Flow of Information between Design and Construction

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm an Argentinian Architect working for a construction company. The design department is in Argentina and at the moment we are building an industrial farm in Paraguay, a neighbor country.

Our current design-to-construction workflow consists on building the model in Revit, printing the blueprints in PDF and loading the pdf files on google drive, where the people in the construction download them.

This has many problems, like having to repeat this process every time we update the blueprints, and the mess of having multiple versions.

I would like to know what are the real life workflows that you use to communicate with the construction site.

I know there's a360 bim and 360 docs, the problem with them is that you can't print the sheet as pdf or any other format, you can only visualize them, and we need to print them in the construction site. You could download the model on site and print the sheets, but that would be the same as loading the model on google drive and having someone on construction downloading the model and printing the sheets.

I can't seem to find an answer to the problem, any explanation of real life workflows is really appreciated, 

Thank You, Francisco.

[ToanDN]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello, I'm an Argentinian Architect working for a construction company. The design department is in Argentina and at the moment we are building an industrial farm in Paraguay, a neighbor country.

Our current design-to-construction workflow consists on building the model in Revit, printing the blueprints in PDF and loading the pdf files on google drive, where the people in the construction download them.

This has many problems, like having to repeat this process every time we update the blueprints, and the mess of having multiple versions.

I would like to know what are the real life workflows that you use to communicate with the construction site.

I know there's a360 bim and 360 docs, the problem with them is that you can't print the sheet as pdf or any other format, you can only visualize them, and we need to print them in the construction site. You could download the model on site and print the sheets, but that would be the same as loading the model on google drive and having someone on construction downloading the model and printing the sheets.

I can't seem to find an answer to the problem, any explanation of real life workflows is really appreciated, 

Thank You, Francisco.

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It sounds like a reasonable workflow, not sure why it can become a mess.  

- When you update the model then you certainly need to re-print the PDFs.  Do you batch print?

- To avoid confusion on the receiving side, only keep the latest greatest PDFs on the cloud, or at least append date and archive the older ones.

[Anonymous]

Don't you know of any software that automates this process? Or makes it easier in any way?

Thanks for the answer, I'll look into batch printing the pdf files.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Don't you know of any software that automates this process? Or makes it easier in any way?

Thanks for the answer, I'll look into batch printing the pdf files.

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Batch printing?  I just create print set(s) in Revit and print the whole set each batch, no additional add-in.  But Revit does come with its own Batch Print that is proven useful.

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

• I know there's a360 bim and 360 docs, the problem with them is that you can't print the sheet as pdf or any other format, you can only visualize them, and we need to print them in the construction site
• If the team member (constructor ,in your case) is an Editor not a Viewer in A360 Team , then he(she) will be able to edit the files ( including .pdf), print ,download them.....You have to have a paid account.....

• I would like to know what are the real life workflows that you use to communicate with the construction sit
• We , also use .pdf , but not only ...usually ,the constructor requires also a .dwg , the most widespread CAD file at us...The .dwg (usualy AutoCAD 2007) has the Surveyor Coordinates  , so it is easy to trace on site any construction...by the survey engineers...

[Anonymous]

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@constantin.stroescuwrote:

• If the team member (constructor ,in your case) is an Editor not a Viewer in A360 Team , then he(she) will be able to edit the files ( including .pdf), print ,download them.....You have to have a paid account....

I entered the suscription page of A360, and I read it is discontinued, is this true? The alternative is 360 Docs, with a paid account in 360 Docs can I download the sheets of the revit files as pdf?

Thanks for the previous answer.

[constantin.stroescu]

so it is.....Autodesk make some changes for new customers, now it's 360 Docs that includes more 360 application into one...

[Viveka_CD · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for posting on the forum!

Good to hear from Paraguay, Argentina!  

• Please see Latest BIM 360 Docs - April 25, 2018 Update Release Notes by @joan_allen
• Check this article To Launch BIM 360 Docs and Sign In
• Learn about new and enhanced features in Autodesk® BIM 360™ Docs
• Learn the basics to get started and then master techniques that help you get the most out of BIM 360

You can also post on the BIM360 docs forum for further assistance.

Batch printing:

• Another discussion related to batch print is a good option as suggested by @ToanDN
• Before creating a batch print job, be sure that you have set up the printer and prepared the Revit project.
• There are few third-party plugins* which partly automate this process. See rtv tools* and Bluebeam batch print*
• You can also Create a watch folder in Adobe* See forum thread

Let me know if this helps and if you have any questions!

*I have provided a link to an application or add-in that MIGHT provide the extra functionality for which you are looking. Please note, however, this is not an Autodesk product or endorsement. You should take all precautions whenever you elect to download/install/utilize any application and do so at your own risk. Please review the developer’s documentation and disclaimers before proceeding to utilize their product(s).

 If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. 'Likes' welcome!

Regards,

[Alfredo_Medina]

Why is the process so focused in printing? Paper and printing are expensive and become obsolete in a short time after the whole set is printed. Try to use electronic files as much as possible. Team members can look at the sheets from their computers or tablets. 

[Viveka_CD · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

It's been a while and I just wanted to follow up here, any progress on this issue?

Did you seek more assistance on this issue? 

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. 'Likes' welcome!

Thank you.

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

I have not heard back from you in a while. Let me know if you need additional information.

You are welcome to unmark the solution and continue the conversation if you'd prefer.

Regards,