Walk to Work

I walk to work every day from the train station to the office. I thought I’d  share my journey, with the entire route which has been captured by point cloud and all the in ground services modelled.

The 1.5 km Journey does not take me 2:30 minutes

The point cloud data equated to 3 GB per 100 meters. The point cloud data was processed with Recap Pro and service modelled in Autodesk Civil 3d. Both data sets were overlaid in Autodesk Navisworks and the viewport transition to create the animation.

So how did I manage to Create a render animation with 3 GB x 15 = 45GB.

The workflow to create an animation with s large point cloud data set.

1. Create and save the first viewport. The viewport needs to have the correct target eye level.
2. Apply a section box to the view, while keeping in mind the view depth to be limited. The intent of the section is to limit the amount of point per view when rendering the animation.
3. Update the viewport. Edit the viewport setting.
4. Pan forwards 100m or so to the desired location. Save the viewport and drag the section boxes.
5. Keep creating and staging the viewports, until the final desired location.
6. Now to sitch all the views together, create animation folder and drag in your views.
7. Click play and watch your animation.

 

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Chain Link Fence in InfraWorks

Great workflow for creating a chain link fences.

The Journey Adviser

Have you ever had the need to use semitransparent style like a chain link fence in InfraWorks?  Converting a typical barrier fence to a chain link fence is pretty easy to do, just follow these steps!

To get something that looks like this…

To look like this…

Step 1:
I think this is probably obvious because almost EVERYTHING starts with google, but that’s where we start.  Do a quick google search for your favorite “Chain Link Fence” image.  I found one that looks like this:

Step 2:
InfraWorks will treat any image with color as an opaque object.  That being said, if you remove the color from an image making that portion transparent, it will observe that transparency.  So, I use a free product called Gimp or Autodesk Pixlr, but you can use any image editing software to remove the background from the image you are using.  This should…

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Importing Revit files into Infraworks

Importing your Revit model into Autodesk Infraworks is a simple workflow and can be done in 3 ways.

1. Native Revit file imported via the cloud processing tool in Infraworks / or the local processing tool.
2. Exporting Revit via FBX (Revit always exports FBX units as feet) and importing FBX into Infraworks.
3. Export Revit via DWG (metric Revit files export as metric. Great for massing options) and importing into Infraworks.

My preferred workflow is using FBX, why this method?

• Exporting is done by FBX as it is sent to from Revit to Infraworks. Infraworks does allow RVT files (via the cloud / or local processing if you have Navisworks manage installed) to be imported but I found that if you can create an FBX file (with LOD used) of the exact model you require. Ie turning off all internal elements (furniture) in a saved 3d view making a smaller FBX file (hence a smaller AIM model). Similar workflow when exporting Navisworks from Revit, controlling the output.Revit always exports FBX units as feet

 

• The Basepoint in Revit is the model setout point of the exported FBX. You need to record the coordinates of the Basepoint as this will be used to position the FBX file in the correct location. This is based on the fact that you have set the model up with the correct coordinate which related to the site which is the known coordinate system.

The above image of the Revit model showing that the model has to  be rotated to a True north and that the basepoint is located in a PCG94 grid system.

Import FBX file which has not been configured (Revit always exports FBX units as feet)

The known coordinates system is inputted. Ie PCG94 in this example.

The x been the E/W from Revit 53800.6077, The Y been the N/S from Revit 264989.7382 and the Z been the Elev from Revit 17. Prior to recording the values I change the Revit unit to Meter.

 

FBX location defines in the configuration

Prior to recording the values I change the Revit unit to Meter.

Revit Units Set to Meters

• The Result of the building FBX file is imported into Infrawork using the Basepoint as the set out for the file. The model appears in the correct location but incorrectly rotated. What was not done during the configuration of the FBX file was input the True north rotation from Revits base point

• The strange part to get the model to be correctly rotated is to take the Revit rotation to true north and minus that from 360. Eg. 360°- 207.332°  is = to 152.668. using the value you input that into the configuration of the rotation for the Z.

