1. Revit Technology Conference 2007 Documentation in Revit

2. Introduction Who am I? What do I do? What do you do?
What you may expect
Leverage and efficiencies
Tips and tricks, traps, best practice, workarounds
What I may expect
Learning and sharing
CAD/BIM Strategic Consulting
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
How long have users been using Revit?
How many people using Revit on projects on small projects (under $2m)?
Ditto ($2m - $5m)
Ditto ($5m - $25m)
Ditto ($25m +)
New era of technology development – exciting times.

3. RTC 2006 Recap: RTC 2006 - Documentation Basic Documentation
Glen Cunnington – Monumentum
Documentation Management - Prepare you plan of attack!
Review - Audit the design model
Standards - Establish your practice standards
Views - Prepare the views you intend to document
Sheets - Setting up drawings
Annotation - Annotating your views
Detailing - Adding detail to your views
Production - Printing, exporting and revising
Advanced Documentation
Gary Kleyn & Daniel Smith, Glanville Architects
Download the PDF of the talk from the RUGS website
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary

4. Overview Control Hybrid Revit Other Views Worksets 2D vs 3D
Annotations
Information Aesthetics (Look & Feel)
Establishing Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary

5. Control First you must control your model
Design Philosophy
Placeholder vs. elements
Revit 2D views are live representations of 3D models
Sometimes too alive!
Need to protect and lock various elements:
Invisible objects, reference planes, placeholders
Must be disciplined and communicate
Harder to hide laziness or lack of knowledge
Direct impact on team members
Benefits: Improved teamwork and workflow
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Good idea to lock:
Scope Boxes
Masses (placeholders)
Grids
Views (on sheets)
Reference planes
View References (Sections/Elevations/Callouts)
Discipline and communication most important when using Worksharing

6. Control (Continued) Controlling Views Dependent Views
Once you’ve created one set (across one level), you can Apply Dependent Views to other parallel views that share the same scale
Customise View Reference families to suit your needs, eg. Breakline appearance
View purposes and types
Use Shared Parameters
Callouts (linked vs. dummy)
Eg. for linking GA plans to dependent views
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
CONTROLLING VIEWS
Demonstrate using Health Clinic sample project:
GA plan vs. Parent
Parent vs. dependents
Create dependent view for east wing
Add scope box to east wing and associate view to east wing scope box
Pin scope boxes
Add dummy callouts to part floor plan
Fix grids to east wing in new view, propagate thru views, associate to scope box
Create multiple dependent views for First floor (highlight importance of same-scale application)
Show matchlines and ‘breakline’ view references
Show view disciplines and visual effects resultant
Reapply dependent views to electrical plans
UNCHECK ‘PRESS AND DRAG’ OPTION!
CONTROLLING THE BROWSER
Demonstrate View organisation (various examples) using shared/project parameters
Show temporary section markers thru stair, (inspection only) show hidden line tool on stairs
CONTROLLING THE SHEETS
Show views under sheet nodes – access to sheet (and type of view indicated)
Show view list
Show sheets vs milestones
Show sheets organised by primary/secondary series

7. Control (Continued) Controlling Views Section boxes View properties
Great for inspecting the model
View properties
Explore and try everything
View Templates
Apply by scale (use project browser to help sort by scale)
Scope Boxes
Don’t confuse with Section Boxes
Marvellous way to control ref planes, grids, levels and view extents

8. Control (Continued) Controlling the Browser Controlling the Sheets
View organisation
Not on sheets
Custom Shared Parameters
Housekeeping
Sorting to see what is important and perhaps quickly eradicate old or redundant views
Controlling the Sheets
Schedules
Sheet organisation
Sheet access to views

9. Hybrid Revit Pros and cons Prepare drawings
Gain speed, but can lose quality of info
Users familiar with format, but have less control
Prepare drawings
Consider appropriate use
Clean up drawings (hatching, anonymous blocks, purge)
Maintain naming conventions
Keep names intuitive if you intend to use multiple files
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Gain speed, but lose quality of information – particularly 3D/BIM
Some familiarity with DWG format, but less control over individual objects
PREPARE DRAWINGS
Consider project needs and ‘appropriate’ use – possibly short term only
Clean up drawings, ensure nothing at 0,0 if coords system is far away
Remove hatching, remove floating objects (eg. On frozen layers)
Purge everything, even consider renaming layers
Bind all xrefs??? (No longer required if xrefs are attachments)
MAINTAIN NAMING CONVENTIONS
Difficult to rename linked files throughout a project – best to establish naming convention and stick to them.
LINKING vs IMPORTING
Link preferable to importing
Consider ‘this view only’
Place into workset (invisible by default)
Don’t explode
Can be good to trace over geometry and then detach the file to keep the Revit project clean
Trace over technique can be a good learning mechanism for new users (DWGs, photos, sketches etc.)
IMAGES
Constrain/Don’t Constrain proportions
Get draw order right
Calibrate and LOCK if tracing over
Can be good for presentation purposes (rough) – eg. Sky background to East Elevation of Clinic

