Update 2 for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

Scott Latch announce on the AUGI forum that "Update 2 for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 is now available at http://www.autodesk.com/revitstructure-downloads.

The Update can be applied to all languages of Revit Structure. Currently, only the English download page has the update, but the other language download pages will be available by the middle of next month. Until then users with other languages can download the update from the English page.Please note, the update release does not contain any new functionality. However, we are developing functionality enhancements that will be available to Subscription customers in the near future."

When you follow the link it's a wee bit confusing because the page has a typo - it says Web Update 1 but the Web Update 2 files are there under where it says Update 1.
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Tips and Tricks ~ Stairs

As I surf my way around the internet and find tips and trick, articles, blog postings about Stairs in Revit that may be useful I'm adding links to them here as a reference resource

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Steve Stafford ~ Revit Oped ~ Dutch Stair with Revit ~
Blog Posting / Video
Describes the unique Dutch stair winder conditions in some buildings

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Steve Stafford ~ Revit Oped ~ Dutch Stairs - In-Place Stringers
Blog Posting / Video
In-Place family technique to make stringers for a stair when the default boundary/stringers aren't satisfactory.

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Steve Stafford ~ Revit Oped ~ Revit Stair - End in a Landing
Blog Posting / Video
Shows how to sketch a concrete stair that ends in a landing

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Steve Stafford ~ Revit Oped ~ Stair Labels Up Dn and Wall Editing
Blog Posting / Video
Brief explanation of the Up Dn arrow and label issues with Revit Stairs as well as editing a wall profile

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Steve Stafford ~ Revit Oped ~ Revit Activate Dimensions
Blog Posting / Video

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Revit Kid ~ Stair Basics
Revit Kid ~ Stair Question

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Troy Mifsud Web site http://www.mycadd.com/
Vol 4 ~ 16 ~ Stairs (46:06) 9 minute extract on YouTube from his Revit Essentials Course

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Easy Revit (2009) ~ Video Tutorials by ddufon
24-Create StairsCreate Stairs (using the "by Run" method. Define properties for a basic stair, and cut a shaft opening for the stairs.

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Pentagon Solutions ~ Video Tutorials
Pentagon Solutions is an independent company, owned exclusively by its founder members, and is based in Belfast. Their website is currently being rebuilt.
Custom Stairs in Revit Architecture Stage 1 creating custom stairs in Revit Architecture

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CADClips Click here to visit the CADclips web site Click here to see all the CADclips on Youtube
CADclip - HD - REVIT ARCH - Stair Constrain Opening
CADclip - HD - REVIT Architecture Flared Bottom Tread
CADclip - HD - REVIT Architecture Top Riser Cleanup
CADclip - HD - REVIT Architecture Stair with winder and no Railing
CADclip - HD - REVIT Stair Tutorial with a Winder

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Video Tutorials on designreform.net

designreform.net Rocks!

This Web Site has Revit video tutorials that explain some of the basic aspects of Revit.

Where Levels are in the hierarchy. How walls constrain to levels , Coping in place or by level etc.

The sites author says "Please feel free to post Question as i can answer them in future posts." and that "Its important for students to get a sense of how we can trouble shoot some of the issues Revit throws back at us."

Not just students ;0)

Some videos are from open help sessions with student to work through some of the problems they are encountering. Other tutorials are on new features.

This is a site I can see myself visiting on a regular basis....enjoy
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New Revit 2010 – Publishing Shared Coordinates + Named Views Across Linked Files
New Revit - Solar Radiation Technology Preview - Part 1
New Revit - Solar Radiation Technology Preview - Part 2
New Revit 2010 - Splitting Faces and Painting Materials
New Revit Architecture 2010 and 2009 - Explanation of Coordinate Systems Side by Side
IFC from Rhino through Revit
Revit 2010 - Curtain Panel Pattern Based - Hexagons
Revit 2010 - Spline By Points
Revit 2010 - Pattern Based Curtain Panels
Revit 2010 - Revolve and New Surface Patterning / Paneling
Revit 2010 - Removing Edges and 3d Snapping
Revit 2010 - Make Form - Add Edge And Profile
Revit 2010 - Sweeping and Reference Points
Revit 2010 - Make Form Direct Manipulation
Revit Architecture 2010 New Features - Conceptual Mass Make Form
Revit - Custom Profiles in Curtain Systems
Revit - Family Basics, Modeling a Stool
Revit - Diamond Curtian Panels
Revit - Nested Families
Revit - Scheduling Explained
Rhino - Autocad - Revit - Linking Complex Form to Drive Massing
Revit - Using Tags to Drive Instance Parameters
NYC Revit User Group Presentation
Revit - Scheduling Curtian Panels with Conditional Statements
Revit - Scheduling with Conditional Staments
Revit - Missing Grids in Elevation
Revit - Parametric Truss System - Part 1
Revit - Shared Parameters and Scheduling
Revit - Student Project - Auditorium
Revit - Student Projects - Elipses
Revit - Student Project - Angled Stone
Revit 2009 - New Feature Sweep Blend
Revit - Student Projects - Spider Clip
Revit - Basics About the Program
Revit - Adding Folders to File Open Menu
Revit - Modeling Operations
Revit - Faced Based Families
Revit - Radial Geometry w/ Reference Lines
Revit - Exporting DWG - Solids and Mesh
Revit - Line Based Parametric Array
Revit - Angle Parameters

The Revit Kid Video Tutorials Update Sept 2009

The Revit Kid (Jeff Pinheiro) started his Blog on the 12th February.

