Imperial Libraries

[tmomeyer]

There's an Imperial LIbrary "cab" file under Downloads for Revit Architecture 2008. What do you do with it once it is downloaded. There is already an identical folder installed by default to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\RAC 2008. Does this download replace the existing folder and if so, what steps do you do to replace it? Or, does it go in a separate location on your computer (or network for sharing), and add the path into Options? What's the difference between the default library and downloaded one? If they're kept separate, why... why aren't the just merged together into one "content" location that is Autodesk's default content?

Ditto for the Templates download.

And, a comment.. the naming of the "cab" file as "NA" isn't intuitive, however, I'm assuming it is North America?

[rjcrowther]

My understanding is the library is the same as the one that comes on the disk when you install Revit.

This has been arrived at by previous comments in these forums and the general feeling that the programmers are fairly flat strapped putting their efforts into improving Revit rather than making families.

You are likely to find the templates fall into the same category. The other thing with templates is they tend not to be too much of a concern to most users as you generally start to put your own together after a project or two.

Hope that helps in some way.

As for naming conventions - what makes sense to one person may not make sense to another. I do agree however, NA may not have been the best choice.


Rob

[tmomeyer]

Hi,

It can't be the same. The Imperial Library that ships with the latest build is far smaller than the NA ...cab file in downloads. The instructions aren't clear what to do with it. So, you can load additional libraries... then you'll have the one shipped and some name you make up for the downloaded one... "Imperial Library-Second One The Programmers Released"... what's up with that? Why can't Autodesk tell us how to "manage" these? Our office is starting to look at Revit and I have no desire to roll out a lot of duplicated content. If it installs over the top of the original, all they have to do is tell us so, or if it's different, how is it different?

[Tyveka]

The size difference is because the .CAB file is a compressed format, kind of like a .ZIP file. The directory structure of all the families is included in that compressed format, so it will be smaller. Once downloaded, you would extract that (using WinRAR or WinZip or some such program) and find that the folders and content created, once extracted, are roughly the same size as what is already installed. At least, that's what we found.

Hope this clears that question up just a bit.

As for why Autodesk does things the way they do... to be consistently inconsistent.... I know, it boggles the mind. But that is what they are supposed to do!

[tmomeyer]

OK, here are the definitive questions.

1. Is the Imperial Library at Autodesk Data and Downloads, the same one that is installed by default when you download the latest Revit Architecture build at the website 2008 - 2007067_1700? If so, then there would be no reason to download/install them.

2. If you install Revit Architecture from an earlier build 2008 - 20070324_1700 is the Imperial Library at the website any different than the one already installed? My check on properties says both are 179 mb and 189 folders. Older build has 1221 files and the newer build has 1208 files.

3. If you install Revit Architecture 2008 (from dvd) and there is a newer "build" at the website, is there any benefit to installing the newer build, and if so, do you do that over the top of the existing by running the setup or executable of the new?

Thanks!

[rjcrowther]

OK, here are the definitive questions.

1. Is the Imperial Library at Autodesk Data and Downloads, the same one that is installed by default when you download the latest Revit Architecture build at the website 2008 - 2007067_1700? If so, then there would be no reason to download/install them.

2. If you install Revit Architecture from an earlier build 2008 - 20070324_1700 is the Imperial Library at the website any different than the one already installed? My check on properties says both are 179 mb and 189 folders. Older build has 1221 files and the newer build has 1208 files.

3. If you install Revit Architecture 2008 (from dvd) and there is a newer "build" at the website, is there any benefit to installing the newer build, and if so, do you do that over the top of the existing by running the setup or executable of the new?

Thanks!
1. Anecdotally yes.
2. Anecdotally no.
3. Absolutely a benefit in running the newer build. From memory I just download it minus the cabinet and execute the file. It runs through the install/uninstall procedure.

May I suggest you do a search on Revit new build or something similar (even try the build number) and you will get some posts on the difficulties and questions of other users. There was a thread about this not long ago which went through some of the issues you are enquiring about.

Also, being a little presumptuous, I suspect you are new to Revit. If I may offer some advice then that would be make the search feature your friend. You will not get much out of Autodesk and it can be frustrating if you do not have another source for answers to your questions. You will generally find they have been asked and answered in here somewhere before.

Thanks,
Rob