Revit Launcher

Download here

This program is used to create a local file automatically, open the file in Revit with the option to Specify worksets, Detach from central, etc.
The Revit Launcher.exe can be placed in the same folder as the central file, but I would recommend putting it in one location on your network.
If you place it on your network you will then need to create a shortcut to this file. After you create the shortcut go to the properties, the target should already be pointing to the location of the Revit Launcher.exe, Start In needs to be the path to the central file, be sure to put quotes around the path.

There can only be one Revit file in this folder.
The name of the central file must be XXXXX #VV Central.rvt, where XXXXX can be anything of any length, # is the discipline
(A, S or MEP, where the 3 letters in MEP can be expressed in any order) and VV is the version number
The spaces shown in the filename can be any character you want, including a space.
So 123456789 Project_A08-Central.rvt would work the same as 123456789-Project-A08_Central.rvt
The following dialog will come up when the shortcut is double clicked.

From here you can select the discipline of Revit you want to use, 64 or 32 bit Revit, if you want to open all worksets (default), Specify Worksets, Detach from central, Only open Revit or Only Create Local File.
If you click on the Advanced tab you can see how much RAM is installed in the machine and the size of the central file.

When you click OK a local file will be created in C:\Revit Local Files\XXXXX Where XXXXX is the first portion of the central files name
The local file will be renamed to remove Central and add the current users username
If a local file already exists it will be moved to C:\Revit Local Files\Archive
If an archive exists it will be moved to the Recycle Bin first
The program automatically opens the correct version of Revit based upon the version number in the filename (works for 2008 and up)
If the central file is named incorrectly or there are more than one Revit files in the folder, or if the correct version/discipline of Revit is not installed a error message will be displayed.
The local file is then opened automatically with whatever workset option you have selected or detaches from central if the option is selected
The warning about copying the local file is automatically dismissed
The worksharing monitor will be automatically opened if it is installed
The program is compatible with XP, XP64, Vista and Vista 64
Currently compatible with Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2008/2009 64 and 32 Bit
I will be updating for Revit 2010 when it is released
The script can be terminated at any time by pressing Win+X
You can also change the defaults through the shortcut, for example you can add this to the end of the target in the shortcut: Specify S 09, every time someone clicks this shortcut now it will default to specify worksets, open with Revit Structure 2009. On most projects we do not use specify worksets, this is why the default is open all, for large projects I just change the shortcut to specify. Some projects have Architecture and Structure in one file, so I have two shortcuts to open the same file but one opens with arch, the other with structure.
I'm open to any improvements!
UPDATE I have added the ability to change the username in the advanced tab and the script now checks to see if there is a recovery file in the local folder, if there is it gives you the option to open the recovery file or create a new one.
UPDATE 4/20/09 Now works with Revit 2010
UPDATE 6/2/10 Now works with Revit 2011, added function to repair common Revit problems by pressing Ctrl + R when launcher window is open, you can also view a list of variable by pressing Win + V
UPDATE 6/11/10 MAJOR update for 2011, now works with addins!

This program is used to create a local file automatically, open the file in Revit with the option to Specify worksets, Detach from central, etc.
The Revit Launcher.exe can be placed in the same folder as the central file, but I would recommend putting it in one location on your network.
If you place it on your network you will then need to create a shortcut to this file. After you create the shortcut go to the properties, the target should already be pointing to the location of the Revit Launcher.exe, Start In needs to be the path to the central file, be sure to put quotes around the path.

There can only be one Revit file in this folder.
The name of the central file must be XXXXX #VV Central.rvt, where XXXXX can be anything of any length, # is the discipline
(A, S or MEP, where the 3 letters in MEP can be expressed in any order) and VV is the version number
The spaces shown in the filename can be any character you want, including a space.
So 123456789 Project_A08-Central.rvt would work the same as 123456789-Project-A08_Central.rvt
The following dialog will come up when the shortcut is double clicked.