The Z value of the Revit rotation to the True north – 360.

The short video below is a workflow that I’ve used to export Revit to FBX which then imported into Infraworks.
https://screencast.autodesk.com/Embed/Timeline/cf816aff-a4a5-4b3e-b0d1-9463525362d7

 

Western Australia Data request for Infraworks

Creating an Infraworks model in Western Australia, data can be obtain from Landgate.

Example of such data available are:

• Cultural features – buildings, general facility (eg library), industrial (eg pipeline), mine, place (eg town), tower (eg communications tower)
• Ground surface data – elevation (eg contours, spot heights), fuzzy land (eg gully, dune), morphology (eg embankment, crater)
• Hydrography – coastal flat, framework (eg coastline, marine construction), fuzzy water (eg swamp, lagoon), inland flat, inland water
• Transport – bridge, tunnel, general transport (eg cycleway, wharf), rail segment, road, transport facility (eg airport, bus stop)

Below is an Example request form for obtaining data from landgate. Form can be found here 

Below is an example of data received from landgate after a request. There is plenty of data available to create a Infraworks model.

Below is an example of data from landgate in Infraworks

Creating DWF from Infraworks

Infraworks does not have a simple export to DWF. I came across this workflow because at the last minute some needed a model in a file format that was small and simple to use. A presentation with a 3d model  of the proposed building works vs 50 slides, I know which one I rather see. 

The short video below is a work flow that I’ve used to export Infraworks to DWF, with the help of 3ds MAX.

Key workflow points

• Exporting is done by sending the model to 3ds MAX by the send to 3ds function. (3ds need to be installed on the PC for the function to be available)
• 3ds MAX now has the selected region of the model and exporting dwf is as simple as export to dwf. 

https://chronicle.autodesk.com/Embed/890a3823-becd-4658-85de-c020b02b0e81

Exporting Infraworks to Navisworks

Navisworks has never had a simple workflow of adding surface imagery without the use of 3ds Max. Infraworks add an easy. 

The short video below is a workflow that I’ve used to export Infraworks (before R4, in R4 the DDS texture mapping has been resolved) to Navisworks, with the help of an image convert like xnconvert

Key workflow points

• Exporting is done by FBX as there is no direct export from Infraworks to Navisworks.
• The FBX file when appended to Navisworks creates a folder with all the associated images
• The associated images need to be converted from .DDS to .JPEG and remapped when appending the .nwc.

https://chronicle.autodesk.com/Embed/abfb42a6-c64b-4aa3-996a-75a777ae04a7

Navisworks need to have the following setting set for the images to be processed.

• Ensure that the Convert Textures is checked.

  
Another setting is to have the on which general Navisworks will prompt you to turn on. Is Presenter (OpenGL).

 

Coverage Area – Transparency

 Infraworks Coverage areas are great for defining work area / easement but sometimes you would like the area to be transparent. This is possible in Infraworks by changing the Alpha channel of the colour that defines your coverage area.

 The pink coverage area defines the area of work.

The colour setting of the Coverage area is set with an Alpha channel of 250, by changing the alpha channel the transparency of the coverage area changes.

The Alpha channel is set to 100 in the image above to give a result in the image below of a transparent appearing coverage area.

 

Creating Project Grid PCG94 – Perth Coast Grid

The Work flow for Creating a Project Grid system in Civil 3d 2014 that can then be used across other 2014 Autodesk platforms, example Autodesk Map 3d, Autodesk Recap Pro and Autodesk Infraworks.

To create a Project grid you need to obtain the parameter that define that grid system. The example below is base on Perth Coast grid 94. Landgate and MRWA have the parameters to define local gird for area through out WA. Landgate have the details here for PCG94.

First to Create a Project grid in C3D use the _MAPCSCREATE. Follow the prompts. 

Start with a coordinate system.

The System is to be a Projected system.

Name the Project Grid System.

Base the System off GDA94.

Enter the Parameter that are found on Landgate website.

Review the Parameters and Click save.

