training wheels?

[malachi constant]

Hi all, newbie to the forum, and to Revit.

Background: I've been in the architecture business over ten years, on the electrical side. At my first firm had someone in mechanical coach me through LISP and other CAD customization tricks and tools. Have been able to do some awesome things in CAD when I see the need.

At a new firm now (my third). They (we, I should say) are in the process of switching to Revit. Finished my first Revit project yesterday. Halfway through it realized we are light years behind where we should be. Don't have a motor schedule set up, panel schedules don't calculate correctly, light fixture library is sketchy at best, when you circuit a motor the name doesn't come through to the schedule, etc etc etc.

I know some issues I will come across are due to Revit limitations, and I will have to find a creative work-around or just live with doing a given task outside of Revit. But I know others are due to our lack of fully using what Revit offers. We have one guy here who knows far more Revit than anyone else, and is pretty sharp, but isn't yet a great resource to teach me the fundamentals, let alone what comes after.

So... This post is to ask if there are any resources out there, books, tutorials, 3-day classes, etc that are incredibly useful at getting me started down the Revit path. I figure once I get going I'll be OK, but right now...well, for instance, just read an article in the latest AUGI magazine about customizing electrical families to let you adjust the symbol location while keeping the device in place - and I have no idea how to complete the first step. Anyway, once I get going I should be fine, between this forum and my colleague I think I can find a working solution to anything I'd want to do. But getting that first level of training is going to be critical. Recommendations? Thanks!!

[drewj]

Where are you located? there are some great technical resources available at resellers that may get a recommendation from another AUGI member if you are in their area.

Otherwise, just keep reading here and elsewhere on the web, and try to do the simple things first, make a simple family (a box with a connector) then make it more complex, learn what works and what doesnt.

The family guide has some step by step info to get you going on them I seem to remember (I used it to create my first proper elbow family) http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...12&id=13376617 .

Figure out what each tab in the visibility graphics dialog box does and you will be able to better control the display of your views.

Good luck

[malachi constant]

Thanks, that will give me something to do this morning. (Project went out yesterday.)

Located in Minnesota - Twin Cities area. I hesitate to contact the local Revit vendor based on my experiences with other CAD vendor training. The CAD training I attended through them was always a waste of time, less of a training class and more of a sales pitch. But if people recommend going the local vendor route I'll give it a try.

At a previous firm I had the opportunity to attend a week-long SKM (circuit modeling software) training session in another state. I learned a ton there, even if most of it was for facilities folks and therefore not applicable to me or over my head. I at least came out of it knowing the basics plus the possibilities. I don't really want to spend three days/a week out of state now (have a family and more job responsibilities) but would consider it. Preferably there would be something in Minneapolis.

And...I have a rudimentary understanding of the VG box - know how to shut on and off HVAC/piping/etc. I've been told not to touch any of the tabs except Worksets. Figured out how to hide/unhide things, adjust detail levels and visual styles, create sections and elevations. Baby steps.

Thanks again!

[drewj]

AU is a great training environment, and a lot of fun too, forgot about that.

[Misteracad]

It is true that resellers are NOT all the same, but there are definitely some good ones out there if you look. I don't know about your particular area, but I highly recommend you get good training NOW before you take on another project. There is a right way and a wrong way to use Revit MEP, and if you establish bad habits you will be very sorry. Revit MEP is unforgiving and will chew you up and spit you out if you don't give it what it wants

That being said, you could also consider one of the Revit MEP guns-for-hire, but they will be expensive with travel and all. My recommendation would be to check out the Revit MEP computer-based training CDs available thru CADLearning.com

http://cadlearning.com/index.php?opt...=65&Itemid=207

I've purchased multiple versions and highly recommend them.

Hope this helps!