Thursday, May 11, 2023

Revit plugin Class Feeder has been released on Autodesk App Store

Our new Revit plugin Class Feeder has been released on Autodesk App Store last week. Class Feeder was created with a simple goal in mind: to make Revit project Classification with CCI codes as simple and fast as possible. CCI (Construction Classification International) classification system is international classification system spearheaded by the Construction Classification International Collaboration organization and it is currently being tested in several European countries. It seems that CCI will be mandated in the future by the state apparatus in countries such as Czechia, Slovakia, Estonia, Poland or Lithuania. For more information on the latest development of CCI implementation, read the report from the CCIC Seminar in December 2022.

Class Feeder has been released on Autodesk App Store

The CCI classification system is so called faceted system, which means that elements can be classified in several of these facets. This is quite similar structure to the Danish CCS and Swedish CoClass systems. CCI currently consists of 6 facets: Construction Complex, Construction Entity, Built Space, Functional System, Technical System and Construction Component. This six-prong classification can bring some complications in Revit, as classification codes need to be written to several parameters. Class Feeder, with its user-friendly interface, enables easy switching between facets and always writes the code to correct parameter.

Example of CCI classification of project entities

Another important characteristic of the application is that it loads CCI classification tables automatically from the Czech Standardization Agency database, so users can always be certain, that they are using the latest classification codes. The user does not have to manage classification tables. English and Czech versions of classification tables are currently supported. These tables include class codes, names, and synonyms. Including synonyms in the application is very useful, because Class Feeder enables users to easily search the database to find their desired code. Correct project classification helps all stakeholeders to communicate and understand each other throughout the whole lifecycle of the building - from design, through construction up to operations. Proper classification is the cornerstone of good BIM processes. 

The user-friendly interface of Class Feeder enables users to complete the tedious task of object classification very efficiently. Selection can be done by Revit category, type and instances directly in the application dialogue. Users can also select objects individually in the viewport. Several other tools enable organization of the current view to separate classified objects from not yet classified objects. What’s more, Class Feeder performs classification checking and when it is turned on, users can easily see which objects were not yet classified with their red color code.

Class Feeder is being actively developed by Arkance Systems CZ and can be downloaded on the Autodesk App Store. Currently a flash promo is available: use Class Feeder for free until the 30th June 2023. To access this flash promo, users can simply fill in this form. After that date, commercial sales of Class Feeder licenses will begin.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

What’s new in Revit 2024

New Revit version 2024 was released by Autodesk on April 4th. This blog post showcases all the new features of this BIM authoring application, although only general and architectural part of the software is covered in this article. MEP and structure features are not included.


New general features


Home Screen

Immediately after launching Revit, we can notice newly added sample projects created by non-profit organizations on the home screen. These demonstrate Revit's new capabilities. We can find a complete set of models for architecture, construction, or MEP installations. Of course, these sample projects are also available from the File > Open > Sample Files menu. Along with this, the default project templates have been updated too.


My Insights with statistics of yout work

On the home screen, we also find a new icon on the left-hand side called My Insights. This displays statistics of our usage of Revit and provides various other information such as recommendations for commands and functions, tips for better program and time utilization, information about updates, and more.

Revit 2024 Insights on Home Screen


Modernization of Revit's User Interface

With the new version, Revit has been given a refreshed appearance and over 2000 new icons have been created for both light and dark themes. Additionally, the appearance of the project browser and some of the dialog boxes has also been modified.

Revit 2024 new icon design

Dark Mode

Many of us have eagerly been waiting for the new dark mode. It can be set in the Options dialog (File > Options > Colors), where there is now a separate tab for color settings, and two different color schemes can be selected - either light and dark mode. However, the major disappointment of dark mode is that it only applies to the 1st level user interface! This means that the program window itself, including the Home screen, Properties palette, Project browser, Options bar, Status bar, and Ribbon are displayed in the dark mode. Any menus or dialogs in the 2nd level remain in the classic light mode though. All views and drawings remain dark, and schedules are light again. A new control has been added to the View tab for changing the drawing area colors regardless of the selected scheme.

Revit 2024 New Interface Dark Mode

Modified appearance of the Project viewer

The project browser has been upgraded again, both graphically and functionally. A search field has been added to the header. The search is triggered automatically when key characters are entered and the search term is highlighted at all levels of the project browser hierarchy.

