We are excited to announce the release of MSUITE BIM 6.4. This BIM update includes several enhancements and new features to improve Revit spool management. The Manage Spool capabilities have been significantly improved, including new FAB Data integration which allows the addition of new FAB columns and a dedicated “FAB Data” button. Users can now easily download and use critical fabrication data directly within their models, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency. The update also improves the drawing approval process with new statuses for quick identification and action. It introduces the “Rename by Selection” command to simplify spool renaming based on selection order, optimizing field installation.
MSUITE BIM 6.4 simplifies the creation and uploading of MAJ files for Sheetmetal users, overhauls the Annotations tab for more intuitive tag control, and significantly improves the Quick-Tag feature for greater flexibility and efficiency. New productivity tools like Connect Anything, Remove Straight, Bulk Connect, and Element Rotation further enhance Revit Modeling capabilities. The new Project Manager command consolidates multiple functions into a centralized location, simplifying navigation and improving efficiency.
Explore MSUITE BIM 6.4 and discover a new level of efficiency and control in your Revit project. Happy modeling!
WHAT’S NEW
Manage Spool Enhancements
New FAB Data Integration
In the latest release of MSUITE BIM 6.4, we continued our commitment to enhancing the Manage Spool capabilities, further integrating MSUITE FAB and BIM for a more seamless user experience. This release introduces additional FAB columns displaying Spool FAB Data, providing users greater flexibility and control over your Revit models.
A new “FAB Data” button has been added to the Manage Spools ribbon. This button allows users to download additional MSUITE FAB Data, which is then stored within the element using new Revit Parameters. To download the latest MSUITE FAB Data, users can simply select the spools they are interested in and click on “FAB Data”.
The “Show/Hide Columns” option in the Manage Spool UI allows you to show or hide these new columns.
These improvements are designed to offer users a more comprehensive view of their MSUITE project data, enabling better decision-making and project management. The integration of these new columns and parameters ensures that users can access and utilize critical FAB data directly within their Revit models, streamlining workflows and improving overall efficiency.
MSUITE FAB Columns
The following MSUITE FAB Columns have been added, each corresponding to a new MSUITE BIM Parameter:
- Percent Complete (m_FAB_percent_complete)
- Budget (m_FAB_budget)
- Completed On (m_FAB_completed_on)
- Due Date (m_FAB_due_date)
- Estimated Time Left (m_FAB_estimated_time_left)
- Hours Left (m_FAB_hours_left)
- Status (m_FAB_status)
- Work Items Count (m_FAB_work_items_count)
- Workflow (m_FAB_workflow)
Improved Drawing Approval Process
With the latest updates to MSUITE FAB, we have introduced two new statuses at the Drawing level to streamline the approval process:
- Sent Back: Indicates a drawing needs revisions.
- On Hold: Indicates a drawing is temporarily paused.
In MSUITE BIM’s Manage Spools, these statuses will be shown in RED and Bold to ensure quick identification and action.
Manage Spools – New Rename Spools by Selection Order
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we introduced the “Rename by Selection” command in Manage Spools, which allows users to quickly and easily rename spools based on their selection order. This feature is particularly useful for managing spools within a specific package and renaming them in an order that benefits field installation.
How to Use
- Select Spools: In the Manage Spools interface, select the rows of spools you wish to rename.
- Click Command: Click on the “Rename by Selection” command in the Manage Spools Ribbon.
- Order Selection: MSUITE BIM will automatically isolate the selected spools in your current view to improve your ability to select them in the desired order. We use the same grey coloring and functionality as Item Numbering to guide you through the selection process. Once you have finished selecting all the spools in the view, the tool will automatically return to your Manage Spools window.
- Rename Spools: The selected spools will be renamed in the order you specified, ensuring they are organized in a way that optimizes field installation.
This enhancement streamlines the renaming process, making it faster and reducing the risk of errors. A new Ribbon icon has been added next to the existing “Rename” command for easy access to this functionality.
Manage Spools – Streamlined Workflow for Creation & Uploading MAJ Files to FAB
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we have made significant improvements to simplify the process of creating and uploading MAJ files to MSUITE FAB. These enhancements are designed to help Sheet Metal users save time and effort when managing MAJ files.
New Workflow for Creating and Uploading MAJ Files
- Create MAJ Files Directly in Manage Spools: Users can now create a new MAJ file directly within the “Manage Spools” feature. This process follows a similar workflow to “Create PDF.”
o Select Spools: Select the rows of spools you want to create a MAJ(s).
o Export MAJ: Click the “Export MAJ” button on the Manage Spools Ribbon.
o Save Location: You will be prompted to choose the location to save the MAJ files. MSUITE BIM will automatically generate an MAJ(s) based on the Spool Name and save it to the specified location.
