Copy Cells from Excel to Revit Schedule

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This utility has been updated for Revit 2012 and for 64bit version for 2011 Revit.
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I had created a script to Copy Cell values from Excel to Revit Schedule view. I updated the script for 2011. The evaluation copy of the updated script for Revit 2011 and 2012 is available at:
http://bim.nichitecture.com/copyexcel.html
I hope this is helpful.
The script works with both Microsoft Excel and Open Office.org Calc.
The script copies a bunch of cells (rows x columns) and pastes them into a revit schedule (contiguous rows x columns).

1. The script works well if all the fields in Revit schedule are EDITABLE. (A normal schedule has lots of ‘read-only’ fields like Family name, Area, etc where this script will fail.) The cells also need to be 'instance' driven cells (as compared to 'type' driven cells)
2. The script does not create blank rows for data in Revit (yet). You need to create as many rows as you might need using this button in the Revit option bar before running the script.

Project Vasari

Autodesk has introduced (sometime back) a, kind of rival to Sketch up. It is free and can be downloaded from here or
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/vasari/
Really nice program. You can keep it in your thumbdrive and take it whereever you go. It does not have to be installed like traditional apps.
Even creating a sphere or a dome is a pain in sketchup. Vasari can do it very easily. Also it has levels, from which you can get all the floor areas and can be directly imported into Revit. In fact, the file format is RVt and so can be directly OPENED in Revit. Very nice.
(I hope autodesk keeps this software FREE!!!!)

Project Photofly from Autodesk

Autodesk labs has refined their interesting program Project Photofly. It is a free dowload from autodesk. Basically it creates a DWG / or FBX (can be used with Revit / 3DS Max) out of photos taken of the building using your typical digital camera.
You take a series of photos of the building from all angles and the project photofly stitches these photos to make a 3D model. Autodesk has a detailed shooting guide. I suggest you read these before starting.
Something to look for:

1. moving objects in photos (cars, humans etc.)
2. too much background or foreground disturbances

We are starting on documenting a structure in a couple of weeks and will update this post!

AU 2010 - Virtual Classes

The Autodesk University fever has started and this year around, Autodesk is offering virtual classes for those who cannot attend the event during Nov 30th to Dec 1.
Autodesk has issued a list of classes that can be attended for free.  You can pay $139 and get a premium pass. (Even this is free for subscription customers) You will have to register for both the programs here: http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=registration_landing

Recover erased data from disks

This tip is not about Revit.
Sometimes we erase (and also empty 'recycle bin') data by mistake. There are lots of commercial programs available that can bring back these erased data. "PC Inspector smart recovery" is available free from download.com and can bring back data from SD cards, thumbdrives, etc. too. Very hand tool.
Recently I visited an architectural site, and even though the CEO had allowed me to photograph the building, the stupid security guard got hold of my camera and erased all the pics. Luckily I found this program and was able to unerase all the photos!