Revit 2024 Modified Project Browser

Modified dialogs to allow resizing

Some of the dialog windows were not possible to resize before. Now it is possible to resize windows for the following dialogs: Print Setup, Check Spelling, Indexed Text Notes, New Legend View, New Drafting View, New Floor Plan, Save Selection, Load Selection, Detail Levels, Halftone/Underlay, Create Group, Export Image, System Colors, Import Line Weight, Work Plane, Insert 2D Elements, eTransmit, Default 3D View, Element IDs in Selection, and Edit Label.


Sorting type or instance parameters in the Properties palette

Previously, all created parameters were sorted according to the creation date. Now all parameters are sorted alphabetically. This applies to both type parameters and instance parameters in the Properties palette. Alphabetical sorting is always to each parameter group. However, the built-in parameters in the group are not affected.

New Parameter Sorting in Revit 2024

Revision cloud schedules

Revision clouds are added as a standard category. Therefore, new instance parameters can be created for this category in the project. The ability to create revision clouds schedules was added. Revision clouds can be reported for both views and drawings.

New Revision Cloud Scheduling in Revit 2024

Height definition of Scope Box in properties

A parameter has been added to the properties of Scope Box to control the height to make it easier to set its range.

Scope Box Height parameter in Revit 2024

Bulk insertion of views on sheets

It is now possible to place multiple views or schedules on sheet at once just by selecting them in the Project Browser or in the View dialog and dragging them all onto the drawing sheet. In the View dialog, it is now also possible to search in the header. The views are then placed on the sheet as tiles near the cursor to facilitate their subsequent placement on the sheet.

Bulk placing Views on Sheets in Revit 2024

Improved ability to move views between sheets

A new option "Move Aligned to Sheet..." has been added to the right-click menu of a view placed on a sheet. This improves the ability to move views that have already been placed to the same position on other sheets. This allows for the movement of individual views, schedules, group labels, annotation elements, detail items, revision clouds, and text or images between drawings. Aligned views or schedules can also be moved in bulk between.


Opening the sheet from the view

If the view is located on a sheet, you can quickly open the sheet by using the right-click menu and the Open Sheet command. This option was previously available from the project browser only, but is now integrated directly into the viewport menu. For views that can be placed on a sheet more than once, Revit displays a confirmation notice before opening all available drawings.


Changing the size of data rows in a schedule

The height of rows in the schedule can now be adjusted in addition to the previous ability to adjust the column width. Previously, only rows with images could be resized. Now the parameters for defining the row height are available for all rows in the selected table on the sheet, or only for rows that contain images. The row height will be automatically adjusted if the text is too tall or extends over multiple rows.

Schedule Row Height with Adjustable Height in Revit 2024

PDF can be attached or imported in Revit LT

In Revit 2024 LT it is finally possible to attach or import PDF files. This feature is also supported by the Design Automation API.


New Color Books update

The Pantone and RAL color interface and custom color integration options have been updated to the Color Books dialog.

New Color Books in Revit 2024

New consistent colors with texture display style

If user wanted to display material textures in earlier Revit versions, he or she had to use realistic visual style, which brought some complexity with it. New Textures visual style was added in Revit 2024, which is consistent colors style with textures used.

New Consistent Colors with Textures Visual Style

New option for the Align tool

With the new settings of the Align tool, users can align surface patterns on elements with a modified shape. Patterns can be aligned across the entire surface or individual triangular surfaces can be aligned.

New Align Tool Options in Revit 2024

New option to set the draw order of 2D elements in the family editor

It is now also possible to send elements such as a masking region or filled region to front or to back in the family editor with regards to their draw order in comparison to 3D elements, just as we are used to in projects. In version 2024, the draw order of these objects is consistent between the project and in the print output.

New Draw Order Options in Family Editor


Improved export of family types

When exporting family types to a text file, a new parameter defining the family type associated with the nested families used is now exported.


More detailed Solar Analysis

Solar analysis can now be more detailed, as shadow display sequences can now be defined at 15, 30, 45 or 60 second intervals. In perspective views, the sun can be manually dragged along its path. Setting the sun in solar analysis is also now available directly from the ribbon tab. Shadows are now automatically turned on when performing a solar analysis.

