Connected Structural Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

April 11, 2023

| Advance Steel, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Autodesk Collections, Collections, Construction, Navisworks, Revit, Revit, Structural Steel

Connected Structural Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

The construction industry has seen a significant transformation in recent years with the adoption of new technologies and software. Structural engineering is no exception, as it plays a crucial role in the success of any construction project. Autodesk Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry Collection is a suite of powerful software tools that enable structural engineers and fabricators to streamline their workflows and improve collaboration.

In this blog post, we will explore how Advance Steel, a software tool within the AEC Industry Collection, works with other applications such as Revit, Autodesk Docs, Robot Structural Analysis, Navisworks, and more to create a connected design process. We will also discuss the benefits of this approach for structural engineers and fabricators on construction projects.

How Does Advance Steel Work With Other Applications in the Collection?

With the AEC Industry Collection, structural engineers can create detailed designs, collaborate with architects and other stakeholders, and analyse their designs for efficiency and safety. Fabricators can use the software to create shop drawings and CNC files, and contractors can use it to manage construction projects and ensure that they stay on schedule and on budget.

Advance Steel is a software tool within the AEC Industry Collection that provides 3D modeling and detailing for steel structures. It is designed to streamline the design and fabrication process for steel structures, making it easier for engineers and fabricators to collaborate and ensure accuracy.

Advance Steel can be used to create detailed steel models in 3D, including connections, plates, and bolts. It also provides tools for creating drawings, bills of materials, and NC files for fabrication. With Advance Steel, engineers and fabricators can ensure that their designs are accurate and meet industry standards.

How Advance Steel works with other applications in the AEC Industry Collection

One of the key benefits of the AEC Industry Collection is that it provides a connected design process. This means that engineers and fabricators can use multiple software tools in the collection to streamline their workflows and ensure accuracy.

Here are some of the ways that Advance Steel works with other applications in the AEC Industry Collection:

Revit: Advance Steel can be used with Revit to create detailed steel models that include all of the necessary information for fabrication. Revit can also be used to create detailed architectural and MEP models, which can be linked to the steel model in Advance Steel for coordination.
Autodesk Docs: Autodesk Docs is a cloud-based document management platform that can be used to store and share project information. With Autodesk Docs, engineers and fabricators can collaborate on design files, RFIs, submittals, and more.
Robot Structural Analysis: Robot Structural Analysis is a software tool that can be used to analyse steel structures for safety and efficiency. With Robot Structural Analysis, engineers can perform finite element analysis (FEA) on their steel models to ensure that they meet industry standards.
Navisworks: Navisworks is a software tool that can be used for project coordination and clash detection. With Navisworks, engineers can import steel models from Advance Steel and other software tools to check for clashes and ensure.
Other Applications: The AEC Industry Collection includes a wide range of other software tools that can be used in conjunction with Advance Steel. For example, Fabrication CADmep can be used to create detailed ductwork and piping models that can be linked to the steel model in Advance Steel for coordination.

Benefits of Connected Design for Structural Engineers and Fabricators

The connected design process enabled by the AEC Industry Collection provides several benefits for structural engineers and fabricators. Here are some of the key advantages:

Improved Collaboration: By using multiple software tools in the AEC Industry Collection, engineers and fabricators can collaborate more effectively. They can share design files, coordinate different aspects of the project, and ensure that everyone is working from the same information.
Streamlined Workflows: The connected design process also streamlines workflows by reducing the need for manual data entry and rework. Engineers and fabricators can move seamlessly between different software tools, and the data is automatically synchronised.
Increased Accuracy: By using software tools like Advance Steel, engineers and fabricators can ensure that their designs are accurate and meet industry standards. They can also perform analysis and simulations to ensure that the structure is safe and efficient.
Faster Time-to-Market: The connected design process enables faster time-to-market by reducing the time needed for design and fabrication. This can help construction companies stay on schedule and avoid delays.
Cost Savings: Finally, the connected design process can also lead to cost savings by reducing the need for rework and minimising errors. This can help construction companies stay on budget and avoid costly mistakes.

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How Dynamo is Revolutionising Structural Design with Advance Steel and Revit

Dynamo is a visual programming tool that is transforming the way structural engineers and designers work. When combined with software tools like Advance Steel and Revit, it offers several benefits that can help streamline workflows and increase efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using Dynamo with Advance Steel and Revit for structural design.

Automating Repetitive Tasks

One of the main benefits of using Dynamo with Advance Steel and Revit is the ability to automate repetitive tasks. For example, Dynamo can be used to automatically create connections between steel elements in Advance Steel based on predefined rules. This can save time and reduce errors, allowing engineers and designers to focus on more complex tasks.

Enhanced Collaboration

Dynamo also improves collaboration between different teams involved in the structural design process. By using a visual programming language, designers and engineers can easily share scripts and workflows with other team members, regardless of their level of technical expertise. This helps to improve communication and ensures that everyone is working from the same information.

Increased Accuracy and Quality

Using Dynamo with Advance Steel and Revit can help improve the accuracy and quality of structural designs. For example, Dynamo can be used to automatically calculate loads and reactions for a structure, or to optimize the size and shape of steel members. This can lead to more efficient and cost-effective designs, as well as better structural performance.

Streamlined Workflows

Dynamo helps to streamline workflows by eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the potential for errors. By automating repetitive tasks and using a visual programming language, engineers and designers can move seamlessly between different software tools, saving time and reducing the potential for delays and mistakes.

Improved Visualization

Finally, using Dynamo with Advance Steel and Revit can improve visualisation of the design. With Dynamo, engineers and designers can create complex geometry and parametric models, allowing for greater flexibility and better visualisation of the structure. This can help identify potential issues and make design decisions more effectively.

Features	AutoCAD	Advance Steel	Revit
2D Drafting	Comprehensive set of 2D drafting tools, including line, circle, polyline, arc, and text tools	Limited 2D drafting tools, including line, circle, and text tools	Limited 2D drafting tools, including line, circle, and text tools
3D Modeling	Offers basic 3D modeling tools, including extrude, revolve, and loft tools	Offers more advanced 3D modeling tools, including parametric modeling tools and the ability to automatically generate steel elements	Offers advanced 3D modeling tools, including parametric modeling tools and the ability to create complex geometry
Steel Modeling	Limited steel modeling tools, including the ability to create steel elements manually	Offers more advanced steel modeling tools, including the ability to automatically generate steel elements and parametric modeling tools	Offers basic steel modeling tools, including the ability to create steel elements manually
Steel Detailing	Limited steel detailing tools, including the ability to create drawings of steel elements	Offers more advanced steel detailing tools, including the ability to automatically create part drawings, DXF and NC1 files, and CNC data export	Offers basic steel detailing tools, including the ability to create drawings of steel elements
Connection Design	No connection design tools	Offers comprehensive connection design tools, including the ability to create and analyze connections	Offers limited connection design tools, including the ability to create basic connections
Structural Analysis	No structural analysis tools	Offers more advanced structural analysis tools, including the ability to analyze and optimize steel structures	Offers basic structural analysis tools, including the ability to analyze and check steel structures
Fabrication	No fabrication tools	Offers comprehensive fabrication tools, including the ability to create shop drawings, CNC data export, and automatic creation of bills of materials	Limited fabrication tools, including the ability to create shop drawings and bills of materials
Collaboration	Offers basic collaboration tools, including the ability to share drawings and collaborate on design	Offers more advanced collaboration tools, including the ability to connect to Dynamo and synchronize with Revit models	Offers advanced collaboration tools, including the ability to connect to Dynamo and synchronize with Advance Steel models

AutoCAD offers a comprehensive set of 2D drafting tools, including line, circle, polyline, arc, and text tools. It also offers basic 3D modeling tools, such as extrude, revolve, and loft tools. However, it has limited steel modeling and detailing tools, connection design, structural analysis, and fabrication tools.

Advance Steel offers more advanced steel modeling and detailing tools than AutoCAD. It can automatically generate steel elements, create part drawings, DXF and NC1 files, and export CNC data. It also has comprehensive connection design and fabrication tools. Advance Steel is specifically designed for steel design and fabrication, making it a powerful tool for structural engineers and steel fabricators.

Revit offers advanced 3D modeling tools and basic steel modeling and detailing tools. It can connect to Dynamo and synchronise with Advance Steel models, which makes it an excellent tool for collaboration with architects and other stakeholders in the building design process.

In summary, the choice between AutoCAD, Advance Steel, and Revit depends on the specific needs of the project and the users. AutoCAD is a general-purpose drafting tool, while Advance Steel is specifically designed for steel design and fabrication, and Revit is an excellent tool for collaboration and building design coordination.

Analysing Structural Designs: Advance Steel Vs Revit Vs Robot Structural Analysis

Feature	Advance Steel	Revit	Robot Structural Analysis
Finite Element Analysis	Yes	Yes	Yes
Static Analysis	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dynamic Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Buckling Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Nonlinear Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Eigenvalue Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Response Spectrum Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Pushover Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Design Optimization	Yes	No	Yes
Steel Connections Analysis	Yes	No	Yes
Concrete Analysis	No	Yes	Yes
Wood Analysis	No	Yes	Yes
Masonry Analysis	No	Yes	Yes
Design Code Compatibility	Multiple	Multiple	Multiple
Integration with Other Tools	Revit, Dynamo	Navisworks	Revit, Navisworks

Overall, all three software products offer FEA capabilities for structural analysis, including static analysis and finite element analysis. However, Robot Structural Analysis offers more advanced analysis options such as dynamic analysis, buckling analysis, nonlinear analysis, eigenvalue analysis, response spectrum analysis, and pushover analysis. Advance Steel offers the ability to analyze steel connections, while Revit offers analysis options for concrete, wood, and masonry.