10. Hybrid Revit (continued)
Linking vs Importing
Linking is usually preferable
Don’t have to keep all the imported files – clean up whenever possible and appropriate
Place into dedicated workset (invisible by default)
Don’t explode
‘Trace over’ technique - Working with images
Calibrate and pin the image
Presentation styles can be made easy by importing images as backgrounds (use in view or on sheet under views)

11. Other Views 3D isometric 3D perspectives 3D details/cutaways Schedules
Grouping of fields
Working vs. Production purposes
Room and Area fills
Consider your needs before commencing
Area schemes define what you want to measure
Shadows and shading
Thirsty on resources
Greater depth and clarity
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Demonstrate:
3D isometric (save view icon)
3D inspection views using section box
Create 3D cutaway thru stair section detail
SCHEDULES
Group and Show on Options Bar
Easier to cut than to add fields
Combine Area schedule with Color fill – composite views on sheet
Room and Areas
SHADOWS AND SHADING
Demonstrate 3D elevations over 2D on sheet (show text coming thru)
Thirsty on resources – keep physical image sizes low, use medium or low raster quality when printing
Greater depth and clarity applied to work.

12. Worksets Worksets vs. Worksharing Defining worksets
Consider carefully according to project needs
Central vs. Local files (automation)
Relinquishing
Save to Central
Central File Management
Audit periodically
Compact periodically
Review Warnings periodically
Restoring from Backups
Moving (Always ‘Save As’)
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Borrow notes from Workset newsletters

13. 2D vs. 3D Detail groups Detail components Underlay model
Repeating details
2 pick families
Space Bar
Underlay model
Check your progress
Drafting views
Imported Details
Clean up first, don’t keep in project
Legend views
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Demonstrate 2D groups, showing exclusion of items (RMC to restore)
Detail components fast and simple to create, but less integrity within model (not good long term option)
Repeating details – show sample file from Autodesk, customised AUS version
2 pick families great – eg. ?????
Space bar – pre- and post- applied to components, and detail lines (& walls)
Show how underlay works – finding the right level to see your roof…
DRAFTING VIEWS
save to new RVT file
Re-use legacy DWG data – but beware legacy crap!
LEGEND VIEWS
Great for non-system families (eg. Dimensioning components)
Can’t tag or dimension sample items

14. Annotations Tags Text Dimensions Note Block Grid types
Leaders
Arrowheads (limitations)
Dimensions
Rounding
Define styles by purpose
Note Block
Keynoting
Grid types
Detail Components
Symbols
Spot Levels
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Consistency and clarity should rule supreme.
Range of tags can be achieved by family types (visibility parameters) or separate families.
Establish a system and stay methodical (we show room numbers only at this scale, but room numbers AND names at this scale) – this may also vary by project type or size.
Name text families according to use (eg. ‘2.0mm (notes)’)
Ultimately there should be minimal text and maximum tags – drawing from the model.
May need to modify tag templates if you want to use a font other than Arial. No easy way to change fonts en mass.
Arrowheads still limited – can’t open an arrow more than 90 degrees, can’t have arrowhead different line thickness to leader line.
As of 2008 – free-end leaders can remain associative to referenced objects.
Create dimensions according to purpose (not scale as per AutoCAD!), eg. Standard, overall, grids, to check, rounded off etc..
Note block
Can have multiple grid types – useful for campus arrangements (remember scope boxes) or even primary vs secondary, or structural vs ceiling etc.
Symbols:
North points should be symbols
drawing stamps
key plans
Breaklines (not as detail components)
Spot levels fantastic for reference and working purposes, eg. Locating levels of plinths on sloping sites (c/w relative levels)
Set up FFL, FL, SFL, FCL and Surface RL spot levels – you MAY find a use to support two sizes of each, depending on how much you want these to stand out.

15. Information Aesthetics
Line Styles
Be clear and consistent with naming
Consider naming by purpose or object type (eg. ‘Fence’)
Lineweights
Vanilla (OOTB) lineweights not appropriate
Customise only once (in template)
Transfer if required via Transfer Project Standards
Line patterns
Not difficult, but still no support for complex line patterns
Linework tool
View visibility
Filters
Halftones
Underlays
Composite views
3D over 2D elevations
All topography vs. crop region
Filled Regions
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Lineweights should be set up as early as possible, with much testing on a real project to ensure satisfaction. Looks daunting, but look for patterns. Vanilla lineweights are not great (who needs an 8 or 9mm lineweight?)
Line Styles (linetypes) should be set up to be clearly understood. One way to help standardise is to name them by purpose (eg. Electrical wiring, building extents)… You can’t select a line and apply a line pattern as an override, so definitions must be well resolved. Currently a very difficult type of object to clean up.
Line patterns are not so difficult. Same rules re consistency apply. Old trinity model from AutoCAD worked well, though still no proper support for complex linetypes yet (eg. Zigzag or embedded text etc.)
Establish filter lists early in response to project needs (what do you need to show and what would you like to be able to show better?). Keep them collated and document what they’re for (screen grabs of samples are a must).
Halftones are applied automatically if views are set to different disciplines – would like some control over this. *Linked views don’t show cross-discipline.
3D vs 2D info: consider benefits of better data – gets more competitive tenders, clients/buyers get more engaged, construction faster.
Try to minimise use of filled regions on their own, as they are so cosmetic, and usually cover up iniquities. Better within detail components.

