Enscape 4.2's new support for Revit Filters closes the gap between visual communication that is both emotive (how something appears, feels, etc.) and analytic (how something works, functions, costs, etc.). This saves all project stakeholders time, money and stress through better understanding of design decisions as they happen in real time.
A special thanks to Scott Brown, Kerry Thompson, and Ben Osborne for brainstorming these real-world use cases, originally published on LinkedIn.
Intro
Beautiful lighting, materials, and graphics communicate the emotional impact of the design. However, communicating emotion isn't enough; it's also necessary to understand how the design works, functions, performs, and, importantly - costs. In the previous release of Enscape 4.1, we see support for analytic visualization of energy use (Enscape Impact).
In the new Enscape 4.2, an extension of analytic visualization comes via support for Revit Filters. Via Revit Filters, the design team can quickly and easily explore the project and in an instant flip between emotive and analytic visual modes. This is an important differentiator in addition to Enscape's unique speed, quality, and ease of use!
Here are 10 top uses of Revit Filters and Enscape. The link to all sample files is at the end of the article. Read on! 😊
1. Color coding building systems for MEP
In this example, we're overriding mechanical ductwork based on colors that represent HVAC function of Supply, Exhaust, and Return.
Note the core building families such as walls, floors, roofs and ceilings are transparent. Perfect for seeing through walls, floors and other categories to better understand how systems route through a building in context.
Filters don't presently work across Linked files. However, it is possible to modify the color and transparency of Model Categories, which modifies any corresponding linked files. In this manner, transparency has been applied to the core building geometry via Model Categories.
Color Coding Building Systems for MEP
💡Tip: Once you establish transparency and color overrides for Model Categories and Filters, it's a good idea to save the result in a View Template. View Templates can quickly and easily be applied to any view as you review the design in Enscape. Alternatively, you can save views with an appropriate View Template already applied and select the saved views from Enscape.
Color standards for common Piping and Plumbing Systems, HVAC Systems and Fire Protection Systems are illustrated in the image below.
Color Standards for MEP
Consider using this technique for visual tracking in other disciplines. For example:
- Electrical Circuits by Load Classification
- Fire-Rated Walls
2. Color coding building structures
Defining Filters for Structural Element
This is a straightforward 3-step process. First, create a Filter, selecting the above categories and a Filter Rule, where the Type Name contains the appropriate category name.
Material Overrides for Filters
Next, add the required Filters to the filter tab in the Visibility / Graphic override panel. Be sure to override the Projection / Surface Override with an appropriate solid color.
The result is illustrated in the following image. Each structural section type is assigned a unique color, allowing for easy visual inspection and communication by section type.
Consider using this technique for visual tracking in structural models of other useful scenarios. These suggestions will require user-defined Project Parameters:
- Steel Grades
- F'C Values
- Construction Sequence Visualization (Existing, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, etc.).
Result: Color Coding Building Structures
3. Highlighting content to be reused, recycled, etc.
Don't throw that away—we can use it! If you're working on adaptive reuse, Enscape's support for Revit Filters makes it easy to highlight any component in its existing condition that can be reused, recycled, etc., while exploring the design.
In this example, we're using a Yes / No Project Parameter to color code the entire model as white except for elements to be reused. Components identified as to be refused with a simple check box are highlighted as mint green.
For this example, create two filters: one filter for objects that are not selected and the other filter for objects that are selected. Both filters are added to the View Properties and given a solid color via Projection / Surface Pattern. If items are not selected to be reused, they display as white. Items selected to be reused display in a fresh, minty green. Reuse...recycle...green...get it? 😉
Material Overrides for Filters
Consider using this technique for visual tracking other components during design review. These suggestions require user-defined Project Parameters:
- Items to be Installed By Owner
- Equipment that Requires Emergency Power (Lighting, Exit Signage, etc.)
- Elements that Require Power (Doors, Speciality Furniture, etc.)
Here's the result in Enscape.
Highlighting Content To Be Reused, Recycled, Etc.
4. Highlighting components that don't meet design requirements
What if your project contains doors that are too wide or narrow? Of course, you could create a schedule to find these elements. But schedules often require visual context, which illustrates the value of exploring the design in Enscape.
