Get Your BIM Content in ShapeBest Practices & Lessons Learned

Tweet @UNIFILabs with #HRUG

Steve GermanoDirector of StrategyUNIFI Labssteve.germano@unifilabs.com@SG_MontanaBound

• 7 years Design Technology at top 20 MEP firm• HVAC Design Engineer• Design Technology & AR Enthusiast• Worked on BIM standards bodies – BICSI / ADSK RMSG /

InfoCOMM• Revit Gunslinger 5 yrs• Special Projects – Revit MEP / Revit Server• Worked with hundreds of firms in the AECO/M space to

develop scalable BIM strategies

UNIFIContent

ManagementSource control your content to ensure everyone is working on

the same page – anywhere,

anytime.

UNIFICreate

Content creation experts who act as an extension of your

team to rapidly build content to fit your specific needs.

UNIFIConnect

Unites high quality manufacturer content with

AECO libraries and models to consolidate content needs.

UNIFI – What We Offer

UNIFI provides a comprehensive platform to create, manage and analyze BIM content within your organization and across the entire building

lifecycle.

Hundreds of leading AECO firms use UNIFI to manage their content libraries & find quality manufacturer BIM content, including 7 of the 10

world’s largest design firms.

Market Leader

These firms are BIM adopters and allow only high quality content into their models.

100Kper month

Deployed Globally

70countries

Searches

50Kper month

Insertions

6.25M

Total Content

Global Usage

Overview

• Identifying a content management strategy that works for your firm

• Implementing the strategy leveraging best practices

• Maintaining libraries to maximize your firm’s BIM investment

CONTENT LIBRARYHow valuable is our content library to my firm’s bottom line? Should we be investing in our internal content libraries?

BUSINESS VALUEHow can we put an actual business value on improving & managing our BIM content? How do I convey the value to management?

MEASUREMENTHow do we measure the impact content really has on our teams productivity? How can I objectively quantify content efficiencies?

Common Content Questions

Content: It’s More than Families

Loadable Families(.rfa’s & or TC’s)

System Families(Duct/Pipe/Wall/

Floors)

Schedules

Details / Detail Library (Drafting

Views)

The Connectivity of Content

Data + Geometry

Revit Project

Project Template / Container File

• View Templates & Sub Cats• Schedules & Shared

Params• Systems & Project Params• Detail Items & Details

*Billable cost assumes $200,000 per annual Full Time Employee.

GOOD CONTENTEasy to find, place; quick to

document, schedule, coordinate

BAD CONTENTHard to find, near impossible to place;

does not document, schedule or coordinate correctly and is a hidden time

bomb!

Time Cost to Firm: 2 mins

End Result: Successfully document content

Billable Cost to Firm*:

Place Good Piece:$3.40

Time Cost to Firm: 20 mins

End Results: Crashed Revit project downtime 3 hours x 10

users

Billable Cost to Firm*:Place: $33.80 + Crash: $3,036.50 +

Project Fix: $300.00 + Place Good Piece: $3.40

$3,373.70

The True Cost of Bad Content

We can clearly see the value of “good content” to a design firm invested in BIM

Identifying the RIGHT Content Strategy

UNIFI Blog Post: http://unifilabs.com/unifi-content-library-strategies/

What are the key areas to consider for a content strategy for my firm?

#1: Library Naming Strategy

Region Country Language Units

Recommended Optional

Sector Discipline

Discouraged

Content Descriptor

Optional

Library naming conventions are KEY to routing users to the right content quickly!

AMR_USA_ENG_I_Library

Example:

ArchitecturalAnnotationsDoorsWindows….

Electrical….

AMR_CAN_FRE_M_LibraryArchitecturalElectricalMechanicalPlumbingStructural

Library Naming Schema Example:

#1: Library Naming StrategyInternational Firm Example:

The bigger the firm the more complex the strategy

#2: Family Naming Convention

Keep it simple - always think of how it will be displayed in the Revit project browser.

Revit Browser = Alphanumerical Methods I have seen used

successfully:<2 digit code (MasterSpec/OmniClass)>_<Description>

<Functional Type>_<Subtype>_<Manufacturer>_<Descriptor1>

Check out these standards & utilities:• ECMS – EU MEP content

standard (pg7)• NLRS – Dutch Revit

Standard• ANZRS – Australia + New

Zealand standard

Bulk File Utility (FREE) - http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

**TIP: Add a 2 digit spec code to the beginning of any “standard” you decide to settle on.

#3: Shared Parameters

No trivial task, and NO ONE has a perfect library - don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.

