Learning Formit Pro

Course details

Autodesk FormIt Pro allows architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) pros to create, collaborate, and analyze building projects—on the web, an iPad, or the desktop. It offers intuitive modeling tools for massing and schematic design as well as intelligent energy analysis. This course is an introduction to FormIt Pro for complete beginners. Instructor Jim Cowan shows how to create linework, surfaces, and 3D forms; connect to real-time data; and add cameras and animation. Jim also walks through two real-world workflows—one for energy analysis and one for presentation—and closes with some tips demonstrating the smooth integration of FormIt Pro with other BIM tools such as Revit and SketchUp.

Learning objectives
Creating linework, surfaces, and forms
Organizing projects with groups and layers
Modeling an apartment
Creating 3D forms
Assigning levels
Extruding forms
Submitting data to the Insight dashboard
Creating a project for presentation
Adding cameras and animation
Exporting FormIt content
Importing SketchUp and Revit content

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Explore the benefits of FormIt Pro
02 - Exercise files

1. Software and Features

03 - What is FormIt Pro
04 - Access and install the product
05 - BIM 360 Docs or local storage
06 - Pulldowns and toolbars
07 - Palettes
08 - Shortcuts and context menus
09 - The grid and the axis
10 - Create linework
11 - Create surfaces
12 - Create forms
13 - The benefit of groups
14 - The benefit of layers for visibility

2. Modeling - Energy Study Workflow

15 - Project location and orientation
16 - Manage the image and rotate the grid
17 - Site context using imported files
18 - Create apartment A - Primitive
19 - Create apartment B - Sketch and mirror
20 - Create apartment C - Separate AXM file and linework
21 - Assign levels for an energy study
22 - Balcony type A - Extruding tools
23 - Balcony type B - Sweeps
24 - Balcony type C - Lofting tools
25 - Linear arrays of balconies
26 - Set axis and model shade roof
27 - Site context - Surrounding buildings
28 - Review weather data and submit to Insight
29 - The Insight dashboard

3. Modeling - Project Presentation Workflow

30 - Setup for modeling
31 - Create 3D forms in groups for building components
32 - Create Autodesk materials
33 - Create surfaces for FormIt materials

4. Presentation

34 - Select sun settings
35 - Visual styles
36 - Create a camera animation
37 - Analyze the model for solar access
38 - Fly or walk through your model

5. Interoperability

39 - Export FormIt content to other formats
40 - Create and use a sharing session
41 - Convert Revit families to FormIt families
42 - Import a SketchUp file to a FormIt file
43 - Batch convert SketchUp file to FormIt
44 - From FormIt to Revit
45 - Dynamo-driven forms
46 - Dynamo plugins

Conclusion

47 - Enscape
48 - Twinmotion
49 - Revit Insight

Learning Formit Pro

Authors

Jim Cowan