Revit Inchworm 2010

[Scott Hopkins]

Revit Inchworm 2011
by Scott Hopkins Architect

Ever wish the default unit entry for Revit was inches?
Sick of hunting down the " key?
Tired of typing 0-7enter or 0space7enter to get 7" ?
Wish you could simply type 7 enter?
Now with Revit Inchworm you can! :D


Revit Inchworm is a small program that remaps the "+" and "enter" keys on the numeric keypad to allow default inch entry in Revit.

How does it work?

First off, Revit Inchworm works only on the numeric keypad. To enter 7" type 7 enter. To enter 9'6" type 9 + 6 enter. To enter 9' type 9 + enter. Just think of the + key as a giant foot key. It is that simple and it really speeds up imperial unit entry.

Revit Inchworm will also correct many common mistakes involving units that will cause an annoying error message in Revit. For example, a typical error that happens when editing a distance in Revit, you end up with a distance of 7’6"" (an extra inch symbol). Although Revit would play dumb and send you an error message, Revit Inchworm is smarter. Revit Inchworm knows that you really meant 7'6" and will correct your mistake. Revit Inchworm will correctly interpret and fix just about any wacky units combination you can come up with.

Revit Inchworm is program specific. It only modifies the numerical “+” and “enter” keys while Revit is the active window. This means you can leave it running all the time and it won’t interfere with any of your other programs. I’ve put Revit Inchworm in my startup directory and never think or worry about it again.

You can suspend or exit the program from the system trey icon.

Don't be alarmed the program is not a real computer worm. Revit Inchworm makes no changes to the Windows registry.

By the way, Revit Inchworm is freeware. 8)

Scott Hopkins

[Henry D]

This is great! Thanks for posting this.

[m_cahoon14336]

Scott, I have also started using the inchworm. It is a big help and time saver. Thanks. So. What are you developing next? :shock:

[gregcashen]

I think I am missing something here...you know in Revit you can just change the default units to fractional inches instead of feet and fractional inches and it will also work as you have described?

[Scott Hopkins]

Greg,

You are right. The only problem with that is then you have all of your dimensions displayed in inches, which doesn't work for me. You can make a new dimension style that isn't based on the default units. If you set this new dimension style to feet/inches units then when you modify it you have to use feet input so you are right back where you started. If I am missing something really simple here let me know.

[Scott Hopkins]

By the way, I have discovered another problem with the inchworm - Angle entry. To get around this use shift+enter or the opposite enter key with angles.

Note: This problem fixed in version 2.0

[gregcashen]

Ah, clarity sinks in. I had not thought of that.

Seems like they should just give us the option to have inches or feet entry, huh?

[Eric Stewart]

Thank you. Thak you.

I installed it yesterday and just in time. I was getting to a point where i would enter .5 or 0 6 or 6"

Now I am settling back into my old ways. It feels good especially since I still use AutoCRUD every couple of weeks.

[narlee]

"AutoCRUD." You're going to start a string of something here.

[d_miyasaki1895]

Thanks! It works great!

[flaviusb1887]

This freeware is way too cool!!! Thanks for posting it. It surely speeds up the entry process.

[Scott Hopkins]

HouseInnovator,

Glad you are enjoying the Inchworm and thanks for the appreciation. If you find any bugs or have any suggestions for improvements let me know and I'll try to fix/implement them in the future. Hopefully the Revit developers back at the factory will someday soon see the light and incorporate an option for default inch entry into Revit. You would think that with all the AutoCAD and ADT users switching over to Revit this would be a high demand. Well, until then we have the Inchworm. :D

[iru69]

I just came across this by accident - this is great! It's often so much easier to enter distances in inches and this is one of those little things that was driving me nuts. For instance, we do much of our as-built (in the field) measuring using inches, since there's less chance of mix-up when writing measurements down (was that 5'-7" or 57"?). This feature should definitely be an option built into Revit (and it should use the regular number keys on the main part of the keyboard as well - it's awkward for me to use the numeric keypad). Thanks!

