Handout - Whats New in Revit 2015 by S. Stafford

Session 2

Whats New in Autodesk Revit 2015 All Versions

Steve Stafford, AEC Advantage, Inc.

Session Description

Get a closer look at new features in Revit 2015. You may not have had enough time to

consider all the new tools big and small. Kick off RTC with a closer look.

Key Learning Outcomes

1. See new features in Revit 2015

2. Learn about some subtleties of the features

3. Leave with a handout that describes all the new stuff in a different way than the rote

Autodesk presentations.

About the Speaker

Steve lives in southern California with his wife and two children. He is the Region Manager for RTC North

America. He has been a presenter at RTC events since 2006 as well as other events for over the last decade. His

company is called AEC Advantage, Inc. which provides Revit focused consulting services.

Very active in the Revit community at large, he has been participating in online Revit groups since shortly after

the product was released publicly in 2000. You can find him serving as the forum manager for the Autodesk User

Group International (AUGI) Revit Community and he served a two year term as a member of AUGI's Board of

Directors (2006-2008).

As an author he has contributed chapters to two Wiley/Sybex Revit books. These are his Revit focused blog:

www.Revitoped.com * www.revitinside.com * www.revitjobs.com


Steve Stafford, AEC Advantage, Inc

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Table of Contents

Session 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Whats New in Autodesk Revit 2015 All Versions ....................................................................... 1

Steve Stafford, AEC Advantage, Inc. ........................................................................................... 1

Session Description ...................................................................................................................... 1

Key Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................. 1

About the Speaker ..................................................................................................................... 1

Big Stuff ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Sketchy Lines ............................................................................................................................... 5

Family Parameter Order ............................................................................................................. 8

IFC Interaction ............................................................................................................................. 8

Revision improvements ............................................................................................................. 11

View references ........................................................................................................................ 12

Wall Schedule and Material Take-off ...................................................................................... 13

Schedules - Grand Totals .......................................................................................................... 13

Pinned Elements ........................................................................................................................ 14

Reinforcement and Parts ......................................................................................................... 14

Rebar Presentation ................................................................................................................... 15

Structural Disallow Join ............................................................................................................. 16

Multi-Rebar Annotation ............................................................................................................ 17

Improved Performance ............................................................................................................ 19

MEP Calculation methods ........................................................................................................ 19

MEP Tag and Flow ..................................................................................................................... 20

Other Stuff ..................................................................................................................................... 21

Graphics - Anti-Aliasing Changes ............................................................................................ 21

Images in Schedules ................................................................................................................. 22

View Titles and Shared Parameters ......................................................................................... 24

Manage links dialog ................................................................................................................. 25



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Assembly Code Source ............................................................................................................ 25

Hidden Lines Behavior .............................................................................................................. 26

Building Element Analysis ......................................................................................................... 27

Tags and Leaders ...................................................................................................................... 27

Reinforcement Numbering ...................................................................................................... 28

Single fabric sheet placement ................................................................................................ 29

Framing Handles and Shape Handles ..................................................................................... 29

Subtle Stuff .................................................................................................................................... 30

Ray Trace ................................................................................................................................... 30

Deactivate View ....................................................................................................................... 30

Duplicate View Naming ........................................................................................................... 31

Keynoting settings ..................................................................................................................... 31

Trim/Extend ................................................................................................................................ 32

Tool Tips for Family Parameters ................................................................................................ 32

Formulas - Logarithm Syntax and Calculation........................................................................ 33

Attached Detail Groups ........................................................................................................... 34

Foundation Tags........................................................................................................................ 34

Analytical Model Local Coordinate System ........................................................................ 35

Analytical Links .......................................................................................................................... 36

Location Line Visibility ............................................................................................................... 36

Graphical Justification.............................................................................................................. 37

Structural Section Shape Properties ........................................................................................ 38

Electrical API enhancements ................................................................................................... 39

Point Clouds .............................................................................................................................. 39

Library Content ......................................................................................................................... 39

eTransmit for Autodesk Revit 2015 ........................................................................................... 39

Upgrading Projects and Families ................................................................................................. 40

Family Restructuring .................................................................................................................. 40



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Family Parameter Order ........................................................................................................... 40

Hidden Lines .............................................................................................................................. 40

Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................... 41

32 Bit Not Supported ................................................................................................................. 41

Revit Content ............................................................................................................................ 41

Keyboard Shortcuts .................................................................................................................. 41

Autodesk Application Manager .............................................................................................. 41



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Big Stuff

Sketchy Lines

I put this at the beginning, even though I was a bit ambivalent about it, because it is the

biggest brand new thing in this release. It has been a consistently requested concept, to

create presentation views that dont look too finished. We want it partly because we want

to soften the effect of working in a computer. We also want to be able to replicate our

hand sketches to some degree. Naturally this new feature will be compared against the

long standing precedent of Sketch Up.