16. Establishing Standards
Required for
Graphics
Processes
Best Practice
Naming Conventions
Views
Families
Object Styles
Subcategories (similarity to layers)
Details
Save as views
Utilities to save model items and views
Presentation of standards
Knowledgebase vs. manual format
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Establish common graphics: lineweights, linestyles, detail level, line patterns etc.
Establish common processes and document them for reference by all – encourage suggestions for improvement
Ditto for best practice – hold workshops and discuss which approaches are successful and which aren’t.
Maintain consistency in nomenclature inside and outside of projects.
Ditto for Object styles

17. Templates Use appropriate numbers of preloaded components
‘Shopping trolley’ approach using sample projects
Easy platform for establishing BIM standards
Multiple templates
Base (office-specific)
Project Type
Client
Sample files
System Families
Materials
Environment settings
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Template can have half your work done before you start (and done correctly)
Protect your office template (as always)
Encourage suggestions for further improvement
Over the long term, develop multiple templates depending on project types and requirements.
Use sample files ‘the chef approach’ (however this can circumvent learning)

18. Family Creation Library structure Library management and distribution
Importing images into workspace
Content philosophy
Generic
Manufacturer specific
2D vs. 3D geometry
Masking Regions
Type Catalogs (*.csv files)
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
LIBRARY STRUCTURE
Be consistent and keep it intuitive. Avoid duplication wherever possible.
Keep clean (batch-delete backup files regularly)
MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
Central library model vs. deployed locally – discuss issues
Can import images into workspace when creating families – good for reference. These don’t come through to the model.
Generic vs. Manufacturer specific – build Generic content first, as it holds more value. Dangers lurk in being too specific with selected items.
Revit’s modelling limitations can necessitate 2D symbolic linework in many cases.
Masking regions new to 2008 – useful in lieu of 3D geometry.
Resourcing better objects – sketchup objects from Formfonts or 3D Warehouse.
Maximise use of type catalogs – don’t develop too much content without these! (Still awaiting resizability of dialog)

19. Production Plotting PDF DWF
Use with third party app to batch-rename output files if required
DWF
2D or 3D format
Markup and review using Autodesk® Design Review
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary
Establish standard setup configurations in template
Beware resource limitations with raster-heavy views/sheets
Beware zoom scale and ‘left-over’ view/sheet lists
PLOTTING
PDFs
Choice of one or separate documents
Ensure you have PDF software that will (at least partly) recognise the document name.
Use Flash Renamer to edit printed filenames if required
DWF
Need to check on this
HTML
EXPORTING shaded views – beware filesize!
Export rendered images – don’t keep them embedded in view as Renderings
PROJECT BROWSER can help you revise your drawings
REVISION MANAGEMENT – still needs some work by Autodesk if you don’t like numbers-only methodology
ARCHIVING – save as new file or new central file (don’t copy file). Saving as a new central file eliminates the need to detach from central, but ensure all users have relinquished all and STC’d.

20. Production Exporting Leveraging project browser Revision Management
Rendered images
Shaded views
Leveraging project browser
Maximise sorting capabilities
Use it like a batch processor to apply sheet parameters en mass
Revision Management
Vanilla (OOTB) options not appropriate for Australian conventions
Archiving
Save as new (central) file
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary

21. Summary Be disciplined and consistent Communicate with your colleagues
Think outside the square
Try new ideas
Always strive for better methods and information
CCC - ‘Conveying the Correct information Clearly’
New technology
where to from here?
Sidenote: Uncanny Valley
Introduction
RTC 2006
Overview
Control
Hybrid Revit
Other Views
Worksets
2D vs 3D
Annotations
Aesthetics
Standards
Templates
Family Creation
Production
Summary

22. Uncanny Valley Basic Theory Established by Masahiro Mori in 1970
…as a robot is made more humanlike in its appearance and motion, the emotional response from a human being to the robot will become increasingly positive and empathic, until a point is reached beyond which the response quickly becomes that of strong repulsion. However, as the appearance and motion continue to become less distinguishable from a human being's, the emotional response becomes positive once more and approaches human-to-human empathy levels.

23. Uncanny Valley examples of characters/beings lacking in likeness
Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro.

24. Summary
To ponder:
Our building images can be like this, where the client (or other viewer) doesn’t buy into an image if it falls into the valley. Sometimes it’s safer to use a heavily stylized image, suggestive of a concept. The equivalent of this in a character analogy could be the Simpson – poor (human) likeness, but we still relate strongly…