Over the last couple days I’ve done some experimentation with creating 3d PDF documents.  Why PDF’s?  The only reason is because everyone is using them and knows what they are.  This is a benefit over the DWF format which requires the download of an additional viewer program.  (Autodesk True View or Design Review)  Being able to have a model embedded in a PDF that a client can open and manipulate is very appealing.  Multiple sheets could be set up with 2d images and 3d “live” models.

To get started I followed Tim  Huff’s post on “How to get Autodesk Revit models into Acrobat 3D version 8“.  I downloaded a demo version of Adobe Acrobat Pro Extended and gave it a try.  My results were very disappointing.

Here is why 3d PDF’s are not ready for use with Revit:

1. Even after following Tim Huff’s directions exactly I could not get the Print Screen key to capture a Revit model.
2. Importing a DWF into Acrobat worked, however with more complex models (an actual building with linked RVT files and design options) the building was exploded and scattered in 3 dimensions making it unusable.
3. Importing an IFC file worked, however Revit doesn’t exported linked RVT files in the IFC.  So you are limited once again to very simple models.
4. Navigation in a 3d PDF is not intuitive.  I was getting frustrated manipulating the model and trying to explain how to navigate to someone not familiar with 3d models would be nearly impossible.
5. Paying an extra couple hundred dollars per licence for the Extended version of Acrobat is a hard sell when Autodesk offers DWF creation for free.
6. Probably most importantly, the files size of a 3d PDF was substantially larger than a DWF file.  Depending on the model it was anywhere from 2 to 3 times larger.

I had high hopes for 3d PDF’s but for now we will be staying with the DWF format.  It’s a little inconvenient to require a client to download another program, but it’s much better than the time and cost required to make larger less functional (or unusable) 3d PDF’s.

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 modeling was all done with SketchUp.  As I did with my previous animation each piece was modeled and then converted to an Artlantis Object.  This allows each piece to be animated.

I tried animation just about everything in this clip.  Besides some very complex paths, objects are rotaing and pausing in their motion.  The clouds, sun paths, and water all all being animated.

In order to create the wave effect I animated the water material to change wave size over time.  This allowed the movement at the beginning of the sequence.

There is definetly room for improvment.  Not being able to animate the infinite ground plane was a problem, and the cloud animations are not as smooth as I would like.

This animation was reduced for putting on the web, the full resolution animation was rendered with the following parameters:

• Frame count: 625 frames
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Anti-aliasing: Low
• Radiosity: Low
• Render Time: 29:36:16

The background audio created with samples from www.freesound.org.
Additional software used: Adobe Photoshop and Premiere

The plugin is available from their download page.

I will be installing it and giving it a test in the next hour or so.  I’will post more later today.

The model geometry was created in Google Sketchup and each piece was imported individually and saved as an object.  Each object was then individually placed and animated.

• Render time: 20:11:29
• Frame count: 1050
• Resolution: 640px x 480px.
• Anti-aliasing: Low
• Radiosity: low

A recent surprise on his blog, a few days ago, was the release of a basic script for performing a batch render in Revit 2009 and Revit 2010.  Using the script feels like you’re doing some weird voodoo but it gives me hope that we will soon have this capability available to the masses with an easy interface.  I don’t think Zach is a trained programmer so even though the script is a bit tricky to use I have to applaud his being able to put something like this together.

If there are any programmer/Revit users out there I would encourage you to take Zach’s script to the next level… or maybe Autodesk can include this function in Revit 2011?  Hint Hint.

Download Zach’s Revit Batch Render Script and give it a try!

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!