Looking for low cost tools that will give your firm a big boost? Check out this article I recently wrote for ARCHITECT magazine. The tools listed in the article were recommended by presenters at the recent Building Connections Congress. The event was hosted by the AIA’s Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) knowledge community. The theme for this year’s conference was […]
The Art of Toolmaking
My dad was a machinist so, naturally, he liked working with tools. We had a garage full of stuff he collected from the machine shop and every so often, when I needed to fix my bike, he’d rummage around and find just the right socket or the perfect sized wrench. If he couldn’t find the right tool, my […]
Where’s Your BIM Roadmap Taking You?
It’s summer here in New England so naturally, I’m thinking about road trips. Maybe it’s because I live in the US but I love a good road trip. There’s nothing more promising than a sunny day, a full tank of gas (or full charge, for you electric car drivers) and a map book in the passenger seat. In […]
10 More Revit Apps You Should Be Using in 2015
At the beginning of the year, I posted a list of 10 Revit Apps you should be using in 2015. Now that we’re midway through the year, I thought I’d revisit this topic with a list of 10 more apps you should be using (or thinking about using) this year. There are lot of great apps […]
Easily Replace Revit Fonts with this Macro
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Easily Delete Unused Views With This Revit Macro
Here’s the scenario – you’re heading out of town for a much deserved vacation. Before you leave, you spend some time cleaning up your project’s Revit model. You delete all the extraneous views, purge out unused families and compact the central file. You leave the office on Friday with your model looking neat and tidy. […]