Alright, we've all heard the buzz world of Digital Twin. Well keeping true to the Revit Nerd that I am, I've been creating a Digital Twin of my house. As we all know there are many reasons to have a digital twin of your building, from doing renovations to figuring out if that new piece of furniture from Ikea is going to fit in your living room. But none of these compares to the all-important time of planning out your holiday light display!

I've only lived in my current house for 3 years now, and last year we took advantage of the after Christmas sale to stock up on holiday lights. My wife said she wanted to outline our house, sides, roof ridge line, front fascia, etc. with multi-colored lights. She also wanted to run white icicle lights along the front fascia. So like any good Revit Nerd, I opened up my Revit model and measured to determine that I needed 170' of multi-colored lights and 50' of white icicle lights. Which of course they don't sell in nice even lengths.

Fast forward to this year, and it comes time for me to put the lights on the roof. Once again, I open up my Revit model and start measuring where each strand I bought last year was going to start and end. I need to make sure that the end plugs were in the right place to run the next strand of lights. I figured out a plan that would work and not require any additional extension cords on my roof. It was now the all-important time of going up on the roof in the cold  35°F day in December to hang my lights - because it has to be cold to hang lights. Like all good plans, everything worked perfectly.

[caption id="attachment_34882" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-34882 size-large" src="/blog/2020/12/Nicks-Christmas-House-1-e1607800156795-1024x616.png" alt="House decorated with Holiday Lights" width="1024" height="616" /> Nick's Holiday House[/caption]

<img class="alignleft wp-image-34893 size-large" src="/blog/2020/12/322-Wembley-Rd2-1024x543.png" alt="" width="1024" height="543" />

A Holiday Digital Twin

The team working on the Dynamo Core, as well as the team integrating that core into Revit, have been very busy over the last year. Revit 2022 comes with Dynamo Core version 2.10.1 which has lots of improvements since version 2.6.1 which is the latest version included with Revit 2021. Below are a list of the top 5 new features included with the release of Revit 2022.
<h2>1. Undock View Extensions</h2>
Dynamo is finally getting into the idea that most  people have a second monitor, or at least like to control where their pallets are located. With that, Dynamo now has the ability to undock pallets from the main view and let them float, including on a second screen.

[caption id="attachment_35236" align="aligncenter" width="469"]<img class="size-full wp-image-35236" src="/blog/2021/04/Undock-View-Extension.png" alt="Dynamo Undock View Extension" width="469" height="448" /> Dynamo Undock View Extension[/caption]
<h2>2. New Dynamo Core Nodes</h2>
The Dynamo core teams has been focusing a lot of time on back end improvements, one of the big changes is mentioned further down in this list. However they also took the time to add a few new nodes. Two of them are AnyTrue and AnyFalse. These will look at a list of true / false boolean values and find if there are any true or any false values within that list, or any of the sublists. This can be helpful when comparing lists of data. For a detailed explanation of these two nodes, look <a href="https://github.com/DynamoDS/Dynamo/pull/11287">here</a>.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="552"]<img class="" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/193290/99958303-0d2cc100-2d81-11eb-804f-7745ff07a4c6.jpg" alt="Dynamo AnyTrue and AnyFalse Nodes" width="552" height="437" /> Dynamo AnyTrue and AnyFalse Nodes[/caption]
<h2>3. Auto Complete</h2>
This feature will recommend nodes for the input field of a node. If a recommended node cannot be found the standard input nodes (string, number slider, integer slider, number and T/F boolean) will be displayed. To use this feature, first you must enable it from the Settings menu, under the Experimental flyout menu check "Enable Node Auto Complete". Now when you hold the "ALT" key and left click on a nodes input a menu will appear suggesting nodes to utilize for the input. If you click on one of these nodes, it will place the node and automatically draw a wire between that nodes output and the current nodes input, see below.

[caption id="attachment_35221" align="aligncenter" width="707"]<img class="size-full wp-image-35221" src="/blog/2021/04/AutoComplete.gif" alt="Dynamo for Revit Autocomplete" width="707" height="474" /> Dynamo for Revit Autocomplete example.[/caption]
<h2>4. Python Updates</h2>
One of the biggest things the Dynamo Core team has been working on is the transition from ironpython which limits python to version to 2.7 to Cpython which allows the use of python 3 syntax. This is HUGE for using python to access addition elements in the Revit API, as well as to handle more complex logic scenarios. As of the initial launch of Revit 2022, both ironpython and Cpython are installed as python engines and the engine used can vary within a single dynamo script (although that is not advised). Ironpython remains the default python engine, but can be changed in the settings. To help with the transition, there is a transition tool that will help migrate your python script from ironpython to Cpython.

Additionally, they added the ability to see white space characters. This is very important with the aforementioned changed from ironpython to Cpython. Ironpython let indents be either tabs or spaces, and long ago hitting the tab key would insert a tab not 4 or 5 spaces. Cpython will only allow spaces as the indent, and does not accept the use of tabs. And besides that, isn't it nice to actually see the whitespace characters?

