All Things BIM / DC

Scott Brisk in his AutoCAD MEP blog has a very good posting on the WAN Acceleration Hotfix. If you are using WAN Acceleration, then you definitely want to read his postings for forward it onto your IT group.

Dropbox is a new service (I believe it is still in beta) which provides a method that requires little to no effort to keep files on your desktop or laptop synced with other computers. Without going into a lot of detail, DropBox is essentially a folder on your machine (PC or Mac). You can then add additional folders and files to the DropBox folder and any changes that you make (add, edit, copy, delete, rename, etc) will automatically be synced to the DropBox server. Rather than doing a very poor description of what DropBix can do, view the screencast here about the produvt. And thanks to Phil Read for pointing out this service to me.

My girlfriend is a member of CERT (no clue what it stands for) and is involved in emergency response situations and she provided me with this information on planning a disaster plan for your family (No Mira I have not done one for myself). And if you are in the Kansas City area, participants willing to play "victims" in a disaster drill are needed. There is a great deal of information and many resources available at http://www.preparemetrokc.org/ If you have not put together you family’s disaster plan, just click on “Make a plan” and it will lead you through the process. Disaster Drill Need more Participants Also we still have need for more participants to take part in the Disaster scenario on September 27th. If you have not yet signed up, please consider joining us. Capt. Sanches has put together a great exercise. We will meet for an orientation and briefing to the exercise at Fire Admin, 1225 S. Hamilton Circle, at noon that day. The exercise will then be held at the old L

As a BIM Manager, I am always looking for a simple (Phil would say "elegent") solutions to day-to-day problems. Training is a huge problem and I have yet to find a elegent canned solution. But there are some good resources that can be leveraged. One of those resources is from AUGI. The AUGI Training Program offers some free classes and the new September classes have begun. They are: ATP215 - Intermediate Revit Structure.The second of three, this course teaches the intermediate functionality of Revit Structure. ATP226 - Revit Architecture 2009 to 3ds MAX Design 2009 - FastTrack.In this session you will learn how data moves from Revit into 3ds Max. ATP231 - AutoCAD Electrical fourth level.This class will show you how to create additional panel layouts, start from a panel and insert components and nameplates. Assign panel footprints, insert DIN rails and terminal strips and foot print balloon insertion to document your panel layouts. For more information, visit the AUGI Training

As I am sure most of you know, a couple of the Autodesk resellers are developing custom tools for Revit and providing them to you at no charge. Yes you will have to register and yes a salesperson will probably call you, but some of these tools are useful. Imaginit is now doing this and offering their first tool, Revit Global Light Utility for Max . I have not used this tool but would be interested in getting any feedback from anyone who has. And be sure to visit Avatech for their free Revit Utilities. About the Revit Global Light Utility for Max (from the Imaginit site) This utility for 3ds Max, developed by IMAGINiT Technologies, globally turns ON lights coming from Revit. (These light are OFF by default from Revit.) In addition to 'All ON/All OFF', the utility allows you to separate each specific kind of light (Daylight, Photometric, etc.) or Selected Lights. The powerful combination of Revit® Architecture and 3ds Max® Design enables designers to extend the building informa

Ran across this tutorial on the Configuring Revit Structure to Calculate Steel Tonnages on the Connected blog by Jason Pratt, Mike Gemmell and Rick Crider (all of Autodesk). First time I have seen the blog and this is a great tip for Revit Structure users.

For those that don't know, I joined the Harley Davidson Owner's Cult a few years ago when I purchased my Sportster. I am now riding a Road King and I really enjoy group rides and there are none bigger in Kansas City than the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies annual ride. For those that are interested, here the information about the ride. 14th Annual March of Dimes Bikers for Babies presented by Farmers Insurance Sunday, September 14 Kansas Speedway Kansas City, KS Registration opens at 8 a.m. - register and ride! Opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. Join thousands of motorcycle riders in the largest, most successful Bikers for Babies event in the nation! Proceeds support the March of Dimes mission to give all babies a healthy start. Participants will receive a commemorative pin and patch; enjoy a 75-mile all-Kansas ride; complimentary lunch by Hooters; admission to a dealers’ expo and bike show; and live music. Avoid the event-day lines and pre-register at one of eight area locations

Mike Hacker has setup an interesting Revit Structure blog that is definitely worth checking out.

Registration for AU 2008 has already begun and of course I am more than a little late in posting the course listings. Personally, I am both pleased and disappointed with the classes offered this year. I am glad that we are getting some new content. This will be my fourth AU and it seems like the majority of the classes each year are repeats. I am disappointed because there is a definite lack of Advanced classes this year and some of the "seasoned" AU speakers that have a wealth of knowledge are not speaking this year. Personally, I am not concerned Phil Read is not speaking (I hear him probably 6 days a week), but James V. from SOM has a lot of knowledge and always puts on a great class. He is just one of many. Ok, I will get off my soapbox now. Below is the Power Track for Building Design. For me, the one class that is an absolute must is SE0404-1P Horrible Hacks. Class will be taught by Steve Mintz of Autodesk Consulting. Really bright guy and this is a class you have to at