In terms of design code compatibility, all three software products support multiple design codes. Additionally, Revit and Robot Structural Analysis can integrate with Navisworks for clash detection and coordination, while Advance Steel and Revit can connect with Dynamo for automation and optimization of structural designs.

Structural Design Collaboration with the AEC Collection

Structural steel design collaboration is a critical aspect of any construction project. Autodesk AEC Collection offers several collaboration tools, including Navisworks and Autodesk Docs, that can help structural engineers collaborate effectively throughout the design and construction process.

Navisworks is a project review and coordination tool that allows engineers and designers to combine models and data from various sources, including Advance Steel and Revit. Navisworks can help identify and resolve potential design conflicts, allowing for more efficient construction planning and reducing the risk of costly errors during construction.

Autodesk Docs is a cloud-based collaboration tool that allows team members to share and access project information, documents, and models from anywhere and on any device. With Autodesk Docs, structural engineers can collaborate in real-time with other team members, including architects, contractors, and owners. The tool can also help track changes, versioning, and approval workflows, ensuring that all team members are working on the latest version of the project documents.

Connected Structural Design

The Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection is a powerful suite of software programs that can help architects create better designs and collaborate more effectively with other professionals in the construction industry. By using programs such as Revit, Navisworks, and Docs, architects can create digital models of buildings and share them with other stakeholders, streamlining the design process and reducing errors. By collaborating with MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineers and designers, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional, resulting in better-performing buildings that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

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Whats New in Autodesk Revit 2024

April 6, 2023

| No Comments

| Architecture, Construction, Revit, Revit, Utilities

What's New in Autodesk Revit 2024

The new features in Autodesk Revit 2024 fall under these six categories:

Design productivity
Simulation & analysis
Interoperability
Cloud & data
Design optimization
Documentation efficiency

Design Productivity

General

My Insights in Revit Home

A new My Insights panel has been added to the Revit Home.

By aggregating usage data and finding trends in your workflows, Revit helps you quantify your most common commands and keystrokes, and offers suggestions for how you can optimize and save time when completing design tasks.

It provides information, recommendations, hints and tips to make your work in Revit more effective.

The page displays cards, you can react to these cards and click the Learn more button to access additional online content.

Dark Theme

Revit supports now the Dark Theme for first level user interface, including Properties Palette, Project Browser, Option Bar, Status Bar, View Control Bar. You can also set the drawing area (canvas) theme to Dark or Light both from the ribbon and the Options dialog.

New Sample Model and Project Templates

Use the sample model to learn about features and workflows. The sample model is an example of a mixed use project created using Revit. The model shows examples of how many elements are used to create a project. Examples of construction documents as well as coordinated structural, MEP, site, and point cloud files are included in order to provide a complete model.

Use the Help icons located through the model to learn about specific elements and workflows demonstrated with the model. Track your progress learning about the sample model with the “How Do I?” schedule included in the model. The updated project templates make starting projects and developing your own templates easier.

New Imperial and Metric English “All Discipline” templates are included in a standard installation. The templates include a new starting view, updated fonts, and families loaded for each category.

Modernised Project Browser with New Search

A search function is now available at the top of the Project Browser.

The search starts automatically and updates relevant results as you type. The matched keywords are highlighted in the filtered list on all levels of the hierarchy in the Project Browser.

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Colour Books Browser

Improve design deliverables by applying consistent color standards. The new colour books browser replaces how you can select Pantone colors.

Access new color books in dialogs, including Pantone & RAL.
Provides access to Pantone and RAL color books, and the ability to add custom-made color books.
Use the Autodesk Color Book editor to create your custom color book files at
Store your custom .acb file under the file path C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT XXXX\ColorBooks

Visit: https://download.autodesk.com/global/acb/index.html to download.

Textures Visual Style

Expand your ability to create impactful representations using the new Textures visual style to apply the texture of render materials without lighting effects.

This style maintains a consistent textural appearance so that a material is always displayed in the same way no matter how it is oriented to the light source.

Revit 2024 to Twinmotion Enhancements

Expedite your renderings updates with the Auto Sync link in Twinmotion with Revit 2024.

The Auto Sync functionality has been added to the Twinmotion drop-down menu.
Auto Sync supports automatic synchronisation of changes from the active Revit model to the direct link connection in Twinmotion or Unreal Engine.
A 3D view needs to be active in order to enable Auto Sync, which is then associated to that 3D view.

Once Auto Sync is enabled while in a 3D view, all visible geometry in this view is automatically kept in sync.

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Parameters Sorting in Type/Instance Properties

Project parameters were previously sorted by the date/time of creation, now project parameters are sorted alphabetically in type and instance properties dialogs

Export ‘Family Type’ Parameter

Once you have built your family and defined your family types, you can use the “Family Types” export tool to generate a text file.

In Revit 2024, family type parameter data gets included in the export, helping create a family type catalog with less efforts.

Height Parameter in Scope Box

Get more flexibility when modifying scope box parameters. With the scope box feature, you can control the extents of levels, grids, reference plans, and even the views themselves in plan views.

Height and name parameters have been moved from the Options bar to the Properties palette when creating a scope box in Revit 2024. After a scope box is created, you can edit its height value directly in the Properties palette.

Site Design

Site Design - Toposolids

Improve the quality of your site design with the Toposolid capabilities in Autodesk Revit 2024.

Toposolids represent topography as solid geometry and replaces the Toposurface functionality in previous releases with new icons under the Massing and Site ribbon reflect these new capabilities.

There are two methods to create a Toposolid:

1) Sketch the boundary and and defining elevation points

2) Create it from an import file, either a CAD import or a point file in CSV format.

Existing Toposurfaces upgraded from previous versions can be converted into Toposolids with the “Generate Toposolids” contextual tool. Here you can access the legacy Toposurface settings. Linked topography generated from Civil 3D and hosted in Autodesk Docs will be automatically converted into a Toposolid. The Property Line Data settings is now available as a stand-alone drop-down menu of the Model Site ribbon panel.

Site Design - Toposolid Properties

Improve the site documentation with expanded surface types by building Toposolids as system families with different instance and type properties, to represent different types of surface sections such as roads and sidewalks, soil infills, grade slabs, sport fields, water bodies, etc.

In Autodesk Revit 2024, each Toposolid type can display different compound layer configurations and different ways of representing contour line intervals.

Toposolids can be set up as a room bound element, suitable for open space programming. The instance properties of a toposolid report a myriad of dimensional parameters, including slope, perimeter, area, volume, elevation, and thickness, among others.

Site Design – Solid Subdivisions

Another Site Design feature in Revit 2024 allows you to design topography features faster and deliver better site plans by defining an area of a toposolid to offset from the original toposolid surface.

For example, you can use sub-divisions to draw parking lots roads, or islands on a toposolid. Creating a sub-division does not result in separate surfaces. Use the split tool to achieve that. Use the instance properties of the sub-division to assign another material to the toposolid.

The sub-division is positively offset from the original surface and must have a thickness > 0. Inherit Contours toggle will display contours from the parent toposolid on the sub-division.

Site Design – Cut and Split Toposolids

Building pads are now retired in Autodesk Revit 2024. Existing pads present in upgraded models can still be edited, but you won’t have the ability to create new ones. To represent an excavation or a tunnel, use cut tools using in-place void-mass families to perform boolean operations.

In addition, you can cut a Toposolid with elements of multiple categories, including other Toposolids, Ceilings, Floors, Slab Edges, Roofs, Fascia, Gutter, Roof Soffits, Structural Foundations, Walls, Wall Sweeps, Mass Void Forms. Use the Split Tool to freely Split Toposolids in separate element, using sketch lines as the cutting edges. Annotations such as Spot Elevation and Dimensions will remain in place after the split operation. The Split portion with the larges volume will inherit the original ElementID.

Site Design – Graded Regions

Reduce your site construction cost with balanced cut and fill analysis. Revit 2024 can report cut and fill volumes on a site to aid in determining the costs of landscape modification during site development.

Apply cut and fill volume analysis to Toposolids using Graded Regions. The grading tool marks an existing Toposolid as demolished and makes a copy with a matching boundary in the current phase .

Grade areas of the topography using the point shape-editor, where you can add, delete, or change the elevation of points. Report the cut and fill volumes of a graded region with a Toposolid schedule.

Site Design – Show Shape-Edit Control Points

You can preview the display of a Toposolid control points during pre-highlight and selection. Turn off the display of points toggle if you experience performance issues.

The toggle is available as a drop-down panel of the Shape Editing tool. The points will be always accessible when to edit the Toposolid using the Modify sub-element tool.

Site Design – Additional Functionality

Enjoy your site modeling experience with the expanded functionality of Toposolids with it now being easier than ever to model fences that follow the surface of a topography.

Railing now are hosted by Toposolids. In addition, it can host elements from the categories of Site, Parking, Floor Based Elements. Slab edge families can be applied to the edge of a toposolid. For example a slab edge might be used to model a curb edge on your site.

For program developers, Revit 2024 has added APIs for Toposolid-related functions: Toposolid Creations, Generate Toposolid from Toposurface, simplifying Toposolid Points, Subdivision Creations, and Contour Settings.

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Rebar

New Path Alignment Options for Freeform Rebar

These new alignment options for the freeform rebar in Revit 2024, increase 3D rebar modeling versatility and help you define the accurate reinforcement for standard and non-standard shapes of concrete elements.

You can now choose how to align the bars in the rebar set and also you can make the bars in the set to be parallel to the planar face selected in the Align/Close constraint. You can also set the alignment options for free form rebar sets, using the Bar Alignment parameter in the Properties palette of the structural rebar or using the in-canvas toggle.

Stirrup Orientation for Aligned Freeform Rebar

Increase 3D rebar modelling versatility by greater control over free form rebars in Revit 2024. You can now toggle the stirrup orientation for the aligned distribution free form rebar by pressing Space bar, however, only applies only for the closed stirrups in the set.