[caption id="attachment_35240" align="aligncenter" width="900"]<img class="size-full wp-image-35240" src="/blog/2021/04/Python-Editor.png" alt="Dynamo Python Editor Update" width="900" height="866" /> Dynamo Python Editor Update[/caption]
<h2>5. New Dynamo for Revit Nodes</h2>
There are over 52 new nodes just to control Revit elements. That does not include any new nodes that the Dynamo Core has added. A lot of these are focused around views, schedules, and sheets. This includes adding views to sheets, setting their locations, setting the crop, discipline, and display styles of views. They also added nodes to provide the ability to override elements in a specific view, including hiding that element in a view. The below image shows the list of View nodes in Dynamo for Revit 2022 with those of Dynamo for Revit 2021.

[caption id="attachment_35243" align="aligncenter" width="470"]<img class="size-large wp-image-35243" src="/blog/2021/04/Dynamo-for-Revit-New-Nodes-470x1024.png" alt="Dynamo for Revit New Nodes" width="470" height="1024" /> Dynamo for Revit New Nodes[/caption]

Top 5 New Features for Dynamo for Revit 2022

The other day I was asked if there was a way to restore a Revit model that is located on the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). Then, ironically a few days later a similar question came in through the help desk. With that, we thought it would be a good idea to summarize the different methods to restore a Revit model that is stored on ACC. These methods also work with models stored on BIM 360.

Before doing any of these methods, it is recommended that you download your current Revit model and save it offline.
<h2>Publish Versions</h2>
One option is to download a previously published version of the model. Project Admins can configure automatic publishing of models within a folder to once a week. This would allow access to any automatically published models, as well as any manually published models.

This is most helpful if you need to restore the model or copy elements from a model from a long time ago. And yes, one week can be a long time ago in the life of a Revit model.

To download one of these previous versions, navigate to the Revit model within the ACC (or BIM 360 ) Document Management portal. Click on the version number under the Version column. A popup dialog will list all the previous versions of the file. Clicking the icon shown in the image below will download that version of the file to your computer.

[caption id="attachment_35415" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-35415 size-large" src="/blog/2021/07/Publish-Model-Restore-1024x979.png" alt="Published Version Restore" width="1024" height="979" /> Publish Model Version History Dialog[/caption]

With this file, you have a few options. First Option - If you need to restore back to this model you can open it in Revit and upload it, replace the existing ACC (or BIM 360 ) Revit model. Be advised, this will replace the existing file and everything that is currently saved to that file will be lost.

More likely, you only want a portion of that file. So just open both Revit models in the same Revit session and copy and paste elements from the restored model to the current model.
<h2>Manage Cloud Model Restore</h2>
The second option is to restore from within Revit via the Manage Cloud Models, located on the Collaborate Ribbon. This option provides access to a limited number of backups that are created when users Synchronize with Central for Workshared models or Save for non-Workshared models. However, these versions can only be rolled back. Therefore, anything that has been changed to the current model after restoring the file will be lost. Additionally, once you restore to one of these previous versions, all versions that were created after that point will be deleted. So, this is kind of a last resort option. This <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Collaboration-for-Revit-Downloading-previous-copies-of-models.html">AKN article</a> has good step-by-step directions on how to restore a model using this method.

[caption id="attachment_35416" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-35416 size-large" src="/blog/2021/07/Mange-Cloud-Model-Restore-1024x501.png" alt="Cloud Model version history" width="1024" height="501" /> Manage Cloud Model version history[/caption]
<h2>Local Cache Model</h2>
This is not a traditional restore option, but occasionally you get lucky and can utilize this method. As you probably know, when working in a workshared model, a local copy of the Revit model is saved to your local computer. In a traditional server-based worksharing scenario, this location is specified within Revit’s option dialog. However, with models hosted to ACC (or BIM 360 ), these models are stored in a different location, which also happens to clean itself out periodically.

The local files for ACC (or BIM 360 ) are stored at the folder %LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit ####\CollaborationCache, where the #### is your Revit year number.

If one of your users still has a file in that folder, it can be used to copy from and replace the existing Cloud Model.
<h2>Future Thoughts</h2>
Hopefully, we will be revising this article in the not-too-distant future as non-Destructive Version rollback is on the Revit Roadmap. <a href="https://trello.com/c/AeKaKRJL/49-cloud-worksharing-non-destructive-version-rollback">https://trello.com/c/AeKaKRJL/49-cloud-worksharing-non-destructive-version-rollback</a>

Restoring Revit Models on ACC and BIM 360 

In the last 6 months, we've received the question "How do I download the Site Designer add-in for Revit 2021?" several times. Those that skipped that release and went straight to Revit 2022 are also asking the same question. After a brief discovery, almost all of our clients that are interested in getting that tool wanted to use it for the import Landxml tool. This is also when we have to regrettably tell them that as of Revit 2021, Autodesk decided to discontinue the Site Designer add-in for Revit.
<h2>Site Design History</h2>
For those that don't know, Site Designer was an add-in for Revit that had some useful tools for working with topography and other site-related elements. One of the most commonly utilized tools was the import Landxml which allowed for the creation of Revit topography from a LandXml document. What was really useful about this tool was that it used Revit's Shared Coordinate system rather than the Project Coordinate system for locating the topography. This allowed for the topography to come into the correct location based on the real-world coordinate location.

