Running Revit 2015 and Revit 2013 concurrently?

[kriopelle923935]

Our office does primarily big projects, many of which were started in Revit 2013. When Revit 2014 came out along with the service pack to fix the bugs, we were going to install both Revit 2013 and Revit 2014 on computers so that new projects could be started with the 2014 new features while allowing key projects to continue in Revit 2013. Trouble was that Revit 2014 and 2013 installed on the same computer created significant bugs in how Revit 2013 performs (notably, the ribbon needs to be refreshed between every change in command). As such, most people in our office are still running only with 2013.

Where I am headed with this is that I've heard that an install of Revit 2015 does not negatively impact other Revit software on your computer. I wondered if anybody knew this to be true and that machines with Revit 2013 and Revit 2015 installed would have no adverse work impacts to those still using Revit 2013. Anybody know?

[dhurtubise]

Here's a few thoughts :)
First, 2013 and 2014 play well together as long as you have the proper Windows Update and Revit Update. We have a team that still uses both together on the "same" project(also very large) without any issue. We we're forced to NOT upgrade because of our local architect. At least that served as a lesson as we are now making it part of the contract :)
As for 2015, i have all 3 install on my machine and they seem to work pretty well so far. But i am not spending my days on 13 ;)

[kriopelle923935]

A bit ridiculous but I have to go to a 3rd party to ensure all my revit & windows updates are installed and I have been told on multiple occasions that they indeed are, however when using the one Revit 2013 project, the ribbon never refreshes between commands. Our IT who do architecture program installs for multiple architecture firms using revit say this is a universal issue so I'm surprised to hear you have it working well. (Side note - Revit 2014 performs perfectly despite Revit 2013 also installed). Regardless, thinking of trying Revit 2015 to see if it is true that Revit 2013 will be unaffected. Anybody else have this predicament?

[MikeJarosz]

I too have 2013 and 2014 running side by side without problems.

The issue with the ribbon is due to differences with the Microsoft .NET Framework, which runs the ribbon. Revit 2013 used NET 4.0. Revit 2014 required NET 4.5. Revit, like a lot of software, includes technology created by other software firms. If you open the product license window you will see credits for "subsidiaries and affiliates". The Revit ribbon is from Microsoft, like the one you see in MS Excel and Word, where MS first introduced the ribbon concept.

Here's what happened: The installer program for Revit 2014 installed .NET 4.5 automatically as part of the installation process. This screwed up Revit 2013 if it was on the same machine because 2013 needs 4.0. When this was discovered, Autodesk issued a fix. As dhurturbise notes, if you get the fixes right, the two versions will work together.

If you have an IT consultant that specializes in Architecture firms who can't sort this out, it's time to get a new consultant.

[dhurtubise]

If you have an IT consultant that specializes in Architecture firms who can't sort this out, it's time to get a new consultant.

Thanks Mike, i was looking for a polite way to put it :)