Can I Use Ideate Software to Assist with Electrical Workflows in Revit? (Circuit #1)
We often get asked a variety of questions about streamlining electrical workflows using Ideate Software. So, I’ll address a few electrical and equipment workflows in two parts, or should I say two circuits? Let’s start with Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Sticky.
Can I use Ideate BIMLink to edit my Revit Electrical Panel Schedule?
Ideate BIMLink allows Revit users to pull information from a Revit model into Microsoft Excel and push volumes of precise, consequential BIM data back into their Revit model with speed, ease and accuracy.
Revit electrical panel data is an aggregate of information coming from these sources:
- Electrical Panel Element (Electrical Equipment)
- Electrical Circuit Elements
- Location Data (Spaces)
- ‘Calculated’ Data (This is everything from the Panel ‘location,’ which is the Space Name+Number to the Apparent Load, etc.)
Because Ideate BIMLink is designed to export data such that it can be edited in Excel and then re-imported into Revit, the format of this electrical panel data needs to be broken down into each of these unique data sources.
Ideate BIMLink ships with many pre-configured Electrical Link Definitions. Please review the Sample Link Definitions under MEP Links\Electrical (Please refer to the image below.)
This specific question about Ideate BIMLink as well as many others are detailed in our FAQ Online Help.
Can I integrate non-BIM Panel Schedules created within Excel to my Revit model?
Ideate Sticky for Revit embeds existing Excel documents into Revit by rendering spreadsheets as native Revit schedules; the ease and flexibility of Excel spreadsheet editing is married with the power and integration of Revit schedules. Ideate Sticky for Revit connects and formats non-BIM data. If you have existing panel schedule information that was created in Excel, Ideate Sticky is a great way to integrate that non-BIM data into your Revit model. In fact, many electrical engineers and designers use Excel for the creation and calculation of the data, and then use Ideate Sticky to place or link that information into the Revit model via a native Revit schedule.
We even include a Panel Schedule in our sample Excel files that come with Ideate Sticky. Please review this list to see all our engineering delivered content.
These are just two highlights out of the hundreds of supported workflows from Ideate Software that might appeal to electrical engineers. Check out our Video Library to learn more.
[UPDATE: Here’s a link to the second post in this series, Circuit #2]
Visit our website for more information on our Revit productivity tools. Give them a try with a free trial version, or subscribe today.
What is a Named User license?
A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the License Wizard section of the Graitec Licensing Help Center.
Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?
Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.
What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?
Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager. What changes is how many people can use them at the same time.
- Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
- Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.
A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.
Will my team need more licenses?
If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.
Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?
No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:
- Ideate Suite: Named User or Cloud Floating
- Enterprise Suite: Cloud Floating
- Active Host: Cloud Floating
- Automation: Cloud Floating
- Individual products: Named User or Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)
Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?
Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses.
Will floating (network) licenses still be available?
Yes. Cloud Floating licenses are available for Ideate Suite, Enterprise Suite, Active Host, individual products, and Automation.
My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?
Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
- Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
- Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
- Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.
To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.
Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.
I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?
Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
I have several products that renew on different dates. How will that be handled?
We're finalizing how to handle accounts with multiple renewal dates. Contact sales@ideatesoftware.com and we'll review your account with you.
Where do I manage my licenses?
In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.
- Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
- Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.
Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough
Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?
Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.
How are licenses issued?
Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.
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