MEP

MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffener

Create stiffeners on ductwork with dedicated features with the new MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffener command in Autodesk Revit 2024 under the system tab.

This command enables manual placement of loaded stiffener families. Currently stiffener families can be placed and hosted onto straight segments of Fabrication Ductwork. After placement, the hosted stiffener instances would move and resize with the duct segments as users make modifications.

A new family category MEP Ancillary Framing has been added for the basic components used in creating MEP supporting elements such as duct stiffeners, hangers and supports, or equipment racks. Revit 2024 comes with typical Ancillary Framing families used to construct duct stiffeners, including angle irons, struts, rods, angle rings and more.

You can create a schedule with MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffener embedded into a Fabrication Ductwork schedule. This allows to more clearly report stiffener data such as stiffener type and their relative location on the duct along with their hosting duct segments, helping with quantification in the fabrication process. Internal stiffeners can be created by constraining internal supporting members such as threaded rods families or conduits families to either side of a duct connector. A built-in parameter is used to differentiate the classification of stiffeners. By setting the parameter value as Internal Stiffeners, Revit creates holes on the stiffener’s hosting ductwork based on shared ancillary framing components.

When you export the fabrication ductwork in a project to a maj. File, hole information will be generated based on internal stiffeners’ locations and shared sub-components. This allows to generate more accurate cut patterns in legacy fabrication products such as Autodesk CAMduct.

Elevation Parameters in Visibility Filters

In Revit 2024, you can easily and accurately control the display of MEP components with visibility filters with access to additional elevation parameters to control the visibility of MEP components in your views.

These improvements to elevation parameters will help you document for installation on sloped MEP segments more efficiently in Revit 2024.

Pipe Wall Thickness as a Built-in Parameter

Revit 2024 has wall thickness as a built-in parameter for pipes to more efficiently create documentation for pipes based on the information available in the model.

This wall thickness parameter is available for pipe tagging and scheduling. You can also use this wall thickness parameter in view filters to control the appearance of pipes in a view.

Hide Insulation With Hosting Duct and Pipe

Improve efficiency when hiding ducts with insulation. In previous releases of Revit, the insulation remained visible when hiding duct and pipe with insulation, however, now in Revit 2024, the insulation gets hidden regardless the method you use to hide the insulation on duct or pipe elements.

Height Parameter in Scope Box

Get more flexibility when modifying scope box parameters. With the scope box feature, you can control the extents of levels, grids, reference plans, and even the views themselves in plan views.

Height and name parameters have been moved from the Options bar to the Properties palette when creating a scope box in Revit 2024. After a scope box is created, you can edit its height value directly in the Properties palette.

Simulation & Analysis

Solar Study Enhancements

Better visualise the impact of sunlight and shadows. You can access the Sun Settings dialog directly from the ribbon.

Smaller time intervals measured in seconds are now available for single-day solar studies. Study shadows with a higher precision using 15, 30, 45, or 60-second intervals. Drag the sun along its path when using perspective view.

Generate Energy Model by View

Toggle this functionality on or off in the Energy Settings dialog and select a 3D view to create the EAM from to create a faster and more accurate Energy Analytical Model for use in Insight, Systems Analysis and 3rd party tools (via gbXML export). New capabilities for Energy Analysis provide workflow simplification especially when working with linked Architectural models. 3D views can now be chosen to more selectively define what elements are used in Energy Analytical Model creation. This essentially provides an additional means of controlling what elements are used in EAM creation that’s independent from the room bounding setting.

Enhanced Structural Analytical Loads

In Revit 2024, there’s more versatile and accurate definition of structural loads, to improve analytical modeling flexibility. Structural engineers can now apply hosted loads to specific areas of panels and members. Additionally, you can now copy loads to other hosts.

Structural Area Loads With Color Coding

Now in Revit 2024, structural area loads can be presented using color-coding to differentiate load natures which results more clear documentation of the analytical model.

Custom Physical-Analytical Association

Now you can create multiple associations between structural elements to better coordinate updates across the physical and analytical models.

You can associate multiple analytical panels or members to a single physical object (or vice versa). For example, several analytical panels to represent a single physical floor, several beams associated to a single multi-span analytical member, etc. This new feature helps better coordinate updates across physical and analytical models.

Structural Area Loads With Color Coding

Now in Revit 2024, structural area loads can be presented using color-coding to differentiate load natures which results more clear documentation of the analytical model.

Cloud Data & Interoperability

Link coordination models from Autodesk Docs

The new Link Coordination Model feature with Revit and Autodesk Docs makes it easier for project teams to evolve work together.

Keep project files light and your work in synch with your collaborators.
Link directly into Revit models and views from any of the 60+ formats supported by Docs and the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Underlay the coordination model as visual reference when designing in Revit and reduce the need for interpretation when coordinating design deliverables with partners and project teams.

Properties of Coordination Model Objects

You can select individual coordination objects by pressing the TAB key until it highlights the element you want to select and get properties of this object displayed in the Properties palette.

These properties are in read-only mode and therefore cannot be edited.

Point Snaps for Coordination Model Objects

Enable fast and convenient snap on coordination model objects. When linking a coordination model into your Revit project, you can snap to coordination model objects.

This is controlled by a new “Snap to Coordination Models” option located in the “Snaps” dialog box.

For example, you can use the “Measure” tool to get a distance between an object in your current Revit project and another object hosted in a linked coordination model.

Properties of Coordination Model Objects

You can select individual coordination objects by pressing the TAB key until it highlights the element you want to select and get properties of this object displayed in the Properties palette.

These properties are in read-only mode and therefore cannot be edited.

Design Optimisation

Dynamo for Revit 2.17 Upgrade

Dynamo 2.17 includes the following features: node recommendations powered by machine learning, settings import and export, graph import to workspace, and more. There are several improvements to Node Autocomplete:

Node Recommendations, a new ranking method powered by machine learning and based on graph practices in thousands of training graphs. This method is able to provide more accurate and meaningful node suggestions. This ranking method causes network traffic. If you notice network issues, try switching to the Node Type Match ranking method.
When using the Node Recommendations method, each recommended node is shown with a confidence rating, which indicates the algorithm’s confidence that the node is a good choice for the port.
The existing Object Type ranking method continues to be available as an option and has been renamed Node Type Match.
Node Autocomplete settings are available in Preferences Features Node Autocomplete.

You can import and export Dynamo settings from the Preferences panel. Settings will be exported as an XML file.

When importing, existing settings will be overwritten. To maintain a copy of the current settings, first export your existing settings.
For any settings that are not available in the Preferences panel, you’ll need to restart Dynamo (and any host program you may be running) before the imported settings take effect.

Insert graphs into the workspace by going to File Insert and selecting a DYN file. If you already have nodes or a graph in the workspace, the inserted file content will appear below the existing content. To avoid potential issues, Manual run mode will be changed to Automatic.

Also, there are several improvements to the Documentation Browser:

Content is reordered and organised into three expandable and collapsible sections: Node Information, Node Issue Help (when applicable), and Inputs and Outputs.
Example files in the Node Information section can be navigated using mouse controls or the new control buttons.
Visual hierarchy and a modernised look and feel have been implemented.

Dynamo Player & Generative Design Updates

Achieve better design outcomes more efficiently, with these enhancements to Generative Design and Dynamo Player, in Revit 2024. View graph issues and dependencies, add image outputs, and try out new sample graphs in Dynamo Player for Revit 2024.

Improvements include: The new Issue Viewer allows you to examine graph issues, including errors and warnings, within Dynamo Player. You can access Issue Viewer from the footer of the Player application after running a graph with at least one error or warning, or from the Options menu.
You can examine each graph’s dependencies in Player through the new Graph Dependencies dialog. This dialog provides a quick way to see which packages, external files, or other dependencies your graph needs in order to run properly, enabling you to identify missing dependencies and install them in Dynamo.
Two new sample graphs are available: Random Family Instance Placement and Warnings – Isolate Elements.
Images are available as outputs in Dynamo Player. The image will update when you make a change and re-run the graph. You can save the image from Player by right-clicking.

Documentation Efficiency

Place Multiple Views and Schedules on a Sheet

Save time when placing views and schedules on sheets. You can place multiple views and schedules on a sheet at the same time, either by dragging them onto the sheet in the drawing area or using the Place View command for views.

The Select View dialog contains a search functionality.

When dragging views (and schedules) onto the sheet, they are positioned tiled on the cursor to make selection and arrangement on the sheet easier.

Move Aligned to Sheet Enhancements

Move multiple elements between sheets while keeping their original positions. The ‘Move View Aligned to Sheet’ command has been generalized to ‘Move Aligned to Sheet’ and expanded to support moving the following sheet-based elements:

Views
Schedules
Panel Schedules
Detail Groups
Annotation elements
Detail elements
Revision Clouds and Tags
Images

Views, Schedules and Panel Schedules can be moved aligned between sheets directly from the Project Browser.

Views, Schedules, Panel Schedules and all additional sheet-based elements can be moved aligned together directly from the sheet drawing area too.

Open Sheet Directly From Drawing Area

The Open Sheet command allows you to open a sheet from the drawing area.

If you select multiple views from the Project Browser and use this Open sheet command, a confirmation dialog gets displayed with the number of sheets that will be opened.

Schedule Revision Clouds

More easily track and call out changes to document sets with a new Revision Clouds category available now for schedules. You can use fields from Views, Sheets and Revision Clouds to create your Revit schedule. This schedule may also contain schedules key and shared parameters.

Learn More about Autodesk Revit 2024

Check out the Autodesk Revit 2024 Help section for more information regarding the 2024 release.

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Vault is available from Design Consulting on-premise or cloud, so contact us to discuss which instance suits you best.