Solar Study in Revit 2024

Improvements to Revit to Twinmotion connection

The Twinmotion launcher automatically creates a direct link so that design and visualization can be created in Twinmotion easily. Enabled Auto Sync supports automatic synchronization of changes from the active Revit model to a direct link in Twinmotion or Unreal Engine. In order to enable automatic synchronization, the 3D view must be active. Automatic synchronization is then created with the current 3D view.

Revit 2024 to Twinmotion connection

New Toposolid object for creating terrain

Terrain can now be created as Toposolid. Toposurface (the original terrain surface) can no longer be created in Revit 2024, it can be only selected and edited in the graphical view. Old surfaces can be converted to the new Toposolid object. The Toposolid is a volume element (and not a surface as before), it is created using types and contains basic parameters. It is suitable for boolean operations such as cutting other components, volumes or elements in place. Figuratively, it behaves like any solid element with layers, similar to a floor for example. Two options can be used to create toposolid object. The first is by sketching its boundaries and modifying its shape and its height points, similar to the aforementioned floor or sloped flat roof. The second option is to use data import from CAD, CSV or TXT files.

New Toposolid options in Revit 2024

Toposolid can be created from the original Toposurface

Users can create a toposolid from a selected toposurface created in previous versions of Revit, including linked topography. Users will be notified to select the associated level when converting. Creating a new terrain type will not affect the original surface and the two will then overlap but will already be independent. For attached elements, users can re-host elements onto toposolid (such as handrails or terrain components) as needed. The Link Topography tool on the Insert tab will now readily create toposolid. In the connection settings, the connected level and the toposolid family type can be selected. Floor-based user families (e.g., elements created on a generic floor model template) can be hosted on the toposolid. For example, a slab edge can also be placed on a toposolid without shape modification.

Toposolid settings in Revit 2024

With Toposolid splitting you can use the standard Split tool from the Edit tab to split freely. After selecting the toposolid, the shape of the split can be drawn using the sketch. Revit retains the previously assigned annotations after the split. The larger of the parts of the split surface retains the original ElementID.

Toposolid sub-division is created with separate tool Sub-Divide (from the context menu after selecting the toposolid). These are done on a surface created by both sketch and import or on the attached topography. Sketch an arbitrary shape on the terrain surface and define a thickness that cannot be zero. The desired material can be defined in the Properties palette. The sub-division retains the shape of the terrain even after its subsequent modification. 

Earthworks are created with the Graded Region tool as before. If the regions to be compared share the same boundaries, they can be compared to each other and excavations and embankments can be detected. You can also assign different phases to surface features and work with them chronologically. Excavations can be performed simply by clipping other features. For example, it is possible to create a volumetric shape that is then simply cut out of the terrain. The subsequent modification of the volumetric shape results in an automatic adjustment of the excavation in the terrain.

Control points are turned off by default for toposolid, as it is expected to contain a large number of these points (unlike roofs or floors where they are on by default). They can be turned on in the drop-down menu towards the bottom of the Shape Edit panel. Annotations placed on points that are turned off will be preserved.

Toposolid Points are turned off by default


Terrain editing and settings

Tools directly related to terrain editing have been removed from the Massing and Site tab. Terrain definition is now split into two locations. A drop-down menu can be opened on the Model Site panel (the original arrow in the corner pointing to terrain settings has been removed). If you select the terrain created in the project, the Modify|Toposolid context tab can be used to click the drop-down menu downwards in a similar way to open additional settings. The contour settings can be defined by toposolid type - the type settings directly define the contour display.

Improved terrain geometry cutting

Since the terrain is now a solid body, it can be cut with other solid elements such as walls or floors, or even with void shapes created as in-place families. These categories can cut toposolids: toposolid, ceilings, floors, slab edges, roofs, roof fascia, roof gutter, roof soffit, structural foundations, walls, mass objects (not for LT). For excavations or tunnels, it is possible to use mass voids and subtract them from the toposolid.