[caption id="attachment_35420" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-35420" src="/blog/2021/07/Site-Designer-Add-in-1024x98.png" alt="Site Designer Ribbon" width="1024" height="98" /> Site Designer Ribbon[/caption]
<h2>Moving On</h2>
Now that we've had a nice trip down memory lane, the question is, "how do I coordinate Topography now that I do not have this tool?"
<h3>Option 1 - Link Topography</h3>
[caption id="attachment_35421" align="aligncenter" width="350"]<img class="size-full wp-image-35421" src="/blog/2021/07/Link-Topography.png" alt="Revit Link Topography" width="350" height="75" /> Link Topography Tool[/caption]

Released with Revit 2019, Link Topography was added to the Import ribbon. This allows for the linking of a specially created DWG file that is hosted on BIM 360. This DWG file contains all the information to create a Topography surface. Look at the <a href="https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Allies-Last-Getting-Architects-and-Engineers-Same-Coordinate-Page-2020">Allies at Last: Getting Architects and Engineers on the Same Coordinate Page</a> AU presentation for a step-by-step handout on the process and a video presentation using this workflow.

This is by far the easiest approach to maintain coordination over the life of your project, as Civil can update the DWG and Revit users can reload the file like any other link. As mentioned, this requires the use of BIM 360 , which can make it not a good option for some users and some projects.
<h2>Option 2 - Import CSV</h2>
[caption id="attachment_35422" align="aligncenter" width="506"]<img class="size-full wp-image-35422" src="/blog/2021/07/Import-Point-File.png" alt="Revit Create Topography by Importing point file" width="506" height="214" /> Import Points File[/caption]

So, what do you do if your project is not on BIM 360. Well, you have to resort to the old import CSV methodology. This method is outlined in the <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/Revit-Model/files/GUID-35F36FD6-9648-4008-B117-6D7771E5FA9B-htm.html">Create a Toposurface with a Points File</a> AKN article. There are a few things you need to keep in mind to utilize this tool.
<ul>
 	<li>Make sure the CSV file is formatted correctly. If it is not, then the points will either not generate or will be in the incorrect location.</li>
 	<li>The points will be created using the Internal Origin as the origin point for the x and y location, not the origin of the Shared Coordinate. So you will have to either relocate the topography after it is generated or modify the points prior to creating the CSV to coordinate with Revit's Internal Origin.</li>
 	<li>This ties to the previous bullet. Rather than using the Shared Coordinates origin for the zero value of the Z-axis, topography in Revit is associated to a level. That level will be used as the zero value for the points, and the points will be placed at their Z values above that level. This means that you need to create a Sea Level Revit Level to host the topography.</li>
 	<li>The Big downside to this, is that anytime there is an update, you have to re-import the points and re-adjust the toposurface as needed.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Outside the box thinking</h2>
We here at CADD love to solve problems with outside-the-box thinking. And with that, we have two other options to consider.
<h3>Option 3 - Use Revit 2020 and Upgrade</h3>
This option is not always going to be available, but it might just be the solution you need to solve the problem on a time crunch. In Revit 2020, install the Site Designer add-in. Locate a new file Shared Coordinates to the Civil file, just like your project file. Then use Import LandXML from the Site Designer add-in. After you import the topography, upgrade the Revit file to the version that your project is in, and either copy or link in the topography, depending on your needs.

As previously stated, this will mean the topography is located based on the Shared Coordinates. However, this option will only be available as long as you can run Revit 2020, and it does require a lot of steps every time you need to update the topography. This may not be a realistic solution for some people.
<h3>Option 3 - Dynamo</h3>
Okay, I'll be honest, this is not an option for everyone. But if you know Dynamo or someone that does, Dynamo 2.x does contain out-of-the-box nodes for creating topography and reading files. So it is possible to write a script to replace the Site Designer Import Landxml function.

We hope that these options will help you with your projects. You can always <a href="https://pages.caddmicrosystems.com/LP-Contact-Us.html">reach out to our team</a> at CADD Microsystems if you have additional questions.

Revit Topography Coordination

<em><strong>On the eleventh day of CADD Care, the CADD team gave to me… a faster way to work in Dynamo.</strong></em>

Any Autodesk product running a version of Dynamo for [insert software] with a Core version of 2.9 or later has the Autocomplete feature. For Revit and Civil 3D, this means 2022 or later.

The tool got a massive update with Dynamo 2.12 (included with the 2022.1 updates for Revit and Civil 3D), which also made a minor change to the workflow. For Dynamo 2.12 or later, all you need to do is double-click the input. For an earlier version, you have to hold the "ALT" key and click the input. In either case, a context menu will list possible nodes that can be connected to the input. Once a node is clicked from the list, it will be placed on the graph and a wire will be added connecting the output of the new node with the input of the previous node.

Now, because this is an experimental feature, you do have to enable the function. In versions prior to Dynamo Core 2.12, it is in the settings menu under "Experimental". In Dynamo Core 2.12 and later, it is found in the  Preferences Dialog under the "Dynamo" menu.

