AEC TECH NEWS: Autodesk releases Revit 2017

San Rafael, Calif. — Autodesk announced several new and enhanced features for its flagship Revit software designed to increase software performance and help users better model and communicate design intent. Available starting April 18, 2016, Autodesk Revit 2017 software is the latest version of its software purpose-built for BIM, offering an all-in-one solution for architectural, MEP and structural engineering, and construction professionals.   Enhancements in Revit 2017 will help drive more efficient processes within an extended, multi-discipline Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow, the company said.

Behind-the-scenes optimizations and improvements to more than 100 functions help the software keep up with users working with large, complex models. According to Autodesk, more operations running with multi-threaded capabilities improve overall software performance by as much as 20 percent. Revit 2017 also works faster by displaying only the visible elements of a view and not drawing elements that are hidden. The result of this occlusion culling is view refresh and user navigation that is up to 4.5 times faster than before. 

Revit 2017’s Global Parameters feature helps encode and capture design intent within a model by enabling users to define relationships between building elements and to use parameters to drive dimensions and values across a project.

Embed design intent in a model by using Global Parameters to drive dimension and element instance parameters. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

With Revit 2017 designers can include the higher level of detail needed for downstream fabrication and building, modeling projects of any size and complexity.   Mechanical detailers can automate the fabrication model layout and convert design level of detail model elements to fabrication level of detail elements. This helps contractors more quickly prepare a model for detailed coordination fabrication and installation.  Structural engineers can improve the definition of design intent, or the level of detail for reinforcement modeling and documentation, to better connect steel design to detailing workflows.

Convert design level of detail model elements to construction level of detail elements using the Design to Fabrication tool. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Revit 2017 elevates communication capabilities in ways that help users to share data both within Revit and in extended BIM workflows. A new WYSIWYG Text Editor and new options for text placement provide text control to help document project details. Data sharing within Revit 2017 has been improved with new tools that simplify the reuse of schedules. 

Data sharing within Revit 2017 has been improved with new tools that simplify the reuse of schedules. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Facilitating BIM interoperability and data sharing in a connected workflow beyond Revit, Revit 2017 is one of the first BIM tools to support IFC4.  With the new Autodesk FormIt 360 Converter provided with Revit, users can convert FormIt, Revit Families (RFA), and Sketchup (SKP) files and continue to develop designs in Revit. The Autodesk A360 Collaboration for Revit service installs with Revit 2017, enabling easier use of this subscription service for project team collaboration via cloud worksharing.

Revit 2017 makes it possible to add depth and pop to elevations and sections in either architecture or coordination views with the new Depth Cueing option.

Add depth to elevations and sections to create stunning visuals that better communicate your design.  Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Autodesk Raytracer rendering engine, the default visualization engine in Revit 2017, features efficient settings, video card agnostic CPU operation, and image-based lighting to provide quick, more photorealistic results for architectural rendering. 

Render more quickly and accurately with Autodesk Raytracer, the default visualization engine in Revit 2017. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Coinciding with the release of Revit 2017, Autodesk is discontinuing Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit Structure, and Autodesk Revit MEP software, replacing them and providing current subscribers to each solution with a single, all-in-one version of Revit that includes all functionality of the individual titles now available as a standalone product. 

Revit 2017 is available globally in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.  Subscribe to Revit alone, or as part of Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium or Ultimate, Autodesk Revit Collaboration Suite, Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Premium or Ultimate, or Autodesk Plant Design Suite Premium or Ultimate, or Autodesk Structural Fabrication Suite or Autodesk MEP Fabrication Suite. Availability, pricing, and related cloud services vary by country. 

More information is available at www.autodesk.com/products/revit-family/overview.