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Sunday, December 4, 2016

Cut Opening Version 2017.5 Released (Updated)

Originally published on November 25, 2016. Updated on December 4, 2016 to include additional features from the manufacturer. Specifically, the sections headed "Standardization" and "Real life tips".

Editor's Note: The version mentioned in the title of this post is the version compatible with Revit 2017. This add-in is also available in 2016 and 2015 versions. Use AGACAD's free Tools4BIM Dock to install the release for your Revit version.

From the AGACAD website:

New Cut Opening Version Released. Missing functionality has been implemented

We’ve just released a new version of Cut Opening with lots of new features. Some of them were implemented together with our customers from Clancy Consulting,Mott MacDonald and NIRAS teams. You can read the short descriptions down below.

Flexibility

Gary Royle @ Clancy Consulting

"We would like to use round holes for cable trays but can’t seem to change. Is this possible?? In answer to your question, it is felt that it is cheaper to create a circular opening in a piece of steel than it is to create a rectangular hole. Therefore for small cable trays such as 50mm x 30mm it is felt that it would be cheaper to create a circular hole of around 75mm diameter."

We opened the possibility to add round openings for all rectangular MEP objects (Ducts, Cable Trays).


The software calculates the diagonal length of the rectangular object and adds a round opening with a specific diameter. This feature allows BIM users to build models as they do out in the industry.

Speed

Otto E Stallworth @ Mott MacDonald

"We’ve noticed that the “Insert/Modify MEP Openings” interface keeps a history of all elements used in the process. We have over 1500 items in some models and it causes extreme decreases in performance, double and triple the processing time. Is there a way to clear this history? At this stage in the project we are only running the software on each station one time which is followed by a thorough review. During this review is when we plan to Modify the openings, therefore we feel we can break the link between the openings and the plugin. Since this plugin was introduced very late in this project, we have a lot of openings created by editing profiles so we must do a manual check regardless. So is it possible to break this link and would it increase efficiency? "

Insert/Modify MEP Opening has been split into two different parts: Insert MEP Openings and MEP Openings’ Revision. Now when you insert a new opening by a new *.xml, the software won’t read the whole model, so the insertion of new openings will be much faster than before. To review or edit an opening, use MEP Openings’ Revision.


Standardization

Dennis Berner @ NIRAS

Is the width/height the “world standard” for the hole size? Because as you see in this case, there is a parameter that are greater than the “hole” would it be possible to make your tool, so you have to map what parameter there are used from the arch model. My proposal to make it possible to change what parameters the tool should use, was just to make it easier for the architect to define their own doors and windows. But then they have to be consistent.

The Insert Structural Openings function is used to insert structural openings in the structural walls, in cases where architectural walls, windows, and doors are separated from the structural walls.


Now, the Cut Opening software looks for Rough Width and Rough Height parameters as well as Width and Height. If Cut Opening finds Rough Width and Rough Height parameters, it uses them; if not – simple Width and Height parameters. According to this selection, the Door or Window opening is inserted.



The opening type contains the same type name as the real door, but the opening is inserted in accordance to Rough Width and Rough Height.

Real life tips

Martin Petersmann @ GTB - Berlin mbH & Otto E Stallworth @ Mott MacDonald

The ability to combine multiple pipe diameters / dimensions, and assign a fixed opening diameter / dimension to them. For example: all pipes from DN20 to DN60 create an opening with a fixed diameter 100, DN 80 to DN100 with offset 50, DN120 – DN150 diameter 200, etc. This feature would be useful because in construction stage we always use the same openings for some pipe diameters.

We have created the possibility to choose an opening insertion in accordance to Cut Offset or Defined Opening Size.


Now users are able to define top, bottom, or overall cut offset or apply a defined opening size for some pipe diameters. By applying defined opening sizes, users are able to define a round opening’s diameter or a rectangular opening’s width and height.

We always await Revit users' wish lists. If you are using our Revit plugins or BIM solutions and you are missing some features, please share your wishes with our team. You are welcome to contact us via e-mail at support@aga-cad.com or simply by clicking the “Contact Support” button at the bottom of our webpage. So, what's on your wish list?

Cut Opening is brought to you by AGACAD. Pricing is not available on the vendor's website. Request a quote.

A free trial is available.

There is also a free version available, Cut Opening Free. It isn't clear to us from the vendor's website how the free app differs from the commercial one.

This add-in is compatible with Revit 2017, 2016, and 2015.

There's more information available on the AGACAD website.

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