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What’s New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2024

March 28, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, BIM 360, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Revit

What's New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2024

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 is out with a focus on Accelerating Creativity, Tailored Functionality and a Connected Design Experience.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 Overview

AutoCAD LT 2024 Annual Subscription

$786.50
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Sale!
AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2024 Annual Subscription

$929.00
- Add to cart
AutoCAD including specialized toolsets Annual Subscription

$3,239.50
- Add to cart
Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

$5,296.50
- Add to cart

Accelerating Creativity

Focus on quickly creating and collaborating on innovative solutions using assistive machine learning technology to improve design workflows.

The performance enhancements in AutoCAD 2024 really stand out—both with how fast it opens and the speed of switching between models and view ports. It’s much faster than any previous versions.

Michael Shurgalla

Senior Design Technology Specialist, Merrick

Activity Insights

Bridge information gaps in collaborative AutoCAD workflows and stay connected to essential data throughout project lifecycles

My Insights Macro Advisor & Dashboard

Provides valuable information to you at the right time and in the right context to assist with steps that you can automate.

Count & Blocks Palette

Counting blocks is now up to 70% faster and reusing design content with blocks is up to 47% faster.

Smart Blocks: Placement and Replacement

Automatically place blocks in your drawing based on where you’ve inserted the same ones thus far, reducing the number of clicks and saving you valuable time in the process.

Quickly find the blocks you need with machine learning powered functionality, delivering powerful time-saving automations.

Tailored Functionality

Organisations can customise AutoCAD for their industries, empowering teams to build and run discipline-specific routines and workflows.

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ACAD for Mac – M series chip

Added support for Apple Silicon increased AutoCAD for Mac’s overall performance by 2x*

Connected Design Experience

Autodesk creates an ecosystem of industry-leading design software and technology partners.

Web AutoLISP APIs

AutoLISP, a staple feature of AutoCAD desktop, now enables customisations to automate a sequence of commands in AutoCAD on the web

AutoLISP

AutoCAD LT now includes AutoLISP.

Leverage thousands of previously written programs created for use in AutoCAD-based programs. AutoCAD LT supports AutoLISP Source (LSP) files, compiled LSP files, Fast-load AutoLISP (FAS), and Visual LISP Applications (VLX) files.

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Faster cross-platform markup workflows through expanded machine learning capabilities & essential experience improvements

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Faster cross-platform markup workflows through expanded machine learning capabilities & essential experience improvements

Migrating Custom Settings

The CUI, tool palettes, and templates have undergone enhancements to facilitate the transfer of customised files and locations.

To utilise personalized configurations:

Access the Autodesk AutoCAD <product and release> folder drop-down list from the Windows Start menu. Choose Migrate From a Previous Release.
In the resulting Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, specify the release you wish to migrate from.
Select the customized settings you want to transfer to the latest release.

Tab Improvements

The Start, File and Layout Tabs have been improved.

Trace Updates

Enhancements to the Trace environment continue, with the introduction of the COPYFROMTRACE command and additional settings controls on the toolbar.

Autodesk Docs Improvements

The following improvements have been made to Autodesk Docs:

Improved support and performance when viewing large files on Autodesk Docs.
Improved Desktop Connector resulting in improved performance displaying a drawing in the Start tab and opening a drawing from Autodesk Docs.
Improved navigation on the Start tab for drawings stored on Autodesk Docs

AutoCAD 2024 Vs AutoCAD LT 2024

AutoCAD 2024 offers more advanced features for 3D modeling, customisation with add-on apps and APIs, rendering, and CAD standards, among other features, while AutoCAD LT 2024 is a more affordable version that still offers many of the essential features for 2D drafting, annotation, and automation.

Features	AutoCAD 2024	AutoCAD LT 2024
Find and replace blocks based on other blocks in your drawing	Yes	No
Stay informed of relevant file changes with details of multi-user activities in a DWG file	Yes	No
Utilise AutoLISP programs to automate repetitive tasks and enhance workflows	Yes	Yes
Extend AutoLISP programs with third-party automation libraries, and utilize specialised editors to write and debug programs	Yes	No
Create and edit 2D geometry	Yes	Yes
Annotate drawings with traces, text, dimensions, leaders & tables	Yes	Yes
Customize the ribbon and tool palettes	Yes	Yes
Attach and import data from PDF files	Yes	Yes
Share and use data from DGN files, Navisworks, & Bing Maps	Yes	Yes
Create and edit 3D models with solids, surfaces, & mesh objects	Yes	No
Customize with add-on apps and APIs	Yes	No
Extract object data to tables	Yes	No
Create renderings with lighting, materials, & visual styles	Yes	No
Apply and monitor CAD standards	Yes	No
Automate counting objects and blocks	Yes	Yes
Share drawings with colleagues directly from AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT	Yes	Yes
Import feedback and incorporate changes with a click of a button	Yes	No
Learn new features and workflows to work faster with My Insights	Yes	No

What's New in Specialised Toolsets

AutoCAD Architecture and MEP 2024

AEC3DPRINT

With AEC3DPRINT command, you can natively export the AEC objects to an STL file format that’s compatible with 3D printing without converting to 3D solids.

Enhanced Design Center Content

New MVBlocks and block references are available in Design Center.

More than 200 new MVBlocks and block references are added to the AutoCAD Architecture (US Imperial) and AutoCAD Architecture (US Metric) content packs for Design Center. The added content is available in metric profile for non-English languages. The content includes external lighting, bathroom accessories, furniture, site, kitchen fittings, and more.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Mechanical 2024

ANSI/ASME Standard Revision Update

The section line symbol within AutoCAD Mechanical is updated to support the AWS Y14.3 – 2012 standard revision. To support AWS Y14.3 – 2012, all aspects of the section line symbol are revised to correspond with AWS Y14.3 – 2012.

AutoCAD Mechanical continues to support the AWS Y14.3 – 2003 standard revision to allow documents created in previous releases to be opened, edited, and saved without updating the section line symbol standard. By supporting AWS Y14.3 – 2012 and AWS Y14.3 – 2003, you can annotate new and as-built designs using the required standard revision.

ISO Standard Revision Update for Taper and Slope Symbols

The taper and slope symbol within AutoCAD Mechanical is updated to support the ISO 3040:2016(E) standard revision. To support the ISO 3040:2016(E), all aspects of the taper and slope symbol is revised to correspond with ISO 3040:2016(E).

AutoCAD Mechanical continues to support the ISO 3040:2009(E) standard revision to allow documents created in previous releases to be opened, edited, and saved without updating the taper and slot symbol standard. By supporting ISO 3040:2016(E) and ISO 3040:2009(E), you can annotate new and as-built designs using the required standard revision.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024

Ortho Bill of Materials (BOM)

The Ortho Table Setup dialog box includes simplified options and more table capabilities for orthographic drawings. You can now add the Bill of Materials (BOM) for piping, equipment, steel, as well as nozzle and spool lists into ortho drawings.

Spec and Catalog Editor Enhancements

The Edit Parts and Edit Properties functions are enhanced in both Spec and Catalog Editors.

Edit parts within a selected parts family for inclusion in a spec sheet or catalog.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

View all parts available for a specific size in the selected spec. Use the search box to look for specific components in the Pipe Spec Viewer.

Any changes to the size and spec lists are both updated in Pipe Spec Viewer and the Part Insertion panel on the ribbon.

Ortho Single-Line Piping Enhancements

In this release, ortho single-line piping offers more enhancements including a new interface for some piping criteria providing better control when you display piping in a single-line representation in orthographic drawings.

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024

Coordinate System Update

AutoCAD Map 3D 2024 supports the new coordinate systems in the following categories:

SnakeGrid EWR2
NAD83(CSRS) / Alberta 3TM

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

AutoCAD Electrical 3D 2024

Pipe Spec Viewer Enhancements

Create a schematic symbol table from schematic reports.

The schematic report lists the symbols used in the project along with its description in a table. You can also surf through a particular symbol that is used in various locations of the project.

Wire Type Synchronisation

Wire type can now be synchronized for all wires in the network with the same signal code across the drawings.

In previous releases, when you update the type of the wire connected to the source arrows, the destination wire type was not updated. In AutoCAD Electrical 2024 toolset, when the wire type is updated at the source arrow, all wires in the network are updated to the same wire type of the source. New wire layers are created along with its properties if the destination drawing doesn’t contain the new wire type.

Refer to the 2024 Help file for further information

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AutoCAD 2024 Brochures

Connected Infrastructure Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

March 24, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, BIM 360, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Navisworks, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Revit

Connected Infrastructure Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Civil engineering projects involve complex designs and planning. For a successful project, the various components of the design and planning process must work together seamlessly. Autodesk’s Architecture Engineering and Construction Industry Collection offers a suite of software tools that allow for connected design in infrastructure projects. The collection integrates different applications, including Civil3D, Revit, Autodesk Docs, and InfraWorks, to enable civil engineers to work collaboratively and efficiently. This blog post will explore how Civil3D works with other applications in the collection, the benefits of connected design for civil engineers, and infrastructure projects.

How Does Civil3D Work With Other Applications in the Collection?

Civil3D is a software tool for civil engineers that helps in the design and analysis of infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, and land development. Civil3D works seamlessly with other applications in the collection to allow for connected design in infrastructure projects.

Revit is a software tool for architects and engineers that allows for the creation of detailed building models. Revit can import Civil3D data, allowing architects to see how buildings interact with the surrounding infrastructure.

Autodesk Docs is a cloud-based document management system that enables teams to collaborate on project documentation in real-time. Civil engineers can use Autodesk Docs to manage project documentation, including design plans, construction schedules, and specifications.

InfraWorks is a software tool that allows for the creation of 3D models of infrastructure projects. Civil engineers can use InfraWorks to visualize the impact of infrastructure projects on the surrounding environment. InfraWorks can also import data from Civil3D, enabling the creation of detailed 3D models of infrastructure projects.