- Automatic Upload to MSUITE FAB: When users are prepared to upload spools to MSUITE FAB, the associated MAJ file will now automatically be uploaded to MSUITE FAB. This process mirrors the workflow for PDFs, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience.
Future Enhancements
Coming soon, we will introduce the ability to create a single MAJ file for an entire package. Additionally, users will be able to send the MAJ for the entire package directly to MSUITE FAB, simplifying the collaboration process even further.
Manage Spool – Show Selected Spools Only
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we’ve introduced a new enhancement to the Manage Spools feature that allows you to display only the spools you’ve selected in the Revit view when opening the Manage Spools window. This update includes a “Show Selected Only” toggle, which becomes active if spools are selected in the Revit view, enabling you to focus on specific spools and significantly reduce loading times. Additionally, you can dynamically select new spools within the Manage Spools window and isolate them using the “Select” button and “Show Selected Only” option.
Current Behavior:
Previously, opening Manage Spools would display all spools in the active view, which could lead to longer loading times.
What’s New:
Selective Display: Now, when you open the Manage Spools window, only the spools you’ve selected in the Revit view will be displayed. This helps you focus on the specific spools you need to work with, improving efficiency and reducing loading times.
How It Works:
- “Show Selected Only” Toggle:
o Active: If you have selected spools in the Revit view before opening Manage Spools, the “Show Selected Only” checkbox will be active.
o Inactive: If no spools are selected in the Revit view, the checkbox will be inactive.
Dynamic Selection:
- Select new spool rows in the Manage Spools window and click the “Select” button on the Manage Spool ribbon. These will become your new “Selected Spools.”
- Click “Show Selected Only” to isolate and display only these newly selected spools.
- The “Select” icon in the Manage Spools ribbon offers an alternative method for selecting spools.
- When you close the “Manage Spools” window, any selected spool rows will also be selected in the Revit model. To avoid having spools selected in the model when closing the “Manage Spools” window, simply uncheck any spool rows before closing the window.
Manage Spool Template Settings – Overhauled Annotations Tab
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we have overhauled the “Annotations” tab within the Manage Spool Template settings. This update is designed to streamline the user interface and provide more straightforward control over your tag settings, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. By organizing the controls for each tag type, we aim to enhance the user experience, reduce setup time, and prepare for future enhancements that will offer even greater Spool Tag customization. Note that all existing Spool Settings will automatically work with the updated UI changes, ensuring a seamless transition for users.
Organized Control for Different Tag Types
We have now organized the control of each of the five different tags that can be placed:
- Cut Tag
- Material Tag
- Joint Tag
- Size Tag
- Continuation Tag
Each tag type now has the following individual controls:
- Select Revit Annotation Tag: Users can select any Revit Annotation Tag to be used, with the default set to the MSUITE BIM tag.
- Tag Leader Options: Control whether you want a Tag “Leader,” a “Leader Elbow,” and a “Leader Gap” from the element it is pointing to.
- Continuation Tag Customization: The Continuation Tag now has the ability to include a custom “Prefix” and “Suffix.”
Future Enhancements
Coming soon, we will be embedding our “Quick Tag” functionality within the Spool Settings. This will provide even greater customized control over your spool tags, enhancing the user experience and efficiency.
Quick-Tag Enhancements
Our latest update to MSUITE BIM 6.4 includes improvements to the Quick Tag feature. The enhancements significantly improve the flexibility, customization, and efficiency of tagging in MSUITE BIM. Users can now manage their tagging process with greater ease and precision, leading to a more streamlined workflow.
Persistent Quick Tag Window
- Non-Closing Window: Users can now place tags without the Quick Tag window automatically closing. Previously, the window would close after each action, requiring users to relaunch the command to make any necessary changes.
New Ribbon and Place Tags Button
- New Ribbon Addition: A new Ribbon has been added to the UI, featuring the “Place Tags” button.
- Automated Tag Placement: Clicking the “Place Tags” button will automatically place tags for any checked rules.
Enhanced Flexibility and Customization
- Select and Place Any Loaded Revit Tag: Users can now select and place any loaded Revit Tag within the project, greatly improving the flexibility and customization of tag placement.
- Leader Controls: Users now have greater control over tag leaders, including options to toggle Leaders On/Off, add a Leader Elbow, and adjust Leader Gaps.
Advanced Tag Rule Control
- Search = Select All Like Rule: Users can still use our “Select All Like” feature with the new “Search” button. We have now integrated the “Select All Like” function into the Quick Tag user interface.
o If you wish to use an existing Select All Like rule, users can now import a rule with the new button located next to the “Search” button.
- Annotation Groups: The new Annotation Groups feature allows users to select elements classified as “Cuts,” “Material Joints,” “Non-Material Joints,” “Cut Materials,” “Olets,” and “Hangers.” This categorization provides more precise control over which elements are tagged.
