The Best of BradleyBIM.com

BradleyBIM.com was launched in February 2011. It's initial goal was to serve as an online technical support tool for Revit professionals using the Bradley Revit Family Library. (1,000 families)  

Now totaling over 350 articles; Revit-BIM educational topics include LOD, prefabrication, staff training, software implementation, industry-market trends, winning new business, production tips, architecture, engineering, construction, facility management and so much more.

Averaging 50,000 visitors per year, we've listed our visitors' most viewed and shared articles from our Revit-BIM Article Library. 

Articles are sorted and listed below in the following 5 categories:

Revit-BIM for Design Reviews\Client Presentations
McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Studies, Surveys & Reports
Architectural, Design & Specifications
Engineering, Design & Construction
Revit Implementation, Training & Management

Revit-BIM for Design Reviews\Client Presentations

 BIM for Virtual & Augmented Reality. Game On! (video gallery)

5 Revit Presentation Tips | Architect Steven Shell

Revit 10-Step Guide to Setup Lights for Interior Renderings

Owner Design Reviews | Expedite Multiple Revit Walkthrough Videos

Free Downloads of McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Reports

(Download Reports from 2009 - Present)

Architectural, Design & Specifications

 BIM for Toilet Room Design | Construction Specifier AIA Convention Issue

Download Pre-built Revit Accessible Toilet Room Sample Model

4 Revit Fixture-Room Layout Tips | ADA-Universal Design Review

4 Bradley Revit Lavatories for ADA Compliant Toilet Room Renovations

BradleyBIM e-SPECS-for-Revit Begins 5th Year Commitment

Download Bradley Visual MasterFormat Specification Product Guide

Compact Accessible Green Toilet Room Design | Advocate Revit Library

5 Sustainable-Quality Benefits of Powder Coat Paint Partitions Revit Library

4 Hours | 2D AutoCAD to Visually Data-Rich Revit Documentation

Bradley Solid Plastic Revit Lockers | Easter-Egg Parameter Options

Bradley Molded Shapes | Solid-Surface Lavatory Systems - Revit Library (videos\product images)

Engineering, Design & Construction

 BIM Means Business | Plumbing Engineer Magazine - ASPE

BIM Means Business | Plumbing Heating-Cooling Contractors-WI

Skanska Revit-MEP Prefabrication | New Assembly Line Efficiency

Keltech Tankless Water Heater with Revit Type Catalog | Clearance Box

SysQue Provides Bradley Revit MEP \ Autodesk Fabrication Model Library

Revit-BIM Manages Construction Site Assets and Safety

Mayo Clinic BIM Manager - Project Model Development Specification (LOD)

 BradleyBIM for Design-Build \ Integrated Project Delivery \ EPC

BIM Process Improving Construction Site Safety | Turner Construction

5 Sustainable Features of Keltech Commercial Tankless Water Heaters - Revit Library

Revit Implementation, Training & Management

 Revit Implementation Puzzle - 5 Basic Planned Investments

Low-Cost Revit Implementation Strategy That Wins Business

Revit Implementation Secrets - 10 Best Revit Process Features

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.

1. "How will a Revit product upgrade affect your project's current timelines and team members?"

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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. 

5. 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?

6. 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).

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Daniel Hughes | LinkedIn Profile

You may reference my Revit-BIM industry expertise & credentials using my Linkedin profile. If you wish to connect; please send me a Linkedin invitation to connect to your network.

Related Revit Articles

• Revit Implementation Puzzle - 5 Basic Planned Investments

• Low-Cost Revit Implementation Strategy That Wins Business

• Revit Implementation Secrets - 10 Best Revit Process Features

• Update Bradley Revit-BIM Family Components to Latest Revit Version

I need to learn Revit software now! How can I get started learning Revit?

Which of these best describes your current situation?

1. My job doesn't use Revit, but I want to improve my future job options.

2. My employer uses Revit, but I lack the Revit training.

3. I'm unemployed or not employed in my choice of design + construction jobs that use Revit.

Depending on your location, timeline and available financing; here are 3 options:

• Register for a technical \ community college Revit 101 semester class.(12-16 weeks)

• Purchase Revit classroom training from an Autodesk Reseller. (3-5 consecutive days)

• Purchase Revit online training or class from a technical college, Reseller or Certified Revit Trainer-Consultant. (time frame to complete class varies)

Consider obtaining basic Autodesk Revit Certification as your ultimate goal; to improve your employment options. Here are a few of these options to achieve that goal.

Revit-BIM Experience Required | Architect – Engineer – Construction Jobs

The value of technical college classes is largely dependent on the instructor's background implementing the software on "live projects". Many times the night instructors; that work in design + construction firms during the day, will teach the night classes.

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.

--- Revit Cloud Potential | 5 Game-Changing Processes ---

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.

--- 5 Revit Presentation Tips | Architect Steven Shell ---

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.

Some of the Bradley Revit Family Components are created as Face-Based families, so they will "attach" to wall, floor or ceiling surfaces.

Bradley does NOT create wall, floor or ceiling hosted Revit families. They are either stand-alone (non-hosted) or face-based families.

HOME Tab: View\Insert Component Command

INSERT Tab: Load Revit Family Into Project

You have 3 Options when you Load/Insert a Bradley Face-Based Revit Family into a Revit Project.

• Your first and most important consideration, make sure you are in a Plan View.

• ALL 3 options will display in the Revit Ribbon when you are in a PLAN View and inserting/placing the component.

