Rhino.Inside.Revit version 1.0 was released mid-August of 2021, containing all of the features that Robert McNeel and Associates wanted to include in the initial release, including the much awaited Element Tracking. Since this release, more users and firms have begun adopting Rhino.Inside.Revit into their workflows.
Additionally, there have been minor updates and improvements provided in the release of Rhino.Inside.Revit v1.1 and the latest release of v1.2, currently available as an update from within the Revit toolbar. This article will cover some resources for learning, as well as cover the best features of Rhino.Inside.Revit, updated to the latest release (v.1.2) that is available.
Capabilities
Rhino.Inside.Revit has been around for a couple of years, but here’s a recap, at a high-level, of the capabilities of Rhino.Inside.Revit:
Read Revit Model Elements
Read access to the properties and parameters for a given Revit model element
Edit Revit Model Elements
Edit access to the parameters for a given model element
Create native Revit Elements
There are a variety of Create components that allow for the creation of new Revit elements with provided inputs. The following Revit elements can be created with the Create components in Rhino.Inside.Revit:
Beam, Column, Roof, Wall, Floor, Level, Grid line, Adaptive components, Family instance, DirectShape, Topography, Building pad, 3d view, Form / loftform, Model line, Sketch plane, Model group, Material, Physical asset, Thermal asset
Note: due to the new feature of Element Tracking, many more Create components should now be possible, so keep an eye out for updates in the Release Notes.
Convert Revit model element geometry to Rhino geometry
By specifying a particular view, the visible geometry for an element can be converted into Rhino geometry. The resulting geometry could be Points, Lines, Curves, Meshes, Surfaces or Polysurfaces.
Features Overview
Within the nearly 300 different components that are available, Rhino.Inside.Revit has a great deal of functionality. The components are grouped into various panels across the ribbon in the Revit tab:
Build
Create native Revit building elements
Category
Access Category info
DirectShape
Create Revit Directshapes from
Document
Access and edit document information
Element
Access and edit elements
Family
Access, edit, and create Family components
Filter
Logic filters to apply to different elements
Host
Work with element hosts
Input
Input components, with dropdown menus containing various Revit options/settings/types
Material
Access, edit, deconstruct and create new materials
Model
Access, edit, and create datums and model lines
Parameter
Access, edit, and create Parameters
Room & Area
Analyze Instance Space
Site
Access and create top
Type
Access types and type instances
View
Access, edit, and export Views
Wall
Access, Analyze, and Create Walls
This is a short summary of the many components that are available. I recommend giving the full list of Components a review, and as always, make use of the tooltips in Grasshopper by hovering over the middle of the component.
Element Tracking
One of the nicest new features Rhino.Inside.Revit is the introduction of Element Tracking to all of the Create Components, which allows the Grasshopper script to remember the elements it created between sessions.
Previously, in Beta versions, Grasshopper script would have no memory of having created elements between sessions, so if the script was opened in a new Revit session, it may create duplicate elements.
In the public release, there is flexibility for users to define how they want the Grasshopper components to remember the Revit elements that they created:
Disabled will not track the elements, so will create new (and possible duplicate) elements upon solving.
Enabled : Replace deletes any existing element and creates a new element, generating a new Element ID.
Enabled: Update will check to see if it can edit the existing element (maintaining the Element ID). If it is unable to edit or does not detect any existing element, it will create a new element. This is the default setting.
In addition to the Tracking Modes, users can Highlight (elements will be selected within the Revit window), Unpin, Delete, or Release the elements by right-clicking the Output of the component.
Version 1.2 Updates
Version 1.2 brought a dozen new components for Views, Sheets, and Assemblies.
Rhino.Inside.Revit Resources
When considering implementing a new software or update into a firm’s standard practices, it is good to test and understand any changes made in each release. Here is a shortlist of some of the most useful links for learning about the latest releases of Rhino.Inside.Revit.
This page contains reference guides for users, developers and BIM Managers, including the Release Notes, which are a quick way to get up to speed with the latest changes so that any existing Grasshopper definitions will continue to work as expected, or can be planned to be revised accordingly.
This blog contains great information about the Forge and Revit APIs, which can be helpful to understand how Rhino.Inside.Revit is able to work, and how the functionality can be extended through scripting.
Summary
As a reminder Rhino.Inside.Revit is free to download and use, and the source code can be found on Github. You just need a license of Revit and Rhino 7 and you should be up and running! Email rhino@microsolresources.com to purchase new or upgrade to Rhino 7.