Consolidate / Compare / Clean Library

• Create a single Shared Parameter File• Consolidate from across the company

• Verify against all Company Schedules• Load all schedules into single file & verify GUIDs

• Verify all content includes the correct SP’s!• Sweep through one category at a time• Don’t get discouraged!• Create a BIM leadership team to spread out the work• USE TOOLS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT!• Many parameter editors available • Rushforth tools• UNIFI Library Audits• Move content from WIP to Approved over time

AMR_USA_ENG_I_Library (Approved)

AMR_USA_ENG_I_Library (WIP)

#4: Team Access

Ease of Use | Cost | Value = Time Savings | Scalability | Deployment | Maintenance

Make it as fast and easy as possible

Do It Yourself Content Management Apps

• Windows Folder Structure (shared network drive - most common starting point)

• Custom API options

• CTC BIM List• Family Manager Basic• Spectrum BIM• Content Studio• Autodesk Vault• UNIFI

A Look Into UNIFI

Organize Access Manage CreateShare

UNIFI provides the most comprehensivecontent management & collaboration solution used across the building lifecycle

UNIFI CONTENT MANAGEMENT

Source control your content to ensure everyone is working on the same page – anywhere, anytime.• Fast: Search and insert in under a second, plus meta-data enhanced searches and collections

• Secure: Securely share libraries with external consultants and partners for joint projects and other needs

• Insights: Management and analytic tools provide controls, raise efficiency and identify areas for improvement

UNIFI Content Management is the premier solution for AECOs across the world - 7 out the 10 leading architecture firms use UNIFI.

UNIFI CREATE

Content creation experts who act as an extension of your team to rapidly build content to fit your specific needs.• Fit: Get content tailored to unique product specifications and firm-specific standards

• Ease of Use: Submit requests and receive content directly through the UNIFI platform

• Fast: Rapid delivery of content requests through the UNIFI platform allows your firm to focus resources more efficiently

We’ve built thousands of pieces of content for hundreds of organizations across the building lifecycle. Let us create content the way you need it, when

you want it.

Strategic Revit Content Library Topics Covered in Free 1 Hour Consultation:

Revit Content Library Summary Live Review of Some Content Areas for Potential Improvement

- Update Family & Type Naming- Nested Family Naming & Use- Parameter Naming- Shared Parameters- Subcategories- Visibility Settings- Warnings Review- Imported CAD data- Materials/Material Assets

Strategic Library Consulting

UNIFI CONNECTUnites high quality manufacturer content with AECO libraries and models to consolidate content needs. • Consolidate: The single source for third party content allows you to spend less time searching multiple sites & platforms

• Confidence: Vetted and verified content increases confidence in placing content into models and raises specification rates

• Seamless: Integrate manufacturer content into your firm-based libraries utilizing your existing workflows

• Current: Receive notifications on content updates and provide feedback to manufacturers

UNIFI Connect brings together high quality, manufacturer content that fits seamlessly into your existing workflows.

THANK YOU!You each get 1 FREE UNIFI license!

Contact us at unifilabs.com, 702.527.6460 or send us an email at sales@unifilabs.com

UNIFI is the single source for your digital building content needs.

u n i f i l a b s . c o m

© 2011 Autodesk

WARNING! This may void your Manufactures warranty: Dissecting Revit Content with the ProsSteve Germano – Director of Technical SalesBryan Novotny – Senior BIM DeveloperParley Burnett – BIM Development Manager

© 2011 Autodesk

Revit Family Performance Testing

© 2011 Autodesk

Solid Geometry vs. Void Extrusions

MYTH - Voids use up more file size Voids use exactly the same file size Only add file size when voids CUT solid geometry

SCENARIO:One solid shape uses 20 KB.Copy the solid and make it a void. Together, they now equal 40 KB.Cut the solid with the void. Family now equals 60 KB.(We saw an average increase factor of 1.5)

© 2011 Autodesk

Imported CAD vs. Native Revit Geometry

Many say NO to imported CAD, but for the wrong reasons. (Still don’t use it plz!) Imported CAD uses LESS file size AND loads faster Materials CAN be assigned through imported CAD layers.

