get organized, she would be an excellent student.” receive AUGIWorld magazine in print. To manage your
AUGI membership and address, please visit www.
All of this introspection leads me to this: we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Where augi.com/account. For all other magazine inquires
please contact augiworld@augi.com
have you been procrastinating in your career? Do you want to learn Dynamo or
Maya or InfraWorks? What are you waiting for? Are you wanting to do something
more, but aren’t sure where to start? I used to open my edition of AUGIWorld every Published by:
AUGIWorld is published by Autodesk User Group
month and only read the articles for the software I was using at the time (usually International, Inc. AUGI makes no warranty for the
AutoCAD and Revit). AUGIWorld is filled with articles across several different use of its products and assumes no responsibility for
any errors which may appear in this publication nor
software platforms. Even if you’re not familiar with them, I would encourage you does it make a commitment to update the information
to read them. Our AUGI authors put their own time and effort into writing every contained herein.
month. If there is a topic you want to see, contact any one of our Content Managers
AUGIWorld is Copyright ©2019 AUGI. No informa-
to submit your own articles for our publication. Remember, this is YOUR user tion in this magazine may be reproduced without
group. expressed written permission from AUGI.

All registered trademarks and trademarks included in

In the wise words of Benjamin Franklin, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can this magazine are held by their respective companies.
do today.” And since today is the deadline for submitting this letter… Every attempt was made to include all trademarks
and registered trademarks where indicated by their
companies.
Cheers!
Kimberly AUGIWorld (San Francisco, Calif.)
ISSN 2163-7547

4 www.augi.com June 2019

subscribe here

ARCATECTTM is the new e-newsletter from

ARCAT. Stay up to date on projects and
news from all over the world delivered to
you each day, week or month. We let you
choose how often. To subscribe, go to:
www.arcat.com/arcatect.
PRODUCT FOCUS 3ds Max 2020 by: Brian Chapman

Shader Options
in 3ds Max 2020

Figure 1: Example of OSL shaders for 3ds Max 2020

➲A
utodesk included more than 100 shaders Some features users are excited about are displayed in Figure 1.
to support OSL since its introduction Using a Falloff map set to face the camera, I was able to imitate
to 3ds Max®. The 2020 update comes a robotic eye. The toon shader is particularly powerful, although
with 14 more. These are: Colorspace, my examples only display the outline (silhouette) feature. Figures
Falloff, Halftone (dots), UVW MatCap, Normal, 1 and 2 use the same Toon shader map to trace the silhouette
Random Index by Number/Color, Simple Gradient (which is and provide a thickened outline. Halftone dots were stretched
more powerful than it sounds), Tiles, Tri-Tone, Threads, Toon to generate a cross-hatch pattern in Figure 1, and an option was
Width, Waveform (animated), Weave, and ColorKey. selected to adjust the intensity in conjunction with the light. We

6 www.augi.com June 2019

 3ds Max 2020

PRODUCT FOCUS
Figure 2: Toon shader for blueprint effect

Figure 3: OSL code editor

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 7

PRODUCT FOCUS 3ds Max 2020
can also animate the OSL maps including
the new Digital Numbers displayed in
Figure 1.

Aside from an extensive library of

shaders available throughout the net,
OSL is particularly powerful inside 3ds
Max because it works with nearly every
rendering engine. We can also modify
the shader’s code inside of 3ds Max while
watching the changes occur dynamically.
Mixing OSL shaders with Vray materials
while modifying the OSL code gives us an
infinite number of possibilities. To modify
the script, we have to select the magnifying
glass next to the OSL file name as shown
in Figure 3.

Figure 4 exhibits using the OSL simple

tiles map with a VRAY material.

Additional Updates
There are numerous updates from 2019 to
2020. Some include improved performance,
Revit® import features, improved animated
preview system, faster UVW unwraps,
extended point cloud compatibility,
improvements to the viewport Activeshade
system, a considerably more powerful
chamfer modifier, and many more.

Brian Chapman is an Autodesk Autho- Figure 4: VRAY material with OSL simple tiles map
rized Developer and a Senior Designer
for an engineering firm located in Las
Vegas, Nevada. Brian can be reached at
procadman@pro-cad.net.

8 www.augi.com June 2019

 features in
Openings Studio
at booth
A252!

Openings made easy.

We’re a partner through every phase of your project.

Project Coordination Project Standards

Need help with Division 8 and 28 specifications on your next Whether all you need is a simple door family, or
project? Openings Studio gives you access to the data and something more detailed for renderings, we have
visualizations you need, so you get what you want - how you thousands of easy to customize
want it. options. Our families take your model
to the next level.

Punch Lists & Inspections Smart-Tagging

Punch lists are an After installation, quick scan frame-
exciting final step applied labels and access part numbers,
in the construction product guides and catalog information
process - until you associated with each opening for hardware
get to doors. But, verification and facility
our team can help management - all with your
complete the punch phone or tablet.
list for you, and
conduct the first fire
door inspection at the
same time!

Contact us for a free quote or demo today!

Visit www.openingsstudio.com or email
openings.madeeasy@assaabloy.com for more.
Copyright © 2019 ASSA ABLOY Inc. All rights reserved.
PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2020 – Structure by: Rick Gauthier and Adam Munoz

It Takes a
Village
➲I
mplementing Autodesk® Revit® Structure Group within your new or existing user group will help you bridge
2020 in your own office can be a difficult task, the gap.
especially if you try to do it alone. Can you ask
for help from your Local Revit User Group of 1 + 1 = A Group
Revit Structure experts? Would you like to learn and We could learn by ourselves, or we could share that knowledge
share Revit Structural experiences and knowledge with others? and learn together. Find someone local who is also interested in
Come explore some findings with us, Rick and Adam, as we share learning and sharing together, then you two can work as a team. As
ideas to help you implement a local knowledge-sharing user group you two share stories and visions for the group over lunch, write
in your office, hometown, suburb, or city. your ideas down to help bring your dreams to fruition. You can
both ask around and check for other people who may be interested.
We All Have Questions The next thing you know a group is formed. It’s helpful to learn
You can implement a new workflow and if you’re lucky, implement the basics of what others are doing with all the many aspects of
new software, but if you want to really understand how Revit BIM and VD&C. You don’t have to fully understand all these new
Structure is utilized in the big picture, you may have to implement workflows and technologies, but at least make note of them for
a new local user group. The more you learn about other disciplines, future investigation and possible implementation.
the better your understanding of Revit, BIM, and VD&C, and the
more you realize what you don’t know. To find the answers, you Check out the AUGI website
must look outside your comfort zone. Do not be afraid to ask If you get connected with the AUGI Website, you can read up on
questions. That may just be the greatest lesson in BIM. all there is to know about Local User Groups (https://tinyurl.
com/AUGI-LUG) and download PDFs to help you such as the
To help better your greater understanding, you may want to User Group Handbook (see Figure 2) and the Local User Group
consider trying to kickstart a local knowledge base user group, Leaders and Content Admins Guide (see Figure 3). If you’re not an
based on BIM and VD&C in general. A Revit Structure Focus AUGI Member, join today. It’s free!

The User Group Handbook contains multiple ideas and suggestions

and is the most in-depth resource we’ve been able to find to help

Figure 3: User Group System

Figure 2: User Group Handbook Leader Guide
Figure 1 (https://tinyurl.com/AUGI-UGH) (https://tinyurl.com/AUGI-LUGLDR).

10 www.augi.com June 2019

 Revit 2020 – Structure

PRODUCT FOCUS
you with your user group. Take the time to read this and utilize
tried-and-true methods from the experts at AUGI.