As the AEC industry accelerates to a new era of digitization, the way Architects, Engineers, and Construction professionals work is being transformed. In order to deliver projects better, faster, and with less risk, the industry is finding new ways of working that facilitate rich collaboration between disciplines and ensure the seamless flow of data across the entire project lifecycle.
Project Delivery is more than just delivering on a contract. In its broadest terms, it’s about how project data is organized, coordinated, structured, and streamlined for real-time collaboration, data-driven decision making, and risk mitigation – whether the project is Design-Bid-Build, Private-Public-Partnership, or any other model.
As the foundation of this digital transformation, BIM is revolutionizing the way projects are developed and delivered across industries adding intelligence and efficiency to project execution – and connecting teams, data, and processes in the cloud for better project delivery.
“The power of the cloud modernizes collaboration and unites our teams. As an integrated team, we build a project based on shared information. Both horizontal and vertical infrastructure teams can coordinate design data in real-time and share the latest data with clients at any point in the project.”
David Butts, Engineering Technology Manager, Gannett Fleming
3 steps to deliver projects better, faster, and with less risk
1. Connect People: Leverage the power of real-time collaboration
Maximize efficiencies and avoid the loss of important information and insights by connecting disparate teams across offices, industries, or companies via the cloud. By setting up workflows around a common data environment, all team members and stakeholders have access to a single source of truth providing them with the right information at the right time. This real-time design collaboration leads to more transparency, less rework, and better cost control throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Connect Data: Transform data into business insights
Draw better insights out of your data to help you make better, more informed decisions. By collaborating in the cloud within a common data environment, you can gain a deeper understanding of project performance, find and quickly resolve potential issues, prioritize daily activities and, track package completion.
3. Connect Processes: Boost your project management capabilities
Connecting processes and providing teams a consistent and secure data management platform makes project management significantly more impactful. With a common data environment, project managers have complete control and visibility of project data, including access controls and cloud-based reviews of project milestones leading to better project oversight.
Cloud collaboration tools and better delivery are driving transformational change in how AEC teams, data, and processes connect. By centralizing all design and construction data in the cloud, you can simplify workflows while allowing all stakeholders to access the same platform for complete transparency and the most accurate information in real-time.
Autodesk’s portfolio of cloud collaboration solutions integrates the entire project lifecycle, from design to construction, connecting leading products like Revit, Civil 3D, and AutoCAD across one common data environment enabling you to realize better ways of working and better outcomes for your business, industry, and the built world!
Speak to an expert to learn how BIM Collaborate Pro can improve your Project Delivery
For design and construction firms, project delivery has become more complex in a COVID-changed world. As companies like yours gear up to accelerate the pace of digital transformation, you’re reworking your approach to data management and project collaboration across teams, projects, construction phases, and beyond.
What is happening and when?
On June 2, in addition to announcing new workflows to help customers comply with ISO 19650 standards and the ability to primarily store project data in Europe for various Autodesk Construction Cloud products,
Autodesk announced that there will be a standalone purchase option for Autodesk Docsavailable soon. Autodesk Docs’ Common Data Environment (CDE) enables powerful, yet simplified collaboration and data management, creating a single source of truth across the project lifecycle.
Previously, Autodesk Docs was included with any subscription for Autodesk Construction Cloud and the AEC Collection. On July 7, 2021, customers will have the choice of subscribing to Autodesk Docs as a standalone, through the AEC Collection, or along with Autodesk Construction Cloud products.
In addition, on July 7th, the “BIM 360 Docs” offering will be rebranded to “Autodesk Docs”. This change reflects access to the new Autodesk Construction Cloud platform through Autodesk Docs being added to the BIM 360 Docs offering at no additional cost.
Why is Autodesk making these changes?
Over the last year, we’ve seen cloud collaboration shift from a nice-to-have to a must-have. Autodesk Docs’ Common Data Environment (CDE) enables powerful, yet simplified collaboration and data management, creating a single source of truth across the project lifecycle. By adding a standalone purchase option for Autodesk Docs, customers now have more options to better connect data and teams across all project phases.
What is included in each offering?
Each of the new subscription offerings contains entitlements to a set of products and tools.
What is Autodesk Docs?
Autodesk Docs, a common data environment, is a centralized document management solution that acts as a single source of truth across the project lifecycle for all teams. With Autodesk Docs, AEC teams can simplify collaboration and data management across design to construction and streamline document review and approval workflows.
