DynaWorks16 Release

I've sufficiently recovered from RTC Australia, and now planning for RTCNA as well as doing a bunch of work for RTCAsia.

In the mean time I thought I would update DynaWorks to Navisworks 2016 since our license server was updated by IT this week.

So far reasonably smooth sailings, I was planning to do some enhancements, but I am lacking the time at this moment. However the upgrade looks like it has worked fine however if you encounter issues please let me know on Github.

So one bug I found when using it on Dynamo 0.7.6 build is it would only load the FileSettings and ClashDetection menus, however when you search for the commands they would appear, so if you encounter the same issue, I found upgrading to 0.8.0 stable build resolved that for me.

You can get DynaWorks16 from the package Manager.

Upgrading Custom Nodes & Definitions

Now one issue you will run into is upgrading your definitions & custom nodes to work with DynaWorks16. Since they are built on 15 and DynaWorks at the moment is still version specific you have 2 choices.

Rebuild your nodes one by one and save them under DynaWorks16...........or

Follow me to the hacky side of the BIM and get this running really quick.

Now I in no-way guarantee anything about this hack, but it has worked for me so far and it's far easier then rebuilding my nodes.

If it doesn't work for you I'm sorry.

Hack Upgrade Definitions

Ok so find your definition files (.dyn)

Make a copy of the file.

Open in Notepad

Dynamo definition files are xml encoded so they are human readable, now most of the time they are just referring to the nodes they use and where the file is based.

Go to Edit>Replace

Then swap out DynaWorks15 for DynaWorks16 then press save and close the file.

The definition should now work correctly in your project.

Hack Upgrade Custom Nodes

You can also do the same procedure with .dyf files, however I would suggest you create a new custom node in Dynamo, then open the the updates .dyf file and copy/paste the nodes into the new one.

Again be careful with these hacks guys, and if they break just do it the old way.

RTCAUS, RTCNA & RTCAsia!!!!

Hey Guys

Long Hiatus between blogs sorry, between really churning some cool jobs (I'll have some examples in upcoming blog posts.

Also happy to announce that I am presenting at both RTC AUS & RTC NA and have the honor of joining the RTC Committee for the first RTC in Asia. So we've been looking at the ton of talks we got (thanks to everyone we submitted) I thought we'd have about 6 to work with ;) But we ended up with over 100 which makes for some tough choices for a 2 day event.

Also South East Asia is a very different dynamic then Aus, Europe or USA construction economies and more in line with the Middle East, with expat groups doing alot of the technical & construction work requiring the use of BIM authoring software creates a great melting pot and mixing of cultures, as well as different adaption rates compared to the west. So should be some interesting topics for RTC to get such a large mix of people together for one event in Singapore. If you have no idea what I am talking about click here and stay tuned for updates!

Anyway I wanted to give a breakdown of the classes I will be doing at RTC AUS as well as forcing me to start blogging again!!!

Data to the Masses
This class is a 150 minute lab. It will cover how to turn your Desktop into a web server and create an interactive site for anyone internally to view and access custom charts, reports, lists, and other data all extracted directly from a Revit Model. We will use a cool database technology that has been stripped of all the junk that a full SQL Server system comes with, thereby minimizing headache's and getting started time.

After we've developed all the different data sources we will then setup interactive pages that will allow non Revit stakeholders to update equipment schedules, data and other fields and push that straight back into Revit. Very powerful stuff!!! And all the tech we will be using is FREE!!!

Now there will be a couple of basics covered, how to navigate basic HTML and how to write a simple SQL statements, but anyone with decent family formula skills will eat this stuff up!!! But yes I stand by my point you will not have to write 1 line of code :)




DynaWorks
This class should be explanatory, if your not sure refer to my last blog. We will go through from a brand new user perspective on how to access data, clashes and information from our Navisworks files using the Dynamo addin called DynaWorks. See how to extract and import all sorts of information from navisworks directly, no xml reports, or other translations and again the tool is FREE!!!

Definitely worth it if you want Revit/Navisworks to play better together and a great way to get your feet wet with Dynamo.

I have been meaning to update DynaWorks there are a couple of bugs, which I will have to fix and get out before RTC's!!! So this means your DynaWorks might even have less bugs in it!! :D

Builders Works
This one is a presentation on how we create that start from beyond concept models and continue to our construction team and sub-contractors. As a in-house Design, Turnkey Contractor and Operator our models directly effect our value chain and the bottom line be it with price, time or materials/labour. Our models are setup to work directly with our QS's, Planners BoQ requirements. We require full modelling of all temporary works for costing, planning and site egress safety.

This will cover a lot of the work flows we are employing that can be hindered by more conventional consulting/contractor arrangements that people place on the models, data in regards to use, access and liability.

Our supply chains, sub-contractors require different management and information and we will cover how we better control the output on site we get from them.

With a current Hotel only portfolio of over 17 Billion USD and growing by 5 facilities a year atm not including acquisitions, plus our 2000 acres of residential development and retail outlets we certainly have a lot of FM, which is a massive project that is undergoing a large transition over the next few years.