Jeffs blog has to be one of my top 5 to visit on a regular basis, I don't know how he finds the time to keep producing valuable vidoes but he does. Jeff, keep up the good work you are helping students and newbies of all ages (OK I will admit it I'm 51!)

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The Revit Kid Video Tutorials

NEW Tapered Roof Insulation

NEW Stair Question

NEW Adjustable Door Swing

NEW Stair Basics

View Templates

Section Heads and Tails
Family and Material
Glass vs Glazing
Attaching Walls to Roofs
Create Custom Render Materials
Introduction to Decals
Vertical Reveal (T1-11)
Rebar Detail Component
Angled Beam System
Door Frame (Plan View) - Masked Region
Brick Shelf (Stacked Walls)
Basic View Titles
Render Basics - Flower Vase
Curtain Wall Doors
Studio Topo Tip - Part 3
Studio Topo Tip - Part 2
Studio Topo Tip - Part 1A
Studio Topo Tip - Part 1
Brick Window Sill
Visibility Parameters
Parametric Arrays
Angled Wall Sweeps
Parametric Wall Sweeps
Render Basics - Interior, Sun Only
Calling Out Drafted Views
Change Text Case in Revit
Organizing Your Revit Sheets
Basic Detail Component Usage
Windows and Plan Appearance

The Revit Kid Student to Student Revit Guide:

Harbor House - Part 1 - Importing CAD
Harbor House - Part 1A - Source CAD Files
Harbor House - Part 2 - Levels
Harbor House - Part 3 - Foundation/Stepped Footing
Harbor House - Part 4 - Slab Basics
Harbor House - Part 5 - Slab Edge
Harbor House - Part 6 - Basic Floors
Harbor House - Part 7 - Advanced Floors Part 1
Harbor House - Part 8 - Modify Walls
Harbor House - Part 9 - Sill PLates and Rim Boards

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Getting Started Reference Material

I have been recently asked about sources of guidance materal for setting up Revit Structure
There is a lot of good guidance material over at Autodesk University http://au.autodesk.com/





You will need to register to gain access, but check out:-

SE110-2 Essential Revit Structure Project Template Techniques
SE114-1 Get More Out of Revit Structure Content
SE300-2 Get Your Company for Autodesk Revit Structure
SE314-1 Structure or Standards? Do Both
SE318-1 Create and manage your Revit Structure Contents and Library
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Review of REVIT 2010 Essential Training Course / Manual from Retrieve vBookStore

On the 18th July 2009 I posted about the REVIT 2010 Essential Training Course from Retrieve vBookStore after finding example videos on YouTube and tracking down their web site at http://www.retrieve.com/ and their online store at http://www.retrievemedia.com/ which now forwards to http://www.myvbooks.com/ac55jsp/stores/1/index.jsp

After finding my initial posting, the nice people from Retrieve have kindly allowed me access to the full Revit 2010 Essentials Training Course in order to experience it, and obviously report my findings on the blog for you all to read! So here we go………

The course is provided in two versions:-

1) Revit 2010 Essential Training Course for $175
2) Revit 2010 Essential Training Manual for $150




The graphics on their web site are a little confusing because the $175 shows four thick manuals and the $150 shows five manuals where as both version seem to have five manuals. For the extra $25 for the Course the only difference is that you’re getting the Test (Exam) more on this later….




Here is the graphic from the interface once you’re inside your voffice which is where your vbooks live, on the internet so that you can access from the office, home, or anywhere that provides internet access.

Both web pages and purchase options have a list the topics covered, these are in Chapter Order but there are four chapters missing from the topic list. Why they don’t just list the volumes and Chapters like I have below I have no idea (perhaps they will change it after reading this review ;0)
The course consists of the following chapters or video lessons, I say this because in Volume One the Video lessons are called Chapters and in the following volumes they are referred to as L## and the tutor Troy Mifsud calls them lessons at the beginning of most of the videos. The Exam also refers to the video lessons as being Chapters. ( I get that it’s a vbook, and books have Chapters!)
The only problems I’ve found have been minor virtual vbook typographical / publishing errors that a good proof reader should have found before publishing or going live with the product. i.e.

