Revit 2021 has arrived and there are an abundance of new features and updates that are sure to make everyone happy! Here are a few of our favorite features:  

Slanted walls

Slanted (or sloped) walls can now be utilized! This much desired feature is sure to add a new dimension of creativity for architects and designers alike. Before Revit 2021, if you wanted to create this effect, your best option was to use the massing tool. You would either have to import a created mass or create an in-place mass and place a wall type over the mass. This pre-2021 process was time consuming and often created other problems for your model.

With this new Revit 2021 feature it is as simple as selecting a wall, then selecting properties, select the slant dialog box and input the angle you wish the wall to slope. Revit is also intuitive enough to adjust the doors and windows living within that wall to follow the same angle. It even works on curved as well as straight walls! Slanted walls, as long as all other family types can be stored and shared in UNIFI.

Generative Design

Generative design is now available! Previously this was only feasible using the Design Options tool or Dynamo scripts, but now a generative design plugin is at hand. This feature works by using pre-built rule sets that determine the criteria and parameters, through computational design, by which elements will be created. With the ease of a button click, these effects can be implemented into a Revit model.

Because the Generative Design tool operates on its own separate license, it should be noted that users will need to have an Autodesk Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection subscription to utilize this feature.

WORKSHARING ENHANCEMENTS

Any electrical engineers or designers out there should be thrilled with this new feature. Revit’s worksharing performance for MEP model sharing has been vastly improved over previous versions and allows for users to only borrow directly modified elements. In past years direct as well as indirect modified elements were borrowed, thus limiting the ability of all users. Other improvements include fixing issues with circular syncing requests and elements borrowed upon opening of files have been overcome.

PDF AND RASTER IMAGES LINKING

In past versions, importing images was the only way to have those file types in your Revit model, thus making the file size much larger. Revit 2020 allowed for PDF import but not linking. Now in Revit 2021, this feature is available! The LINK PDF and LINK Image tools are found by clicking the Insert Tab.

Now by linking files rather than importing them, model size can be much more manageable. This tool certainly encourages the best practice of linking files instead of importing them.

With UNIFI’s Project Analytics, you can view the number of imported images within a Revit model. Improving this workflow ensures images are always linked. You can manage PDF or image versions as needed within UNIFI for easy download to project directories and proper linking.

IMPROVED BIM 360 INTEGRATION

Here at UNIFI we are big fans of the cloud. In Revit 2021, Autodesk has made great strides with BIM360, making it much easier to use and the cloud integration improves with each release. Users now have the ability to access the BIM360 page with your cloud projects right from within Revit.

We hope you enjoy all that Revit 2021 has to offer including the slanted walls, generative design, PDF/Rasted Image linking, worksharing enhancements and improved BIM 360 integration. 

UNIFI support for Revit and AutoCAD 2021 is now live! Please click here for details.