USER GUIDE
Axis plugin for Autodesk® Revit®
Installation and User Guide
Created: 181215
Last updated: 2003062
Rev: 3.0
1 Table of contents
1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 BEFORE USING THE PLUGIN 3
2.1 Installing 3
2.2 Verify the installation 4
3 USING THE AXIS PRODUCT SELECTOR 5
3.1 General settings 5
3.2 Menu bar 6
3.3 Search function 7
3.4 Selector functionality 8
3.5 Product selector link 9
3.6 Selection icon size 9
3.7 Clear All Button 10
3.8 Search/Selection result 10
3.9 Selection summary 11
4 SELECTED PLUGIN FEATURES 12
4.1 Project browser 12
4.2 Product properties 12
5 FOV (FIELD-OF-VIEW) 13
5.1 Change FoV transparency 13
5.2 FoV Coverage - Stretch feature 16
5.3 FoV Target Resolution 16
5.4 Collision Detection 17
5.5 Collision Detection FoV 18
6 UPDATE TOOL 19
7 MULTI-SENSOR CAMERAS 20
7.1 Working with the Q6000-Series 21
8 BUILDING A CAMERA SCHEDULE 23
9 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT 24
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2 Introduction
This guide will provide basic instructions about installing and getting started with Axis plugin for
Autodesk® Revit®.
The use of Axis plugin for Autodesk® Revit® is subject to Axis General Software License Terms as
provided with the plugin. We assume that the plugin is installed and used by experienced Revit® users.
Important: The guide is built around the usage of Autodesk® Revit® 2020, so it may appear
slightly different in other versions of Autodesk® Revit®.
3 Before using the plugin
3.1 Installing
Aligning with the Autodesk policy, the Axis plugin supports current version plus three older
versions. The installation process will remove earlier versions of the plugin and install all
required software for all supported versions.
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1. Download the Axis plugin for Revit® from https://www.axis.com/tools/plugins/revit.
2. Locate the downloaded file on your PC and right click the zip-file to extract the content. Choose
Extract All… followed by Extract when prompted. This will extract all the content in the file
zip-file.
3. Double-click the installation file, AxisPlugin.msi to launch the installation process.
4. If a security warning is displayed, accept and click Run. Once the installation starts, follow the
instructions and choose the default values.
5. Select Complete when asked about setup-type.
6. When prompted, click Finish to complete the installation.
3.2 Verify the installation
After the installation is complete, launch Revit® and verify that the Axis tab is visible and
available in the interface.
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4 Using the Axis Product Selector
The built in the Axis Product Selector helps you find, select and insert products into the project.
This section explains the functionality and usability of the product selector.
Illustration / Image Functionality
1. General settings
2. Menu bar
3. Search functionality
4. Selector functionality
5. Product selector link
6. Selection icon size
7. Clear All option
8. Search/Selection result
9. Selection summary
4.1 General settings
To access the general settings, click the icon in the upper left corner.
Here you can find the Local Folder where the downloaded and offline models are stored and
synchronized. This location can be changed to your local drive or network location.
This is also the location where you can set your preferred units, Metric or Imperial. Choose the
preferred unit in the Default Unit System dropdown list to define which families will be
downloaded.
The Online/Offline mode has a choice to Clear filter switching between modes.
Important: Checking this box means that the filters are cleared for the next product search. For
example, you can select several products to added into a project, if checked, then these filters
are cleared for the next product search.
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4.2 Menu bar
The menu bar helps you adjust the Axis Product Selector functionality to suit your workflow.
Offline Mode
Activating the Offline Mode allows you to work offline. The available offline Axis product
depends on the number of loaded products into the project or/and downloaded products.
Download all
By clicking Download All, all the selected (filtered) products will be downloaded.
If you have specified any setting in the selector functionality (filters), you will only download the
products that the selector functionality (filters) are set.
Download selected
The Download Selected is only available is if you selected one or several products in the selection
result area. This function will only download the product that you selected.