New Productivity Tools: Save Hours of Work Every Day
We are excited to unveil our new suite of Productivity Tools in MSUITE BIM, designed to enhance your modeling efficiency and save you valuable time significantly. These tools, including “Connect Anything,” “Remove Straight,” “Bulk Connect,” and “Element Rotation,” streamline repetitive manual tasks, reducing them from minutes to mere seconds. By automating these processes, each Revit Detailer can save hours of productivity daily, allowing you to focus on more critical aspects of your projects. Dive into these powerful tools and experience a new efficiency level in your workflow.
Connect Anything
The “Connect Anything” command allows users to connect various elements seamlessly within their Revit models. Select the element you wish to move, then select the target element you want to connect to. MSUITE BIM automatically stretches or moves the selected element to establish the connection. This functionality is incredibly versatile, enabling users to easily connect fittings to fittings, pipes to fittings, ducts to ducts, and ducts to fittings.
Key Features:
- Seamless Connections: Effortlessly connect runs of pipe, duct, conduit, or cable tray to other elements.
- Versatile Compatibility: Works with MEP Fabrication ITM Parts, Ducts, Pipe, Conduit, and Cable Tray.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Streamline your modeling process by reducing the time and effort required to manually align and connect elements.
Whether you are a piping Revit detailer looking to connect a run of pipe to another run, or a ductwork modeler needing to connect ducts and fittings, the “Connect Anything” command simplifies the process, making your modeling tasks quicker and more intuitive. Experience enhanced productivity and precision with MSUITE BIM’s new “Connect Anything” command.
BEFORE
AFTER
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Select the “Connect Anything” Command:
a. Navigate to the MSUITE BIM Ribbon and click on the “Connect Anything” command under the Productivity Tools section.
2. Select the First Element (Pipe):
a. Click on the MEP Fabrication Pipe that you wish to move and connect to the fitting. This will be your source element.
3. Select the Target Element (Fitting):
a. Click on the MEP Fabrication Fitting (Elbow) that you want to connect the pipe to. This will be your target element.
4. Automatic Connection:
a. MSUITE BIM will automatically stretch or move the selected pipe to connect it to the fitting. The connection will be made seamlessly, ensuring that the elements are properly aligned and connected.
Important Notes:
- Working with Fabrication Services: Both elements must be part of the same Service.
- Element Size: The pipe and fitting must be of the same size to connect properly.
o Future enhancement is coming soon—ability to Connect different size elements.
Remove Straight
The “Remove Straight” command is a powerful addition to our Productivity Tools, designed to streamline removing straight elements such as ducts, pipes, or conduits along a run. This command is particularly useful when creating a fitting-to-fitting connection without the hassle of manually removing the straight element and then using the “Connect Anything” command.
How to Use the “Remove Straight” Command: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Select the “Remove Straight” Command:
a. Navigate to the MSUITE BIM Ribbon and click on the “Remove Straight” command under the Productivity Tools section.
2. Select the Straight Element to Delete:
a. Click on the straight duct, pipe, or conduit segment that you want to remove. Note: Clicking on a specific end of the straight element will determine which end of the connection fitting will move to connect to the other end.
3. Automatic Removal and Connection:
a. Once you click on the straight element, MSUITE BIM will automatically delete the straight segment and connect the adjacent fittings, creating a seamless fitting-to-fitting connection.
4. Repeat as Needed:
a. The command remains active, allowing you to continue removing straight segments and connecting fittings without having to reselect the command each time.
BEFORE
AFTER
Bulk Connect
The “Bulk Connect” command is a powerful addition to our Productivity Tools, designed to enhance your modeling efficiency by allowing you to connect multiple elements at once. Similar to the “Connect Anything” command, “Bulk Connect” enables you to select a group of elements and then copy and connect them to a target element in one seamless operation.
How to Use the “Bulk Connect” Command: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Select the “Bulk Connect” Command:
a. Navigate to the MSUITE BIM Ribbon and click on the “Bulk Connect” command under the Productivity Tools section.
2. Select the Group of Elements:
a. The command will automatically enter “Selection Mode.” Single-click or window-select the elements you wish to Bulk Connect. These can include ducts, pipes, conduits, or any other MEP elements.
a. Click “Finish” in the options bar when completed.
3. Select the Source Element:
a. The command will then automatically highlight the Selected elements that contain an open Connector in RED.
a. By clicking on one of the Highlighted elements, this sets that element as the Source Element.
4. Select the Target Element:
a. Click on the destination target element to which you want to connect the selected group of elements.
a. The original selected Source Element will then connect to the Target Element.
