Revit classes are an essential resource for anyone interested in advancing their skills in the architecture and construction industry. Architects, engineers, and construction professionals widely use the software to create detailed 3D models, generate construction documents, and facilitate collaboration among team members.
With the recent release of Revit 2024, Autodesk has brought forth numerous enhancements and novel features to improve the overall user experience and simplify workflows.
In this article, we will explore some of the most significant updates in Revit 2024, including Toposolids, 2D Element Draw Order in 3D Families, Dark Mode, Textures Visual Style, and more.
Toposolids
Toposolids is a new feature in Revit 2024 that takes advantage of all the capabilities of system families. Users can add layers with thickness and materials and options for coarse-scale fill patterns and color. One notable benefit of Toposolids is that floor-based families and railings can be hosted onto them, opening up various possibilities for site modeling and other projects.
2D Element Draw Order in 3D Families
Revit 2024 includes a new feature that allows users to dictate the order of annotation items in a 3D family, making it easier to create families and arrange the annotation files, improving the efficiency of the design process.
Dark Mode
Dark Mode has been added to Revit 2024, allowing users to customize their interface. The feature has several options to customize it. Users can activate it by going to the top-right corner of the screen and clicking on the File tab, followed by selecting the Options button. Then, they can click on the Colors tab to set the Dark Theme or Light Theme from the dropdown menu. Users can customize the rest of the colors for each theme using RGB colors.
Textures Visual Style
A new Visual Style has been added named Textures. This new visual style is in between Consistent Colors and Realistic. The Texture visual style leverages the images applied to materials in the Appearance Tab. However, unlike Realistic, it doesn’t use the remaining settings in the Appearance tab or shading. The Texture visual style is highly advantageous as it allows materials to be depicted with their corresponding images without excessively taxing the processing power of the user’s computer. If a material lacks an applied image, the Texture visual style will utilize the RGB color on the graphics tab.
Add Multiple Views and Schedules
Revit 2024 has added the ability to drag multiple views from Project Browser to a Sheet. Users can choose numerous views within the Project Browser by holding down the SHIFT key while selecting. After selecting all the desired views, users can drag and drop them onto the sheet, resulting in a highly convenient feature that saves time.
Resize All Schedule Rows
One of the notable features introduced in Revit 2024 is the capability to adjust the size of all rows in a schedule at once, thus streamlining the process. It’s an option in the properties box once a schedule is selected. Users can do it to “All” rows or “Image Rows.” Once turned on, users can place a dimension for “Row Height.” The ability to change the height of all rows in a schedule at once is a convenient feature that makes it easy to make quick adjustments more efficiently.
Color Book Browser
Revit 2024 has also introduced Color Books to their Material window in color selection, offering a library of pre-made colors that can be readily applied to the material. However, the absence of a search bar in the Color Books window is a drawback. While there is a Color field, it often requires specific entries to function optimally, making it sometimes difficult to use.
Search in Project Browser
Revit 2024 has introduced a handy search bar within the Project Browser box, enabling users to search for any item within the project, including views, schedules, sheets, families, groups, Revit Links, and other project files. The highly responsive search function begins searching for results when the user starts typing, providing a fast and smooth user experience.
Open Sheet Directly from Drawing Area
Revit 2024 has added another connection between views and sheets with the Open Sheet command. In theory, users can right-click in the drawing area to see a new command named “Open Sheet.” If they click on that, it will open the sheet the view is placed on. This also works if users select multiple views. Furthermore, Revit 2024 has included a handy warning window to notify users when they choose multiple views that would open several sheets, giving them a chance to reconsider the action and assess how long they are willing to wait until all the sheets are opened.
My Insights in Revit Home
Revit 2024 has introduced a new tab on the Revit Home screen named “My Insights,” which is expected to offer data-driven insights about users’ Revit usage through various “cards.” The new feature includes icons for positive or negative feedback aimed at helping the software customize the cards displayed to users. This feature is not immediately available when publishing, indicating that the software may need to gather some usage data before the feature can be utilized.
Enable Floor-Based Element on Toposolid
One of the exciting new features in Revit 2024 is the ability to use Floor-Based Families on Toposolids, a valuable addition for those who have been using Floors as a workaround to place families onto a site. This feature opens up new approaches to site design and offers users greater flexibility when creating their projects. Additionally, the software has added the ability to add voids on top solids, which can then be added to floor-based models, further enhancing the tool’s versatility. They can now use those floor-based families on the Toposolid.
Enable Split with Gap for MEP Segments
Revit 2024 has introduced the Split with Gap tool for MEP components, which is a long-awaited addition for MEP drafters who have been watching their architectural counterparts use this tool for years. With this feature, users can dictate the gap amount in the Joint Gap field (ranging from 1/16″ -1″), then select the MEP component to split. This tool came to fruition after a user request and has been a welcomed addition to the MEP Revit community. Users can dictate the gap amount in the Joint Gap field, then select the duct work to split.
New Ribbon Icons
Revit’s user interface (UX) has been updated, and all the icons in the software have been refreshed, including adding more colors to the UX, possibly to accommodate the new Dark Theme. The updated icons provide a more modern and intuitive look, making it easier for users to navigate the software and find the necessary tools. This small but significant change will surely enhance the overall user experience in Revit 2024.
Export IFC Element Mapping UX
Autodesk has included a new feature in Revit 2024 called IFC Mapping, which can benefit those managing Revit and IFC exports. With this feature, every component has a new section in Instance Properties called IFC Parameters. Users can click on the “Export to IFC As” field to open a window that lets them select the IFC Entity for that specific component, allowing them to manage and export their Revit models to IFC formats efficiently.
Conclusion
Revit 2024 brings several exciting new features and improvements that enhance the user experience and streamline workflows.
From Toposolids and Dark Mode to Search in Project Browser and My Insights in Revit Home, these updates will help architects, engineers, and construction professionals create detailed 3D models and generate construction documents more efficiently. With the addition of IFC Mapping and Split with Gap tool for MEP components, Revit 2024 offers even more functionality and versatility for the design and construction industry.
Overall, Revit classes are a great way to keep up to date with Revit’s latest features and capabilities and stay ahead of the curve in the architecture and construction industry.