Load
When you selected one or several products from the selection result, they can be loaded into
your project by clicking Load.
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Place
The Place button can help you position a product with a specific mount directly into the project.
Only one product with a specific mount can be placed at the time.
The placed product is automatically added to the Security Devices folder, which is located under
Project Browser > Families > Security Devices in the Revit project.
Show Type Dialog
When the Show Type Dialog is active, it will provide a selection opportunity to select only a
specific mount when placing a camera in a project. If not selected, all available mounts will be
loaded.
4.3 Search function
The search window will provide search results based on the search. For example, search on a
product name, such as P32, that will show every product in the P32 product line.
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4.4 Selector functionality
The filters in the selector functionality can help the search for a specific type of product that
match your application or project.
SERIES
If you know which product series (M30-series / P32-series / Q35-series
/ P13-series, etc.) you’re looking for, you can select this directly.
Otherwise, choose All.
PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
Defines the type of product that you are looking for, Fixed Camera,
Dome Camera, PTZ Camera, etc.
Select the requirements that should define the product.
OTHER
Show Unit System provides a choice between which unit system
(Metric or Imperial) you want to display in the result.
Show Discontinued provides a choice to view products that are
discontinued.
Products that have entered the “End of Life” stage will be displayed
with red background.
Having both Show Discontinued and Update Available checked at the same time, you can see
both products that reached End of Life stage and have products updates (changes to the model)
available for download.
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4.5 Product selector link
If the built in product selector does not provide enough choices for your project, the online
product selector button takes you to the product selector available on Axis.com, where
additional choices, such as IP and vandal ratings, WDR-functionality and built-in IR are available
as search criteria.
Once the correct product is identified in the product selector on Axis website, you can enter the
model number in the search field the plugin to load/place the product in the Revit project.
Important: Axis plugin for Autodesk® Revit® does not include the complete range of products
available on axis.com.
4.6 Selection icon size
The size of the icons in the selection and how they are presented are adjustable. By dropdown-
list, to the right of the search functionality, you can choose the preferred size and how the
icons are presented
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4.7 Clear All Button
The Clear All button will remove all active selection criteria and display all supported products.
Important: If the Place button is not available after checking the box next to the desired product,
it is possible that a different product is already selected, and the place command does not work
with multiple products. The Clear All button should resolve this issue.
4.8 Search/Selection result
A selection of compatible products will be provided in the result area. If any of the filters are
active, the results will vary in detail from search to search.
If no filters or selections are made, then all available Axis products will be displayed.
In the selection area you can right-click any of the product and get four alternatives, Select
Marked, Unselect Marked, Product page and Accessory selector.
By clicking Product Page, you are taken to the product
page on axis.com.
By clicking Accessory selector, you are taken to the
accessory selector on axis.com. Here you can see all
available accessories for the specific product, including
connectivity, power, illuminations and other. You can
also choose the placement for the specific products, to
include all the necessary accessories to meet your
installation and demands.
Important: Products who become visible using the Show
Discontinued option in the plugin, doesn´t appear in the
accessory selector as the accessory selectors do not support
these products.
Important: Any product that hasn’t been downloaded, to
the local folder, or are recently added/adjusted to the Axis
plugin will have a blue information icon at the bottom right
of the product icon.
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4.9 Selection summary
An indicator, at the lower right corner, shows the total amount of products supported by the
plugin (Example: 185), the number of products that meet the specified criteria (Example: 3) and
how many you have selected (Example: 1).
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5 Selected plugin features
5.1 Project browser
In the Security Devices folder, under located under Project Browser > Families, the older families
be distinguished from the new families by the name of the product family. The newer product
families will have a unit designation, Metric or Imperial, at the end of the family name.
5.2 Product properties
Illustration / Image Description
1. Change the tilt, up-down, of the camera.
2. Change the pan, left-right, of the camera.
3. Choose distance to show FoV* from the camera.
4. Set the FoV* to the bottom limit of the desired
scene.
