So Again, It's been awhile (since 2020)

 Yes…,

It’s been a real long time since I’ve posted anything lately. I’m hoping this hiatus is very short lived, since it seems COVID is starting to take a step back or we are just going to move to an “endemic” meaning we just simply live with the fact that we are going to have to live with COVID.

 With that all being said, I’m hoping to move back onto what this site is supposed to be about so… if any of the visitors are interested, please visit my main site which is on Facebook (Fitz Digital CAD Service). Just doing a regular Google search will take you to my business site which is still active however, that mainly for business and doesn’t cover what been going on the last couple of years.

 Finally, if anyone that visits my site, or wouldn’t mind, keep in mind that I rarely do I even post, more or less ask for a favor. Since voting is still open for #au2022 class proposals, (up until April 25^th), please take a look and up vote for my classes. #AU, #MiltFitz,#Revit-to-AutoCAD-or-PDF, #Autodesk® CAD-or-BIM-software-vs-Manual, #Milt Fitz & give a👍! Thanks!

Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons…

This was actually supposed to be posted on the Autodesk Community Board / Forum:

Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons…

To All Members,

Just wondering if there was an easy way to get “Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons?

Specifically I’m looking for an option that works similar to Revit for those of you that have use both programs and really know what I’m talking about. For those that do not have Revit, or that do not understand what I mean by realistic renderings, all you really need to do is look at some of the latest Autodesk advertizing or check out my attachments.

What I did was “redraw, or re-cad” another drawing to make it 3D (converting flat 2D elevations to 3D) This was sort of a “No Brainer”, and should be for your intermediate to advance CAD personnel except… the newly created 3D file “Still” has a “Cartoony Look” (again refer to my attachments).

Up until recently, I have had no real complaints doing this type of work, meaning converting files over to 3D especially since most of the “BIM” work has been just to check for collisions. In fact, most of the other trades prefer to use the “Cartoony Look” because things will stick out if something looks out of place. This also has been the case for my 3D printed files meaning the customers don’t really care about the look, the just want to see that the file is workable, or “printable”.

The reason I’m asking about “Realistic Renderings” is that this now seems to be the norm for people using Revit. Lately I’ve been hit with questions such as “Why don’t your files look Realistic”? or “How do I know if that file is in 3D”, or the usual “How do I know if that’s to Scale”?

So, without using an “Add-on” is there a way to easily create a realistic rendering in AutoCAD? My guess is “No” which is no problem for me because I am using other CAD software, “BUT WOULD PREFER” to just stick with Autodesk.

As usual, any information or help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Milt

My original "Converted" 2D drawing to a 3D model:

Alternate view of the "Converted" 2D drawing to a 3D model:

Rendering that is close to what my customer was looking to get:

(Note this is not my drawing & I believe it was done in Revit)

Using another program, these are the files I created:

Again, I was looking to do this type of work with AutoCAD but wound up with the "Cartoon Look" in the 1st two renderings.

Again, using another program, these are the files I created:

Which Direction is Autodesk Headed - Looks like we have the answer:

Status Update and Moving Ahead

Well, since I started getting busy at my regular office I just haven’t been able to get re-started with the blog. Not that I haven’t had any real rants, grips or technical-info to write about, but just plain old busy. I guess that’s good in a way since it keeps me out of real trouble by posting about problems, or stuff that I really have no control about.

Anyway, I just wanted to list a few status updates and will start pushing ahead with following up. Before getting the news about Autodesk University 2014, I decided to take the trip to Synergis University 2014.

Congratulations for those of you that made the cut with getting your classes approved for AU. As usual, I’m sure there will be some great classes to attend. For me I will just have to wait to see the list before making a decision.

I have been to a few of these “Informational – Training” type of seminars, AU obviously, being the largest and probably the best. Other seminars include,  Autodesk Training Seminar (Boston - 2007) The Autodesk Experience Tour (Philadelphia-2008) Although they were all was smaller in comparison to AU, for the most part I still felt going to these events was worth my time especially at Synergis University 2014

My suggestion as far as going to these types of events is to go if time and money permits it. I also would suggest for those of us that have limited time and money that the groups on the east coast put together more of these events that correspond or mirror what happens at AU, except keep the events about 6 months apart. Obviously as a last resort I would recommend checking out the “on-line” classes, seminars, or handouts from AU, which is already being done.

Although I did not get selected as a speaker this year for AU, one thing which was a sort of small achievement was, for once I was able to actually help a person with Revit. Last year my class on Collaboration,

(Exporting from Revit to AutoCAD for Collaboration) seemed to be a good idea and since I work with several groups in either construction technologies, mechanical, or a just plain old architectural I felt it was a good way to show how you can work with multi-disciplined groups or trades.

My tip this past week was simply how to do plain old 2D drafting in Revit. Now before all of the BIM people get all crazy about why you would only create a 2D layout, please realize if you are only showing a point to point line drawing (like for instance a riser) you don’t need to create a 3D document and you could still keep this information in your Revit file without having to create a separate PDF, Word Document, or AutoCAD file that needs to be referenced back into Revit.

So it’s been awhile....

So it’s been awhile since I last sat down to write or rant about anything however, that does not mean things have slowed down. In fact, for awhile I was really busy trying tie up so many loose ends there was simply no way to really comment or write about any technical stuff. This is just going to be a short synopsis of what has been going on since I last checked in, and for once I will post some questions so please don’t be afraid to write back.

 

If you haven’t noticed, it has been a rotten winter (see my earlier post), and this spring is just as bad. Shortly after I broke my snow blower I had some medical issues due to the weather so my last post was more or less about the class I taught at Autodesk University (Revit to AutoCAD). I also had my regular full-time job duties, my consulting duties (under Fitz Digital CAD Service), and I was also involved with a Design class up at County College of Morris. When does the amount of work become too much, and how do other people in my situation handle or juggle the home, work and school load?

 

In regards to Technical Information, for one situation, Robert Green really summed it up with his Cadalyst newsletters about 

 “Advocate for Internet Access for CAD Tools”.   

For me, since I am technically working two jobs, having these “IT” issues has been a nightmare. By the way, if you are looking for some real helpful suggestions, I suggest reading through his (Robert Green) Cadalyst newsletters. 

In my opinion, at least by reading though the material in his articles, you will get pointed in the right direction.

With some other Tech-Info, that I have going on, it is that time of the year for submitting classes for Autodesk University.   This year, I had 3 proposals, more or less all about collaboration. If anything, I truly wished that Autodesk would start to simplify things again. What I mean simply is; 1,) at least get AutoCAD straightened out (by fixing the legacy problems), and 2,) be able to export to a few more programs. We all know there are people that rarely use AutoCAD so, having a bunch of different programs that are suitable for the task at hand is a good idea and Autodesk should make their main program (AutoCAD) work with all of the other “New” platforms. This in my opinion will help with collaboration.

 

Anyway, hopefully the next time I post a blog it in regards to speaking again at AU.

Take care,

Milt

Revit to AutoCAD (My Original Draft)

I just wanted to give my spin, on how to do a standard file conversion of REVIT files down to AutoCAD. Basically the only reason for doing this is to share information with non BIM software users.  The word that actually comes to mind is “Collaboration”. By explaining to the REVIT users how they can share files they effectively are collaborating with the rest of the Non-BIM world.

Originally published in November of 2013, this was my “Test Run or Test Video”. After publishing this video, I used it to help me button up my class at Autodesk University   (Revit to AutoCAD for Collaboration).

Revit to AutoCAD Draft01 - Preliminary Preview (on YouTube)