JimAlifSiin@BIM

How to Create Model Text on a Curved Surface in Revit

2011-08-10T10:16:00.000+08:00

How to Create Model Text on a Curved Surface in Revit

by;Velina Mirincheva - vmirincheva@3dstudiovim.com

Applying three-dimensional text on a surface is a great feature in Autodesk® Revit®. However, recently I discovered that model text can only be applied on a flat surface, thus creating a certain constraint when we wish to embellish curved surfaces with 3D graphics. While there might be several awkward solutions or workarounds, I found the following to be the least painstaking. Basically, the procedure involves creating a face-based family with only one model letter in it, attaching a text parameter to the letter, inserting the family in the project and creating each additional letter as a separate family, changing the text parameter to the appropriate letter of our text. The following tutorial outlines this procedure and reviews the advantages and limitations of it.

First, create a new family from the Generic Model face-based.rft template. In it, position one model text letter at the intersection of the reference planes, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Create one letter and add a depth parameter to it.

Next, create a text parameter by clicking on Family Types under the Properties palette, and then Add parameter in the Family Types window. Make sure it’s an instance parameter this time.

Figure 2: Creating a text parameter.

Our work with the family is done. Now, we can insert it back into our project and see how we can achieve a full text on a curve wall with this one family we just created. Make sure you choose an elevation view of your curved surface for ease of positioning the individual letters.

Create one instance of the new family and change its text parameter under Properties to the appropriate letter. Next, right-click and Create Similar to add the next letter, changing its text parameter as well. You can now use the Align tool to line up the two letters and lock them (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Aligning the two letters and locking them.

This way we can spell out our whole graphic, aligning each letter with the next one. Another way to align all letters is by simply typing in the same elevation height under the Properties of each letter; however, they won’t be able to lock to one another.

As you notice at this time, our alignment works only vertically, while horizontally we have no control on the letters’ spacing. Unfortunately, this is the limitation of this procedure and hence, the graphics will have to be eye-balled. Still, it makes for an easy workaround for a model text on a curved surface.

Figure 4: The final result of model text on a curved surface.

.......

p/s: I would add, we can actually control our Horizontal position of the TEXT with using Curtain Wall-Fixed Number as shown below;

For this, I've duplicated a Curtain Wall and renamed it to 'Curtain Wall - Curved Fixed Number'. I've used Fixed Distance applied on both Vertical & Horizontal Grid without any Mullions (it's a way that we can control the Horizontal Grid. As for the 3D Text height was 150mm(this was set in the Family Editor).

Fixed Horizontal Distance - Spacing 300mm

Fixed Horizontal Distance - Spacing 175mm

After drawn the Curtain Wall, now place each Letters on the Curtain Wall at suitable height.

Then go to the Elevation View so that we can MOVE each letter to the Horizontal spacing grids (ie; Midpoint of Letter to Intersection of the Horizontal Grid). Repeat this to all the letters applied.

Now you've a Controlled Horizontal Spacing Letters!

*The Curtain Wall is only for Grid Spacing Purpose. You may select 'None' for it's Curtain Panel.

-Jasni-

Don't Dream & Drive

2011-05-12T18:06:00.000+08:00

The dream of three animals...................

> > > >

> > >
.

> > > >
> > > >
> > > > And the best of all :
.

> > > >
> > > >

Building Toposurface in Revit

2011-01-11T17:35:00.000+08:00

Autodesk Site Creation Tutorials......click here

The Revit Kid - Topo Tip 1

Topics Covered:

- Scaling an Image in Revit using the Resize Command

The Revit Kid - Topo Tip 2
Topics Covered:

- Using Toposurface

- Creating a Toposurface from an Image File

- Changing the Toposurface Properties

The Revit Kid - Topo Tip 3

Topics covered:

- Exploring the different options in "Site"

- Creating a Pad

- Grading

- Creating a Sub Region

Thanks to ;

TAGGING in Revit

2011-01-11T17:02:00.000+08:00

TAGGING_ScreenCast

What Revit Wants: Cuttable vs Non-cuttable families

2010-10-20T17:10:00.000+08:00

What Revit Wants: Cuttable vs Non-cuttable families: "You want to know which families are cuttable and which are not. Revit 2011 help gives the answer: Cuttable families (link): Casework Ceil..."

