Model each brick on a brick wall

[AP23]

I'm creating a model for the contractor that wants to experiment with material extraction right out to a Revit model. So the output would be fully paperless. I'm testing to see if you can go as far as modeling each brick. That way you can count the amount of bricks. Since there are 4 sets of random bricks placed in the wall you can controll where each brick is placed.

For this sample, I modeled the one type of brick in a curtain panel pattern based family and insert it into a mass family. As I expected, the model gets very heavy.

So my question is, how do you deal with this performance issue?
a. model a whole set of bricks as one curtain panel family instead of each individual brick
b. model each brick as a generic family and stack them manually in the project. (less contraints = lighter model.
c. model a whole set of bricks in autocad (see second attachment, SHoP architects sample) and import itas a 3d dwg or family in Revit.

Also, does anyone know an API code that lets you randomize panels in a curtain wall?

[wmullett]

You got to be kidding us....

[AP23]

You got to be kidding us....

It's a small project, so yes, we have some time and budget to experiment and see how far we can get.

[cliff collins]

check THIS out:

http://designreform.net/2009/10/even...lation-in-nyc/

For something complex like this, I could see modeling all the bricks.

cheers.

[Alfredo Medina]

If the purpose is material extraction, as you said, would it not be easier and more efficient to do calculated values in schedules instead of modeling each and every brick?

[twiceroadsfool]

It would be WAY easier.

For something like Cliffs example, where the specific pattern or the brick IS the feature, i could see modeling the actual elements.

For a regular running brinck pattern? No way.

[dzatto]

It would be WAY easier.

For something like Cliffs example, where the specific pattern or the brick IS the feature, i could see modeling the actual elements.

For a regular running brinck pattern? No way.

I agree. Couldn't you set up a formula that takes the square footage of the wall and divides it by however many brick are in a square foot?

[cdatechguy]

I've actually thought about doing this to make sure a building coursed out properly....because of time I decided not to...

I just threw this together real quick....I created a 5 brick family and a 4 brick family....if you play around with the reference planes properly you can align them pretty quick to make a wall....

For scheduling create a shared parameter that will specify how many bricks are in a family...

You can probably create more bricks as well to help speed up the process....but its that parameter that will make the difference...

If you like Tetris this could actually be fun doing it....

[twiceroadsfool]

Oh, i think it would be a riot to do... for fun. A few Line Based families could even make assembling it very very fast. I just dont see the point. There is getting quantities, and then there is getting quantities. If youre Contractors want to get an exact number of bricks and nails and cups of mortar, and theyre going to not hold a percentage for error or waste, the entire thing is going to be a mess. And if they ARE going to hold a % for waste and error, the CV method works perfectly. You can even include additions by window insertion for additional bricks for cutting, etc.

There just isnt a NEED to count brick by brick.

FWIW we did this one in Digital Project. The model was REDICULOUSLY heavy by the end, we had trouble opening it. But, it was back in the 32 bit 4 gig of RAM single core processor days.

[cliff collins]

With the current technology, I'd say model individual bricks ONLY if you have an unusual design like the SHop example or the NY sculpture wall, where a robot is placing each brick directly from the digital model input.

Otherwise use the Calculated Value in a Schedule and move on.

However, for the future, the Cloud offers HUGE potential power, and it may chnage our current way of thinking on such issues.............

cheers