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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