Blank Family 10,000 Instances0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Imported CAD Revit DrawnKB

Imported CAD modelNative Revit model

CAD GeometryProject File Size (10,000 1x1x1 boxes) = 5,420 KBRevit GeometryProject File Size (10,000 1x1x1 boxes) = 9,128 KB

© 2011 Autodesk

Imported CAD vs. Native Revit Geometry

Real reasons: Autocad files are often over modeled/detailed for Revit’s purpose. Materials not set through traditional method No flexing Visibility: all or nothing Stability

© 2011 Autodesk

Nested Families

MYTH - Any nesting beyond 2 levels will kill your family

Our test:

Structure:Parent Family (288 KB)

Level 1 (288 KB)Level 2 (288 KB)

Level 3 (288 KB)… Level 8 (288 KB)

Testing Variations: Only Geometry Geometry with linked parameters Geometry with types

What was Tested: Load times Project file size Project performance observed

© 2011 Autodesk

Nested Families – Project File Size

1 N

este

d Le

vel

2 N

este

d Le

vels

3 N

este

d Le

vels

4 N

este

d Le

vels

5 N

este

d Le

vels

6 N

este

d Le

vels

7 N

este

d Le

vels

8 N

este

d Le

vels

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

Only Geometry Geometry with Linked ParametersGeometry with Types

KB

© 2011 Autodesk

Nested Families – Load Times into Project

1 N

este

d Le

vel

2 N

este

d Le

vels

3 N

este

d Le

vels

4 N

este

d Le

vels

5 N

este

d Le

vels

6 N

este

d Le

vels

7 N

este

d Le

vels

8 N

este

d Le

vels

0.02.04.06.08.0

10.012.014.016.018.020.0

Only Geometry Geometry with Linked ParametersGeometry with Types

Sec

onds

© 2011 Autodesk

Things to avoid - ARRAYS

ARRAYS

BAD! Affects load times, responsiveness

Family File Size (KB)600620640660680700720740760780800

With ArraysNo Arrays

Load Time (s) into Project0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

With ArraysNo Arrays

KB

Sec

onds

© 2011 Autodesk

Things to Avoid - GROUPS

GROUPS

BAD! Affects file sizes

Time to Load Into a Project (s)0

40

80

120

160

200

Ungrouped Geome-tryGrouped Geometry

Family File Size (Kb)0

200400600800

1000120014001600

Ungrouped GeometryGrouped Geome-try

KB

Sec

onds

© 2011 Autodesk

Things to Avoid – 3D TEXT

Family File Size (Kb)0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

With One Sentence of Model TextWith out Model Text

Time to Load Into a Project (s)0

0.51

1.52

2.53

With One Sentence of Model TextWith out Model Text

KB

Sec

onds

© 2011 Autodesk

Formula Performance

WRONG WAY:if(AND(Condition1, Condition2, Condition3), True,if(AND(Condition1, Condition2, Condition4), True, if(AND(Condition1, Condition5, Condition6), True, if(AND(Condition1, Condition5, Condition7), True, etc….))))

RIGHT WAY:if(Condition1,

if(Condition2,if(Condition3, True,if(Condition4, True, False)),

if(Condition5,if(Condition6, True,if(Condition7, True, False)),

False)),False)

© 2011 Autodesk

Masking Regions

PLAN VIEW : BAD! PLAN VIEW : GOOD!

© 2011 Autodesk

Tips and Tricks

© 2011 Autodesk

Exploding Families

Live demo…

The problem: difficult to edit stacked geometry

The solution: exploding families

© 2011 Autodesk

Hidden Nested Family Geometry

The problem: difficult to hide nested families

The solution:

Before: Modules above patch panel are technically hidden, but visible in the family

After: Modules above are still there, just not visible

Set the visibility of nested family geometry to a new yes/no parameter. Then, inside the parent family, map this parameter to the same one you would the ‘Visible’ parameter.

© 2011 Autodesk

Visibility of Voids

Live demo…

The problem: Can’t hide void shapes

The solution: Move it so it doesn’t intersect!

© 2011 Autodesk

3D Error Messages

Live demo…

The problem: Can’t control user selections (other than types)

The solution: Output 3D Text Error Messages

© 2011 Autodesk

Look Up Table Switch

The problem: fittings don’t “flip” when pipe orientation is changed

Two Solutions:

1) Add rows to look up table for opposite configurations2) Change formulas to look for both configurations

EXAMPLE:Parameter = if(and(ND1/ND2 Configuration Not Found, ND2/ND1 Configuration Not Found), Default Value, if(ND1/ND2 Configuration Not Found, ND2/ND1 Value, ND1/ND2 Value))

© 2011 Autodesk

Clearance Areas

Tip: use solid geometry to identify areas that should remain clear of any other geometry in the project.This will enable powerful collision detection

Other considerations: Only visible in 3D Assign subcategory: Clearance Areas Symbolic lines to represent it in plan/section views YES/NO parameter to turn on/off Depth should default to industry standard

© 2011 Autodesk

Snap-in-place families

Live demo…

The problem: Difficulty in assembling products

The solution: Make it easy by improving references for Snap-in-place behavior