SysQue, Thoughts?

[ben]

We are beginning to dip our toe into Revit, possibly making the switch from Fabrication CADmep, but it doesn't really do us any good if we can't spool real world parts for fabrication, and I hate the process of "riffing out" everything to Fabrication; it's dumb to have to rely on CAD when using Revit, besides the process is a real pain in the neck. What is everyone's thoughts on SysQue? Good, bad, otherwise.

[ben]

Check out this add-in for spooling, made by Victaulic. The program is cheap compared to most software (It's cheaper than a good pair of work boots). http://www.victaulicsoftware.com/store/

TIP: You know how some things in Revit can have really long descriptive names? SysQue is no exception. It's very descriptive with it's names, but they can be very long names that can sometimes become confusing, especially if you're handing a list off to someone that is not a Revit user or not familiar with your system setups. For instance, if I hand off my list to get ordered and the pipe on the list says "CS GRV Grinnell (CU Solder Nibco x CS GRV Grinnell)" which means what's inside the parentheses is the system and outside the parentheses is the specific pipe. Do you think the person doing the ordering is going to know what that means? Probably not. So, in SysQue, I put in the description "Black Iron - Sch 40 - Grooved End" to describe the pipe, and also put similar descriptions in for fittings.

Here are a couple of examples:

To get those descriptions to show up using Vic Tools, using either for spooling or getting quantities, just remove the label "Description" and replace it with "Alternate Description II". You can even give it the title of "Description" so it looks normal.

Then you get spool sheets with normal descriptions of pipe and fittings:

It might take a little adjusting to get SysQue & Vic Tools to work together in harmony, but once you get it, you'll really like it!

[L-Vettz]

We use 100% ITMs for all fabricated items. For bought out equipment we will usually use Revit families. ITM's work great if you have a well maintained database. We only have some minor issues with ITM hangers, but that's more because of how we built or hanger files than anything else.

For spooling we use Stratus. We like stratus because its live and web based. So we try for mostly paperless prefabrication. Our fab shops just login to Stratus and can see our spools in the forge model as we are assembling them. It's neat. It is still our newest workflow, so were working out all the kinks. But it shows that you can get LOD400 in Revit without the two most common tools (Sysque and Vic tools). Can't let them monopolize the process ya know, Autodesk does enough of that already. 

[revitnation]

Stratus is the way to go for electrical if you are fabricating conduit for Revit. Also, I am working with the conduit industry to help develop shoeless auto bending using 3D benders similar to the one shown in video below. This is how conduit will be designed (modeled in Revit) and fabricated (in bending hubs set up by region)

https://youtu.be/ot0Cxmk2aa4

[ben]

That's a pretty sweet conduit bending machine. I realize the bends it was making were for demonstration purposes, but if an electrician had to actually pull wire through some of those offsets, he'd probably strangle the guy that designed it lol.

[RTourvilleH6TFE]

I know this thread is old but try eVolveMEP.

[L-Vettz]

eVolve has its place. It is not an all in one database like sysQue, it does rely on a pre-existing fabrication part database. A lot of its advertised tools like annotation renumbering, point extraction, and hanger layout can all be automated in OOTB Revit with dynamo and some elbow grease. It spooling features can be nice, although if your using it for just spooling then it is hard to justify it over the cost of Victools or a shop automation software like Stratus. Like I said, it has its place, but its far from a magic bullet.

[revitnation]

2025: CAD to FAB to KIT. No more Sheets. Each part has bar code. Each installer has slim profile VR head set. Revit will never do this. CAD is alive and well and getting ready to kick into overdrive.

[darrelmilstead]

sheet metal draftsman in MD, are you still using SysQue?  we are possibly transitioning as well since DD3D is phasing out.  Interested in hearing your thoughts on SysQue?  sent you a PM

[s.borello]

SysQue is great, but expensive.

[ben]

It works pretty good, but it definitely has it's own set of issues. Then again so does Revit. I can't stand SysQue's spooling though, so for spooling I use Vic Tools.

[thardyJ7D8N]

I/we just purchased (3) licenses of SysQue and 16 hours of training for 10k......

[BIM_Manager_Emerald]

Im sure Sysque can be  great but please see below for my frustrations:

1. Interface is not intuitive whatsoever.

2. Support is pay only and I have to contact 2-3 people each time

3. I frequently have problems accessing the tools due to "Licensing Issues" and have to restart Revit to fix.

4. Extremely high cost for software.

[RTourvilleH6TFE]

Ever consider eVolveMEP Electrical?

[ben]

I don't think the interface is bad. It's basically just like another pallet on the screen. On some of my more common used systems I actually replaced their pictures for fittings as real pictures of fittings.

Our subscription includes support

I haven't had really any licensing problems.

Yes, the software is extremely costly!

[ben]

Never heard of it. We don't do electrical either. I did look up their mechanical one, and it looks like it still runs off of the fabrication database.

[revitnation]

Here are a few interesting looking Add-Ins with free trials.

https://www.kowabungastudios.com/

https://www.symetri.com/products/naviate-electrical

https://www.ggdesk.com

http://www.designmaster.biz/revit/index.html

https://www.trace-software.com

https://www.gogtp.com/wireworks/

[Amm315]

Sysque is not worth it. Couple years of using it now and it doesn't live up to the hype there are better options. If you are thinking about it in 2021. Don't do it.

They changed their pricing to autorenew subscription only, then the licenses keep having problems, and their customer service is terrible. Good luck if you want to cancel and get any money back. In fact just to cancel they need 60 days notice before renewal. Who came up with that!? That's more of a scam tactic than a customer focused company would act.

A lot of their "managed content" isn't good, it isn't cohesive in how it is constructed, most of it is hard to use and no thought was put into it's creation. It's all flashy sales talk until you really try get into the weeds using it every day.

The spooling can be done with other software. Save yourself the hassle and don't get Sysque. 

[RobDraw]

What does "isn't cohesive in how it is constructed" mean?

[Anonymous]

I have no words .

[RobDraw]

You have at least four.