Some of my observations:
1. Get them comfortable with drafting 2D in Revit. The sooner the better.
2. Do your first projects, light on the modeling - heavy on the drafting.
3. If you need standard details sheets quick. Leave them in AutoCAD. Who
said you just had to use only one software?
3. Create a good solid set of:
Fill Patterns.
Materials
2D Details
Repeating Details
These things burn time up front and better to have them all set up so they
don't need to be done on the fly.
4. Start converting standard details to Revit as soon as possible. Use Revit
detail components instead of plain linework whenever possible for ease of
editing in the future.
5. If you want AutoCAD drawings as standard details there are several
options:
a. Clean the drawing in AutoCAD. Use overkill. Delete dimensions. zap
hatch patterns. Just keep the linework. Layer the drawings for simple import
so things are on the correct Revit "layer". You don't have to use pick lines
to convert the DWG. It can be exploded and then worked with as Revit
linework.
b. Import the detail as is into a Revit detail family. This is a good
way to store them so they are easily accessible to multiple projects.
Leaving the DWG unexploded keeps the dimensions and text intact. It's a good
down and dirty trick. Plotting should be faster.
For schematic design, make sure they are experts at area calcs using both
the area tools and the room schedule tools. Show them how to input the
building program before they even draw a single wall. Use the program and
actual area to let them know how they are doing with the design. This has
been our greatest tool for project cost control. If we can control the
program accurately in SD, then we're probably going to be successful with
our later budgets.
If all else fails: Fire everyone.
"AlmightySR"
wrote in message
news:4936261@discussion.autodesk.com...
I posted this in another DC but wasnt sure how many here are a member of
that and your experience might be valuable to me... if you reply.
Our firm is moving to Revit and the AutoCAD users and going along kicking
and screaming... ok not that bad. Let me give you and example.
We are doing SD phase on our project in Revit. One of the things we do is
to take old details from other projects and just stick them in as place
fillers for quick estimation. Once done we throw them away. Well our old
projects are in AutoCAD and we cant plot multiple linked AutoCAD files on a
plot sheet because our plot file sizes get HUGE and clog the plotter. So I
mentioned that we might have to convert some of these standard details into
Revit lines using the pick tool under the line command. So I get "Well them
can our other option be to just plot them out in AutoCAD sheets because we
dont have time to do that".
Thats what gets me... this "we dont have time to do that in Revit". if your
time doesnt have time to do that now on this project, then WHEN will you
EVER have time to do that? We are always working to meet a deadline. If
you dont have time now to learn it then WHEN?
How can I address the issue of them playing with the design all day is
causing them to not turn out billable content and not learn Revit. Yeah
playing with the design is the fun thing to do, but its only billable to a
point. We make our money on CDs and the actual built building which is what
will be done in Revit, the design is approved and can be tweaked later.
When they give me these options my only response can be "Can we extend the
deadline a week?". Extending the deadline is probably the most dangerous
thing we can do to a project and I wish to avoid this as much as possible.
If we extend the deadline and the client doesnt sign the SD documents for
another week, that gives use 7 more days for a failure. if within those 7
days the client doesnt get funding, or cant obtain the funds, then he isnt
going to sign off on the SD and we cant charge. Its simple math!
Anyway, with that said. How do you handle the "We dont have time to do that
in a new program" talk?