In the example below, we've created a filter rule for any doors less than 2 feet or greater than 3 feet. This rule is used to create a filter that overwrites any Doors with a solid red color.
Filter Definitions for Doors
Here are the results in Enscape. The doors to the left and right are either less than 2' or greater than 3' wide.
Highlighting Components that Don't Meet Design Requirements
Here's another illustration for the value of using transparency via material override for every category except Doors. As you explore the design in Enscape, you can quickly find objects outside of your immediate view range otherwise obscured by solid building components.
Adding transparency via Model Category Overrides
5. Emphasizing some components while deemphasizing others
No more Revit Phasing hacks to render in context as described here! In this example, we've created a Yes / No Project Parameter to create a Filter that applies a white color override to everything that's not checked. If objects are checked, the material override does not apply, and the real-world materials are rendered. No need for a second filter to display the real-world material since that's the default state in Revit and Enscape.
Using View Filters to Turn All Elements White Unless Selected
This is a quick and easy method of highlighting certain elements in a design while deemphasizing overall context. Perfect for live presentations, animations and still image renderings where you need to highlight certain aspects of the design.
Don't worry. Lighting objects still illuminate in low light conditions!
Illumination in Low Light Conditions
6. Highlighting families by category
As much as we strive to catch things in plan, section, elevations, and schedules, sometimes it's easier to find things while you're reviewing the model in first-person. In this example, we're demonstrating a quick and easy way to highlight any Family Category and confirm if any components are on the wrong category so they can be assigned to the correct category.
Let's do this by creating a Filter to select highlight elements in the Generic Model category and color code them with a red Visibility Filter.
Filter Definitions and Filter Overrides
Here's the result in Enscape. A great technique for visually identifying objects on the correct or incorrect Model Category. Maybe the Rubik's Cube should be a Generic Model (Entourage?). But the table, TV, neon sign and other elements? They should probable move to an appropriate category and schedule.
Highlighting Objects by Model Category
7. Transparent core and systems for contextual visualization
Sometimes you need to see "through" the building while exploring in Enscape. However, Filters (typically useful for applying transparency) don't presently work on Linked Files. However, there are still some options if you need to apply transparency to the core building and other categories.
Option 1) You can still apply transparency via Filters to objects in the host model. So if you're in the Architectural file, and you want to make the walls and other elements in the Architectural file transparent, that can easily be done with the filter.
The image below is taken from the Architectural Revit sample model. Everything is shown with real-world materials.
Default View and Materials
Next, we'll use a Filter to make Walls, Floors, Roofs and Ceiling categories transparent.
View Filter and Definition for Core Elements
Here's the result in Enscape. As previously noted, transparency only works on geometry in the host file, illustrated by the transparent wall at the end of the room. Walls and other core elements from linked files remain opaque, illustrated by the wall to the left and the floor. If you need categories of objects from linked files to be transparent, move on to Option 2.
Filters Only Work on Objects in the Host File
Option 2) Use transparency to override Model Categories. For example, if you're in the Architectural file but you'd like core elements in linked files to be transparent. Simply apply transparency to the desired Model Categories.
Begin by adding transparency to core elements via the Model Categories tab.
Transparency Overrides of Model Categories
Here's the result in Enscape. All Walls, Floors, and other core elements are transparent, even for linked files.
Transparent Core Elements
If you'd like to display other Model Categories as transparent (including linked files), select those Model Categories and apply transparency as shown below.
Model Transparency Overrides for Duct Elements
Here's the result in Enscape. Ductwork is still visible, but slightly transparent. This is a very useful option for providing context without obscuring other components. No more hacking Revit Phases to show context for other project disciplines like this!
Transparent Duct Objects
8. Components that require blocking (grab bars, plumbing fixtures, large displays, etc.)
What happens when a subcontractor arrives onsite and discovers there's no blocking for items to be installed, and finishes are complete? Finger-pointing and lots of wasted time and money.
