IT'S TOP TEN TIME!!! - WINNERS POSTED

[jbalding48677]

Ladies and Gentlemen (and Steve :wink: )

I am looking for a TOP TEN TASKS list to present at AU this year. I am asking for your input. Please post your TOP 5+ FAVORITE things about Revit by completing the sentence; "I love Revit because I can _____________." These items need not be for the advanced user only and can include simple tasks as well.

What do you get for your troubles? I will personally see to it that the 3 individuals that post the most QUALITY* tasks receives a "Special AU Gift", along with my hearty public thanks during the presentation. (Sorry, I don't have the budget that Marty had)

These posts can be sent to me directly at jbalding@watgNOSPAM.com (remove the NOSPAM) or posted here on the Zoog site.

Thanks in advance for your help.

(Jim Balding and Chris Zoog are NOT eligible for this contest; all others ARE, including Autodesk employees)

*Please refrain from just repeating the Autodesk marketing brochure

[Scott D Davis]

1. I love Revit because I can....change my plan and be assured my entire project updates!

2. I love Revit because I can....spend more time designing and less time drafting!

3. I love Revit because I can....impress the cr@p out of my boss and clients!

4. I love Revit because I can....create sections without having to draw a single line!

5. I love Revit because I can....create my own custom families!

[Chad Smith]

I love Revit because I can...

1. easily edit wall elevation profiles on the fly, this was a pain in the butt in ADT 3.0.
2. build a set of plans using one model, and everything reacts with just about everything else.
3. impress the client while he stands behind me and watches his building grow before him.
4. do very cool looking shaded 3D views with great detail.
5. construct a set of drawings in a way that no-one else in the office can, at a speed that no-one else can match. And that makes me a much more valuable employee :wink:

[jbalding48677]

Well, we have a tie for first place so far. Don't be afraid to post more than 5 items, remember there is a real prize for the most quality items. BTW, the more specific the better i.e.:

I love Revit because I can:

Create a curved sloped curtain wall in 3 minutes
Create complex walls quickly and accurately
Swap out all of my generic window type "A"'s and replace them with specific window type. (or just change the size for design studies)
Create a custom door that will insert easily and show up on my schedule (with the profile of a person running through it if I want).
Cut a hole in my floor in minutes and have it show on the sections and perspectives.
Add a roof and change slopes and rake/gables quickly, not to mention add eave and gutter profiles
Layout complex stairs (relatively) easily
Create just about any parametric component without programming
Create custom color fills instantly
Extract just about any type and configuration through the use of a schedule. All doors in phase 2, on level 2, grouped and totaled by type…
Schedule sheets!!!
Instant room area feed back

You get the picture, the more specific the better…

Keep them coming!!!

Thanks for the quick feedback, this Zoogdesign Forum community kicks booty.

[hand471037]

I love Revit because:

1. Because of it's consitancy and ease of use, I can spend my time thinking about the design problems, rather than sorting out the computer/CAD management problems.

2. I get to eat lunch. And dinner too. Because I can finish my work faster.

3. I can trust that a change made in one place, like on a schedule, will be made everywhere else without my intervention. This way, I can boldly change my model, and not have to worry about things not working. I can try things out and undo those changes. I can play with the design, and get instant feedback.

4. It's the first CAD progam I've ever worked with that I actually looked forward to using. It's the first CAD program I've ever worked with that I doodle with for fun. It's the first CAD program that makes me feel like I can do *more* than I was ever able to do before, and have the end result look better too.

5. In using it, the volume of work I'm able to do almost scares my bosses :)

[Steve_Stafford]

I love Revit because I can:

1- cope with change happily, change a floor elevation? Sure Boss! Change the top plate height and roof pitch, NO problem be back in 10....anything else you want? Some coffee? Donut?

2- spend a day on a project using only photographs, fire exiting graphics and two dimensions and have floor plans, elevations, basic section, perspective views, topo site and an AVI of a building for a proposal.

3- annotate my documents and have text mask the underlying feature so my notes are always ledgible and never have to do the task over because the scale of my drawing is changed as we move from phase to phase...

4- no longer have to chase those "dead end" section/elevation/callout tags that either never got filled out or worse filled in and then the detail was moved.