5. Automatic Connection:
a. MSUITE BIM will automatically copy and connect the selected elements to the target element, ensuring a seamless and accurate connection. The command stays active, allowing you to continue bulk connecting the originally selected group of elements.
By using the “Bulk Connect” command, you can efficiently connect multiple elements in one go, saving you significant time and effort. This tool, along with our other Productivity Tools, helps Revit Detailers reduce repetitive manual steps from minutes to seconds, significantly enhancing daily productivity.
BEFORE
AFTER
Element Rotation
The “Rotate Element” command is a versatile addition to our Productivity Tools, designed to help Revit Detailers easily rotate any MEP element along the X, Y, or Z axis. This command simplifies the process of adjusting the orientation of elements, making it quick and intuitive.
How to Use the “Rotate Element” Command: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Select the “Rotate Element” Command:
a. Navigate to the MSUITE BIM Ribbon and click on the “Rotate Element” command under the Productivity Tools section.
2. Select the Element(s) to Rotate:
a. Click on the MEP element(s) you wish to rotate.
3. Select the Element to Rotate Around:
a. Click on the element around which you want to rotate the selected elements. This will serve as the pivot point for the rotation.
4. Choose the Settings
a. An easy-to-read element rotation interface will open. You can specify the degree of rotation and use the left or right arrows to rotate the selected elements around the chosen pivot point.
a. Click “Accept” to complete the rotation command.
Enhanced Project Manager Command
With the release of MSUITE BIM 6.4, a new “Project Manager” command has been introduced in the MSUITE BIM Ribbon. This command integrates the features of the “Jobs,” “Packages,” and “Job Details” commands into a unified user interface. By consolidating these functions, navigation is simplified, and efficiency is enhanced as users no longer need to switch between multiple commands. This update enables users to efficiently handle all project aspects from a single, centralized location.
- Enhanced Search Functionality: An additional enhancement is the new “Search” option when selecting a Job or Package from the dropdown menus, allowing for quicker and more efficient navigation.
o Future Enhancements: Displaying Job & Package Number in the dropdown menus.
Enhancements
New Revit Parameter for ITM Parts: “m_ITM_Dimensions”
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we have introduced a new Revit parameter called “m_ITM_Dimensions” to enhance the scheduling of ITM parts dimensions.
Current Challenges
Currently, ITM Parts dimensions are either separate parameters or non-schedulable hidden parameters, making it time-consuming to schedule and difficult to read in the schedule.
New Parameter: “m_ITM_Dimensions”
To address this issue, we have created a new parameter called “m_ITM_Dimensions”. This parameter concatenates all available ITM part dimensions into a single string value, making it easier to schedule any additional ITM dimensions for fabrication.
To ensure that all the data in the new parameter is up to date, MSUITE BIM automatically updates the parameter values any time an ITM element is placed or modified.
Additionally, we have added an enhancement to the existing MSUITE BIM Model Maintenance window called “Update ITM Dimension Values”. Running this command will update all visible ITM elements in the current view with the latest dimension values.
Improved Single Hanger Placement Workflow
In MSUITE BIM 6.4, we have enhanced the Single Hanger Placement command to improve user experience and streamline the workflow for placing hangers on selected elements.
New Workflow for Single Hanger Placement
- Click Command: The user clicks the “Single Hanger Placement” command on the MSUITE BIM Ribbon.
- Automatic Selection Mode: If no elements were previously selected, the user is automatically brought into the native Revit Selection mode.
- Select Elements: Select one or more elements from the categories: MEP Fabrication Ductwork and MEP Fabrication Pipework you wish to place hangers on.
- Finish or Cancel Selection Mode: Click the Finish Button to finish your selection. To exit the “Selection Mode” at any time, click the “Cancel” button or press the “Esc” key.
- Place Hangers: The user is then brought into a mode to place hangers on the previously selected elements.
a. Click on any point of the previously selected elements, and a Hanger will be placed at that location.
Product Update: FAB
New Features/Enhancements:
- To improve the drawing approval process, two new statuses – Sent back and On Hold – have been added to the Drawing level. The system will reflect these changes in the drawing status, reducing confusion and delays.
- The weight data in MSUITE FAB will now match the weight data in MSUITE BIM. When pushing from BIM to FAB, FAB will display the exact data that BIM has for the m_weight parameter on the Items table.
- Users can now easily manage and track vendor information within MSUITE FAB by adding vendor information to their Revit model using a new shared parameter called m_vendor. The m_vendor data will populate in the Vendor column on the Items table.
Thank you for using MSUITE BIM and FAB. Please contact our support team if you have any questions or feedback.
We’re dedicated to making your journey with our app smoother and more enjoyable. Your feedback fuels our drive to deliver excellence, so please keep it coming. Thank you for being a part of our community. For more important details on MSUITE Product updates or bug fixes, please visit the customer support portal.
