"Magic Mouse"

A cool invention - imagine building a model using this...

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Revit Architecture for Builders

The Revit Architecture package has been sitting on my desk, collecting dust, for the past few months. Yesterday, I finally had some time to open it up, install it and test it out. It seems that most of the new features facilitate documentation, but there are a few that I am particularly excited about.

Scheduling Wall Sweeps
Finally! I am so sick of modeling wall sweeps for aesthetics and not being able to get any quantities.

Openings in Structural Beams, Braces & Columns
This really facilitates our MEP coordination process. Now, when the solution to a clash is to cut a penetration in the beam, we can actually model it!

Multiple Sloping in Slabs, Roofs and Floors
This improves the accuracy of our modeling to better support quantity takeoff, MEP coordination and as-built documentation.

Improvements with Linked Models
This is great for us. Every one of our projects requires linked files because we model each discipline in a different file. Improved use of linked files makes life a lot easier.

I'm excited to see Autodesk supporting our efforts to accurately and realistically model buildings. Now they need to support our efforts to accurately depict the construction process. I'm hoping for improvements to phasing in the near future.

Value of a Model

Last week, we received a call from a BIM-savvy architect regarding the following scenario:

They are utilizing Revit to create architectural & structural construction documents for a large project they are working on. The owner of the project didn't ask for BIM or Revit; the architect is just using it because they believe it will create some value; although, at this point, they (much like most implementing firms - A/E and GC alike) have put more into training, software and hardware than the have received in benefits.
The GC on the project recently contacted them to ask if they could purchase the model.

The architect contacted us for input on how to determine the value of the model. In our conversation, we came up with several definitions for the value of the model.

• The difference (in cost) between creating CDs utilizing AutoCAD and creating CDs utilizing Autodesk Revit
• The cost of having a 2D conversion done on the specific documents
  

Does this bring up the question of who owns the model? Should a GC even have to purchase a model?