[caption id="attachment_35718" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-35718" src="/blog/2021/11/Autocomplete-Dynamo-2.12-1024x520.gif" alt="" width="1024" height="520" /> Autocomplete Dynamo 2.12[/caption]

Happy Holidays!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the final Twelve Days of CADD Care post.
<h3>View previous posts in the Twelve Days of CADD Care blog series:</h3>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-one-expert-insight/">(Day One): Expert Insight</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-two-autodesk-build/">(Day Two): Autodesk Build</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-three-a-hybrid-work-plan/">(Day Three): A Hybrid Work Plan</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-four-customer-success/">(Day Four): Customer Success</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/12-days-of-cadd-care-day-five-favorite-revit-toolbox-utilities/">(Day Five): Favorite Revit Toolbox Utilities</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/12-days-of-cadd-care-day-six-how-to-fix-low-resolution-images/">(Day Six): A tip to fix low-resolution images</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-seven-cadd-care-tip/">(Day Seven): CADD Care tip</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-eight-bluebeam-revu-and-3d-pdfs/">(Day Eight): Bluebeam Revu and 3D PDFs</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-nine-autocad-tip/">(Day Nine): AutoCAD tip</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-ten-the-gift-of-cadd-community/">(Day Ten): The Gift of CADD Community</a>

Twelve Days of CADD Care (Day Eleven): Dynamo Autocomplete

<em><strong>On the tenth day of CADD Care, the CADD team gave to me… A Better Dynamo Player!</strong></em>

With Revit 2023 a new version of Dynamo Player was released with MANY needed improvements. Some of those key improvements include storing multiple folder locations, searching, script information, and sorting inputs and outputs.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-36457" src="/blog/2022/10/Dynamo-Player-Main-Window-277x300.png" alt="Dynamo Player Main Window" width="300" height="324" />

The main window now provides the ability to store multiple folder locations and easily switch between them with a simple dropdown menu. Additionally, it lets you search the folder for a specific script.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-36458" src="/blog/2022/10/Dynamo-Player-Script-Window.png" alt="Dynamo Player script window." width="300" height="440" />

The script information window also got a major update. It now displays a new Description, Author, and URL field that can be configured within the script. This allows for providing a link to a tutorial or any other supporting documentation for the script. It also now defaults to sorting the inputs and outputs alphabetically, but there is the option to set it back to order of creation. But why go back! Update the naming of your nodes to include numbers to make sure they sort correctly.  No more recreating inputs at the end of the script creation just to make sure they are in the correct order for Dynamo Player.

<img class="aligncenter" src="https://i.giphy.com/media/FlWgXEtj5aM5G/giphy.webp" alt="" />

&nbsp;

Check back the rest of this week and next week to see what the CADD team has in store for all Twelve Days of CADD Care!

View previous posts in the Twelve Days of CADD Care blog series:
Day One:<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/?p=36465&amp;preview=true"> Tool Palette Management in Civil 3D</a>
Day Two: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/?p=36529&amp;preview=true">Space Utilization in FM:Systems</a>
Day Three: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-three-customer-success/">Customer Success</a>
Day Four: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-four-sharing-model-views/">Sharing Model Views</a>
Day Five: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-five-electrical-analytical-model-in-revit/">Electrical Analytical Model in Revit</a>
Day Six: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-six-bluebeam-revu-21-tools-feature-access-changes/">Bluebeam Revu 21 Tools &amp; Feature Access Changes</a>
Day Seven: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-seven/">Downloading an AEC Collection Package</a>
Day Eight: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-eight/">Creating Reference Planes with a Generic Annotation Family</a>
Day Nine: <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-nine-cadd-community">CADD Community</a>

Twelve Days of CADD Care (Day Ten): Dynamo Player

<p>Revit 2020.2 was released on November 18, 2019 and has some nice enhancements that will benefit all disciplines. Below is a quick summary of some of the changes.</p>



<h2>Schedule Enhancements</h2>



<p style="text-align: left;">There were a couple of updates to schedules to make working in them easier.</p>



<h3>Highlight Active Cell in schedule</h3>



<p>The first update: When you click in a cell, Revit now highlights the row, as well as the specific cell.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img class="wp-image-33009" src="/blog/2019/11/Highlight-Cell-in-Schedule-1024x295.png" alt="Revit highlighted row" />
<figcaption>Highlight schedule cell.</figcaption>
</figure>



<h3>Freeze / Unfreeze headers</h3>



<p>The second update: The ability to Freeze and Unfreeze header rows.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img class="wp-image-33008" src="/blog/2019/11/Freeze-Schedules.png" alt="Freeze Header Ribbon" /></figure>



<h2>Internal Origin</h2>



<p>After a long wait, the ability to see the internal origin is finally possible. In addition to seeing the internal origin of the current file, it will also show the origin of any linked files.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img class="wp-image-33010" src="/blog/2019/11/Internal-Origins.png" alt="" /></figure>



