tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5634085675780254011.post563457800089545275..comments2024-03-26T02:30:27.201+11:00Comments on practical BIM: Schedules from BIM - why is it so hard?Antony McPheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366532205983073622noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5634085675780254011.post-65121649477411126472018-04-14T09:46:56.996+10:002018-04-14T09:46:56.996+10:00Tom, generally add-ins write data directly from Re...Tom, generally add-ins write data directly from Revit, they don't do it via a Revit schedule. Some add-ins allow you to export a schedule but I suspect they just use it to define the data they export.<br />There are many Excel add-ins for Revit, including Dynamo packages, so there may be some that will include linked file data.<br /><br />An alternative work flow is to export Revit schedules as text files, then link those schedule text files in to an Excel file. When schedules are re-exported Excel automatically updates the data (if you set up to do this).<br />Of course this is a one way process - you can't push data back in to Revit. Which makes it safer. Another advantage is formatting in Excel is retained.<br />But it depends what you are trying to achieve.Antony McPheehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15366532205983073622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5634085675780254011.post-36746849868764210602018-04-13T22:44:54.730+10:002018-04-13T22:44:54.730+10:00Do you have any updates or recommendations for thi...Do you have any updates or recommendations for this? I have found several useful plugins that export my schedules into excel, some within the same workbook and it places each schedule on a different tab. HOWEVER, like most developers we have a master model where all of our linked (housetype) models are linked into. I can tick the 'include elements within links' box and generate the schedules exactly how I would like them in Revit, although the plugins I have been testing out cannot seem to export any of this data? It is almost like the plugin ignores revit schedule and tries to find the data from the model itself, which it then can't find due to the data being in linked models. <br /><br />I was wondering if you knew of a workflow that could help with this? <br /><br />Kind Regards,<br /><br />TomAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182705712925606369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5634085675780254011.post-32797887633915121672014-03-06T13:50:26.307+11:002014-03-06T13:50:26.307+11:00I think that you too quickly dismiss the idea of d...I think that you too quickly dismiss the idea of data specialist(s) within the office. It's high time that we acknowledge that we are now dealing with data as much as the printed graphic and we need to upgrade our skills in database management in line with the new paradigm. <br /><br />Every PC with MS Office Suite also has MS Access installed but sadly too few design professionals are making use of the manifest possibilities of databases not just in managing Revit data but also other aspects of office and project management. <br /><br />If the data management systems are methodically set up and implemented and the processes well documented then there should be no problems when the data manager moves on (or is hit by a bus). I have set up complex systems on a very large project and handed over to less experienced staff who have risen to the task and made their own contributions as required. <br /><br />Special "off the shelf" software and add-ins do not offer many possibilities for customization and should be avoided as they are limited and only useful until the next upagrade of the BIM software or OS. <br /><br />You also failed to mention the native ability of Revit to export to an ODBC database and this is where the possibilities for BIM become almost boundless. Raw ODBC database management is not for the faint hearted but MS Access can dynamically link to the exported data and provides a foolproof graphical interface for creating forms, reports, schedules, queries etc etc etc. <br /><br />The idea that to create the role of database manager is "removing some one from billable work" is shortsighted and missing the point. Is the role of office BIM manager also removing someone from billable work? Receptionist? Office manager? <br /><br />We keep talking about the need for a paradigm shift but are we making the effort to commit to it as well?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272848297659851881noreply@blogger.com