Revit Best Practices, from the Factory

Autodesk recently updated their Revit Model Performance Technical Note for version 2014. This document contains a wealth of information related to optimizing Revit files and is highly recommended for all BIM Managers who are using Revit.

Here’s just one example, that can be found under the “Revit Model Optimization and Best Practices” section.

Ideate Explorer for Revit can be used to find Arrays and other problem areas, as shown.

Use Ideate Explorer to select all your Arrays at once and then use the ungroup option as recommended by Autodesk for improved performance. You can find “Revit 2014 Model Performance Technical Note” and other Revit-related white papers on our website.

---

Glynnis Patterson is a registered architect and the Director of Software Development at Ideate, Inc.

Read More

What's New in AutoCAD MEP 2014: Off the Scale! - Annotation Scaling and Unit Scaling Enhancements

AutoCAD MEP 2014 has some solid enhancements, one of them that will give companies and users flexibility is the ability to easily move from one unit to another which will more accurately represent annotation when scaled and get expected appearance and size relative to other objects.

AutoCAD Architecture and MEP have had real-world units since the original releases, along with a method for displaying annotation at different sizes for various drawing scales. When AutoCAD introduced Annotation Scaling, there were some very low level conflicts between the two systems. These resulted in rather unfortunate problems with the relative size of annotation.

When Drawing Units are changed, between units like meters and millimeters for example, you don’t want the content that is annotation scaled to become too large or small.

With the enhancements to the annotation and unit scaling, drawing units are changed, object tags, text and other annotation scaled objects now have the expected appearance and size relative to other objects.

In addition, many AutoCAD settings, such as linetype scale, are now properly modified when units are changed.

 
The bottom line is firms will be able to create more accurate construction documents with properly scaled tags, text and other annotation.

---

Shruti Harve, LEED AP

Ideate Senior AEC Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

What's New in AutoCAD MEP 2014: Saved by Zero! - Set to layer zero feature

AutoCAD MEP 2014 has some solid enhancements, one of them that will give companies and users additional control over consultant files is the ability to Set to layer zero command which modifies the definition of a selected block so all content objects are set to Layer 0.

Have you ever gotten a drawing from a consultant and wondered why the color of a block does not change as you expect it to? Most likely, the reason is that the components of the block are not on Layer 0. Layers that cannot be deleted, but are not apparently used, may also be due to this setting. MoveBlockToLayer0 will correct the definition of a block by changing all components with one click.

This new, timesaving command allows you to change the layer of all drawing entities to layer zero in a single click. You can also clean up drawings with objects on  unused layers by moving them to layer zero.

What is now done with a single click would previously require several actions: edit block reference > select all objects > set to Layer 0 > save changes.
This new enhanced Set by Zero drawing feature will:

• Improve block CAD standards
• Minimize errors resulting in objects on wrong layers
• Modify the definition of a selected block to layer zero
• Save time changing entities to layer zero

The bottom line is firms will be able to increase productivity and set drawing entities to layer zero in a single click.

---

Shruti Harve, LEED AP

Ideate Senior AEC Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

Fear, Uncertainty + Doubt in Buying

Have You Ever Been "FUDed"?

People say all is fair in business - win at all costs.  One strategy some competitors use is to confuse the buying/selling process through infusing fear, uncertainty and doubt into the buying/selling decision.  FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) is described as:

FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information. FUD is a manifestation of the appeal to fear. (Wikipedia).

The key part here is the phrase "appeal to fear".  Fear is the mortal enemy of a buying decision far more than pricing.  Some examples of FUD that might be said about you, by your competitors:

• You are going out of business (no money)
• You have lost a key member of the organization (can't deliver on promises)
• Individually (you have a drug/alcohol problem)

Do these tactics sound familiar?  Usually it leaves you confused as to 'why' would someone say that, and why is your potential/existing customer listening to such outrageous statements.

As we know, disproving a negative is nearly impossible.  How can I prove that my company is NOT going out of business -especially when so many businesses closed their doors overnight?

