Revit Architecture Forum
Welcome to Autodesk’s Revit Architecture Forums. Share your knowledge, ask questions, and explore popular Revit Architecture topics.
cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

What to do when discussion groups are not enough?

23 REPLIES 23
Reply
Message 1 of 24
patagoniadave
223 Views, 23 Replies

What to do when discussion groups are not enough?

Hi, let me please make sure that you are all aware that I am aware that the discussion groups are peer to peer, and that getting help is a privilege, not a right and that I really appreciate all help I get here and at other sites.

My question is, what should I do when I can't get an answer that solves my problem? I have a few posts here and at AUGI that I have no responses to, or a response that doesn't fully answer (again I am NOT complaining, although I would prefer a "that's a stupid question" or "no one knows" than no response at all). My usual train of events when I am stuck is to refer to my printed out help file that adesk shipped to me, check one of my two training/reference books (one of which is Paul's book) search old posts (which I am terrible at because I usually get dozens of posts that have nothing to do with what I am talking about) and then finally posting my question. Sometimes when I am pressed for time I may skip one or two of those steps, and have a premature posting. So when all that fails, should I be calling my reseller, or logging into the subscription site? I am not really familiar with how all that works. It's also embarrassing because I know my questions are stupid and obvious and people are rolling their eyes. Maybe I am phrasing my questions wrong, or looking in the wrong places for them? I have been perusing blogs lately, and have found some neat things. Anyway, thanks for any advice, and again, thanks for all the help!
23 REPLIES 23
Message 2 of 24
smorain
in reply to: patagoniadave

I agree it is frustrating when you don't get a response at all. The only advise I have is to go through some training-though it could be costly. Kelar Corporation offers one on one and class room environments...and I think seminars-(858) 455-4900. If you can, request Cathy Hadley, she's great.

If you are looking for a quick fix, I don't know what to tell ya!
Message 3 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: patagoniadave

I would think that your reseller would be in some position to offer
technical help. It may be fee-based, maybe not...depends upon your
situation. I would start by making a phone call and discussing your options.

Other than that, it's probably going to be a combination of resources that
helps you get thru the learning curve....books, on-line videos, or as noted
below...training. Although I have to say that after taking both Building and
Structure intro courses thru my reseller....I didn't think they offered much
except to quickly show-case what Revit can do. I think the one on one
tutoring mentioned may be the best bang for your buck ...OR...some kind of
fee-based assistance. I have a resource that I call...he gets online with me
thru GoToMeeting.com and he can look at my screen from his location and take
control of my cursor to show me things. In-friggin-valuable.

--
David Ford
Migrant Technical Laborer

"Reinvention is requisite to life in an impermanent Universe."

wrote in message news:5254760@discussion.autodesk.com...
I agree it is frustrating when you don't get a response at all. The only
advise I have is to go through some training-though it could be costly.
Kelar Corporation offers one on one and class room environments...and I
think seminars-(858) 455-4900. If you can, request Cathy Hadley, she's
great.

If you are looking for a quick fix, I don't know what to tell ya!
Message 4 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: patagoniadave

I wonder this same thing sometimes. Does Autodesk have a helpline?

Your reseller should have a technical support guy, but they aren't always
the most knowledgable as they have to learn almost every software that
Autodesk offers and don't use it in real world situations, at least in my
experience.

I just took a quick look at all of your posts, it appears just by looking
that there are responses to every post that you've made. What questions
aren't you getting answered and can't find anywhere?

I personally read through all of the posts on here, but I don't answer the
ones that I'm not qualified to answer and it seems ridiculous for me to
write that I don't know.




wrote in message news:5254685@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hi, let me please make sure that you are all aware that I am aware that the
discussion groups are peer to peer, and that getting help is a privilege,
not a right and that I really appreciate all help I get here and at other
sites.

My question is, what should I do when I can't get an answer that solves my
problem? I have a few posts here and at AUGI that I have no responses to, or
a response that doesn't fully answer (again I am NOT complaining, although I
would prefer a "that's a stupid question" or "no one knows" than no response
at all). My usual train of events when I am stuck is to refer to my printed
out help file that adesk shipped to me, check one of my two
training/reference books (one of which is Paul's book) search old posts
(which I am terrible at because I usually get dozens of posts that have
nothing to do with what I am talking about) and then finally posting my
question. Sometimes when I am pressed for time I may skip one or two of
those steps, and have a premature posting. So when all that fails, should I
be calling my reseller, or logging into the subscription site? I am not
really familiar with how all that works. It's also embarrassing because I
know my questions are stupid and obvious and people are rolling their eyes.
Maybe I am phrasing my questions wrong, or looking in the wrong places for
them? I have been perusing blogs lately, and have found some neat things.
Anyway, thanks for any advice, and again, thanks for all the help!
Message 5 of 24
sbrown
in reply to: patagoniadave

If you guys are on subscription you have paid for help, go to autodesks website, click subscription, enter your info and you can click create support request, you then upload you file or issue and within 2 hours you have a response. Many times a phone call if the email solution doesn't work. They are very helpful, thats probably the 2nd best benefit of subscription. If you went thru a reseller I would try there first.
Message 6 of 24

Thanks for the contact.
Message 7 of 24

"Your reseller should have a technical support guy, but they aren't always
the most knowledgable as they have to learn almost every software that
Autodesk offers and don't use it in real world situations, at least in my
experience."

