By Dennis Collin
It’s that time of year again where we receive new versions of Autodesk software. Last week it was AutoCAD, this week users can obtain the latest version of Revit. So, what’s to explore in Revit 2024?
The latest version has quite a few new features, the first in the list and one I am particularly glad to see is improved site tools, finally! In this release users have a more useful and flexible way of modelling terrain with the new Toposolid object. Unlike the previous toposurface element which had no substance the new topographic element is now represent as proper solid geometry!
Toposolid elements represent the topography and site conditions of your model. Toposolids can be created from imported CAD or CSV data. They can also create a toposolid by sketching a boundary and adding elevation points within the boundary. This process is very similar to the folded floor tool present in previous versions of Revit. Toposolids support surface patterns of the assigned material and can be cut by other model geometry like masses and other elements.
In general, the cut geometry function has been improved to enable more powerful modelling solutions which will help organisations in the infrastructure space to develop specific models
As well as toposolids, ceilings, floors, slab edges, roofs, facias, gutters, roof soffits, foundations, walls, wall sweeps, and Mass Voids can all cut and be cut within the project environment!
When modelling awkward elements users often experienced issues where surface patterns did not show as desired. This is remedied with a new align surface patterns function on shape edited elements like toposolids and floors. Patterns can be aligned across the entire surface, or triangulated faces can be individually aligned.
Model patterns applied to a shape-edited element can be aligned with the Align tool. Use the controls on the contextual tab to specify whether the alignment applies across the entire surface or only applies to the face where the pattern line is selected. If the shape-edited surface contains ruled surfaces, the pattern may appear distorted.
Another feature introduced in Revit 2024 is a true dark theme, in the past only the view background could be set as dark, now Revit options has a true dark theme profile, giving Revit that kind of AutoCAD look, minus the command line! Whilst not my personal priority of updates, this will be of benefit to users who have problems working with the glare of brighter screens.
With many projects it’s all about coordination! With 2024 users can visually cross-check between models of various disciplines and phases of a project. In 3D views, visually compare collaboration models created in Revit or other modelling tools for coordination purposes.
Users can Link Navisworks files (NWD or NWC) or link to file formats viewable in Autodesk Docs. These are linked directly to views from Autodesk Docs without downloading the file to a local resource. Views linked from Autodesk Docs use defined permissions within the Docs account to manage access, making it easier to use the collaboration workflow where IP protection is important. Coordination model views are lightweight representations that provide context for your Revit model.
A major gripe with many users of the Revit 2023 release was the inability to snap to coordination models for measurement and checking purposes. This has now been addressed and seems to work well on models tested so far. Snap points cannot be used to place dimensions on coordination model objects, the objects can only be measured using the Measure tool. So, whilst not perfect it is a step in the right direction in the coordinated world!
In addition to measurements uses can also access data from coordination models linked from Docs in the property’s palette.
Other improvements to Revit’s core functions are:
- A new search function at the top of the project browser.
- The ability to schedule Revision Cloud objects.
- Draw order improvements with families.
- Modernised user interface.
- Place multiple view on sheets.
- More resizable dialogues.
- Resize all rows in schedules.
- Dynamo 2.17, with additional nodes, machine learning and much more.
There are also lots of improvements to specific disciplines of Architecture, Structures and MEP. These and other improvements I will go into more detail in a future post. But here’s a high-level summary.
Architecture
- Specify colours using third party or bespoke colour books.
- New ‘Sketch-up’ styled Textures visual style for viewports
- Improved solar studies tools.
Structure
- Bar Bending details for Rebar for detailing and fabrication.
- More path alignment options for rebar
- Detail results for connection automation rules.
- Enhanced analytical loads.
- Custom Physical-Analytical Element Association
- Improved Steel Connection SDK Documentation
- Toggle Stirrup Orientation for Free Form Rebar Aligned Distribution
MEP
- Flow and Pressure Calculations for MEP Fabrication Parts
- MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffeners
- New wall thickness parameter for pipework
- Maintain Annotation Orientation Added to Air Terminal components.
- Create Energy Analytical Model by Elements in a 3D View.
In summary there is a lot of improvements that many users will welcome. The new site tools will be welcomed by many but there are many other features that need to be included. Legend view improvements and the addition of electrical trunking are two that come to mind. Nevertheless, it is a step forward and hopefully this and other areas will be addressed in a future update soon.
Over the coming weeks I will go over these new and improved features in some more detail, along with the improvements introduced with the Dynamo 2.17 update.