Autodesk’s New Content Catalog to Centralize your BIM Content and Data

by Gillian Tolentino | Dec 13, 2024 | Autodesk

Autodesk recently announced the launch of Content Catalog, a cloud-based digital asset management tool designed to provide a single source of truth for storing, versioning, and accessing BIM content, including Revit families. Content Catalog is the new Autodesk integrated version of UNIFI Pro, available to Autodesk Docs subscribers at no additional cost.

With this launch, Content Catalog will only be available to those who store their data via the US data storage location. Access to Content Catalog, for those who utilize the EU and Australia storage locations, will be available at a future date.

How Content Catalog benefits BIM content management

Content Catalog helps AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) firms boost efficiency and reduce unnecessary rework by simplifying the management, distribution, and discovery of the latest and most accurate versions of their digital content. It centralizes vetted BIM content and data in one location, aiding in setting and enforcing firm-wide standards to enhance the accuracy of deliverables.

Further, this centralization greatly bolsters digital content accessibility and democratization for users. By centralizing digital assets in a Common Data Environment and utilizing a robust search system, Content Catalog users can significantly reduce the time spent locating BIM content, allowing them to dedicate more time to design.

Check out this quick demo to explore the Content Catalog environment.

Key Features

Organize Content: Create customizable Content Collections with flexible user permissions.
Saved Searches: Save, retrieve, and share frequently used searches.
Robust Search System: Refine search results through dynamic filters and multiple display options.
Automatic Upgrades: Automatically upgrade files to Revit, retaining file history and parameter values.
Content Approval: Admin approval, rejection, and editing of user-uploaded content
User Management: Controlled access to Collections through user group permissions from the ACC Docs Admin Portal.
File Management: Upload, manage, and distribute a wide variety of file types, with in-app integrations for Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil3D.

Get started with Content Catalog today

If you’re new to Autodesk or want to get this software today, our team at Robotech can help. We offer comprehensive entry-level basics training, and we sell Autodesk software directly to companies across the country. We are a gold partner of Autodesk, and we’ll ensure your team is fully set up and comfortable with the software before we consider the job “done”.
We have a few Autodesk packages that we offer, and we can provide a free trial for you to test it before you buy. Within a few minutes, you’ll see how helpful this software is in maintaining your healthcare compliance accreditation.

Schedule a call to get started today.

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Changes to Autodesk’s 2025 Pricing

by Gillian Tolentino | Dec 12, 2024 | Autodesk

Effective January 7, 2025, prices will increase on many Autodesk subscription renewals.

Autodesk recently announced that the 5% discount on annual renewals will be discontinued and the 10% discount on multi-year renewals will be reduced to 5%. This change does not apply to subscription renewals discounted through trade-in offers like Move to Subscription (M2S) and Transition to Named User.

Here’s how to plan ahead:

Renew your subscription early and before January 7, 2025 to take advantage of current pricing.
Renew for a 3-year term to avoid any possible prices increases during that period.
Feel free to reach out if your subscription expiration date is after January 6th.

Affected Products

The following popular Autodesk products and more are impacted by these changes:

AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT
AEC Collection
Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
Revit
Civil 3D
BIM Collaborate Pro
Navisworks

No Changes to:

Premium, Flex, M2S, and Named User subscriptions.
Government pricing, which may vary.

Take Action Today

Contact our team now to learn more by replying to this email or by calling 201-792-6300 to talk with your account manager, or email the sales team at [email protected].

Why Choose Robotech CAD Solutions Resources?

By purchasing directly from us, you gain access to:

Personalized renewal support.
Expert license management and assistance tailored to your needs.
Industry-leading guidance for your digitization journey.

FAQs

Why is Autodesk making these changes?
The adjustments align Autodesk’s pricing globally and streamline renewal policies across regions.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, certain globally priced subscriptions (Premium, Flex) and Enterprise Business Agreements are unaffected.
Can I still get discounts?
Yes, 3-year subscription renewals will retain the 5% discount, and EMS subscriptions in select markets will also receive specific discounts.

AutoCAD Tips: Mastering Annotative Objects for Text and Dimensions in AutoCAD

by Gillian Tolentino | Oct 14, 2024 | AutoCAD, Autodesk, Tutorial

Tutorial Objectives:
This tutorial will teach you how to use annotative text and dimensions in AutoCAD. Annotative objects automatically scale based on the viewport scale, allowing you to maintain consistent text and dimension sizes across multiple viewports in a layout.