Heres a 3D view of a model I created with Revit 5.0 a few years ago (see Figure 1). It

upgraded pretty well!

Figure 1 - Revit 5.0 file upgraded and sketchified.

These are the settings I used for the 3D view (see Figure 2). Notice that I did not use the

Jitter setting. I dont really like what it does to the model. I prefer just the extension.



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Figure 2 - The settings I used for the 3D view.

Heres what it looks like if I apply some Jitter, bumped it to a setting of 2 (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Same view but with a jitter setting of 2.

Heres the plan view of the same model (see Figure 4).



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Figure 4 - The same project, a plan is using sketchy lines.

These are the settings I used for the plan view (see Figure 5).

Figure 5 - The floor plan's sketchy lines settings.

Each view can have its own sketchy line settings. View Templates can be used to govern

the settings.

Sketchy lines are applied to model elements, detail components, and fill patterns. They are

not applied to annotation elements, like dimensions, grid lines, levels, text, section markers,

elevation tags, and room tags. Keep in mind that the jitter effect will pass in and out of 3D

elements which might not look good if you apply too much.

Any elements that use a sketch mode will not show sketchy lines until you finish the sketch

mode. Autodesk recommends we use the option Smooth lines with anti-aliasing (shown in

Figure 2) to improve the appearance of sketchy lines.

After applying sketchy lines to a view, we can: export the view to an image file, print the

view (only works with raster processing) and/or add the view to a sheet. Go get sketchy!



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Family Parameter Order

This is a personal favourite. Weve been asking for more control over the order of

parameters in families forever. We finally get some measure of control! Lets start with the

Family Types dialog (see Figure 6).

Figure 6 - The four new buttons to reorder parameters.

When we create a new parameter Revit will put it in ascending alphabetical order

compared with the rest of the parameters within the group we assign it to. We can choose

to use resort the list in a group with the Ascending or Descending buttons. The Move Up

and Move Down buttons let us manually shift the position of parameters within a group.

Revit will respect (maintain) this parameter order when it is loaded into a project.

You should find that an upgraded family presents parameters in alphabetical ascending

order by default. You can reorder the parameters once it is open and save it in 2015 format

to retain the changes.

IFC Interaction

IFC support is a common concern levelled at Revit. As a result, over the last few years

theyve put a lot of energy into furthering its working relationship with IFC. This year is no

exception. It may not affect your firms workflow directly but it might in the future, at least if

IFC supporters get their way!



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Theyve added its own button on the Insert ribbon tab > Link IFC.

Theyve added a separate IFC tab in the Manage Links dialog. In the past it was necessary

to import IFC data into a Revit family file first. Theyve eliminated that step. Changes to a

linked IFC can be reloaded like other linked files.

Figure 7 - Manage Links now sports a tab for IFC.

Forgetting linking an IFC file, we can also just open one via the Application Menu (Big Rrrrr

button) > Open > IFC (see Figure 8), no this isnt new to 2015, hang on a second.

Figure 8 - Big R lets us open an IFC file. You are correct, this isnt new.

After we select an IFC but before we click Open, we can check the option for Auto Join

Elements. This is the new bit (see Figure 9). This is meant to join geometry between elements,

for example walls automatically join to other walls or to columns. You may see better

performance if you dont automatically join but this gives you a bit more control.



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Revit creates a new model (it will save as an RVT) based on your default template, that is

whichever one you choose in the IFC Options dialog. By the way, Revit creates a log file

after opening and converting the IFC data. It is named YourFileName.ifc.log and stored in

the same folder with the source IFC file.

Figure 9 - Opening an IFC file we can activate Auto join Elements.

When you use the Application Menu (Big R) > Open you can choose IFC Options instead,

also not new. In Revit 2015 they tweaked the formatting of the columns to make things a bit

easier to read. The documentation online states that theyve improved both the

performance and fidelity of the resulting imported data.



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Figure 10 - Dialog differences between 2014 and 2015.

By the way, the IFC Export and Import Options dialogs still arent stretchable.

Revision improvements

Weve never been able to delete Revisions (see Figure 11), only merge them into other

Revisions. It was tedious to collapse Revisions when we really just wanted to get rid of them.

Do you wonder why someone would want to delete a revision? Some firms track changes

during design and reset them once construction begins. In that situation being able to

archive the project and then delete the past revisions is an expedient way to resume work.

Figure 11 - Oh look! There's a Delete button!



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Theyve also revamped the way we create the revision clouds themselves. We can now

choose sketching tools from the Draw/Pick gallery (see Figure 12). Like sketching walls, using

the Space Bar will flip the direction of the arc chord height.

Figure 12 - New sketching options for revision clouds!

We can also define the Arc Length of the resulting clouds (see Figure 13).

Figure 13 - Adjust the size of the arc length for revision cloud arcs.