Revit Architecture 2011- Error Message

2010-08-12T08:42:00.002+08:00

Revit 2011 Hangs at Splash Screen or Crashes with Unrecoverable Error

I had a problem launching Revit 2011 last week. It fails to load upon opening and I've received Error Handling Message. Even after I've tried to uninstalled and re-installed my Revit2011, still I couldn't start the program...until I past through this post.

You launch Revit 2011 and it doesn’t get past the splash screen. Or you launch it and you see the splash screen followed by an unrecoverable error message. So what do you try next?
I have included the 3 most common causes for this behavior below, in the most common order. If you run into a scenario where these do not resolve the issue please do not hesitate to let us know!
1. WSCommcntr2.exe Process
I’ve included a technical solution for this one below. The technical solution is for AutoCAD, but the same process applies for Revit 2011:
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS15228698
2. Corrupt WSCommCntrData.xml File
If the WSCommCntrData.xml file becomes corrupt, Revit may hang when attempting to read it at startup.
While Revit is closed, move or delete the WSCommCntrData.xml file at the location below:
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit\\ENU\Components\WebServices\WSCommCntrData.xml
Windows Vista & Windows 7
C:\Users\%username%\Appdata\local\Autodesk\Revit\\ENU\Components\WebServices\WSCommCntrData.xml

3. Corrupt UIState.dat File

This could also be potentially related to a corrupt UIState.dat file. While Revit is closed, move or delete the UIState.dat file at the location below:

Windows XP

C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit\\UIState.dat

Windows Vista & Windows 7

C:\Users\%username%\Appdata\local\Autodesk\Revit\\UIState.dat

#2 & #3 are user-specific, so if you see this behavior where it happens to one user but not another on the same workstation, this is typically the conflict.

Revit Architecture 2011 - Update 1

2010-06-23T09:08:00.000+08:00

The first major web update for Revit 2011 is avaliable online...

The link below is for the 64bit:-

http://updatesdl.autodesk.com/updates/files/rac_x64_ur10.exe

For 32-bit go to:-

http://updatesdl.autodesk.com/updates/files/rac_x86_ur10.exe

Links of RevitProfessionals

2010-06-22T16:18:00.000+08:00

Places to Find Revit Content

There has been a ongoing discussion thread on LinkedIn group Club Revit in which members have been sharing links to Revit content. I have summarized, sorted and combined the contents into a more usable list.

All Discipline

Autodesk Seek
http://seek.autodesk.com/

CADDetails.com
http://www.caddetails.com/ (requires registration)

CADForum.cz
http://www.cadforum.cz/catalog_en/?fo=RFA (Requires registration)

RevitCity.com
http://www.revitcity.com/index.php

RevitComponents
http://revitcomponents.blogspot.com/

RevitFamilyMan.com
http://www.revitfamilyman.com/new3revitfotwpage.htm

Arcat.com
http://www.arcat.com/bim/bim_objects.shtml

FormFonts.com
http://www.formfonts.com/browse/browseObjects.php?area=1&area=1&dimensions=3

Reed Construction Data
http://smartbim.reedconstructiondata.com/

Architecture

USG Design Studio

http://www.usgdesignstudio.com/wallselector.asp

JELD-WEN Windows and Doors

http://www.jeld-wen.com/architecturaltoolbox/index.cfm

Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co.

http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com/architect/index.cfm?logintype=architect

Structural

Simpson Strong-Tie

http://www.strongtie.com/drawings/revit.asp

Mechanical & Piping

American Standard
http://www.americanstandard-us.com/resources/

AO Smith Water Heaters
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/revit.html

