It’s not about “me,” it’s about “we.” Michael LeFevre, retired architect and current leader of a design thinktank, believes designers, contractors, owners, trade contractors, technologists, and strategists all need to work together to bring about a shift in the construction industry toward a collaboration-focused business model. In his 2019 book, …
Moving the Autodesk Fabrication Database to the Cloud – Top Tips to Enable Remote Workers
Carol DunnOrganizations that use Autodesk Fabrication (CADmep, ESTmep, CAMduct, Revit for Fab) may experience slow working conditions when communicating with the database. For remote users this can cause major slowdowns when trying to work. The use of a VPN gives users access to files but it is slow and non-productive. One …
FAB and MEP Users: What’s New for You in Revit 2020
Carol Dunn and Gabe HernandezIt’s no secret in this industry that juggling specialty trades on a project can keep you up at night. Fortunately, with Autodesk Fabrication products – CADmep, ESTmep and CAMduct – you can use manufacturer-specific content to generate better estimates, create more accurate detailed models, and directly drive mechanical, electrical, and …
Autodesk Fabrication: Reduce Workload with Specifications/Pressure Classes – Part 2
Patrick HendricksAutodesk Fabrication: Reduce Workload with Specifications/Pressure Classes – Part 2 There are many benefits in using Autodesk Fabrication software when you take the time to set up your specifications (pressure classes) for all ductwork. With a little work up front, your firm can see greater cohesion among departments, confidence on …
Autodesk Fabrication: Reduce Workload with Specifications/Pressure Classes – Part 1
Patrick HendricksThere are a lot of benefits to be gained using Autodesk Fabrication software if you take the time to set up your specifications (otherwise known as pressure classes) for all ductwork. These benefits can be realized through greater cohesion among departments, confidence on fittings input, and overall consistency in what …
Embracing Digital Fabrication
Carol DunnA recent article in AECMagazine pointed up a transformation in the AEC industry that’s taking place so quickly that it may not even be on the radar for many consumers. In Embracing Digital Fabrication, the author compares the industry’s adoption of building information modeling (BIM) with the move to prefabrication …
6 Horrible Mistakes in Prefabrication
Carol DunnThe pre-construction phase of any project is critical: understanding the job flow, determining materials, bringing subs up to speed. So many things can go wrong on a project, sometimes it’s daunting. Avoid the following mistakes that burn up profit, and you’ll be more likely to have a profitable fabrication process. …
5G Era Gets Launched
Clay SmithThe Wall Street Journal has released a number of recent articles about 5G for smartphones, and it looks like the launch has finally started. Last week’s WSJ had an article on Thursday April 4, touting the launch of 5G with Verizon in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis, while carriers in …
Renumber with eVolve MEP 1.4
Amy WorthyThe renumbering tool has been updated and enhanced to include new features. Watch this video to see how it works.
What Could You Possibly Teach Others About Making a Wedding Cake?
Carol DunnOK, maybe there’s not much you could teach someone about making a fancy cake. That’s not your business, and maybe the closest you get to “pastry” is a case of wax donuts. Your business is mechanical-engineering-plumbing, and you likely have a sense of the direction fabrication is moving. But is …
Advance Steel Import Formats
David WolfeMany clients want to re-use existing structural models in Advance Steel. Here is a list of the file formats from which Advance Steel can import geometry and data. Revit IFC CIS/2 smlx STD PSS (DSTV) KISS (version of CIS/2) The success of the import is limited by the degree to …
Why We Love Panzura
Carol DunnIf you don’t already work with Panzura, you probably can’t imagine being overly fond of technology unless it’s a robotic lawn mower on a hot summer day. But if you’ve got multiple offices and project team members scattered across the country who are leveraging Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, …