By Dennis Collin
It’s springtime, the sun is shining and it’s that time of year to see what new products Autodesk has for us. Last week it was AutoCAD LT, this week users can obtain the latest version of its cousin Revit LT. So, what’s to explore in Revit LT 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 that was present in the full version of Revit. The previous version of Revit LT did not possess such capabilities however now in LT 2024 we can fold not only floor elements but also do similar kind of modelling operations with the toposolid object type. 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 LT 2024 is a true dark theme, in the past only the view background could be set as dark, now the Revit LT options menu has a true dark theme profile, giving Revit LT that kind of AutoCAD LT 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 now 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 previous releases 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.
Another welcome addition is Revit LT’s ability to work with PDF files as either a link or embedded object. Previously this was only available in the full version of Revit.
A high-level list of other improvements to Revit LT’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.
- Height parameter on scope boxes
- Open Sheet directly from drawing area
- Sort Project Parameters
In summary there is lot to see and appreciate in the new version of Revit LT. My personal highlights are the improved site tools, including the new toposolid entity and editing tools, folded floors and support for PDF linking and import. Users should take note that Revit LT is primarily an architectural tool and still have very limited and basic structural tools (basic beams, columns and foundations). It also has non-existent MEP capability.
Revit LT lacks view filters, and the ability to acquire coordinates from other Revit models. It also lacks Worksets and sharing. LT is intended for smaller practices who do not yet require inter-discipline collaboration.
I intend to post more about Revit LT and the other 2024 products over the coming weeks, where I will cover some of the listed functions in more detail.
For more information on Revit LT and other products please visit http://cadline.co.uk There it is possible to contact one of the team who will be more than happy to help with any enquiry that you may have.