5. Change the FoV* to Corridor Format (9:16).
6. Choose the reflected PPM**/PPF*** in the FoV*.
7. Choose the desired focal length of the camera
(mm).
8. Choose the name of the camera, defined by user.
9. Choose the number of the camera, defined by
user.
10. Name the target area, defined by user.
11. Additional field for extra inputs, defined by user.
12. Additional field for extra inputs, defined by user.
13. Turns the FoV* projection on or off.
* FoV - Field-of-View
** PPM - Pixel per meter
*** PPF - Pixel per foot
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6 FoV (Field-of-View)
The FoV (Field-of-View) has been adapted for a more realistic view from the camera. For
example, this camera has been set to 60 PPF.
The lighter green area is the view of the camera as defined by the user in the attributes and the
darker green, displays the target range of 60 PPF.
6.1 Change FoV transparency
The transparency of the camera Field-of-View can be changed so building attributes can be
visible or hidden through the FoV. Below is a step by step how to change the FoV transparency.
Go to View > Visibility/Graphics.
In the Visibility graphics window click Filter > Add.
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A new filter needs to be created that allows you to make the FoV transparent.
Click Edit/New and then on the New icon to create a new filter.
Enter FoV_Transparency in the name field and click OK.
Make sure the FoV_Transparency is marked. Scroll down to Generic Models and check the box.
Under Filter Rules you need to set up a new rule according to these settings:
[Family Name] contains [FoV]
Click OK.
Continue and click OK on the Add Filters window. The filter is now created.
Now you need to add it to your filter list. Click Add, choose the filter FoV_Transparency and click
OK.
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The filter should now be displayed in the filter list.
It’s now time to override the transparency on the FoV object. Click Override… under
Transparency and adjust the transparency override to 85 and hit OK.
The FoV transparency for all cameras now reflects the user-defined setting (85) and it should
look the (after change) example picture below.
Before change: After change:
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6.2 FoV Coverage - Stretch feature
This feature allows the user to stretch the FoV coverage area for a selected model, rather than
changing the “FoV Distance to Object” and “Desired Focal Length” in the properties.
The stretch arrows inside of the FoV are used
to adjust the “Desired Focal Length” (mm of
lens).
The stretch arrows at the end of the FoV are
used to set the “Distance to Object”
6.3 FoV Target Resolution
This feature provides multiple target resolutions for PPM/PPF visibility. Any or all ranges can be
selected to display with the field-of-view of the camera. To see the actual specification, hover
over the descriptive text “Detect” for example, to reveal the setting.
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6.4 Collision Detection
This feature allows to recognize solid or transparent objects in the projected field of view. This
rendering provides a true 2D representation of the camera’s coverage and displays exactly what
is visible from the camera.
When the camera is placed into position, align the camera view to the location using the
provided attributes (Pan, Tilt, Limits, Distance, PPM/PPF, Camera Viewer).
Once the camera is positioned properly, select the Collision Detection button to create a field-
of-view based on the surrounding objects. (In this picture, the Show FoV check box is unchecked)
When compiling the sheets for the project, the standard FoV or Collision Detection FoV can be
used on the submittals.
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6.5 Collision Detection FoV
There are three different FoV renderings for Collision Detection:
Dead Zone: Area of FoV coverage that is not visible to the camera due to a solid object.
Main Zone: Area of FoV coverage that is visible to the camera
Sub Zone: Area of FoV coverage that is visible to the camera, through a transparent
object (door, window, glass curtain wall, etc.)
The default for showing the dead zone FOV (AXIS-FOV-DeadZone), an area where the camera is
blind, is indicated with a Red field-of-view.
The default for the active FOV (AXIS-FOV-MainZone) is a light blue.
The default for the FOV (AXIS-FOV-SubZone) that extends through a transparent object is a
lighter blue/vertical line (changed to purple in this picture for better view).
