UpCodes adds AI to Building Codes via CoPilot

This week UpCodes announced their implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within their building code tool... which is an excellent application of AI within the AEC industry.

As an UpCode customer, I had early access to this tool while in beta. In today's post, I will share some of my experience... which, overall, was excellent.

keep reading to learn more...

Enscape Blog Post - Adjustable Assets: New Customization Options for Designers

My latest Enscape post is live over on the Enscape blog. It covers an exciting new feature that allows some assets to be adjusted.

keep reading to learn more...

Revit 2024 Updates Enscape Users Should Know About

I recently wrote a post for the Ensacpe blog highlighting Revit 2024 feature Enscape users might want to know!

Follow this link to read the post:

https://blog.enscape3d.com/revit-2024-updates

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For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn

Lighting design professionals: check out my Revit & ElumTools training https://bit.ly/3NJjhCV

Remodels and Alternates in Revit MEP - Free Course on YouTube

The first of three courses I am making available for free is now fully uploaded: Remodels and Alternates in Revit MEP! This includes a download link with sample files to follow along... including:

• 21 Videos
• 2.0 hours
• 1 PDF handout
• Several required/resource files

Although this course focuses on MEP there are many topics and concepts that any Revit user can benefit from including, for example, managing view settings for multi-model projects using phasing and/or design options.

keep reading to learn more...

Three Free Courses Coming Soon - Enscape, Early Energy Modeling & Revit MEP

Seven hours of recorded content across 57 videos will soon be available for free on my YouTube channel.

If you are interested in learning about rendering with Enscape, early energy modeling with Autodesk Insight, or managing remodels and alternates within Revit MEP (or Revit, in general), you will want to keep reading!

keep reading to learn more...

Preliminary Topography with Aerial Imagery - SketchUp to Revit (to Enscape) Workflow

Today's BIM Chapters blog post features a video I created on getting preliminary topography into Revit. Two workflows are covered:

• Creating a toposolid (or toposurface)
• Linking a surface with aerial imagery

To emphasize the opportunity, I used a mountainous area in the US.

keep reading to learn more...

Two New Revit 2024 Videos and more

Now that my Autodesk Revit 2024 books are updated and sent to SDC Publications, I am updating the 125 videos included with those books!

In preparation for the creation of these videos, I created a few test videos and uploaded them to YouTube. These videos are new content covering Revit 2024's new Textures mode and some tips on working in perspective views.

keep reading to learn more...

Revit 2024 Toposolid Command - YouTube Video

Revit 2024 has a new way to model topography, which completely replaces the original workflow... I created a 15-minute video that walks through the basics. This is front-of-mind for me currently, as I update my Autodesk Revit textbooks for 2024.

I also share a link to a great video by Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, AIA, aka The Revit Kid.

keep reading to learn more...

Dell Visits Lake|Flato with Video Production Crew!

Last week, Dell visited Lake|Flato for two full days to begin producing a video capturing our firm culture, our newly remodeled San Antonio office, and the technology strategy we've implemented that revolves around all things Dell.

I will share some behind-the-scenes photos and a few polished teasers from the production company in today's post.

keep reading to learn more...

Lake|Flato Hosted the Global Design Alliance 2023 San Antonio Symposium

Two weeks ago, Lake|Flato hosted the 2023 San Antonio Symposium by the Global Design Alliance, of which we are members. I had the opportunity to participate and present at this event. In today's post, I will share the highlights of the event and the GDA.

keep reading to learn more...

Autodesk Revit 2024 Has Arrived - Learn What's New

Revit 2024 has just been released today by Autodesk. Head over to AECbytes to read my eight annual What's New in Revit article!

Also, be sure to check out my 30-minute YouTube video showing many of these new features in action (more details below)!

keep reading to learn more...

BIM After Dark. Live, Tonight - Featuring Lake|Flato!

This evening I will join Jeffrey Pinheiro on his super popular YouTube channel, BIM After Dark. Live again! Per his current series theme, we will be talking about aspects of residential design at Lake|Flato with an emphasis on design technology.

Be sure to scroll down and see a render of an incredible project we received permission from our client to show... both in Revit and Enscape:)

keep reading to learn more...