<h2>Fly Mode</h2>



<p>This update adds the ability to "Fly" around the model to the Navigation bar. The 3D view has to be set to Perspective for this to become available.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img class="wp-image-33007" src="/blog/2019/11/flythough.png" alt="Fly Mode" />
<figcaption>Fly Mode Navigation Bar</figcaption>
</figure>



<h2>Dynamo for Revit</h2>



<p>Dynamo for Revit is updated to version 2.3. This adds a few new nodes, including element.delete.</p>



<h2>Additional Changes</h2>



<p>A full list of enhancements can be found <a href="https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2020/ENU/?guid=RevitReleaseNotes_2020updates_2020_2_Enhancements_2020_2_html">here</a>.</p>

Just Released: Revit 2020.2 Enhancements

<p>As we all find new ways to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our normal daily lives are being redefined, it’s nice to think that at least something has stayed the same. Every Spring we here at CADD get very excited, as this is the time of year that Autodesk releases new software. This means new features we can dig into and find out how they are going to improve the workflow for our clients. There are some great new features in Revit 2021 that you should check out, but below are our top five for Architects and Designers.</p>



<h2>Slanted Walls</h2>



<p>If you've ever had to model a slanted wall in Revit, you know the only way was using a Model-In-Place Component. Which sometimes was cumbersome and difficult. Not to mention, when you cut a section through it you lose all the detail a Basic Wall provides.</p>



<p>Finally, Autodesk has added the ability to make a Walls slanted. This is done using a new property called “Cross Section”. This provides the ability to determine vertical or sloped. If sloped is selected, another property will appear “Angle from Vertical”. This lets you set the angle of the slope, which can also be adjusted in section.</p>



<p>Now the next logical question, is what happens to objects that are hosted to that wall? Well if they are wall-based families, they get a new property called “Orientation” which allows you to select vertical or slanted. Face based objects work the same way they have for years.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img class="wp-image-33672" src="/blog/2020/03/Walls-initial-insert-of-components.png" alt="Revit Slanted wall with Doors and Windows" width="467" height="342" />
<figcaption>Revit Slanted With hosted Elements</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Schedule Striped Rows</h2>



<p>Revit 2020.1 gave us a small taste of this by adding row striping to the schedule view. Now we have the ability to have row striping on the schedule view or the schedule view and the sheet view. We can choose the colors for the first and second row. This will greatly improve the legibility of large schedules, such as Door schedules on sheets.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img class="wp-image-33676" src="/blog/2020/03/Striped-Rows-Sheet-View-1024x306.png" alt="Door schedule on Sheet showing new row striping feature. linking Images &amp; PDFS" />
<figcaption>Revit Striped Rows on Sheet</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Link Images &amp; PDFs</h2>



<p>A long-running personal complaint of mine for years has been that Revit can only handle image files by importing them, thus increasing the size of the Revit file for every image you insert. Now there are good reasons for this, for example when the Revit file is transferred the image is maintained. However, there are also several reasons that this can be bad including causing slow Revit performance, especially when opening.</p>



<p>Therefore, a long-requested item has been added providing the ability to link images so that the Revit file does not increase. Fortunately, Autodesk incorporated this feature with not just Images, but also with PDFs. This also allows for easy updates to the images and PDFs. Just like Revit and CAD files, if the source file is updated, Revit will update the image or PDF in the Revit file when opening, or when a reload is requested.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img class="wp-image-33677" src="/blog/2020/03/Revit-2021-Manage-Links.png" alt="Screen shot of Revit 2021 Manage Link dialog showing a linked PDF" />
<figcaption>Revit 2021 Manage Links</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Tag Rotation</h2>



<p>Alright, So I’m going to lump 2 new features together for this one because they both involve rotation of annotation elements. So, the first is they added the ability to Rotate a tag with the component by adding a new family property called “Rotate Tag with Component”. So before, a component tag could only be oriented vertically or horizontally, which can cause finding a good place for a tag amongst furniture, equipment, etc. very difficult. Sometimes we just want to rotate the tag, and not have the text vertical or horizontal. If the new property is unchecked, the tag acts as it has for years. However, if you check it, the tag will rotate whenever the tagged component rotates.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img class="wp-image-33681" src="/blog/2020/03/Revit-2021-Revit-Families-Tags-Rotate-with-Components-Example.png" alt="Image of 2 Furniture configurations tagged. One tag has the new Revit 2021 Rotate Tag with Component activated." width="687" height="419" />
<figcaption>Revit 2021 Rotate Tag with Component</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<p>So the second one is Rotate Section Heads. Sections Mark families have a new parameter called “Rotate Text with component”. This will allow the Section mark to rotate with the section. What's nice about this, is it allows some architects to document drawings the same way they have for years.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img class="wp-image-33683" src="/blog/2020/03/Revit-2021-Revit-Familes-Section-Rotate-Text-with-Component-Parameter-Example.png" alt="Image of 2 sections marks. One without the new Rotate with component parameter activated, and one with it activated." width="391" height="263" />
<figcaption>Revit 2021 Rotate text with competent Example</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Dynamo 2.5</h2>



