There are some new developments in software that has piqued my interest. AutoDesk has decided to get into the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) business. They have at some point recently introduced a product they call Fabrication. There is a specific version of this software called CAMduct which caught my interest. Included with the latest version of Revit is an export utility for creating files CAMduct can use.
Revit has never been particularly appealing. This is probably mostly because it isn’t very difficult to model on the fly. Most drawings are meant to be plotted out and used in a flat plan representational view, particularly in construction. Revit’s metaphor pretty much is intended to constrain the designer to use only elements clearly defined and inserted into a model in a manner which creates a solid unified representation of a building. Built into it are facilities for hierarchically organizing similar elements into families. So in order to use Revit properly much more stringent organization is necessary. Normally my approach is the good enough philosophy. AutoDesk’s ADT/MEP facilitates this rather well. Anytime a non standard item is required it is a simple matter of modeling it off in the margins, creating a block, and converting it to what they refer to as an MVPART. It is sloppy but, it is fast and convenient.
REVIT does not like the on the fly approach to model development. This structured way of modeling certainly is more accurate and the correct way to do things, however it is easy to be lazy, time is always a factor, and complicating methodology by adding steps to the process is annoying. However now there is a motivating factor, the ability to download the model to CAM software, Nest the resulting parts, and create the G-code required to cut out the ductwork in the design. This is cool for a variety of reasons. Its not on point so there is no point in delving into it. I have been modeling building and ductwork for over ten years now. For ten year prior to that all the drawings were 2-D. The old process required keeping it all in your head as you worked by building the thing in your mind and projecting it flat on a piece of paper. It was all there was and I got proficient with it. I still rely on this skill set and it probably affects my lazy approach to modeling.
This blog is intended for my own use. Lots of things drift through my head as new techniques and problems come my way. I can’t remember details of much of what has passed under the bridge. It is my objective to start to document things so in the future it can be referred back too. Drawing became tedious and boring over a decade ago. My interest in it only came back as a result of being able to model instead of draw. Modelling instead of drawing has been my approach for over ten years and now it is time to up the game since there is a reason to.
Revit is a in its essence a pure modeling approach. Frankly all the documentation I have seen takes a backwards approach. It is probably because I take a top down view of things. Without an overall purpose the details are just tedious and boring. My approach to things is to start with something that works and take it apart. Been doing it since childhood.
Top down
Attic view of prior project to be reproduced
Okay I needed a place to start. Not too long ago a fun project came across my board. It was a 18th century building being retrofitted with modern mechanical systems. It was originally a dormitory for an Indian School and is now used as an administrators office. It is a historical building and so everything had to be hidden as much as possible. It was complex for such a smallish structure. So as a project this will be the starting point for my exercise. The purpose will be to complete a model for this building. It will probably be a long process as I really don’t have time so dedicate to this it. It is simply an academic exercise to facilitate the understanding of the software.
Project so far
So far the outline of the building is done, the preliminary windows are done and a rough roof is placed. The foundation is incorrect, the windows are the wrong size and have no muntins and the roof is just plain wrong. what is right is the floor to floor dimensions, the levels, the floors are in the correct place.
This article is intended as an introduction to the blog thread I intent to create documenting the process of creating an accurate model of a fairly small but complex and sophisticated building. So far the goal has been established a rough outline started. When this project is completed my understanding of the tools required to properly model a BIM structure in REVIT that conforms to what is there verses what can be done out of the box should be better. Who knows maybe I’ll write a paper from my top down overview to the details perspective reversing the process. Maybe someone else like me will benefit.