So, the question is - How do we (the FUDed party), deal with the FUD being thrown at us:

• First, don't be offended, it is probably a compliment to your competitive selling ability, and your company's products/services. The FUDder is desperate, and using risky, and despicable tactics.
• Stay calm, the more you profess your innocence/righteousness, the more you give some credence to the FUD statement.  The people who handle it the best, approach it in two possible ways.
• A hearty laugh and a clear statement of "does that sound logical to you" can often overcome/defeat the FUD statement.
• Sometimes a response of "what information/data can I provide that will reduce your fears" will help.  The key is your openness; it is a cure to the FUD virus.
• Whatever you do, do not throw FUD back!  First, your competition is probably better at FUDding that  you are, and in my experience "FUDders never win long term".  Yes, you may lose temporarily the customer, but you will more times than not get that customer back later on, when the customer determines the 'real' story.

 

It is a badge of courage to be FUDded !  Keep your head up, and your confidence strong.  Realize your competition is nervous  - YOU GOT THEM ON THE RUN !

---

David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

What's new in Revit Structure 2014: Structural Analytical Model Improvements

As you know, identifying and resolving issues such as unconnected beams, isolated nodes, and other inconsistencies, when transferring the Revit Structure model into a structural analysis program, is very important and yet time consuming and tricky. Revit Structure 2014 has some great new tools that will help with speedier resolution of these issues. These tools are:

By Default, each node now has a read only property which enables the user to see the connectivity of the node.

The standard Structural Template now contains 2 filters that will help with being able to easily identify issues with the Analytical Revit model

 
The Wall Adjustment tool now has improved functionality where in you can now also adjust analytical walls in relation to nodes of analytical floors and analytical foundation slabs

 

 

---

Shruti Harve, LEED AP

Ideate Senior AEC Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

Ideate BIMLink for Revit 2014 conquers Revisions!

We’ve had many Ideate BIMLink customers request access to the Revisions on Sheet properties. These properties allow the project team to identify, on a per sheet basis, whether the sheet is part of a particular issuance (Bid Set, Owner Review, Request for Information, Addendum, etc.). Without Ideate BIMLink using this Revit feature requires that the user select each Sheet and then pick to the “Revisions on Sheet” button and then check the box next to the relevant Revision Sequence – very tedious.

With Ideate BIMLink for Revit 2014.1 we now have access to the revision sequences so that all the sheets can be edited quickly, outside of the Revit environment, saving time and reducing liability. See how:


Download the latest version of Ideate BIMLink (note this feature is for 2014 only).

---

Glynnis Patterson is a registered architect and the Director of Software Development at Ideate, Inc.

Read More

Value Proposition - Why You Need ONE!

 

We all belong to a sales organization

 Often when this statement is made, there is a chorus of "No we are a service organization", or "We are doctors, lawyers, architects, etc."  This is simply not the complete story.  Something has to be sold, whether you are a charitable organization, provide services,  or Apple, Inc., there is a buyer and a seller.  The fact is:  If you work for yourself or work for Google, you are part of a selling organization.

This leads to the question - How do customers/clients make a buying decision?  Many firms will talk about their people, or that they went to school with the client, or other such things.  I agree these may be factors, as well as price can be a determining factor.  However, customers want to receive 'value'.  Value is defined as the relative worth of goods or services.
How do you position or define the 'value' of your goods or services?  A value proposition is the method of conveying your company's value.  What is a value proposition?  In essence, it is about turning a customer from 'saying so what' to 'gladly willing to spend money'.  Also a strong value proposition reduces 'price' as being the only determining factor.  When all things are perceived as equal, price will become the final determining factor.

 

Let us start with what value propositions are not:

• It is not featured based.  Our cellphone has a 4 mega-pixel lens.
• It is not only about price, I contend, value propositions have little to do with price.  Our hamburger is 49 cents.
• It is not about goals, philosophies, theories or concepts.  'We love our job' usually does not make a buyer decide.

In reality, it is all about faster, better, stronger.  This may seem obvious until you start listening to your company's marketing speech.  Does your company website, or company management, say:

• We are local, we have been in the area for over 50 years.
• We are known for our people.
• The new software lets you do the following feature.
• It is all about our philosophy.
• We are agents of change.

This all may well be true, but leads buyers to say "so what?"

 

How do you put together a value proposition and how should it be stated?