I have an advanced Revit class coming up in August, but what you said about the reseller trainer is right. I was actually offered that job knowing nothing about Revit two years ago, and turned it down.

"I just took a quick look at all of your posts, it appears just by looking
that there are responses to every post that you've made. What questions
aren't you getting answered and can't find anywhere?"

Actuall Aaron Rumple just went through and blasted out all my questions that I hadn't had a response to yet, and I am extremely grateful. That wasn't the reason I wrote this post, but I am thankful anyway. One answer also reminded me of another arena of help, which is the knowledge base. Since you ask there are two things I am struggling with right now, I have gyp board showing up inside square tube columns that are embedded in walls, but someone said it is supposed to do that. I also have a stacked wall that I can't get a room to flow through an opening in.

" it seems ridiculous for me to
write that I don't know."

I know, I guess what I was trying to say is that it can be very disheartening for someone to post a question they are struggling with, knowing full well that it is probably very stupid, and then watch it slink down the list of posts day after day with the 0 responses next to it. It's even worse in AUGI when you can see how many people looked at it and decided it wasn't worth responding to. Of course people shouldn't take it personally, but it is easy to fret and wonder why.
Message 8 of 24

We are on subscription, (aren't all Revit licenses?) but I haven't really looked at the site yet. I guess I envisioned their help as more of technical support like "hey why did this crash" rather than "hey why can't I see my floor color through this table" but I will definitely check it out.
Message 9 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: patagoniadave

I just reloaded my computer and haven't reloaded Revit yet, so I can't
verify this, but I kind of remember doing a tutorial where it covered
columns during my 3 day training class. If I remember right there are 2
types of columns, structural and architectural columns, or something like
that. First we placed a conc architectural column and joined it into the
wall, then placed a structural steel column inside of it. Seemed to clean
up the walls nicely so they didn't pass through it. Maybe you could try
something like that. Your other questions about the stacked wall, I don't
think I understand, but I haven't done any stacked walls yet, so maybe
that's one of those I'm not qualified things. 🙂



wrote in message news:5255529@discussion.autodesk.com...
"Your reseller should have a technical support guy, but they aren't always
the most knowledgable as they have to learn almost every software that
Autodesk offers and don't use it in real world situations, at least in my
experience."

I have an advanced Revit class coming up in August, but what you said about
the reseller trainer is right. I was actually offered that job knowing
nothing about Revit two years ago, and turned it down.

"I just took a quick look at all of your posts, it appears just by looking
that there are responses to every post that you've made. What questions
aren't you getting answered and can't find anywhere?"

Actuall Aaron Rumple just went through and blasted out all my questions that
I hadn't had a response to yet, and I am extremely grateful. That wasn't the
reason I wrote this post, but I am thankful anyway. One answer also reminded
me of another arena of help, which is the knowledge base. Since you ask
there are two things I am struggling with right now, I have gyp board
showing up inside square tube columns that are embedded in walls, but
someone said it is supposed to do that. I also have a stacked wall that I
can't get a room to flow through an opening in.

" it seems ridiculous for me to
write that I don't know."

I know, I guess what I was trying to say is that it can be very
disheartening for someone to post a question they are struggling with,
knowing full well that it is probably very stupid, and then watch it slink
down the list of posts day after day with the 0 responses next to it. It's
even worse in AUGI when you can see how many people looked at it and decided
it wasn't worth responding to. Of course people shouldn't take it
personally, but it is easy to fret and wonder why.
Message 10 of 24
smorain
in reply to: patagoniadave

"I know, I guess what I was trying to say is that it can be very disheartening for someone to post a question they are struggling with, knowing full well that it is probably very stupid, and then watch it slink down the list of posts day after day with the 0 responses next to it. It's even worse in AUGI when you can see how many people looked at it and decided it wasn't worth responding to. Of course people shouldn't take it personally, but it is easy to fret and wonder why. "


Are you a writer?
Message 11 of 24

"Actuall Aaron Rumple just went through and blasted out all my questions"

I think we all owe Aaron much beer. Hey, Aaron, you gonna be at AU this year?

Jeffrey
Message 12 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: patagoniadave

A writer indeed....sounds like something a character from a Dostoyevsky
novel would lament to himself while trudging home thru the blowing snow and
biting wind.

You may have another career path to consider.

--
David Ford
Migrant Technical Laborer

"Reinvention is requisite to life in an impermanent Universe."

wrote in message news:5255628@discussion.autodesk.com...
"I know, I guess what I was trying to say is that it can be very
disheartening for someone to post a question they are struggling with,
knowing full well that it is probably very stupid, and then watch it slink
down the list of posts day after day with the 0 responses next to it. It's
even worse in AUGI when you can see how many people looked at it and decided
it wasn't worth responding to. Of course people shouldn't take it
personally, but it is easy to fret and wonder why. "


Are you a writer?
Message 13 of 24

I am frequently guilty of viewing and not replying to posts at AUGI. Since I'm a forum admin I read very nearly all, believe it or not. There are so many that I could easily fill an 8 hour day replying to them. But then I'd earn no income and live on the street, lose my family and lose my internet access unless I could hack into a wireless point...but then my battery would die...sorry I digress.