Zero Tool Integration within Autodesk Insight

Did you know that Autodesk's early energy modeling workflow has an API-based connection to ARCHITECTURE 2030's Zero Tool to provide a convenient pEUI target? We use this workflow and resource on nearly every project at Lake|Flato.

I will highlight this valuable feature in today's post.

keep reading to learn more...

New Enscape Blog Post: How to Use VR in Enscape for Project Presentations

I just updated -- or, totally rewrote -- my VR post over on the Enscape blog. It describes how we use VR at Lake|Flato to wirelessly deliver high-quality, full VR, Enscape experiences!

In today's BIM Chapters post, I share a few photos and a link to that post here.

keep reading to learn more...

New Enscape Blog Post: Creating and Using Panoramas at Lake|Flato Architects

Check out my latest Ensacpe blog on using panoramas!

This includes a look at Yulio, a third-party tool used to link and view panoramas using an Oculus Quest 2.

Link to Enscape blog post:

Creating and Using Panoramas at Lake|Flato Architects

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For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn

Lighting design professionals: check out my Revit & ElumTools training https://bit.ly/3NJjhCV

Recap of Advancing Computational Building Design 2023 in Chicago

Last week I had the opportunity to attend and present at Advancing Computational Building Design 2023 in Chicago. This post offers a high-level overview of the event as well as the two sessions I participated in... one of which included two colleagues from Lake|Flato.

keep reading to learn more...

Vote for this Revit Idea - Revit Element Reuse Workflow

I recently posted a Revit Idea in support of element reuse within Autodesk Revit. With all of the exciting things happening around deconstruction, material reuse, and the circular economy, it would be great if Revit offered some level of support for this design and documentation workflow.

Speaking on "happenings" in this space, the city of San Antonio, here in Texas, is making great strides in both policy and culture (see recent local happy hour photo at the end of this post:)). Link: San Antonio Reuse website.

keep reading to learn more...

Sign up for our AIA webinar on building a climate-minded architectural practice

In April we will be giving a live presentation on how to build a climate-minded architectural practice. This session is based on the AIA Climate Action Business Playbook the AIAU instructors for this session were commissioned by the AIA to write.

keep reading to learn more...

Early Energy Modeling Presentation at Prairie View A&M - School of Architecture

Today I presented remotely to architecture students at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). This was an excellent opportunity to share what we are doing at Lake|Flato in this space.

In today's post I share an overview of the process, from Revit to Insight.

Keep reading to learn more...

Early Energy Modeling Presentation at UTSA - School of Architecture

Yesterday I presented in-person to architecture students at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). This was an excellent opportunity to share what we are doing at Lake|Flato with a local architecture program.

keep reading to learn more...

University of Minnesota - Spring 2023 Lighting Design Presentation

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to present (remotely) on lighting design at the University of Minnesota.

Today's post will highlight my presentation, where I discussed:

• Design Performance at Lake|Flato
• Electric lighting: Lighting design using Revit + Elumtools
• Daylighting: Access and glare using Rhino + Climate Studio

keep reading to learn more...

Recap of UT Austin Symposium - Architecture After AI

Last Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, I attended a symposium at UT Austin’s School of Architecture titled Architecture After AI. This is the topic of today’s post.

Keep reading to learn more…

Advancing Computational Building Design - February 2023

Later this month I will be speaking at the 6th annual Advancing Computational Building Design conference in Chicago, Il.

I will be doing one session with colleagues from Lake|Flato and moderating a panel discussion with some other great people in the industry! This is the topic of today's post.

keep reading to learn more...

Photos of Lake|Flato's Freshly Remodeled Offices in San Antonio, Texas

This week our long-awaited Lake|Flato office remodel came to a conclusion! Everyone in the San Antonio, Texas, office convened at this location for the first time since the pandemic began, leaving our temporary office a few blocks away.

As the first week comes to an end, I wanted to share some photos of the project.

keep reading to see more photos...

IBPSA-USA Panel Discussion - Performance Modeling in early design phases

Next week I will be participating in a panel discussion on performance modeling in early design phases.

Attendees with hear how three architecture firms, Lake|Flato, Gensler, and CannonDesign, approach performance modeling in the early design phases!

keep reading to learn more...