• Approach from the client's perspective - how can you make them faster, better, stronger.
• We provide process improvement that will save you time. 
• We provide multiple necessary steps of a process saving you the headache of coordination. 
• We deliver pizza in 30 minutes, guaranteed to be hot.
• State the information directly, don't be shy.  The client has a need and wants the answer.
• Our help desk will answer your question in under an hour.
• We can get your taxes done in 2 days, and we deal with the IRS with questions.
• Our trash bags are 15% stronger than the competition.
• Where should the value proposition be stated?
• On the front page of your website.
• Into the everyday 'speak' of your team.
• In every discussion with the customer.

Why do you need it?

• Your competition is talking about how they are better.  Your competition may even be using fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) to confuse the customer.
• It creates a differentiator for your company.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY -  The customer is trying  to solve problems and wants them solved FASTER, BETTER, and STRONGER.

---

David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

Classroom Training – Open Revit Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

8.27-29::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

9.11-13::Portland
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

9.23-25::San Francisco
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

 Know your software. Sign up now!

Read More

Ideate, Inc. Publishes New Study in Success Featuring Aurecon and Ideate BIMLink

SAN FRANCISCO, California – 8/22/2013 - Ideate, Inc., a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer and Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry with a special focus on Building Information Management (BIM), today announced the publication of its most recent Study in Success, “Aurecon Streamlines Seismic Mitigation Work with Ideate BIMLink.”

Ideate BIMLink customer Aurecon provides engineering, management and specialist technical services for public and private sector clients globally. In the wake of the especially devastating and costly earthquake of 2011, buildings throughout New Zealand are being upgraded and strengthened. The Study in Success explores ways Aurecon is using Ideate BIMLink as the firm designs buildings that employ the most effective known seismic mitigation technologies.  These technologies cushion seismic vibrations and allow a building to move during a seismic event with a minimum amount of damage to the building’s structural and architectural elements.

As the volume and complexity of data for such projects increase, the firm has needed a way to transfer data from an engineering spreadsheet into the Autodesk Revit model without having to transfer it over manually.

According to Clinton Maulder, Associate – Buildings, Aurecon, Wellington, New Zealand, “With manual entry, the engineer has to check against all the original source data. If there was a mistake and it wasn’t picked up in a manual check, there could be costly delays to remedy on site, or the structure might not perform as well as expected. If we eliminate as many opportunities for manual error as we possibly can, we minimize these risks.”

By using Ideate BIMLink, the firm has been able to calculate volumes of data and standardize parameter values in Microsoft Excel. Then, the verified data is pushed back into the Revit file. As Clinton Maulder explains, “Being able to effectively deal with source data and eliminate ‘double handling’ saved time and reduced the chance of errors.”

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says, “We are pleased that Ideate BIMLink has helped Aurecon enhance workflows in its vital seismic mitigation projects. Our software solutions stem directly from our customers’ need to overcome stumbling blocks. When we help customers manage data on a vast scale more easily, and when we facilitate the flow of information and collaboration between project stakeholders, our customers can then leverage BIM to its fullest advantage. We delight in their success.”

Ideate has published “Aurecon Streamlines Seismic Mitigation Work with Ideate BIMLink” online. Download the Study in Success at http://www.ideateinc.com/ideas/case.html.

About Ideate, Inc.
Ideate, Inc. is a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer with 25+ years’ experience in software development and specific focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and is an Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the AEC industry since 1992. Headquartered in San Francisco, California and operating five Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in the northwestern U.S., Ideate is recognized as an Autodesk Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk’s highest levels of authorization.

Ideate BIMLink lets users pull data from an Autodesk Revit file into user-friendly Microsoft Excel and push Excel data into Revit with equal ease.  www.ideatebimlink.com

Ideate Explorer for Revit is a simple, powerful Autodesk Revit add-on to explore, quantify and manage the 100,000+ building elements in a Revit model. www.ideateexplorer.com

Autodesk, ATC, and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Microsoft Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

###

Read More

eLearning – Upcoming Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 

8.26.13::Revit 201:
Revit MEP and Low Voltage Systems MEP

9.5.13::Civil 3D 201:
Section Sheets Code Set Styles

9.9.13::ISW 101:
Revit Auditing with Ideate Explorer for Revit

9.10.13::Revit 201:
Residential Construction in Revit Architecture

8.19.13::ISW 101:
Ideate BIMLink for RMEP Projects

9.11.13::ISW 101:
Revit Project Management with Ideate BIMLink

Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

Get It. Know It. Use It.