The Benefits of Connected Design for Civil Engineers and Infrastructure Projects

Connected design offers several benefits for civil engineers and infrastructure projects. Let’s explore some of these benefits in more detail.

Improved Collaboration

One of the main benefits of connected design is improved collaboration between engineers and other members of the project team. By using software tools like Civil3D, Revit, Autodesk Docs, and InfraWorks, engineers can work together in real-time to make changes and updates to the model. This collaborative approach can lead to more efficient and effective decision-making, which can ultimately save time and reduce errors in the design process. Connected design also allows for better communication between team members, as everyone has access to the same data and can easily share their ideas and feedback.

Streamlined Design Process Connected design also streamlines the design process for civil engineers. With software tools like Civil3D, engineers can create accurate and detailed 3D models of their designs, which can be easily imported into other applications like Revit and InfraWorks. This integration between different software tools eliminates the need for manual data transfer, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. The streamlined design process also allows for faster iteration and decision-making, as engineers can quickly make changes and updates to the model based on feedback from other team members.

More Accurate and Detailed Modeling

Connected design enables civil engineers to create more accurate and detailed models of their designs. With software tools like Civil3D, engineers can create 3D models that accurately represent the real-world conditions of the project site. This level of detail allows engineers to analyze and test their designs more thoroughly, which can help identify potential issues and prevent costly mistakes during construction. More accurate and detailed modeling also enables engineers to optimize their designs for efficiency, reducing the overall cost and environmental impact of the project.

Better Data Management Connected design also provides better data management for civil engineers. With software tools like Autodesk Docs, engineers can store and manage all project data in one central location. This eliminates the need for manual data transfer and ensures that all team members have access to the most up-to-date information. Better data management also enables engineers to track changes and updates to the design over time, which can be helpful for future maintenance and repairs.

Enhanced Visualisation

Finally, connected design enables enhanced visualization for civil engineers. With software tools like InfraWorks, engineers can create 3D models of entire cities and infrastructure projects, which can be used to visualize the impact of the project on the surrounding environment. Enhanced visualization can also be helpful for presenting designs to stakeholders and the public, as it provides a clear and detailed representation of the project.

Unlocking the Potential of Connected Civil Engineering Design with Autodesk's AEC Industry Collection

Civil 3D, InfraWorks, and Revit are all part of the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry collection, and are designed to work together for connected design workflows.

InfraWorks is used for creating and visualizing large-scale infrastructure projects, such as roads, highways, and airports. It provides tools for creating 3D models of proposed designs, analyzing the impacts of these designs on the surrounding environment, and sharing and collaborating with other stakeholders.

Civil 3D, on the other hand, is focused on detailed civil engineering design, such as grading, drainage, and road design. It allows for the creation of detailed design models, analysis of earthwork quantities, and the creation of construction documentation.

Revit is a BIM software that provides tools for creating and managing detailed 3D models of buildings and structures. It can be used to create and analyze structural designs, as well as to manage building information throughout the design and construction process.

When used together, these tools enable a connected design workflow that allows for the creation and analysis of both the infrastructure and the buildings and structures that will be integrated into it. InfraWorks can be used to create a preliminary design of the infrastructure project, which can then be imported into Civil 3D for detailed design and analysis. Revit models can also be integrated into the design process, allowing for the creation of detailed building information models that can be analyzed in the context of the surrounding infrastructure.

Overall, the connected design workflow enabled by these tools allows for greater collaboration and efficiency throughout the design and construction process, leading to better outcomes for infrastructure projects.

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AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD Civil 3D vs. Revit

AutoCAD is a general-purpose CAD software used for 2D drafting and 3D modeling, whereas Civil 3D is specifically designed for civil engineering tasks such as road design and land development. Revit is a BIM software used for building design and construction documentation. While AutoCAD and Civil 3D are more focused on geometric design, Revit allows for the creation of detailed 3D models with parametric design features. Civil 3D and Revit also offer collaboration features such as cloud-based sharing and real-time updates, which are not available in AutoCAD. The choice between these software depends on the specific needs and tasks of the project.

Features	AutoCAD	Civil 3D	Revit
2D Drafting	Yes	No	Yes
3D Modeling	Yes	Yes	Yes
Geometric Design	Yes	Yes	Limited
Civil Engineering Design	No	Yes	Yes
Road Design	No	Yes	Limited
Land Development	No	Yes	Limited
BIM Features	No	No	Yes
Parametric Design	No	No	Yes
Cloud-Based Sharing	No	Yes	Yes
Real-Time Updates	No	Yes	Yes
Bridge Design	No	Yes	Yes
Topography	No	Yes	Yes
Civil Structural Engineering	No	Yes	Yes

Civil 3D vs. Infraworks

Civil 3D and InfraWorks are both part of the Autodesk AEC industry collection and are commonly used for civil engineering and infrastructure design projects. While they share some similarities, they have distinct differences in terms of their focus and capabilities.

Civil 3D is primarily focused on detailed design for civil engineering projects, such as grading, drainage, and road design. It is a powerful tool for creating accurate 3D models of proposed designs and analysing earthwork quantities, as well as for creating construction documentation. Civil 3D is ideal for engineers who need precise control over the design process and require a high level of detail and accuracy.

InfraWorks, on the other hand, is focused on conceptual design and visualization for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as highways, airports, and rail networks. It provides tools for creating 3D models of proposed designs, analyzing the impacts of these designs on the surrounding environment, and sharing and collaborating with other stakeholders. InfraWorks is ideal for early-stage design, where the focus is on understanding the potential impacts of a project and communicating that information to stakeholders.

When used together, Civil 3D and InfraWorks enable a connected design workflow that allows for the creation and analysis of both the detailed civil engineering design and the larger-scale infrastructure design. Civil 3D can be used to create detailed design models, which can then be imported into InfraWorks for visualisation and analysis in the context of the surrounding environment. InfraWorks models can also be used to create preliminary designs that can be refined and detailed in Civil 3D.

A feature comparison matrix for Civil 3D and InfraWorks might include the following:

Feature	Civil 3D	InfraWorks
Detailed design	Yes	No (focused on conceptual design)
Earthwork quantities	Yes	No
Terrain modeling	Yes	Yes
Analysis tools	Yes	Yes
Visualisation	Limited (focused on detailed design)	Extensive (focused on conceptual design)
Collaboration	Limited (focused on detailed design)	Extensive (focused on conceptual design)

Overall, the connected design workflow enabled by Civil 3D and InfraWorks allows for greater collaboration and efficiency throughout the design and construction process, leading to better outcomes for infrastructure projects. Civil 3D is ideal for detailed design, while InfraWorks is ideal for early-stage design and visualisation.

Empowering Civil Engineering Design with Dynamo for Civil 3D: Streamline Workflows and Boost Efficiency

Dynamo for Civil 3D is a powerful tool that allows users to automate complex design tasks and create custom workflows for Civil 3D. Dynamo is a visual programming language that can be used to create custom scripts that automate repetitive design tasks, such as creating road alignments, profiles, and surfaces.

With Dynamo, Civil 3D users can create custom tools and workflows that are tailored to their specific project needs. For example, users can create scripts that automatically generate designs based on predefined parameters, or scripts that analyze and optimize designs for cost and efficiency.

The use of Dynamo for Civil 3D can significantly streamline the design process, reduce errors, and improve project outcomes. By automating repetitive tasks, engineers and designers can focus on higher-level design decisions and creative problem-solving.

Connected Infrastructure Design

The Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection is a powerful suite of software programs that can help architects create better designs and collaborate more effectively with other professionals in the construction industry. By using programs such as Revit, Navisworks, and Docs, architects can create digital models of buildings and share them with other stakeholders, streamlining the design process and reducing errors. By collaborating with MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineers and designers, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional, resulting in better-performing buildings that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

Ready to get your Design Connected?

Discover how Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection can streamline your workflow, increase productivity, and optimise your design process.

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

Contact us to find out how much money you can save on software, training or other services. Fill out the form below, by live chat, phone or email.

P: 1800 490 514 | E: info@designconsulting.com.au

Connected Design with Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Click a link below to learn more about Connected Design using the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Connected Architecture Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

March 23, 2023

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| Advance Steel, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, Navisworks, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Revit

Connected Architecture Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

The field of architecture has come a long way from hand-drawn sketches and blueprints. With the rise of technology, architects now have access to a wide range of software tools that can help them design and construct buildings more efficiently. One such tool is the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection, a suite of software programs designed to facilitate connected design and collaboration among architects, engineers, and other construction professionals.

Understanding Autodesk AEC Collection

The Autodesk AEC Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that includes tools for building information modeling (BIM), 2D and 3D design, visualization, and analysis. It includes software programs such as Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and Docs, among others. By using the AEC Collection, architects can create, manage, and share their design data more effectively, resulting in a more streamlined and efficient design process.

The Benefits of Connected Architecture Design

Connected design refers to the process of collaborating with other professionals involved in the construction process. By working together and sharing information, architects, engineers, and builders can reduce errors, speed up the design process, and ultimately create better buildings. Connected design also enables architects to incorporate feedback from other stakeholders, resulting in a more comprehensive and effective design.

Collaborating with Revit in AEC Collection

One of the key tools in the AEC Collection is Revit, a BIM software program that allows architects to design and collaborate on building projects in real-time. Revit enables architects to create a digital model of a building, complete with all the necessary information, such as dimensions, materials, and structural details. This model can then be shared with other professionals in the construction process, such as engineers and builders, to facilitate collaboration and ensure a more efficient design process.

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Connecting with Navisworks and Docs

Navisworks and Docs are two other software programs included in the AEC Collection that can help streamline the design process. Navisworks is a project review software that allows architects and engineers to visualise and analyse their designs in 3D. This can help identify any potential clashes or issues before construction begins, reducing the likelihood of errors and delays. Docs, on the other hand, is a cloud-based collaboration tool that enables architects to share and manage design data with other professionals in real-time, from any location.

AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD Architecture vs. Revit

While all three software programs are used in the architecture industry, they serve different purposes. AutoCAD is a 2D drafting and design software program, while AutoCAD Architecture is a 3D design tool specifically for architects. Revit, on the other hand, is a BIM software program that enables architects to create digital models of buildings with all the necessary information. While each program has its own strengths and weaknesses, architects can use them together in the AEC Collection to create a more comprehensive and effective design.

Tool/Command	AutoCAD	AutoCAD Architecture	Revit
2D drafting	✔️
3D design		✔️	✔️
Walls		✔️	✔️
Doors		✔️	✔️
Windows		✔️	✔️
Stairs		✔️	✔️
Roofs		✔️	✔️
Slabs/Floors		✔️	✔️
Structural elements			✔️
MEP/HVAC			✔️
Building Information Modelling (BIM)			✔️

Collaboration with Other Disciplines in AEC Collection:

The AEC Collection also includes software programs designed for MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineering and design. By working together with these professionals, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional. MEP/HVAC software programs such as AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP enable architects to create accurate and detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. This ensures that these systems are integrated seamlessly into the building design, resulting in better performance and energy efficiency.

Structural engineering software programs such as Revit Structure and Robot Structural Analysis can help architects design structurally sound buildings that can withstand various forces and loads. By incorporating these programs into the design process, architects can create more efficient and cost-effective designs that meet safety requirements.

Civil engineering software programs such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and InfraWorks enable architects to design roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure projects with accuracy and precision. By working together with civil engineers, architects can ensure that their designs are integrated into the surrounding environment and meet the necessary safety and regulatory requirements.

Connected Architecture Design

The Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection is a powerful suite of software programs that can help architects create better designs and collaborate more effectively with other professionals in the construction industry. By using programs such as Revit, Navisworks, and Docs, architects can create digital models of buildings and share them with other stakeholders, streamlining the design process and reducing errors. By collaborating with MEP/HVAC, Structural and Civil engineers and designers, architects can ensure that their designs are not only visually appealing but also practical and functional, resulting in better-performing buildings that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

Ready to get your Design Connected?

Discover how Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection can streamline your workflow, increase productivity, and optimise your design process.

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

Contact us to find out how much money you can save on software, training or other services. Fill out the form below, by live chat, phone or email.

P: 1800 490 514 | E: info@designconsulting.com.au

Connected Design with Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Click a link below to learn more about Connected Design using the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Connected Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

March 22, 2023

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| 3ds Max, Advance Steel, AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, CADmep, CDE (Common Data Environment), Civil 3D, Collections, Data Management, Data Management for AutoCAD, Data Management for Civil and Infrastructure, estMEP, Infrastructure, Navisworks, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Reality Computing, Revit, Revit, Simulation, Vault, Visualisation

Connected Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

In today’s fast-paced world, the construction industry is continuously evolving with new technology advancements. As technology advances, it becomes essential to have an efficient and connected design process that incorporates design, analysis, and visualization. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that facilitate this process. This blog post will discuss how the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection can benefit various industries by connecting design, analysis, and visualization.

Connected Design Workflow: How Software Programs Work Together

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection consists of multiple software programs that allow for a connected design workflow. The software programs in the collection work together seamlessly, allowing for efficient design, analysis, and visualization. The collection includes software programs such as AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and more. Each software program is designed to perform a specific task, and when used together, they create a comprehensive design workflow.

Designing with Precision: AutoCAD and Revit in the AEC Collection

The first step in any construction project is design. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes various software programs that aid in the design process. AutoCAD is a widely used software program that allows for 2D and 3D drafting. AutoCAD is used to create detailed drawings, and it is compatible with other software programs in the collection. Revit is another software program that is used in the design process. Revit allows for BIM (Building Information Modelling), which helps in creating a detailed 3D model of the building. By using Revit, the design process becomes more efficient, as the software program allows for collaboration between various stakeholders.

Revit and Civil 3D: Enhancing Infrastructure and Construction Projects with 3D Modeling and Efficient Design Collaboration

Revit and Civil 3D are commonly used in the AEC industry for infrastructure and construction projects. Revit creates 3D models of buildings, while Civil 3D designs infrastructure projects. Used together, they complement each other and improve the design process by identifying potential design issues in 3D models. Changes made in one software program are automatically updated in the other. This streamlines the design process and helps identify issues early in the design phase.

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How Revit and Advance Steel Work Together to Streamline Steel Design and Fabrication

Revit and Advance Steel are two software programs that can be used together in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Revit is a building information modeling (BIM) software that is used to create 3D models of buildings, while Advance Steel is a 3D modeling software that is used to design steel structures.

When used together, Revit and Advance Steel can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design process. For example, an engineer can create a 3D model of a building in Revit and then export it to Advance Steel to design the steel structure. The engineer can then import the steel structure design back into Revit to ensure that it is compatible with the rest of the building design.

In addition, when changes are made in one software program, they are automatically updated in the other software program. This means that any changes made to the steel structure design in Advance Steel will be automatically reflected in the building design in Revit, and vice versa.

Using Revit and Advance Steel together can also help identify potential design issues early in the design phase. The 3D models created in Revit and Advance Steel can be used to identify clashes or conflicts that may have been missed in 2D design drawings. This can help save time and reduce the risk of errors and rework later in the project.

In conclusion, Revit and Advance Steel are powerful software programs that can be used together to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design process in the AEC industry. The ability to export and import design elements between the two software programs and ensure that changes are automatically updated can streamline the design process and help identify potential issues early in the design phase.

Efficient Analysis with Navisworks and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes software programs that aid in the analysis process. Navisworks is a software program that allows for coordination and simulation of construction projects. Navisworks helps in identifying clashes, reducing errors and rework, and creating more efficient designs. Additionally, Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional is used to perform structural analysis of buildings. The software program helps in identifying structural deficiencies and optimizes the design process.

Bringing GIS Mapping and Connected Design Together: A Comprehensive Approach with Autodesk's AEC Collection

In today’s world, design and construction projects require a more comprehensive approach than ever before. With the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection from Autodesk, architects, engineers, and construction professionals have access to a suite of powerful tools that can help them collaborate and work more efficiently. One of the most valuable features of the AEC Collection is its ability to integrate with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, providing a more accurate and detailed view of project sites and landscapes.

AutoCAD Map 3D is a powerful software tool for GIS mapping, which allows users to access, manage and analyse spatial data. With AutoCAD Map 3D, users can easily import and export data from various sources, such as aerial imagery, satellite imagery, and other GIS data. This software also provides a wide range of tools for data analysis, visualization and editing, making it an essential tool for GIS professionals. Some of the key features of AutoCAD Map 3D include 3D modelling and visualisation, data query and analysis, and advanced geospatial analysis tools. By leveraging these features, users can create accurate and comprehensive maps and spatial data sets for a wide range of applications.

GIS mapping is a critical component of many construction projects, particularly those that involve large-scale developments or infrastructure. By overlaying geographic data such as topography, hydrology, and geology onto a digital map, project teams can better understand the context of their projects and make more informed decisions. The AEC Collection’s integration with GIS mapping tools allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to access this data within their design software, creating a more seamless and connected workflow.

With the AEC Collection, design professionals can also collaborate with each other in real-time using tools such as Navisworks and Docs. Navisworks allows teams to integrate and coordinate models from multiple disciplines, while Docs enables document management and sharing across teams. By using these tools in conjunction with GIS mapping, project teams can ensure that all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date information, reducing errors and improving overall project efficiency.

Enhancing Oil and Gas Plant Design with the AEC Collection and Plant 3D

The Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Collection is a powerful suite of software programs designed to facilitate connected design for the architecture industry. One of the key software programs in this collection is Plant 3D, which is specifically designed for oil and gas plant design.

Plant 3D is a comprehensive software program that enables users to design, model, and analyze piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) for oil and gas plants. With its intuitive interface and advanced tools, Plant 3D allows users to create accurate and detailed 3D models of plant layouts, equipment, and piping systems.

One of the key advantages of using the AEC Collection and Plant 3D for oil and gas plant design is the ability to collaborate with other disciplines in the industry, such as civil engineering and structural design. By working together in a connected design environment, designers and engineers can ensure that all aspects of the plant design are integrated seamlessly, from the initial concept through to construction and operation.

In addition, the AEC Collection and Plant 3D offer a range of powerful tools for data management and analysis, enabling users to track and monitor plant performance, optimize plant layouts, and identify potential safety hazards or operational issues.

Some of the key features of Plant 3D include:

Intelligent P&ID design and management tools
Comprehensive 3D modeling capabilities
Advanced piping and instrumentation analysis tools
Integration with other AEC Collection software programs, such as Navisworks and Docs

By leveraging these features, designers and engineers in the oil and gas industry can streamline their design processes, improve collaboration, and ensure that their plant designs are optimized for safety, efficiency, and performance.

Enhancing Visualisation with 3DS Max and InfraWorks

Visualisation is an essential part of any construction project. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection includes software programs that aid in the visualization process. 3DS Max is a software program that allows for rendering and animation of 3D models. 3DS Max helps in creating realistic visuals, which help in selling designs to clients. Autodesk InfraWorks is another software program that helps in creating visualizations of infrastructure projects. InfraWorks allows for collaboration between various stakeholders, and it helps in creating a more efficient design process.

Streamlining AEC Projects with Autodesk Docs

Autodesk Docs is a powerful document management tool that can help streamline AEC projects when used in conjunction with the Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection (AEC Collection) software. The AEC Collection includes several software programs that are essential for building design and construction, including Revit, Civil 3D, and Advance Steel.

