Finally an Architect to help make rural India “Sustainable” – [Beta]

While, we are all excited (by all I mean you tooJ) with the latest 2010 release of our favorite software; I could not hold this another cool initiative by "Development Alternatives Group". I believe this is truly "Indian" and for "India" with limitless opportunities in future.

 
 

This amazing attempt or initiative is named as "Grameen Architect" after much debate among the team. "Grameen Architect" is an online building design and documentation tool for masons or those who cannot afford a professional Architect/consultant. The application is designed with the principle aim of helping masons build better buildings which are cost-effective and environment friendly."

 
 

This tool allows masons to choose from a series of designs suitable for that region in terms of budget, area and type of construction/materials. Once the design is chosen all the necessary construction drawings with cost estimates are generated automatically. However, even at this stage he/she can further refine the decision and generate a new set of drawings with a simple Click". This tool leverages the power of BIM applications like Autodesk^® Revit^® and Autodesk^® DWF technology provided by Autodesk Inc. Currently, the designs provided are focused on Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and is still in beta stage.

 
 

Before, I provide you the link to this web based application; I think it would be injustice if I don't call upon the "Revitholic" team behind this project apart from the DA team who does need introduction in AEC industry because of everything they have contributed.

 
 

Can you believe that most of the Revitholic team behind this project are actually young and recently graduated Architects or would be graduating soonJ. To begin with

• Jaideep S Warya – Calm & meticulous "Professional"
  
• Anurag Gogna – "Technology Geek" often seen in Groups helping around
  
• Aanchal Kishore – "Pretty" loaded with idea's which keep on popping
  
• Antara Sharma – "Social" and technical by nature and ready to go extra mile to help
  
• Avni Goil – apart from the amazing different name, is a "true believer" of CHANGE
  
• Sunil M.K – Initials simpler than full name but I call him "Father" of Revit - Asia
  
• Suhail – (shouldn't I put my name too?? For sketching a "method to madness"
  

 
 

Last but not least Pankaj Sharma & Aditya Vashishat DA software & web team is the team who translated our madness to reality over the web.

Thank you everybody on the behalf everyone who would benefit from all your efforts. Great job done by "Development Alternatives Group"

 

I know what is on your mind nowJ. "Come guy give away the link?" – Right?

So, ladies and gentlemen you are welcome to visit "Grameen Architect" by clicking here or

http://www.devalt.org/autodesign/default.aspx

 

NOTE: Remember it is still in testing phase and you are welcome to comment and provide feedback as much as possible.

Model Text on Curved Wall

Okay, this one is a real quickie :). Of late I noticed this query/request in some user discussions and groups. The query is “How to write model text on a curved wall?” and good news is that you of course can. Following is an outline of the solution/workaround; let me know if you want detailed steps:

• Open a face based family template (for instance “Metric Generic Model face based”)
• Create a model text object and place on the face (don’t worry about the orientation)
• Make sure you create a parameter so that text can be edited once loaded in the project
• Load the family into the project, wow! You are done
• Use “Component” tool to place the text on the curved wall and edit to as per requirements
• You might have to use modify tools to place and align the text as per your requirements (little work here :(

I have uploaded the files used on the BIM-For-Architecture group for your reference. Hope you find it useful!

Happy New Year!!!
Cheers!!!

Suhail

The Autodesk Gallery is a new exhibit that celebrates today’s design process

The Autodesk Gallery is a new exhibit that celebrates today’s design process. The exhibits illustrate stories of how things from aircraft engines to cathedrals, bridges, ice axes and cars go from a spark of inspiration to final creation. The Autodesk Gallery is the first in the area to show the role of software in great design, and is intended to be a space to foster conversations about design, to be inspired by design and to create collaboration. It is an interactive environment that explores the intersection of technology and innovative design by showcasing the works of Autodesk’s world-class customers and design associates.

Click here for some cool pictures from Shaan Hurlay, thanks Shaan :)

Cheers!!!
Suhail

MEP Videos on YouTube

Recently, I got to know that our team of MEP specialists has a series of the Autodesk MEP solutions related videos posted on YouTube Channel and finally today I got chance to have a detailed look. Though, I should have not been surprised about the efficacy of them, but what astonished me most was that how much user affable they are. Each feature shown/taught appears so simple that even a novice user can open the software and start working after viewing the video.
So, I thought if thousands of the users across the globe had been viewing them, why not to share with you all, assuming you are not aware of them (which I find hard to believeJ).
http://www.youtube.com/AutodeskMEPTechs
Cheers!!!

Suhail Arfath

BIMWorld now going to be part of Autodesk Seek

Well, I am so excited to share with you all this amazing piece of news. I am sure this is going to be highly beneficial to you.
Further enhancing its portfolio of solutions for building information modeling (BIM), Autodesk, Inc. a leader of design innovation software and technologies, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of BIMWorld, a privately-owned business specializing in the production and distribution of branded BIM content for building product manufacturers. Autodesk plans to combine BIMWorld with Autodesk Seek, its online source for building product design information that allows architects and engineers to search, select and specify building products directly from their design applications.
"The vision for Autodesk Seek is to be a leading online destination and one-stop-shop for high quality building product information and design files," said Jeff Wright, Autodesk senior director of Content Solutions. "By joining forces with the BIMWorld team, we will strengthen the leadership of Autodesk Seek as a powerful marketing solution for building product manufacturers, and by further leveraging our strategic content partners, accelerate designers' access to a breadth of rich product information and design files for use during the design process."
Do let me know your comments!!!
Happy loads of content J

Cheers!!!
Suhail Arfath

Revit 2009 to NavisWorks 2009

The main reason for this post today are few calls I got this week on how can we send the data/project from Revit Arch/Struc/MEP to NavisWorks. Honestly, if you ask me it is really simple and cool, however following are few "Need to Know" facts:

• While Installing NavisWorks, you need to enable "Revit" Plug-in (typically, it automatically finds if Revit is installed on your machine)
  
• Once NavisWorks is installed you should see the export plug-in under "External Tools" menu
  

I also recorded a quick video for those of you who just want to know and don't have both the applications. Click at the following link to download the video.

http://groups.google.com/group/BIM-For-Architecture/web/Revit2Navisworks.wmv

Do let me know if you would like to see these kind of video's.

Cheers!!!,

Suhail Arfath AEC Marketing

Technical Marketing Manager - MEP
Autodesk, Inc.

Revit 2009 products Web Update #3 is now Live!

Autodesk is pleased to announce that the Revit product teams have just released the English Web Update 3 Service Packs for Revit Architecture 2009, Revit Structure 2009 and Revit MEP 2009 (Build 20081118_1045) on www.autodesk.com. Web Update 3 can be found under the Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2009 product download pages:

www.autodesk.com/revitarchitecture-download

www.autodesk.com/revitstructure-downloads

www.autodesk.com/revitmep-download

Cheers!!!

Suhail Arfath AEC Marketing

Technical Marketing Manager - MEP
Autodesk, Inc.