From here you can select the discipline of Revit you want to use, 64 or 32 bit Revit, if you want to open all worksets (default), Specify Worksets, Detach from central, Only open Revit or Only Create Local File.
If you click on the Advanced tab you can see how much RAM is installed in the machine and the size of the central file.

When you click OK a local file will be created in C:\Revit Local Files\XXXXX Where XXXXX is the first portion of the central files name
The local file will be renamed to remove Central and add the current users username
If a local file already exists it will be moved to C:\Revit Local Files\Archive
If an archive exists it will be moved to the Recycle Bin first
The program automatically opens the correct version of Revit based upon the version number in the filename (works for 2008 and up)
If the central file is named incorrectly or there are more than one Revit files in the folder, or if the correct version/discipline of Revit is not installed a error message will be displayed.
The local file is then opened automatically with whatever workset option you have selected or detaches from central if the option is selected
The warning about copying the local file is automatically dismissed
The worksharing monitor will be automatically opened if it is installed
The program is compatible with XP, XP64, Vista and Vista 64
Currently compatible with Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2010/2011 64 and 32 Bit
I will be updating for Revit 2012 when it is released
The script can be terminated at any time by pressing Win+X
You can also change the defaults through the shortcut, for example you can add this to the end of the target in the shortcut: Specify S 09, every time someone clicks this shortcut now it will default to specify worksets, open with Revit Structure 2009. On most projects we do not use specify worksets, this is why the default is open all, for large projects I just change the shortcut to specify. Some projects have Architecture and Structure in one file, so I have two shortcuts to open the same file but one opens with arch, the other with structure.
I'm open to any improvements!
UPDATE I have added the ability to change the username in the advanced tab and the script now checks to see if there is a recovery file in the local folder, if there is it gives you the option to open the recovery file or create a new one.
UPDATE 4/20/09 Now works with Revit 2010
UPDATE 6/2/10 Now works with Revit 2011, added function to repair common Revit problems by pressing Ctrl + R when launcher window is open, you can also view a list of variable by pressing Win + V
UPDATE 6/11/10 MAJOR update for 2011, now works with addins!

Links to files updated

I had previously hosted my files on AUGI, now that this is gone I have moved my files to dropbox, I have updated the original posts with new links and below are the links all together
Navisworks Revit Grid Family – see this post
Navisworks Search Sets xml file I never posted this to the blog before, only on AUGI. This can be imported into Navisworks to bring in predefined search sets that correlate with Revit categories, AutoCAD MEP, Tekla, AutoSprink, etc. I’m always adding to this as I get different files types. If you have more to add please let me know so we can add to this master file.
Revit Launcher – This is another utility I only posted on AUGI, see this post

Navisworks User Survey

If you’re interested in providing feedback to Autodesk about Navisworks keep reading…

The Navisworks team are currently running an online user survey to gain your feedback. It’s an opportunity to let us know how satisfied you are with the current product, and to highlight functionality that you would like to see improved or introduced. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and your input is greatly appreciated!

To access the survey click here: http://tinyurl.com/navisworksusersurvey

Troubled Times for AUGI

As you’re probably aware by now AUGI is going through a very rough period; you can read more here…

Dave B’s comments on disappointing a community

Steve’s thoughts

Phil Read has started a petition to spill the board of AUGI, if you’re disgusted with what has gone on I recommend you sign this and pass it on; I have.

Petition to spill the board of AUGI

For those of you looking for old data from AUGI, you can use google’s cache feature for now.

Go here, add your search term after this site:forums.augi.com, then click the Cached link

I will be mining some of my more ‘valuable’ posts from this and posting them on my blog in the near future and hosting any files I’ve posted to dropbox.

It will be interesting to see if users abandon AUGI after this, I hope it’s not the case. I will continue my support being a moderator; but I do believe it’s time for a change in the guard.

AU bound

I'll be off to AU soon with 3 others from Neenan. If I make it in time I will be at the bloggers social tonight/AEC mixer/the lounge if you want to get together.

