Published September 9th, 2020

9 Best Features of Revit 2021

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  1. Generative design
  2. Link and upload PDF and raster images
  3. Slanted walls
  4. Enable/disable filters in view
  5. Striped rows in schedules on sheet views
  6. Cuts geometry parameter for voids in families
  7. Rotate section heads
  8. New standard 3D rebar shapes
  9. Edit the shape of bolt patterns and contour cuts

Read on to learn more about these exciting new features in Revit 2021 and how they benefit AEC companies. For more in-depth training and resources for learning Revit, check out the content available in Pinnacle Series.

Generative design

Revit 2021’s new generative design study feature harnesses cloud computing power to automatically generate design ideas based on criteria the user submits. Say, for example, that you are interested in maximizing interior space for a more efficient design. In that case, you would input your parameters, and Revit’s generative design engine will produce hundreds of possibilities. From there, you can add additional criteria to rank the results, then choose from the top designs. This valuable tool will save architects time in the early stages of the design process by translating raw data into a collection of possibilities that may never have crossed their minds. The initial Revit 2021 release included three generative design studies, and the recent Revit 2021.1 release introduced three more.

Link and unload PDF and raster images

Before the release of Revit 2021, images or PDFs inserted into Revit could not be linked to an external source file, meaning changes made in the PDF or image editing software would not automatically appear. Now, Revit users can manage PDFs and raster images, just like other linked file formats. Updates to a PDF or image outside of Revit will appear when users open a model. In Pinnacle Series’ Revit training online, users can also learn how to quickly unload linked files when they’re no longer needed.

Slanted walls

While it was possible to create slanted walls in earlier versions of Revit, they required multiple time-consuming steps to create or modify. In Revit 2021, the process is simplified — users can select a wall, toggle between straight or slanted, and specify the angle. Elements placed on slanted walls, such as doors and windows, can also be adjusted to match the wall’s slant.

Enable/disable filters in view

If your AEC teams need to learn Revit, the 2021 release introduces a more user-friendly way to use view filters. Instead of adding or tracking down and removing a filter each time they want to employ it, users can quickly toggle them on or off. This feature will be especially useful for BIM Managers who can add filters to their templates and simply turn them off when not needed.

Striped rows in schedules on sheet views

While Revit users could previously see striped rows within schedules, Revit online training through Pinnacle Series will show your team how rows can now be striped in contrasting colors when viewing a schedule in sheet view. This feature makes reading printed schedules easier on the eyes than ever before.

Cuts geometry parameter for voids in families

Users in Revit 2021 can now add void geometry to a family while editing it, simplifying the process of adding cuts and making families easier to manage. BIM Managers and Revit Power Users who create families will appreciate this feature covered in Pinnacle Series, as it saves time and simplifies the process of creating parametric cuts in families.

Rotate section heads

Rotating section heads has long been possible in AutoCAD, but Revit users have had to do without this capability. With the release of Revit 2021, users can now look to Pinnacle Series to learn how to rotate the text within a section head, instead of sticking to the default horizontal orientation. While it is a small update, it is likely to be a cause for celebration for BIM managers, employees who deal with CAD standards, and anyone else interested in having more control over the way their documents look.

New standard 3D rebar shapes

In previous versions of Revit, users had to go through a long process in sketch mode to create certain 3D rebar shapes. When you learn Revit 2021, it introduces additional standard 3D rebar shapes— specifically the chair rebar shape — that are more simply defined, making structural engineers and technicians’ lives easier.

Edit the shape of bolt patterns and contour cuts

Another feature of Revit 2021 that simplifies a once cumbersome process is the ability to quickly change steel elements, such as bolt patterns and contour cuts. Revit training online through Pinnacle Series will teach users working on manufacturing-level models and construction documents to create these elements in multiple view types.

What’s New in Revit 2021.1?

This summer’s release of Revit 2021.1 introduced a few additional features that make collaborating more effortless than ever, including:

  • Reset shared coordinates: This tool eliminates the need to go through a complicated process to reset a shared coordinate system — now, all it takes is a click.
  • Shared views: Revit users can now share their work with non-Revit users with a simple link, no CAD software required.
  • Load Autodesk family: This feature allows users to house families in the cloud, then easily load them into a project.

If you’re ready to take the next step to learn Revit and access all of the new features Revit 2021 and Revit 2021.1 have to offer, check out our Pinnacle Series e-learning system, and schedule a demo today!

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