Key Points

• Use the exact numbers for the Parameter data. Do not round the data.

Formwork Areas

Revit does not have a simple solution to calculate formwork Areas. The solution to schedule the formwork areas of each INSITU elements was to use Dynamo. The node does not take into account joint faces, only elements as a whole. The shared parameter for the top, bottom and side formwork area updated.

Formwork Area

Example of the formwork areas

Link to Download the above Graph.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1tBgb-b92k_NEF6RGpRRW41eTg

Formwork Area – Node

A custom node that split the surface based on the vector direction Z value relative to the surface. The result, the top, bottom and side area values are filtered to each.

BIMFix Framework for Shared Model Establishment

BIMFix Framework for Shared Model Establishment_v1-0

Brian Renehan has a blog , BIMFix has produced an excellent workflow for establishing shared coordinates in Revit and exchanging data between software platforms.

For Building Lead Consultants using Autodesk® Revit®

This free downloadable framework is a document which can be referenced from or attached to a BIM Execution Plan (BEP). The Framework provides the Project Team clear methodologies on how to establish and share Project BIM (Building Information Modeling) Models, where the lead design consultant is using Autodesk® Revit® as their primary authoring application. The framework is designed to be flexible in meeting project needs, work across BIM/CAD software platforms, and for actions to be controlled and traceable.

The detail can be found on BIMFix Blog

http://bimfix.blogspot.com.au/p/framework.html

Copying Coordinates System

A couple of years ago I wrote about how to create a local grid system for Perth coast Grid PCG94. You can copy the user definition of grid system from PC to PC using the following workflow, which Civil 3d, Map 3d and Infraworks access to the copied grid system.

The PC that does not have the defined Local grid system will need to configure Civil 3d or Map 3d to allows a definition of the grid system to be copied from PC to PC. The copied coordinates system will now be available in Infraworks.

• Set your workspace to Planning and Analysis
• On the Map Setup Tab – Coordinate System click on the options (Small little arrow in bottom right-hand corner)

The AutoCAD Map 3d option dialogue box and find the Coordinates system tab.

Coordinate System Definitions Stored in Drawings select Prompt User or Automatically add.

Now open a .dwg that contains the user-defined coordinate system from the other PC that has the defined coordinate system. The defined coordinate system will now be available on the PC that previously missing the user-defined coordinate system including
Infraworks.

You can download a sample .dwg that contains Perth Costal grid here PCG94

 

InfraBIM Dynamo nodes

A  brief explanation of my custom nodes.

Transform_in

I use this node when bringing world coordinates data into Revit. The node takes the project define base point and true north angle and 2d matrix transforms and subtracts against the input values.  The result been the value are now relative to project base point. ( aka smaller.)

Transform out.

I use this node when getting world coordinates values out of Revit. The node takes the project define base point and true north angle and 2d matrix transform and adds to the elements local coordinate values, resulting in world coordinates.

XYZ parameter.

This is not so much as a custom node but more of a time saver. I have reparations uses of this node when inputting or modifying elements with xyz parameter and world coordinates parameters.

Formwork Area

I use this node to get the split surface areas based on the direction of Z value relative to the surface. The result, the Top, Bottom and side area values

This is not so much as a custom node but more of a time saver. I have reparations uses of this node when inputting or modifying elements with xyz parameter and world coordinates parameters.

Basepoint.

This node is used to input the project base point. Example of use is when creating topographic surface from a landxml file. The process of trash and burn.

GIS into Revit using Dynamo

Revit does not have an import function for a GIS ESRI Shapefile. There are multiple workflows of using MAP 3d or Civil 3d and then importing a .dwg into Revit. Dynamo and the package of GIS  now allow the import function of points, curves and Polygons. The current Package on Dynamo only imports the geometry within the Shape file and not attributed information, this is currently not available within the GIS package.

The image of the Dynamo script below uses GIS package in Dynamo to read the shape file and insert point families into Revit. As noted before only the point and curve geometry is import into Revit, no attributed data. The Points are matrix transposes the point to suit the Revit base point to insert point base family in the correct location.