I just downloaded mastering REVIT arch to my iPad/kindle, maybe I will actually read it now that I don't have to carry around that Cinderblock of a book


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2011…move along folks, nothing to see here

I’ve been patiently waiting for a new release of QTO, which finally came out yesterday; a mere 7 months off of Autodesk’s release cycle for the rest of their software. I figured they must be doing great things with all the time they’ve had to work on the product right?

Well, not so much. The only notable new feature is takeoff coloring of the model. The rest doesn’t get me excited, which you can see here http://doddsandends.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/autodesk-quantity-takeoff-2011-released.html (sorry Jason)

3D is still unusable for the most part, none of the navigation tools have been brought over from design review. No sectioning, walking, hiding, etc. No split screen, can’t have multiple documents open. Still can’t total your quantities inside qto.

All that said, it is still a good program and we will continue to utilize it, I just needed to express my disappointment in the development of the product.

Scan to BIM

I haven’t seen this posted anywhere else besides a tweet that Beau sent out the other day. This is too exciting to not be talked about.

This should help reduce the cost of laser scanning since previously you generally had to rely on the scanning company to convert the point cloud to a model in AutoCAD. I have not tried it yet so I can’t speak to it’s usability but I am excited to find a project to use it on.

http://www.avatech.com/solutions/building-design/product-details.aspx?product=90

The Scan to BIM software add-in takes the ordeal out of the process of getting 3D laser scanning data into Revit. It enables you to import point clouds directly into Revit, visualize them directly in Revit, and interact directly in Revit with automated recognition and placement of walls and openings, as well as pipes and ducts.

Back in action

I just signed up for the blogger social event at AU and realized I haven’t posted since March (my jaw dropped a little when I saw that) I must admit I had lost my motivation towards BIM and it was a rough year while I tried to find my path in life. Some of you know that I found a deep passion for photography and this overtook my life; it was all I could think about and nothing else mattered. I couldn’t see balancing work life with my newly found purpose.

Recently I went through Dale Carnegie Training, which Darren Lewis explains nicely in his blog post How to be human.  This really awakened me and revitalized my passions for life in general. I have re-dedicated myself to BIM and am very excited for the coming year.

My focus will be helping implement Lean construction methodologies with BIM and really changing our entire process rather than simply inserting BIM into the same old processes. We continue to bring in lots of work at Neenan despite the economy, which speaks volumes of how great this company already is; I’m excited about the potential this company has.

Soon I’ll be posting about what we’re doing with Vela in the field using iPads on the jobsite amongst other things. No real content in this post, just a reintroduction to get myself motivated to post again. For those of you going, I look forward to seeing you at AU!

p.s. for those of you interested I am still fully immersed in photography as well and am selling my work for install in commercial/residential buildings. If you have any connections with interior designers I would appreciate you forwarding my contact info on! We just finished an install in one of our medical buildings which you can  see on my other blog www.kinghamphotographyblog.com and you can see my work at www.kinghamphotography.com

QTO

Oops Jason already posted my last tip on his blog last year, and I’m even subscribed to his blog…oh well. Maybe this will help raise the awareness of QTO.

So far I’ve found Jason’s blog:

dODDS and Ends

and…

Autodesk QTO Users Group

last and never least…

AUGI Quantity Takeoff Forum

Anyone else have any good QTO resources?

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff and Windows 7

In Windows 7 you will receive the following error when attempting to open a file in QTO

Fortunately Autodesk support was extremely fast to respond (3 hours) with this solution:

The ADOX file is a file required for VBA applications that the 2010 QTO installer does not install into Windows 7. A manual copy of the Vista version of this file into the program should correct this issue. You will need Administrator rights to perform this operation. Here is a process for you to try:

Copy and install the ADOX file:

1.) Close Quantity Takeoff.

2.) Locate the following path\file on the install DVD: \x86\Autodesk\QTO\Vista\ADOX.DLL

3.) Copy the ADOX.DLL file to the installed QTO directory:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010\

4.) Restart QTO.

5.) Open a new or existing project.