It is included with subscriptions to Autodesk BIM Collaborate and Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Takeoff and Autodesk Build, in the AEC Collection, as well as standalone.
What is the difference between Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Docs?
While each offering contains many of the same common data environment features today, Autodesk Docs supports document management for projects on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform, while BIM 360 Docs supports document management for projects on the BIM 360 platform. With Autodesk Docs, subscribers can access projects on the Autodesk Construction Cloud or BIM 360 platforms.
Does Autodesk Docs include access to projects on BIM 360?
Yes, if you have access to Autodesk Docs through a standalone subscription, the AEC Collection, Autodesk BIM Collaborate, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, then you can access projects on both the Autodesk Construction Cloud and the BIM 360 platforms.
How I refer to projects on the various platforms?
There are two types of projects, depending on where it is hosted. There are BIM 360 projects and Autodesk Construction Cloud projects.
“BIM 360 project(s)”, “project(s) on/in BIM 360”, and “project(s) on the BIM 360 platform” are all appropriate ways to refer to projects in BIM 360.
The same applies to Autodesk Construction Cloud projects where “Autodesk Construction Cloud project(s)” and “project(s) on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform” are the preferred nomenclature.
Is there a difference between BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs?
Yes, while functionality is similar at this time, Autodesk Docs has its own development roadmaps, separate from BIM 360 Docs. This means that new features and functionality added to Autodesk Docs on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform are not guaranteed to be added to BIM 360 Document Management.
What are the differences between Autodesk Insight and Insight for Autodesk Construction Cloud products?
Autodesk Insight empowers architects and engineers to design more energy-efficient buildings with advanced simulation engines and building performance analysis data integrated in Revit.
Insight for Autodesk Construction Cloud is an ecosystem that delivers Autodesk Construction Cloud project-level data, analytics, and predictive insights. It can help get you up to speed with what’s going on in a project, assess trends and patterns in project data, identify any gaps and problems, and use predictive risk data to improve project efficiency.
There are no plans to discontinue the BIM 360 platform, and Autodesk will continue to provide customers with the access and support they need for existing projects at this time.
What is the future of BIM 360 Docs offering?
With the launch of the Autodesk Docs’ standalone purchase offering, the BIM 360 Docs offering will no longer be available for purchase.
All customers that previously purchased BIM 360 Docs will now show that their purchase has been rebranded to Autodesk Docs and now includes access to Autodesk Construction Cloud. There are no price changes for customers.
As with all parts of BIM 360, there are no plans to discontinue the BIM 360 platform.
How will customers be notified of these changes?
A direct operational email notifying customers of the changes will be sent to contract managers of BIM 360 Docs prior to the change on July 7, 2021.
How do I manage my team’s licenses and entitlements once I’ve set up access to Autodesk Construction Cloud?
Once Contract Managers have set up access to the Autodesk Construction Cloud, they can invite users to the account and project and provide access to the included modules.
In Autodesk Account, contract managers should ensure they have assigned entitlements to Autodesk Docs as applicable.
The functionality of the Account Admin modules in Autodesk Construction Cloud mirrors that of the Autodesk Account portal, which means Account Administrators can assign subscriptions for Autodesk Docs, Autodesk BIM Collaborate, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Takeoff and Autodesk Build to users in Account Admin. This will make administration easier on new projects in Autodesk Construction Cloud going forward.
Users who were already Account Administrators should follow these steps to enable access to Autodesk Docs and to invite project members:
Invite other project members to Docs and Insight for this specific project.
Repeat as needed for additional projects.
What is the difference between a “license”, “seat”, “entitling” and “subscription”?
“License”, “seat”, and “subscription” essentially indicate the provision of access to an Autodesk offering, product, or service.
A license or seat is what is needed to join a project on BIM 360 or the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform. The license or seat is provided to the user on acceptance of an invite to any project in the account.
Entitling is the act of granting access to a product or service (e.g. Docs, Build, BIM Collaborate Pro, etc.) in Autodesk Accounts.
A subscription is a packaged offering that is purchased like Autodesk Build or AEC Collection from a partner reseller or the Autodesk e-store.
BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud users in Revit, Civil 3D, and Plant 3D will need a license in Autodesk Accounts as well as an invite to a project.
Users who are only working in BIM 360 document management on the web or mobile-only need an invite to the project.
Can project data be primarily stored in Europe when using Autodesk Docs?
