e-Specs for Navisworks Coming Soon

Just received this email (below) regarding e-Specs for Navisworks.  Looks like it’s going to be available in the March 2012 timeframe…should be interesting to see this in action.

-------

February 7, 2012 – InterSpec Inc., the industry leading provider of BIM integrated construction specification software and services, announced today a major new addition to its popular e-SPECS software solutions. e-SPECS for Navisworks enables intelligent and dynamic access to construction project materials data, project specifications and accompanying project related files directly within the Autodesk® Navisworks® application.

“We demonstrated e-SPECS for Navisworks in the fall at Autodesk University to select visitors and the response was overwhelming,” stated Seamus McGrady, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Not only were our current customers interested in the Navisworks access to the specs and files, but contractors, developers, owners, and engineers stated they could more fully realize the benefits of the “I” in BIM.”

Architectural and engineering firms doing drawing coordination or merging engineering models can better collaborate with direct access to specified information. Contractors can save time and money during their estimating, bidding and construction phases with electronic access to the coordinated specifications and the storage and quick retrieval of project related files. Being able to review and comment on submittal items online streamlines the procurement of materials and quickens the processing of the required submittals. Owners are able to review and verify their product and system preferences from design phase, through bidding and construction sequences, and into facility management.

e-SPECS for Navisworks enables direct access to project construction information, coordinated specifications and related project files enabling the following benefits:

• Advanced collaboration of Design and Construction teams in Navisworks' visual project review application
• Dynamic access to detailed material requirements for Bidding and Estimating through selected Navisworks elements
• Faster review and return times of required submittal documentation through electronic access
• Easy document markup for creation of as-built specifications within Revit or Navisworks
• Instant graphic representation of required building material locations and quantities for coordination and construction planning and owner confirmation.

“BIM users want more validation tools and data access from the recognizable visual models where previously they used printed drawings and spec manuals,” added Seamus McGrady. “Visitors were also pleased that their current spec manuals written in word processors could be integrated and accessed through the e-SPECS for Navisworks application. When you give decision makers access to information at their fingertips, better decisions can be made.”

The e-SPECS Navisworks Plug-In Console is scheduled for official release in March 2012. Current e-SPECS for Revit customers may add on the e-SPECS Navisworks Plug-In Console and take full advantage of the current BIM integration directly within Navisworks. Promotional incentives are available through March 31st, 2012. Contact Sales@e-SPECS.com for more information.

e-SPECS Navisworks Plug-In Console enables intelligent and dynamic access to construction project materials data, project specifications and accompanying project related files directly within the Autodesk® Navisworks® applications.

-------

Clash Report and Incorrect Revit ID Numbers

This problem sucks, there just isn’t any good way to put it….

If you’ve been using Navisworks with Revit files, you may or may not have run across this depending on how you use the Clash Reports (exported reports).  When you look at the Clash Report, there is a separate column for the Item ID, which for Revit is the Element ID.  You can use that ID number to search for the Element that is being called out in the Clash. (similar to what I discussed in this post about Revit Interferences)  At first glance, it looks great.  I can grab that ID number, go to Revit and quickly find the item in the Clash, especially if you don’t have the Navisworks model (versus possibly using Switchback if you had the Navisworks model). 

But, there is a problem when it comes to some objects.  Some objects, like Columns, Beams, Diffusers (to name a few) don’t actually report the proper Revit Element ID!!  Yeah, not so good!  From what I can tell, it’s actually calling out the Element Type ID Number and not the Element Instance ID Number.  (See this post about the props of a Revit element and what is considered Instance vs Type)  Some of you may be thinking, well can’t I just use the ID number to find the object in Revit….sorry, no you can’t.  Revit wants the Instance ID number so it can actually find and select the corresponding Instance Element.

Oh, I should mention a way to get the proper number.  Well, there actually is a couple. One being to use DWF’s from Revit instead of NWC’s.  The DWF will put the Element ID number as a suffix to the Name of the object in Navisworks.  But for many, that would require a complete change in process of getting files.  The other way, would be to have the Navisworks model open with the corresponding Clash Test and Results.  When you select a clash, the bottom pane in the Clash window will show you what objects are clashing.  If you select the Element Name, use the Select button, you can then look at the Properties to get the proper Element ID number.

I’ve reported the issue to Autodesk Support, which was escalated to the Development Team.  Hopefully (keep anything and everything you can crossed) that they can solve this issue in the next release of Navisworks!

Selection Tree and Revit Objects

This is something that I get asked quite a bit…when I load in a Revit file into Navisworks, why do things like Columns or Doors (as examples) always show the Type Name twice?

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, here’s a little screen shot…

As you can see, the W10x49 has a “sub component” also called W10x49.  What you are really seeing here is the Element and the Type (respectively).  To help explain this a little further, here’s each one selected and the associated “Element” properties…

 

As you can see in the image on the left, the Properties for the first item selected displays the Instance Properties of the Revit object.  On the right image, you can see the next item in the list is selected, which is now displaying the Type Properties.

So when you see Revit objects with what seem to be duplicate names, you are actually seeing the Instance and the Type.  One thing to note, this isn’t the same for all Revit objects.  Take Walls for instance, Navisworks only lists out the Instance and the actual geometry (as shown in the top image).

From what I can tell, this helps separate out the Properties and the number of tabs that are displayed.  But, there is an issue with having all of these properties broken out like this, specifically the Element ID!  This ties back to the Switchback post…if you try and use Switchback with the Type selected, it won’t find the object.  And, that’s not all…it also affects your Clash Detection reports!  More to come on that subject soon….

Navisworks 2012 Switchback with Revit Video

Way back in July, I posted about a new feature for Navisworks and Revit 2012 being able to now use Switchback.  Well, I finally got around to creating the video that I said I was going to.   It’s amazing how time flies when you’re busy!

The video below shows the interaction of Switchback with Navisworks and Revit.  I didn’t put voice to the video, but did input some “pop-ups” with some explanations.

As you can see, there are some interesting things happening in this first iteration of Switchback with Revit.  Hopefully the 2013 versions have a much better integration.

Autodesk University (AU) Virtual 2011

As much everyone would like to go to Las Vegas in 2 weeks, many of you do not have the opportunity.  Budget limitations and work demands will keep you from attending the Autodesk University in Las Vegas.  To expand the audience and make Autodesk University more accessible to a greater number of people the Autodesk created AU Virtual.  This year AU Virtual is offered at no charge to all AU Members (Membership is free).  If you’re not an AU Member, you can register HERE.

With AU Virtual, you can choose from 100’s of online virtual sessions directly from your desktop.

Register for AU Virtual here: http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=auv2011_event

Registration begins November 15.

After the event, AU Virtual classes will continue to be available on the AU website.  So if a “fire” needs attention and you can’t watch the Virtual event you wanted, you can go back and still get the information you wanted.