[Scott Hopkins]

irusun,

Great idea - here you go! I just whipped up a version of Inchworm that also transforms the regular enter key into an Inchworm enter key. It works pretty well as the foot key is right next to the enter key. Although I only spent about 10 minutes on this, it appears to be bug free. Let me know if you encounter any problems. I think I like this version better than the original and will keep it on my machine too.

p.s. - How is the architecture scene in Seattle? I used to live up there and worked for Carlson Architects for a number of years.

[J. Grouchy]

I just came across this by accident - this is great! It's often so much easier to enter distances in inches and this is one of those little things that was driving me nuts. For instance, we do much of our as-built (in the field) measuring using inches, since there's less chance of mix-up when writing measurements down (was that 5'-7" or 57"?). This feature should definitely be an option built into Revit (and it should use the regular number keys on the main part of the keyboard as well - it's awkward for me to use the numeric keypad). Thanks!

I've gotten too used to the Revit way...now in AutoCAD I find myself typing 0 [space] 4 for 4" (there's no need to type the apostrophe or quote for feet or inches, respectively). I downloaded Inchworm when I first started using Revit, but never installed it and now I'm fine without the old way...

BTW...you can type 0 [space] 57 for 57" - it will convert it to the correct foot-inch distance...and Revit accepts decimal inputs for fractions (i.e. .125 for 1/8", etc.).

[Scott D Davis]

and remember, the 'dash' also works instead of a space, which makes 10-key number entry easier. Ex 0-57 = 57" or 0-38.125 = 38 1/4"

For me, its much easier to type with the dash, and the 0- than to type " with a shift key involved, or to type .125 rather than 1/4".

[Architeria]

and remember, the 'dash' also works instead of a space, which makes 10-key number entry easier. Ex 0-57 = 57" or 0-38.125 = 38 1/4"

For me, its much easier to type with the dash, and the 0- than to type " with a shift key involved, or to type .125 rather than 1/4".

Which illustrates a whole separate problem: I believe .125 is 1/8"; .25 being 1/4"

Surely there's a simple way to accommodate us imperialists.

[iru69]

Great idea - here you go! I just whipped up a version of Inchworm that also transforms the regular enter key into an Inchworm enter key.

Hey, thanks, I really apreciate that! It works perfectly!


p.s. - How is the architecture scene in Seattle? I used to live up there and worked for Carlson Architects for a number of years.

How long ago was that? It's been pretty much booming the last ten years (a little too much IMO as it's affected quality of life). From what I understand, arch/design firms are doing a lot of hiring right now. There was a slight slowdown starting in 2000 for a couple of years (which obviously coincided with the national economic slowdown), but it seems to have recovered pretty well - though we're not doing as many million dollar homes :( . And Seattle has some recent prominent buildings, with the Gehry EMP and the new Koolhaas downtown Seattle library. You'll have to come back and check them out.

Regarding some of the other tips, yeah, I've been slowly getting use to typing 0 space inches (e.g. 0 57)... but I constantly get error messages because of wayward apostrophes and quotes left behind - it would just be a lot easier and more consistant (for me) if, as an option, Revit would just assume that I was typing inches unless I explicitly used apostrophes and quotes, e.g. 5' 7" - like in AutoCAD (which I know is a sore subject for some, but there are a lot of things AutoCAD is really good at).

Thanks again to all.

[weeleng_02]

Will these programs impact matrix inputs?

If it can be switched off at anytime when I want to go back for matrix input insteads of imperial input, then I think I will give it a try..

[Scott Hopkins]

Will these programs impact matrix inputs?

If it can be switched off at anytime when I want to go back for matrix input insteads of imperial input, then I think I will give it a try..
You can temporarily stop the program at any time by selecting its icon in the system trey at bottom right corner of your screen. Right click the inchworm icon and click suspend.