A Flyer for your First Meeting &

the 5 “W”s
Your first meeting flyer is very exciting to create and should
answer: who, what, when, where, and why. RSVP information
is also important, as is a thorough review for misspellings and
to ensure correct RSVP addresses. A flyer that can be printed in
color should also print well in black and white as not everyone has
access to a color printer. Refreshments and games are nice, but not
mandatory when it comes to putting that information on the flyer.
Here are more ideas and questions to ask.

What Exactly Is This?

Our first meeting goals for a local knowledge sharing user group
were to help introduce group ideas, share our vision of group
collaboration, and a call for participation! Our first meeting flyer
went something like this:
“This group is for those who want to learn and share BIM and VD&C Figure 4: Let’s learn the Ubuntu philosophy “I am because we are”
knowledge and ideas with the Local AEC industry. Whether you’re “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”
a Drafter, Architect or Engineer, young or old, Student or Teacher, want to start the weekend. Take note of those current and future
Expert or Novice, in the office or in the field, we want to learn, share team members who are willing to meet on the weekend—they are
and collaborate with you!” serious movers and shakers, possibly a little more passionate than
the average Joe. So while the weekend may not be good for a first
This can help you find other folks who are learning and utilizing meeting, it should not be ruled out for future meetings. Think of a
BIM, VD&C, and, hopefully, Revit Structure. You can also learn “hacker style” or multiday meeting that will produce
from other disciplines, workflows that can help you interact game-changing ideas.
with other trades and software. This will help build stronger
relationships between the models and the field. You can also Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are probably your safest
research what the GCs and various trades within your construction bet, but should still be cross checked with other local group
community are looking for in your model. Are they able to utilize meetings and events to ensure everyone will be available. Also
any of the BIM, if at all? Often, they may still need exports in check the various sporting events, championships, and so on. Even
DWG format for documentation and/or fabrication purposes, etc. the NFL Draft could be your competition.
Go find out!
Where?
Who? The first meeting location should be big enough to accommodate
Who should join? Who do we want to present? Do you even want a collaborative environment. One option may be placing chairs in
to have presenters? Who wants to sponsor, or do you even want a circle as opposed to a classroom-style environment. You do not
sponsors? We chose to hold off on allowing sponsors for the first want to be the only one talking and you want everyone to be heard
meeting so we could ask the group if we should allow sponsors. well, so a roundtable setup might work.
Sponsors often can host, provide food and/or drink, present
software, lead discussions, teach groups, and offer various services. If you ask, you may be surprised to find that many group members
will be willing to host the event at their facility, which is great! Be
Who is going to help organize these events? Who wants to help/ sure you also make note of that, then follow up and help set that
volunteer? Who wants to be collaborative and who will show up? in motion. You can also look into renting small spaces around your
Some experts may live too far away and not be able to arrive on city or town—look at IHOP or maybe a sushi place. We’ve always
time due to traffic and job requirements. Maybe they can eventually thought it would be cool to rent out a small movie theater for one
attend online. Sometimes folks will also want to attend from other of the meetings!
parts of the state, country, or even around the world! Streaming
video of the meeting online brings its own challenges, but also the Having enough space, enough chairs, enough drinks, enough
reward of input from worldwide experts. food and/or snacks can all be a little stressful, so RSVP should
be requested while advertising the event. Again, on the day of the
When? event, be sure to ask the attendees if anyone is willing to host future
Which day of the week is best for the group to meet? Many meetings. One idea is to move the event around to encourage
people are not super motivated on Monday or may have important experts who live further from the big city to join in and share
meetings that day. Fridays are not good either as most people their expertise.

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 11

PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2020 – Structure
Why? Handouts are also a great way to get feedback later from those who
Why not? Learning Revit Structure can be both frustrating and could not make it to the meeting. Encourage the group to take the
exciting—wouldn’t you much rather have others to bounce ideas questionnaire home and send in their ideas later.
off of and learn with? Your typical local Revit user group may not
have many folks interested in the structural aspects, so search for Continued Education is the Key
them! You can still learn from architecture-dominated LUGs, but User groups have been a dying breed, especially since the advent of
eventually you hit roadblocks. Does your LUG invite all trades the Internet, but the beauty of a LUG is members helping other
and associated software? members with “real life” solutions to solve difficult/challenging new
workflows and technologies. In other words, it takes a community
You can Google and YouTube to your heart’s desire, but eventually of “users” to make a successful knowledge group! By not joining or
you’re going to need to talk to other Revit Structure experts. starting a group, you’re denying and delaying the knowledge and
Intricate details of construction and documentation in Revit, inspiration for yourself and others.
or working with ArchiCAD, Tekla, or those fun IFCs can pose
challenges. Suggest to your current or future user group to have or
allow you to run a subgroup or “focus” group for Revit Structure,
Dynamo, or any other topic you desire!

How, you ask?

*in your best Rob Schneider voice* “You can do it!” Grab a friend,
buy a lunch or two, start the discussion in your town or smaller
city. See who you can find, reach out on LinkedIn, but definitely
utilize word-of-mouth. One thing we must stress is: DON’T
HESITATE! We delayed doing this for years for various reasons,
but all are just excuses.

Also, don’t let nerves or the unknown scare you away from wanting
to learn with local experts. Make a checklist of items you will need.
Have a few of your most important talking points to bring up
during the meeting. You’re going to be fine! Figure 7: Ain’t nuthin to it but to do it!

Rick Gauthier is the Training Man-

ager for Borges Architectural Group.
He is a BIM advocate and coach. His
interests are focused in blending his
talents in architecture with his skills
in technology to advance the AECO
industry. He is an instructor at Sierra
College and a certified Revit Architec-
ture Associate and Professional. Rick is
also past president of the Sacramento
Chapter of Construction Specification
Institute (CSI), receiving a 2012 Insti-
Figure 5: Here are some ideas Carol and the group came up with on
our first group meeting
tute Award for his work in BIM.

Create a Questionnaire
Some people do not like to talk or stand up in front of a crowd and
would rather write down their ideas. Some, including us, come up Adam Munoz is the BIM/CADD
with their best ideas once they’ve had a chance to mull things over. Studio Manager for PZSE in
We created a hard-copy questionnaire to help group attendees Roseville, California. He is AGC CM-
with ideas and can be utilized as talking points during the event. BIM certified, AutoCAD and Revit
Ask things such as: Do you have any software or field experience? Structure Certified Professional. He
If you had one wish for the group, what would it be? Do you have is a Professional AUGI Member and
anything you would like to contribute, share, or discuss with the AUGI Volunteer. Adam enjoys col-
group? The latter can include hosting, sponsorship, presenting laborating with others who share his
and/or leading a discussion, providing food or drinks, etc.). Finally, passion for research and development,
any concerns or ideas? knowledge sharing, and brainstorming.

12 www.augi.com June 2019

 It’s 6 PM.
Chris’ coworkers
are still at the office.

But Chris
is hanging
by the pool

Being more productive is no accident.

Take advantage of your CADLearning AUGI-member benefit, like Chris:

AUGI Premier members AUGI Professional members

pay just pay just
$ 100 per
year
or $ 25 per
year

Every AUGI member can receive a free subscription to The Blast.

