Virtual #AU2011

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Sean

Move along, there’s something to see here!

Every year, Autodesk University occurs the week after Thanksgiving. For those of you who would like to take part in this exciting learning opportunity, you can attend virtually. Previews of online classes are available on November 15, and you can watch prior AU video courses or download handouts at anytime. Sign up for AU Virtual today and join thousands of your colleagues online November 29–30 for AU Virtual 2011! Choose to Sign In, using your Autodesk single sign-on account.

For those of you following me on Twitter who are not attending AU in person, let me apologize in advance for the ridiculous number of tweets you will see in about 30 days. Search for #AU2011 (the official hash-tag) if you care to follow the conversation.

Spooky! – Tricks and Treats.

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Sean

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without Jack-O-Lanterns… Or for those stuck in the parts of the East Coast of the US suffering from that surprise Nor’Easter last weekend – Jack-O-Snowpeople. Left: Sculptor Alex Wer has done an amazing “Jobs” on this particular pumpkin… Check out Instructables (newly acquired by Autodesk) for other gord-eous treats.

Looking for a new trick?

Last week, Project Vasari saw a new update, fixing some features around importing SketchUp models, and an Add-In (ported from the Revit SDK samples) which used to be a bit challenging to deploy. Both are now plug and play ready. Go now and download the updated Vasari, and the newly available Add-In: Parameters from Image. With a gray-scale image of Mr. Jobs in hand, and some know-how, you could create a digital version of the famous sculpture using a Mass family and using the Curtain Wall Panels by Pattern feature.

For further inspiration and examples, take a look at the entries for the 3rd Annual Parametric Pumpkin Carving Contest on Buildz.

There’s some really great experimentation going on in those entries. My favorite is the one above, from the extraordinarily talented Marcello Sgambelluri, voted “The Baddest”. NBBJ’s own Kelvin Tam has an entry as well. Below is his take on a parametric face. Be sure to check out all the featured entries, and download them to take a look at their stringy-flesh insides. Enjoy!

Conceptual Energy Analysis & CFD Overview – The Sustainable Design Toolbox

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Sean

In case this missed your notice, there’s a newly released WhitePaper on how to get started using Autodesk tools to complete early conceptual energy analysis. Fear not, this is really a bit of fun once you get started.

It has been said, most important decisions affecting energy use happen in the earliest part of design. Comparative analysis of design iterations in a – “this one is 10% better or worse than the other option” can go a long way toward responding to climate in ways you may have previously thought would require months and an energy consultant. Not that you don’t, however, testing intuition against tangible results can help you have more meaningful conversations with those specialists. Your HVAC engineer will thank you for designing a more efficient building, so they don’t have to throw (as much) equipment at an inefficient building layout to meet your client’s energy goals.

Read on: Conceptual Energy Analysis & CFD Overview – The Sustainable Design Toolbox.

Let’s Talk Vasari

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Sean

Coffee with Revit - just because, you know you want it. Image credit: RevitFamiliesOnline.com

Been looking for some way to learn more about conceptual modeling in Revit / Vasari? You can join the Vasari development team for some live sessions on specific topics. Join Vasari Talk every Wednesday, bring your own coffee. The announcement is here.

Back already? Good. I must admit after reading that announcement, I’m feeling a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves… as Steve pointed out, this slipped some of our notice, as three sessions have already happened (and luckily recorded as part of the Wiki). Read his post for more…

via: Revit OpEd: Vasari Update.

Vision Without Obstruction: What We Learn From Steve Jobs

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Sean

I’ve had this as a draft for a few weeks now, and feel it’s worth sharing as is, without commentary.

Vision Without Obstruction: What We Learn From Steve Jobs :: Articles :: The 99 Percent.

The story behind (and inside) The Revit Cow

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Sean

Caution: What you are about to see may be shocking. To those just beginning to build Revit families, this is way beyond and outside the boundaries of “best practices”. I present to you: The Revit Cow. I just wish I’d thought of it first. This is not your average efficient 2.5D family. This is so crazy, even a window manufacturer wouldn’t go to this level of detail. I wondered why that burger I ate this afternoon seemed a little heavy.

And the section. Vegetarians can take solace in the fact that all cows are in fact made with brick, mortar and patience. Yes, that is in fact a wall, wrapping the cow massing family. Remember Reviteers, just because you can, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t – cause when it’s this cool, how can you resist?

Read on for the full story, behind and inside the cow:

Simply Complex: The Revit Cow

If you’ve been out of the loop, and this is news, you might wish to continue your journey of bewilderment below.

