sloArch

Author: Tim Alatorre

  • Batch Rendering in Revit

    One of the newest Revit blogs to hit the Internet is Buildz by Zack Kron.  Zach does a really good job exploring the art of modeling complex parametric shapes in Revit.  I love going to his site to see what interesting things he’s creating.

    A recent surprise on his blog, a few days ago, was the release of a basic script for performing a batch render in Revit 2009 and Revit 2010.  Using the script feels like you’re doing some weird voodoo but it gives me hope that we will soon have this capability available to the masses with an easy interface.  I don’t think Zach is a trained programmer so even though the script is a bit tricky to use I have to applaud his being able to put something like this together.

    If there are any programmer/Revit users out there I would encourage you to take Zach’s script to the next level… or maybe Autodesk can include this function in Revit 2011?  Hint Hint.

    Download Zach’s Revit Batch Render Script and give it a try!

  • Bring Your 3d Models to Life!

    One feature of Autodesk’s Revit Architecture that I really have a lot of fun with is the ability to create fly/walkthrough animations.  Revit’s built in Walkthrough tool allows you to create highly complex animations involving multiple key frames moving the camera path in three dimensions and is an excellent tool for exploring your models with fairly high quality output.

    The downside of Revit’s capabilities is that you are limited to animating your camera position.  This may be okay for most situations, but what if you want a car driving down the road, or the door to open as you walk through the doorway?  Well, luckily you have a lot of options.  If your work flow already includes doing your rendering in 3ds Max, then you can use the powerful tools in it. Of course there are a multitude of software platforms out there, Maya, iClone, etc. and there are also some free alternatives, TrueSpace, Blender, and Anim8or.

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  • Engineering Building IV

    In the early years of our marriage my wife was baffled by my inexplicable behavior of stopping and taking pictures of cornices, paving patterns, or going out of my way to see a building.  I think the behavior still confuses her but she’s learned that just like she slows down at the shoe store (which I have no interest in), I can’t pass by interesting construction.

    Two years ago I was on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus representing my firm at a job fair and I walked across campus with the sole purpose of taking photos of the then almost completed Engineerning IV building.

    Although this happened a while ago I though I would post these pictures because you will notice that this building is currently featured as the banner for this website.

    This building is very different in style from the other buildings on campus, but is consistent with the metel and paneled facades of the new engineering complex on this side of campus. 

    What do you think?

  • Help! Where is my RAC 2010 command?

    Have you transitioned to Revit 2010 or are you thinking of transitioning but are worried you are never going to learn the new interface?  Well don’t worry, Nicholas Iyadurai, a Revit blogger from Missouri, has created a great interactive flash tool that shows the coorelation between Revit Architecture 2009 and Revit Architecture 2010 commands.

    You can download the file directly (rac2010-ui.zip) or use it online.

     

    Screensot of RAC2010 Where Is My Command
    Screensot of RAC2010 Where Is My Command

  • Welcome to sloArch

    There are many, many Architecture blogs and websites on the internet today and with the launch of www.sloArch.com I am adding my own to the fray.

    Why sloArch?  Well, first let me tell you a little about myself.  My name is Tim Alatorre and I have wanted to be an Architect as long as I can remember.  I have over 15 years of experience with CAD(D) and over a decade of experience in the Architecture profession.  I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachlors of Architecture in 2006.  Hence, Slo (San Luis Obispo) Arch(itecture).  SloArch is a handle I’ve used on the internet for over 8 years and I think it sums up what makes me, well … me!

    I hope to be able to provide something of value to the Architecture communitity through this website.  I look forward to hearing your feedback and creating a meaningful dialog through this site.