Top 3 New Architecture Features in Revit 2017.1

Revit 2017.1 release is now available. Here is the complete list of enhancements from Autodesk blog.  

If you are an architect, three words can summarize the changes: Dynamo, Perspective and Rhino. Here are the most interesting new features:

1- Dynamo Player

Dynamo is a powerful tool, but until now it was mostly reserved for a geeky code-friendly crowd. Autodesk just added a feature called Dynamo Player, where you can quickly use pre-made Dynamo scripts to your model. These scripts can be shared and imported, meaning that beginners will be able to take advantages of these features without having to code.

In the image below, you can see what the out-of-the-box Dynamo Player looks like. It has a few scripts ready for you, like Update Sheet Names to Upper Case. Then pen icon is used to modify a script and the play button to execute it. Upload or import .dyn files with the folder icons.

2- Model in Perspective Views

Up to this point, perspectives were useful to experience your project, but useless for actual work.

You can now create and modify any elements in a perspective. Temporary dimensions are also enabled, but annotations remain unavailable.

Creating a stair in a perspective view. Yeah!

3- Import Rhino/SAT Files

You can now import Rhino to Revit. Use the Import CAD tool and select .3DM extension. Dimensions are available on elements from the imported Rhino files as well as SAT files.

I've ran into a few issues when trying to import Rhino models. Some of them didn't import all the required geometry. It is also very slow and performance heavy. Autodesk say imported model can be used for room boundaries, but that didn't seem to work in my test. I would say this import feature is quite disappointing for the moment. It works fine for smaller models, but seem unusable for larger ones. Hoping they fix it in the next patch.

Tip: import Rhino files into a generic model family before inserting into the model. It is much easier to control visibility, set levels and offset.

Rhino Coffee Table imported in Revit. You can use dimensions on the imported file.

4K MONITORS NOW SUPPORTED

Every icons, buttons and dialog box will now render properly if you have a 4K monitor. Sadly, still no way to spread views among multiple monitors.

REPAIR CENTRAL MODEL TOOL

If Autodesk detect a corrupt central file, you now have the option the recreate the central from a local file by using the Repair Central Model tool. Find this feature under Manage Model, in the Collaborate tab. When your model is fine, the option is unavailable.

DYNAMO UPDATE

Includes new nodes and list management tools.

ACCESS TOP RAIL AND HANDRAILS FROM RAILING PROPERTIES

Before, if you wanted to edit a Top Rail or Handrail, you had to close Railing Type and access them in project browser or select them individually. You can now access these types directly in Railing properties.

STAIRS PARAMETERS TOOLTIPS

Stairs can be confusing for beginners. You can now hover cursor over each stair parameter to get an image explanation. The image takes a few seconds to load, so be patient.

SKETCH ON LEVEL

In the old days, the level on which you first sketched an element remained the same even after changing the associated level. That was especially annoying when you copied element from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, only to find out the purple sketch lines were still down below. This is now fixed: sketch lines will always be on associated level.