Revit File Types Explained

Autodesk Revit is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that utilizes various file types to store and manage project data. Understanding these file types is necessary for effective project management and collaboration. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the most common file types used so you can understand the role of each one in your projects.

RVT – Revit Project Files

RVT files are the central hub of Revit projects, containing all project data. They store 3D geometry, 2D drafting elements, project information, schedules, annotations, and collaboration data, making them essential for creating, managing, sharing, and archiving Revit projects.

RTE – Revit Template Files

RTE (Revit Template) files are the foundation for new Revit projects. They’re essentially pre-configured blueprints that define a project’s initial setup, including:

• Project settings: Units, coordinate systems, and other fundamental project parameters.
• Styles: Styles for various elements like walls, floors, ceilings, and doors, ensuring consistency throughout the project.
• Families: Pre-loaded families (e.g., doors, windows, structural elements) to speed up the design process.
• Views: Initial views (plans, elevations, sections) and their settings.
• Annotations: Text styles, dimension styles, and other annotation settings.

Using templates, stored in RTE files, to standardize project setups improves efficiency, consistency, collaboration, quality control, and time management. Templates eliminate repetitive setup tasks, ensure a uniform project appearance, facilitate teamwork, enforce design standards, and save time for designers to focus on core design work.

To create and use RTE files, you should start with a well-organized project and save it as a template. Customize the template’s settings, styles, and families to match your needs. Use the template when starting new projects. Regularly update the template to incorporate new standards and best practices.

RFA – Revit Family Files

RFA (Revit Family) files are reusable components within Revit projects. They represent objects like doors, windows, furniture, structural elements, and custom components. Families provide a structured way to create and manage these elements, ensuring consistency and efficiency throughout a project.

Creating & Managing Revit Families

• Parameterization: RFA files allow you to define parameters (e.g., width, height, material) that can be modified to create different variations of the same component.
• Constraints: Constraints can be applied to parameters so that they remain within specified limits and relationships, maintaining the integrity of the family.
• Load families: Once created, RFA files can be loaded into projects to be used as building elements.
• Family editing: Families can be edited at any time to create new variations or make changes to existing ones.
• Family types: Within an RFA file, you can define multiple family types to represent different configurations of the same component.
• Nested families: Families can be nested within other families, allowing for complex assemblies and hierarchies.

RFT – Revit Family Template Files

RFT files contain templates for creating Revit families. While RFA files include the completed family components, RFT files contain basic structure and parameters. RFA files include detailed information like family types and materials as opposed to RFT files, which are used to create new families.

RFT File Usage in Family Creation:

• Starting point: RFT files provide a starting point for creating families, saving time and effort compared to starting from scratch.
• Structure: They define the basic structure and parameters of a family, making it easier to add specific details.
• Consistency: RFT files can be used to ensure consistency across multiple families within a project.
• Customization: RFT files can be customized to create different types of families, such as doors, windows, or structural elements.
• Sharing: RFT files can be shared among team members to facilitate collaboration and standardization.

In summary, RFT files are essential tools for creating Revit families efficiently and regularly. They provide a structured foundation, saving time and effort while ensuring that families adhere to project standards.

DWF/DWFx – Design Sharing Files

DWF/DWFx files are platform-independent, lightweight, and secure formats for sharing and viewing Revit design data, including 2D and 3D models, markups, and comments. DWF/DWFx files are commonly used for various purposes. They are ideal for sharing design concepts with clients, facilitating collaboration among team members, submitting designs to regulatory authorities, and providing construction documentation to contractors and subcontractors.

DWG – Revit & AutoCAD Compatible Files

DWG files are a common CAD format used for exchanging design data between Revit and AutoCAD. They allow for seamless data exchange, importing AutoCAD drawings into Revit, exporting Revit projects to AutoCAD, and ensuring compatibility with other CAD software. This makes DWG files essential for collaboration and flexibility in design workflows.

IFC – Industry Foundation Classes Files

IFC files are a universal format for exchanging building information. They store geometric data, properties, relationships, and classifications. The IFC format promotes interoperability, data preservation, and supports various project activities. By using IFC, organizations can streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and ensure the long-term value of their building projects.

Other Revit File Extensions

Revit supports a range of image formats, including BMP, PNG, JPG/JPEG, and TIF. Each format has its strengths: BMP for basic graphics, PNG for perfect compression, JPG/JPEG for common photos, and TIF for high-quality images.

Beyond images, Revit integrates with other software using formats like ODBC for database connections, HTML for web-compatible reports, TXT for simple text data, and gbXML for energy analysis. These formats enhance Revit’s compatibility and project management capabilities.

How to Choose the Right Revit File Type

Choosing the right Revit file type depends on your specific needs. Consider the purpose of the file, compatibility, file size, and security. For storing projects, use RVT or RTE. If you work with families, you should use RFA or RFT. For sharing, it is better to utilize DWF/DWFx or IFC. DWG/DXF or SAT is good for importing/exporting, and for specific purposes, use RFAZ, RVTZ, or RTEF.

Best Practices for Managing Revit Files

To effectively manage Revit files, start by setting up a central file for team collaboration, ensuring everyone works on synchronized local copies to prevent conflicts. Stick to consistent naming conventions and include version numbers to track changes easily. Regularly back up files and archive completed projects to protect your data.

Keep file sizes manageable by purging unused elements and carefully managing linked files. Organize your model with logical work sets and use templates to maintain consistency. Regular coordination meetings and clash detection help catch issues early. Establish clear standards, provide ongoing training, and ensure your hardware meets Revit’s demands to optimize performance and keep projects running smoothly.