Technologies
COLUMN

RTC to Digital
Built Environment
Institute:
A New Era
➲A
s a 17+ year member of AUGI, I have All of these experiences have helped shape that early recognition of
‘grown up’ with the implicit recognition the power of community from where the RTC/BILT events have
of the importance of a strong community grown and evolved.
and the value of collaboration. In the
early days as an Autodesk Revit user, groups like Our History
AUGI were one of the very very few resources you had to lean The legacy of the RTC name, and the Revit Technology Conference
on. Indeed, Autodesk University taught the same lessons: I first series, began when we were truly a Revit focussed event, back when
attended in 2003, and in that year there were only about 40 people we ran our first conference in 2005. The members of RUGs had
at the ‘Revit Mixer’. Those people rapidly formed a small, close- grown very close-knit, and wanted something more than just
knit community, and many of them remain friends to this day. The a drink or two once a month. The sense of community and the
lessons learnt then have colored how I look at the stumbling blocks desire to share more intensively drove the need for a longer, deeper,
I see us continually running into, as well as the basic tenets of the interactive environment. In the years since, we have stuck to that
answers that I foresee. mantra, of intimate, deep, together. We have kept the numbers at
the event relatively small, and we have catered to those looking to
My name is Wesley Benn, and, if I’ve not yet had the opportunity advance their processes and to use their tools better. 2 years ago
to meet you in person, I am the founder and executive chairman the name of our primary event series, RTC, changed to BILT –
of the RTC/BILT event series. I am a New York-born Australian Buildings, Infrastructure, Lifecycle, Technology – to represent
and studied architecture at the University of New South Wales the changing nature of our events and to more accurately reflect
in Sydney, Australia. I set-up and ran an architectural practice the BIM community’s needs. Our goal now is not only to provide
in Sydney, and have used both ARCHICAD and later Revit in knowledge around software and technology, but to be a trusted
my practice. I was fortunate (or not, as some may argue) to have builder of communities dedicated to the built environment.
stumbled onto Revit just prior to its release, so have been on the We are all about sharing knowledge, working smarter and more
boat for the entire journey. What a ride it has been! I have trained collaboratively in order to increase productivity and efficiency as
people in Revit, implemented BIM into organisations worldwide, well as reduce waste in our industry together, and this is how the
taught Architectural Technology at University, and spoken at creation of the Digital Built Environment began.
many events around the world.

14 www.augi.com June 2019

 COLUMN
The Digital Built Environment Institute (DBEI) is a global non-
profit organisation established with the goal of responding to
the demonstrated inability of the AECO industry to achieve the
sort of productivity gains seen in every other industry worldwide.
The sense of
community
DBEI believes that the answers are within our reach and that we
must take responsibility, must take action, to implement those
answers and to provide a better environment for our descendants.
We have seen how we have failed to make an impact with our work
to date, now we must find the ways to expand beyond our existing
and the desire
constraints in order to have an impact on the wider stage.
to share more
The DBEI tagline reads ‘Advancing People, Processes and
Technology’. People are core to our philosophy, processes are what
people implement, and those people are supported by technology. intensively drove
Once again, it comes back to the community. There are many
voices engaged in the discussion of what and how we do our work,
and therefore how we move forward, but the voice that is missing
the need for a
longer, deeper,
from that conversation is ours – the users, the people who actually
carry out the work that everyone is debating. The people who
understand action and consequence most clearly are the people
who are missing from the conversation! DBEI aims to give a voice
to the user community so that the expertise, the knowledge, and
interactive
the needs of the broad user community can be accounted for in the
global conversation. environment.
What does this mean?
We will remain the same team with the same core values and to push for a collaborative approach and vendor/software
community that make our events unique, just with a new name neutrality.
to suit the direction our organisation is heading. We are now the 3. Our team. We are the same people with the same committee
Digital Built Environment Institute. members volunteering their time and effort into the running
of our events. RTCem will remain the Event Management
So what’s changed now? company, however the Digital Built Environment will host
1. We won’t just do events. As our event series’ have grown our events.
in both numbers and regions (hosting 15 events across 5
countries this year!), we needed a brand that matched our What’s next?
vision and mission. Yes we hold events – but our goal for the From now on, you will see the DBEI will take ownership of the
future is so much more than that. We aim to help develop existing event series that we currently run. This includes not only
and grow the community with future services, resources and the BILT event series, but also the Design Technology Summit,
outreach opportunities which we couldn’t deliver under the Data Day, Building Content Summit, BILT Academy and our
old RTC name: So expect more exciting news to come! newly created Hackathon series. We will also work to connect
2. We are now a not-for-profit. While our goal throughout more and more of the industry community together through other
the years has never been a for-profit exercise, operating activities which we will begin to solicit feedback on in the coming
officially as a not-for-profit enables our organisation and months. We are already actively working to expand inclusiveness
events to integrate with other similar communities and in our events through outreach to contractors, to the estimation
industry associations, allowing us to learn and grow with a community, to facility managers. We are also looking at how we
wider audience. It also means that we are closer aligned to our can make the event environment more open and inclusive without
mission and goals as an organisation. losing the focus and intimacy that chgarcertise our events. Some of
the other activities we are considering could include a membership
What hasn’t changed? environment, a certification program, an AECO equivalent to the
1. Our values, vision and mission. Our goal is to be recognised maker space movement, and more. Most importantly, though we
as a trusted builder of communities dedicated to the built want you involved in determining what those activities could be.
environment. With this name change we feel this suits our We need to build on the basis of what we as a community identify
community more closely. as the needs of the community, not the imposed assumptions of
2. Our events. The core goal of our events will not be changing, someone outside looking in. We need your help to do this. Contact
while we have a few format changes to this year’s events, the whatweneed@dbeinstitute.org with any thoughts/ ideas you have
core purpose and goal will not change. They will now simply about how DBEI can serve your needs and the needs of the broader
sit under the DBEI brand in an effort to ensure we continue community, and let us know if you would like to get involved!

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 15

CASE STUDY RTV Tools Advertorial

TAYLOR DESIGN USES REVIT

AUTOMATION TO SAVE TIME
ON INTERIOR PROJECTS

www.wearetaylor.com

➲T ools that automate data “It was an unintuitive process that was too complicated to
collection and reporting remember without guidance. Realistically we needed to find a
better solution.”
present a big opportunity,
finds Taylor Design. RTV Tools Reporter addin collects useful stats from parameter
data in Revit and automatically assembles them into a simple
California-based Taylor Design specializes in healthcare report, making it an ideal tool for interior designers. Jamison and
architecture and interior design projects. As part of their service the Taylor Design team have been using the RTV Tools Reporter
to the client they produce furniture specification reports that addin for two months now.
assist with procurement, assessing costs, and ensuring confidence
in the final product. “It has completely automated the process and is saving hours and
hours on our projects. We were having to budget time for those
Taylor Design team members have been doing specification specification reports, but now we are delivering faster times on
reports for more than 30 years, but moving to Revit made top of having new functionality.”
generating the reports more complicated and required the use of
external apps. Taylor Design utilizes the Reporter tool to scan their Revit
models and extract data on each furniture item, how many items
It was a 20-step process for each furniture item in the sheet, and there are, what room they are in, and even a 3D representation
on average it would take ten minutes per sheet to set up. The of each piece along with a preview of material patterns, and it
amount of time that it was taking and the manpower required automatically assembles this information in a report.
to produce the reports was no longer sustainable according to
Jamison Delfino, Lead Interior Designer. “This is really useful because often we review bills from furniture
dealers on behalf of clients to make sure they’re accurate, and the
“It was one of those painful tasks you weren’t excited to spend a reports are a quick and easy way for us to show them exactly what
day doing,” says Jamison. is being ordered,” says Jamison.

