Revit, developed by Autodesk, is one of the best Building Information Modeling (BIM) software packages on the market. It has been used by architects, designers, structural engineers and contractors to design, develop and complete their building projects since its initial release in 2004. The latest version, Revit 2019, was released in April 2018 and delivered a whole host of updates that had not been seen in the previous editions. To help you better understand some of those changes, we have listed a selection of the new features which appear in the latest release of Revit 2019.
Improved Revit Home
Revit Home replaces the Recent Files window and allows you to open and access files and models in a much more modernised format. Revit Home is the starting point of the software, and you have the option to return there either via the Quick Access Toolbar or by pressing CTRL+D at any time.
Open Dialog Box
When you wish to open a file, you will be advised of the latest release of software that was last used to save that particular file. While files saved with an older Revit version will be updated, those saved with the latest release (Revit 2019) cannot be accessed with an earlier version. In addition to that, if you select a worksharing file, the option to Create New Local is not accessible. This will alert you to the fact that you are not working on a central file or you are using the wrong version of Revit to open the file on the network.
Improved User Interface
The new interface not only comes with upgraded functionality but, like a web browser, it now features view tabs which allow you to quickly switch from one view to another. The tabs can even be pulled on to a second monitor for a quick review or comparison. To close the tab, you just need to click on the X. This multi-monitor support seems to be well-liked across the board as you can spread your views efficiently onto the second display monitor.
Improved Stability
During the opening, saving and upgrading of models, Revit automatically checks loaded families for stability. File problems are highlighted earlier in the design process, and delays can be nipped in the bud.
Tabs to Tiles Functionality
The Tab Views and Tile Views commands give you control over switching from the tab view (which is the default) to the tile view, and back again. While the tile view is not a new feature for Revit, the new and improved interface allows you to simply drag the tabs for ease of grouping. Note however that if you switch back from tab to tile, the layout is reset. Switching from the Tab View and Tile View tool does not affect views that reside outside the application, on a second monitor, as an example.
Level Rename
Renaming levels in the Project Browser can now be achieved by a slow double-click of the mouse. Prior to renaming, a dialog box will appear, asking if you want to rename the levels and corresponding plan view. If you don’t want this box to appear, you have the option of selecting, “Do not show this message again.”
Resizable Dialog Boxes
Both the Go To View and Add View to Sheet dialog boxes are now fully resizable. This means you can now drag the edges to resize to see the complete list of views and view names.
Perspective Views
Perspective views can now be uncropped filling the entire window. This new uncropped perspective feature also gives you the ability to move the camera via the mouse wheel within an image. Turning is achieved via the Navigation Wheel through the use of the Look feature. This perspective cannot be placed on a sheet, and an appropriate warning will appear asking you whether you want to enable the crop region for the view. If the view is dramatically altered with cropping, then you have the option to Reset Crop Boundary to Screen or Reset Crop Boundary to Model. When you duplicate a perspective view, all view attributes such as camera position and zoom are automatically transferred to the duplicated view.
Surface Patterns
Surface patterns can now be dragged, rotated and aligned on the top surface of a wall.
Fill Patterns
The Fill Patterns dialog box has been slightly amended and tweaked. One of the main improvements is that you can change the Import Scale following the initial import. In the latest version of Revit, you can also select Foreground and Background when applying a fill pattern, although the latter can only be a Drafting pattern. This will make it easier to indicate multiple colours and tints. As you move through the process, you will notice the Background parameter has been replaced by a Masking parameter.
3D Views
Levels can now be viewed in 3D mode, although the option is switched off as a default until the level is purposefully selected. The extents are easily modified by dragging the blue circles. As a bonus, you can also assign a Scope Box to a 3D view. Thanks to the new interface, you can also toggle between Perspective and Orthographic modes in Project Mode while viewing in 3D.
Material Appearances
The new material library features extra controls and high-resolution textures. Note that older materials will still work in Revit 2019 although they will be differentiated from the new appearance assets by a bright orange triangle. The quality of rendering is much improved with the latest offerings providing realistic and more life-like visual effects.
Publish Settings
The Set selection of the Publish Settings (located in the Collaborate tab) is now shown as a checked multiple list as opposed to a standard drop-down list.
View Filters
With the addition of an “And” and an “Or” you can now create much more complex view filters. These new conditions also mean that the Filters dialog box has been amended to allow for these commands.
Close Inactive Windows
If you were looking for the Close Hidden command on the Quick Access Toolbar, you would see that it is no longer there. It has now been replaced with the Close Inactive Windows command. This command closes all open views except for the currently active view which will remain open in the drawing area.
Text Alignment
Text can now be vertically aligned in a text note garnishing you with three options: top, middle or bottom.
Deletion of Levels
Making a welcome appearance is the warning that pops up when you try to delete a specific level. It will advise the number of elements and views that will be deleted once you hit confirm and will save much time and energy on recreating elements and views that were accidentally deleted. Elements to be deleted will also be highlighted in the current view.
Dimensions on Cut Curved Elements
Linear Dimensions, Aligned Dimensions, Spot Elevation and Spot Coordinates now appear on cut curved elements, and users no longer have to draw 2D lines over curved elements. This means that edges, curves and points created by a section cut plane will now work enhancing the overall structural building elements.
Project Browser
With a helpful right-click of the mouse, you can now select the Collapse All command to tidy up your desktop presentation.
Split Element
The Split Element command can be applied to railings resulting in two separate railing elements. Similar to splitting a wall, this new option makes splitting an automatic railing far less complicated. The Split with Gap command remains unchanged and is not compatible with railings. If you are utilising the Multi-Level Stairs tool, rail splitting will affect all the identical instances in the group
Hydraulic Separation
Hydraulic Separation can be added to Hydronic Piping Systems giving you the option to separate them into primary, secondary and tertiary loops. This will help improve the sizing of your pipes and help calculate the flow and pressure loss for each loop.
Steel
Steel has its own tab, and a new set of structural tools are available to support this change. In yet another steel-related upgrade, the IFC Export dialog box gives you the option to include steel elements. Steel plates, bolts, anchors, welds and connections can now also be transferred between Revit 2019 and Advance Steel.
Free Form Rebar
Free Form Rebar can be used to create rebar sets with planar bars distributed along the faces of an element and aligned to a distribution path. Free form rebar will now match existing rebar shape families or create new shape families from its geometry.
Parallel Pumps
Pump sets can be created for pipe systems that contain parallel pumps. This will help improve the sizing in pipes and more easily account for the number of on duty pumps.
Deleted Options
While Revit has many new features, some of the elements of the user interface have now been retired. Noticeably missing are the Suite Workflow and Publish tools which were formerly housed in the File tab. If you were to click on Export in the File tab, you would also notice that the Building Site command has been removed. The Communicator tool is also absent from the Collaborate tab.
Learning Videos
Learning videos are stored on individual help pages ensuring they are easily accessible. Each one is clearly identified specifically as a video, followed by the topic it covers. Each video help page also provides related topic links at the bottom should more information be required.