Written by: Harlan Brumm, Sasha Crotty, Ian Molloy, Pawel Piechnik
The Revit product team is very excited to announce the release of Revit 2019.2 — the latest version of Revit — to current subscribers.
Before we dive into Revit 2019.2 new features, here’s some background on how we determine what to include in each new release. We capture user feedback and requests via the interactive Revit Ideas page and maintain a public Revit Road Map that outlines the direction of Revit software development in three areas:
- Create: Creating models that capture design intent at a high degree of accuracy and detail is central to why you use Revit. Our goal is to help you create project data in all phases while engaging in a delightful, intuitive, and contextual experience.
- Optimize: Because you’re always striving to create better designs using the best possible tools, software development works to support both. We’re working on features and functionality that enable you to analyze, simulate, and iterate and pick the best design options. We’re optimizing software performance to help you work more productively and automate routine tasks so you can focus on the design.
- Connect: With more multi-disciplinary collaboration and detailed design engineering done up front, we’re considering how you integrate teams and products. We support multidisciplinary project teams and tools that connect design to fabrication for structural steel and precast and that connect MEP modeling to fabrication.
So what are the Revit 2019.2 new features?
The Revit 2019.2 update reflects how Revit has evolved to more tightly connect you with your data and with others via the cloud and Autodesk BIM 360. We feel strongly that the future of design is inextricably connected to having BIM information in a data-centric cloud environment. With Autodesk BIM 360—a single platform that connects all project members and phases from design, to fabrication and pre-construction—project teams can access the right information at the right time. The direction of Revit development is to allow as many people as possible to participate in the BIM process and to improve your workflow and experience.
CONNECT
Several Revit 2019.2 new features provide easier access and a tighter integration with the BIM 360 platform to connect project teams, and create better multi-product workflows.
Cloud Models for Revit extends BIM 360 access
With a subscription to BIM 360 Design, multiple project team members can co-author Revit cloud models using Worksharing. We are excited to announce that you can now store non-Workshared models in a consistent way in the BIM 360 cloud platform. This is valuable for those cases where a model need not be workshared, and for individual users to store their data in the BIM 360 platform. Cloud Models for Revit is a new Revit 2019.2 feature and entitlement for Revit and Revit LT subscribers.
What’s the benefit of using cloud models? Revit models in BIM 360 are stored in a data format optimized for cloud storage and syncing. Cloud Models synchronize directly between BIM 360 and your desktop, facilitating faster and more efficient updates. That means no more uploading to share your projects with others. Extending the ability to work with this cloud-optimized format to individual users working on non-workshared models provides a consistent experience for all Revit users, including those using Revit LT, and makes it possible for the whole team to participate for better project delivery. For subscribers to BIM 360 Design, it’s a simple one-step action to make a Cloud Model a Workshared Cloud Model. Use tools like the BIM 360 Docs viewer to access data from anywhere and view and markup Revit models from any device.
Using cloud models is even easier now that you can navigate to and access your cloud models as they’re published to Revit Home, the new screen that opens when Revit starts, released with Revit 2019.1. If you are a subscriber to BIM 360 Design, you can now access and control publishing of both workshared and non-workshared cloud models all from Revit Home.
One click Revit version update with Cloud Model Upgrade
As if you need more convincing, here’s another reason to use cloud models. We all know updating existing projects from older versions of Revit to the latest release can be a painful process. Timed with the release of Revit 2019.2 we’re delivering a preview of Cloud Model Upgrade, an automated and reliable solution that –with the push of a button– lets Project Admins in BIM 360 update projects stored as cloud models to later versions of Revit. Currently this capability supports upgrading Workshared cloud models from Revit 2018.3 to Revit 2019 data format. Cloud Model Upgrade makes it easier to use Revit features and enhancements as soon as they are available without having to manually update existing projects in older versions of the software. The Cloud Model Upgrade feature is now available as a technical preview for BIM 360 project admins and covered by the Autodesk Terms of Use for Trial Features.
Connecting civil engineers and architects with site collaboration workflow
Site Collaboration, the Civil 3D terrain to Revit topography workflow introduced in Revit 2019.1, delivers an even better experience for sharing data across Autodesk tools. Using BIM 360 Document Management and Autodesk Desktop Connector, the workflow lets you link topography from Civil 3D into Revit. With Revit 2019.2 new features you can also place building pads and sub-regions on complex surfaces. Using BIM 360 to help transfer site information and project location data between project teams, architects and civil engineers can save time and improve accuracy.
Extending the automation of the design-to-fabrication process for concrete structures
Working on top of Revit 2019.2, the Autodesk Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2019 Update 1 comes with new features for customers working on precast and cast-in-place concrete projects. To learn full details, read this dedicated post.
With Extended CAM Export*, you can better connect both cast-in-place and precast concrete projects to automatic fabrication processes. CAM Export lets you create Unitechnik and PXML files for:
- any selection of shape drive reinforcement
- assemblies containing structural solid wall or structural solid slab system families (including their reinforcement, built-in parts, contours and fabrication parameters), not split using Structural Precast for Revit
- assemblies containing loadable families that can host rebar, including their reinforcement, built-in parts, contours, and fabrication parameters.
