Emc2 Architects released Version 7.1 of their Keynote Manager software last Wednesday.  Keynotes in Revit are painful to manage, and the latest version of this Revit companion added automatic text casing and a direct link to the Windows’ Character Map from within the keynote editor dialog, as well as some nice interface modifications.  These minor additions and fixes feel like polish on what is already a powerful tool.

In my opinion, this keynote manager, developed by Steven Faust at Emc2 Architects, is how keynoting should have been in Revit from the start.  By making the program “save as you go”, Steve has been able to allow multiple users to work on the same keynote file simultaneously.  Also, features like keyboard shortcuts, spell check, and a built in text search make managing keynotes easier than ever.  This program takes the mystery out of keynotes so that the end user doesn’t need to worry about the syntax of the text file.  The program makes it much easier for project managers, who aren’t familiar with the .txt file syntax, to make corrections to keynotes, and for BIM managers to create keynote templates that are readily available through the interface.

The one problem the program doesn’t solve is the need to reload the keynote file in the Revit project for the changes to take effect.

You can download the Keynote Manager from Emc2.  For the latest on the Emc2 Keynote Manager, see this thread on the AUGI forums.

Screen shot of the main window

The edit dialog, accessed with the keyboard shortcut “e”, allows you to automatically change the text case to upper case, lower case, title case, or sentance case!

Keynote Editor

The keynotes menu allows you to add, copy, edit and insert keynotes. The ability to automatically add the next sequential keynote simply by hitting “s” on the keyboard is a great feature.

Keynotes Menu

Right clicking on a keynote allows full access to case changes as well as being able to print just one keynote branch.

Context Menu

The settings dialog allows cad managers to set the location of master keynote files that can be used as seeds for new projects. You are also able to set other program defaults.

Settings Dialog

Steve has done an excellent job creating this help dialog. By reading these few pages you are able to get started using the full capabilities of this program very quickly.

Help Menu Dialog

The current list of features includes:

• Allows viewing of keynote files in a stacked tree view rather than a very long list.
  • Display font and color can be changed to match custom standards.
• Allows you to easily add, edit, copy or delete individual keynotes and their descriptions.
  • Supports automatic sequencing of new keynotes.
  • Keynotes can be added in bulk from an existing file.
• Allows printing of all keynotes, visible keynotes only, or a single branch of keynotes.
• Includes a “find” function that allows you to search for keynotes by any text contained in the description.
• Supports automatic casing of keynotes (or the option to turn off automatic casing).
  • Includes settings for automatically changing keynotes to upper case, lower case, or title case.
  • Includes tools to change individual keynotes, or all keynotes to upper, lower, or title case.
• Master keynote files can be defined (as many as desired).
  • New keynote files can be created using any defined master as a template.
  • A warning will be issued if a master keynote file is selected for editing.
• Allows multiple users to work on the same keynote file.
• Contains a spell check function
  • Will search for Revit dictionaries as well as a user dictionary. Optional user dictionary is included in the zip file download.
• Automatically creates up to 10 backups on each user’s computer of each text file edited.
• Most commands are available via top menu, right click, or keyboard shortcut.
• Keynote Manager remembers its size and position from session to session.
• Includes optional system for reporting bugs or improvement ideas to Emc2.

The 362,987 square foot building features an underground public parking lot, hundreds of computers, an auditorium, and “the book spiral” that allows visitors to traverse the entire book collection all on one continuous “floor” that spirals over 5 stories.  I found the entire structure to be amazing in both form and function.  Practical details like having floor air registers and waterless urinals are complimented by having text embossed flooring, and vertical circulation identified with a consistent bright yellow.

During my visits on June 27th and 28th I overheard an elderly woman comment that being in the building was giving her an anxiety attack.  I would agree that the building as a whole can seem a bit overwhelming, it is very different from the traditional library.  However, I found the building to be exciting and invigorating.  The building draws you to explore it and discover.  I think libraries as a whole can be very compartmentalized, but the spaces in Seattle Central Library were very connected not just horizontally but vertically as well.  I was also surprised by the numerous intimate areas that were created on balconies, and in glazed niches.  There were many places that I could see myself sitting for hours just reading.

Overall I found the building very impressive.

(Photo essay after the break)

The downside of Revit’s capabilities is that you are limited to animating your camera position.  This may be okay for most situations, but what if you want a car driving down the road, or the door to open as you walk through the doorway?  Well, luckily you have a lot of options.  If your work flow already includes doing your rendering in 3ds Max, then you can use the powerful tools in it. Of course there are a multitude of software platforms out there, Maya, iClone, etc. and there are also some free alternatives, TrueSpace, Blender, and Anim8or.

My biggest concern with all of these solutions is that they have steep learning curves or are missing Revit interoperability.  For a project that comes along one every six months it’s not practical to spend weeks learning a new software program or spend thousands for a professional solution and training.  Of course, the other option would be to hire an outside rendering company, which there are many affordable ones, but I like to have control over my graphics and model and want to update and modify my animations as I design.  I’ve always sought to do my own renderings because I’m in control.

Artlantis Animation Window

I looked at my options a few months ago but didn’t find anything I liked.  I did find one solution, Artlantis Studio, but at the time they didn’t have Revit integrations.  I just found out this last week that they released a free beta plugin for RAC2009!  They have a 30 day trial of their software package and I really like what I’m seeing.  The interface is very intuitive and after watching the tutorials on their website I was able to create a highly complex building assemble animation.  I’ll post some work later, but for now I found a reasonably priced software package with a very short learning curve, that is Revit compatible!