Toposolid cutting options

Collaboration tools


Connecting of coordination models

Connecting Navisworks files (NWD or NWC) stored locally could be used in previous versions. It is now possible to connect coordination models from the Autodesk Docs cloud service. Models from Autodesk Docs can be attached without downloading the file. Views linked from Autodesk Docs use permissions from Autodesk Docs to manage access, making collaboration workflows easier when intellectual property protection is important. Coordination model views are simplified representations that provide context for the Revit model. It is possible to use more than 60 formats supported by Autodesk Docs.

Connection to coordination model from ACC in Revit 2024

Using snaps points for coordination models

New snapping on coordination model points can be used for better positioning of the coordination model, for measurements or for easier modelling.

Snapping point on coordination model in Revit 2024

Access to coordination model object properties

Similar to the connected Revit model, it is now possible to select individual objects of the coordination model connected from Autodesk Docs read their properties.

Coordination model object proerties can be accessed in Revit 2024

Managing connected coordination models

In the Manage Links dialog, a new Coordination Model tab has been added to manage all links to connected models.


Managing the cloud collaboration model cache

In the Options dialog box, you can define the path to the folder for using the cloud model cache. For more efficient configuration for multiple users, administrators can set the path in the Revit.ini file.

Some of the highlights of brand new Revit 2024 are showcased in the video.

 


This article is a translation of Daniel Erhart’s post from The Na zdi blog.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Report from the Construction Classification International Collaboration seminar in Tallin

Public seminar of the Construction Classification International Collaboration (CCIC), an international non-profit organisation, was held in Tallinn in December 2022. CCIC develops and promotes the Construction Classification International (CCI) classification system. There are plans in several European countries to use CCI as part of their respective BIM mandates. The seminar featured speakers from various countries where the CCI classification system is being actively developed and implemented. Although the seminar was held a few months ago, the development in the field of classification systems is not progressing so fast, that the information from the seminar would not be up to date. This article summarizes what the various speakers presented and provides an interesting insight into the situation regarding classification systems and BIM mandates in each country.

Jaan Saar giving his opening speech at the CCIC 2022 seminar

Jaan Saar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CCIC, opened the seminar with a brief description of the CCI classification system and the reasons why it was created. CCI is based on ISO 81346 tables augmented with some elements of the Danish CCS, while following the ISO 12006-2 standard. CCI was created as a single language to unify communication across all AEC professions and also across borders. In addition, Jaan Saar stressed that the facility management and operations sector is an integral part of the use and focus of CCI. In terms of the use of CCI, it is important that CCIC organization guarantees that any entity can use CCI free of charge, as the tables are licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license.

Subsequent contribution from Jaroslav Nechyba presented CCI from a more technical point of view and with a broader description of the reasons why a uniform classification in the construction industry is necessary. Particularly interesting was the answer to the question why to create a new classification system and not use an existing one, such as Uniclass or OmniClass. Mr. Nechyba gave the example of a window that has dozens of classes in the previously mentioned classification systems, whereas in the CCI classification it is one class. This more simple approach enables use of the same class for one element throughout the whole lifecycle process from design, through construction, to facility management and operations without having to change the classification.

Jaroslav Nechyba at the CCIC seminar

The next speaker, Raido Puust from Tallinn University of Technology and The Chair of the Technical Committee of CCIC, described the current situation of CCI implementation in Estonia. In Estonia, the requirement of The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to develop a building classification system was established in 2018. Over the following years, the CCI-EE system was developed, using CCI as a basis and extending it with the Estonian data standard (CCI-EE). Raido Puust then presented two pilot projects. This is an existing cruise ship terminal where CCI-EE has been tested for cost management. The second example is the digitalization of the Tallinn University campus, where CCI-EE will be used in digitization of 15 buildings and will be further used for facility management and operations.

The description of the current situation with adaptation of CCI in the Czech Republic was again taken up by Jaroslav Nechyba. The national BIM strategy was presented, including CCI and the Data Standard for Buildings (DSS). Plans for linking CCI to other governmental agendas, such as use within the Czech Office of Surveying and Cadaster, The Register of Territorial Identification, Addresses and Real Estate or the Czech Statistical Office and subsequent use for example for construction management or tax collection, were also mentioned.