Applied Air
http://appliedair.com/building-information-modeling-bim.asp

ClimateMaster
http://www.climatemaster.com/index/comm_literature

Greenheck
http://www.greenheck.com/drawings/

Kohler
http://www.us.kohler.com/tech/cadsymbol/cadsymbol.jsp?nsection=1&nsubsection=1&nitem=link8

L.J. Wing
http://www.ljwing.com/building-information-modeling-bim.asp

Loren Cook
http://www.lorencook.com/About/destools.shtml

SPX Cooling
http://spxcooling.com/en/about/detail/revit-files/

McQuay
http://www.mcquay.com/McQuay/BIM/Revit-BIMFiles

Price
http://www.price-hvac.com/software/revit/

Ruskin
http://www.ruskin.com/revit.aspx

Sierra
http://www.sierra-fas.com/building-information-modeling-bim.asp

Sloan
http://www.sloanvalve.com/Customer_Care/Technical_Downloads.aspx

Taco
http://www.taco-hvac.com/en/cad_wizard.html

Temprite
http://www.tempriteheating.com/building-information-modeling-bim.asp

Titus
http://www.titus-hvac.com/software/revit/Revit.asp

Trane
http://www.trane.com/Commercial/Products/product-templates/CadUserCategorySelect.aspx?i=1154

http://www.trane.com/commercial/AboutTrane/ContactUs/SalesOffices/BIMIntroduction.aspx

Victaulic
http://www.victaulic.com/content/cadandsoftware.htm

Watts
http://www.watts.com/pro/whatsnew/whatsnew_3dCAD.asp

Electrical

Acuity Brands Lighting

http://www.acuitybrandslighting.com/BIM/

Focal Point Lights

http://www.focalpointlights.com/resources/BIM.html

Lightolier

http://www.lightolier.com/resources/downloads.jsp#BIM

Mono Systems

http://www.monosystems.com/revit.asp

Siemon

http://www.siemon.com/us/download/bim.asp

Visa Lighiting

http://www.visalighting.com/site/resources/bim-building-information-modeling

Paid Content

http://www.turbosquid.com/Revit
http://www.symbolmachine.com/
http://revitfactory.com/
http://www.broutek.com/
http://www.revit-content.com/
http://www.revitstore.com/
http://www.archvision.com/

Source: http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=11154919&gid=126297&trk=EML_anet_qa_ttle-d7hOon0JumNFomgJt7dBpSBA

source: chris's blog

SW SW SW - The future of BIM (for only some of you)

2010-06-22T15:54:00.000+08:00

"Some Will" folks

"Some will, some won't, so what?".....read the rest arcticle here...:b

BIM Humor

2010-05-26T09:47:00.002+08:00

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido : All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

Continue reading the original post here...

Assertive BIM

2010-05-09T14:22:00.000+08:00

Assertive BIM

Something from The Blog of 'whatrevitwants.blogspot.com' about Aggressive, Passive and Assertive BIM.

An Aggressive person will totally disregard your opinion and basically 'bite your head off'. On the other hand, a Passive person won't speak up even if they feel strongly about something. But -
An Assertive person Listens to and Acknowledges the opinions of others, and then respectfully but firmly Expresses their own opinion.

In practice - let's say 3 people like 3 different colours. Mr Aggressive says 'Red is the best colour and you are all idiots if you don't agree with me!' Mr Passive loves Yellow, but he meekly nods. Mr Assertive says, 'I respect the fact that you like Red. However, I personally like the colour Green.'

Mr Assertive does not need others to change - he just shows respect and wants to be respected. His beliefs are not dependent on forcing others to change.

When it comes to BIM, the 'aggressive' stance is often taken (AutoCAD is rubbish!) However, perhaps a more successful tactic would be to truly Listen, Acknowledge, and then firmly express why You believe in BIM.