Similar stories – courtesy of David Light:

Star Wars meets Revit part 1

Star Wars meets Revit part 2

..which leads me to an announcement: I plan to build another, slightly more complex spaceship in the coming months. If you see me at AU this year, I will have something more to share then. All will be revealed when the moment is right. Of course, it will be rendered in the cloud.

Design Computation – Part I

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Sean

Recently, I attended an internal discussion on identifying key trends regarding digital fabrication. It was discussed that together with the use of computational design tools like Vasari, Rhino/Grasshopper, and others, this approach will open some new opportunities for the AEC industry.

This reminded me to get my act together to finally sign up for Autodesk University – I better show, if I am to lead my full class on BIM Leadership. And I am getting off topic.

The following were part of the Design Computation Symposium which was a conference within the Autodesk University conference last December. The moderator was Dr. Robert Aish, the creator of GenerativeComponents – now with Autodesk Research, he is creating some new advanced parametric tools which we may soon be seeing inside actual design software. If you can attend AU2011, make sure this is on your agenda before it fills up like all great classes. What might you expect?

At the symposium, there were some impressive TED-style presentations from the following researchers and designers – I don’t have recordings of the actual presentations, but attempted to provide links that would elicit a deeper review. Much has been said about the impressive stone bench with a cheeky name designed by Carl Bass himself.

Nick Callicott | Stahlbogen GmbH/sixteen*(makers) – A Manufactured Architecture in a Manufactured Landscape: http://www.sixteenmakers.com

Gregory Epps | RoboFold – Robotic Metal Folding in Façade Fabrication: www.RoboFold.com

Shajay Bhooshan | Zaha Hadid Architects – Form, Structure and Design Intuition - Note: ultimately this research was integrated in Autodesk Vasari

Shrikant Sharma | Buro Happold SMART Solutions – Engineering the Complex Architecture: Smart_Solutions, Louvre, Abu Dhabi

Matthias Kohler | Gramazio & Kohler – Digital Materiality in Architecture Using Robotic Construction: gramaziokohler.com

Mathias Höbinger | Evolute – Enabling Free-Form: evolute.at

René Ziegler | Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG – Finding Repetition in Complexity: Design and Construction of Free-Form Building Envelopes in Steel and Glass (Case Study on the Yas Island Marina Hotel)

The Proving Ground by Nathan Miller: NBBJ Design Computation – Job Opening

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Sean

Re-post:

The Proving Ground by Nathan Miller: NBBJ Design Computation – Job Opening.

Dear Computation Community,

I am happy to announce that NBBJ is expanding its efforts in the field of Design Computation. We have officially opened a search for an additional expertise to work with me on a firm-wide effort based out of the Los Angeles studio. Please review the job description below.

If you are interested in this position, apply through the NBBJ website!

NBBJ Los Angeles is seeking an expert in Design Computation who will be placed in a co-leadership position with a collaborative team of experts. The Designer we are seeking must have a proven track-record for pushing the boundaries of design by drawing upon a deep interest in science, mathematics and computing. This individual should possess experience in applying technology driven methodologies in the context of real-world design problems.

The individual will have responsibilities which include collaborating on the design of architecture projects, working with teams to develop innovative computational design tools, and mentoring design teams in computational methods. The position will offer the candidate opportunities to grow within the firm and exposure to an innovative, fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.

• 4-year degree in related field required; Architectural degree a plus
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in leveraging computational methods for architectural design
• Advanced knowledge of parametric design software and generative design techniques (software may include Grasshopper, Generative Components, Catia, and/or Inventor)
• Working knowledge of common computer programming languages (VB.NET, C#, Python)
• Familiarity with scripting and application programming interfaces (API) for tools such as Revit, Rhino and/or AutoCAD
• Comfortable working in common 2D and 3D design environments including Revit, Rhino, and/or AutoCAD
• Proven experience teaching design computation
• Strong critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to travel and lead team training seminars in all of NBBJ’s office locations

Installing IronPython with Vasari – Nathan Miller

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Sean

Nathan, often shows off some incredibly impressive chops when exploring application integration. Here we see an interesting use of a relatively little known technique for scripting in Vasari/Revit.

Revit application developers take note, IronPython will allow you to fluidly test your code without recompiling and initializing Revit. However, if you are doing heavy parameter pushing, be prepared to wait.

Read on: The Proving Ground by Nathan Miller: Installing IronPython with Vasari

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Revit, sustainable design, digital musings

Author Archives: Sean