With Revit 2015 revision clouds behave like other annotation. They maintain their size and

proportion regardless of view scale, which looks like they get bigger or smaller but I think its

the reverse. The model gets bigger or smaller and they stay the same, potato potahto. The

Arc Length the double arc segment will not be larger than the specified Arc Length (see

Figure 13).

From the online help documentation regarding upgrading projects and revisions. They tell

us that the default Arc Length is set to 3/4 for new 2015 projects. When you upgrade to

Revit 2015 the Arc Length is set to 3 1/2. They anticipate this setting will prevent revision

clouds changing, or changing drastically. Youll be able to revise it once the file has been

upgraded.

You can still create segments that are smaller than the specified Arc Length, just sketch

shorter segments. Youll have to experiment a bit to see what looks best to you.

View references

This is very welcome. Weve asked for years to be able to fix mistakenly selected view

references without having to delete the existing one first. Theyve finally made it possible.

Its pretty simple, select the wrong view reference and take a look at the ribbon. Youll find

you can pick from the list again (see Figure 14).



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Figure 14 - Fixing a wrong view reference.

Id hoped that theyd reuse the ribbon interface they provided for View Reference

annotation families, maybe someday.

Wall Schedule and Material Take-off

They added parameters (see Figure 15) which can be included in a Wall Schedule or

Material Take-off, they are: Base Constraint, Base Offset, Top Constraint, Top Offset and

Unconnected Height

Figure 15- New parameters for wall schedules and material take-offs.

Take care with walls that you use Edit Profile on. The schedule values wont reflect the

alteration to the walls values for each of these parameters. Thats not really any different

from the past, its just that well be able to see them in a schedule and it might give them

more credence than they deserve.

Schedules - Grand Totals

We now have control over the text that appears at the bottom of a schedule for the Grand

Total description (see Figure 15). Why did I put this under Big Stuff? I spent some time

working on a project in French and this little thing was a constant poke in the eye. You can

control it via the Schedule Properties > Sorting/Grouping tab (see Figure 16).



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Figure 16 - The new Grand Total setting for schedules.

Pinned Elements

Its now harder to delete pinned elements. In the past Revit didnt mind someone deleting

a pinned element. It only cared about someone moving it, dragging it. If you insist on trying

youll get this warning message (see Figure 17). Its telling you Revit ignored your attempt.

Figure 17 - Nuh uh uh, no you caaan't!

When you attempt to delete multiple elements, and some are pinned and others are not,

Revit will only delete the elements that are not pinned. It pops up the same warning (see

Figure 17) for those that are pinned.

Reinforcement and Parts

Its a big deal for structural engineers that have grown attached to using Parts, they can

host rebar now! Now temper your excitement a bit, you can only do this to parts created

from walls, floors, and foundation slabs. Like other reinforcing, you start by selecting a Part

and the reinforcement tools will appear.

If useful the original element can also host rebar, independently from its parts. If you divide,

merge, or remove a reinforced part, then existing rebar in that part will be removed.



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If you want to reinforce parts created from compound structures like a wall, its Function

parameter must be assigned to Structure.

You can tell which kind of element is hosting the reinforcement by looking at its parameter

Host Category (see Figure 18).

Figure 18 - You can tell what is hosting your rebar.

Online Documentation Tips:

Create a reinforcement filter in which the Host Category parameter is equal to Parts. The

results can be used on tags and schedules to improve reinforcement documentation.

When you model precast walls or floor segments as parts, place reinforcement in the

precast parts and add connector rebar to the original element.

When you use parts to model concrete pouring sequences for floors, place rebar in the

cast-in-place parts.

If multiple floor elements are needed in a room, corridors or balconies create individual

elements first. Then merge them to simplify placing reinforcement.

Rebar Presentation

Obviously rebar can be a bit thick and complicated in views. Its quite common to simplify

the drafting of a rebar layout to keep a drawing legible. Theyve made it possible to

reduce the complexity of what is seen despite the reality of how much rebar is modelled

(see Figure 19).

Figure 19 - The new Presentation options for reinforcing display.

Once you select a rebar the ribbon changes to offer you four choices: Show All, Show First

and Last, Show Middle and Select. The first choice Show All is obvious, youll see them all.

The second choice, Show First and Last, will hide all the other rebar between the first and

last bars. The third choice, Show Middle, will just show the middle bar. The last choice,



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Select, lets you pick which bars should be visible. These four little slabs show rebar and

represents using each of the choices (see Figure 20).

Figure 20 - The different choices in action.

The last option, Select, is a bit quirky. Initially Revit expects us to pick the ones we want to

hide. You may notice the minus sign (-) that appears next to the cursor. If you hover over

one thats been selected already the cursor changes to a plus sign. This means you can

exclude first, or include second. Its a toggle of sorts. Try to keep that in mind.

It is also possible to assign a preference for Reinforcement Presentation, via the

Reinforcement Settings dialog (see Figure 21).