This was followed by a presentation of Elzbieta Wielechowska from Poland, where the situation with the BIM mandate is a bit less advanced compared to the situation in the Czech Republic or Estonia. In Poland, it was only in 2022 that discussions have started with the state apparatus to envision the requirements for a BIM mandate and a working group will be formed in 2023. However, buldingSMART Poland representatives in this group will promote the use of CCI and CCI-PL, which is extended Polish classification system. The Polish colleagues are inspired by neighboring countries where the preparation of digitization of the construction industry is a little further along, such as the Czech Republic.

The presentation by Martin Mišún from BIM Association Slovakia shed light on the situation in this country. The support from the state apparatus here is also not at the same level as in Scandinavia, for example, but the situation is starting to move in the right direction. In 2021 four working groups have been established to work on digital building standards. The Slovak association is working closely with their Czech colleagues with the expectation that CCI will be used as a standard classification system. The translation of the CCI tables into Slovak language was completed last year and the plan is to create a similar website with CCI classification and API interface as in the Czech Republic. A new specialized plugin for classifying elements with CCI classes in Autodesk Revit software, Class Feeder by Arkance Systems CZ, was introduced. CCI tables available in Class Feeder are currently localized in English and Czech languages. The BIM Association Slovakia is planning to create an open API for the Slovak CCI translation database so that similar tools could use Slovak language CCI tables. As a brand new application, Class Feeder will be available free to use until the 30th June 2023. Users can access the Class Feeder application currently for free, just by filling the request form. After June 30th, commercial sales of this application will start.

Martin Mišún presents Class Feeder for Revit at the CCIC seminar

After the lunch break, the presentation by Gunnar Friborg from Denmark started. The presentation was very interesting, as Denmark started working on the requirements for the use of classification systems in the public sector back in 2007 and the author of the presentation was there from the beginning. Thus, in the framework of the Cuneco project, between 2011 and 2015, they developed a CCI classification system based on international standards. The development happened in collaboration with representatives from the public and private sector. One of the main requirements was for the classification system to work well in coordination with IFC. Most publicly funded construction projects today thus require the use of CCI or the Danish version of this system, CCS. CCI/CCS is adopted in many software solutions and is also used for facility management. On top of the CCI/CCS classification system, a system of standardized entity properties called the Molio dictionary has been developed. In the last four years work has started on the use of CCI in infrastructure projects, where CCI is now starting to be used on pilot projects in both the public and private sectors, such as in the design of the Femern tunnel, Denmark's largest infrastructure project. Gunnar Friborg points out that the implementation of CCI to production has taken a long time and a long time horizon should not be feared.

Gunnar Friborg presents At the CCIC seminar

The subsequent presentation by Andreas Persson from Sweden was conceived from the perspective of a property owner (AB Familjebostäder is the public real estate company owned by the Stockholm municipality) and generally described the use of the CoClass system for these purposes. CoClass is a classification system used in Sweden, similar in structure to CCI.

Jiří Buneš then presented experiences with pilot projects from the Czech Republic. He presented not only the experience with the use of the classification system, but also the identification part and use of data templates. The first two pilot projects shown were road construction infrastructure projects, followed by examples from the building environment. Practical application was shown mainly on the examples of property management and a renovation project of Prague Airport. This was followed by a demonstration of the idea of using CCI for construction management, technical infrastructure construction and urban planning. Jiří Buneš concluded by emphasizing that currently the deployment of CCI depends mainly on the personal initiative of individuals. He also added, that companies which have deployed CCI on pilot projects will continue to use it in the future after positive experience with the classification system.

A presentation on the use of CCI in Lithuania was given by Mindaugas Kiriejevas from The Construction Sector Development Agency and Darius Pupeikis from Kaunas University of Technology. In Lithuania, BIM mandate is being prepared for oversized construction contracts (contracts over 5 million Euro). Furthermore the NSIK, which is the Lithuanian national classification system, is under development and is based on the CCI. This classification system was presented by Darius Pupeikis in depth.

At the end of the day Mindaugas Kiriejevas signed the accession documents and Lithuania became the fifth member of the CCIC.