5- it's so easy to create rooms and tag them, better yet I can use one tag for presentation, another for detailed description and still others for trade drawings and they all are based on one set of data and even better they always display at the correct size on a sheet regardless of different scales.

6- I can get my work done and still have time to annoy Jim Balding with private messages suggesting his mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elder berries... :D (Monty Python fans unite)

7- I no longer have to entertain my family at holidays with my version of Trivial Pursuit, the 80T categories....system variables to remember!

8- I now have time to actually read the works of BeeGee's great great uncle Willy.

9- I can align and lock objects to one another and better yet Revit anticipates this need and makes it easier to do.

10- I can control/modify my design with dimensions.

11- my grids show up in views automatically and I never have to wonder if they are correctly labelled or in the right place.

12- be calm when: WHAT!?!? you want the windows to be casements now??? 1 hour before the meeting??? Okay....anything else?

13- my number one wish was granted before I wished it....objects know what room name and number they belong to when they are within a room automatically. I don't have to do diddly to coordinate this information between trades! hooray!! (assuming the trade info is in the model too)

14- I can work for hours on a plan and switch to an elevation view and 90% of my work there is DONE.

15- I can hang out all day at ZoogDesign and get my real work done in 5 minutes....okay that's an exageration...I admit it.

16- one more....when I'm really stuck, one telephone call to Revit Support and I'm unstuck or at least getting around the problem. That goes double for the folks here!

[beegee]

8- I now have time to actually read the works of BeeGee's great great uncle Willy.


Nice list Steve !

For the record, Uncle Willy G doesn't write much. Spends all his time rebuilding hogs.

So he's a plastic surgeon specializing in livestock?

[jbalding48677]

...still have time to annoy Jim Balding with private messages suggesting his mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elder berries... :D

Great list Steve, and no you are not disqualified for #6. The truth sometimes hurts...

Looks like you are leading the pack, for now...

Keep them coming -

[beegee]

I asked my friend Will to help compose ideas on the theme “ I love Revit because I can“
Will refused to be constrained to a simple list, so this is what the two of us came up with ,….

What a piece of work is Revit,
How noble in visualisation,
How infinite in creating families,
In modelling form and animating walkthroughs, how express and admirable,
In it’s parametric power how like an angel,
In co-ordinating documents, how like a god:
The beauty of the BIM world,
The paragon of CAD:

Whether 2D or 3D is the question: Revit has the answer.

Why suffer the slings and arrows of second rate BIM programmes,
When you can be armed with Revit against a sea of everyday design problems and thus, quickly end them ?

For who would bear the whips and scorns of ADT, the pangs of despised Archicad and the spurns that Bentley takes, when he himself might his quietus make with a single seat of Revit ?

Who would fardels bear to grunt and sweat under a weary cad life of layers, lisp routines and paperspace, but that the newly discovered realm of Revit, from whose bourne no user ever wishes to return, pleasures the senses , impresses the clients and makes your work a wonder

Thus, whether you embark on enterprises of great pitch and moment involving a brave o’erhanging majestical roof fretted with golden fire, or even a simple bedroom renovation for your castle in Elsinor, wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, there the honour and greatness of Revit shall be seen.

[mlgatzke]

Steve,

I suppose Jim is a "silly nnniggit" and should "Go away" or you "will taunt him a second time."

I suppose the inference is appropriate because I see Revit as the "Holy Grail" of the CAD world. After all, people don't believe me when I preach the Revit gospel because it seems too good to be true.

- I love Revit because I can do, with Revit, in 10 hours what others can only dream of doing with CAD programs in 10 days. It think Sigmund Freud would call this "productivity envy".

[edaniels]

1) I love Revit because of its intelligence. Dare to say the most intelligent BIM program out there.

[jbalding48677]

TWO DAYS LEFT...

I am going to close this "competition" at the end of the day my time (GMT-8:00 - Pacific) on Wednesday. All entries need to be in by then to count. We have two solid leaders, but third place is still a little weak. Keeping in mind that all three places receive the same prize. Get your lists in and don't forget, you may still add to an existing list and ONLY QUALITY/SPECIFIC answers count.

[beegee]

ONLY QUALITY/SPECIFIC answers count.

Well that counts me OUT ...... JB. :lol:

[funkman]

What a piece of work is Revit,
How noble in visualisation,
How infinite in creating families,
In modelling form and animating walkthroughs, how express and admirable,
In it’s parametric power how like an angel,
In co-ordinating documents, how like a god:
The beauty of the BIM world,
The paragon of CAD:

Whether 2D or 3D is the question: Revit has the answer.

