Missing Viewports in AutoCAD

Somehow, some genius created polygonal viewports and then deleted (?) the polyline. Whatever they did, now the viewport is unselectable for any editing or deleting. When recreation of an entire layout is not an option:

1. Type command: vpclip
2. Paste this into the selection: (SETQ A (ssname(SSGET "X" '((0 . "VIEWPORT")))0))
3. Draw a new viewport polygon.

You should now have an editable viewport with no change to the original viewport layout.

Thanks to cadhelp over at the autodesk forums.

Braced Frames - Analytical v Physical

To edit braced frames without breaking the analytical model:

1. Create your braced frame elevations.


2. Open the elevation view.


3. Highlight the vertical bracing, select the end node to be moved, move it an arbitrary distance towards the center of the lateral beam element and release it. It will reconnect to the beam at the vertical center.


4. In the propertices of that same vertical brace, change the Start Attachment Distance (or End?) to 0'-0". (This number will probably be the uneven distance). The Brace should now be modeled correctly, with the Analytical model still attaced to the top of column.

Multiple File Upload (Supercede) to Aconex

1. Documents --> Multiple File Upload
2. Multiple File Upload (Java required, you may need to try a different browser, or change your security settings)
3. Drag & Drop files from explorer in to browser.
4. Start Upload --- The files will be uploaded to the Temporary Register
5. Documents --> Document Register
6. Search for Structural Drawings owned by our company
7. Select all documents that will be superceded.
8. Tools --> Bulk Supercede
9. Most information will be filled out correctly, using copy to panel, change Revision number, date, and comments.
10. You must still choose the new file from the document dropdown for every file. *** The document file name is not changing so it will look correct, but it is not automatically replacing the document from the temporary documents file list. If the document does not exist when you click in the File pulldown, you did the upload incorrectly. If the document name STILL exists in the temporary document register after you supercede, it was not chosen correctly and must be superceded again. ***
11. Supercede Document(s)
12. Check the temporary document register and verify that the new documents are no longer in the temporary folder and/or download the new files and verify visually that the new files are in the document register.
13. You must still transmit the documents to other aconex members so that they can access the new documents.

Repeating Details - WWF

How to get a dynamic WWF (welded wire fabric) symbol.

1. Click Annotate > Component > Detail Component
2. Load the WWF.rvt family (//server/cadd/Revit/downloads)
3. Click Annotate > Component > Repeating Detail > Element Properties
4. Edit Type > Duplicate > name it "wwf"
5. Under Pattern, change the detail to the WWF family loaded earlier.
6. Change spacing and Detail Rotation as necessary.

This also work similarly for metal deck profiles.

Key Plans

***Edit, See also http://revitstructure.blogspot.com/2012/10/adding-key-plan-to-titleblock.html
Simple enough: Directly in your titleblock family (highlight a titleblock, hit the "Edit Family" button) create filled regions for your building areas with text as needed, and an outline of the building as well (something will need to show when your filled regions are turned off). Your regions can contain as many levels and areas as you wish, layered on top of each other as necessary. Do not get too complicated with the building outlines or you start getting "Element is too small on screen" errors with sketch lines that are too short. Once your keyplan is drawn:

1. Use the "Types" button to enter the "Family Types" dialogue box.
   
2. Add a new parameter for every area defined in the keyplan:
3. Name will obviously correspond to the named area or sheet.
4. Discipline is fine with "Common"
5. Type of Parameter must be set to "Yes/No"
6. Group parameter under can be set to "Graphics"
7. Check the "Instance" radio button because each sheet will show a different keyplan area.
8. Close the Family Types box once all your areas are created.
9. Highlight a single filled region keyplan area and enter its Properties dialogue box.
10. Under the Graphics portion, Hit the small button at the end of the "Visible" parameter.
11. An "Associate Family Parameter" box should appear, where you will select the corresponding parameter and hit the OK button. Do this for every region in your keyplan.
12. Optionally, group the keyplan together to avoid unintentional editing.
13. Reload the titleblock in to your project, the titleblock now has checkboxes available in the properties dialogue where you can turn the keyplan areas off and on.

***Don't forget to create a "No Keyplan" parameter that turns off the outlines and text as well.

***With larger more complicated projects, it's probably better to define keyplan areas by the sheet number and names, to avoid confusion later. Trust me.

***If you change the keyplan and delete an area you don't need or add to another, don't forget to delete the parameter as well, again, to avoid confusing other drafters later on.

***Your keyplan filled regions do not necessarily have to match the building outline, remember this when you have external portals, sitewalls, etc or are doing renovation/addition work.

Depressed Slabs

I'm sure this will end up in a dismal failure but here goes:

1. Manage --> Settings --> Object Styles --> Floor --> New --> Depressed Slab
2. Home --> Component --> Model in Place --> Floors --> OK --> Depressed Slab 1.75"
3. Void --> Extrusion --> Depth = 1.75" --> (sketch outline) --> Finish Extrusion --> Finish Model

Error "Some Void Forms of this family do not cut anything and will be deleted. To make a Void Form cut something else use the Cut Geometry tool."

Column Splice on Schedule

• Load Connection-Column-Splice.rfa.
• In "Manage", "Structural Settings", "Symbolic Representation Settings", "Column Symbols", "Shear connection:", change to "Connection-Column-Splice"
• In the properties of the lower column that is to be spliced, change the 'top connection symbol' to 'shear connection'.

Revit Tip - Sheet Labels

An larger projects, with more sheets, create a Drawing List Schedule, whether or not you will print it on the CDs. It is much easier to control the sheet labels (attributes) from the schedule, especially as it is highly likely you are using the architect's titleblock, which probably has 10 times as many labels as you need for the project (drawn by, designed, approved, revised, issued, etc, etc).

titleblock import wtf

The import geometry will not be visible in the view using the current settings. The Origin of the import will be centered on the origin of the model instead. You can view the import in any view where its geometry is within the extents.

The import dwg command by default imports from paper space. Delete paper space in the dwg file if your titleblock is in model space.

Can't See / Set Metal Deck Span Direction

Problem: Metal deck is spanning the wrong direction.

Solution: You must tag the deck with the deck span tag. It has its own command button, serarate from the regular Tag buttons. It should already be loaded in the default structural template. Once the deck is tagged you can rotate that deck span tag to the correct angle. Do this in a working plan or delete the tag when finished.

Problem: The deck is not visible in section views, and the deck span tag is not available when trying to tag a deck.

Solution: Change the deck properties to "Structural". It is a radio button in the element properties dialogue box.