Sometimes a question that goes unanswered is poorly asked or the reply is more involved than the time readers can spare when they read it. More involved may just mean that it will take four paragraphs to explain effectively instead of click this, click that. Fortunately I frequently find such a post has been dealt with before I can get to it. Oh and when I say poorly asked I mean no disrespect. Sometimes it is hard to ask the right question when you're not sure what to do in the first place. That's what makes searching the help files so hard to do.

The goal is zero zero response threads yet there are days with too many zero response posts at AUGI and here. Unfortunately not everyone feels capable of replying, confident enough to do so or has enough time right at that moment.

So I'll make no more excuses...just try to forgive us for not getting to them. We're all trying hard to be there 8-)
Message 14 of 24

That column thing will work on my boxed out cols, but not the exposed ones. No bid deal, it is not like the contractors are going to try and figure out how to get gyp board inside a column :-). Steve Stafford helped me figure out the stacked wall thingie on his blog, as I understand modeled openings don't work on stacked walls (as far as letting rooms bleed through) and the reason my edit profile wasn't working is that the wall was pinned. All is good now. I probablly shouldn't even be using a "stacked" wall, but it is my first project so I will learn from my mistakes. THanks for the feedback.
Message 15 of 24

"Are you a writer? " no but when I was a kid books were my main source of entertainment and escapism, so I have read a lot of fiction. I guess it rubbed off a little and I get over dramatic.
Message 16 of 24

Again, I wasn't writing to complain, I am very appreciative of all and any help, as everyone is I am sure. I think Steve just summed it all up perfectly, it is hard to ask the right question, and people who are answering are volunteering their time, who are as busy if not more than everyone rushing to find the answers.

Thanks to all who post and answer, and another big thanks to Aaron.
Message 17 of 24
dgcad
in reply to: patagoniadave

.
I think your first resource really should be your reseller but I am also aware that that is not always the answer. $5,000 and 3 days later you are only a little further ahead.

The answer is education and it takes a little time.

This discussion site and augi are both great sites to get answers from especially once you get the ball rolling but you need to get the fundamentals down, create a template file and you need to be able to make some familes internally.

If you are coming to these sites each day for answers then you need more education. You need a 'super user' in the office.


Hope this helps,
DG Message was edited by: Discussion Admin
Message 18 of 24
ijnicholas
in reply to: patagoniadave

Best Practices for Trouble shooting:
0. Search online Help
0.1. Search in Forums for similar issues.
1. Post your Qs at this forum and at Augi.com
2. Dont wait (if you are in a hurry) and add a support request using Revit Help Menu > Create a Support request. This is a subscription service and those guys are really GOOD. Quick. They typically tell you if it is BUG or if it is NOT possible.
3. Contact your reseller.
May be there are other steps I missed. But there is only "something" one can do. Please understand there may not be a "correct" answer to a question. Philosophically, not all questions can have answers!!!
As Steve said before, it is not possible to answer some qs because of the specific nature of the Q and the users think that somebodyelse with experience with the specific problem will reply and move on without replying.
Contrary to your reaction, one could feel a lil happy by seeing 0 reply post....coz...your q is so unique / complex / not dumb / not obvious that NO ONE could answer it!!!!
HTH
meendum santhippom.
nicholas iyadurai
www.nichitecture.com
Message 19 of 24
ljupadhyay
in reply to: patagoniadave

Autodesk must supply a tutorial book with video on DVD in the software package. But we all know, they will not do so. You have to learn from Paul f abbin.
Message 20 of 24
dgcad
in reply to: patagoniadave

.
Here's an interesting comparison to contemplate.

When you buy a car ($25,000) from GM are they responsible to teach you how to drive? Does the car come with a DVD of videos on driving and maintenance ? (perhaps it should...)

But No. You take the training, you practice alot and you go to your dealer for maintenance and information.

How is CAD software any different? The software works. It comes with a manual. It's up to you to get busy and learn it.

Sorry but I think (and see proof) that people now a day are getting lazy. They want it now and they want it fast. If you want a CAD software that is learned in a week(end) use Sketchup. Then see how far that gets you on your resume.

When a welder buys a bunch of welding equipment do the equipment suppliers have to train you. I don't think so. You have to go to college for 2 years and study.

I went to a few $$ seminars a while back on 'Break through Thinking'. The overall message was > In order to make serious change and advancement you MUST embrace frustration and aquish. Becasue if there is no frustration and anguish there isn't going to be much change or advancemnt. Bottom line.

A little rant from a guy who knows the meaning of frustration and anguish.

DG Message was edited by: Discussion Admin

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the community or share your knowledge.

Post to forums  

Rail Community


Autodesk Design & Make Report