These colors and fill patterns can be changed to user preference at any time using Edit Type in
the properties of the model.
Important: If the constraints of the camera change at any time, the Collision Detection button
must be selected to redraw the field-of-view.
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7 Update Tool
This feature allows the user to review the project for discontinued models and recommended
replacement model based on the hierarchy of the product.
As with any interactive table, any of the fields can be sorted removed or moved to different
locations within the table.
Rescan Project: The product replacement
recommendation follows the discontinuation
notice that is published at the time of the status
change. If some time has passed, it is possible that
the recommended replacement cameras will have
a second replacement to bring the product to
current standards. It is recommended that the
rescan product is used before closing this
application.
Update Product Family: Rather than replacing all
cameras individually in the table, the update
product family will allow you to select all products
with the same model number for replacement.
Report an Issue: Please notify Axis if you find any
anomalies with the update application.
The “Replacement Products” column provides a
specific list of recommended cameras for a
discontinued product.
Important: Be certain to match the mounting
configuration of the existing camera!
When your selections are complete, press the
“Update Products” button.
The update tool is designed to replace a product without affecting the current settings for
placement in the project, meaning that the Tilt, Pan, Focal length and location settings will not
be changed. Please be certain to check your existing parameters to ensure accuracy.
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Important: Over the lifespan of a project, our product strategy may affect the recommended
camera replacement. For example, a camera providing 720p resolution will no longer be
manufactured so the recommended replacement is a 1080p camera. While the placement
configuration will not change, the calculation for PPF will expand due to the increased resolution.
Also please pay close attention to replacing multi-sensor products as the capabilities in later
generations may change the original settings of an older model.
8 Multi-sensor cameras
In applicable cameras, the multiple sensor options provide individual design capabilities for each
lens in the camera. The design controls are meant to mimic the physical characteristics of the
lens with a new feature named Orbit.
The Pan parameter rotates the camera lens (lens is static) to the left or right:
The Orbit parameter simulates physical movement along the track inside of the camera:
The Tilt parameter simulates the tile of the lens:
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8.1 Working with the Q6000-Series
Follow the steps below when working with multi-lens / multi-sensor cameras.
1. Open a camera model in Revit.
2. To Insert or place the model in the project, select Copy to Clipboard (Ctrl+C).
3. Select Aligned to Same Place (you can ignore the warning about identical instances)
4. Change the camera selection, selecting the same mounting configuration for the
corresponding camera series (in this example, Q60 or Q61)
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:
5. Select the inserted model and check the “Q6000 Mounted” button to align the camera to
the Q6000 (and remove the duplicate mount(s).
6. Select the Q6000 and check the appropriate “Attachment Kit” button to add the trim ring.
Important: If the Q6000/Q60 (Q61) camera requires repositioning, make sure to choose both
models to move as one entity.
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9 Building a Camera Schedule
In the project browser, go to Schedules/Quantities (all) and right click the field. Select New
Schedule/Quantities …
Select “Security Devices” from list and name the schedule.
Choose the fields for the schedule and move to “selected fields” column. Use the field placement tool
at the bottom of the column to list the fields in the desired order.
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Below is an example of the final schedule:
Important: The data fields are interactive with the placed model. For example, if the Camera Name
for a model is changed in this database, the placed model will follow the change.
10 Additional information and support
If you need additional help on how to work with Autodesk® Revit®, we recommend the following
user communities on the web.
- Autodesk® Revit® Support - https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products
- Autodesk® Revit® Learn & Explore - https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn
- Revit® users at LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/68075/
If you encountered an error on incorrect functionality within the Axis plugin, please contact your
contact person at Axis or send an e-mail to team-cadtools@axis.com.
We will do our best to give you the help you need and ensure that the user experience of the Axis
plugin, reaches the expected results.
Important: Our ability to support Revit is focused on the functionality of the Axis plugin and the
features around it. And our support is limited when it comes to questions not concerning the Axis
plugin.
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