Understanding Annotative Objects

What are Annotative Objects?
In AutoCAD, annotative objects are designed to be scaled automatically based on the scale of your drawing or viewport. This feature is especially useful when working with text, dimensions, and hatches that need to appear at a consistent size on printed drawings.

Why Use Annotative Objects?
– Eliminates the need to create multiple copies of text and dimensions for different scales.
– Ensures that annotations are readable and consistent in different viewports.
– Saves time and reduces errors in scaling manually.

Creating Annotative Text

Step 1: Define Annotative Text Style
1. Type `STYLE` and press Enter to open the Text Style Manager.
2. Click New, name the text style as `Annotative Text`, and check the box labeled Annotative
3. Set the font and size (e.g., 1/8” or 3 mm depending on your units).
4. Click Apply and then Close.

Step 2: Place Annotative Text
1. Type `TEXT` and press Enter.
2. Specify a start point and enter your text (e.g., “Annotative Text Example”).
3. Notice the Annotative Icon (a small scale symbol) next to the text, indicating that it’s annotative.

Step 3: Assign Annotation Scale
1. Select the text object.
2. In the Properties panel, find the Annotative Scale section.
3. Add multiple scales (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) using the Annotation Scale dropdown.

Tips:
Use the `ANNOAUTOSCALE` command and set it to 1 to automatically add the current annotation scale to all annotative objects.

Creating Annotative Dimensions

Step 1: Define Annotative Dimension Style
1. Type `DIMSTYLE` and press Enter to open the Dimension Style Manager.
2. Click New, name it `Annotative Dim`, and check the box labeled Annotative.
3. Go to the Text tab and set the text height to 1/8″ (or 3 mm).
4. In the Fit tab, ensure that Scale dimensions to layout is selected.
5. Click OK and Set Current, then close the dialog.

Step 2: Place Annotative Dimensions
1. Type `DIMLINEAR` and press Enter.
2. Select two points on the rectangle to place the dimension.
3. The dimension will automatically be assigned the current annotation scale.

Testing Annotative Scaling in Viewports

Step 1: Create Layout Viewports
1. Go to the Layout tab and type `MV` (for Make Viewport).
2. Draw two viewports side by side on the layout.

Step 2: Set Different Scales for Each Viewport
1. Click on the first viewport and set its scale to 1:1.
2. Click on the second viewport and set its scale to 1:2.

Step 3: Observe the Annotative Objects
– The text and dimensions should automatically resize based on the viewport scale, appearing consistent and readable in both viewports.

Tutorial Tips:
If the annotations don’t display correctly, use the command `ANNOUPDATE` to refresh them.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

1. Annotations Not Scaling Properly:
– Ensure the objects are set as annotative in their properties.
– Verify that the annotation scales have been applied correctly.

2. Text or Dimensions Not Visible:
– Check if the viewport scale is listed in the object’s annotation scale list.
– Use `ANNOALLVISIBLE` and set it to 1 to display all annotative objects, regardless of the current scale.

3. Text Overlapping or Cluttered:
– Adjust the annotation scales or reposition objects to avoid overlaps in different viewports.

—

By mastering annotative text and dimensions, you can ensure consistent annotation sizes across different scales and viewports, making your drawings more professional and easier to read. This is a powerful skill for anyone looking to streamline their AutoCAD workflow.

Interested in learning more AutoCAD content?

CAD/BIM Tutorials

Training

Revit Tips: Setting Up Phases in Revit for Renovation Projects

by Gillian Tolentino | Oct 7, 2024 | Autodesk, BIM, Tutorial

Phasing in Revit is an essential tool for projects that involve renovation or construction in stages. This feature allows you to differentiate between existing, demolished, and new construction elements within a project. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to set up and use phasing effectively for a simple renovation project.

Tutorial Objectives:

– Understand the basics of Revit phasing.
– Set up phases in a Revit project.
– Assign elements to different phases (Existing, Demolished, New).
– Adjust phase filters to control the visibility of elements in views.
– Create a phase-specific view (Existing Plan, Demolition Plan, New Construction Plan).

Step 1: Understanding Phases in Revit

Revit uses phases to manage different stages of a project’s lifecycle. By default, Revit includes two phases:

– Existing: Represents the current state before any new work begins.
– New Construction: Represents elements that are added during the project.

You can add more phases if needed (e.g., “Demolition”), but in most renovation projects, these two are sufficient.

Step 2: Setting Up Phases in Your Project

Open your Revit project.
Go to the Manage tab on the ribbon and click on Phases.
In the Phases dialog box, you will see two default phases: Existing and New Construction.
You can add more phases by clicking Insert if your project requires it (e.g., adding a “Demolition” phase).

