Residential Stair Turn in AutoCAD Architecture

Residential stairs very commonly make an L-shaped 90 degree turn and have a riser (2 treads) at that 90 degree turn.  That can easily be accomplished in Autodesk® AutoCAD® Architecture with the AEC Stair object, but the method to accomplish this is not readily apparent.

Navisworks Exporter for BIM Models

Autodesk has released a utility that will benefit users that need to create a file to be used with the Autodesk’s Navisworks 2010 program.  This is excellent news as users no longer must have a licensed copy of Navisworks Manage installed on their computer to create this file.  This has real benefits to companies needing to create the exchange file.

Different E202 for Each BIM Project

The AIA E202 Document (by the American Institute of Architects) is the Building Information Modeling Protocol Exhibit and assigns the specific responsibility for the various project team members in developing model elements to specific levels of development for project phases.  This is fast becoming an extremely important document for a building project and must be carefully considered before being implemented for a project.  Many documents are re-used from project to project with little or no change, but the E202 should be modified per project.

Break Multiple Walls with One Door in AutoCAD Architecture

There are times when a door (or window, opening, or door/window assembly) gets placed into a wall that has another wall (or multiple walls) adjacent to it.  Even though a door can be placed in only one wall, it is possible to create an opening in the adjacent wall(s) so that when the door is relocated or changes size, the opening in the other wall(s) change accordingly.

Determine Revit Build Version

Autodesk’s Revit software does not directly display what software update or service pack has been installed on the computer.  Instead of listing the actual update number, Revit displays the Build number which is a bit cryptic.  You really don’t know whether you have the current update simply by looking at the build number, but you can tell the date of the build.  It is good to check this build number to make sure that you have the current build for your version of the software as this is one of the first things to check when you are having problems with your Revit installation.

Revit Architecture 2010 Update 2 Released

Autodesk has released Update 2 for Revit Architecture 2010.  Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available, and one download will take care of both the Revit Architecture version and the Revit Archiecture Suite version. 

You can get the update from the following webpage: http://www.autodesk.com/revitarchitecture-download.

Revit Gypsum Board Walls And Ceilings

Autodesk Revit Architecture’s standard project templates contain a stock material named “Gypsum Wallboard”.  The problem with the stock material is that there is no surface pattern.  This works very well for walls since you typically do not want to see any stipple hatch in an elevation view of gypsum board walls.  However, this does not work well for gypsum board ceilings when you actually do want to see a stipple hatch in reflected ceiling plans.  The answer to this problem is to create a new material to use for gypsum board ceilings. 

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 SP1 Released

Autodesk has released Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD Architecture 2010 for both the 32-bit and the 64-bit operating systems.  The service pack addresses fixes in both AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD Architecture 2010.

You can download it at the following website:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=13871847&linkID=9240658