Monday, June 28, 2010

Some Revit Architecture Modeling Best Practices

Try to limit the use of joining geometry.
Do not over constrain objects. Try to keep constraints to a minimum. This will help keep “Can’t keep joined” errors to a minimum when moving objects. This may also help prevent workset ownership issues where a user may unknowingly take editability for an object.
Minimize view depth, if possible, in elevation, plan, and section views. In addition, use section boxes when working in 3D views.
Groups are heavier than families. You can use an array to copy and associate objects together. However, after the array is complete, you can ungroup the arrayed objects to increase performance by removing the parametric associations of the copied objects. You can also clear the Copy and Associate check box when creating the array.
Close unnecessary windows. When working in a 3D view, most of the file is placed into RAM. It is also strongly recommended that you close these views when saving to a central file, because these views are regenerated as part of the process. It is best to save a 3D view with minimal visibility and then copy it to create new views faster.
Avoid opening additional views, if possible. It is better to not open a view at all rather than opening one and then closing it, as not all memory is reclaimed when you close a view.
Turn off shadows in most views. (Turn off shadows when printing views if not absolutely necessary.)
When making significant changes to a project (for example, moving a level or making major geometry changes) it is strongly recommended that you perform these operations when no other users are working on the file and they have relinquished all elements. Then have user make new local files.
Using the Paste Aligned command in a closed view actually opens the view (which takes time) and then closes it. If you want to paste several times in a view, open it first.
Limit the use of rooms in design options, as additional time is spent detecting room option conflicts. Use separate models for variations of the whole wing with rooms.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Trelligence Affinity - Check it out!!

Trelligence Affinity software is an extension of BIM that adds the Program Model into the architectural business process of planning, designing and constructing a building. Affinity focuses on architectural programming and schematic design giving the entire AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner/Developer) team a platform for communicating the requirements for a building project. Affinity fast forwards the BIM model into the pre-design phase delivering time and cost savings and more successful and cost-effective project outcomes.

Once the project program is captured, Affinity allows you to try out any number of building layout scenarios using intelligent, 3D building blocks such as spaces and openings. As you create conceptual floor plans and stacking diagrams, Affinity analyzes each element and tracks whether the initial design is in compliance with the requirements in the program.

Once the team selects a plan, you can bring the schematic into your favorite CAD or BIM tools to develop the detailed designs and construction documents. Affinity includes bi-directional integration with SketchUp, enabling manipulation of the building envelope as well as building exterior rendering. Bi-directional integration in the Affinity for ArchiCAD and Affinity for Revit plug-ins allows you to continue to track the detailed design against the initial requirements. You can even update the requirements in ArchiCAD or Revit using the features of Affinity.

http://www.trelligence.com/