Unitechnik 7.0 CAM Export* further automates the design-to-fabrication process with the capability to export the information associated with precast assemblies (such as Solid Walls, Solid Slabs, Hollow Core Slabs, and Girder Slabs) or rebar cages using Unitechnik 7.0. This format is supported in the same way Unitechnik 5.2, Unitechnik 6.0 and PXML 1.3 are supported, providing a consistent user experience.
CREATE
Revit 2019.2 new features also deliver on several Revit Idea page requests for enhancements that help you be more efficient in creating project data to capture design intent.
- Seeing what you’re doing is important and many of you have requested the ability to Zoom in schedules. Now you’ll be able to use familiar keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and more easily read small fonts in a large schedule view, especially valuable when using complex, high-density characters such as kanji, or working with a very large schedule. You can zoom in and out within the schedule and see the zoom level with an indicator in schedule view.
- Another user request has been to be able to move objects small distances. Addressing this, the “too small on screen” blocking error has been removed, letting you now move elements the very small distances that are sometimes required.
- To help you generate more beautiful and higher quality images when you are using out-of-the-box materials, with high resolution texture support, Revit 2019.2 will automatically use the highest resolution texture.
Create Custom Fabric Sheets (CFS) using any collection of reinforcement (individual rebars, rebar sets, free-form rebar sets, area reinforcement). You can automatically convert the reinforcement for the supported precast elements into custom fabric sheets. This feature speeds up the precast concrete modeling process and further automates design to fabrication.
To help increase your modelling speed on precast projects, Revit includes new precast hollow-core slabs (HCS) families with 13 additional types of precast hollow-core slabs, offering additional void geometries and strand patterns. (This functionality comes with the Structural Precast for Revit Update).
MEP fabrication modeling and design elements enhancements and improvements
For MEP Fabrication users, Revit 2019.2 new features include several improvements that make it easier to work with branched connections by streamlining the connection of off-center taps, and auto-updating tapped connection elements. We have also improved the behavior related to splitting duct and pipe to ensure expected end treatment as you detail your models.
Get more detail on usability improvements for mechanical fabrication modeling here.
Delivering on a highly requested item from the Revit Ideas page, with MEP routed design elements, you can now directly edit the top elevation and bottom elevation properties of cable tray, duct, and conduit elements, facilitating easier model modification and coordination.
Move to Revit 2019.2
With continual development happening behind the scenes, we’re growing and evolving Revit in multiple areas at the same time. Delivering on user requests submitted via the Revit Ideas page and inspired by the vision set out in the Revit road map, Revit is constantly evolving to lead the way in BIM.
Let us know what you think!
Information on the Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2019 Update 1
Deep dive post into Mechanical Fabrication Revit 2019.2 new features
Revit Road Map update for January 2019
*Available with Autodesk Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2019 Update 1
Still wish they would deal with the compatibility issues.
These are pretty good improvements. Additional minor interface improvements are needed like these ideas: Color legends for other categories: https://autode.sk/2TnH0vM Improving the scale visibility: https://autode.sk/2sRqYyO Preventing 'blank' values for multiple selections in a schedule: https://autode.sk/2FX6L31
Any comments on the ‘Element is too small on screen’ warning still showing when drawing in a Family?
That limitation still exists on project environment for elements under 2mm, and on family environment for elements under 0.8mm.
Thanks for the update. Nice work on the BIM360 stuff. I believe that the 'Too Small on Screen' warning only applies to moving and copying. If you try to draw something that is smaller than 0.8mm(1/32") you still get the 'Element is too small on screen' error. (As an example, drawing at this distance is necessary when making Mullion Families). Could you please clarify this?
I'm trying to find out more about the Cloud Model Upgrade mentioned on this page. - The link in that paragraph just goes to a generic "Trial" page - Google search for "Autodesk Revit Cloud Model Upgrade" turns up only year-old pages - I see nothing on the beta Feedback page under Available Opportunities https://feedback.autodesk.com/home.html
You can find more information here http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-166E90D0-90B9-45F0-AB21-535DA18F5B4F
For those asking about PDFs, that Idea has been marked as Accepted on the Revit Road Map page https://blogs.autodesk.com/revit/2018/09/14/revit-public-roadmap-september-2018/ I'd suggest getting involved in the beta program if you want to find out more about that
As already mentioned by others this seems (again) to be an update for Structures. The minor updates for create are honestly so low on the priority scale of anyone using this product. I'm glad I can zoom in Schedules, that too small on screen is gone and that it picks hi-res textures but there are literally hundreds of posts in the ideas forum about stuff that'd of greater benefit but because the of the flawed voting system and everyone thinks their idea is unique you end up with literally 100's of posts with the same suggestion. Individually they don't get enough votes to be looked at but if you totalled them collectively you'd realise what update are actually VITAL for the professionals that have to use this program day in day out to deliver real projects.