“
It has completely automated the “Dealer quotes are very technical – basically a list of numbers
process and is saving hours and pulled out of software designed for manufacturers that wouldn’t

”
make sense to anybody outside of the furniture industry. But
hours on our projects. the documents we are now able to produce from Revit are more

16 www.augi.com June 2019

RTV Tools Advertorial

CASE STUDY
visual, explaining quickly what you are getting with each furniture dynamo file that works with all the different features and flavours
specification. of Revit with your first script.”

“In fact, one of our larger clients is now insisting on this type of “RTV Tools takes care of all that with the Reporter addin and
visual report so that when the furniture arrives on site they can we know it consistently works. With this process I have a training
verify they are getting what was designed.” But it’s not just saving document built that tells staff exactly what they need to do to
time and money that has added value, says Jamison. make this tool work, and it is consistently repeatable,” says Steve.
Another advantage is that the application works entirely within
“Because we are not wasting time labouring on reports, it has Revit as a plugin, meaning it has been easier for regular users to
allowed us to be more detail oriented in the way that we’re doing pick up with less training required for staff to build reports for
our specifications. We have more time to really think through our themselves.

“The younger generation in particular are more apt at doing

everything in Revit and using the software to its full capability.
Now anyone can build these reports whereas formerly only two
employees knew how to use the external software,” adds Jamison.
Making use of the power of automation has enabled greater
control of the appearance of the final product.

“We are able to create a template for how the report should be set
up including items such as layout, logo position and titles. The
tool will use this template and automatically assemble each page
in the report,” says Jamison. “Previously there was too much room
for user error with set up, and we couldn’t guarantee consistency
from page to page. This tool is precise and represents the accuracy
we like present in our work. It’s a huge bonus.”

Like many firms, Taylor Design has a specific format that is used
design context. We’re not just worrying about putting together
for all major projects that needed to be carried through into the
a deliverable, we’re actually thinking through the solution more,
new workflow.
ultimately providing a better design.” Automation is a priority for
Taylor Design going into the future, according to BIM Manager
“Simon from RTV Tools collaborated with us to build a template
Steve Bennett.

“ ”
that would produce exactly what we needed. I sent him our Revit
It was taking 10 minutes a sheet families and some examples, and he came back with a template. In
the end we had a tool giving us the report exactly how we wanted
before, but now we can pump it,” says Steve.
out hundreds of sheets in a few
minutes. According to Jamison, the next area for improvement that the
industry could look towards is using this tool to automate
“This process has been a big time saver. It was taking 10 minutes material take-offs.
a sheet before, but now we can pump out hundreds of sheets in
a few minutes - that’s a huge time savings for our company,” says “As the industry moves in the direction of utilizing Revit to
Steve. “If there is something we can automate, then I am all for build more accurate models, contractors could really benefit from
that. Reducing the amount of bits and clicks that people have to the automation of material take-offs. They could easily inquire
do to put information together is something that is near and dear on the quantities of materials in the project and use the tool to
provide a visual of what each material is to
to my heart.”
ensure arcuate ordering. This would align
the design team and contractors, providing
Before Taylor Design came across the RTV Tools Reporter
better pricing to the client to avoid budget
addin, they were trying to develop their own solution in Dynamo,
changes at later stages of the project,” she
a DIY visual programmer. Steve warns against other interior
says.
design firms going down that route.

“If things weren’t set up just right, it wouldn’t work, and it Contact RTV Tools
required a lot of handholding between the script developer and web: www.rtvtools.com
the interiors people. There’s nobody that can provide you with a email: sales@rtvtools.com
Authorized Developer

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 17

COLUMN CAD Manager by: Mark Kiker

Don’t Forget to
Say Thanks

➲W
hen was the last time you thanked The power of a thank you is spoken of by Dr. Laura Trice. Google
someone, and did so with deep it and watch her TED talk. Others have spoken and written on
appreciation? Really gave a heartfelt the positives it brings to the person being thanked and the person
thank you to someone who assisted doing the thanking. It feels good to be thanked and also produces
you along the way? Someone who gave you a leg up. positives in the one offering the thanks.
Pushed you further. Challenged your thinking. Encouraged you to
dream. Introduced you to an expert. Invited you to join them. Gave Now let me focus on just one area of thanks that you might
you advice. Told you the truth. Covered for you. Accepted you as think about doing… your fellow AUGI members. Most of you
you are. Did not scold you for doing something wrong. Gave you have gotten advice, suggestions, answers, and so much more from
permission to fail. Told you how to avoid the pitfalls. AUGI members. Have you thanked them recently? I am sure you
do it quickly when you get some great tip, but I encourage you to
I could go on with this list, but you get the idea. Now I want you circle back around and say thank you to them again and tell them
to make it happen. Take the time today to say thank you to your how their advice impacted you and your work life.
fellow workers, your team, your boss, your spouse, your kids, your
teacher, your mentor, whoever. Do it face to face, or via handwritten Is there anybody out there?
letter or a quick note. Maybe take time to make a phone call or AUGI members serve each other, but sometimes feel lost in the
even an email will do. Just go do it. shuffle of tips and tricks flying back and forth. They take the time
to post or write and pour out their wisdom for all to share. They

18 www.augi.com June 2019

 CAD Manager

COLUMN
do it, not for the limelight, but to help others as they have been
helped. They sometimes may not feel connected or appreciated
when they offer advice because they do not hear back from those
Oh sure, people say
that have benefited.
thanks, but seldom do
Classic rock gave us some magnificent bands—Pink Floyd among
the most celebrated. Remember the album The Wall? On the two
platter release is a song called “Is There Anybody Out There?”
they stop and write
which asks that exact question. The best way to let someone know
you are out there is to reach out and thank them. an extended paragraph
AUGI Forums on how it personally
So many members have advanced their careers and knowledge
through the forums that it is un-countable (is that a word?).
But how often do you see lengthy acknowledgments and made their jobS easier.
appreciation in the thread? Oh sure, people say thanks, but seldom
do they stop and write an extended paragraph on how it personally
made their jobs easier. Most of the help offered is not to get a thank
website for a list. Graphics staff, editors, web support, accountants,
you. Most, if not all, AUGI members are selfless givers and help
newsletter developers, BLAUGI posters, HotNews publishers,
others because that is the culture of AUGI. But go back and thank
advertising reps, emails campaign staff, and so much more. Let
a couple.
them know that you are grateful for their efforts.

AUGI Volunteers The AUGI Board

Behind the scenes, volunteers work tirelessly to make AUGI
Thank the AUGI board of directors for doing the work they
happen. Forum moderators, magazine content managers, web
do. They think AUGI all the time. They ponder new features,
content manager, wish list helpers, organizers, recruiters, Autodesk
new offerings. They struggle with handling the thousands and
University volunteers, and so many more. Some of these volunteers
thousands of members. They prep for Autodesk University. They
have worked for years with AUGI. They love the work they get to
struggle with budgets and staffing. They interact with Autodesk
do, but can be encouraged when someone extends a “thank you” to
directly. Give them a shout out of thanks.
them. Send an email and let them know.
Thank Yous do not create themselves. They don’t magically appear
AUGIWorld Writers unless someone takes the time to speak up. Good intensions don’t
The writers of the rag you hold in your hand or read online are lift someone’s spirits until shared. Make it happen. Thank one
not paid staff. They don’t get a paycheck for their work. They do person today and start thanking more tomorrow.
it because they love to, but still could use a kind word now and
then. And they seldom hear back from those who read their work. Don’t leave these people and others wondering… is there anybody
It takes an extra measure to write back. Most authors have emails out there?
right there at the end of each article in their bio. Stop and take a
minute to email them and tell them what you think of their article
and the good it has done for you. Let them know if they helped Mark Kiker has more than 25 years
you and how it helped. How much time they saved you. Tell them of hands-on experience with technol-
how they changed your thinking. Mention how they made you ogy. He is fully versed in every area of
stop a bad habit or build a good new habit. management from deployment plan-
ning, installation, and configuration
Your Local User Group Leaders to training and strategic planning. As
Reach out and let them know that you really appreciate the time an internationally known speaker and
and work it takes to pull off a Local User Group (LUG). These writer, he is a returning speaker at
things don’t just happen by themselves. Every month or so they Autodesk University since 1996.
struggle to find topics, speakers, sponsors, and more so their Mark is currently serving as Direc-
members can soak up the rewards. Offer them a pat on the back tor of IT for SIATech, a non-profit
and a public thank you at your next meeting. A round of applause public charter high school focused on
to those LUG leaders out there. dropout recovery. He maintains two
blog sites, www.caddmanager.com and
www.bimmanager.com.
AUGI Staff
Even though they get paid for the work they perform for AUGI,
they are no less deserving of your appreciation. Look on the

