TOPIC: autodesk revit architecture

With every release comes a new deployment image so I thought it might be helpful for IT/CAD/BIM managers to see it done first. I’ll be making a deployment image for Revit Architecture 2013 on my Microsol Resources DFS, configuring the deployment image using central location for all templates and content. This way, all my users / Application Engineers (AE) / Support Personal / Trainers & Instructors will all get centralized content. This is especially good for larger firms since standardization is one of the keys to an efficient production environment.

So, you have just had a request from the Project Manager, or worse, the “Boss”, that they want to open a copy of Revit and look around in the model and maybe print some sheets.  Now, several thoughts pop into your head:

1. Oh my God, these guys are going to screw up the model and delay the project!
2. If they open a copy of Revit, then I lose a usable license for production work

Have I got a solution for you! It is called Revit Architecture Viewer 2012 and is found in the Start menu:

Revit Architecture Viewer 2012 (RAV 2012) installs when you install Revit Architecture (RAC).  It modifies the startup code with a “viewer switch” : “C:Program FilesAutodeskRevit Architecture 2012ProgramRevit.exe” /viewer.

RAC starts with the normal splash screen, but when the Recent Files page is displayed, you are presented with the following dialog box:

While elements may be edited in the file, none of the changes may be saved. In addition, RAC 2012 does not pull a network license, thus preserving them for staff that needs editing capabilities.