Step 3: Assigning Phases to Elements

Every element in Revit can be assigned a specific phase:

Select an element in your project (e.g., a wall).
In the Properties palette, find the Phasing section.
Set the Phase Created property. For existing elements, set it to Existing.
For new elements, set the Phase Created to New Construction.
If an element needs to be demolished, set Phase Created to Existing and Phase Demolished to New Construction.

Step 4: Using Phase Filters in Views

Phase filters control the display of elements based on their phase status:

Select a floor plan view (e.g., “Level 1”).
In the Properties palette, find the Phase and Phase Filter settings.

– Phase: Set this to the phase you want the view to represent (e.g., “Existing” or “New Construction”).
– Phase Filter: Choose a filter like Show All, Show New, or Show Demo based on what you want to display.

Try switching between different phase filters to see how the elements change visibility.

Step 5: Creating Phase-Specific Views

To effectively communicate your renovation project, set up separate views for each phase:

Duplicate your floor plan view (Right-click the view > Duplicate View > Duplicate).
Rename the views according to the phase (e.g., “Level 1 – Existing,” “Level 1 – Demolition,” “Level 1 – New Construction”).
Set the Phase and Phase Filter properties for each view:

– For Existing views, set the Phase to “Existing” and the Phase Filter to Show Complete.
– For Demolition views, set the Phase to “New Construction” and the Phase Filter to Show Demo.
– For New Construction views, set the Phase to “New Construction” and the Phase Filter to Show New.

Step 6: Annotating Phase Views

Add tags, dimensions, and annotations as needed in each view.
Ensure that demolished elements are properly indicated with a dashed line or other visual style (controlled by the Phase Filter settings).

Step 7: Creating a Phase Schedule (Optional)

You can also create schedules that list elements based on their phase:

Go to the View tab and click on Schedules > Schedule/Quantities.
Choose a category (e.g., Walls) and click OK.
In the Schedule Properties dialog, add the field Phase Created.
Use filters to separate existing, demolished, and new elements.

Tips:

– Use graphics overrides in the Phases dialog to customize how different phases appear (e.g., existing elements in gray, demolished in dashed lines).
– Check the Phase Filter settings carefully, as they control what elements are visible in each view.

Interested in learning more Revit content?

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AutoCAD Tip: New in 2025 are Tech Previews – Try the latest Block Object Detection

by Gillian Tolentino | Sep 4, 2024 | AutoCAD, Tutorial

Tech Previews, also referred to as technical or technology previews, offer you the opportunity to access new features in AutoCAD before they’re officially released. By participating in Tech Previews, you can explore and test out the functionality of these new features and provide valuable feedback to the AutoCAD product team.

During a Tech Preview, the preview features are fully functional and ready to be used. Since these features are still under development, additional capabilities and improvements may be available for testing. This provides you a chance to evaluate how these features can benefit your workflows and projects.

Unlike Beta programs, Tech Previews are open to everyone, allowing active participation and contribution to the ongoing improvement of the feature’s capabilities. Your feedback is important in shaping the final version of the feature.

AutoCAD is dedicated to continuously improve and evolve the preview feature until it reaches a stage where it’s ready to be released as a regular feature, thereby transitioning out of the Tech Preview phase.

AutoCAD 2025 includes a technology preview that uses machine learning to scan your drawing for objects that can be converted into blocks.

When you start Object Detection, the drawing’s geometry is sent to the AutoCAD machine learning service for recognition. Once the service has analyzed the drawing, the palette will notify you if any objects have been detected that can be converted to blocks. To further inspect and assess the identified instances, click Review Objects.

In review mode, the Detection toolbar is displayed at the top of the drawing window. This toolbar provides various options for navigating and managing detection results. The detection results are grouped into sets of similar objects. A set represents a group of similar detected objects that can be converted into instances of a single block.

Within each set, the primary instance (outlined by a blue border) serves as the block definition when converting into a new block. Alternatively, if you choose to convert into an existing block, the primary instance is used to define the insertion scale and rotation.

You may encounter incorrect sets or instances during detection review. In the following example, a similar object is not detected and included in the set. You can report this error using the Detection toolbar. By reporting errors, you contribute to improving the overall performance and accuracy of the machine learning service.

Key Considerations

Object Detection is a technology preview, which means that the detection capability and functionality will be further enhanced and improved over time.