<p>Alright, anyone that knows me, knows that I’m the resident Dynamo expert at CADD, so it probably doesn’t come as any surprise that one of my favorite new things in Revit 2021 has something to do with Dynamo. But beyond my fascination with Dynamo there are some cool new features that this update supports. One of the new features of Revit is Generative Design, found on the Manage Ribbon, this is supported by the new version of Dynamo 2.5 that comes installed with Revit. We are planning on doing a deep dive into that feature later. Additionally, the efficiency of the software has been greatly improved on large graphs of over 400 nodes. There is also a new Generative Design package which comes preinstalled, as well as new Revit Steel Connectors nodes, and 10 new Revit element nodes, in addition to the new Dynamo Core nodes. Finally, they have moved the Workspace Reference, formerly Workspace Dependency view, out of preview, and is now fully integrated. This new feature reveals what decencies, such as packages, are required to run the script.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img class="wp-image-33689" src="/blog/2020/03/Dynamo-2.5-New-Nodes-322x1024.png" alt="Screen shot of Dynamo Revit Element nodes. Highlighting new nodes. " />
<figcaption>Dynamo for Revit new Element nodes.</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Voids in Families</h2>



<p>We like this feature so much that we had to include it as a 6th new feature. Voids now have the ability to control when the void is used to cut elements. This can be associated with family parameters to turn the void on and off as needed. Prior to this, we had to create complicated formulas to move voids in and out of other geometry.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img class="wp-image-33912" src="/blog/2020/04/Revit-2021-Revit-Families-Voids-Cut-Geometry-Prarameter.png" alt="Cuts Geometry Check Box" />
<figcaption>Revit Cuts Geometry Parameter</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>



<h2>Other New features</h2>



<p>There are several other new features that Architects and Designers can take advantage of including the aforementioned Generative Design feature. There are also improvements to Realistic view graphics, changes to how Voids work in Families, and many other features including ones for Structure and MEP.</p>



<p>What’s your favorite upgrade in Revit 2021? Share with us in the comments section below.</p>

Five Reasons Why Architects Should Upgrade to Revit 2021

A question we still get frequently is "How do I create a central model from my project file." This sounds like a simple process, and it is. But if you miss a step, other users will not be able to access anything in the file. In order to create a Central File, you will need to enable Worksets. Depending on the version of Revit, there are minor differences in the process, outlined below.

<h2>Process</h2>

<ol>
<li>Open the project file that needs to be turned into a Central Model. It is recommended that you save an archive of the model prior to enabling worksets.</p></li>
<li><p>Determine if you will be using BIM360 Design to store your file, or if you will be storing your file on a local server.</p></li>
<li><p>If in Revit 2018 or 2019 you need to click "Collaborate" on the Collaborate Ribbon. If you're working in Revit 2020 or later, click "Collaborate" if you are going to be using BIM360 Design. If not, you can click "Worksets" and skip the next step.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>[caption id="attachment_34194" align="aligncenter" width="525"]<img class="size-full wp-image-34194" src="/blog/2020/06/Collaborate-Ribbon_ManageCollaboration.png" alt="Collaborate Ribbon with Collaborate and Workset buttons highlighted" width="525" height="118" /> Collaborate Ribbon[/caption]

<ol>
<li>If you clicked Collaborate, you will be asked if you would like to collaborate on BIM360 Document Management or within your local network. Select the appropriate response for your situation.</li>
</ol>

[caption id="attachment_34193" align="aligncenter" width="386"]<img class="size-full wp-image-34193" src="/blog/2020/06/Collaborate-Dialog.png" alt="Collaborate Dialog" width="386" height="391" /> Collaborate Dialog[/caption]

<ol>
<li>The standard worksets will have been created. They are "Workset 1" and "Shared Levels and Grids." Any Levels and Grids will have been moved to the "Shared Levels and Grids" Workset and everything else will be on "Workset 1."</p></li>
<li><p>Save the file. Because this is the first time you are saving the model as a central model, Revit will prompt you to confirm that you want to proceed. Click "Yes."</p></li>
<li><p>Click “Synchronize with Central” on the Collaborate Ribbon. In the Dialog window that opens, make sure you check "User-created Worksets." If you do not complete this step, no one will be able to edit anything in the model. This is the key step that most users forget.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>[caption id="attachment_34192" align="aligncenter" width="463"]<img class="size-full wp-image-34192" src="/blog/2020/06/Sync-with-Central-User-Created-Worksets.png" alt="Synchronize with Central Dialog with User-Create Worksets Highlighted." width="463" height="321" /> Synchronize with Central Dialog[/caption]

<ol>
<li>Close the file. Next time you open the file you will have the "Create New Local" checkbox available, which should be checked by default. Always leave this checked.</li>
</ol>

<h2>Workset Tips</h2>

Here are a few tips about working with Central Models.

<ul>
    <li>Check out the Model Manager Series on our blog. There are several tips about keeping your central model clean and working happy.</li>
    <li>Unless you are doing maintenance on the model, never work in the Central Model. When you are doing maintenance on the Central Model, make sure no other user has a local model open, as they could lose any work they do.</li>
    <li>Avoid copying or moving a Central Model file after it is created. This will result in an error.</li>
</ul>

Our CADD Care team is here to help with any additional questions. You can email us at helpdesk@caddmicrosystems.com, or call 703.924.5310.

