Revit Addin Giveaway! dp Stuff Utilities and Randomizer updated for Revit 2015

No entries received yet... you have a real chance of winning if you enter by naming one challenge you have faced while using Revit and how you overcame it.

Here is an example: "My firm struggled to work with consultant models. Then we discovered that the Discipline setting of the view helped with visibility, so now we can more easily coordinate with the linked in RVTs from other companies."

There's always little problems that appear with Revit. Some trickier than others. In the last week as you know I created a simple way to Change all Mark numbers to match its UniqueID number to prevent the duplicate mark values warning.

This morning I was working on a similar process to change all view underlays set to be set to "None". I just can't for the life of me work out how to set the parameter to "None" as revit won't accept a string, number, integer, code or any other information to set the parameter...

Seems the first time i submitted the comment it didnt come through :)

Some time ago i had a challenge of modelling something that would needed a non-consistent arc as baseline that also shifted in Z. Bit like a 1/4th helix but where the z increase is not consistent over the line.
I found out a trick to still be able to get this line into revit and use it as a base for a sweep or sweep-blend.
First get the line into a 3d DWG file.
Within you start out with a big model in place block and first make a void in top view. The edge of the void is the line in top view.
after that, you go to a front view where you look at the inner side or outer side of this arc shape and make another void where the outer edge of that void is this line again.
the result is that you end up with the model in place block where the edge in 3d is the exact line you needed. This then can be used as a edge for a sweep.

I did write a comment on the 24th but it not come through it seems:
In a nutshell:
The problem we had was that we could not schedule our Bathroom Type groups as groups cannot be scheduled in Revit. We managed to overcome it by using a placeholder "System Furniture" family in the group and schedule that one in lieu of the whole group.
Same logic applies when it came to dealing with a dedicated interiors model.
As the rooms where part of the architectural model, we used 'Spaces' to schedule Kitchen & bathroom locations.

On my current first revit project ever, I was having problems not seeing ALL of the structural beams and columns. I contacted the Architectural firm and notified them of this problem. I was instructed to insert the Structural revit file and everything would be there for my use. I did as was told but the Structural file was coming in at a different location and turned at a different angle. Contacted Architectural firm and told them the problem and they told me that I would have to move and rotate the file. Did I mention that this is my FIRST revit project EVER !!! Not knowing how to do what I was told to do, I decided to open up the Architectural file and link the Structural file and to my amazement it linked it properly. So, I decided to save the Architectural file with the Structural file attached and saved it as a central file. I then opened my Mechanical file and linked in the newly created Architectural central file and now EVERYTHING is being seen and I can now move my duct work so that it does not hit the other beams and columns I was not seeing !!!!!! Now I will continue with my Plumbing and Electrical files!!! I'm still learning !!!

One of the struggles I encounter daily is Revit getting compared to its bunk mate AutoCAD. A lot of times the comment is made, "well autocad can do that!" We remedy this struggle by realizing where we can use the interoperability of the two. I once made the joke that autocad is a powerful addin to Revit. I feel while this is a joke, it is very true and we learn to adapt. It is rally about figuring out "whatrevitwants". Whether that be utilizing another software or using tools in ways they weren't meant to be.

Hi James, I love your simple workaround to get coordinates working for your situation. I am awarding you the first prize of Free Revit Utils 2015 and Randomizer 2015 pack.

Please contact me via email, Google+, Twitter or LinkedIn to claim your prize.

Hi, thank you for your tip on using a placeholder model to allow you schedule groups. I am awarding you second prize of Half-price Revit Utils 2015 and Randomizer 2015 pack.

Please contact me via email, Google+, Twitter or LinkedIn to claim your prize.

Hi Dante, thanks for the excellent modelling workaround, where you use AutoCAD to generate the complicated line and then generate the Revit forms based on that to ultimately get access to a useful edge for a Sweep. Good work! I am awarding you third prize of 25% off Revit Utils 2015 and Randomizer 2015 pack.

Please contact me via email, Google+, Twitter or LinkedIn to claim your prize.

Thank you all for your entries in this giveaway, some great tips there! Here are the results:
1st - James Juarez
2nd - Unknown
3rd - Dante123

I have replied to your comments individually and will send you the prize details when I receive a message from you.