Training Materials

[MikeM4OSU]

Rookie here, we just upgraded one of our seats from AutoCAD 2007 to Revit Systems Plus, which includes ABS 2007.1. We are a MEP firm, and I am looking for the best materials out there to learn from. I have been through the Mechanical systems tutorial and being a rookie I think I need additional help. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Mike McCall

[Steve_Bennett]

The AOTC materials are pretty decent.

[MikeM4OSU]

I have been looking at those, but did not know if they would be any better than the tutorial that comes with the software. Should I get them all? Are there any other materials available?

[ameador]

If you are looking for ABS 2007/.1 items...I haven't been able to find any, nor have I found any for 2006 either. The only thing that I know of that exists are the AOTC's from Autodesk. I have all of them (HVAC, Pipe, Plumb, Elec, and Project/Tool Essentials). It really depends on what you're attempting to accomplish as to how well they will work for you. We are attempting to set up our entire system...while the AOTC's give good info, it still didn't cover everything we need to know for set-up. The AOTC's have exercises and examples in there that cover a lot of info and if you're starved for info like I was, invest in them. It's just a good resource to have on hand in the beginning. For me there were places where I would follow along and wonder why were we changing the stuff the book was telling us to change, what that was going to accomplish, how would I apply that to my set-up, and would I really want all my users going through to do some of this stuff individually. The best info I've found: go over to the past AU handouts and the ATP's and rummage around there. I have a blog you can use as a resource where I throw lots of info up that I have learned in a step-by-step hopefully easy to follow proceedure. Here's the site: http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

[trythefly]

I ran into the same problem, not alot of books out there to be had.

What I use:

Get all of the AOTC's.
I found a few books for LISP/3D Modeling at Ascented. http://www.ascented.com/courseware.htm
Use the discussion forums here and at Autodesk's site.
Blogs are good (I read Ab's Blog sometimes).
Webcasts http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4632970

[MikeM4OSU]

Thanks ameador,

I think I will invest in the AOTC's resources and thanks for the blog link it will be handy.

We only have clients that use 2D cadd at this point but are looking to expand into the 3D market. I am looking for info on how to bring 2D drawings into project navigator or browser one of those, I don't quite have a grasp on the setup or even where to start. Oh well I am getting confused now, hopefully the AOTC's will help.

[trythefly]

I am looking for info on how to bring 2D drawings into project navigator or browser one of those, I don't quite have a grasp on the setup or even where to start. Oh well I am getting confused now, hopefully the AOTC's will help.

The Projects & Tools Essentials AOTC will help you to understand the Navigator.

[ameador]

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear there are people out there reading my blog...I really hope it helps.

Project Navigator (P.N.) I hear can be really helpful. You must be very aware of how to use it though. There are a few very simple ways to break the links quickly and break your entire project. (ie: opening up any of the drawings through windows explorer as opposed to opening ABS first and then opening the drawings through the P.N. being one of those ways)

My company does not use it. It was going to be too huge of a change in procedure. We feel we are already pushing it jumping from R14 to ABS 2007.

I would highly suggest getting to some classes as well. They can be tremendous help. *Unsolicited Plug* Avatech is one of the companies we work with and they have some great trainers on staff. Here's the link for the classes they have to choose from: http://www.avat.com/training/classroom/ They also have tech tips: http://www.avat.com/training/elearning/techtips_action.asp?sgid=1 Browse around on their site and you'll find some excellent info.

[jwf]

It seems like everyone is having the same problems with ABS. No solid training available. It would be great if tech schools offered night classes.
What I'm most curious about is, setting up projects. Currently we only use Vports for plotting pruposes. All of our Drawing, notes, etc are done in Model. Our titleblocks are the only thing in Paper space.
In using ABS, does anyone know if you can slpit floor plan up (xclip) or do you have to have One drawing with multiple tabs for different areas. Currently we just xclip and create another sheet. That way I can have Multiple operators on one level. This is a great help during crunch time.
Is ABS that helpful for MEP?

[Kenaslan]

I have found that the only real good training is from a company called 4D Technologies. They are CBT's so you can watch the vids over and over again. The ABS training is on the 2004 ABS but it covers all the meat of setup,, and most of that is the same in ABS 2007. Then I used their training on ADT to learn how to use the navigator and other parts that are common. It is rather frustrating because even Autodesk does not answer a lot of the posts on the Autodesk site. I have found that a combination of Autocad, ADT, and ABS I am able to do most everything. Unfortunately I am the only one in my company using ABS so there is an info gap.