A really cool feature of Revit Architecture

[David Donaldson]

We are giving a presentation at a conference for Architects in Ireland in a couple of weeks time. We thought it would be a good idea to include a section on the "20 really cool features of Revit". Instead of basing it on what we thought was cool, it would be nice to base it on what Revit users thought was cool. Because our presentation is pitched to architects the features should be limited to Revit Architecture, preferrably 2010.

If anyone would like to list their favourite feature, please do. As our presentation is in a few weeks time, I suggest we only post items until 21 October. After that I will tally up the list of features and see if we can do a top 20 (or 10) of really cool features.

Any suggestions and comments on the above are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[dwills.114624]

The best feature of Revit is the real time bi-directional updating of all views in the model. This means never having to draft an elevation or section again, other than adding detail information and annotations.

I love the way families are so easy to build compared to competitive applications, and the parametric system is easy to use.

The constraint system saves a lot of work whether it is using locking constraints to maintain alignments and separations/equalisations, or the way linework stays connected endpoint to endpoint like a polyline, but can be easily disjointed if needed. Makes for very easy editing of detail linework.

I'm generally impressed with the quality of the rendering, even if it is still a little tricky to get set up initially to get an exceptional result, though a good result is dead easy for even an average user.

DW

[DaveP]

My favorite feature is what I (cheesily) call "Free D Views". Meaning that it costs you nothing to create a 3D view even if you're just working in Plan.

Draw a Section
Switch to a 3D View
Right-click on the View Cube
Select Orient to View
Find your Section
Spin your View around a little bit and BAM. You've got a 3D View cut just like your Section.

Wotks great for helping understand design decisions. Also makes really nice 3D Stair "Sections"

[gbrowne]

The parametric change engine: not only does it sound really tech, it is really tech!

[stuntmonkee]

Never having to cross check your drawings to make sure that your detail/section/wall section/plan callouts/elevation symbols are filled out with the correct sheet referance info. . .probably in my top 3

Using materials to build with instead of colored lines which allows you to globaly update visability, client finish changes, renderings. . . . .top 5?

Wall location lines? Top 5

Scheduling, could be my #1?

oh, its like remebering all your favorite music from highschool. . . .lol

[gbrowne]

Scheduling is great too.

Shadows! I love shadows!

[DaveP]

Color Schemes

Once you've placed your Rooms and filled out some basic info (like Department) it's super easy to get Colored Plans sorted and color-filled by whatever criteria you've input. Department, Area, Room Function, Cost Center, Over/Under Programmed area. Anything you've input can be used to color the room.

[mthurnauer]

I would agree with DW. I would add more about the value of schedules indicating the true 4D nature of them. They are tied to your geometry and the schedule can actually drive the geometry. Schedules can be used to calculate material quantities and assign cost information. Mechanical and equipment schedules with counts. etc, etc.

Project team coordination: Linking project team member models and performaing collision detection.

[Wes Macaulay]

Orienting a 3D view to a section view of a really cool stairwell, or another money-shot location in the building. Then spin the 3D view -- everyone LOVES that one ;-)

[ycymry]

The section box in 3-D views. Absolute favourite.

[nsinha73]

Love the Keynote Feature and the Detail Tags....some minor setbacks....but awesome!!

[mthurnauer]

Almost forgot something that we take for granted....the ability for multiple to fluidly work in the same model.

relatively small file size for the entire project (compare to say 3mb per sheet x 250 sheets and in revit may be 150mb total )

I must put my vote in again for ease of creating model parametric model components