Why suffer the slings and arrows of second rate BIM programmes,
When you can be armed with Revit against a sea of everyday design problems and thus, quickly end them ?

For who would bear the whips and scorns of ADT, the pangs of despised Archicad and the spurns that Bentley takes, when he himself might his quietus make with a single seat of Revit ?

Who would fardels bear to grunt and sweat under a weary cad life of layers, lisp routines and paperspace, but that the newly discovered realm of Revit, from whose bourne no user ever wishes to return, pleasures the senses , impresses the clients and makes your work a wonder

Thus, whether you embark on enterprises of great pitch and moment involving a brave o’erhanging majestical roof fretted with golden fire, or even a simple bedroom renovation for your castle in Elsinor, wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, there the honour and greatness of Revit shall be seen.

:D love it!!! Wherefore can I not silently read this with my best Shakespearian thespian accent turned right up to 10??? :shock:

[gregcashen]

"Why I Love Revit" by Greg Cashen

1) I love Revit because it allows me to focus on building rather than describing a building. The BIM approach more closely approximates the actual process of constructing a building and this approach forces me to actually think about how the building goes together. :roll:

2) I love Revit because I can "play around" with different designs without feeling guilty that I am wasting time. I know that the time is well spent because I am actually able to resolve issues by trying different configurations. :?

3) I love Revit because I no longer have to think about office standards when I should be thinking about the project. Revit's templates allow me to think about it, apply it once and enjoy the results forever. I can make changes with the flick of my wrist and the tapping of a few keys. I no longer drive myself crazy trying to envision what lineweight a particular color will plot at or make changes to many polylines in order to tweak my drawings. :screwy:

4) I love Revit because I no longer have to spend a day poring over my drawings after a minor change to make sure that it is accurately reflected in the other views. I no longer have to deal with contractors complaining that the joists die into the side of the beam in one view and sit atop it in another and "how is it really supposed to be?" and "who's gonna pay for this?" and "why can't we just do it this way?" I look more professional because I no longer have those stupid inconsistencies that make me look like I don't know what I'm doing. :puffy:

5) I love Revit because of its untapped power. I frequently find new and useful ways of putting Revit to work, including site studies, civil layout and logistics planning. For instance, I am designing a boat launch ramp, for which we are using AutoCAD and Eagle Point (switching to LDDT soon :) ) But my boss needed a cross section determine the amount of cut material for the permit. Since our civil guy was out of the office and hadn't produced a suitable cross section, I threw the topo into Revit, laid out a sloped floor slab as the ramp, aligned it and drew a section line...voila, there was a very clear image of what exactly we were cutting! And all I have to do is move the section line to see the cross section in a different place. :D

6) I love Revit because my clients/contractors love Revit. Everytime I show someone a 3D view of their house, they are completely amazed that they can actually SEE the design. Most clients are afraid to admit that they cannot visualize from the plans, elevations and schedules, but the 3D really let's them see what they are getting. :shock:

7) I love Revit because it offers the most compelling ROI of any tool we have used here. It is amazing how proficient you can become in a short time. I can produce more aesthetic, better detailed drawings in less time with Revit. :!:

8) I love Revit because I actually have influence in its development. No other tool that I use allows me to interact with the developers in such a direct way. Whether it be through this forum, the ngs, or email, I can make requests and know that they are being heard and implemented. Some of 'em, anyway. ;)

9) I love Revit because of the great community of users that are available to help when the developers are busy making the product better. I have learned more about Revit from this forum than other other source, hands down. 8)

10) Finally,I love Revit because it is actually fun. It is fun to design with Revit. It is fun to build with Revit. It is fun to learn more about Revit. Revit has actually made my professional life more enjoyable. Revit is like a video game for architects/engineers! Apple? I can't wait for the PS2 version! :P

I love you Revit. I LOVE YOU! :cry:

[Steve_Stafford]

Foul!!! Illegal use of Emoticons or at least excessive use of emoticons...come on it's GOT to be illegal or something!! Plus he keeps spreading rumors about people having 6.0!

Seriously though great list Greg! But I think you should try to get out more... :D :wink: What ever shot I had is toast!