In this scenario, the Project Parameter is a Type Parameter, presuming that all items of the same Type are going to require blocking. Be sure to select the appropriate Categories that should receive this Type Parameter.
Next, create a new Filter for items that Require Blocking, selecting the appropriate Categories along with the Filter Rule for items that are selected.
Finally, create the appropriate Filter that overrides the Pattern and color of selected items. In this scenario, we're only distinguishing items that are selected, leaving the rest of the materials untouched to display as real world.
Finally, the result in Enscape. The large television screen and adjacent neon sign both require blocking, as illustrated below. What other categories would save time, money and avoid confusion while exploring the design in Enscape?
- Bathroom fixtures
- Cabinets and shelving
- Handrails and grab bars
- Ceiling fans
- Specialty equipment
- Directional signage
9. Highlighting walls with a top constraint
Not all walls are created equal. When modeling Walls that are meant to attach to the underside of the slab above, it's useful to associate the top of the wall to a constraint. If the level moves, the top of the wall rated wall moves with it.
For this example, let's create a Filter Rule for walls, where the Top Constraint does not equal a blank value. Any wall that contains a blank value for the top constraint will render with the real-world material.
Next, create a Filter override with a solid surface pattern that overrides the real-world material if the wall is assigned a Top Constraint (not blank, per the previous definition).
Here's the result in Enscape. Even though walls look similar in height to other walls, we can clearly understand which walls have been assigned a Top Constraint.
10. Identifying components that require special power
Imagine all the frustration in the field when components that require special power don't have electrical access! And there are lots of categories of content that typically don't require power but may in a special use case. For example:
- Furniture and Furniture Systems that require power for charging mobile devices.
- Doors with automatic closures.
To begin, let's create a Project Parameter for select Categories. In this example, we're using a Type Parameter, presuming content of the same Type will have the same Type value.
Next, create a Filter selecting the same Categories, as well as a Filter Rule for elements that are checked.
Next, create a Visibility / Graphics override to filter objects based on the previously created Filter Rule. In this case we're using a light blue solid pattern to visually indicate selected objects.
Finally, select the components which require Special Power. Keep in mind you can't modify a Type Parameter across multiple categories. For example, you can't select doors and Furniture at the same time to apply the parameter. You'll have to select those categories individually.
Finally, the result in Enscape. Everything that requires Special Power is easily understood when exploring the project live with the design team.
BONUS: Create view templates of favorite filters for design reviews
While working through this best practice article, I'd make the following suggestions to streamline design review between Enscape and Revit when using Filters.
First, better to apply view templates (containing Filters Definitions and Filters) on the fly rather than jump across multiple views. This keeps the Enscape camera still, rather than fly to a new location, with new view properties, and disorient / disrupt the design review.
Second, use Revit's default {3D} view for design reviews, applying view templates on the fly as the design review progresses. If there's a need to save a view for further study, it's a simple matter of duplicating and renaming the default {3D} view. Then return to the default 3D view and continue the design review.
Finally, don't forget to create a Default View Template, which sets everything back to a desired "normal" default view state. Now you can easily return to the real-world of materials, lighting and graphics!
Create View Templates of Favorite Filters for Consistent Design Reviews
Wrap it up
Beautiful lighting, materials, and graphics play a crucial role when conveying the emotional impact of a design. However, it’s equally essential to understand how a design functions, performs, and fits within cost parameters. Enscape 4.1 introduced support for predictive energy-use visualization to assess building performance. With Enscape 4.2, this analytic capability expands by supporting Revit Filters, enabling design teams to seamlessly toggle between emotive and analytic views. This unique feature, along with Enscape’s renowned speed, quality, and user-friendliness, empowers project stakeholders to explore, understand, and impact design decisions as soon as possible. Before it's too late!
That's it! I hope this tips and tricks article helps your team get the most out of Enscape. Please also check out the webinar recording below on this topic. Questions, suggestions or comments? Please add your feedback to the original LinkedIn article.
Enscape: Download: Enscape here. Scroll down for preview releases.
Links: Download sample files here.
Webinar: Beyond Architecture: Real-World + Real-Time for Multidiscipline Design Review with Revit and Enscape
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