What is the Best Timeline for Upgrading Revit Software?
Below is a brief 10-point list of BIM-Revit Manager recommendations I've found and have provided to BIM Managers during their training process.
Consider these points; prior to upgrading Revit software.
"How will a Revit product upgrade affect your project's current timelines and team members?"
If a project's print or submittal milestone date is looming in the next 30-60 days, consider waiting to upgrade; especially for larger project teams.
When the project is long term and does not have an immediate print/submittal milestone; the PM/PA should consult and discuss the impact of a software upgrade and the potential switch date with his/her entire team (design, engineering, contractor).
Based on software subscription dates; Autodesk software is updated each March-April. Knowing this, BIM Managers will "look out" 4-6 months from March to review new incoming projects; that may be acceptable for the next Revit version.
During this time, BIM Managers should review, What current or future projects should be considered for upgrade or will remain on their current version of software?
Consider having the BIM-Revit Management Team actively participate with Autodesk's Beta software programs. They can be helpful to "kicking the tires" early using test equipment to anticipate any training, equipment or process changes to the project team(s).
IT & Project Teams may choose to wait until the first service pack is issued before rolling out a new release. Re-patching (updating) an installed release is disruptive.
The First Customer Shipment(FCS) version is often used to do major testing of deployment images, upgraded Revit standards, project testing, equipment upgrades, 3rd party applications and creating training update materials.
Revit success is highly dependent on processes. Review new Revit features against processes; as these need to be integrated into the update training and revising the firm's process standards.
Many firms use a similar 'pilot project' process; that started their use of Revit within the firm. Only now, the pilot project is used to roll out and update the software firm wide.
The recommendations and suggestions are based on technically supporting and consulting the Revit upgrade process with hundreds of Revit-based design firms since 2002.
Special thanks to the hundreds of clients using Revit; that I meet annually at my educational speaking events, Bradley plant tours and through our Bradley BIM Customer Service Portal.
We appreciate their enthusiasm to share tips on their firms' winning processes listed above.
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A core strategic advantage to Revit Cloud computing is simple; it's called 'Infinite Computing'.
From your local Revit software, you access the raw power of computing equipment; that has both processing and memory resources; that you can't buy for your desktop, laptop or tablet computer.
I processed this rendered image in 9 minutes (Best\Final Quality, 31 Artificial light sources) using the 'Infinite Computing' power of Autodesk 360.
In 45-minutes, I processed six rendered views (from a 120MB project) including one panoramic-JPG (360 view) that displays an animated, rendered view of the entire locker room.
Previously, it took 45-minutes to process one rendering from this view; using a workstation quality laptop with 16GB of RAM, 64-bit OS & Revit.
The Autodesk 360 rendering dashboard, features several image editing and 'Re-render' tools; to modify the initial rendered image\view.
Designers are always seeking better and faster visual tools; to confirm their clients' approval of their proposed design options.
Revit Cloud-based rendering 'levels the playing field' for sole-proprietorships, smaller staffed studios & design firms. They can create more design options, more quickly for their clients' approval; while greatly minimizing their time + labor costs.
The efficient use of Revit VOIDS will minimize your Revit family file size. Bradley Revit Library (1,000 Revit Families) reduces both the number of voids and the size of the voids in our Revit families.
Its been my experience, that Extrusions (solids and voids) produce a smaller Revit family file sizes; when compared to using of Sweeps and Revolves.
I recommend incorporating the Revit Voids within the extrusion as "closed loops"; within the "extrusion's closed loop". This avoids the creation of individual VOIDS; that need to be Cut from the solid extrusion.
Consider using VOID Extrusions to efficiently sculpt your Revit family model.
Over-sized Extrusions increase the Revit family file size.
For example, if the void is penetrating 1/2" of material, use a void that is 5/8" to 3/4" deep. Excessively deep voids create larger Revit family file sizes.
Revit (BIM) Managers typically use the Revit SAVEAS Command and its "Compact File" Option to reduce a Revit project file size.
Bradley uses this process, as one of the last procedures; that we apply to reduce the file size of our final Revit Family models.
It's pretty common, to build a Bradley Revit family product model; that may be 800K in file size. However, once we use this 'compact file' process; the file size may be reduced by over 50%.
Consider testing this procedure on your Revit family library models or Revit family content; that you download from other Revit libraries.
Remember to delete or purge unused content within your families (materials, nested families, subcategories, CAD files, line patterns); prior to using this "Compact File" procedure in the Revit SAVEAS command.
This sixty page report reveals the value contractors find in their use of BIM in nine of the largest global construction markets: Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, U.S. and U.K. It offers insights, both overall and by market, into the profile of contractors using BIM, the benefits and ROI derived from their BIM investments and the critical activities and practices for which they are using BIM. Specific snapshots of the contractor responses by region also provide additional understanding of the current use and future potential of BIM globally.
This link takes you to the McGraw-Hill site to obtain the free download thru their e-store.
The Bradley BIM Team maintained time and cost records for building the Bradley Revit Family Library from the summer of 2009 to December 2011.When I survey the Revit family modeling costs, relative to the processes we used to build Bradley's 1000 Revit Families; it reveals the "real value" in cost savings for each pre-built Bradley Revit Family Model.
Each pre-built, Bradley Revit model, can typically save a trained and knowledgeable BIM Manager between $150-$250 of labor costs.
Whoa! How did you arrive at that dollar value?
I arrive at this value, by combining these 2 assumptions with our 7 standard steps (below) for properly constructing a Revit family model. In fact, these are the initial steps I teach every professional; that needs to properly create Revit family models.
Assumption #1:I set my BIM Manager costs at $75 / hour; realizing the manager has real costs for hourly wage, software, equipment and benefits. The manager should have a billable rate (cost) for creating project Revit families (project billing cost) AND company standard Revit family library (billed back as overhead to reduce future project costs). I identify these costs as an organization's BIM Assets.
A Blank Revit Screen Can Be Challenging for New Revit Users Once They Leave Class
Below, are common training experiences, that owners and BIM managers have shared with me; after they sent their staff to Revit 101 Basics Training.
We sent our staff to 3-days of basic, Revit 101 training and when our staff returned; they
couldn't start a Revit project from a Revit template.
didn't know how to load a Revit family from a folder.
weren't sure how to print Revit Views & Sheets
created TEXT for a room name; without realizing how to insert a Revit Room Tag.
understood only a few options for creating & editing dimensions.
lacked basic competency for using placing views & sheet layout process.
weren't sure how to create Drafting Views or loading of Drafting Family Components.
couldn't edit Revit wall placement or components by editing Revit dimension values.
were unable to start or setup a basic Revit schedule.
could place lights, but couldn't start or edit a custom reflected ceiling boundary
had little experience with basic editing commands (copy, mirror, offset, align, rotate)
felt the instructor was very Revit knowledgeable; however the training process did not deliver the results of self reliance.
Stop and consider these points when you interview the Revit consultant, trainer or training company that will deliver your Revit 101 training processes.
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