[dpecor-pws]

I have had problems with my mouse when running Inchworm 3.0. It will run fine for awhile, then it won't let me select objects in Revit. Also, when selecting Icons on my Windows Desktop, one click selects all icons, but will not open any of them. I don't have this problem when not running Inchworm, so I am assuming it is some sort of bug. If it makes a difference, I am using a Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer. Please let me know if you have any information on this problem.

[Scott Hopkins]

Wow! I'm not sure on this one. There isn't a single line of code in Revit Inchworm pertaining to any mouse functions. The symptoms you are describing usually are the result of a low battery in your wireless mouse.

[captjim]

Inchworm 4.0 doesn't seem to work with Revit Structure 2008, should it?

[steve.70285]

Works here...I just download the app for the first time and so far it's working flawlessly on '08.

Scott, great app! I've been using the 0 [space] 7 for a long time now...but for just entering inches it works great!

[Thomas Maleski]

I can not get it to work in Revit Structure 2008 as well.

[Scott Hopkins]

I personally don't own Revit Structure but I think I know what the problem is. I'll see if I can't come up with a Revit Structures version of the inchworm over the weekend.

[steve.70285]

Inchworm 4.0 doesn't seem to work with Revit Structure 2008, should it?Sorry, jjenkins...I didn't notice the word "Structure" in between the Revit and 2008. I'm using it on Revit Architecture.

...now, where did I put those glasses...

[Thomas Maleski]

And it doesn't work with Revit MEP 2008 as well.

I work for a Architectural, Structural and MEP Revit shop. So if one has it, they all have it.

[clog boy]

I'll stuck to the metric system. :D

...just HAD to say that. By the way, can you teach me how to write plugins like that, or point to sources that proved useful while learning the routine?

[RobG]

Great app, been using it for a while since about 8.1, using 2008 now but i'm curious if there's a way to have it not put " when entering degrees. I first noticed it when I was making a circular array, and now in one of my families i have an angular dimension and it's putting in the inch mark. is there a solution to this? or do i have to revert to the normal "enter" button?


Thanks a million

[david.kingham]

Hey Scott, if you need any help with these requests you can send me the code, I'd be more than willing help out, I've become fairly proficient in AHK

[meatngreenz]

Great application,

I would love for this to work on Laptop which is my deafult revit mchine but I cannot think of the keys to reassign

[kate.morrical61357]

Is it updated to work with the other Revit flavors too? It sounds great, but if I can't use it with Structure...

[Scott Hopkins]

Attached is the most recent version of Revit Inchworm (5.0). It is updated to work with Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP. I haven't yet downloaded Revit Structure or Revit MEP and haven't tested it with these products but intuitively I am pretty sure that it will now work with these versions of Revit. Structures and MEP people, please give me a shout if for some reason Revit Inchworm 5.0 does not work with your version.

One other interesting thing I added to Revit Inchworm 5.0 is the ability to use the " and ' symbols when renaming families and types. For example when renaming a door family to 3'-0" x 6'-8", Revit Inchworm will let use the " key and the ' key in the title of the new door type. I think you will find this very helpful. :lol:

Enjoy,

Scott

[Scott Hopkins]

Hey Scott, if you need any help with these requests you can send me the code, I'd be more than willing help out, I've become fairly proficient in AHK

Proficient in Auto Hot Key!!! :shock: Wow! I can't believe there is another! Very cool.

Thanks for the offer. If I run into any problems on this round of updates I may take you up on it.

Cheers!

[david.kingham]

Yeah once I started digging into it I couldn't stop, you can see what David and I have been working on here http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=751020#post751020

[Thomas Maleski]

Trying it on Revit Structure 2008 and Revit MEP 2008, the Enter key created the " but the + key is still + key.

[Scott Hopkins]

Trying it on Revit Structure 2008 and Revit MEP 2008, the Enter key created the " but the + key is still + key.