By using Autodesk Docs to manage project documents, stakeholders can easily access and collaborate on project files from anywhere, at any time. This can improve project efficiency and communication, as all team members can stay up-to-date on project progress and changes.

Moreover, the AEC Collection software can be seamlessly integrated with Autodesk Docs, allowing users to store and manage their project files directly within Autodesk Docs. This integration makes it easier for teams to collaborate on project files and ensures that all project documentation is stored in one place, reducing the risk of lost or missing files.

For example, Revit models can be directly linked to Autodesk Docs, allowing team members to access and collaborate on the most up-to-date model at all times. Civil 3D designs can also be stored in Autodesk Docs, making it easy to share and collaborate on complex civil engineering projects.

Overall, by using Autodesk Docs in conjunction with the AEC Collection software, AEC professionals can streamline their project workflows, improve collaboration and communication, and ensure that project documentation is secure and easily accessible.

AEC Collection in Various Industries: Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing

The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is beneficial to various industries. Here are a few examples:

Architecture: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used by architects to design and visualise buildings. The software programmes in the collection allow for efficient design, analysis, and visualisation.

Engineering: Engineers use the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection to perform structural analysis and design. The software programmes in the collection help in identifying structural deficiencies, optimising designs, and creating efficient designs.

Construction: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used in the construction industry to coordinate and simulate construction projects. The software programmes in the collection help in identifying clashes, reducing errors and rework, and creating more efficient designs.

Infrastructure: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is used in the infrastructure industry to design and visualise infrastructure projects. The software programmes in the collection, such as InfraWorks, help in creating visualisations of infrastructure projects. InfraWorks allows for collaboration between various stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and contractors. By using the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, infrastructure projects can be completed more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Manufacturing: The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is also used in the manufacturing industry. The collection includes software programmes that aid in the design of manufacturing equipment and machinery. Autodesk Inventor, for example, is used to design and test products before they are manufactured, reducing errors and costs.

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection Connected Design Matrix

Software	Description	File Type	Command	Import/Export	Link
AutoCAD	2D and 3D computer-aided design software used for creating blueprints, schematics, and models	DWG, DXF, DWF	DRAWING, MODEL, VIEW, PLOT	Import: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, STEP, SAT, IGES, STL	Export: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, STL, OBJ, FBX
Revit	Building information modeling (BIM) software used for creating detailed 3D models of buildings and structures	RVT, RFA, RTE	OPEN, VIEW, EXPORT, PRINT	Import: DWG, DXF, IFC, SAT, SKP, 3DM, STL, OBJ, FBX	Export: DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, IFC, SAT, SKP, 3DM, STL, OBJ, FBX
Civil 3D	Civil engineering design and documentation software used for designing, analyzing, and documenting civil engineering projects	DWG	CIVIL3D, C3D	Import: DWG, LandXML, Revit	Export: DWG, LandXML, Revit
InfraWorks	Infrastructure design and engineering software used for creating 3D models of infrastructure projects	IAM	OPEN, MODEL, VIEW, EXPORT, PUBLISH	Import: DWG, DGN, GIS, SHP, KML, FBX	Export: DWG, DGN, FBX, COLLADA, OBJ, IFC, KMZ
3ds Max	3D modeling, animation, and rendering software used for creating visualizations of buildings and environments	MAX	OPEN, MODEL, RENDER	Import: DWG, FBX, DAE, OBJ, 3DS, STL	Export: DWG, FBX, DAE, OBJ, 3DS, STL
Navisworks	Project review software used for 3D coordination, model analysis, and clash detection	NWD, NWF	OPEN, APPEND, EXPORT, PUBLISH	Import: DWG, DWF, DGN, IFC, SKP, FBX, 3DS, OBJ	Export: DWF, DWFx, NWC, NWF, FBX, 3DS, OBJ
Advance Steel	Steel detailing software used for creating structural steel models and fabrication drawings	DWG, DSTV	OPEN, MODEL, EXPORT	Import: DWG, CIS/2, SDNF, IFC, STEP, SAT, SKP	Export: DWG, DSTV, CIS/2, SDNF, IFC, STEP, SAT, SKP
Robot Structural Analysis Professional	Structural analysis software used for simulating and analyzing building structures	RST, RSA

AEC Collection: A Valuable Tool for Cost-Effective Design Processes.

In conclusion, the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection is a comprehensive suite of software programs that facilitates a connected design workflow. The software programs in the collection work together seamlessly, allowing for efficient design, analysis, and visualization. By using the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, various industries can benefit from a more efficient and cost-effective design process. The collection is beneficial to architects, engineers, construction professionals, infrastructure designers, and manufacturers. The collection is continuously evolving to meet the needs of these industries, and it remains a valuable tool in the construction industry.

Ready to get your Design Connected?

Discover how Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection can streamline your workflow, increase productivity, and optimise your design process.

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Connected Design with Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Click a link below to learn more about Connected Design using the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Autodesk Acquires Unifi: Enhancing the BIM Content Management Experience

March 22, 2023

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| AutoCAD, AutoCAD, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk News, Autodesk Products, Building Design Suite, Plant Design Suite, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite, Revit, Revit, Uncategorized

Autodesk, a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and construction software, has recently announced its acquisition of Unifi, a cloud-based platform for Building Information Modeling (BIM) content management. With this acquisition, Autodesk aims to enhance the BIM content management experience for its customers and provide a more streamlined workflow.

What is Unifi and What Does it Offer?

Unifi is a cloud-based platform that provides a centralized location for BIM content management. It allows users to store, organize, and share BIM content such as 3D models, materials, and specifications. Unifi also offers advanced search and filtering capabilities, making it easier for users to find the content they need.

How Will Unifi Benefit Autodesk Customers?

By acquiring Unifi, Autodesk aims to enhance its BIM content management capabilities and provide a more seamless workflow for its customers. With Unifi’s advanced content management features, Autodesk customers can more easily manage their BIM content and collaborate with other stakeholders on projects. This will help to improve productivity and reduce errors in the design and construction process.

In addition, Unifi’s cloud-based platform provides greater flexibility and scalability for users, allowing them to access their BIM content from anywhere and on any device. This will enable more efficient collaboration between teams, whether they are working in the office or remotely.

What Does This Acquisition Mean for the Future of BIM?

The acquisition of Unifi by Autodesk is a significant development in the BIM industry, as it highlights the importance of effective content management in the design and construction process. By providing a more streamlined and efficient workflow for BIM content management, Autodesk is helping to drive innovation and improve collaboration in the industry.

Overall, the acquisition of Unifi by Autodesk is a positive development for BIM users, as it will enhance the content management experience and provide greater efficiency and flexibility for design and construction teams. With this acquisition, Autodesk is demonstrating its commitment to providing innovative solutions to its customers and driving the industry forward.

In conclusion, the acquisition of Unifi by Autodesk is a major step forward in BIM content management, and it is set to bring numerous benefits to Autodesk customers. With this move, Autodesk is well positioned to continue providing innovative solutions that enhance the BIM workflow and drive industry progress.

Learn more about Autodesk and Unifi:

Autodesk Newsroom: https://adsknews.autodesk.com/en/news/connecting-aec-customer-data/
Unifi’s website: https://unifilabs.com/
Autodesk AEC Industry Solutions: https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/architecture-engineering-construction
Autodesk BIM 360: https://www.autodesk.com/products/bim-360/overview
Autodesk Revit: https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview

Are you an Autodesk customer and want to get Unified?

If you an Autodesk customer interested in leveraging the benefits of Unifi’s cloud-based data platform for your AEC projects, and want be the first to know when Autodesk is ready to start supplying Unifi, contact us now to stay in the loop and take your AEC projects to the next level.

February 2023 Autodesk Update: What’s New

February 15, 2023

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| 3ds Max, Architecture, AutoCAD, Autodesk Collections, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk News, Autodesk Products, Building Design Suite, Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Defence, Fusion 360, Infrastructure, Inventor, Inventor Professional, Manufacturing, Maya, Plant Design Suite, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Product Design Suite, Revit, Revit, Uncategorized, Utilities, Visualisation, Visualisation

Discover the latest news and new features from Autodesk, Click the links below for more information.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Update to AutoCAD 2023.1 – see what’s new (blog post)
Get bite-sized fixes, shortcuts, advice & tips (AutoCAD Community)
Subscribe to the AutoCAD podcast (blog post)

Architecture, Engineering & Civil Engineering

Revit update: see what’s new in Revit 2023.1 (blog post)
See what’s New In Civil 3D 2023.2 and InfraWorks 2023.1 (blog post)
Sheet Set Manager for Civil 3D updated to be cloud-first (blog post)

Design & Manufacturing

Inventor update – What’s new in 2023.2 (blog post)
Fusion 360 update – What’s New November 2022 (video)
Share ideas for future product features directly with the Inventor team (forum)

Media & Entertainment

See What’s New in Maya (timeline)
New learning courses for 3ds Max, Maya & Arnold (courses)
Level up your Games Studio with ShotGrid (webinar)

Admin resources and more

More Information

Contact us on 1800 490 514, info@designconsulting.com.au, by live chat or fill out the form below to get more information on how to best manage your Autodesk software. Our team of experts have saved our clients thousands of dollars by helping them make smart decisions around how to best structure their investment in technology for maximum return on investment. We’d be happy to audit your existing technology and recommend any changes that you could benefit from.

Autodesk Portal Gets New Usage Reporting Features

February 3, 2023

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| 3ds Max, Advance Steel, Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk News, Autodesk Products, Building Connected, CADmep, Civil 3D, Collections, Construction, Defence, estMEP, Fabrication, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Product Design & Manufacturing Collection, Revit, Software, Structural Steel, Utilities

NEW Autodesk Usage Report

Autodesk have announced that there are new usage reporting features within the Autodesk Account Management Portal for Autodesk accounts.