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 19

COLUMN Inside Track by: Brian Andresen

Welcome to AUGIWorld Inside Track! Check out the latest opportunities to

advance your skills, processes, and workflows in your firm with the most current
AEC-related software and hardware updates available.
Helical Gear Generator Finally, by setting a helix angle of 0 degrees, Spur gears can be
created and defined in the Metric system (as opposed to the
https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=902 sample Spur Gear script, which defines gears in the American
9586664984391977&appLang=en&os=Mac system) with this add-in.
Helical gears resemble spur gears with the teeth at
an angle. They can be meshed in parallel or crossed Be sure to check out the “Gear Down For What” YouTube channel
orientations at 90 degrees or arbitrary angles and and on thingiverse where some amazing things are being done
can be generated with as little as a single tooth with Helical gears!
forming a screw gear.
Export to Unity
Gears may be specified in either the Normal or the Radial system
or the fixed profile Sunderland standard, any of which can be https://www.emanuelfavreau.com/
generated as either left or right handed. Handedness in helical Export Autodesk® Revit® models directly to Unity
gears refers to the direction the teeth lean when the gear is placed with materials and textures. Send visible elements
flat on a table. of a 3D view to the assets folder of a Unity project.
The tool will generate OBJ, MTL, and image files
Using this add-in, proper Herringbone gears (such as the gears used format that can be read by Unity. Benefits include:
for this add-in’s thumbnail) can be created by using a Sunderland • Other VR and modeling software such as Unreal Engine or
profile then mirroring the gear about one of its faces. In the case Blender can also read these types of files.
of Herringbone or other double-helix gears, the handedness of • All meshes from the 3D view will be parsed and exported to
the base gear is not as significant as it is for single helix gears. To .obj files according to vertices number.
effectively change the handedness of a Herringbone/double helix • Three grouping options are available: By Materials, By
gear, all you need to do is flip it over, whereas for a single helix gear Entities, or One Single Object.
it must be mirrored to change its handedness.
Export to Unity works only with Revit version 2018.1 or higher.

AutoExcel
https://shop.bimize.com/
With AutoExcel, you will be able to quickly export
and re-import any Autodesk® Revit® project
schedule to Microsoft® Excel®. The process is simple:
1. Open any project schedule and click “export.”
2. Modify the Excel-generated file.
3. Go to the project schedule and click “import.”

Great for modification of tons of parameters in a single step. Use

Excel to organize your data and parameters!

Minimum requirements: the oldest Excel version supported is

AUGIWorld 2013 (v15.0).
brings This is a trial version with a 30 day period. To purchase this
you recent app, visit shop.bimize.com.
developments
in Autodesk
and related If you have some news to share with us for future issues, please let
software us know. Likewise, if you are a user of a featured product or news
items item and would like to write a review, we want to know: brian.
andresen@augi.com

20 www.augi.com June 2019

PRODUCT FOCUS AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020 by: Shawn Herring

Look at
What’s New
in Civil 3D

➲Y
ES! Another release of AutoCAD® Hey Good Lookin’!
Civil 3D®, just as you probably finished New Icon
installing the latest 2019 “fix.” That was The last several versions of Civil 3D have used the “A” logo, and
somewhat sarcastic, but I do some see different variations of the logo dating back to 2012. 2020 has a
much needed improvements to AutoCAD 2020 and new “C” logo, which actually makes sense (Figure 1).
its vertical products such as Civil 3D.

This article looks at some of the top new features within AutoCAD
Civil 3D 2020 and may help you make your decision to download
and install today.

Version Interoperability
Typically, the first question asked is about prior version
interoperability. The AutoCAD format for 2020 is also the 2018
format previously introduced. This means you should have no
problem going back and forth between 2018, 2019, and 2020. One
Figure 1
exception is that the newer Civil 3D object/features will not go
backwards, but this shouldn’t be a problem.

22 www.augi.com June 2019

 AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020

PRODUCT FOCUS
Dark Color Scheme • DWG Compare: This was one of my favorite additions from
One thing I initially thought was WAY overhyped was the last year. The ability to compare two drawings and quickly see
introduction of the dark color scheme. But after the initial install what has been modified. Now in 2020, you can compare two
and working in 2020, I realized it actually is pretty easy on versions of a drawing without leaving your current window
the eyes! and import desired changes into the current drawing in real
time. Quickly toggle on and off the comparison with the new
The dark scheme controls the appearance of the ribbons, DWG Compare toolbar.
application window, and other elements and is especially sleek
looking when using the contextual ribbon tabs. AutoCAD Map 3D Platform Items
Autodesk Connector for ArcGIS
You can change this in your options, under the Display tab AutoCAD Map 3D 2020 allows you to access your GIS data on
(Figure 2). ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS Enterprise and bring them
into your drawings. Look for this connection tool in
Map® 3D, Civil 3D, and Infraworks®.

Civil 3D 2019.1, .2
(Now in 2020)
Most, if not all of the 2019 update enhancements
have been rolled into the software. Some of
the following items may be of interest and
really help in streamlining workflows and
Figure 2
enhancing design.

AutoCAD Platform Items Rail

Here are few new things to look forward to in all AutoCAD® There are a bunch of recent updates to the software for rail
platform products: design. You’ll see a whole new ribbon for Rail design that contains
alignments, platform edges, crossovers/turnouts, and additional
• Blocks Palette: The new Blocks palette makes it easier to content such as more subassemblies for rail design.
insert blocks with visual galleries and the ability to filter for
the exact block you seek. You can simply drag and drop blocks
into the drawing from Current Drawing, Recent, or Other Pipe Networks
Drawing tabs. Specify the type of connection points on structures to use when
• Purge Redesign: The Purge feature has been redesigned for laying out pipe networks. When you lay out a pipe network, you
easier drawing cleanup. Remove multiple unneeded objects at can select which type of connection point to use:
once with easy selection and a visual preview area. There is a
“Find Non-Purgeable Items” button with a Possible Reasons • Structure insertion point.
section, to understand why certain items can’t be purged • The default connection point (the first connection point that
(Figure 3). is defined for a structure).
• Closest connection point to the cursor.

The following part types have been updated to have new connection
points and grips.

• Rectangular Underground Structures: Pipe connection

points have been added at the inside center of each wall.
• Eccentric Cylindrical Structures: A single pipe connection
point has been added to the center of the underground barrel.
• Rectangular Grates: Move grips have been added to the
back left corner, back center, and back right corner of each
rectangular grate. Rotation grips have been added to the back
center of each rectangular grate.

