NBS and Autodesk Revit linkage enhancements

To date, the only way to link NBS with Autodesk Revit has been through import and export and the keynote functionality. However, we're now close to releasing a fantastic new plug-in that will allow direct linkage between NBS and Revit at an object-to-object level. The screenshots below demonstrate this process.

Fig 1 - The same physical objects are described in the main model and the specification

The NBS for Autodesk Revit plug-in can be seen in the Add-Ins toolbar (next to the iCIM buttons - more on this in a later blog post :)). Note that key buttons can also be added to the quick-launch bar at the top.

Fig 2 - The beta version of the NBS for Autodesk Revit toolbar in the ribbon

By clicking the NBS buttons the Revit model and the specification model can be linked together without the need for export/import or keynoting. Firstly at a project level...

Fig 3 - Link the specification to the Revit model - this path is inserted as a project parameter

Objects can be linked through selecting the object and then clicking the "Annotate" button. The screenshot below shows that through a couple of clicks the user can annotate an object. As the information goes into the type parameters - this updates every instance of that object in every view or schedule. The screenshot below doesn't do true justice to how cool this feature is. But a couple of clicks to coordinate all instances of the object in every view is quite amazing!

Fig 4 - Link the Revit objects to the specification objects - these come in as type parameters of the objects

One of the best use of the parameters is through the tag object. We will be looking at specific tags and also multi-category tags and see which works best (maybe the option for both?). 

Fig 5 - Linking to objects via the parameters allows clever additional features through the parametric tag objects

Finally, contextual technical guidance, links to reference documents and standards and manufacturer information can be viewed as expected...

Fig 6 - Subject to licence NBS guidance may be viewed whilst working in Revit

Fig 7 - Manufacturer information may also be browsed from within Revit

Anyone wanting to see this in action, please consider the following:
- Come over and see us at BIM Show Live 2012 next week
- Please join our Beta Testing group - we have some work left to do - user feedback is crucial to us

Finally, this would definitely not be possible without the support over the last year off a few people. So a big thank you to Simon J, Adam, Simon G and Jeremy at Autodesk. Thanks to David, Carl and Alan at the London Revit User Group for allowing us to gather feedback at the start of this year. Also, well done to Calum at NBS working so hard linking things together in the last week in the NBS R&D department - enjoy some beers this weekend Calum!