Yes.
Does Autodesk Docs support ISO 19650 workflows?
Yes, support for ISO 19650 workflows is available in both Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Document Management, helping customers’ compliance with ISO 19650 standards.
Does Autodesk Docs have unlimited cloud storage like BIM 360?
Yes, Autodesk Docs subscribers will have unlimited storage on the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Does the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform have the same APIs as BIM 360?
APIs will be available, but there may not be 1:1 parity between the APIs available in the Autodesk Construction Cloud and those in BIM 360. For more detailed information about specific APIs please reach out to the Autodesk Developer Network.
How do I see projects if I have them on both platforms?
You can log into acc.autodesk.com and access both Autodesk Construction Cloud and BIM 360 projects from the Projects home view. The icon next to the project name identifies the type of project.
How will I know which platform my project is on?
In the UI of the authoring tools (Revit, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and Desktop Connector), there is currently no indication whether it is a BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud project.
In the web UI, the BIM 360 environment will have a dark banner, while the Autodesk Construction Cloud will have a light banner.
How does Bring Your Own Subscription (BYOS) work?
BYOS continues to work in a similar way. For more information, please refer to this page.
Can I provide licenses to my consultants?
Yes, you can still provide licenses to your consultants.
However, be aware that their consultant could use that license to access any project to which they’ve been invited.
At this time, there is not a way to prevent the consultant from accessing other projects with the license.
For BIM 360 document management only users, they can simply be invited to a project.
For users in Autodesk Construction Cloud projects, they’ll need to be entitled to those services in Autodesk Accounts as well as invited to a project.
How do I give file access to a consultant who does not have a subscription to Autodesk Docs?
If you know the user you want to provide access to does not have a subscription, there is a public share link that can be generated to allow that external user to collaborate on that document.
If a user without a subscription is given file access or invited to a project, their experience will depend on which platform the project is hosted.
For BIM 360 projects, they’ll be added to the project, but for Autodesk Construction Cloud projects, users without a subscription will have the option to start a trial or purchase Autodesk Docs.
Is the user limit going to be enforced on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform?
Yes, all users of the Autodesk Construction Cloud must have a license for the functionality they are using to contribute to their project(s). In Autodesk Construction Cloud, an account can only provide access based on the number of licenses they have purchased. Alternatively, a user can be invited to a project and be asked to purchase her or his own license to contribute.
Users are responsible for having enough licenses to cover everyone in their account as Autodesk reserves the right to audit usage and potentially force users to purchase enough subscriptions to cover all users in their account(s).
Is a user counted twice if they are invited to a project on BIM 360 and a project on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform?
No, users will only be counted once even if they have access to both BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud projects.
How do I see project analytics data for my projects in Autodesk Construction Cloud & BIM 360?
Project analytics can be viewed in the Insight module in the platform where the project is hosted. There is no combined analytics at this time.
Can I have two Autodesk Construction Cloud accounts? One for different regions or business units?
Yes, but you will need a contract with a different contract manager for each account. The additional contracts need at least 1 seat of BIM Collaborate or BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Build, or Autodesk Docs to set up the account, and then anyone in your company can access those accounts/tenants as covered under BYOS.
What happens to current subscriptions of BIM 360 Docs?
Existing BIM 360 Docs subscriptions will be upgraded to Autodesk Docs automatically at a 1:1 rate.
As an Enterprise Business Agreement (EBA) customer, will I get access to Autodesk Docs?
EBA customers will get Autodesk Docs.
As an EBA customer, do my token rates change?
Token rates will be the same for modules on both platforms. Please contact your Customer Success Manager or Account Manager for details.
How will tokens for Docs services be charged?
Customers who have a daily token rate for BIM 360 Docs will only be charged the token rate once per day per user—even if the user uses both BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs.
Customers who have unlimited access to BIM 360 Docs, will have unlimited access to BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs, for the same token rate, when they gain access to Autodesk Docs.
Does Autodesk have a plan to migrate BIM 360 Docs project data to Autodesk Docs?
Autodesk is working on a migration tool. Availability TBD.
Can I migrate my existing projects on BIM 360 to Autodesk Construction Cloud projects?
Until the tool is available, we recommend that existing projects would remain on BIM 360, while new projects can be created on the Autodesk Construction Cloud or BIM 360 platforms.
You can learn more about Autodesk Docs and its features by visiting our Autodesk 360 landing page which includes product overview videos and a Frequently Asked Questions section.
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