Keep those cards and letters coming in folks!

[gregcashen]

Actually, Steve, if you look back over my previous posts, you will see that I UNDER-use the smiley guys. I was merely filling my "emoti-quota" as it were. :P

As for you disparaging me by claiming that I falsely represent the existence of 6.0, I say, is this not America? Are we not innocent until proven guilty? If you think I am lying, despite the very vocal admissions of several people here and on the ng, why don't you prove it? I know why, because you CAN'T, that's why!

:roll:

[Steve_Stafford]

Actually I can't prove you wrong because I too have version 6.0 and have been using it for weeks, stealing project after project from you. Notice your calls diminishing lately? You thought it was just because you forgot to pay your phone bill? Wrong...it's me with R6.0 squashing you!! It's part of the triple secret probationary beta squad...(oops I just violated my NDA)

Let me restate that:
Actually I'm using WordPerfect 6.0, that's my R6....clearly Greg has visions of 6 dancing in his head....Greg....Greg...Gre...come and get me...I'm over here....I've got structural beams and columns like you wouldn't believe...Greg...oh Greg....

Another ill fated attempt by "Q" to be funny...only you can decide

[gregcashen]

Your emoti-quota is 94% full

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :puffy: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[funkman]

Actually I can't prove you wrong because I too have version 6.0 and have been using it for weeks, stealing project after project from you. Notice your calls diminishing lately? You thought it was just because you forgot to pay your phone bill? Wrong...it's me with R6.0 squashing you!! It's part of the triple secret probationary beta squad...(oops I just violated my NDA)

Let me restate that:
Actually I'm using WordPerfect 6.0, that's my R6....clearly Greg has visions of 6 dancing in his head....Greg....Greg...Gre...come and get me...I'm over here....I've got structural beams and columns like you wouldn't believe...Greg...oh Greg....

Another ill fated attempt by "Q" to be funny...only you can decide

and not one emoticon !!

:lol: (had to)

[fernando]

10 reason's

#1 Anyone that now drawing 2d in any cad software learn the basic's of revit in 5 hour's
#2 LEVELS......
#3 Parametric object's
#4 Constrains
#5 u could draw like u construct
#6 quikest 3d model i ever see (never draw in front off a client) he would not pay your price,,,, :lol:
#7 i do almost (90%) what i want
#8 the 10% is leisure time
#9 best ROI i ever see in a software
#10 the end of a age???
(i came from the old autocad 2.6 times...trough AEC, Softdesk (r8+acad12 (the best of the 90's)) and ADT2,3,3.3.....
finally something really good

[gnl]

1. I love Revit because I am an architect
2. I love Revit because it's easier to create families than in real life
3. I love Revit because I can change whatever I want and it will be there
4. I love Revit because if it can be done, then Revit will do it
5. I love Revit because digital is a way of life, for architecture also...

[funkman]

I love revit because of one reason only...

I can spend more time on design, producing buildings closer to my design intent, which translates to better designs and elated clients which equates to being paid on time, (producing a happy mrs funkman as a by-product), all culminating in a funkman who no longer thinks of my career as work but as a hobby.

[jbalding48677]

Winners posted soon...

[jbalding48677]

And the winners are, (in no particular order, remember there is no first, second and third, just top 3)...

Peter Jackson
HCSL
Steve Stafford

Thanks to everyone who submitted their lists, I will be using many of your ideas in the presentation.

[Scott D Davis]

Steve Stafford??? CONSPIRACY!!!!!! Steve, c'mon, how much $$$$ did you give JB anyways???

[beegee]

Too right Scott,

and not only that, but Peter J is known to give away cases of single malt scotch without fear or favour.

Now, what can we dig up about HCSL ?? With initials like that he has to be involved in something like the CIA or the NSA or the NBA, but definately not the RWC. I bet he drives a BMW and used to use ADT and , and he's based in BC, probably knows someone in the RCMC, and of course JB works for WATG. Its all starting to make sense.

And neither PeterJ nor HCSL posted their submissions here. What does that tell you , eh eh, nudge, nudge.

And Zapruder reckons Steve Stafford looks just like the guy he saw on the grassy knoll....

AAMOF and AFAIK this is definately some kind of CONSPIRACY.

[jbalding48677]

OK, let's take a look at this....

