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Is Paperless still a Myth?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

By Darren Hartenstine

With the advent of electronic Data Management applications and digital formats, why are companies still printing on paper? I was reviewing some statistics around the printing industry and found the information alarming.  Here’s just one blurb I feel is noteworthy.

The pulp and paper industry is the single largest consumer of water used in industrial activities in OECD countries and is the third greatest industrial greenhouse gas emitter, after the chemical and steel industries (OECD Environmental Outlook, p. 218)

Green initiatives; sustainable design; these are great concepts, but is anyone actually making the effort to use less paper?  I know that a company cannot go 100% paperless (yet), but I feel that the Engineering Design process is a perfect component for this evolution.  The Autodesk Vault product family has some great tools to facilitate paperless design. 

In the last week as a test, I have tried to cut my paper use out completely and have struggled with it.  I am somewhat old school and use paper for note taking.  It seems to be faster for me up front, but in the long run, I know that it is inefficient and it often becomes difficult to locate past information.  I know it’s funny, but having that piece of paper is like comfort food.

I am interested in opinions, comments, experiences, etc. with companies/individuals that have attempted or successfully implemented a paperless design process.  Feel free to contact me via email or through this blog posting.  My email address is Darren.hartenstine@mastergraphics.com.

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Top 10 Performance Tips for Autodesk Vault

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

By Darren Hartenstine

When Autodesk Vault is running smoothly, things are great, right?  Designers and Engineers are working on new designs or changes and checking them into Vault.  The rest of the company is consuming this data and parts are being manufactured.

It’s when things go wrong with the Autodesk Data Management Server (ADMS) that a company realizes the catastrophic potential of a dysfunctional Vault.  I am going to write a few blogs on choosing the right computer hardware and implementing correct practices that will hopefully limit or eradicate downtime and improve performance.

#1 - ADMS System Backup

OK, so this isn’t going to make your Vault fast, but if your ADMS server goes down and there’s no Backup, you will lose data and time.

I’ve written about this before in a previous blog called “Is your Vault Safe?”  But I think I need to reiterate the point again….Backup, Backup, Backup, Backup…..and, Backup.  If you’re not backing up your Vault, then there is the potential to suffer from lost work or in extreme situations, you could lose everything.  And when I say backing up your Vault, I mean through the ADMS console or the equivalent command line option that can be run through a batch file. 

#2 - 64bit Windows Operating System

Running a 64bit Windows Server operating system will allow up to utilize more system RAM for the various applications that are running on your Server.  If you have a 32bit Windows Server Operating System, than you can only address 2GB, unless you enable the 3GB switch.

There are many components to the ADMS Server that tend to use as much memory as your server can spare.  Microsoft SQL can become a memory hog and use anywhere from 1GB to 7GB+ (64bit version of SQL) of RAM.  I’ve seen the W3WP.EXE service consume up to 2GB (32bit Application Limitation) of RAM and cause performance issues on the Server.

Even though the ADMS software is still a 32bit application, running it on a 64bit server will allow your system RAM to be shared more efficiently. 

I will discuss how to enable to 3GB switch in the Tips and Techniques posting later on.

#3 - RAM

When it comes to configuring a Server, get at least 4GB of RAM for a 32bit Windows Server OS and a minimum of 8GB of RAM for a 64bit Windows Server OS.  When you are making the purchase of RAM, it is best to get 2GB to 4GB paired sticks to install into the server.  If you get 1GB sticks of RAM, you will run out of slots quickly.  This is also important when initially building your server.  I know that Dell and HP will install 1GB sticks to get you to 8GB, since they’re cheaper.

If you ever decide to upgrade and all slots are full, you will need to pull the RAM and install the new ones.  If you can’t repurpose the RAM, you’ve wasted money.

You’re going to hear this a lot in the next few blogs, but make the initial investment in time and money to get your server configured correctly.  It’s not something I can quantify, but more RAM makes for a faster server, which can equate to faster transactions…and happier Vault users.

#4 – Hard Drives

I am going to talk about Hard Drives in my next blog, since I feel it needs the most attention and will also be a longer posting.

 #5 – Microsoft SQL

#6 – SQL Maintenance

#7 – ADMS Installation

#8 – Tips and Techniques

#9 - Networks / Load Balancing

#10 - What Else is Running on your Server?

 

 

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Wall Openings in Revit

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Are wall openings in revit really the way to go? That has been a question asked by a lot of the members in the Architectural Industry. I know of a few firms that create their walls using layer by layer instead of a single wall. The reasoning behind this is having more functionality of the layers of the walls. When doing this they use a curtain wall as their exterior windows and use the wall opening command to cut the walls behind the window system. Once this is done they group the window, mullions, openings and any other items so the group can then be copied to other portions of the building.  The problem with this is, when the group is copied to a wall on a different axis or mirrored to a different portion of the building the wall openings disappear. If a new opening is placed then the other groups then have 2 openings located in the same place. So it appears that wall openings and groups do not play nice. The way around this is to create a component family of a wall opening. It should be a wall hosted family to have it cut the wall. The height and width should be instance parameters so they can be adjusted inside the project (without having to duplicate each opening for a new size).  By making them instance parameters this enables you to select on the opening and receive grips on the 4 sides so you can flex it in any direction to make it the desired size just by pulling the sides of the opening. The opening can also be aligned and locked to maintain the dimensions of a window. Once these are grouped there have been no reported problems in copying this to a different location.