The above appears to be complex set of node but really are just a simple connection of node that performs a simple task;

1. Read the ESRI Shapefile

2. Process the ESRI Shapefile into list

3. Get the Project Base Point and rotation

4. Matrix transforms the point from the Project base point

5. Insert Point family from the transformed base points

The above image is a group of nodes to read the ESRI Shapefile

The process in the above image includes reading the entries of the points within the Shape file. The result a list of points is needed to be inserted into the Code block to list

A group of nodes to get the project base Point.

The next node group is thanks to Wikipedia! If you can understand Revit shared coordinates well try think of it backwards!!!

Revit’s project base point is the mathematical set-out point of the graphical database. The project base point removes large numbers from the database and makes the math simple. I actually don’t know how to write it in words but to put it simple if you had the option of x =235982030, y=230923092, Z=14000 vs  x=1, y =1, z = 1 for every point as a reference point which one would you chose?  Well, Revit makes it simple by using 1,1,1 and tell base point is the large number which is multiplied by linear algebra.  To get the reverse into Revit from Dynamo you need to take the points that you have and Matrix transforms them from the Project base point and rotation to true north. Year 12 linear algebra, comes to mind.

Refer to the Wikipedia for Matrix transform https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformation_matrix

Rotation[edit]

For rotation by an angle θ clockwise about the origin, the functional form is  and . Written in matrix form, this becomes:^[4]

Simple math but complex to get at the start.

Once the Points have been reversed transform then can be used as points within Revit

Download the updated dynamo script Link

Download the shape file Example Link

 

 

Excel to Revit using Dyanamo

I’ve now been using Revit for 10 years and only in the last month through the use of Dynamo have I been able to use a command line like AutoCAD (on Steroids). Revit does not have an input command line where you can use specific coordinate, but dynamo gives you the availability to do just that.

 

The image of the Dynamo script below uses excel as the input for coordinates, and then matrix transposes the point to suit the Revit base point to insert point base family.

The above appears to be complex set of node but really are just a simple connection of node that performs a simple task;

1. Read the Excel Spread Sheet

2. Process the Excel sheet into list

3. Get the Project Base Point and rotation

4. Matrix transforms the point from the Project base point

5. Insert Point family from the transformed base points

The above image is a group of nodes to read the excel file.

The first Row within Excel has a heading (fields)  which needs to be removed from the list within to allow the clean list.

Excel has a series of cells which each data entry occurs. To make the data usable within Dynamo the data is required to be processed. The first set is to transpose the list in excel and then from there each column broken into the individual list.

The individual list then can be used to transform the points as well as other function within Dynamo. Using a simple Python script to split each column into individual lists.

A group of nodes to get the project base Point.

The next node group is thanks to Wikipedia! If you can understand Revit shared coordinates well, try to think of it backwards!!!

Revit’s project base point is the mathematical set-out point of the graphical database. The project base point removes large numbers from the database and makes the math simple. I actually don’t know how to write it in words but to put it simple if you had the option of x =235982030, y=230923092, Z=14000 vs  x=1, y =1, z = 1 for every point as a reference point which one would you chose?  Well, Revit makes it simple by using 1,1,1 and tell base point is the large number which is multiplied by linear algebra.  To get the reverse into Revit from Dynamo you need to take the points that you have and Matrix transforms them from the Project base point and rotation to true north. Year 12 linear algebra, comes to mind.

Refer to the Wikipedia for Matrix transform https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformation_matrix

Rotation[edit]

For rotation by an angle θ clockwise about the origin, the functional form is and . Written in matrix form, this becomes:^[4]

Simple math but complex to get at the start.

Once the Points have been reversed transform then can be used as points within Revit

Download the Example Dynamo Script Link

Download the Example Excel Spreadsheet link

Stadium Station

Its been a long time since I’ve posted anything new on my blog. I’ve been locked away working on a great project, which I would like to share with you.

This Video is just a small clip of the over view of the Project.