Author Topic: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS  (Read 3164 times)

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Offline cnashTopic starter

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Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« on: Oct 17, 2022, 18:22:19 PM »
Just wondering what everyone is using inside of Revit to supplement STRATUS?
And what are you using those add-ins for exactly?
Christopher Nash
Operations Software & Process Manager
William R. Nash, LLC.

Offline dbanker

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #1 on: Oct 17, 2022, 20:24:20 PM »
Do a lot of people here use STRATUS? We're looking into it but haven't bit the bullet yet.
Doug Banker
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(CADmep, ESTmep, CAMduct, Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360)

Offline mdomer

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #2 on: Oct 18, 2022, 14:07:29 PM »
Seems to be the trouble with Revit, it can't do much without numerous addins.

We use Fabrication and Stratus and it's seamless.

Offline davidratx

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #3 on: Oct 18, 2022, 17:17:15 PM »
What features are you needing in Revit that you would view as "supplementing Stratus?"
David Ronson
TDIndustries Director of Construction Technologies
Windows 10 - Revit - AutoCAD - CADmep - ESTmep - CAMduct - GTP Stratus

Offline cnashTopic starter

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #4 on: Oct 18, 2022, 17:45:30 PM »
What features are you needing in Revit that you would view as "supplementing Stratus?"
Anything that expediates authoring the model. Hanger placement, alignments, sleeves, etc. etc.
Also, is anyone using anything for point layout or is the STRATUS point layout working well enough to utilize in lieu of an additional solution?
Christopher Nash
Operations Software & Process Manager
William R. Nash, LLC.

Offline davidratx

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #5 on: Oct 18, 2022, 20:53:31 PM »
What features are you needing in Revit that you would view as "supplementing Stratus?"
Anything that expediates authoring the model. Hanger placement, alignments, sleeves, etc. etc.
Also, is anyone using anything for point layout or is the STRATUS point layout working well enough to utilize in lieu of an additional solution?
We use APL, not that Stratus isnt capable, just havent had a chance to grow into that. I think you still need APL or similar product to place the points in the model prior to uploading to Stratus.

We built our own tools inhouse for improved Revit modeling. I think most have eVolve or Vic Tools. Some have BIMpro even though they dont use FABpro, however I am not sure if  they couple it with Stratus. Theoretically should be doable.

Allied BIM has some Revit tools, not sure if they sell it it independent of their production tools though. It would be a good idea to do deep dive into which one fills in the gaps you are looking for.
David Ronson
TDIndustries Director of Construction Technologies
Windows 10 - Revit - AutoCAD - CADmep - ESTmep - CAMduct - GTP Stratus

Offline cnashTopic starter

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #6 on: Oct 19, 2022, 13:39:45 PM »
We use APL, not that Stratus isnt capable, just havent had a chance to grow into that. I think you still need APL or similar product to place the points in the model prior to uploading to Stratus.

We built our own tools inhouse for improved Revit modeling. I think most have eVolve or Vic Tools. Some have BIMpro even thought they dont use FABpro, however I am not sure if you they couple it with Stratus. Theoretically should be doable.

Allied BIM has some Revit tools, not sure if they sell it it independent of their production tools though. It would be a good idea to do deep dive into which one fills in the gaps you are looking for.

We have used a few different add-ins over the years, just trying to figure out what others are using to supplement STRATUS. I know a few have their own in-house tools as well. Just wondering what tasks those in-house tools are doing for them also.
Christopher Nash
Operations Software & Process Manager
William R. Nash, LLC.

Offline davidratx

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #7 on: Oct 19, 2022, 15:53:55 PM »
I think you have your traditional tools; hangers, data sync, spooling, tags. However, we ended up creating separate parameters for VDC from Stratus. For example: we struggled with VDC stepping on the toes of Stratus and the sync getting real messy. There are a few instances of this but part status was one of them, we made a normal Revit parameter for VDC so they can have their own status independent from Stratus which piggy backs off the Fabrication status. You don't necessarily need an addin for this though.
David Ronson
TDIndustries Director of Construction Technologies
Windows 10 - Revit - AutoCAD - CADmep - ESTmep - CAMduct - GTP Stratus

Offline piper1

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #8 on: Dec 08, 2022, 19:35:36 PM »
We have used a few different add-ins over the years, just trying to figure out what others are using to supplement STRATUS. I know a few have their own in-house tools as well. Just wondering what tasks those in-house tools are doing for them also.

I found this page helpful, on Darren Young's site:
 https://www.darrenjyoung.com/2022/03/12/options-for-bim-vdc-in-your-mep-shop/

We're taking a stab at BIMrx.  It has a lot of useful tools.  We'll see...
Eric Fox

Offline PipeFitter72

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #9 on: Dec 09, 2022, 13:11:05 PM »
We have started using Virtual Mechanical for Revit.
We are loving it so far.

It is authored by an Xtracad member.

https://www.miclogic.com/VIRTUALMECHANICALREVIT

Union CADD Database Administrator

Offline cnashTopic starter

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #10 on: Dec 09, 2022, 13:28:17 PM »
We have started using Virtual Mechanical for Revit.
We are loving it so far.

It isauthored by an Xtracad member.

https://www.miclogic.com/VIRTUALMECHANICALREVIT

Are you using the paid version? We have played around with the free version a bit in the past.
Christopher Nash
Operations Software & Process Manager
William R. Nash, LLC.

Offline Admin

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #11 on: Dec 09, 2022, 17:46:48 PM »
Are you using the paid version? We have played around with the free version a bit in the past.

Is there a paid version? I don't see that on their site.

DotNet indicated it is free forever in this post
http://www.xtracad.com/forum/index.php?topic=16660.msg111812#msg111812
I do NOT offer support to forum postings via email, IRC or any form of instant messaging network. If you want help, ask here!

Offline DotNet

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #12 on: Dec 09, 2022, 18:23:36 PM »
It is freemium forever. The free version of VM is fully functional however many of the tools are spec driven, hangers, sleeves, tags etc. The only difference currently between the free and paid versions is that you can save and share your specs with your team.

We have a large automatic update scheduled for release later this month. Some of the new features include size and weight limits for Assemblies and Packages, pushing Assembly Name to Spool Name, and Package Name to any given Custom Data. The software will notify you and optionally show a full change log when it becomes available.

We have also created a YouTube channel here, and many more detailed videos covering each of the tools will roll out over the next several months.
« Last Edit: Dec 09, 2022, 18:36:18 PM by DotNet »

Offline PipeFitter72

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Re: Supplemental Authoring add-in for STRATUS
« Reply #13 on: Dec 10, 2022, 21:29:09 PM »
Are you using the paid version? We have played around with the free version a bit in the past.

Yes, we are using the paid version.
After my team started using it we needed the paid version mainly for standardization.
We use project profiles, so I created some generic services by system material and type.
I have set up our company standard specifications in these services, and they get added to all new project profiles.
With the paid version my users can the copy the spec to the matching services, regardless of service name.
Example: Generic service "SteelxCopper" specifications can be copied to all our Chill water, condenser water, tempered water (supply and return) that utilize steel and copper piping in the service.

Then if the job specs vary, the user can adjust as needed.
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