CADD Helpdesk Hot Picks – Creating Central Models

One of the most frequent Revit questions we get asked is, "I received a file from my consultant and when I try and open it I get 'The central model cannot be found...' error. How can I open my Model?"

<h2>Explanation</h2>

Before getting into the solution, I want to explain why this is happening. If you just want the solution, feel free to skip ahead.

Revit files that have Worksets enabled, called Central Models (and sometimes referred to as Workshare Enabled Models) store the full UNC path of where the file is saved. This includes the domain and server names. So when users save the file to f:\projects\project1\REVIT FILE.rvt, Revit really remembers &#92;Domain\Server\Folder\Projects\Project1\REVIT FILE.rvt., and the Central file moves from that stored path, Revit thinks the file is a "Local" file. For those long time Revit users, you will remember that when you opened a file, you didn't always have the "Create new Local" checkbox. We use to have to manually copy the files to our computer, usually via a batch file. Therefore, when you go to Open the file, "Create new local" is grayed out because Revit is already interpreting the file as a "Local" file. And when you click "Open" it tries to run to the stored UNC path to check to make sure it can check out items. This is the point where you get the "Cannot find the central model" error because Revit cannot find the path.

This can happen when Central Models are copied, or moved, or if the server or domain name change. This is one reason why hosting Central Models to Cloud-based storage solutions is not recommended unless it is BIM360 Document Management.

<h2>Solution</h2>

If this issue was caused by receiving a file from another user or company, politely recommend that they use <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/Revit-AddIns/files/GUID-2317F99F-070C-4D05-A37B-5D9488B35376-htm.html">Autodesk's etransmit for Revit</a>. To help prevent this error, it also allows them to clean up the file prior to sending it, making it smaller and easier to manage on your server.

However, if you still keep getting files this way. Follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

Open the received file and make sure to click "Detach from Central." You will be prompted to "Detach and maintain worksets" or "Detach and discard worksets." In most cases, you should just maintain worksets. Once the file is open, follow the steps in our <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/2020/06/creating-central-models/">Creating Central Models post </a>to recreate the central model.

[caption id="attachment_34200" align="aligncenter" width="882"]<img class="size-full wp-image-34200" src="/blog/2020/06/Detach-from-Central.png" alt="Open Dialog with Detach from Central Checked" width="882" height="487" /> Detach from Central[/caption]

As always, the CADD team is here to help. If you have any questions, let us know!

CADD Helpdesk Hot Picks – Central Model Not found

On the eighth day of CADD Care, my CADD team gave to me... A way to conduct preliminary cost estimates based on Revit Modeled Data. Doesn't that just roll off your tongue!

Alright all you Revit designers out there, raise your hand if you pay attention to the ASSEMBLY CODE parameter in the type properties of the elements in your model? Anyone's hand go up... yeah that's what I thought. So that mysterious parameter is used to organize modeled elements together. Out of the Box Revit uses a list of old Uniformat values by default. Uniformat is one of several methods of categorizing elements within a building. But this little parameter has the ability to quickly do cost estimates using the cloud-based product, Assemble.
<h2>Assemble</h2>
For those that do not know, Assemble can be used for cost estimating (among other things), which can directly read and write data to and from a Revit model. It uses a table to associate an Assembly Code to Unit (type of measurement), and a Unit Cost. This table can be edited in Microsoft Excel and then Re-uploaded to Assemble. It is also able to work with any tree number system, so you can utilize whatever codes you are already familiar with. The image shows a data tree after importing it into the project.

[caption id="attachment_34631" align="aligncenter" width="646"]<img class=" wp-image-34631" src="/blog/2020/11/Assemble-Cost-Data-Tree.png" alt="Assemble Data Tree" width="646" height="527" /> Assemble Data Tree Example[/caption]

After uploading the appropriate cost data tree, Assemble can use the ASSEMBLE CODE parameter value to automatically fill in the Units, Unit Cost, and Total Cost based on the appropriate units taken from model properties. Now here is the really cool part, even though the ASSEMBLE CODE may not have been set (or set correctly) in Revit, you can change it within Assemble and then sync the changes back to Revit. Assemble also gives you the ability to change any Type or Instance property. So if the architect drew the wall to the incorrect height, it can be fixed.

For example, in Revit, you have a Metal Panel Wall Type (metal panel, insulation, studs, etc.) that has an ASSEMBLE CODE value that does not match a code in the cost data tree. In Assemble we can assign it the appropriate value, B2010174 Ext. Wall - Metal Panel, located in the data tree. When we click "Estimate" it will look at the ASSEMBLE CODE value and assign the appropriate Units (SF), Unit Cost (USD) from the data tree and calculate the total cost for that item using the appropriate model data (area, length, etc.). Then sync the model and Revit will show the correct Assemble Code value for future estimating.