Thanks Thomas - I'll look into that...

[Thomas Maleski]

Scott

It's working fine today. I'm running a beta addon to revit. I was having issues with that this morning so I reinstalled it and now the inchworm in working.

[Scott Hopkins]

Scott

It's working fine today. I'm running a beta addon to revit. I was having issues with that this morning so I reinstalled it and now the inchworm in working.

Glad to hear it.

[Chris.N]

for some reason it's creating a global capslock on my machine. ">" instead of "." when not pressing the 'shift' key, that type of stuff. and then in revit Arch, my scroll wheel goes from zoom to vertical pan, and my modify arrow has a boxed "-" symbol.

only solution i've come up with is to reboot my machine. any clues for other fixing other ways?

[Scott Hopkins]

for some reason it's creating a global capslock on my machine. ">" instead of "." when not pressing the 'shift' key, that type of stuff. and then in revit Arch, my scroll wheel goes from zoom to vertical pan, and my modify arrow has a boxed "-" symbol.

only solution i've come up with is to reboot my machine. any clues for other fixing other ways?

Chris, I am at a total loss as to way this would be happening. Revit Inchworm does not modify the caps lock functions in any way. The only keys with any modifications are the numerical "+" and "enter" keys. Perhaps you have another program running that is conflicting with Revit Inchworm. Sorry, but the only real solution I can offer is to stop using Revit Inchworm.

[Andre Baros]

Just saw the update, thank you very much for sharing and keeping it up to date.

[Chris.N]

Chris, I am at a total loss as to way this would be happening. Revit Inchworm does not modify the caps lock functions in any way. The only keys with any modifications are the numerical "+" and "enter" keys. Perhaps you have another program running that is conflicting with Revit Inchworm. Sorry, but the only real solution I can offer is to stop using Revit Inchworm.
since Revit is still a 'minor' tool in our department, i don't use it constantly to properly troubleshoot. all i know is that i only have issues in revit when IW is engaged. a well.... i hope i survive. it really is a great tool!

[mbansal]

Its wonderful

[Andre Baros]

Bug? With Revit MEP "enter" works for inches but "+" doesn't work for feet. Works correctly with Revit Architecture.

[stephen.fenton164386]

Where can I download revit inchworm. I can't use the attachment provided

[Scott Hopkins]

Bug? With Revit MEP "enter" works for inches but "+" doesn't work for feet. Works correctly with Revit Architecture.

Ok, I have found the bug and I think I've fixed it. Revit Inchworm should work correctly with Revit Structure and Revit MEP. The new version is Revit Inchworm 5.1

[rickbowles1]

You da man! Thanks

[K Plautz]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has tried Revit Inchworm in Revit 2010? I recently installed 2010 on my machine and found that Revit Inchworm was not working. I was using it in Revit 2009 (64bit) and it was working fine.

[josh.made4worship]

I noticed the same problem...the script probably hasn't been modified for the 2010 application. I bet he'll update it soon (we hope...).

By the way, there is a post that says you can change the default units...Well, another post said the problem with that was that your dimensions show in inches...you can override the dimension settings to not follow the default unit settings, so this could be an option.

Personally, I don't mind the feet thing, but I know a lot of new users do, especially if they work in AutoCAD and Revit regularly...Not me!...all Revit, all the time!

[Scott Hopkins]

I won't be upgraded our office to Revit 2010 so I haven't yet created a 2010 Inchworm version yet The new 2010 user interface is so much slower I can't justify upgrading our office. I'll take a look and see if I can't make an upgrade sometime this week.

[Scott Hopkins]

Sorry for the delay. I've updated Revit Inchworm to work with Revit 2010

[xabako10]

thanks !!!!!!

[Andre Baros]

Thank you, one more major obstical to upgrading removed.

[K Plautz]

Scott thanks for taking the time to update Revit Inchworm to 2010.