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Windows 7 and QTO

Friday, January 8th, 2010

With the recent release of Windows 7 we are starting to see which software is compatible with the new operating system. With QTO being created before Windows 7 it is not supported by Autodesk and does not function without a work around. When you start QTO everything appears to work fine until you go to open, or create a new project. You will receive an error that says “Could not load file or assembly ‘ADOX, Version=2.8.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null’ or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified”. Once you press OK the software will either crash or your workspace will be blank.  The reason behind this is the ADOX file is needed to run a VBA application for Vista and XP, but one does not exist yet for Windows 7 in the installer for QTO. So we can use the one for Vista by:

  1. Make Sure QTO is closed
  2. Inser tthe installation disk and go to the path: \x86\Autodesk\QTO\Vista\ADOX.DLL
  3. Copy the ADOX.DLL file to the installed QTO use directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010 (you will need ADMIN rights for this)
  4. Restart QTO and open any ATO file or create a new file. The program will have full functionality.

This should be fixed by the 2011 release but for now this is the only way to get it to work.

 

 

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ImageModeler and MatchMover

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

By Stephen Gabriel

The Autodesk subscription program has frequently been viewed as nothing but a way to get the latest version when it comes out, but for 3ds Max users, it is actually far more.  In the last two years, we have seen significant software enhancements and additional tools available to subscription customers, such as CAT and the Connection Extension.  Both of these added significant tools to our palettes.

This year, Autodesk subscription customers also gained access to ImageModeler and MatchMover.  Each of these applications serves a specific function within the visualization process rather than adding a specific tool set into 3ds Max.

ImageModeler can best be thought of as a set creation tool.  ImageModeler allows you to take a series of images of a location and build a 3D model be selecting common points within the images.  The model accuracy is dependent upon the size of the images, the number of images and the number of points used to coordinate the images.  This can help you create a 3D model that can be used as a setting for your visualization project, whether is it putting a building on the street or placing a product like a car in the environment.  Because the model is 3D, you are no longer constrained to matching the camera position of the original image and can position it where it produces the most compelling shot.

MatchMover is a powerful utility that creates a camera from recorded video.  MatchMover allows you to create tracking points that the software uses to determine the motion of the camera that was used to create video footage.  The camera and it’s motion path can then be exported to 3ds Max to create the animation of your scene.  The process is very quick and painless and you can even composite your model back into MatchMover to check the accuracy of the camera path.  The result is a more precise camera match for animated shots.

Combined, these two tools represent a lot of value to visualization artists and they are free for download from the Autodesk subscription website for all subscription customers.

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AutoCAD Architecture – Detail Component Manager

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

By: Dwane Lindsey

Here’s another one of those features in AutoCAD Architecture that gets overlooked at times…the Detail Component Manager. With all the talk of transitioning to 3D, the 2D details often get left behind. This is one of those areas (of many) that AutoCAD Architecture excels at, even if you go to full 3D with the other AEC Objects. I even know of a few companies that have moved from AutoCAD to AutoCAD Architecture just because of the Detail Component Manager.

So what is the Detail Component Manager? Glad you asked! ;-) The Detail Component Manager (as shown below) is a database of 2D detail components.

The database is broken up into the 2004 CSI Divisions…except not all divisions are utilized out of the box. (Note: The 2009 version included two databases, one for the 2004 format and one for the 95 format. Versions 2008 and earlier included one database for the 95 format.) As you expand each division, you’ll narrow the search to the sub-divisions, and then the types of components. Once you select the component you’d like to use, you can then choose the “size” of the component.

Once you select the size, the fun begins. As in the following example for Roof Deck, all you have to do is pick 2 points and you now you have single polyline of roof deck! This is not individual blocks arrayed, so you can select the entire run and do what you want with it…and it’s not even a single “width” line, it has actual thickness!

As with all Detail Components (and AEC Objects), they insert on a layer automatically (and yes, this can be customized). And some components will have multiple layers if they are required. For example, a CMU block will come in on the A-Detl-Wide layer, but it will contain A-Detl-Medm and A-Detl-Patt for some of the lines and hatching inside the block.

Since I could go on and on and on and on about the Detail Components, I’ll wrap this one up. I’ve barely scratched the surface on using the Details within the database. There is so much more I could go into, like how the CMU will array blocks until you pick a second point, or how many different steel shapes are available…including steel joists (which can be inserted as a top view, side view or section view), but I’ll save that for a later time (maybe a demonstration??). As you can see, the Detail Component Manager in itself could make the initial move into AutoCAD Architecture quite easy…and all without ever going into the 3D realm.

