Applying IK in the Revit Classical Family Editor (one application... Folding Doors)

I recently taught a lab at RTCNA 2014 "Inverse Kinematics in Revit"
In the lab we covered how to apply IK principals to Revit families.

I wanted to share a video with everyone on how to use IK principles and apply them to the classical family editor. (the folding door) (there is no commentary from me... its pretty simple to follow...there is music though that starts at the 1/3 point of the video.

Its Simple! All you do is  host revolves onto each-other This takes the principle of the "revolve" method and hosts them onto eachother.

This IK method (that uses hosted revolves) could be applied to any family in the classical family editor that has MULTIPLE joints. What do you want to apply it to?

How I Remove seams from Mass and AC revolve surfaces and solids in Revit

Ever want to remove those annoying seams that show up when you create a "revolve" in the Mass and Adaptive component environment for both surfaces and solids as shown in the image below?

The way I have removed them is simply JOIN another piece of geometry to them. 

SOLID REVOLVES

For solids join another solid to it. I use a small cylinder and if I don't want it to show up outside of the solid (a sphere in this case) I hide it within the solid as shown in the image below.

SURFACE REVOLVES

For surfaces, I just use a small void cylinder and "cut" the surface with the void. I don't use a solid cylinder (as the case with the sphere) because solids do not join with surfaces as shown in the image below.

NOTE: When you "cut" a surface with a void or "join" a solid with another solid then you are essentially creating a "new" element that is similar to a Boolean operation in 3dsmax. This new element has no seams!  Hope this helps. 

Dynamo for Revit and Topography and your Thoughts

I plan  (meaning I am hoping) to teach a few classes on Dynamo this year at a few conferences including RTC, AU, and the BIM Workshops.

I would really like to hear your thoughts about Dynamo. If you have any suggestions or comments please post them here on this forum post.  My plan for the dynamo classes this year is to teach a class that is heavy on beginners and heavy on day to day applications.

Below are some of the samples I plan to show in the class that relate to dynamo and topography.

If you are not able to attend any of these conferences, don't worry I will make sure there are other means for you to access this information.

Free Revit 747 and 787 jet family from Marcello

Here are some more free revit jet models, the 747 (added back) and the 787.
I built these about 3 years ago. So here they are!

Revit 747 Family

Revit 787 Family

Subscribe to the blog. Then Return and download these families here.
Use these families as an education tool only....which also means use them at your own risk. Make sure to deconstruct it and enjoy.

Preparing for a Technical Presentation and Class Conference Rankings

I am in the process of developing a course and potential book about how I prepare and deliver a technical presentation. I thought I would write a blog post and show one of the outlines that show the phases that I go through to prepare for a lecture at a conference.  Preparing for a presentation at a conference such as AU or RTC does not happen overnight for me, in fact it takes months of planning as shown below. Stay tuned because I will keep everyone informed on my progress on the class and book.

PREP LECTURE OUTLINE

·        (+-1 year to 11 months prior) The "You can’t do that in that software" phase

·        (11 months to 10 months prior) The "I need a breakthrough" phase

·        (10 months to 9 months prior) The "Hurry, Proposals are due" phase

·        (9 months to 4 months prior) The "Testing" phase

·        (9 months to 4 months prior) The "Example Selection" phase

·        (4 months to 2 months prior) The "Practice" phase

·        (2 months to 1 months prior) The "Handout Writing" phase

·        (1 months to 0 months prior) The "Final Presentation Prep" phase

·        (0 months to 0 days prior) The "Delivery" phase

Top Speaker Award for a Lecture Class at AU 2013

I am pleased to announce that the class that I taught at AU 2013

 "AB3340: Make Hardscape Follow Site Topography and Site Topography Follow Hardscape in Revit"  

has been rated the top lecture class at AU2013!

Click here for last years AU2012 top rated class that I taught.

I want to thank everyone who has followed and supported me throughout the years. Without all your support, feedback, and collaboration this would not have been possible. 

To receive this award two years in a row makes me honored beyond words. 

If you missed the AU2013 class, you could watch it here and see what all the fuss was about

http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/2013/revit-for-architects/ab3340#ooid=dpMHU2aTrCVtAvCORSwqbZ7VqnKzBLZB

So make sure you sign up and follow my blog because I have even more exciting content to show in 2014

Learn How to Align and Measure a Scope Box in Revit without the API

Brand New Method Here!!!!!!!!!!

Frustrated with the limited modeling tools of the scope box element in Revit?
Did you ever want to know how to align and measure a Scope Box in Revit?

Anyone tell you it could not be done?
Watch the following video tutorial I recorded and decide for yourself.
No API was used for this method.
If any of you know me....you know.... I add a lot of background when I explain a new method so make sure to sit thru all 15 minutes and don't even think about skipping to the end or else you will miss something :)
This is for all levels of Revit , beginner to guru.
Make sure to turn up the sound because it was a little low when I recorded it. Enjoy! I hope this helps.