Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Love Sketching?

Every BIM-guru I know starts by sketching rather than staring at a computer screen. Perhaps there something immediate and emotively satisfying about a sketchbook and pencil that is difficult to recreate. Even when faced with a bunch of parametric rules, it's wonderful to figure out a question with a pencil before you propose an answer with a bunch of reference points, lines and planes (and the odd paramatized void is still pretty useful, Mr. Jezyk). ;)

I'm not saying that I don't lovelovelove the fantastic Wacom display that I've been using in preparation for the next Mastering Revit book. It more a matter of portability.

So there's this. And I'm blown away:

Congrats Wacom for continuing to think outside of the box. While so many other companies are trying to ape the iPad, you guys come along and do something really original. Yes - there are other paper/pen input devices. But the addition of layers (!) and vectors (!) are going to allow designers far more flexibility than just capturing rough data - like being able to scale up a drawing with no loss in like quality.

And from the overview it looks to be Mac and PC compatible.

The bad news? Eddy's birthday has already passed for the year…so close!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Happy Friday, You Giant Cock

Man+with+big+cock

One of these images is a photograph of Rob Charlton, Chief Executive of _space group.

The other is a Giant Cock.

I could really use your help figuring out which is which.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Program Management Integrated with BIM

The August 2011 meeting of the New York City Revit Users Group featured a presentation by Greg Schleusner of the firm-wide BIM leadership team at HOK. Greg demonstrates how the use of BIM-based program management tools such as dRofus can support and improve the project delivery process. The discussion focuses on the benefits of adequately documenting program requirements and then comparing those to an evolving design model.

NOTE: The featured presentation starts at about 12:00 into the recording.

Complete meeting recording from NYC RUG

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Adventure Time

AT GiantMoney lr 660x489

I've had three calls in the last two days asking for names of experienced BIM managers looking for a change of scenery. I personally know the individuals hiring - they're offering interesting projects and above market compensation.

One of the positions is in India and salary includes accommodations as well as staff that will cook and clean for you.

If you're interested, please email me and don't forget to attach your resume.

All correspondence will be kept in confidence.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday Reprieve #34

Yellow pages pile

It's been a while. Been busy. Sorry. But have to share this short story. I think it says something about technology and the power of accurate information. I have a much longer thought on data integrity, but i'll save that one for later. In the meantime....

There was a knock on my door. My 15 year old daughter answered it and came back into the kitchen carrying a yellow bag.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Best Building Simulations?

I just received a link to this video from Arch|Tech friend, David Light. All I can say is – wow.

The Leadenhall Building Animation

Friday, August 5, 2011

Creating Elliptical Walls In Revit

Here's one way to get around making a series of walls in Revit that come Pretty Darn Close (TM) to being elliptical. But first, you need to take a moment and watch David Light's version:



What's deceptive about this (for those of you that don't know David) is that David has a foreign accent. This gives him a voice of certainty and moral authority that is unquestionable. I (on the other hand) have no such advantage. My accent is an annoying twang that starts in New Jersey and finishes in Charlotte, NC. And I talk to fast when I get excited.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

DO THE TON!

122 1009 01 o+cafe racer+logo

What at first glance looks rough and busted on the outside - but when you grind off the dirt and rust, it turns out to be something extraordinary and beautiful underneath - all because of an amazing group of artists?

  1. The FLAT TIRES music!
  2. An old CAFE RACER looking to be rebuilt from the ground up!

So it's only fitting that the Discover Channel series Cafe Racer is going to be showcasing music by the FLAT TIRES during the second season.

It all starts tonight from 9pm-10pm EST. More showtimes here:

http://www.caferacertv.com/airtimes-show-information/

Monday, August 1, 2011

Happy Birthday Eddy!!!

Yeah - I know. I didn't say "Happy Birthday" to you yesterday when everyone else was saying it on Facebook. Next to Justine, you're my favorite hippy. You'll have to guess which image I was going to use (and didn't) when doing a search for "happy birthday" on Google images. Go ahead. Search.

In the meantime - here's a far less traditional but way more fun version of Happy Birthday. Looks like HNTB but Smells like Teen Spirit.