Coming soon, this new reporting tool will be found under Usage Report. Whether your users are on Autodesk subscriptions or Autodesk Flex licenses, you can now view the product usage details for all of your users on one single page with Usage Report. All admins on all Autodesk plans will have access to the new Usage Report.

Have a look in the reporting section of your account. When the new feature is activated, you will see a snapshot of important details for both subscriptions and Flex. The information available in the new reporting tool ncludes:

Total number of Autodesk subscriptions for your team(s)
The number of active or inactive users
The number of Flex tokens used and Flex tokens remaining
The monthly average Flex token usage

You now have easy access to all of this data at your fingertips with a single report showing usage across both Autodesk Flex and Autodesk Subscriptions.

As you scroll down the report you will see a list of users with simple summaries showing:

Which Autodesk products they’re using
The average number of days they use each product per month
How many Flex tokens they’ve used.

You can use the report to differentiate between frequent and infrequent users to adjust and optimize licenses for your team. For example, you can identify light users and assign them Flex licenses.

Clicking on a user, you can drill down for more detailed information on that particular user as shown below:

Additionally, you can use filters to arrange your data and identify specific information of interest. For example, you can filter by products, teams or access type. Any filters you apply will also be carried over to the export functionality if you choose to export your data for additional analysis and insights outside of Usage Report, in Microsoft Excel or a Google Sheet for example.

The new Usage Report provides a single view of how all of your Autodesk users are using their licenses. The new Usage Report will help you identify patterns and make better decisions. For example, the new Usage Report can help you decide:

Which users might benefit from using Flex or subscription
When to buy more subscriptions or tokens,
Which inactive subscriptions you can reassign

Coming Soon

This new reporting feature is not available yet. When it is launched, you will find it in the Reporting menu as shown below:

More Information

Contact us on 1800 490 514, info@designconsulting.com.au, by live chat or fill out the form below to get more information on how to best manage your Autodesk licenses and tokens. Our team of experts have saved our clients thousands of dollars by helping them make smart decisions around how to best structure their investment in technology for maximum return on investment. We’d be happy to audit your existing license structure and recommend any changes that you could benefit from.

Create 3D Rooms From 2D CAD With IMAGINiT Utilities For Revit

December 22, 2022

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| Architecture, Building Design Suite, Revit, Revit, Uncategorized

IMAGINiT Utilities for Revit 2023 comes with a range of exciting new features to help you get more out of your Revit subscription. One of the new features we love is the new “Rooms from CAD” feature.

With this new functionality, you can create rooms directly from your 2D CAD file. You simply specify your CAD layer and then there are 2 ways you can go about creating your new rooms.

1. Create your rooms surrounded by separation lines

OR

2. Create your rooms with walls on the polylines

You can then also select to tag them all.

The tool will then alert you if there is more than 1 room that has been created in the same region. If this happens, you can simply drag the centre point of the overlapping room to the correct location and view your new 3D rooms! You can also go back and re-create your 3D rooms using a different CAD Layer, for example, wall centrelines rather than room boundaries. You can very quickly generate your 3D model with walls and easily edit those rooms to get the desired final model.

View the video below for a demonstration of how this all works.

What’s New In Utilities For Revit 2023

The video above also shows a range of other new features from Utilities For Revit 2023, see the outline below to jump straight to your preferred topic:

3:20 – Google Earth Connector
9:22 – Dimension Update
10:13 – Sheet Duplicator
10:38 – Utility Management
15:59 – Project Template Reporting
16:21 – Rooms
16:31 – Room Objects
17:07 – Support Utility
19:35 – Creting Rooms From Walls Or Polylines
19:54 – Space Copying
25:16 – Space Copy
28:35 – Quick Items
31:11 – Bar Graph
32:21 – Clarity ROI Calculator
32:29 – Named Ranges
33:31 – Project Schedule
34:08 – Auto Update
38:50 – Project Report Export
40:36 – View Templates
44:48 – Rooms from 2D CAD
45:10 – Room Boundary Lines
48:25 – CAD Block Insert

Subscribe To IMAGINiT Utilities For Revit

IMAGINiT Utilities For Revit comes with over 50 enhancements to Revit. It is an indispensable time-saver with more than 50 tools to improve your Revit experience by expanding Revit’s capabilities and reducing tedious tasks in Autodesk Revit.

Fully integrated inside Revit based on client feedback, each utility runs in Revit to improve your user experience.

For more information on how to subscribe to IMAGINiT Utilities For Revit, contact us on 1800 490 514, info@designconsulting.com.au, by live chat or fill out the form below.

Sync Clarity with Egnyte

November 30, 2022

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| Architecture, Collaboration, Construction, Data Management, Data Management for Architecture and Construction, Egnyte, Revit, Revit, Uncategorized, • Data Management for Architecture and Construction

IMAGINiT Clarity now supports Egnyte, so users of the Egnyte Cloud File Sharing system can now connect their Revit projects to Clarity to automate tasks and analyse metrics.

Adding your Egnyte Account

Connecting Egnyte to Clarity is easy and you can add multiple Egnyte accounts to Clarity by going to Clarity’s Settings and clicking ‘Add or Update Credentials’. Clicking this link will open up a new tab where you sign into your Egnyte domain. Once that’s been done, your Egnyte account will show up in Clarity under the Egnyte heading next to Default.

How Clarity Works with Egnyte

Clarity connects with Egnyte 3 ways:

Clarity Projects – When you set up a Clarity project, you can point to the Egnyte network path to access your files
Post Action: Egnyte Upload – Let’s say you’ve created a PDF task and want to publish PDF’s from selected rvt files on a schedule or on-demand. Using the post action option, you can upload the PDF to Egnyte is a specified location
Egnyte Sync Task – This tasks either synchronises, uploads or downloads specific files to specific paths in Egnyte.

What is IMAGINiT Clarity?

IMAGINiT Clarity is an Automation, Analytics and Access for Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD-based programs and BIM Projects that connects to the most popular construction management systems and cloud sharing platforms.

What is Egnyte?

It is one trusted platform to secure and govern all your company’s files, no matter where work happens and supports large datasets which is very popular for managing large CAD and Point Cloud files.

Want to Learn More?

Learn more about how IMAGINiT Clarity can save time on your projects or make an enquiry by filling out the form below and we’ll be in touch.

What’s New Utilities for Revit 2023

July 20, 2022

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| Revit, Revit

What's New in Utilities for Revit 2023

Utilities for Revit has continued to bring out more an more functions.

With the Dimension Update, Sheet Duplicator and Renumbering tools being the most popular, the customer base has requested some more enhancements and new tools with the goal to take a repetitive process and help you do it faster.

Schedule from Revit

Bring in or link an Excel worksheet into Revit

Project Template Report

Document project/template file configurations

Create rooms from AutoCAD

Aid for converting CAD files into Revit Models

Connected Structural Design with the Autodesk Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

How Does Advance Steel Work With Other Applications in the Collection?

How Advance Steel works with other applications in the AEC Industry Collection

Benefits of Connected Design for Structural Engineers and Fabricators

Ready to Get Connected?

Save up to 20% on Autodesk Software and Services

How Dynamo is Revolutionising Structural Design with Advance Steel and Revit

Analysing Structural Designs: Advance Steel Vs Revit Vs Robot Structural Analysis

Structural Design Collaboration with the AEC Collection

Connected Structural Design

Ready to get your Design Connected?

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

Connected Design with Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

What's New in Autodesk Revit 2024

Design Productivity

General

My Insights in Revit Home

Dark Theme

New Sample Model and Project Templates

Modernised Project Browser with New Search

Save up to 20% on Autodesk Revit and AEC Industry Collection

Colour Books Browser

Textures Visual Style

Revit 2024 to Twinmotion Enhancements

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection

Revit 2024 Annual Subscription

AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2024 Annual Subscription

Revit LT 2024 Annual Subscription

Parameters Sorting in Type/Instance Properties

Export ‘Family Type’ Parameter

Height Parameter in Scope Box

Site Design

Site Design - Toposolids

Site Design - Toposolid Properties

Site Design – Solid Subdivisions

Site Design – Cut and Split Toposolids

Site Design – Graded Regions

Site Design – Show Shape-Edit Control Points

Site Design – Additional Functionality

Architecture Engineering and Construction Collection and Revit Training Bundle

Autodesk Revit: Fundamentals for Landscape Architecture training

Revit Training Introduction for Architecture

IMAGINiT Revit Utilities Standalone

Rebar

New Path Alignment Options for Freeform Rebar

Stirrup Orientation for Aligned Freeform Rebar

MEP

MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffener

Elevation Parameters in Visibility Filters

Pipe Wall Thickness as a Built-in Parameter

Hide Insulation With Hosting Duct and Pipe

Height Parameter in Scope Box

Simulation & Analysis

Solar Study Enhancements

Generate Energy Model by View

Enhanced Structural Analytical Loads

Structural Area Loads With Color Coding

Custom Physical-Analytical Association

Structural Area Loads With Color Coding

Cloud Data & Interoperability

Link coordination models from Autodesk Docs

Properties of Coordination Model Objects

Point Snaps for Coordination Model Objects

Properties of Coordination Model Objects

Design Optimisation

Dynamo for Revit 2.17 Upgrade

Dynamo Player & Generative Design Updates

Documentation Efficiency

Place Multiple Views and Schedules on a Sheet

Move Aligned to Sheet Enhancements

Open Sheet Directly From Drawing Area

Schedule Revision Clouds

Learn More about Autodesk Revit 2024

Ready to get Autodesk Revit 2024?

Get up to 20% Off Software or Services!

What's New in Autodesk AutoCAD 2024

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 Overview

AutoCAD LT 2024 Annual Subscription

AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2024 Annual Subscription

AutoCAD including specialized toolsets Annual Subscription