Select the Revit COMPONENT command and IF the component is a Face-Based Family;

• these are the 3 OPTIONS that will display in the Revit Ribbon, in the upper right corner of the screen:

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.

Related Revit File Size Articles

1. Revit Family File Size | How Big is TOO BIG?

2. Revit Project Performance | Revit Family File Size vs Family Visibility Settings

3. Bradley Revit-BIM Family Quality Standards | Top 10 FAQs

Bradley's Revit Family models were created with a high Level Of Development (LOD). Bradley Revit models are designed to accommodate the needs of all four Revit project members; architect, engineer, contractor and facility owners.

There are several reasons the Bradley BIM Team chose to build a single Revit model; that was all-inclusive to serve all disciplines.

Bradley Revit-BIM Family Quality Standards | Top 10 FAQs

1) Logistically, its easier to manage embedded data parameters of more than 1,000 Revit models; as one inclusive model for all disciplines.

2) Ideally, a manufacturer's Revit model that is shared amongst the team; guarantees data consistency and minimizes the modeling costs for everyone. Consider this:

How often will your consultant(s) build a Revit model for both them and for your discipline?

How often do you build Revit models for your consultants?

3) Realistically, my onsite client visits confirm that BIM \ VDC Managers maintain a LOD definition; specific to their organization, projects and team members.

"We will decide what content we keep and delete within our Revit families."

[Common BIM-VDC Managers Response]

Bradley anticipated Revit Managers would remove content from Bradley Revit models; to meet their standards, preferences and criteria. It is far easier, faster and cheaper for them to delete content, from an all-inclusive Revit model.

Once they remove family content; perhaps after adding their own shared \ family parameters --they will save a Bradley Revit family file down to a smaller file size.

Bradley Revit Family Secrets – Compact File Reduces File Size

For example;

Architectural designers may remove the MEP connections, solids or voids --keeping only basic solids, masking regions and symbolic line-work.

Engineers may remove the materials, solids and voids --keeping the MEP connections and portions of the masking regions & symbolic line-work.

Contractors creating the Owner's as-built project Revit models; have typically requested and\or used the Bradley Revit models in their original high LOD format.

Technology's Exponential Growth Will Change Revit Family Rules

The Bradley BIM Initiative strategy forecasted; that Revit, LOD, BIM and supporting technology processes would remain "moving targets".

How do I load a Revit Family that has a Revit Catalog?

When a Revit family exceeds 7 family types in the family file (*.rfa); Bradley creates a Revit family catalog file to store the Revit family types. The base Revit family file uses the Revit family catalog file to create the family types (product variations) when it is loaded into the Revit project.

For example, in the article "Revit Pedestal Bench Family Features Nested Array-Family Catalog"; I mentioned that the Revit base file uses a Revit family catalog file to create the numerous variations of the Pedestal Bench.

When a Revit Bradley Pedestal Bench family (RFA) is downloaded, there is another important file that is downloaded with the family file (*.rfa).

This file, is the Pedestal Bench Revit family catalog file. It has the exact same file name as as the RFA file; however it is has a TXT extension.

• Family: Locker_Room_Bench-Pedestal-Bradley_Corp-Lenox_Pedestal.RFA

• Catalog: Locker_Room_Bench-Pedestal-Bradley_Corp-Lenox_Pedestal.TXT

• The catalog file resides in the ZIP file that you download and "unzip" into a folder on your computer.

The Pedestal Bench family catalog file has all 24 of the product options (family types) for the base family file.

>> Results of Locker_Room_Bench-Pedestal-Bradley_Corp-Lenox_Pedestal.TXT <<

Recommended Practices / Guidelines for using Revit Family Files with their Family Catalog file.

1) The Revit family catalog file (*.txt) MUST be saved and remain in the same file folder as its corresponding RFA file.

 2) This type of "catalog-based" family MUST be loaded into the project using the project's "Load Family" command.

• This will force a Revit dialogue box to pop up and display the product models (family types) that are listed in the family catalog file for the RFA file.

3) Please do NOT load the family into a Revit project from the Family Editor.

• This will create an error "model was not imported correctly".

How many "easy questions" do BIM Managers receive from their staff; that can be answered with a simple 1-2 sentence answer?

These questions provide BIM Managers with "Teachable Moments" for their staff or "Moments of Learning" for both staff and the BIM Manager.

I can assure you --staff members will be back to ask the same questions for future projects. New staff  members will have the same questions or variations of similar situations.

Repetition is how we ALL learn.

So, if "Time is Money"; you can't afford to waste the time of your staff, the project, the company and/or your own daily schedule.

Proactively building a Revit video library of short 2-4 minute support and training videos; will help save everyone's time.

Create videos to answer common process-based questions. It puts the BIM Manager in control of their time; while delivering on-demand self-learning & technical support.

For camera-shy BIM Managers, you don't need to use cameras or be on camera.

Since 2008, I've used the screen recording software, Camtasia Studio and SnagIt from TechSmith for creating my Revit technical support and training videos.

Camtasia records your mouse movements on your computer screen; while you are using a feature or performing a process in the application software (Revit, Excel, AutoCAD).

It also records your voice as you explain and train on a short procedure.

Once you complete the recording, save the recorded screen-capture to a Camtasia project file.

Next, select the "Produce and Share" command to create a video file in Windows (AVI\WMV) or MAC (MP4) video formats. Consider the following tips and procedures to use, store and protoect your video content.