Potential for Framing

[jpolding]

Will there be a potential to create framing plans and cut sheets using the new API?

[DoTheBIM]

I too am interested in this and have been trying to watch closely to see what kind of things start coming out with the use of the API. From my limited view on things (mainly looking at the samples) it looks as though it is possible to auto insert framing members into a project and additionally then extract the data point information to generate a cut sheet. For now I'd only need the framing layout functionallity, but wouldn't complain if someone felt the need to add cut sheets or schedules to the function. Ok... who's up to the task and.... are you done yet?:razz: ;)

[jpolding]

As soon as "someone" does this is as soon as they will make money at it. There's an existing market for this but the programs are cumbersome and only provide a fraction of what is possible with the Revit platform.

[Steve_Stafford]

Ok... who's up to the task and.... are you done yet?:razz: ;)Since this is something near and dear to your heart...perhaps the two of you and others might take a little time to outline (again) what the workflow is for you or what you'd like it to be.

For example, what if the framing functions were 2D only, an overlay of sections/elevations of walls? Then a framing detailing routine asks for points and design decisions and perhaps the pick of a wall to find openings and such. The result is a 2D layout of wall framing.

Providing some insight might stimulate some thought and programmers always need a problem to solve right?

[jpolding]

The dream for a Revit framing module would probably include the following:

an ability to define framing of:
1. walls
2. around particular doors and windows.
3. roofs, floors
4. around particular openings
(Maybe the Edit Assembly would have an additional part to it)

THEN...

assuming it's made with the same awesome Revit capabilities you would be able to:

1. Update instantly with changes to model
2. Tag/Schedule framing members
3. Section and view in multiple ways
4. drop those views on to sheets-print/post

[jpolding]

Since this is something near and dear to your heart...perhaps the two of you and others might take a little time to outline (again) what the workflow is for you or what you'd like it to be.

For example, what if the framing functions were 2D only, an overlay of sections/elevations of walls? Then a framing detailing routine asks for points and design decisions and perhaps the pick of a wall to find openings and such. The result is a 2D layout of wall framing.

Providing some insight might stimulate some thought and programmers always need a problem to solve right?I still have a lot to learn with Revit but I'm not sure I'm seeing in my mind what you're seeing with the 2D overlay idea. My feeling is if we're using Revit, the best 3D architectural software out there, why can't we stay with 3D?

[DoTheBIM]

I think jpolding hit most of it well.

Some additional features.... (i.e. ideas)

User preferences on how to frame corners (exterior or interior) and wall intersections, preferences to use 2x10 headers or other as default... autoframe around floor openings doubling joists around the opening... placing sized hangers on joists attached to other joists, but not ones resting on top of beams or walls...Everybody does everything different.

I can use 2d floor and roof framing layouts if I can assign and item number and other parameters to it and have is scheduled out or exported via ODBC or other with the rest of the house for a ship loose list. 3D components would be nice though as when you cut a section you will get the crossection of components with it. Nice but not neccessary for me. As for walls all I would need is a 2d representation of the wall framing with dimensions on every stud and plate.... but only for specialized walls such as ones with sloped top plates or walls that have non standard window openings such as combinations other than standard rectangular openings.

Then in the schedule or export...take all the little pieces in the floor framing and combine them to a certain number of whole boards.... the ability to schedule openings that are not in specialized walls.... the list goes on....the ability to schedule actual wall lengths verses center of wall to center of wall.

If a programmer would want to take on such a task I'm sure we'd all be glad to give input and others that don't currently use such functionallity might find it adds value to their plans and find reason to charge an option fee to do so. Any way I'm babbling now.

There's really unlimited possibilities and combinations of things that you could account for, it really a question of what's most important to the masses. For me the ability to do a complete BOM w/ Revit and have it only report things that I want to ship loose with things we build in the plant and also have it in phases.... would be a blessing and a dream all at once... but I may be dreaming a little.