Parts and Family Structure

The current structure of the Parts and Family system seems to be driven by building components. That is why for example There is a CMU in both exterior walls and interior partitions. It would seem to me that an improved system would be to organize the parts and family according to the Construction Specification Institute CSI MasterFormat Divisions. Families become Divisions and parts become sections of a division. All the work we do in architecture is driven by this system, including the BA keynotes.
  • That would be great

     

    Another BIM package uses the Master Format for  the parts and then the catalog for assemblies only.

    I'd also like to see a quick way to make a part a simgle assembly without doubling my work load

    Ustn since 1988
    SS4 - i7-3.45Ghz-16 Gb-250/1Tb/1Tb-Win8.1-64b

    Eric D. Milberger
    Architect + Master Planner + BIM

    Senior  Master Planner NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center

    The Milberger Architectural Group, llc

  • If both Eric and I agree that a MasterFormat system would be more useful than the current family/part system, can we get someone from Bentley to react to this input with respect to future BA versions.

    With Regards

  • I have been told they may follow Uniformat

    Well according to the makers of Uniformat - Masterformt is it "Daddy" and Uniformat is for assembly process, Where Masterformat is for parts.

    Here is the way I see it.

    1. Masterformat is for parts, it agres with Revit, MAsterspec, Spectext, AIA, CSI, Sweets, and Keynotes something BA has but does not take advantage of.

    2.  This is the foundation of what we do as iwthout it nothing else can happen.  And if we are ALL on the same and most common path then we will be able to develop together and go farther.

    3.  Bentley now has an Agreement with Revit to be more compatable.  This makes this happen without this it cannot be compatable.

    4.  Parts are single components CMU thus the 16 divisions or so, each subdivision and thus each part.  I understand that xml cannot be like a tree.  I can however make each subdivision available as a family  ( 07500 Membrane Roofing ).  I was told my a Bentley employee that you could not add another layer of distiction like - "Division 7 - Roofing"

    3.  A little thing.  I've my parts based upon Masterspec and have for years.  I need to upgrade t the new divisions sub groups.  It is confusion as I have a very long list to go through.  For this reason I'd like to see the full donws list the last ten items selected and highlite the last two items selected in any group.  We need a quicker way to scroll through the 100 families and 1000 parts with speed.

    4.  Assemblies are groups of parts

    5.  We need a more user friendly way to create a catalog item or catalog assembly.  The current method is antequated.  Spreadsheets, come-on.  Hwo about USER FRIENDLY or rather CLIENT FRIENDLY GUI Dialog boxes.  This is what Bently was based upon a kind-of anti programmer mentality.

    6.  We need to combine parts into Catalog items and have only one place to build a part.  Right now I see NO benefit to create a catalog item of a single part.  Since I ahve to work with parts already I am just doubling my work without benefit .

    7.  We need to combine assemblies with Catalog Assemblies.  I See some benefit to Assemblies and it will do great once we fix issues where heights and mods to the original assembly are lost.  It is currently better to use the build wall tool.

    8.  We need to make a strong distiction between parts and assemblies as this si confusing to newbies and those that are designers not computer geeks.

    9.  We need a complete list of parts and assemblies that work out of the box.  A yellow wall on the white background or the new sheets does not work.  Changing the color table without telling someone to overcome this shortcut does not work.  Bentley clients may have 25 years of past drawings and you cannot change the color tables for me, when you do I get a black background and all black items.  Use your default colors and make the parts work properly.

    Summary,: one part creation method, one assembly creation method, Single GUI Interface without layers and layers of dialog boxes (JUST ONE DIALOG - GOT IT), No more working what appears to be outside where you have to save this, mdl update this, refresh this.  MAke the part show well in a model, on a sheet and in a drawing view.  Make it plot in 2d as well as render well not after two days of making your own materials and tweaking to make rendering work.

    You know guys we can do this on our own.  The problem is I don't know if the stuff I've already created will be any good.  All the doors and windows I created with cell, then compound cell, then gcm, now PCS.  I've redone my work now 5 times and not sure PCS will stay.  Like I said I've already a MAsterspec list of parts created and it took me a whole 3 hours to develop.

     

    Ustn since 1988
    SS4 - i7-3.45Ghz-16 Gb-250/1Tb/1Tb-Win8.1-64b

    Eric D. Milberger
    Architect + Master Planner + BIM

    Senior  Master Planner NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center

    The Milberger Architectural Group, llc

  • Eric

    Your posting lays out a good road map and approach. The hope now is that Bentley is listening and will follow through.

    With Regards

    Sylla

  • Sylla - thanks - I've asked for the support.  I've asked for a little direction such as this since BA was first created.

    Ustn since 1988
    SS4 - i7-3.45Ghz-16 Gb-250/1Tb/1Tb-Win8.1-64b

    Eric D. Milberger
    Architect + Master Planner + BIM

    Senior  Master Planner NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center

    The Milberger Architectural Group, llc