I disagree about it being "an update for structure" - there's nothing really useful here for us either. :( I'll probably be installing it just to get the schedule zooming (which may be helpful for some of the older guys - and I'm getting there, too), but we don't have 4k monitors, so it's not THAT critical (and our suggestion to the design team of having different on-sheet and editing views was NOT implemented, because it was a "limited scope" project - not an ACTUAL improvement of Schedules) - if you can't adjust the column widths to see the full values (because doing so would mess up the display on the sheet), who cares if you can zoom?! We don't care about the cloud, or anything fabrication related, and site tools IN REVIT still haven't improved. The removal of the "too small" dialog may help a little - so I don't have to move stuff "out and back" anymore, but unlike that EASY workaround, we still have to deal with not being able to draw small stuff (which sometimes there's NO workaround for). And giving us more precast families? Please. I'll download and check them out, to be sure, but I don't expect them to be ready-to-use, and I'm not sure that there would be a reason to modify them to match local suppliers (vs. just continuing to use the families that we've already created). We'll probably be waiting years for them to finish implementing Tabbed Views and OR Filters... Don't even get me started on the Revit Ideas forum, but I disagree about multiple duplicate ideas being the main problem: Yes, there should be a better system for easily categorizing and/or finding related/similar ideas, but there are TONS of high-voted ideas that are largely ignored in favor of "more marketable" ideas. And duplicate ideas USUALLY get combined (and their votes added together) when you notify the moderator. Also, votes are of limited use anyway - you can't say for sure that the 100 people who voted for one idea EVEN SAW another idea that only got 10, so you can't ONLY use the number of votes to determine the best ideas to implement. I think the biggest issue is that there appears to be no one within Autodesk who has the authority to just look at an idea and say "that makes sense - that's the way it should be - let's make that change" and then JUST GET IT DONE.
Thank you for reconnecting, Lionel. As you mentioned, this release for Structures was more focused on Fabrication, responding to requirements we hear from this part of the industry. Stay tuned as there is more for Engineers in the pipeline.
Anyone ever have any problems with BIM 360 cramping out because of an Autodesk server issue or they were doing a mystery update? Did it impact your production schedule? Why can't they just give us a heads up?
You can sign up for notifications on current status and upcoming maintenance schedule for the Autodesk Cloud Services here https://health.autodesk.com/#
It's great that "too small on screen" is dead now, I almost can't believe it! Hopefully you will retain the focus on implementing Revit Ideas in future releases along with adding new features, it really makes a difference in the everyday workflow for us end users :)
Great improvements! Looming big on the horizon is cloud security and DFARS/FEDRAMP for federal cloud use. I am looking forward to testing out the topo enhancements and integration to see of pads and sections show correctly from the alphas :) I am concerned as an architect who works across architecture, transportation, and water there may be to heavy a push into construction without careful consideration towards design-build integration. Although the many improvements I have seen with A360 document management are beginning to coalesce into some impressive integrations, it is only the beginning... I suspect assemble was bought to bridge to Procure, setting the stage for even more connectivity between these two juggernauts. BRIM sneaking in there, with hints towards CIM and GIS through infraworks. We need true parametric 3D modeling for civil and plant process integration, but given Autodesk's accelerated performance over the past 6 years there is no doubt it is in the mix to sure soon!
Thank you, there are lots of improvements. But almost everything is MEP-FABRICATION-CLOUD focused. There are many architecture features broken or needed to be enhanced (ramps, stairs, topography). The same can be said on the documentation side: view placement on sheets, schedules placement on different sheets, legend placement on the same spot, tag on legend views, etc. I think more effort from the factory on this modelling-platform-documentation side would save lots of hours for architects.
I agree but the MEP side of things in Revit has been neglected to a point for a few years and did need some overhaul - this update is good in that respect but there is still more that could be done especially with the Electrical side of things. As for legend placement on the same spot that can be done already, just takes time to do individual sheets. And yes the documentation side could be improved a lot within Revit without having to use expensive Add-ins.
I agree as well. Where's the PDF, Word, Excel integration? Why do we have to resort to paying for plugins that AutoDesk could develop or buy out themselves?
well said. General interface needs an refresh/update too from big things like get rid of the options bar to smaller things like when change "boundary" in stair by sketch to what it actually is "Supports/Stringers".
As an MEP fabricator though, this update is fabulous. I'm very happy with this update.
Totally agree, topography needs a total overhaul in my opinion and the add in isn't great either. Still no PDF integration which is crazy. For the money being paid for the subscription, this function should be standard.
I couldn't agree more. It is interesting to note that as BIM360 is a paid service, any improvements to it should be paid for out of that revenue stream. We are all paying an annual subscription for the core software, so we would expect that subscription to pay for enhancements to the core software. When we analyse "Value for money" of our subscriptions, we should exclude any BIM360 related enhancements from the list that counts towards that value calculation. Of course we have no way of knowing how Autodesk divides up the funds and assigns resources to which development, and no doubt the definition of core vs BIM360 gets a little blurred at times - but if you are not using BIM360 its pretty clear.