Figure 21 - Assigning a preference for Rebar presentation.

The only option not listed there is the fourth approach, Select. Thats only available when

you are interacting with a specific set of rebar in an appropriate view.

Structural Disallow Join

This is similar to concept weve been using for walls. A right-click over the round grip (drag

control) will let you select Disallow Joins for Structural framing and Braces.



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Figure 22 - Right-click access to Disallow Join.

Once activated Revit will potentially be more sensitive to different snap locations on other

members. The Online Documentation describes a small brace condition and the resulting

snap options we could use to position it accurately (see Figure 23).

Figure 23 - Disallow Join makes specific snapping more flexible.

A small icon appears when at the end of a beam/brace when a join is disallowed. You can

click that icon to Allow Join again which will reset its position. You may find it useful to allow

and disallow joins from a schedule using the parameter Join Status. Disjoin affects both the

physical and analytical model. You may need to create analytical links to redefine a

relationship between elements.

Multi-Rebar Annotation

These are a very unique animal in Revit. They are a marriage of tagging and dimensioning.

These allow you to tag multiple rebar and rebar sets with a single annotation and

combining information (see Figure 24).



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Figure 24 - Here's a couple examples of them in use.

Youll find the command on the Annotation ribbon tab > Tag panel (see Figure 25).

Figure 25 - Multi-Rebar tag on the Annotate ribbon.

Its really important to remember the TAB key with these. You use it to choose the dimension

part or the tag part of the Multi-rebar tag. The really are a hybrid, part dimension, part tag.

Youll see this when you start to try to customize them. The dimension side is controlled by a

dimension style while the tag side is just like other tags that you edit in the Family Editor.

I find them frustrating to get the rebar tag part aligned with the dimension line. It takes

some fussing with to get them correct. The examples in Figure 24 took several clicks and

dragging to get them to look like that. Revit has a bias toward offsetting the tag part

above or below the dimension line. If that looks better to you then youll have an easier

time of it. Just remember the TAB key or the buttons on the ribbon (see Figure 26).

Figure 26 - Can't remember the TAB key? Maybe the buttons will help?

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention what is actually new with them! Well thats because I couldnt

find any changes. The online documentation describes grouping and sorting of tags when

multiple rebar sets are tagged. When I compare the features in 2014 and 2015 they seem



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the same, outwardly. There is a mention of improved updating of rebar set data when

changes occur. Perhaps the improvement in this case is that tags didnt update reliably in

the past. Well have to see if anyone in the session has some wisdom to offer on this one.

Improved Performance

Improving performance is always a big deal. Autodesk tells us that theyve revamped

things under the hood so opening and manipulating views with large quantity of MEP

elements will be improved, which we hope means faster. So far Revit 2015 feels faster

overall than the previous releases Ive been working with lately.

They also tell us theyve consol idated the drawing process. The example offered in the

online documentation is: Drawing 100 walls, Revit would previously require 200 drawing

calls. Revit can now draw the same walls using only 2 drawing calls. Views are redrawn

faster in turn making view navigation faster.

Revit now uses a new process for displaying large selection sets, so that our user experience

is much improved.

MEP Calculation methods

For HVAC duct pressure drop calculations you can choose between three built-in

equations: Haaland, Colebrook, and Altshul-Tsal. With the ever expanding API it is also

possible to create your own custom equations. These three calculation methods are

examples of doing that. Theyve used their own API to provide them. You can find these

methods in the Mechanical Settings dialog; Duct Settings are shown in Figure 27.

Figure 27 - Duct calculation methods now available.



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To calculate Pressure Drop for piping theyve taken the same approach and provided

three methods: Colebrook, Haaland and Simplified Colebrook (see Figure 28).

Figure 28 - Pipe calculation methods now available.

There is also a tab for Flow which just offers one method called Plumbing Fixture Flow which

is based on the 2012 International Plumbing Code, per the information provide within the

dialog (see Figure 29).

Figure 29 - The Flow tab for piping calculations.

MEP Tag and Flow

Tagging tapped ducts were frustrating in the past because a tag couldnt display different

values along the same segment of duct, this no longer true (see Figure 30).



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Figure 30 - Duct flow along a duct varies and the tag can show it now.

Other Stuff

Graphics - Anti-Aliasing Changes

In the past we had one setting called Use Anti-Aliasing, a global behaviour to refine what

we see in our views. Theyve renamed the feature to Smooth lines with anti-aliasing and

provide and option to apply it globally (all views) or locally (unique for each view) (see

Figure 31).

Figure 31 - Renamed Use Anti-Aliasing is now Smooth Lines with anti-aliasing.

If you use the option: Allow control for each view in the Graphic Display Options dialog

youll be able to check the option for Smooth lines with anti-aliasing in each view (see

Figure 32).

Figure 32 - Local control over smooth lines with anti-aliasing.