Mindaugas Kiriejevas signs Lithuania's CCIC accession agreement with Jaan Saar

It is evident from the whole seminar that in all concerned countries, the application of the BIM mandate and consequently the CCI classification system faces the same challenges and individual countries can learn a lot from each other. The CCI classification system appears to be a good basis for classification and subsequent work with data within the requirements of both the public and private sectors from design, through construction to facility management and operations. A broader data system is being developed in each country, with CCI as a basic building bloc, whether it is Czech Construction Data Standard (DSS), Estonian CCI-EE, Lithuanian NSIK, Polish CCI-PL, Estonian CCI-EE or the Danish Molio dictionary. These systems have different names and are adapted to the needs of different countries, but the purpose is the same with all of them. The most advanced country with regards to BIM mandate and classification is obviously Denmark, but positive developments can be seen in all countries which were presented on the seminar.

If you are interested in learning more about CCI and the situation regarding the standardization of BIM classification systems in different countries, the full seminar was recorded in the video below.





Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Custom development of CAM postprocessors for Fabrication CAMduct

CAMduct

A key component of all CAM programs is the translation of their results, the computed toolpaths and manufacturing processes, into the language and capabilities of a given CNC machine - the so-called postprocessor. This applies both to standard machine CAD/CAM software applications (machining, cutting, bending, 3D printing) and to specialized CAM software, such as furniture or sheet metal parts, for example air ducts.

There are currently only two CAM postprocessor developers worldwide who have been authorized by Autodesk to develop postprocessors for the manufacturing module of the Autodesk Fabrication family of BIM software - the Fabrication CAMduct, designed for manufacturers of building MEP components (HVAC). One of these selected developers is based in Atlanta, USA, and the other is Arkance Systems in the Czech Republic. At Arkance Systems, we have many years of experience developing and customizing custom CAM postprocessors for dozens of machines and control systems.

So if you don't find a VPL postprocessor file for your cutting, shearing or plasma machine already in the standard Autodesk Fabrication CAMduct offering, you can contact Arkance Systems CZ to develop or customize the new postprocessor you need.


More information:

Autodesk recommendation:Autodesk's Postprocessors for CAMduct
More about Fabrication: Autodesk Fabrication product page (in Czech)
For inquiries, contact info.cz@arkance-systems.com

Friday, December 16, 2022

The 19th Christmas CAD giveaway by Arkance Systems

With the Year 2022 coming to its end, the joyful Christmas time, we at Arkance Systems CZ continue our long tradition, giving out our CAD presents - our free tools for all CAD users, so they can extend capabilities of their Autodesk design software. But it is not only these Christmas presents - do not miss also hundreds of other useful CAD applications, web tools and CAD/BIM libraries offered for free on our portal CADforum.cz.

As a part of the tradition, this year's Christmas-tree utilities by Arkance Systems include (all can be downloaded from Freeware):

CAD

  • GEarth - linking your georeferenced DWG drawing with an interactive window with the popular mapping application Google Earth directly in AutoCAD or Civil. You might use it e.g. for tracking Santa... See the Tip


  • AutoClass - allows you to automatically classify the properties of DWG drawing objects (lengths, areas, diameters, elevations, volumes...) into separate ranges of colors or layers. See the Tip

  • IncText - renumbers texts in a DWG drawing in an incremental series of numbers. You can use a wide variety of options and style settings. It works with texts, block attributes and with table cells. See the Tip
  • NumInText - performs various types of arithmetic operations with numeric texts or attributes in a DWG drawing - you can add values in bulk, multiply by a factor, round, fill-in, format, and otherwise modify integers and reals in your AutoCAD drawings. See the Tip

  • LookupXLS - lookups and fills in DWG text values from Excel spreadsheets. You can use this "text-feeder" to find and fill-in texts/attributes in DWG drawing from Excel spreadsheets (e.g. from price lists, code lists, product catalogues, phone books, lease contracts, IP addresses, etc.). See the Tip
  • Txt2XLS - transfers selected texts from a DWG drawing to a table in Excel - interactively creates a table of texts from the drawing. See the Tip
  • Random Number Generator - flexible online random number generator for use in CAD applications and elsewhere. Adjustable ranges and generation methods, ability to work with XY and XYZ coordinates. See the section Converters on CADforum.cz - random numbers (in Czech)
  • USD Viewer - a universal interactive online viewer of 3D models in the USD/USDz format (incl. materials) can be used in the Converters section of CADforum.cz portal - just drag the file from your computer to the viewer window. See the section Converters on CADforum.cz - viewer page (in Czech)