[caption id="attachment_34633" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-34633" src="/blog/2020/11/Assemble-Inventory-view-Estimate-1024x349.png" alt="Assemble - Inventory view w/ Estimate Highlighted" width="1024" height="349" /> Assemble - Inventory view - Estimate[/caption]

If you have any questions, you can reach out to your Account Manager or <a href="http://pages.caddmicrosystems.com/LP-Contact-Us.html">contact us here</a> for more information.
<h3>View previous posts in the Twelve Days of CADD Care blog series:</h3>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-one-revit-tips/">(Day One): Revit Tips</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-two-named-user-management/">(Day Two): Named User Management</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-three-autocad-tricks/">(Day Three): AutoCAD Tricks</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-four-bluebeam-tool-chest/">(Day Four): Bluebeam Tool Chest</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-five-autodesk-training/">(Day Five): Autodesk Training</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-six-facilities-management/">(Day Six): Facilities Management</a>
<a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/twelve-days-of-cadd-care-day-seven-revit-toolbox/">(Day Seven): Revit Toolbox</a>

Check back tomorrow and next week to see what the CADD team has in store for all Twelve Days of CADD Care.

Twelve Days of CADD Care (Day Eight): Assemble

As many of you know, if your firm uses network licensing with Autodesk software you need to borrow a license if you are planning on working away from the office. If you've ever done this, you may have experienced a limit to how long you can borrow a license. By default, the software limits the maximum time a license can be borrowed to 6 months. For this reason, many firms want to limit how long users can borrow a network license to help control the license pool.

Limiting the maximum time a license can be borrowed is controlled by the option file, but this post is not about setting up the entire option file. A few months ago, we released an option file template on CADD community, see this <a href="https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/2017/08/options-file-template/">blog post for more information</a>, which covers most of what you need. Autodesk also has a webpage on setting up an option file <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/managing-network-licenses/controlling-license-usage/control-network-license-access-using-options-file#controllinglicenseborrowing">here</a>, in the event that you want to set it up from scratch.

This post is about a quirk we found between the option file and the Autodesk software borrow license function. This quirk forces the borrow calendar to not visually limit the days available and provides a cryptic error when a date is selected outside of the limit period.
<h2>Option File command</h2>
Following the direction on the Autodesk webpage above, you would use the "MAX_BORROW_HOURS" option which has the syntax below:
<pre><em> "MAX_BORROW_HOURS" [product feature code] [Hours]</em></pre>
Autodesk product feature codes can be found on this <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/managing-network-licenses/interpreting-your-license-file/feature-codes">webpage</a>.
<h2>Subscription Scenario (not collection)</h2>
You have a subscription to AutoCAD, and you want to limit your license borrowing to 30 days. According to the product feature code <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/managing-network-licenses/interpreting-your-license-file/feature-codes">webpage</a> the product feature code for a subscription of AutoCAD with multi-user access is "64300ACD_T_F." Therefore, to restrict users borrow limit to 30 days (730hrs) the option file code would be "MAX_BORROW_HOURS 64300ACD_T_F."

In our testing, this does not limit the max borrow of a license because licenses are provided to specific products, for example, AutoCAD 2018.
<h2>Collection Subscription Scenario</h2>
You have the AEC collection and you want to limit your license borrowing to 30 days. However, unlike suites (described below) Collections are deployed as individual "point" products, so there is no feature code for AEC Collection. Limiting AEC Collection products will be the same as limiting for the Subscription Scenario described above.
<h2>Suite Scenario</h2>
You have Building Design Suite Premium, and you want to limit your license borrowing to 30 days. According to the product feature code <a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/managing-network-licenses/interpreting-your-license-file/feature-codes">webpage</a> the product feature code for Building Design Suite Premium 2018 with a perpetual license on a maintenance plan would be "85787BDSPRM_F." Therefore, to restrict users borrow limit to 30 days (730hrs), the option file code would be "MAX_BORROW_HOURS 85787BDSPRM_F 730."

In our testing this does limit the users to only being able to borrow a license for 30 days, however, the calendar in the borrow screen does not graphically appear to limit users to just 30 days. Additionally, if a user selects a day outside of the 30-day maximum they will receive the cryptic error.
<h2>The Fix</h2>
To resolve this issue, you need to use the product version-specific feature codes.

For subscriptions, including collections, you will need a Max Borrow option for each product and version year deployed. For example, to restrict AutoCAD 2018 license to 30-day limit, the line in the option file should read:
<pre><em> "MAX_BORROW_HOURS 86830ACD_2018_0F 730"</em></pre>
For Suites, including Building Design Suite, you will need a Max Borrow for each version year deployed. However, unlike subscription, you do not enter a code for each "point" product such as "AutoCAD." The suite codes will still be utilized. Therefore, to limit Building Design Suite Premium 2018, the line in the option file should read:
<pre><em> "MAX_BORROW_HOURS 85787BDSPRM_2018_0F 730"</em></pre>
By creating the option file in this method, the calendar in the borrow option file will appear correctly (as shown in the image below).

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-29775" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AutoCAD-2018-30-day-borrow-max.png" alt="" width="221" height="308" />

Nick Sipes