Collaboration and Data Exchange Updates

• Publish surfaces to Autodesk BIM 360® Document
Management for use in Autodesk Revit.
• Use updated LandXML import and export features when
importing or exporting data.
Figure 3

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 23

PRODUCT FOCUS AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020
• Reference sample line groups into drawings using Gravity Network Analysis
data shortcuts. You can easily use the Analyze Gravity Network tool to analyze
a pipe network directly within Civil 3D and even apply those
Transparent Commands analysis results to the pipe network. You have the following three
Still something people tend to forget, and usually the first toolbar options for analysis (see Figure 5).
closed! But now the transparent commands are in a ribbon tab and
accessible from the right-click menu (Figure 4). • Resize Pipes and Reset Inverts: Analyzes the flow through
the pipes, and then resizes
the pipes and resets inverts to
accommodate the flow. Applying
the results of the analysis will
update the pipe sizes and invert
elevations according to the
calculated results, and will apply
all of the calculated properties to
Figure 4 the pipe network.
• Compute Energy and Hydraulic Grade Lines: Calculates
Production Efficiency Updates the energy and hydraulic grade lines, and then reports whether
• Add crossing objects to profile views to show where linear each line in the system is in a normal state, surcharged,
objects cross the profile relative to the parent alignment. You or flooded. You have the option to apply these results to
can show alignments, profiles, feature lines, survey figures, and the pipe network from the results page of the dialog box.
3D polylines as crossing objects in a profile view. Applying the results of the analysis will apply the calculated
• When creating a data shortcut reference to a sample line energy and hydraulic grade values to the affected parts in the
group, you can now automatically create references to the pipe network.
sampled sources if data shortcuts exist for those sources. • Inlet Analysis: Analyzes the capacity of the inlets and reports
the flow, depth, and spread at each inlet on the results page of
the dialog box.

DYNAMO for Civil 3D

What is Dynamo for Civil 3D? Think of this as putting your
corridor on steroids! Dynamo for Civil 3D is a visual programming
tool that adds the power of Dynamo scripting and 3D modeling
to control and interact with AutoCAD and Civil 3D drawings
directly inside the CAD environment.

The good thing about Dynamo is that it is made for designers,

drafters, engineers, and others. So, if you’re like me and have ZERO
programming capabilities, then you will really enjoy this! To me,
this is closer to Subassembly Composer than true programming
(Figure 6).

Visually, nodes appear as blocks. These blocks contain all the

design parameters for a particular element of the model you are
Figure 5
working on. Nodes are then
strung together using a visual
editor to form the final script.
These scripts can expedite
time-consuming or repetitive
workflows. You can save these
scripts in a library and reuse
them as needed.

Currently, most Dynamo

tools for Civil 3D are going
to be transportation related.
Slicing corridors to replicate
construction, adding linear items
Figure 6

24 www.augi.com June 2019

 AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020

PRODUCT FOCUS
such as lights, powerpole, etc are just a couple of the tasks that Data Shortcuts
Dynamo can help streamline. But look to Dynamo in the future Use a new system variable named SyncDrefPsetToSource to control
for improving almost any workflow. whether property sets are synchronized when you synchronize
data shortcut references. You can use the following settings for
SyncDrefPsetToSource (see Figure 7).

Export Civil 3D Drawings

The Export feature has always been a bit annoying, and only works
half the time—and that’s being generous! However, the Export
Civil 3D Drawing command has been updated with the following
features (Figure 8).

• Labels with background masks are no longer exported with

bowtie-shaped hatches.
• Xrefs are exploded appropriately on export.
• Proxy state messages are no longer displayed on export.
• The option to convert feature lines, parcel segments, and
survey figures to 2D or 3D polylines that was included in
the Autodesk Civil 3D 2019.2 update is included in Autodesk
Civil 3D 2020.

Survey Database Format

Figure 7
The survey database format has been updated from
Microsoft SQL Server Compact (SQL CE) format to
SQLite. To use existing survey databases with Autodesk
Civil 3D 2020, they must be converted to SQLite.

Use the Autodesk Civil 3D Survey Database Migration

Utility to convert survey databases from SQL CE to
SQLite (Figure 9).

The Autodesk Civil 3D Survey Database Migration

Utility is a separate download available at https://www.
autodesk.com/civil3d-survey-database-migration-
utility.

Note: Migrated databases are not compatible with

earlier releases of Autodesk Civil 3D.

BIM 360 Document

Management (BIM Docs)
Now I know this is supposed to be an AutoCAD/
Civil 3D article, but I really think you need to at least
take a look at BIM 360 Docs and what it can offer to
Figure 8 you and your design workflow. I’ve been using this for
a few months now as simply a PDF review/
markup tool and a project coordination tool.
Have “Review Sessions,” create tickets/issues,
and assign items to team members. You can also
overlay PDFs and compare version to version to
see what may have changed (Figure 10).

Conclusion
I must admit, I thought 2019 was going to be
the best release yet, and boy was I WRONG, as
Figure 9 2019 had a lot of issues. However, 2020 seems

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 25

PRODUCT FOCUS AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020
to have fixed a lot of these issues found in 2019 and previous
versions and is headed in the right direction. Shawn Herring has been a part of
the design engineering community
The 2020 version’s new and enhanced features will help in your for roughly 13 years in all aspects
everyday workflows. of design, construction and software
implementations. He has imple-
I would love to hear from you regarding the new features and mented and trained companies across
features you would like to see added or enhanced, so feel free to the Country on Civil 3D and other
call or email me anytime. infrastructure tools and their best
practice workflows. Shawn can be
reached for comments or questions at
awautocadcivil3dcm@augi.com.

Figure 10

Figure 11

26 www.augi.com June 2019

BILT ANZ
Melbourne, Australia
May 23-25, 2019

DIGITAL BUILT WEEK NORTH AMERICA

Seattle, USA
July 17-20, 2019

DIGITAL BUILT WEEK EUROPE

Edinburgh, Scotland
October 10-12, 2019

The Premier Global BIM Events, for user by users

Registration Now Open!

www.dbeinstitute.org
PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2020 – MEP by: Daniel John Stine

Promoting
Industry
Standards

➲P
lease consider the following information, standardized schedules, standardized connector settings, and
which promotes BIM standardization within standardized formulas to truly pursue an industry standard.
the AEC industry for Mechanical,
Electrical and Plumbing (MEP). I highly So why would someone want a standard? The answer is simple—
encourage you to share this with your colleagues, time is being wasted fixing content to schedule and propagate
consultants, and resellers to help promote this ambitious effort. flows, which only hurts the bottom line. Firms are not using
intelligent information in the models because it requires too much
This is not a sales pitch for the MEP Productivity Pack (MEPPP) time to accomplish that.
per se, but a call to action. We are giving away, for free, our Shared
Parameters file, User Guide, and some reference material to Imagine a world where an engineer or designer can use any
promote and facilitate this cause. manufacturer’s family to drop in the model and have the family tag
and schedule instantly, or even better yet, by having the schedule
Overview already filled in with actual selection information. Instead of
The first three chapters of the free user guide document the spending valuable project time and budget to fix families and
standards used when creating the MEPPP. These standards perform data entry, we should spend time reviewing selection
will serve as a starting point as we continue to work with information in the model, using intelligent information to
manufacturers and organizations in pursuit of Revit® standards propagate flow through systems, and reviewing
for the mechanical and electrical industry. History (e.g., Autodesk® clearances and layout for optimization. This is
SEEK standard) shows us that standardized shared parameters only possible if an industry standard is achieved.
alone are not enough to establish an industry standard. We need
standardized shared parameters that are also developed into There is no better place to begin this discussion than standardized
shared parameters.