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Images in Schedules

This has been a common request. Its also one that Design Data Managers (Revit/BIM

Managers) worry about being used unwisely. They are imagining 1 GB image files getting

assigned to a light fixture schedule and suddenly the project performance just isnt so good

anymore. That and well probably start seeing adorable puppies in our schedules,

eventually (see Figure 35).

For component families (loadable) the Type Image parameter can only be assigned while

editing the family, not from within a project. Naturally we can assign a Type Image for

system families in the project since they dont exist outside of a project.

When dealing with a component family youll find you can assign an image in the Family

Types dialog, the parameter Type Image is part of the Identity Data parameter group.

Youll also see that you can access the image(s) in the family via the Insert ribbon >

Manage Images button (see Figure 33).

Figure 33 - The Manage Images dialog with new buttons.

Dont do that! I find the only reliable way to update an image is by accessing it through the

parameter. Whenever I use the Insert ribbon > Manage Images button the changes are not

applied properly. You can also access and assign an image via a schedule, just the

instance image parameter (see Figure 34).



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Figure 34 - You can assign/edit the Image parameter in a schedule.

Id prefer that images were linked files so the image could be altered outside Revit and

reloaded deliberately or when the file is opened again. At this point we just have the

options to Reload From or Reload within the Manage Images dialog (see Figure 33). Again,

only access this via the parameter within Family Types or the Type Properties dialog in a

project when dealing with System Families.

Figure 35 - Uh oh, we'll start getting adorable puppies in schedules.

Select a schedule on a sheet and the context ribbon will display Restore Size and Resize

(see Figure 36). The Resize button will let us specify a row size based on printed height.

Figure 36 - The context ribbon with Restore Size and Resize.

If you elect to specify a height youll get this message (see Figure 37). This is just a reminder

to let you know how to restore the image size later.



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Figure 37- The message reminding you how to restore the image size in the schedule.

The Restore Size button will reset the images to their full size based on their pixel/resolution.

Im not positive about that technically, they dont declare it. Thats been my observation so

far. Its probably a good idea to try hard to create images that are all very close to the

same size so there is as little distortion possible. A good way to see how well they are

working is to use Restore Size and see how the schedule looks. Then either use Resize to

tweak them or revisit the images and resize them natively, reload, reload the families and

re-evaluate them again.

For Rebar Schedules theyve added a similar parameter but it is called Shape Image and is

defined in a Rebar Shape family.

View Titles and Shared Parameters

This too has been a long standing request. We can now use any parameters that belong to

the View category. We can also select and use shared parameters.

For example, interior design teams and firms often dont like having a unique view name for

each rooms elevation view. They prefer to have one view title and then to simply

designate A-D or 1-4 for each elevation. There has been a clumsy work around that let us

accomplish this but letting us do it directly makes much more sense.

Figure 38 - Shared parameter applied to interior elevations.

The view title that covers all four elevations (see Figure 38) is really just associated with the

Viewport of the first elevation view. The remaining three are using a different View Title and

Viewport type so all we see is the elevation designation A-D. Simpler, cleaner and it makes

a lot of people a bit happier. Its really sad to see people using plain text to identify these

things because they cant get a View Title to do what they want.



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Manage links dialog

Another subtle simple gem, theyve added a little Add button to the Manage Links dialog

(see Figure 39). Nuff said?

Figure 39 - The new Add button on the Manage Links dialog.

I should add that you need to be in a model based view for the button to be enabled. For

example if you are looking at a sheet view, schedule, legend or drafting view the button is

disabled. Theyve also put the Add button on the IFC and CAD Formats tabs. No love for

Point Clouds though.

Assembly Code Source

You can specify your own assembly code file. You can store the file on a local server or a

remote server. You assign it via the Manage ribbon > Additional Settings.



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Figure 40 - Assembly Code settings via the Manage ribbon and Additional Settings.

Two sample Uniformat files are provided during installation (were for me at least). They are

called: UniformatClassifications.txt and UniformatClassifications_2010.txt.

I dont let Revit install content in the default location so mine arent where a default

installation would put them. Assuming a default installation they ought to be located here:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Autodesk\\Libraries\

If you are familiar with the Keynote Settings then youll notice a similarity? Im hopefully that

Steven Faust, they guy who makes Keynote Manager, will take notice and make it possible

for his application to edit this file too. The files are formatted a little differently so it may not

be as simple to do as it might seem to me.

Hidden Lines Behaviour

Prior to the 2015 release the Discipline view parameter controlled whether hidden lines

could be displayed in a view. Now the Discipline parameter and a new parameter called

Show Hidden Lines are independent and each view can use different settings. We can

choose from three options: None, By Discipline or All. This can also be managed with a

View Template. Youll find the added the Hidden Lines subcategory to these three



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categories: structural connections, structural rebar, and structural stiffeners. This is a 3D view

that has assigned Show Hidden Lines to All (see Figure 41).