Read More

Are You Asking the Right Questions? Service Risk Mitigation

Risk exists in all things.   It is how we manage that risk that decides if we succeed or not.  Just because we can, does not mean we should.  We can drive down the freeway at 100 mph without a seat belt - but I think we agree it would be risky, and the outcome might well be disastrous.

RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities  (Wikipedia).

How does risk management apply to services?  Many do a 'pray and hope process' regarding possible risks.  Some do a 'how did we do it last time' methodology.  Some negotiate a fee and then work to fit the service within that fee. All of these options do little to mitigate risk. In fact, I believe they increase risk, by inducing a false sense of security or safety.

To mitigate risk, information/communication is the best approach.  Both receiving and delivering information is critical.  Two key parts (though not the complete answer) to risk mitigation are:

• Scoping
• Setting Expectations

SCOPING
This is an easy process to by-pass.  We have already had discussions with the customer, we don't want to seem un-knowledgeable, etc.  However, scoping is a very important part of risk mitigation and management. 

Scoping, or project scope statement, is the process of defining the who, what, where, how of the project.  In Project Management Professional (PMP) terms this process is the developing of a Baseline Scope. 

Here are my best practices in developing Scope:

• Always complete the scope in a document that is reviewed by the client.
• For best results, have the scoping conversation directly with the customer (face to face is better than phone).  Never do it via email.  Have the discussion with the decision maker, if other people are in the meeting (stakeholders, team members, etc.) that is good too, but sometimes hard to achieve.  Contract Manager, etc. are not good candidates - you need parties with domain expertise to provide input.
• Have an agenda - what items do you need to have input and confirmation upon.  It is your meeting - own it.
• Items on the agenda will vary, but some main items might include:
• What definable outcomes will make the project a success?
• What items will not be covered in this process - what will be provided by others.
• What are time, people, material constraints that are known?
• Ask precise, information gathering questions - reconfirm all you knew and now know.
• Get the draft document reviewed and approved by all prior to proceeding.
• This should all be done PRIOR to establishing the fee or budget.

SETTING EXPECTATIONS
This part of the process is rarely done enough.  Why bother to set expectations?  Won't the customer get upset if we set an expectation?  Risk mitigation is all about reducing risk, therefore, isn't there a reasonable risk the customer is expecting something different than you are proposing. 

What is included in 'setting expectations'?  It is a discussion that outlines what makes a successful project for the customer.

• What do they want to understand better
• What process will need to be implemented
• What workflow needs to be improved
• What are the possible blockages to success (corporate culture, etc.)

By discussing, and documenting, and getting agreement on what the customer expects in a definable way, many headaches that occur at the end of the service delivery are avoided.
There are many aspects to Risk Mitigation, however, Scoping and Setting Expectations is a good starting point, and where many service providers stumble.

---

David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

Annual Ideate BIMLink User Survey

Every year we reach out to our customer base to make sure we’re adding value with each iteration of Ideate BIMLink. Our development team just completed another point release for both 2013 (yes, you heard correctly – new features added to the old version!) and 2014. You can learn more about the improvements in our What’s New in Ideate BIMLink video.  

MORE IMPORTANTLY, you can make your voice heard for any new features you’d like to see. All existing Ideate BIMLink users should have received their user survey form via email on 14 August. Those who complete the survey are automatically entered into a drawing to win an iPad mini. The survey ends September 23rd, so if you haven’t filled yours out yet, take a few minutes and let us know what you’d like to see in the next version of Ideate BIMLink. The winner will be announced on August 27th.

If you are an Ideate BIMLink owner and have not received your survey, you can request a copy of the survey.

Read More

Ideate, Inc. Publishes New Study in Success Featuring HDR Wayfinding/Signage and Ideate BIMLink

SAN FRANCISCO, California – 8/15/2013 - Ideate, Inc., a leading Autodesk® Authorized Developer and Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry with a special focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM), today announced the publication of its latest Study in Success, “Ideate BIMLink Manages Seen and Unseen Data for HDR Wayfinding/Signage.”

Wayfinding presents significant challenges to planners who have to collaboratively identify logical traffic patterns, solve problems in architectural and urban spaces, and ultimately help people navigate unfamiliar environments. Immense amounts of disparate data have to be incorporated into BIM models that are primarily designed for other purposes.