28 www.augi.com June 2019

 Revit 2020 – MEP

PRODUCT FOCUS
Background Abbreviations Based on ASHRAE
In the words of Autodesk, “Shared parameters are parameter and NECA
definitions that can be used in multiple families or projects. The shared After multiple iterations, over the years, of developing master
parameter is a definition of a container for information that can be shared parameters, the parameter name length has been the most
used in multiple families or projects.” challenging goal.
Think of shared parameters as the connectors of information in Thus, the ideal scenario is to abbreviate names. But which standard
the BIM world. They connect information in the Revit families, should be followed?
to information in the tags, to information in the schedules. These
containers of information all have very specific data types, which The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-
allow engineering calculations to be performed in the model. An Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is recognized as a leading
airflow data type, for example, is uniquely different from a number organization in our industry with extensive development of
data type. Figure 1 shows a sample of some of the different data standards currently being used across the globe. The 2017
types available for shared parameters. The key element to ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals includes Chapter
standardized shared parameters is utilizing the right data types for 38: Abbreviations and Symbols. This chapter was used as the
each possible piece of information. It is also important to not use foundation for abbreviations in the MEPPP shared parameter
“units” in shared parameter names since units can be changed in file. Similarly, the electrical abbreviations are based on National
the project, making the shared parameter value and name invalid. Electrical Code (NEC) and National Electrical Contractors
Association (NECA) standards. As shown on the left in Figure
2, this has dramatically cleaned up parameter names in Revit
windows while still keeping parameter names in line with what
the industry already knows and accepts.

The MEPPP Shared Parameter File

The current release of the MEPPP has taken the need for
intelligent parameters to another level. We have Articulated
Cartesian Arms with super flexibility that require a great
quantity of hidden parameters containing formulas; we
have autosizing Air Terminals and Equipment that rely on
parameters with tooltips to help users through the autosizing
process; and we have engineering equations in many families
that heavily rely on shared parameters with proper data types.

So, here is what we ended up with, which hopefully is the beginning

of an industry standard:
• Over 2,000 shared parameters with implemented abbreviation
standard from ASHRAE (2017 ASHRAE® Handbook -
Fundamentals Chapter 38 Abbreviations & Symbols &
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013).
• Electrical parameters and symbols are based
on NEC and NECA.
• Over 500 shared parameters include tooltips.
Figure 1 • Over 500 shared parameters are invisible in project to provide
the user the cleanest environment in the model.
Shared Parameter Goals
So what were the main goals and objectives when creating the Video overview: Shared Parameters for Industry (YouTube)
mechanical and electrical shared parameters for the MEPPP? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPv9OzUHNC0
• Preserve proper data types.
• Use names that are clear and easily understood by users. ASHRAE, NECA, and Autodesk: we need your help in pursuing
• Keep names short enough to be easily read in any of the many an MEP industry standard for Revit. We look forward to further
Revit windows displaying them. collaboration and engagement.
• Use names that don’t contain “units” so the name is always valid
in the project and also compatible with the Metric system. We also need MEP engineers, designers, and contractors to
• Use tooltips for clarifying abbreviated shared parameters and continue to reach out to their contacts at ASHRAE, NECA,
also for instructions to users. Autodesk, and manufacturers to help consolidate everyone’s effort.
• Use hidden shared parameters to declutter the properties There is a clear benefit for the manufacturer to follow a widely
window for users in the project. adopted standard that is being used by engineers. Better and

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 29

PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2020 – MEP
more compatible families developed within a standard increases
their chances of being the basis of design and scheduled on the Daniel John Stine AIA, CSI, CDT, is
drawings, which is a step above making it into a specification. a registered architect with more than
20 years of experience in the field of ar-
This discussion has already started with manufacturers, but you chitecture. He is the BIM Administra-
can still send them this MEPPP Information Kit and tell them tor at LHB, a 250-person full-service
to contact CTC Software (feedback@ctcsoftware.com). We design firm. In addition to providing
would welcome a continuation of this important discussion. training and support for four offices,
Dan implemented BIM-based light-
Figure 2 shows how the MEPPP shared parameters file is ing analysis using ElumTools, early
organized. energy modeling using Autodesk In-
sight, virtual reality (VR) using the
HTC Vive/Oculus Rift along with
Fuzor & Enscape, Augmented Real-
ity (AR) using the Microsoft Hololens,
and the Electrical Productivity Pack
for Revit (sold by CTC Express Tools).
Dell, the world-renowned computer
company, created a video highlighting
his implementation of VR at LHB.
He has presented internationally on
BIM in the USA, Canada, Ireland,
Denmark, Slovenia, Australia and
Singapore. Dan was ranked multiple
times as a top-ten speaker by attendees
at Autodesk University, RTC/BILT,
Midwest University, AUGI CAD
Camp, NVIDIA GPU Technology
Conference, Lightfair, and AIA-MN
Convention. By invitation, he spent a
week at Autodesk’s largest R&D facil-
ity in Shanghai, China, to beta test and
brainstorm new Revit features in 2016.

Committed to furthering the design

profession, Dan teaches graduate archi-
tecture students at North Dakota State
University (NDSU) and has lectured
for interior design programs at NDSU,
Northern Iowa State, and University
Figure 2 of Minnesota, as well as Dunwoody’s
new School of Architecture in Minne-
apolis. As an adjunct instructor, Dan
Download the Free MEPPP previously taught AutoCAD and Revit
Information Kit for 12 years at Lake Superior College.
To help facilitate this standard please download and review Dan is a member of the American In-
our 269-page MEPPP User Guide, the Shared Parameters file and stitute of Architects (AIA), Construc-
lists/examples: family list, view template list, schedule, and detail tion Specifications Institute (CSI), and
example PDFs, and much more. Autodesk Developer Network (ADN),
https://ctcsoftware.com/product/mechanical-electrical- and is a Construction Document Tech-
plumbing-productivity-pack/ nician (issued by CSI). He has pre-
sented live webinars for ElumTools,
Conclusion ArchVision, Revizto and NVIDIA.
With this information in hand we, Blake Guither (Gausman & Dan writes about design on his blog,
Moore), Dan Stine (LHB), and Shawn Zirbes (CTC Software), BIM Chapters, and in his textbooks
hope you will join us in this important endeavor to make our published by SDC Publications.
industry more efficient!

30 www.augi.com June 2019

 012072
Capture, maintain, and
collaborate on door
hardware requirements

© 2019 Allegion
and decisions for BIM
and non-BIM projects.

Making doors
the easiest part
of the building
Click on an opening
and view the
associated plans,
hardware sets, and
product information.

Track and review

changes to openings and
hardware selections.

All project team

members can easily
access the project
with no need for
specialized software.

Let Allegion simplify your

hardware specification process
Allegion’s Overtur™ is a web-based collaboration tool designed to simplify the specification,
design and construction of door security and openings. It provides a centralized hub to
capture, maintain and verify door hardware requirements and decisions.

Improved collaboration, coordination, and efficiency. Overtur can simplify the process of
specifying door hardware on your next project.

Learn more at discover-overtur.allegion.com or call 888-868-8774.

PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2019 – Architecture by: Jay B. Zallan

Unitsosaurus:
Set Up Revit for
Success

➲S
purred on by a bit of tweetie-bashing of file large degree. If your units are set up like Figure 1, then you are
conversion qualities, or lack(s) thereof, and by dismissed lol… everyone else, be very scared, but read on.
seeing countless individuals (CAD and BIM
“Managers”), thus projects, teams, AND Okay, so since you are still here I hope this will clear up a few
finally, firms that can’t get simple geometry straight… ideas or at least give a starting point for more research into quality,
literally (see every CAD drawing ever)… well, this mediocrity of precision, and what it is we are doing in AECO.
basic quality is rampant in Revit® and further, BIM, to an all-too-
If your Revit project template’s units (today we are talking Revit,
but I do not care about the software: set Units as granular as
possible) are NOT set as shown in Figure 1, and they are more
like Figure 2, set your units up as I will explain. IMMEDIATELY
after reading this. No joke!