[sgermano]

this does not sem to be working for REVIT MEP 09 64bit. Any chance its a quick fix? Would like to try this out :) thanks.

[Scott Hopkins]

Steve,

I took down the 2009 version of Inchworm when I posted the 2010 version. I'll post the 2009 version again - maybe this evening after work.

Cheers,

Scott

[sgermano]

that would be great thanks!

[wholmes]

"Inch-worm" sounds terrific, but some folks have no numeric keypad (Dell M-90, etc.). I discovered (quite by accident, as I'm sure many folks have) that in Revit: two (2) quick one-foot keystrokes, in rapid succession, equals the "inch" keystroke. Hence no need for the totally awkward shift-key necessity to get to inches. Is this common knowledge, and does it help in the same way the "Inch-worm" does?

[Scott Hopkins]

Revit Inchworm was written using a program called Autohotkey. It does an actual remapping of the keyboard. Thanks - I did not know about the double ' entry in Revit. I tested it out and found that in doesn't have to be in rapid secession to work.

[captjim]

Hey Scott, thanks for making Inchworm_5.1 work with Revit Structure, boy have I become addicted to it.
Foolish us - we have up?graded to Revit Structure 2010. We also still have 2008 and 2009 installed to maintain backwards compatability for tweaking of older projects. Do I have to run both versions of Inchworm to make all versions of Revit Structure Inchworm aware! Are there any issues between Inchworm_5.1 and Inchworm 2010 we need to be aware of while running both versions?
Thanks for sharing such a great tool!

[Scott Hopkins]

Hey Scott, thanks for making Inchworm_5.1 work with Revit Structure, boy have I become addicted to it.
Foolish us - we have up?graded to Revit Structure 2010. We also still have 2008 and 2009 installed to maintain backwards compatability for tweaking of older projects. Do I have to run both versions of Inchworm to make all versions of Revit Structure Inchworm aware! Are there any issues between Inchworm_5.1 and Inchworm 2010 we need to be aware of while running both versions?
Thanks for sharing such a great tool!

There is really very little difference between the various versions Revit Inchowrm. The reason there are different versions at all is because Autodesk keeps changing the title of the Revit Window. One year it might be "Autodesk Revit"; the next year it might say "Revit Architecure". Revit Inchworm is designed to only work with Revit and not with other programs you use. To do this it needs to be able to distinguish which program you are currently using. Autodesk keeps changing the name of Revit so in turn Revit Inchworm must change.

I forget what the program title for 2008 was but I think it was different from 2009. If you need the 2008 version of Inchworm let me know and I'll dig it up and post it.

[david.kingham]

Hey Scott, try adding this to your to script, should make it work with all versions/flavors


SetTitleMatchMode, RegEx
Hotkey, IfWinActive, Autodesk| Revit Architecture|Structure|MEP 2008|2009|2010 .*

[Scott Hopkins]

Thanks David, I'll give that a try.

[lbegnaud.42448]

Thank you for writing the Revit Inchworm version for 2010. Where can I download the 5.1 version?

[davidwhitehill]

By default in Revit you can type "5-9" for 5"-9". The minus key is already right above the plus key on the keypad.

[Eric Stewart]

I have changed jobs since I first downloaded inchworm way back in 2004. Is it possible you can share your source code for the latest version?

Thanks,
Eric

[eric.piotrowicz]

The files are attached to Scott's original post. I believe these are still the latest available versions.

[Eric Stewart]

I see the exe, but not the source code.

[jrobbins]

Thanks-- a great tool that works as advertised.

[xiqx]

Go metric and you wouldn't have had the problem in the first place....

[brendan.225840]

Go metric and you wouldn't have had the problem in the first place....

Debatable. Then you'd end up with folks who wish they had CM's instead of Meters. Good luck convincing the teeming masses on the switch to metric though.

[j_starko]

hahah wow.

Thanks Scott. what an interesting little trick !

:D

[archie.manza]

Thanks Scott, though we are not using imperial I applause you for the success and effort.