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AutoCAD Architecture - Display Configurations

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

By: Dwane Lindsey

One of the (sometimes) overlooked features in AutoCAD Architecture is Display Configurations. Many people see these down in the lower right corner and say “We don’t need to use those, we’re just using basic AutoCAD lines, arcs, circles….along with DesignCenter Content and a few Walls, Doors, Windows in some projects.” Even using just Walls, Doors, Windows, etc…you can still utilize Display Configurations.

Display Configurations

This list above is what you typically see out of the box in AutoCAD Architecture. There’s quite a bit there and since these can be some-what complicated, people shy away from using them. Here’s a little tip though…just because that many are there doesn’t mean you have to use all of them! What if I said all you (potentially) need to use at a base level are the Medium Detail (or Plan Only), Presentation and Reflected, would that feel a little better?

When you get started with AutoCAD Architecture, these are really the base Display Configurations you can start with. Medium Detail for your plans, Reflected for ceiling plans, and Presentation for colored presentation plans. Let’s take a look at a wall, door and window with all three Display Configurations applied…

All of these Display Configurations were used out of the box…nothing was changed to the settings. You can see, just using 3 simple configurations can make your objects change how they look. Imagine no longer having to turn off a bunch of layers (maybe just a couple) to get a Reflected Ceiling plan. Or, even better…not having to create Polylines to hatch in walls (or even rooms if you utilize Spaces)! One thing to note; Display Configurations only work on AEC objects (like Walls, Doors, Windows, Multi-View Blocks, etc.). They cannot turn layers off/on or freeze/thaw.

To wrap up, yes….you can modify the list that you would see. You can go to Format->Display Manager to delete configurations you don’t want to use. You could also start to get into customizing how your objects appear at each configuration. Maybe you want your door or window jambs lines to show up in a Reflected display, or you want to change the color of the solid hatch in the walls….it can all be done.

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AU Virtual on Your PC

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

By, Dan Banach
If you cannot attend Autodesk University in Las Vegas on December 1 - 3, 2009 you may want to look into attending “Autodesk University (AU) Virtual”. The virtual event is free for Autodesk Subscription customers or $99 for a Premier Pass which gets you access to four days of streaming classes, clinics, keynote  address and mainstage presentations. You can learn more about Virtual AU at: http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=virtual_home&pre=1.

Dan

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AutoCAD Architecture - Using AEC Objects

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

By: Dwane Lindsey

There are many, many companies that have AutoCAD Architecture (or maybe even Architectural Desktop yet) and use it just as plain AutoCAD.  They don’t utilize the AEC Objects like Walls, Doors, Windows, etc. and have stuck with using the same process to draw walls using lines and hatching and blocks for doors and windows.

One of the “taglines” that Autodesk uses when describing AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) is that it’s “AutoCAD for Architects”.  The reason for this line is that ACA has AEC Objects that allow for a more efficient way to draw Walls, Doors, Windows, Ceilings, Schedules…there are many more but I’m going to stop at those types of elements.  The reason I’m stopping at naming just these types of elements is the fact that just using these AEC Objects will allow you to gain some efficiencies.  Just think…you could pick two points and have a wall with all of the internal components, layered and hatched automatically.  You can then place a Door or Window object in that wall and you don’t have to trim or re-hatch just because you needed to place an opening.

During the current economic situation, we’ve been having discussions with firms on how they can become more efficient with their current software.  If you are have ACA but are using it as plain AutoCAD, using objects is exactly a way to do your CD’s (projects) more efficiently.  Quite a few think that because you are using AEC objects, you’re working in 3D.  Not the case.  You can utilize Walls, Doors & Windows in 2D and never have to look at them in 3D.  Sure, the objects have a height if you decide to go into the 3D realm, but you can always just view them in 2D.  Objects like Doors and Windows have a height, but you’re only utilizing that height a schedule (at least maybe initially).

Not only do these objects help with plan efficiently, but they can also hold quite a bit of information that can be extracted into a Schedule right inside the program.  As you update the information in the objects, or even add/remove objects, the schedule(s) will also update…and in some case this can happen automatically.

As you can start to see, just using some of the AEC Objects with-in AutoCAD Architecture will allow you to gain some efficiency when doing your projects.  If you would like to know more on how using AEC Objects can benefit you and/or your company, contact your MasterGraphics representative.

Stop by again next week when I touch on another aspect of AutoCAD Architecture.

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AutoDesk “See the Difference Tour” Virtual

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Haven’t decided if the Autodesk 2010 products are for you?

November 17th, Autodesk takes its 2010 roadshow into the cyberwebs.

Register for this online event now. There will even be a virtual trade show area - where you can chat live with MasterGraphics’ software experts.. The web interface for the virtual event is more fun and interactive than your average webcast.

View informative sessions including:

  • AutoCAD 2010 Tips & Techniques with Lynn Allen
  • The AutoCAD Family of Products with Shaan Hurley
  • The World of 3D Modeling with Heidi Hewett

Be sure to stop by the MasterGraphics booth and say “Hi!”.

See you there!

Lou

 

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