Autodesk introduced Revit 2021 on April 8, 2020, with several new features. With these new features, you can explore and ace different designs of data-driven algorithms. They improve collaboration, productivity, visualization, data exchange, and generative design.
- Slanted Walls
This feature has been in demand for years. Autodesk Revit allows you to create slanted walls without using mass or model-in-place commands. You can also develop slanted doors and windows. Using the new instance parameter, you can select the wall to be slanted at a specific angle, and it will automatically adjoin the adjacent walls.
- Generative Design
This tool is available in the Manage tab. Clicking on the Create Study option will reveal three pre-built examples: Maximize Window Views, Three Box Massing, and Workspace Layout. You can also customize your own.
- Link Raster Images and PDF Files
Earlier, integrating images in Revit was not easy. You could only import images, resulting in the models becoming much bigger. Revit 2020 allowed you to import PDFs, but there was still no option to link them. With Revit 2021, you can easily link raster images and PDF files from local or BIM 360 locations. Using this new feature, you can use drawings and images as references for modeling without affecting the size of the file.
- Rotate Tags with Components Improvement
In the older versions, you could only rotate tags horizontally and vertically. Revit 2021 controls the rotation of symbols, tags, etc., to match the rotation angle of an element. The following tags respond to the Rotate with the Component setting:
- Curtain Wall Tags
- Door Tags
- Casework Tags
- Foundation Tags
- Furniture Tags
- Furniture System Tags
- Casework Tags
- Curtain Panel Tags
- Window Tags
- Walls Tags
- Ramp Tags
- Railing Tags
- Property Boundary Tags
- Property Line Segment Tags
- Path of Travel Tags
- MEP Equipment Tags
- Specially Equipment Tags
- MEP Element Tags
- Structural Column Tags
However, you cannot rotate the tags horizontally or vertically once the Rotate with Component setting is enabled.
- Void Cut Family Geometry
Within the Family Editor parameter, void elements now have a criterion known as Cuts Geometry. Earlier, you had to use methods like parametrically moving the void away from the geometry so that it is not cut. With this update, you can control if the void cuts geometry or not. This only works on geometry within the family and not on all the elements within the project.
To cut geometry with voids, follow these steps:
- Create solid geometry in the Family Editor
- Create a void through the solid geometry
- Make another solid geometry and add it to the existing one
- Click on the Geometry panel in the Modify tab and then click on the Cut drop-down. Select the void you created. Here, the cursor will change its shape
- Now, select the second solid geometry you created
- If you want to cut more than one element using the void, select Multiple Cut on the Options bar
- Enable/Disable View Filters
Before Revit 2021, if you wanted to see a view without the filters, you would have to remove it from the Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog, and this would lose various settings linked with that filter. If you wanted to bring back the filter, you would have to set the overrides all over again manually.
- Row Striping for Schedules on Sheet Views
In Revit 2020.1, Autodesk introduced the striped rows feature. Unfortunately, it did not work when the same schedule was placed on sheets. With the release of Revit 2021, this feature has been expanded to be included in Sheets. It lets you control the appearance of the schedule in sheets by using the Appearance Menu of the schedule.
- Enhanced Realistic Views
With Revit 2021, Autodesk offers new quality and performance experience. It has replaced ‘Realistic’ and ‘Ray Trace’ visual styles.
It allows you to envision designs in real-time. Using Automatic Exposure Controls, you can explore your model from the inside out without changing the settings. Using Enhanced Realistic Views, you can:
- Have a smooth view navigation
- Change the appearance of a light releasing from a fixture
- View navigation in a realistic view
To achieve the best results, apply material appearances, lighting and exposure effects, and composition of the view.
- Path of Travel
This allows you to modify the start and endpoints, and insert or remove waypoints along a path. It helps you assess travel distances and times between two selected points in the model.
To place a path of travel, follow these steps:
- Open a Plan view
- Click on the Route Analysis Panel in the Analyze tab and then on Path of Travel
- Select the starting point of the path of travel by simply clicking on it
- Choose the ending point
The selected path is the shortest travel distance between the two points, avoiding model element obstacles.
- BIM 360 Enhancements
Due to current work-from-home arrangements, there has been a significant increase in BIM 360 designs.
Homepage enhancement: Revit 2021 has upgraded the BIM 360 Designs project access and the ability to search from the Homepage. This includes a link to the BIM 360 via your browser.
Functionality change: The support for the Plans folder has been deleted. The only place available for Revit models now is the Project Files.
European-based servers: Only Revit 2021 and newer projects are supported for BIM 360 servers situated in Ireland.
- Customized Workspace
This new feature helps you create a user profile in Revit. Based on your preferences, the Revit interface changes. After it has been updated or installed, the Ask Profile dialog appears. It consists of questions about your job role and the discipline for which you are using Revit.
- Circuit Naming
Revit 2021 allows you to customize the Circuit Number property of a circuit. To assign a default circuit naming scheme for your model, follow these steps:
- Click New Scheme to create a circuit naming scheme. Select the prefixes, suffixes, separators, and parameters to define the scheme.
- By moving the parameters between the panes, you can add and remove them. You can even include a shared parameter.
- Click on Add Parameter.
In the Parameter Properties dialog, click on Select and choose the parameter you wish to add. Click OK twice.
- Select a circuit naming scheme from the list and click Edit scheme to edit a circuit naming scheme and Delete scheme to remove it.
Revit 2021 has added new algorithm-aided design tools that allow you to make data-informed decisions with visual-friendly graphics. Autodesk has managed to deliver excellent values in its annual update.
