The Information Hub provides instant access to industry related data recommended plugins, content providers, discussion boards, podcasts and more. Simply click the required link
Building Regulations (England & Wales)
Click on the icon to open the required Building Regulation document. These documents are periodically reviewed to ensure the latest document version is provided.
Industry Standards
Planning Portal: Open the UK Planning Portal and access planning and building control information and support.
Workplace Toilet Provisions: Access the UK Health and Safety web site for information and documentation.
UK Grid reference Finder: Simply add your post code, street, or address to locate coordinates. Great tool for checking data.
Content
WARNING: It is good practise to always check data from unknown sources prior to inserting into working models and check with the project BIM Manager. Be wary of bloated / over modelled content, containing too many parameters.
Revit
BIMcontent: Fantastic and ever-growing free content library of manufacturers data. What sets BIMcontent apart is they model the content themselves and prescribe to the ‘lean and clean’ methodology for families. Only downside is they are antipodean so some manufacturers content may not be available in the northern hemisphere. Highly recommended!
bimstore: Large range of content available from a broad list of manufacturers. Be mindful of the data / parameters contained within each element as over modelling could be an issue. Using a cleanup / checking process is recommended.
bimobject: Very similar to bimstore, contains a massive library of manufacturers content but have their own addin so data can be inserted into models directly. Again, be mindful of the data / parameters contained within each element as over modelling could be an issue. Using a through cleanup / checking process is recommended.
Revit City: Contains a sizable library of families created and shared by the community. There’s potentially some great data here but should be handled with care and thoroughly checked before inserting into projects.
AutoCAD
Pimp My Drawing: Sizable range of free DWG downloadable content, some of it based on real world items such as furniture. Be mindful of the detail contained within each element as it may need thinning down for use in general arrangement type drawings. Check drawing scales and layers before inserting into live project drawings!
CAD Blocks Free: Huge library of 2D and 3D content in multiple formats including DWG. It’s a subscription platform however there is a sizable amount of free data which can be really good quality. Be mindful of drawing scales and layers before inserting into live project drawings!
Free CADS.com: Contains a decent range of free, well drawn content. It’s well categorised but could benefit from a search option. They also offer a free block request service and will even email it to you when made!
Addins
Revit
Autodesk App Store: Huge range of add-ins available for download, split into various categories. Many free options and trials listed.
DiRoots: Providers of a phenomenal set of free productivity boosting add-ins that are now industry go to tools! Choose from add-ins for exporting files, managing families, generating sheets, editing parameters, cleaning models and much more. Hard to believe it’s free. Highly recommended!
A fantastic free add-in offering a wide range of time saving tools. One of the most popular is Create Custom Patterns which allows the user to make hatch PAT files. Its highly configurable and allows
AutoCAD
Lee Mac Programming: Phenomenal range of entirely free to use lisp tools. These tools really are a cut above anything else available, plus Lee shares the source code and additional ways to use it. Literally days of work can be saved. Highly recommended!
JTB World: Contains a huge range of fantastic tools for CAD, many of them are paid but there is a decent range of free of lisps.
Afra Lisp: Great free tutorial site to learn lisp and other associated languages.
Discussion Boards / Support
Revit
Autodesk Revit Forum: Message board for Revit products and ideas for future releases. Fantastic community and source of information. Have a Revit problem you can’t solve? Post the problem and you should receive help.
AUGI: Very similar to the Autodesk forum but with far more specific categories. Very strong and helpful community.
Revit Forum: Broad range of Revit based categories and information but slightly hindered with advertising.
pyRevit Forums: If you’re a pyRevit user (and why wouldn’t you be?!) you should find this dedicated forum helpful, particularly if you are looking to customise further.
AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Forum: Message board for all things AutoCAD, includes specific subjects such as Dynamic Blocks and Lisp. Fantastic community and source of information. Have an AutoCAD problem you can’t solve? Post it and you should receive help.
AUGI: Very similar to the Autodesk forum but with far more specific categories. Very strong and helpful community.
The Swamp: Fantastic site covering many CAD based topics. Great place to look for custom lisps etc. with extremely helpful members happy to share their work.
Blogs and Help Resources
Revit
The Revit Kid Blog: Fantastic blog site from the super experienced Revit Kid. Packed with informative tutorials, videos and of free stuff. Be sure to join for additional benefits.
BIM Pure: Great source of information from the famous Nicolas Catellier. Contains training courses and data for download including the brilliant Revit Pamphlets, a set of free highly informative guides on complex Revit topics.
Man and Machine: Informative blog on a wide range of Revit based subjects.
AutoCAD
CADNOTES: Great resource of tutorials, tips and troubleshooting guidance to help resolve CAD issues. Highly recommended!
Man and Machine: Informative blog on a wide range of AutoCAD based subjects.
YouTube Channels / Podcasts
Revit
The Revit Kid Blog: A highly informative channel containing educational videos covering a wide range of Revit / BIM based topics. Highly recommended!
BIM Pure: Full of Revit tips and ‘how to’ type videos to improve your Revit skills and create fantastic looking models. In addition, there are regular one on one sessions with industry leaders featuring a broad range of subjects, highly educational and recommended!
