Here’s the scenario: it’s Friday and you’re putting the finishing touches on a set of permit drawings. You’re going to drop them off at the contractor’s office on your way out of town for the weekend. Right before you hit the “Print” button, you get a phone call. It turns out the city doesn’t like […]
12 Excel Formulas Every Architect Should Know
Excel is more than just digital graph paper. It’s a serious tool for analyzing and computing data. In order to access this power, however, you need to understand formulas. This post is part of ArchSmarter’s Excel for Architects series. You can find all of the previous posts in the series here. If you’re like me, you started using […]
Easily Align Views on Sheets with this Revit Macro
This used to drive me crazy. I’d be putting together some sheets in Revit. I’d create the first sheet, typically a floor plan, then I would add the views. Pretty standard stuff. These sheets usually include only a single plan view and maybe a legend or two. Once I had everything organized on the sheet, […]
Learn to Code with These Resources
As I’ve stated previously, I’m a big proponent for learning to code. Coding and programming helps you think logically, it increases your productivity and it is actually quite fun. But how do you get started? Which language should you learn? The answer depends on what you ultimately want do. Do you want to generate and […]
How to Better Manage Your Project Data (or the Architect’s guide to databases)
I had a problem on my hands. I was working on a large project. I mean REALLY large – multiple buildings, millions of square feet and lots and lots of information. One of my tasks was to keep track of all the room specific requirements. The owners had their requirements, the engineers had theirs, and […]
The Ultimate Guide to Revit Shortcuts
For all the work you do in Revit, there’s a keyboard shortcut that can help you do it faster. Here’s a roundup featuring some of my favorite Revit keyboard shortcuts to create and organize your model. Keep reading to learn how to create your own shortcuts. Exclusive Bonus! Click here to download a convenient PDF […]
Automatically Convert DWG Details to Revit Lines
Can you really save three days of work with one Revit Macro? Here’s how I did it using a Revit macro to automatically convert DWG details to Revit lines. A while back, I was working with a client to convert some of their office standard wall types to Revit. I created new wall types […]
How To Copy Your Revit Macros To Other RVT Files
So you wrote a super useful Revit macro that automates some really tedious tasks in Revit. You’ve saved yourself at least twenty hours on your last project. Now you want to use that same macro on your current project. How can you copy the macro code over to another RVT file? Unfortunately there’s no magic […]
Link Multiple DWGs With This Revit Macro
So you’re working on a high-rise residential project and you’ve been assigned the task of coordinating all the mechanical systems with your unit layouts. Sounds like fun. Problem is, you’re working under a deadline and need to make changes fast before you issue drawings at the end of the week. You’ve got a killer Revit […]
10 Revit Apps You Should Be Using in 2015
Happy New Year! Welcome back to another year of ArchSmarter. Like many of you, I always try to start the new year with some resolutions. One thing I want do this year is to get really efficient in my work. I want to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of my working time so I […]