Figure 41 - Show hidden lines is set to All in this view.

Choosing the By Discipline setting also shows hidden lines that are created using the Show

Hidden Lines by Element tool on the View ribbon tab.

Building Element Analysis

Ive stolen the following shamelessly from the Autodesk online documentation. I cant verify

or deny, nor explain what theyve done in the back- of-house to improve analysis. By the

way this is only available to current Subscription members.

The algorithm that automatically creates an energy analytical model directly from Revit

building elements and sends it to Autodesk Green Building Studio for analysis has been

improved to provide greater analytical surface precision, handling of certain Revit

elements, and better recognition of ceiling void spaces. (from: Autodesk Online Help)

Tags and Leaders

The shoulder (horizontal) portion of a leader on text has always maintained the length and

relationship to the text as you move the text around with the move grip/icon. Tags didnt

share this behaviour. Weve been complaining about this, among other things, and theyve

listened. When you move a tag the leaders shoulder will retain its position (see Figure 42).



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Figure 42 - Tag's leaders will maintain their shoulder length now.

Ive noticed that tags dont seem to snap into alignment with each other as well now. If I

adjust the location of the tag before I worry about the shoulder position they snap fine. If I

set the shoulder first the snapping seems to either fail or not work every time.

I find it unfortunate and ironic that I have to purposely move the shoulder away to get the

tag to snap into alignment with another tag and then fix the shoulder.

Reinforcement Numbering

Theyve expanded our options for identifying reinforcement (see Figure 43).

Figure 43 - The new reinforcement numbering dialog.

At the top we can define how many digits should be display regardless of the value. This

means 2 could be displayed as 002 if we set the value to 3 digits. Partitions represent a

logical organization or grouping of reinforcement. As you place rebar you can assign a



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partition name in the Properties Palette. It seems reasonable to plan this out in advance to

avoid chaos. You can open the Reinforcement Numbering dialog and review the

partitions, rebar numbers and fabric numbers. The Remove Gaps column allows you to

acknowledge where numbering issues occurs (an asterisk appears in the numbering) and

to reapply the numbering scheme to fix it.

Single fabric sheet placement

We can place a single fabric reinforcement sheets. They can be applied to foundation

slabs, structural walls, and structural floors. They will respond and snap to settings for cover,

host openings, and existing lap-splicing.

Figure 44 - Place an individual Fabric Sheets.

Framing Handles and Shape Handles

In Revit 2014 we lost the ability to directly manipulate framing that we had in previous

releases. This was related to some changes in how framing is managed under-the-hood

and in families. Revit 2015 sees the return of Shape handles which can be used to directly

manipulate the end extensions or cutback of beams and braces.

The arrows that appear when you select a framing family are these Shape Handles. These

allow us to alter the position of 3D shape relative to the start or end of the beam (the blue

dot called a Handle). They alter the values we see in the parameters Start Join Cutback

and End Join Cutback. Its good to have them back.

Figure 45 - Dot is a Handle, Arrows are Shape Handles.



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If you are going to create your own framing families, the shape handles will not be visible if

you do not assign the family parameter Material for Model Behaviour to one of these

values four: Steel, Precast Concrete or Wood.

Figure 46 - Shape handles will appear only for these four materials.

Subtle Stuff

Ray Trace

The Ray Trace interactive rendering visual style for views has been enhanced to provide a

faster, higher quality, smooth rendering, improved colour accuracy, and improved

shadows with all backgrounds. (Source: Autodesk Online documentation)

Deactivate View

This is simple. If you are on a sheet view, and activated a views viewport, just double click

outside the extent of the active viewport to deactivate it. Its the natural companion to the

double click to activate viewport that they added in 2014. Dare I say it? Its like AutoCADs

transition between model and paper space. (wink)

Keep in mind that there is an option to control what should happen when you double click

on Views / Schedules on Sheets. You access it via the Application Menu > Options > User

Interface > Double Click Options.



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Figure 47 - Double-click Options for Views/Schedules on Sheets.

You choose either Activate View or Do Nothing. It doesnt matter how youve activated a

views viewport, double clicking (outside its extent) to deactivate it will work no matter

what you choose for the Activate option. In other words you cant disable the concept, it

works no matter what.

Duplicate View Naming

Revit has changed how duplicate views are named. They finally abandoned the format of

Copy of that has annoyed people forever. As in the past, the copied view

will be opened and highlighted (bold) in the Project Browser. This means that the new views

will be found next to or near the original view instead of elsewhere in the Project Browser.

The technique used to create the duplicate view will determine which of the two naming

formats Revit will use (see Figure 48).

Duplicate Copy 1

Duplicate as Dependent - Dependent 1

Figure 48 - Duplicate view naming format depends on the tool use.

Keynoting settings

This is pretty subtle but theyve moved access to Keynoting Settings on the same Keynote

pull-down instead of its previous location on the Tag panel drop-down (see Figure 49).