The Study in Success explores ways the HDR Wayfinding/Signage studio is using Ideate BIMLink to manage the seen and unseen data in its BIM models. By using Ideate BIMLink, the HDR Wayfinding/Signage studio is enhancing workflows, making the best use of Revit- and non-Revit users’ time, and shaving from half to two-thirds the time required to create message schedules.

HDR is a global employee-owned firm of more than 7,500 AEC professionals in more than 185 locations. Rick Sorensen, Wayfinding/Signage, HDR, says, “With Ideate BIMLink, we can take full advantage of Excel’s capability to reveal multiple lines of data at once. We may not be able to see all the data in the model, but we can see it all in Excel.” Autodesk Revit-user Sorensen receives input from the non-Revit using members of the studio team in Excel. As a result, he does not have to spend a second thinking about model integrity. Instead, he tasks Ideate BIMLink with pushing the Excel-checked data back into the BIM model. The accuracy is reliable, and that contributes to even greater efficiency. Efficiency allows for a better end result and value to the owner.

Sorenson adds, “In the past, I would spend three days at a specific data management task that I can complete now in one-half to one-third the time. As for cost savings, we are limited on our hours per project. Anything that saves us time saves us money.”

Bob Palioca, President, Ideate Inc., says, “We are delighted that Ideate BIMLink, one of our Ideate developed software solutions, is creating a new workflow solution and contributing to the success of customers such as HDR. Our software development grew out of our desire to overcome gaps our customers faced repeatedly. We continue to improve the flow of information, facilitate collaboration between Revit and non-Revit users, and make data management on a vast scale much easier.”

Ideate has published “Ideate BIMLink Manages Seen and Unseen Data for HDR Wayfinding/Signage” online. Download the Study in Success at http://www.ideateinc.com/ideas/case.html.

About Ideate, Inc.
Ideate, Inc. is a leading Autodesk Authorized Developer with 25+ years’ experience in software development and specific focus on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and is an Autodesk solutions provider offering quality software, training, support and custom consulting services to the AEC industry since 1992. Headquartered in San Francisco, California and operating five Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in the northwestern U.S., Ideate is recognized as an Autodesk Gold Partner for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, one of Autodesk’s highest levels of authorization.
 
Ideate BIMLink lets users pull data from an Autodesk Revit file into user-friendly Microsoft Excel and push Excel data into Revit with equal ease.  www.ideatebimlink.com
 
Ideate Explorer for Revit is a simple, powerful Autodesk Revit add-on to explore, quantify and manage the 100,000+ building elements in a Revit model. www.ideateexplorer.com
 
Autodesk, ATC, and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Microsoft Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

###

Read More

Early Cost Estimating with Revit and Ideate BIMLink

Being able to provide early, high-quality cost estimates for Building Information Models (BIM) is an important aspect of integrated project delivery and is an invaluable service being offered by tech-saavy virtual design and construction firms.

Within the Revit model environment most cost estimating hinges upon the use of the Assembly Code field as the database “key” that connects the Revit model to the cost estimate, but managing that data can be cumbersome and up until now, an in-depth knowledge of Revit has been a requirement to manage this data.

With Ideate BIMLink access to this information is via Excel, so your cost estimating team can simply fill out the correct Assembly Code values in the spreadsheet and then return the file to the design team and have them import the assembly codes back into the Revit model objects. See how:

If you are using the assembly code data to facilitate your construction estimating (or specification processes) then using Ideate BIMLink to edit this data will return these benefits:

• You will save time because editing the information within Excel is significantly faster than within Revit, which does not allow copy/paste or other advanced editing methods. 
• You will also save time by editing all the information from a single source.  In Revit, multi-category schedule excludes walls, floors, ceilings, and other system family objects, so multiple exports are required. With Ideate BIMLink the mulit-category method extracts all the model data, as well as Design Option and Phasing information that may be crucial to the estimate.
• Ideate BIMLink lets you edit the data in Excel, so you’ll eliminate the need to train your estimators or specifiers on how to use Revit.

Having the one-to-one correspondence between your BIM data and your cost estimating is essential to stay on top of the game. Use Ideate BIMLink to quickly and easily manage your cost estimating data.

---

Glynnis Patterson is a registered architect and the Director of Software Development at Ideate, Inc. In a previous life Glynnis spent many hours looking at blueprints with a scale, highlighters, and a scratch pad to develop detailed cost estimates.