Volume 1 refers to Chapters
Volume 2-5 refers to L for lessons
L19 Detailing has a heading over the video of L18: Detailing, all Lessons after 19 are also one behind over the video. But if they can correct this when they rename them as Chapters!
What ever you want to call them (Chapters / Lessons/ Video Tutorials) there is the 3 minute introduction then 23 live-recorded lectures see list below:-

Vol 1 ~ 00 ~ Introduction (2:58 minutes)
Vol 1 ~ 01 ~ Interface Overview (25:43:) 6 minute extract on YouTube
Vol 1 ~ 02 ~ Levels, Grids and Walls (55:46)Vol 1 ~ 03 ~ Walls - Modifying and Dimensioning (44.06)
Vol 1 ~ 04 ~ Modify Tools (47:44)

Vol 2 ~ 05 ~ Doors and Windows (45:38)
Vol 2 ~ 06 ~ Columns (24:45)
Vol 2 ~ 07 ~ Rooms and Tags (24:40) 8 minute extract on YouTube
Vol 2 ~ 08 ~ Adding Components (13:54)
Vol 2 ~ 09 ~ View Properties (35:11)

Vol 3 ~ 10 ~ Text Symbols and Line Styles (17:04)
Vol 3 ~ 11 ~ Schedules (26:53)
Vol 3 ~ 12 ~ Sections and Floors (33:30)
Vol 3 ~ 13 ~ Ceiling Plans (40:10)
Vol 3 ~ 14 ~ Curtain Walls (43:12) 7 minute extract on YouTubeVol 3 ~ 15 ~ Roofs (39:08)

Vol 4 ~ 16 ~ Stairs (46:06) 9 minute extract on YouTube
Vol 4 ~ 17 ~ Railings (32:24)
Vol 4 ~ 18 ~ Wall Constructions (26:36)
Vol 4 ~ 19 ~ Detailing (34:07)

Vol 5 ~ 20 ~ Custom Families (43:00) 7 minute extract on YouTube
Vol 5 ~ 21 ~ Sheets and Plotting (22:51)
Vol 5 ~ 22 ~ Worksharing (29:16)
Vol 5 ~ 23 ~ Linking and Sharing (21:01)

I have just completed a Revit Structure 2010 Essentials course run by Excitech, so I was quite looking forward to reviewing this software, But I had to wait as I was about to go on my summer holiday and the computers are not taken away with us (Even a computer addict like me needs cold turkey and a rest some time! or so I’m informed by my wife).

Since my return from holiday I’ve watched quite a few of the lectures. (OK I’m catching up for lost time….two weeks without a computer and internet access)
Although I’m using Revit Structure at work, as this is an Essentials course using Revit Architecture most of the basics covered are applicable to RST and MEP.
The 23 Chapters / lectures add up to nearly 13 hours of training so not matter if you buy the Exam or Test version or not, it’s great value for money.

Good courses rely on having a tutor who not only knows their subject but has the necessary communications and teaching skill to impart their knowledge. It also helps if the lecturer has a pleasant disposition and they don’t have an annoying voice, which I’m glad to say Troy hasn’t and he has produce a very interesting, and well structured course

I’m really hoping that he produces a Revit Structure 2010 Essential and Advanced Course, plus there is a niche market for video training courses or lectures on the Structural Extension available on subscription (hint hint and I'm happy to Proof Read for errors).

I believe this form of video software training to be very efficient and cost effective and should be part of a well balanced training or Revit implementation program. Video Training should not replacing training from your software supplier/reseller but should supporting it.

The Login consist of a Username (normally your email address) and a password that you set up once you have purchased the course.

The first time I entered my voffice I had to allow pop ups from the myvbook.com web site because of my security settings.


One you have selected your Volume to work from the learning environment shown above pops up. It consist of the Chapters and topics covered listed on a panel on the left of the screen., the middle of the screen holds the selected Chapter or topics video, and there is an Index on the right hand panel.

For more information about the how a vOffice and vBooks work, please visit http://www.retrieve.com/introtovbooks/ and use this link to see How vBooks can enable true Online Teaching

OK we are told that research has proven that "Men don’t use index pages in reference books, preferring to thumb their way through the book finding lots of interesting facts along the way. Whereas a woman will use the index to get straight to the subject required".

Yes as you have probably already guessed the research on this matter was undertaken by a woman. Who incidentally is one of those who spends all day in the shops searching for a blouse and comes home with every other item of clothing apart from the blouse she went shopping for.

Whereas a man shopping for a shirt comes home with just the shirt (already knowing the colour and style required) and nothing else! But I digress…. Back to the plot!

I may be in touch with my female side, but I like an Index, and this one is great. Pick a subject and it gets the correct volume, chapter and starts the video at the chosen subject matter, now this feature is absolutely brilliant.

This is where these kinds of learning resources are so useful, when you get stuck with Revit you can run the chapter or part of the chapter to refresh your memory and find the answer to the problem, question or whatever it is you are having trouble with.

During my research I have been flying in and out of my voffice and around my vbooks and the environment appears to be very stable. Only once have I had a message telling me to exit and re-load and I have been giving the environment a real thrashing.

Test / Exam Environment

The Test comprises of 77 multiple choice questions over the 23 Chapters (or video lessons) of the course. There is a short video where Troy asks you the question, and you click your answer in the panel under the video. Once you have completed your test, you Submit it for marking.
My final score for this traning resource would have to be 9.5/10 (10/10 once the Chapters thing is fixed).
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