AEC

  • Class Feeder - a new plugin for Revit that allows you to automatically classify your BIM projects according to the CCI standard chosen for the upcoming BIM mandate in the Czech Republic (and other EU countries). Speed up your BIM project creation. The app is now available for free as a gift. See product page (in Czech).
  • Arkance Systems Dynamo node library for Civil 3D - a free library from our Dutch colleagues, a package with over 800 useful nodes for the Dynamo automation tool in Civil 3D. Plus an example Dynamo script CS_2D points to 3D 1.0.0.dyn for processing points to 3D. The library is available as a package download directly in Dynamo.

MFG

  • Assembly COG export - this iLogic macro (rule) for Inventor exports the masses and coordinates of the centers of gravity (COG) of all parts in the current assembly to an Excel spreadsheet (using a template XLSx). Download AssyCOG.
  • Export STL parts - this iLogic macro (rule) for Inventor exports the individual parts of the current assembly to separate STL files for 3D printing. The files are located in the temporary folder C:\TEMP or another preset folder. Download Export STL.
  • Fusion 360 - Open from My Computer - a useful Fusion add-on for faster opening of native .F3D and .F3Z files from your local disk folder. Unzip the archive to a subfolder in API\Addins (see the Tip). Download Open from My Computer.
  • Steel codes - conversion table of steel classes and codes and their designation, according to DIN, CSN, ISO, GOST See the section Converters on CADforum.cz - Steel codes (in Czech)


And as usual - all these CAD utilities (and many other) can be found for download on our Freeware download page, some also on Autodesk Apps - or you can still try to write a letter to Santa Arkance Systems.


Best Wishes for the Year 2023

Enjoy Christmas with your families and let's build 2023 together!


Monday, May 9, 2022

1 Million Registered Users On The Portal CADforum.cz

The international web portal CADforum.cz operated by the Czech company Arkance Systems has already recorded its millionth registered user.

Over the 22 years of its existence, CADforum.cz has become a trusted source of technical information on Autodesk software products for professionals and students, not only from Czechia, but also from all over the world. This web service provided by Arkance Systems is a proven repository for tips and tricks, CAD software utilities, libraries of 2D/3D CAD and BIM blocks. The user community readily exchanges experiences and advice in the discussion forums, helping less experienced users to better use Autodesk design tools. Arkance Systems customers can also directly access the professional Helpdesk.

Some of the most popular content here includes over 9,400 tips and tricks for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, Civil 3D, Fusion 360 and other Autodesk products, hundreds of freeware CAD utilities with over 12 million downloads, over 44,000 blocks, models and symbols, thousands of discussion posts, online converters, viewers and other web tools, AutoCAD command dictionary. The most used online tools on CADforum are the physical units converter, the map coordinate converter, the STL converter, the barcode generator, the 1D/2D/3D optimization - nesting, or the web-based 3D USD file viewer.

The CADforum portal offers international content in English and separate content in Czech. And it is from the English-language part of the portal where the majority of the over 895,000 registered users come from, with the remaining cca 105,000 coming from Czechia and Slovakia. According to the international overview of user groups - "Autodesk Group Network" - CADforum.cz is today the world's largest online community of Autodesk product users (it is twice as big as the official group AUGI - Autodesk Users Group International). Most registered members come from the USA, UK, India, Canada, Australia, Brazil and the Philippines.

From the history of CADforum: 20 years of CADforum.cz


About Arkance Systems

Arkance Systems belongs to the European group Arkance (Monnoyeur Group). It has 125 employees in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and almost 600 employees in 11 European countries. It is one of the largest resellers of Autodesk products in Europe, has the highest status of Autodesk Platinum Partner and is also an Authorized training center and Application developer. It delivers CAD, CAM, BIM, PDM and GIS solutions for both large organisations and smaller companies. Some of its software applications can also be found on the Autodesk Apps store.