[eric.piotrowicz]

Hey Scott,
Its that time of year again, I'm kind of surprised nobody had asked sooner. I know you are a busy guy so I'm not going to worry about it too much. Just thought it was worth a heads up that inquiring minds want to know about the chances of a new Inchworm for 2011.
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=118381
Thanks for making this awesome tool for the past releases :beer:

[Scott Hopkins]

Sure thing - I can update it. Since nobody was asking about it I just assumed it was working ok. I'll look into it tonight after work.

Scott

[Scott Hopkins]

Hey Scott,
Its that time of year again, I'm kind of surprised nobody had asked sooner. I know you are a busy guy so I'm not going to worry about it too much. Just thought it was worth a heads up that inquiring minds want to know about the chances of a new Inchworm for 2011.
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=118381
Thanks for making this awesome tool for the past releases :beer:

I played around with the 2010 version in Revit 2011. It appears to work fine. Granted I only tried it in Revit Architecture. If you find something specific that isn't working let me know and I'll see if I can't fix it.

Scott

[eric.piotrowicz]

I'll keep an eye out for any quirks. I guess I was just so used to needing a new version for each Revit release I didn't really thik about it testing if it still worked. Thanks for checking it out for me:Oops:

[dzatto]

Just switched from ACA.

thank you thank you thank you !!

[Scott Hopkins]

I created a new 2011 version of Revit Inchworm that corrected a bug that was happening when the properties box was in its undocked state.
Enjoy!

[dzatto]

I created a new 2011 version of Revit Inchworm that corrected a bug that was happening when the properties box was in its undocked state.
Enjoy!
what was the issue?

[Scott Hopkins]

what was the issue?

When the properties window was free-floating (in its undocked state), Revit Inchworm could not recognize it as part of Revit and hence wasn't working. For some odd reason the factory left off all of the sub-tags for the properties window. To Revit Inchworm the new properties window was like a car without license plates, or even a manufacture’s logo.

It would be easy to make a blanket change to the numeric keyboard. The tricky part is having Revit Inchworm work only inside of Revit so that the numeric keyboard works as expected elsewhere, for example with Windows Calculator. Anyways, the problem is solved in the new 2011 version of Inchworm.

[dzatto]

I found one slight issue with inchworm. It's not a big deal, just thought I'd bring it to your attention.

Before Inchworm, I could change a value in the properties palette and hit enter twice. The first one changes the value, the second one applies it to the model.

With inchworm, the second one creates a second " mark, which gives an error. I have to manually scroll down and hit the apply button, or wait a few seconds for the change to take affect. Or I suppose I could hit the enter button on the keyboard, not the numberic one.

[eric.piotrowicz]

Use the carriage return instead of the number key enter. :beer:

[dzatto]

Use the carriage return instead of the number key enter. :beer:
Yep, that's what I said. It's just a bit combersome using 2 enter keys.

I'm not complaining, it's still a kick *** program that I'm using every day. I just didn't know if it was an issues or whatever. Just thought I'd let him know.

[Scott Hopkins]

Yes - I use Inchworm everyday as well. The enter/return issue has also been bothering me. I'm going to look into it and see if I can fix it.

[dzatto]

Scott,
Just a quick question about inchworm. I put it in my startup as you suggested. The problem is, when using other programs, the numeric return adds the inch mark, then returns! Any ideas? lol

[Scott Hopkins]

It must be a bug in the latest 2011 version. I'll take a look at it. In the mean time I'd try using the 2010 version.

Scott

[dzatto]

It must be a bug in the latest 2011 version. I'll take a look at it. In the mean time I'd try using the 2010 version.

Scott
Thanks Scott. You're da man. :beer:

[kgoff]

Just wanted to say thanks for this. I've been using it for several weeks now - very nice. :beer:

[r.grandmaison]

Is there a 2012 version of Inchworm yet??? or will the 2011 version work?