I will hold back on much more editorialization, except to say that

if you disagree with any of these concepts, please contact me on
twitter @JayZallan and try your best! I dare you… fwiw I have
geometry, floating-point precision, and quality in my corner.

Do you have any “Wall is slightly off axis” or worse yet “Line is
slightly off axis” warnings? “Slightly Off Axis” warnings are directly
related to mediocre, or just plain bad, modeling. If you use any
CAD drawing in your process, you will most likely have found
these files are some of the causal factors (and if you’re still reading
have ignored such Revit warnings). Regardless, a BIM shall be
correct, and not approximated or rounded to the 1/8” (or whatever
contractual precision’s been set) until the dirt hits the shovel
(AKA: during construction). Both bad modeling and bad CAD
create bad BIM, which is costing your firm time and money.

So here we go—only tech from here on out.

1. Do not use the setup shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1: Image illustrating proper overall units

32 www.augi.com June 2019

 Revit 2019 – Architecture

PRODUCT FOCUS
iii. Digit grouping makes numbers look as we like in
the USA… commas and all.
iv. “Suppress spaces” is ok to check if you’re into that
sort of thing.
Figure 2: Image illustrating possibly the most unprofessional and 1. Please understand that this comment goes
unintelligent setup of units possible for all following Units’ dialogs as well, as I
am not into suppressing spaces.
1. Set up Dimensions to respect Project Units.
a. I am not saying leave dimensions that report to the
x/256 of an inch.
b. What I am saying is:
i. IF A DIMENSION REPORTS BAD
NUMBERS (1/256” etc.) FIX IT!
ii. Fix the model, do not override dimensions.

2. I do create one Dimension Type that does nor use Project

Units and rounds to 1/8” (if that is your contractual
obligation).
a. Make this rounded dimension red.
b. Rarely use this for individual dimensions, where
geometry dictates or when the site dictates odd
angles, etc.
c. Never use these for dimension strings. FIX THE
MODEL in that case!

UNITS
Setting up Revit units correctly and professionally.
1. Type “UN”

LENGTH
a. Click the button under the “Format” heading for
“Length” and set up as follows.
i. YES, 1/256”.
ii. “Suppress 0 feet” is cool to uncheck if you’re into
that sort of olde-timey thing. I like it personally
but still I don’t usually use it. Figure 3: Image illustrating proper “Length” units

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 33

PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2019 – Architecture
AREA VOLUME
b. Click the button under the “Format” heading for “Area” c. Click the button under the “Format” heading for
and set up as follows. “Volume” and set up as follows.
i. Two decimal places. i. Note: one may want to get more granular with
ii. Suppress trailing 0s. this if refined calculations are desired.
1. This is key. One will only see extra 0s if
there are numbers other than 0 to the right
of the decimal (0s are visible in Temporary
Dimensions and when OBJs are selected,
but that’s how it should be. Let me see
reality!)
iii. All the rest as shown.

Figure 5: Image illustrating proper “Volume” units

ANGLE
The following settings are even more important than the length
settings, as we geolocate our models and need this granularity and
quality. (Full Stop)
d. “Rounding” set to “Custom”
Figure 4: Image illustrating proper “Area” units i. Place cursor between the 0 and 1, to the right of
the decimal point.
ii. Enter “0” ten (10) times.
1. Just do it, you’ll thank me when Shared
Coordinates don’t blow up anymore (as if ).
iii. Remember, the trailing 0s will only show up when
the geometry is… well, let’s just say “probably
needs work” (at best) and “is totally a joke for
someone who calls themselves professional” (at
worst).
1. Just do it, you’ll thank me when Shared
Coordinates don’t blow up anymore (as if ).

34 www.augi.com June 2019

 Revit 2019 – Architecture

PRODUCT FOCUS
Figure 6: Image illustrating proper “Angle” units Figure 8: Image illustrating proper “Currency” units (add the dollar
sign!) I like to set it up like money (since that is what this unit is lol)
SLOPE, CURRENCY, and MASS DENSITY so I let the trailing 0s show proudly
Settings are all in the following images. There are not many
comments until “Time.”

Figure 9: Image illustrating proper “Mass Density” units. The next

time I use these will be the first, so if there are any mass density ex-
perts reading this, please let me know if there are better setups

Figure 7: Image illustrating proper “Slope” units. (Yeah, you can set
them up for Rise/12, etc… these are oft modified to satisfy munici-
palities, outside jurisdictions, etc.)

June 2019 www.augiworld.com 35

PRODUCT FOCUS Revit 2019 – Architecture
TIME and SPEED
e. New to Revit 2020, Time and Speed are going to allow
a lot of future capabilities and I am looking forward to it!
f. Currently used in the new (and one day to be working
properly) Exiting Path tools, with more potential
functionality and workflows, beyond exiting alone for
the creative masterminds.

Figure 12: Image illustrating a properly set up Units dialog

Units Conclusion
Revit Units should look something like Figure 12, but if there are
differences, a few things should (if not must, imo) remain constant:
Length and Angle must be as granular as allowed, whether in
Revit, CAD, or any other software used to author BIMs or any
portion therein. Set the Units granular and then draw and model
to rational dimensions. PERIOD ;)

Figure 10: Image illustrating proper “Time” units

Jay B Zallan | Virtual De-
sign & Construction Technol-
ogy Conductor (& Fine Artist)

Mr. Zallan brings wide-ranging

Design, Delivery, Management,
Mentoring and Teaching expe-
riences to the readily changing
AECO industries, founded on an
expansive 35 plus year career.
Jay has focused on VDC planning, production, process
development and research & development; to help en-
able efficiency-generative creative project execution, de-
livery and success throughout the AECO landscape.

This JayZ is an educator, author and industry lec-

turer throughout the BIM world; Jz strives to in-
spire current and future generations to achieve
and exceed beyond even their own expectations.

Being a Fine Artist (large format oil & mixed media

canvases), J adds unique and collaborative insights and
perspectives to every team he is part of.

Figure 11: Image illustrating proper “Speed” units

36 www.augi.com June 2019

 Award winning
solutions to automate
Autodesk® Revit®

“ With RTV Tools we’re saving 26 hours every

week, that’s $87,150.00 over a year!
GHD Western Australian BIM Lead - Belinda Thompson
”
Automate Revit!
Printing •
File Exports •
File Upgrades •
Sheet Revisioning •
Drawing Transmittals •
Overnight Scheduled Tasks •
RTV TOOLS
Award winning addins that automate Revit
email: sales@rtvtools.com | web: www.rtvtools.com | twitter: @RTVTools Authorized Developer

Don’t work late! - Automate it with RTV Tools

 For complex production
pipelines, X marks the spot.
Now available with an overclocked, 18-core, 9th gen
Intel® Core™ X-series processor and up to two real-time
ray tracing NVIDIA® Quadro RTX™ GPUs, the new
APEXX X3 is ideal for 3ds Max, Maya, and a host of other
professional applications.

Edit feature films, create stunning VFX, or deploy cutting

edge VR with the extreme multitasking workstation built
for your complex production pipeline.

(888) 302-0223
512-852-0400
boxx.com/augi
Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries