Thursday Throwback

In which I will dredge a favorite post from the past (mostly for my own enjoyment.)

This week's throwback takes us to a post about the ever important, oft misunderstood Model Progression Spec (MPS) that has made it's way into the AIA E202 BIM Protocol

A model progression…?

And when you're done progressing, head to BIM Execution How-to to learn how to fill in that MPS.

Parameters: Family vs. Project vs.Shared Family vs. Shared Project

Parameters are where it’s at (ala Beck.)

They make the rockin’ BIM go ‘round (sorry Freddie.)

Sorry, it’s Friday afternoon and I’ve had entirely tooo much caffeine.

Skillful use of parameters are the difference between BIM and parametric modeling. Get some information in that model, by Jove. But, beware, not all parameters are created equal!

Straight up Family Parameters typically control geometry or are used for calculations inside a family.  They are not accessible in the Revit project environment (except through the Properties dialog, which I would argue is a “window” into the Family.) Noted exceptions to the above are parameters that Autodesk has placed within the template for certain family categories that schedule and tag like; Door “Height” and “Width” and “Type Comments” in all categories. (Don’t get me started on parameters that exist in families but aren’t accessible in the Family Editor, like “Mark.” Or those that exist in the family, are visible in the project, but can’t be scheduled, like Wall “Height.”  Ah, Autodesk. Consistently inconsistent.)

Project Parameters apply to all families in a given category. Want to add information to the Room category about it’s floor finish?  Create a Project Parameter that contains that information. Now you can create a Room Finish Schedule that shows floor finish. If you want to tag that value, see below. Note: project parameters are the only way to add new information to systems families such as Rooms, Walls, Floors, etc.  However, they are a broad-brush way to add information to all categories.

Shared parameters are great…

(OK, maybe not great. Great would be being able to put a check in box in the parameter dialog in the the Family Editor environment that allowed you to choose “appears in schedule” and “can be tagged.”  No more multiple shared parameter files and the trouble that they can cause.  )

… well, anyway, they are useful.

Shared family parameters create information that can be tagged and scheduled. Fantastic.

Shared project parameters create information that can be tagged and scheduled. Wonderful.

Wait… they do the same thing? Similar, but not the same.  Just like non-shared parameters; Shared Family parameters exist only in the family they are created in and Shared Project parameters exist in any family in the category the parameters are applied to in the project.

Need a parameter that applies to all Mechanical Equipment across the project?  Maybe, “Delivery Date?” Create a Project Parameter (will only appear in schedules) or a Shared Project Parameter (can be tagged and scheduled, but increases complexity in managing your information since a shared parameter exists outside of the project in a text file.)

Need a parameter that only applies to some equipment? Say “Gallons per Hour (GPH)?” Create a Shared Family Parameter (the only way to tag or schedule information in a family is if it’s a shared parameter.)

Pretty straight forward stuff really. Keep your mind organized while deciding what kind of parameters to use.  Definitely do not listen to The Pogues while creating parameters.  Save them for hardcore geometry modeling.  Maybe spin some Yo-Yo Ma. Relaaaaax.

Next time, we will look at some unexpected behavior of Shared Parameters in the project environment and how to combat it.

Haiku round two

Big Ass Fans was kind enough to send me a number of the Haiku-Poetry Deconstructed posters. After dispersing High Class Industrial Art to colleagues, I find myself with two remaining.

So, how about we have the first "BIG BAD Giveaway" ever?

Submit a Haiku about BIM, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, VDC (but not VD!)... anything AEC related really. A completely biased judge will review them and award a poster to the authors of the two Haiku that bring tears to his eyes (whether by tugging the heartstrings or forcing coffee out my nose.)

The rules:
Submit entries through the "Contact" link at the top of the page.  This will give me a way to contact YOU if you win, and will keep the entries under wraps till reveal.

I will accept submitals through 6/15/2012 to give time for word to spread (I'd hate for a lone entry to get stuck with two.)

Entries only valid to receive a poster if the total cost of shipping said poster is less than $15 USD. Big Bad BIM has big, empty pockets. My postal Code is 85028 if you would like to check. You may enter for the prestige of being a part of the inaugural Big Bad giveaway even if you do not meet this requirement.

 Big Bad BIM reserves the right to not post entries that are lewd or otherwise deemed inappropriate by above mentioned judge.  I'm asking for Haiku, not Limericks
.
Void where prohibited (not too worried here. Anywhere that would prohibit this giveaway, probably prohibits the Big Bad BIM in general, but just in case.)

No employees or family may enter (can't imagine the 4 or 2 yr old stooping to such levels, so this means you Mrs. Big Bad!)

Note: this is not at the behest of Big Ass Fans or affiliated with them at all. It's just a way to disperse some really cool swag they laid upon me. BTW, thanks again.

What the BIM?!!?

Trimble buys SketchUp from Google.!!!

This is earth shaking (to me at least) the "...leading provider of advanced positioning solutions that maximize productivity and enhance profitability," Trimble, acquires SketchUp from Google to "...Enhance its Office-to-Field Platform." 

Game Changer?   Could a light weight modeling application used by millions across the globe, now partnered with a true leader in using data driven models  to construct the Built Environment rock the AEC industry?  Nah, probably not... (Sarcasm Folks, Sarcasm)

Press Releases:

Google SketchUp Blog

Trimble.com

CNBC

AU 2012 Call for Proposals

Au 2012 Call for proposals is now open.

  Learn more.

 

Friday Fun

Evolve!

From the Revit Architecture Facebook Feed.

Reality Capture Magic

The good folks at Sensopia have an awesome little iOS application that is going to change how we capture existing condition floor plans.

This FREE (!!!!!) app captures floor plans of rooms as you drop "markers" in the corners and at doors.  It's not really photogrammety.  You're not taking pictures.  You are capturing points through your view finder using the compass and gyroscope built in your device. Then you stitch those rooms together into a floor plan.
Add multiple floors and BAM (not BIM, not yet.) As-Builts.

How accurate is it?  I haven't confirmed yet. There is a calibration feature.  And I'm sure like most tools, a majority of the how accurate the output comes from user input.

It truly is amazing.  After a half hour or so of playing with it, I think I could put it to pretty good use.  And that was without watching the tutorials (that's not pigheaded manliness, it's just that intuitive (OK, oink.))

I'm going to try an capture the new palace sometime over the next week.

Watch the videos.
Download the FREE app
Capture your world. (FYI, you do have to create an account with Sensopia.  Aren't we all used to this by now?)

Maybe they will develop an app that captures the faces of walls and stitches those into a BIM (model, for you kitten killahs.)  That would be something...

BIM Execution How-to

Follow this link to a document that is intended to spark the conversation necessary to plan the Level of Development (LOD) requirements on a BIM enabled job (i.e. filling out that LOD matrix on your BEP).  It is not a form to fill out (there are plenty of those) nor is it a template to apply to your projects,  It's more a compass than a road-map.

Note: Licensed through Creative Commons


Model Level of Develop (LOD) Planning by Erik Lewis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

If anyone would like a .pdf copy let me know through the "Contact" page re: BIM LOD Planning. There's no rocket science here though.  Just good, old fashioned communication and planning.

Don't let that blank BIM Execution Plan (BEP) make you afraid of the Big Bad BIM.

Edit: Added Creative Commons licensing 4/12/2012
Edit: Made document publicly shared and search visible 4/16/2012
 

Haiku-Poetry Deconstructed

Off Topic, but I have always admired Big Ass Fans.  I'm not talking about my most rabid supporters, butt but these guys.

I think I first noticed their product in an industrial setting and was awed by the sheer size.  Then the refinement of their commercial line makes their product a kinetic Architectural Design Element.

Now their smaller (but still efficient) residential Haiku model promises Big Asses for everyone. Wouldn't one of these be great to get the air flowing here in AZ?!

FYI: send your fan requirements for current or future projects to offer@bigassfans.com and get some cool wall art.

 

(Yes, it's marketing. But none the less cool for being so. )

XPM for AEC with BIM...

Embrace the TLA . Andrew Abernathy at Strings, Connections and Links talks about how Extreme Project Management (XPM) when combined with BIM can bring peace and harmony efficiency to the AEC industry.
Are you Agile?

XPM- taming the Big Bad BIM by being flexible.