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The Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC) identifies and develops information on the business of architecture for use by the profession to maintain and improve the quality of the professional and business environment.  The PMKC initiates programs, provides content and serves as a resource to other knowledge communities, and acts as experts on AIA Institute programs and policies that pertain to a wide variety of business practices and trends.

    

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What are you using to manage details in Revit?

  • 1.  What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-23-2016 09:55 PM

    I would like to ask my colleagues what products or system you might be using to maintain a detail library within Revit? My previous firm had a pretty slick tool for AutoCAD where we could search from thumbnails organized in Uniformat and choose to insert, modify or xref a detail on the fly then select an insertion point, etc.

    With Revit, we find ourselves regressing back into the dark ages or, at least the late 80's :- ) looking for a previous project with a similar detail. This is particularly difficult with new employees coming aboard who do not have legacy project knowledge. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.

    ------------------------------
    Gordon Rogers AIA
    EAS Department Executive
    Kitchell CEM, Inc.
    Phoenix AZ
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-23-2016 11:18 PM

    My company uses "Unifi" for management of Revit content, but I believe it can also catalog details by creating a Library.

    http://revitaddons.blogspot.com/2014/08/unifi-for-revit-discover-better-way-to.html

    ------------------------------
    Mike Leinback AIA
    Senior Project Manager
    Dewberry
    Dallas TX



  • 3.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-24-2016 06:07 PM
    We first computerized our drawings in 1981. There were no databases that one could buy, or manufacturer drawings that one could download and insert, as there was no internet at that time. So we had to create and en tire data base. If we needed a door, we created all doors. If we needed a window, we did all windows. These were in symbols (now blocks in AutoCad). All symbols were cataloged in CSI MasterFormat numbering system. For instance, wall sections can be fully drawn and noted in as little as 2 hours for a one to 3 story building because all of the parts that one would need can be called in: the roof insulation is a symbol in section, same for all types of roof decking, if a steel building, all shapes are in section and 4' long elevation, masonry shapes are in individually and in pre-assembled heights in section (2', 4', 8'), the same for pre-assembled sections of wood stud and metal stud walls, foundation slabs, grade beams and footings the same. Drawing is more a matter of selecting from a kit of parts and assembling them. Most of the drawing we do now is of plans and elevations, not sections or details.

    When details were done, they were done the same way, by Masterformat numbering system applied creatively. For instance, door details are numbered by division number, then wall type, then frame type, then door type in an 8 digit numbering system. Details were developed for database first, them the drawing sheet mocked up with database details. In effect, the data is "atomized" and then re-assembled for each job. If the specific door detail does not exist, then an existing one that is close will be edited to suit the project - but it goes to database first, then to the project. Consequently, the database grows and the project can be fully detailed without taking short-cuts as was done on hand drawings. On door details, each and every detail can afford to be drawn, and instead of taking 40 to 50 man hours per sheet, 2 to 3 hours per sheet is now the norm.

    We were able to port over our database when we changed to AutoCad in 1996, and we will move it again, because we are NOT going to utilize /contract with a new partner by the name of AutoCad, paying them a monthly stipend to access the "cloud" (someone else's computer) regardless of the state of our business. The writers of software have contempt for their customers and continuously alter file formats on supposed "upgrades" that attempt to negate the validity of the database, when in fact, the database is worth much more than the software if it is organized properly. We are still using details that we originally developed circa and subsequent to 1981, because they are still valid and they are accessible, no thanks to the writers of the software.

    We don't use Revit, because it is a database managed by someone else not under our control.

    Ladd P. Ehlinger, AIA





  • 4.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-25-2016 05:47 PM

    My firm uses Family Browser, which is a Revit app developed by a third party – Kiwi Codes. We have a BIM Manager who oversees the organization and application for this software. It takes a lot of time to implement, especially in the beginning. But if you develop a good process for naming, organizing, and updating your content and take the time to harvest the details and components you need, the browser can be very useful. The time and attention that it takes to manage the browser content has been our biggest limitation for making it as robust and as useful as we want it to be.

     

    Leslie Thompson  | Practice Coordinator

     

    Hnedak Bobo Group

    Architecture · Interiors · Project and Development Management

     

    p 901.577.0544   f 901.525.2570    lthompson@hbginc.com

     

    www.hbginc.com

     


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  • 5.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-25-2016 06:01 PM
    there ought to be more  of  this  thoughtful reaction and resistance to the  tyranny of  revit.





  • 6.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-26-2016 09:17 PM

    What is the alternative? 






  • 7.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-25-2016 08:30 PM
    Well said. Stand your ground and don't give in. 

    Oh, can you send my contact info to your clients please?

     Give up my 4h lead!?! Never!!!

    Respectfully,

    Clint Newton III, CSI, LEED AP BD&C
    Project Manager

    Spillman Farmer Architects
    1720 Spillman Drive, Suite 200
    Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015-2169
    Tel: 610.865.2621 Fax: 610.865.3236
    www.spillmanfarmer.com





  • 8.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-27-2016 11:29 AM

    Ok as I said in a private email to one of the posters,

    I'm a single person firm who has made the transition from pencil on velum, to ACAD, to ADT, to Acad Architecture, and now Revit. I don't understand these statements. Could you please elaborate?

    I'll be the first to admit that the learning curves and adjustments one has to make to ones' business with each transition are a bear. At times just about intolerable. But I do like the rewards I've reaped at the end of each transition.

    In this day and age, in order to compete against non architects offering cheaper "design services", "drafting services", ect..., I need every advantage I can get.

    ------------------------------
    Rudolph M Beuc III, AIA, CBO,
    Architect
    R. Beuc Architects
    Saint Louis MO



  • 9.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-26-2016 10:08 AM

    Ladd Ehlinger stated, "The writers of software have contempt for their customers . . ."

    I have felt this same way about AutoDesk for about 15 years.  In particular, with REVIT, I realize AutoCad bought this product and did not develop it, but it is very frustrating that one cannot use REVIT by relying on their experience with AutoCad.  If they really wanted me to use REVIT, most of my AutoCad skills should be transferable to the newer program.

    ------------------------------
    Robert Smith AIA
    Architect, AIA, LEED AP
    Talley & Smith Architecture, Inc.
    Shelby NC



  • 10.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-27-2016 08:04 AM

    To the question of managing details in Revit.

    We have set up folders in another drive in our company server.  It is set up just like the Revit family folder.  We save only the basics in the folders.  Anytime we need something different of special, we go to the internet.  Most products out there have Revit or Autocad products.  If none of those fit our needs, we just model it.  

    Regarding Autocad, Revit, etc.   I started in Autocad in 1982; went to 100% Revit in 2004 and never looked back.  The annual subscription fees are hard to choke down, but we have gained 100%-150% efficiency with Revit over Autocad.  In addition, Revit is fun to work in.  

    ------------------------------
    Michael Clark AIA
    Director Of Design
    H&H Design-Build
    New Albany IN



  • 11.  RE: What are you using to manage details in Revit?

    Posted 08-29-2016 09:51 PM

    Thank you all for your insight. There were some very helpful suggestions made for detail management. I realize architects come in all shapes, sizes or flavors and didn't mean to be presumptuous in making the assumption that each of us have thoughtfully chosen the tools our individual firms utilize to produce documents.

    ------------------------------
    Gordon Rogers AIA
    EAS Department Executive
    Kitchell CEM, Inc.
    Phoenix AZ