It’s important to note that Object Detection is optimized for plan-view drawings. The types of objects that AutoCAD can detect are continuously expanding. Currently, Object Detection is best at recognizing the following objects:

Single-swing doors
Double-swing doors
Toilets
Bathtubs
Urinals
Generic lighting symbols

Note: Object Detection relies on machine learning algorithms, so the results may not always be completely accurate or comprehensive.

To optimize detection accuracy as we continue to improve the machine learning algorithm, it’s recommended to set your drawing to real-world units before you start the detection.

While in review mode, the following commands are temporarily blocked:

BEDIT
COMPARE
COUNT
COUNTLIST
PLOT
PUBLISH
REFEDIT
TRACE
XCOMPARE

How Autodesk Tandem and Eptura Enhance BIM and Digital Twins for Facility Owners

by Gillian Tolentino | Apr 30, 2024 | Autodesk, Eptura, Tandem

The partnership between Autodesk and Eptura is redefining the facilities management landscape. Combining Autodesk’s expertise in design software with Eptura’s suite of workplace and facility technologies ushers in a new era of building lifecycle efficiency and innovation.

Initiated in 2021, this strategic alliance synergizes Building Information Modeling (BIM) with facility and workplace management, fostering a transition from construction to operations and enabling a connected building maintenance solution.

Simplifying the Transition: How Autodesk Tandem and Eptura Enhance BIM and Digital Twins for Facility Owners

Facility owners often grapple with the leap from construction completion to operational readiness with the handover process. And while Building Information Modeling (BIM) might not be widely recognized in the facility owner’s lexicon, its value in transitioning from construction to operation is worth understanding.

BIM is the holistic process of creating and managing information for a built asset. Based on an intelligent model and enabled by a cloud platform, BIM integrates structured, multi-disciplinary data to produce a digital representation of an asset across its lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations.

Recognizing that many owners and facility teams are not BIM experts, Autodesk Tandem and Eptura are simplifying this complexity. They are making intricate BIM data accessible in an intuitive solution that’s already commonly used by facility operators, easing owners into the operational phase.

Tandem leverages BIM data and presents this valuable information back to the facility owner and operator, within the context of an accurate virtual model creating a near real-time digital twin, bridging the handover gap whilst Eptura is utilizing the data from the twin to enhance operational workflows.

Hand in hand for a modern workspace

The Autodesk Tandem and Eptura integration connects BIM with facility management workflows, a powerful synergy that delivers meaningful results for operators. Together, the cloud-based solution streamlines the use of building design and engineering information, along with space and asset data, to facilitate more effective and efficient building operations and maintenance. It bridges gaps typically introduced between the design and operations phases of a building’s lifecycle.

There are four key advantages in creating this bi-directional, continuous data loop:

Improved operational efficiency:

Facility management can utilize digital twin data to gain insights into facility trends and monitor asset performance, helping to address potential issues proactively, thereby enabling operators to:

Improve operational cost efficiencies
Compress the impact of planned closures
Reduce the frequency of unplanned downtime

Enhance occupant experiences:

Workplace leaders can combine the digital twin of a building with solutions to optimize how spaces are used and managed based on building occupancy and systems analytics. This is essential tooling to:

Modernize workplace environments, creating effective, purpose-built experiences
Improve security and safety for building occupants
Lift the occupant experience for every building user

Capital project management:

Real estate leaders can leverage the digital handover and use the asset and facility operations data to optimize capital project development, from planning and design through delivery and operations. This can:

Accelerate capital planning
Improve forecast accuracy
Increase cost predictability
Reduce defects at handover

Optimize sustainability performance:

Building owners and corporate leaders can gain greater visibility into the carbon usage of facilities. Today, it’s critical to achieve new standards, lead energy reduction projects, and benchmark the results alongside regular building maintenance. The resulting impact enables leaders to:

Enhance energy efficiency
Reduce their carbon footprint
Minimize impact on the environment

Simply put, in connecting design, BIM, and operations, Autodesk Tandem and Eptura enable building operators to manage the lifecycle of their portfolios more effectively.

The future is integrated

Autodesk and Eptura are crafting a future marked by enhanced efficiency, improved planning, and a new standard in building environment interaction.

An upcoming integrated Eptura-Tandem interface, featuring an embedded Tandem viewer within Eptura, is set to transform asset management. It will shrink the time to configure and continuously update the building’s profile for regular building, facility, and asset maintenance. With unparalleled 3D views into the building’s infrastructure, technicians can more rapidly service buildings and assets while also contributing to the building’s data model.

How Robotech Can Help

This advancement marks a new era for building owners and operators seeking exemplary building lifecycle management and thoughtful financial management of their investment.

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