First and foremost, are you calling me a cheat?

Secondly, did SS not give some serious thought, not to mention time using the ol' hunt and peck, to submit a fine list?

Thirdly, the post did say you could email me privately, did it not?

Shall I continue or would you like to just apologize to the fine upstanding citizens of ZoogDesign Discussion Forum?

[beegee]

Obviously JB, you're in the same position as the Warren Commission, ie completely innocent.

[Scott D Davis]

Ok, I take it all back. Congrats Steve, and all the other Weiners, I mean winners!!!!

JB, Thanks for the contest!

[jbalding48677]

Obviously JB, you're in the same position as the Warren Commission, ie completely innocent.

So you are calling me a cheat. OK.

[beegee]

Not at all.

Conspiracy theorists believe the Warren Commision was duped by the CIA / FBI / NSA / Russians / Cubans / Texan Oil or all of the aforementioned. (and Microftsoft also, if they had been around.)

[PeterJ]

Funny thing is I didn't even know I was entering the competition when I emailed Jim some points and details of my swiss bank account.

Just thought I was doing the guy a favour.

[Steve_Stafford]

Golly, gee, gosh, umm, uh...I've never won anything before!

It is an honor to get to stand on the podium with my fellow contestants.

Announcer, "Tell him what he's won, Jim!" "A paid trip to the WATG architectural destination landmark of his choice!!"

BeeGee's just mad that his Uncle Willy doesn't get the proper respect here in the States...compared to Stephen King... :wink:

[Dimitri Harvalias]

:o :cry: I'd like to thank the academy....

Thanks to Jim for setting this up. I honestly just wanted to 'share the joy'.
I've been doing this for a lot of years and Revit has really given me an enthusiasm injection in the last year I've been a user. The whole 3D thing is somethig I never even attempted in other CAD packages.


Now, what can we dig up about HCSL ?? With initials like that he has to be involved in something like the CIA or the NSA or the NBA, but definately not the RWC. I bet he drives a BMW and used to use ADT and , and he's based in BC, probably knows someone in the RCMC,

As for Beegee :roll: The rumours, the innuendos... it hurts man, it hurts!


Since I am not at liberty to discuss any affiliations, dealings or knowledge of any matters associated with or pertaining to the CIA or NSA and Memphis stole our NBA franchise (damn you David Stern :evil: ) and I will not admit to knowing what the RWC is because the whole 'Thinking Man's Game' post got waaaay too long, waaay too long ago! (I think you guys lost me on page 8 or 9 :wink: )
I will address only two of your comments.


I work in architecture Beegee... who can afford a Beemer? :wink:

I work in architecture Beegee... who can afford to use ADT? :wink:

Once again, thanks Jim. Looking forward to doin' Vegas with you and the rest of the Revit faithful.

Regards

[beegee]

I work in architecture Beegee... who can afford a Beemer? :wink:

Why, none other than our own Steve Stafford, of course.


I work in architecture Beegee... who can afford to use ADT?

Well, you got me there!

Congratulations to you and the other winners.

Remember, as the TV commercials say, "What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas".....

[Wes Macaulay]

Out here in Vancouver, we don't bother trying to sell Revit to anyone - we just let Dimitri do it :lol: I wouldn't wonder about Dimitri being part of all those clandestine security organisations: he's got darker sunglasses than anyone else, he's often out of the office ("golfing" so he says), but no doubt he and Sydney Bristow are out on some sort of high-tech mission!

And Beegee: your Shakespearian ode to Revit still has us guffawing over here. We've got lit and communications majors around here and while most people rolled their eyes, everyone did laugh.

I was commenting to someone higher up the food chain at Autodesk yesterday about how slowly it takes most architects to make a decision - that's my story as well. I didn't jump onto Revit until R4, having seen it at the get-go with R1 and 2. For most firms Revit is a no-brainer. I wish Revit could handle torturous geometry like Form-Z or Triforma for that matter, but for the CD process Form-Z is a waste of time and most firms aren't about to drop the bundle buying/learning Microstation, because it just isn't enough fun and in most cases can't be justified. And I'm sure more advanced geometry is coming in Revit. It's already way more than ArchiCAD can do, and most firms don't need it.

Revit does make me happy. I totally concur with Dimitri's comment of getting the enjoyment of architecture back - something all our users have said as well.