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Figure 49 - The new location for Keynoting Settings.

Also subtle but important is that we can now place the keynote file on local server or a

remote server. It the same thing they did with the Assembly Code source file. The online

documentation describes a warning icon that will appear if the file is not found but Ive not

seen in my testing.

Trim/Extend

We can use a selection box to trim/extend multiple elements. Its pretty simple and subtle

but very welcome. We need a lot more of this sort of process refinement all over Revit.

Tool Tips for Family Parameters

When you create a new parameter it is now possible to store our own instructions (tool tips)

with a maximum of 250 characters (see Figure 50).

Figure 50 - Tool tips for our own parameters now!



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Thats 110 more than one tweet! Its annoying (to me) that the instructions (that appear in

the dialog) have to be selected to replace them with my own tip. It would be better if they

werent there at all or the dialog opened in overwrite selected mode instead. At this

point they are only possible for our parameters, not for any of the built-in parameters in

component or system families.

Formulas - Logarithm Syntax and Calculation

Theyve changed for formula structure for calculating a Logarithm. In Revit 2014 this how

the formula was expressed Revit interpreted/applied the formula to a value (see Figure 51).

Figure 51 - The previous formula syntax and result.

And now we can see the two new formula formats and how they affect the results (see

Figure 52).

Figure 52 - The two new syntax and results.

For the mathematicians reading this, heres what the Online Documentation says:

exp(x) - In formulas in prior releases, the software evaluated exp(x) as 10^x. Starting with this

release, the software evaluates exp(x) as e^x.

ln(x) - Starting with this release, you can represent natural logarithm (logarithm base e) in

formulas as ln(x).



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Attached Detail Groups

When they worked on disallowing deleting pinned elements it created a problem for the

attached detail groups because they couldnt be deleted freely if they were really

pinned to the model group. The other problem that arose was the new ability (in Revit

2014) to restrict selecting elements that are pinned meant wed have a harder time

selecting them too.

As such theyve changed the process and behaviour to permit deleting them. Graphically

they decided it made sense to change the icon to something else. They chose the same

Paper Clip that we see associated with Project Base Point and Survey Point icons (see

Figure 53).

Figure 53 - The new paper clip icon for attached detail groups.

Keep in mind, if a Model Group is pinned then its Attached Detail Group will resist being

deleted, and being selected if the Select Pinned Elements mode is disabled.

Foundation Tags

We can include a new parameter called Elevation at Top in our foundation tags (see

Figure 54).



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Figure 54 - The new Elevation at Top parameter in action.

Analytical Model Local Coordinate System

You can now refer to the Local Coordinate System (LCS) while adjusting the analytical

model using a new reference widget available in the Visibility/Graphics dialog. The widget

displays along analytical elements.

Figure 55 - The Local Coordinate System is visible for Analytical Beams.

Closer examination will reveal that following elements can display the local coordinate

system widgets: Analytical Beams, Braces, Columns, Floors, Foundation Slabs and Walls.

The widgets, as they are called, represent the X, Y and Z axes of the various analytical

elements differently according to their category. The following is the list of X,Y,Z data

displayed for each kind of elements (source Autodesk Online documentation):

Columns, Braces and Beams

x (red) longitudinal axis: Orients from the beginning to end analytical model segments of

the element.

y (green) transverse section: The horizontal strong axis.



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z (blue) transverse section: The vertical weak axis.

Walls

x (red) in-plane axis: Vertical orientation.

y (green) in-plane axis: Perpendicular to x-axis.

z (blue) normal axis: Orients from the interior to exterior face.

Floors and Slabs

x (red) in-plane axis: Orients along the span direction of the element.

y (green) in-plane axis: Perpendicular to x-axis.

z (blue) normal axis: Perpendicular to the top surface.

Analytical Links

Taken from Online Documentation

Analytical links will now be created in any direction, including vertically. The tolerance for

analytical links only calculates between analytical elements. The physical model is

disregarded. The tolerance for analytical links is calculated as a distance in 3D space, not

along a global axis.

Location Line Visibility

Location lines are now a subcategory of Structural Framing. You can manage their

appearance with Object Styles or as an override with the Visibility/Graphics dialog. Just like

the Location Line concept with walls, being able to see the justification (Location Line) with

respect to the geometry of the beam can be quite helpful (see Figure 56).

Figure 56 - The Location Lines for Structural Framing are visible.

They can also be helpful to attach annotation like dimensions to. In plan views it will be

necessary to use Detail Level: Medium or Fine to really see them in contrast with the rest of

the geometry. The Location Line graphics cant compete with the single lines that display

with Detail Level: Coarse.



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Graphical Justification

We can quickly change the justification of a framing element using the new Justification

Points tool (see Figure 57). We can select a new justification in the drawing area without

relying on the Properties palette.

Figure 57 - The new Justification tools, Points and Offset.