See also www.arkance-systems.com, www.cadforum.cz, facebook.com/CADstudio, linkedin.com/company/CADstudio, youtube.com/CADstudioCZSK

Friday, December 17, 2021

The 18th Christmas CAD freeware giveaway by Arkance Systems

The Year 2021 is coming to its end, the Christmas time, so we at Arkance Systems CZ (former CAD Studio) have decided to continue our tradition and again give out decorated presents - our free tools for all CAD users, so they can extend capabilities of their Autodesk design software. But do not miss also hundreds of other useful CAD applications, web tools and CAD/BIM libraries offered for free on our portal CADforum.cz.

As a part of the tradition, this year's Christmas-tree utilities by Arkance Systems include (all can be downloaded from Freeware):

  • ScaleBB/RotateBB - a LISP application for AutoCAD - scales or rotates multiple objects in relation to their individual reference points or bounding boxes. See the Tip


  • CopyBlockE - allows to copy-in a selected "borrowed" block from an external DWG file into your current AutoCAD drawing, or update that block from the foreign DWG, while maintaining its attribute values. Supports also dynamic blocks. See the Tip
  • GeoCode - to our AutoCAD app for forward- and reverse geocoding (conversion of address/location), we have added the support of the API of the what3words mapping service and an easier link to Google Maps - see the app page

  • RRename - an enhanced version of the AutoCAD app for mass renaming of layers, blocks, layouts, linetypes, style, groups or Civil objects using regular expressions - now supports more object types and allows global (multiple) string replacements. See the Tip
  • GeoRefImg - one of our most popular freeware apps, now allows to insert images directly with automatic placement to their georeference position, scale and rotation (by their World file), including mass-insertion. See the app page
  • CADexcel - we didn't forget AutoCAD LT users, this add-on for MS Excel allows mass import of XY/XYZ coordinates from an Excel sheet into AutoCAD (LT) - as points, polylines or blocks. See the Tip
  • Snake - modified two variants of the interactive game "Snake" in Visual LISP for AutoCAD
  • F360 Diry (Holes) - a useful plug-in module for Fusion 360 - bulk-selects all faces of the same color (according to an example), creates a selection set from them, which you can then use e.g. for CAM operations. See Download.

  • najdiDiry (findHoles) - an iLogic macro for Inventor, also locates holes, on the first solid in the current IPT document. After you select the holes, you can e.g. change their color or bulk-change their diameter using direct editing. See Download
  • exportujPlechy (exportSheetmetal) - an iLogic macro for Inventor - bulk-exports all sheetmetal unfolded shapes from an assembly into DXF, with preset settings, explained in the Tip, for download on Download
  • SelectParentOccurrence – a simple iLogic macro - in an Inventor assembly model, selects the parent component. See Download
  • HELUZ - in cooperation with HELUZ, we have prepared a gift for designers in the BIM application Revit - the application "HELUZ Lintels" inserts and displays the structural elements of lintels and additional bricks of the lining into the model in Revit. It also produces layout plans, documents for construction companies. See details and download (in Czech)
  • Converters - we have also extended function of the Converter section on CADforum.cz - so e.g. the online converter of mapping coordinates now supports the German coordinate system Gauss-Krüger. The new web app BarCode generates CAD versions of various types of barcodes. The IFC viewer displays you BIM model in the IFC file format - online, without installing any viewer software. See CADforum - Converters

CS+

- and many useful functions (parts are free, not only for customers) offered in our Arkance Systems bonus tools - "CS+":

  • InventorTools ("X-Tools", X-Tools LT) - additional tools for Inventor users
  • RevitTools (aka Holixa Tools for Revit) - set of useful BIM tools for Autodesk Revit
  • CivilTools - set of useful tools for Autodesk Civil 3D
  • PlantTools - set of useful tools for the piping software AutoCAD Plant 3D
  • VaultTools - set of useful tools for the PDM software Autodesk Vault
  • PowerTools - set of useful tools for the CAM software Autodesk PowerMill
  • FeatureTools - set of useful tools for the CAM software Autodesk FeatureCAM
  • FusionTools ("F-Tools") - additional tools for users of the CAD/CAM/CAE software Autodesk Fusion 360

And as usual - all these CAD utilities (and many other) can be found for download on our Freeware download page, some also on Autodesk Apps - or you can still try to write a letter to Santa Arkance Systems.


Best Wishes for 2022

Let's build 2022 together!
arkance.net/2022