Cadalyst AEC Tech News #133
1 Dec, 2004 By: Michael DakanA Closer Look at CDV Systems
Company offers Autodesk Revit training, Codebook project management softwareCDV Systems of Winchester, Massachusetts, provides consultation, training, and training courseware for Autodesk Revit architectural BIM (building information modeling) and CAD software. Cyril Verley, CDV president and a registered Autodesk AEC Independent Consultant, has been providing CAD consulting, training, and support to AEC organizations for more than ten years, working first with AutoCAD and then Revit when it became an Autodesk product. Verley worked with Autodesk to help develop the training courseware used by Autodesk Official Training Centers for Architectural Desktop v2 and v3. He has authored or coauthored several books on CAD subjects and provides specialized training in CAD standards and implementation issues for CAD managers.
Revit Training and SupportSince 2003, CDV Systems has concentrated on providing training and services for Revit products to many companies nationally and internationally. Two CDV training courseware books for Revit are available: Introductory Courseware for Autodesk Revit, which is designed as a two-day (16-hour) course, and a three-day (24-hour) Advanced Courseware for Autodesk Revit course. The introductory course consists of 16 chapters covering subjects such as building information model basics, user interface, temporary and permanent dimensions, wall basics, sections and elevations, annotation, floor slabs, tags and schedules, stairs, roofs, massing, and sheets and printing.
The advanced course expands on this list to include linking AutoCAD files,
wall types and schedules, wall editing, windows and families, curtain walls,
foundations and footings, site work and topos, interior partitions and
furniture, structural shapes, advanced stairs and railings, site parking and
planting, rendering, reflected ceilings, detail drafting, ODBC data linking,
project worksets and sharing, and project phasing. Through the 40 hours of
total instruction in the two courses, a user should get a good basis for
using and getting the most out of the Revit software. Introductory
Courseware for Revit is $56.95, Advanced Courseware is $107.95, and a
package of both is $140.95. Quantity discounts are available.
Courseware for Revit v7, which was introduced commercially by Autodesk this
week, is under development for release in first quarter 2005. At the request
of users of previous versions, Revit v7 courseware will have a revised
format, consisting of a single, comprehensive book covering the complete
range of the software, complemented by a series of short courses that cover
specialized advanced subjects.
Codebook Software and Training
CDV Systems is also the U.S. distributor of the Codebook Project Management and
Tracking Software. Codebook was developed by an architect in Great Britain
to handle large-scale projects in the healthcare industry. In use primarily
in Europe, Codebook helps organize and manage a complete database of project
information from programming requirements and design through the complete
project lifecycle, including facility operation and maintenance.
Codebook uses a Microsoft Access database to store and manage individual
room specification and program requirements, such as room sizes and
finishes, room furniture, equipment and fittings requirements for
large-scale projects such as hospitals, laboratories, and multiple-unit
housing. It is suitable for use with a variety of projects and building
types, but is most refined and customized for projects in the healthcare
segment.
Codebook will generate a variety of reports on project information. It is
linked to CAD files and will generate reports and diagrams of database
information. It supports and links directly to AutoCAD, MicroStation, and
MicroGDS CAD files, using the CAD program to create various reports such as
room types and area diagrams. You can generate automatic room data sheets in
your CAD program to show the project data for each room in the project.
CDV Systems has developed training courses for Codebook and provides
implementation consulting and training for Codebook installations. Codebook
is not inexpensive — it costs $9,300 for a two-seat license — but if you
need a project-management database tool for predesign through facilities
management, Codebook is a proven solution that has been around for a long
time, and it merits a look.