When you select a Beam the Justification panel should appear offering you the

Justification Points and Offset buttons. Youll find some views are better for reviewing these

points than others. For example the section view seems a bit easier to digest the available

points than this 3D view even though we can see all the same projected points as dashed

lines (see Figure 58).

Figure 58 - It helps to change the view you use to see the points.

The Offset button provides a Move like experience for shifting the justification in either the

Y or Z directions. Select a beam, on the Justification panel click Offset, choose either Offset

Y or Offset Z, pick a Start Point and pick an End Point, or type a distance instead. This should

make it a lot easier to reposition steel angle bracing.

It is possible to configure a beam where only one or the other is enabled. If that happens,

check the multitude of parameters to see what settings make have been changed earlier.



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Structural Section Shape Properties

In order to allow us to include additional important data that we need to pass along to

external applications for analysis structural framing element families now have a Section

Shape category. This needs to be dealt with in the Family Editor. When defined, the Section

Shape category creates new type properties such as section dimensions and analytical

properties for the framing element. For example this is the stock W-Wide Flange familys

Family Types dialog prior to selecting a Section Shape (see Figure 59). Specifically there is

no Structural Analysis group in the dialog yet.

Figure 59 - W-Wide Flange prior to Section Shape selection.

This is what happens when we click on the ellipsis to access the Section Shape types (see

Figure 60).

Figure 60 This is choosing a Section Shape.

After the Section Shape is chosen the Family Types dialog is altered to include 15 new

parameters (see Figure 61).



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Figure 61 - The new parameters that show up after choosing a Section Shape.

This family uses a Type Catalogue. I believe it will be necessary to add these parameters to

it also. Then well have to enter all the correct values for each size in the Type Catalogue

instead.

Electrical API enhancements

If youve got programming chops then you can create wires, add/modify wire properties

and remove vertices.

Point Clouds

This is quite subtle and its listed as Improved Behaviour for MEP in the Online

Documentation.

When you import point clouds into a project and open an MEP discipline view, the point

clouds now display as model elements instead of underlay elements. As a result, the point

cloud-based elements do not obscure the MEP elements in the view.

Library Content

US AWWA - Waste Water project content (MEP)

Japan Localised electrical content (MEP)

eTransmit for Autodesk Revit 2015

Autodesk has identified the following improvements to this application, which is available

via the Subscription Site:



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Include supporting files such as documents and spread sheets

Disable worksets

Delete sheets

Include only views that are placed on sheets

Include or exclude types of views such as detail views or sections

Upgrading Projects and Families

The following items are culled from the Online Documentation as there was no mention of

them prior to the product being available for download and installation.

Family Restructuring

The upgrade process of a project will also incur a restructuring of each loaded family. The

larger your project (and the more loaded content it has) is the longer it will take to process

the upgrade. It will only happen once, assuming you save the project once it finishes

upgrading. This work should improve our perceived performance. They state that it will

slightly increase file sizes.

Family Parameter Order

When you create a new family using Revit 2015 parameters will be sorted in ascending

alphabetical order based on the parameter name. If you edit a family created in an earlier

release the initial order of the parameters is not altered. You can use the new features to

reorder them and save the family to retain their new sorting order.

The API can be used to process upgrading your office library more efficiently. Theyve

provided sample code (called FamilyParametersOrder) in the Software Development Kit

(SDK). You can use this to see how theyve approached doing so before attempting to do

it yourself.

Hidden Lines

Upgrading your project will not change the display hidden lines. The new Show Hidden

Lines view parameter starts out set to By Discipline for all views, so that Revit continues to

control hidden lines based upon the Discipline parameter, as it has in the past. Written

another way, your views should not look any different after the upgrade is finished.

If Discipline = Architectural or Coordination, does not show hidden lines.

If Discipline = Structural, shows hidden lines.

If Discipline = Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing, shows hidden lines.



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Miscellaneous

The following items are culled from the Online Documentation as there was no mention of

them prior to the product being available for download and installation.

32 Bit Not Supported

All full editions of Revit no longer support 32-bit computers and operating systems.

Specifically these are Autodesk Revit, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure. For

now they are continuing to support a 32-bit version for Revit LT.

Revit Content

Youll find Autodesks stock Revit content is its own segment of installation. Revit content

packs include help files for offline access to the Revit help system, which is primarily served

via your default internet browser.

You can find the locally stored files for the Revit help system (for offline access) here:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit Content 2015\Help

Keyboard Shortcuts

If you put a copy (your office standard for example) of Keyboardshortcuts.xml in the

UserDataCache folder, those custom keyboard shortcuts are copied to the user profile

folder when a user first starts the software.

Autodesk Application Manager

If youve installed 2015 software youve probably noticed their new way of keeping us up

to date. They intend to use it to manage software patches and updates instead of the

previous Live Update.

Documents

Handout - Whats New in Revit 2015 by S. Stafford