Read More

Classroom Training – Open Revit Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

8.12-14::San Francisco
Revit Structure Fundamentals

8.13-15::Portland
AutoCAD Fundamentals

8.19-20::San Francisco
3D Max Design for Architects

8.20-22::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

8.20-22::San Jose
Revit MEP Electrical Fundamentals

8.27-29::Seattle
Revit Architecture Fundamentals

 Know your software. Sign up now!

Read More

eLearning – Upcoming Classes

Join the Ideate Tech Experts for eLearning – live online classes that provide your entire organization with easy access to premium education. 

8.12.13::ISW 101:
Revit Auditing with Ideate Explorer for Revit

8.13.13::Revit 201:
View Properties:Controlling Visibility

8.15.13::Civil 3D 201:
Object & Label Styles

8.19.13::Civil 3D 201:
Working with ReCap

8.19.13::ISW 101:
Ideate BIMLink for RMEP Projects

8.20.13::Revit 201:
Impression in Revit

Each class is designed to give you specific, improved results in a particular topic. You can interact with the instructor right from your own office, while eliminating travel time. Because the class schedule rotates, you can easily select your topics of interest and choose the day which best meets your schedule.

Click here for class descriptions, times and registration link. Questions? Contact education@ideateinc.com

Get It. Know It. Use It.

Read More

Where Do We Stand? (Competitive Analysis)

Has your company ever done a proactive, unbiased review of where you stand in comparison to your competition? Not the usual "we are better because of our people" review, but a more analytical, comparative review.

Why, might you ask? In order to know where a company wants to go in the future we need to understand where we are right now. Usually, companies focus on what they want to do, not what they may be best at, or what others are better at.

An effective tool for understanding where the company stands, and where it might want to go, is a SWOT analysis:
 
SWOT Analysis is a structured planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. A SWOT analysis can be carried out for a product, place, industry or person. (Wikipedia).

When I was first introduced to SWOT, I asked myself "What benefit could my company receive - this is silly."  Over time and with a little practice, valuable information can be gained. Some feel SWOT is business school 101 stuff, but if thoughtfully done, SWOT brings insightful analysis.

The strongest benefit is that, done correctly, good business decisions (both strategic and tactical) can be achieved. These decisions and directions will be derived from a realistic view of your company's position in the marketplace.

First, the process:

1. Sit with a group of people, this can include customers, it is important to include many internal stakeholders (not just management people). Bring unbiased people to this discussion - you need a hard analytical look, not Pollyanna types.
2. Decide on SWOT topic (ex: your company, your competition, the key objective).
3. We use a white board divided into four quadrants.
4. Note the top half is about internal issues (strengths and weaknesses) and the bottom half is about external issues (opportunity and threats).
5. Be free form about putting things in each quadrant, just make sure the statement is really a strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat. Specific is better than general. Question if the statement is real, or what we wish it to be.

Examples:

1. Strength - great people   (way too general).
2. Weakness - not enough projects (that is more of a threat than a weakness).
3. Opportunity - there is a bond issue to create new infrastructure (great example)
4. Threat - competition (this can be a threat, it can also be an opportunity) - see below.

So here is an interesting thing you will find: There is a relationship, or correlation between the different quadrants.

Strengths can lead to opportunities, while weaknesses create threats (orange arrows).

Strengths reduce threats, while weaknesses, when corrected, can create new opportunities (yellow arrows).

Looking at the problem in a new way, brings new connections, new data to review, and maybe a new look at a familiar set of issues.

I have done SWOT analysis numerous times, and have found that it has been a valuable exercise, with new insights, new connections, and also the stakeholders are both engaged and educated.

---

David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Read More

Classroom Training – Open Revit Classes

Know It. Ideate Training.

Position yourself to land dream projects. Tap the full potential of your software solutions. Increase your facility, fluidity and capability to maximize the value of your precision software tools.

8.5-6::San Jose
AutoCAD Beyond the Basics

8.12-14::San Francisco
Revit Structure Fundamentals

8.13-15::Portland
AutoCAD Fundamentals

8.19-20::San Francisco
3ds Max Design for Architects

8.20-22::San Francisco
AutoCAD Fundamentals

8.20-22::San Jose
Revit MEP: Electrical Fundamentals

 Know your software. Sign up now!

Read More