Easy Elevation Naming Management using Ideate BIMLink
Most offices that work on medium to large Revit-based projects must carefully manage view naming. This is true for views found in the project browser and on sheets. Architects, interior designers, and structural engineers may have to manage the naming of many elevation views as well. For example:
- Architects and interior designers may generate over 100 interior elevations, depending on the size and scope of their projects
- Structural engineers may generate many framing elevations, depending on the complexity of the framing requirements
Many Elevation Tags = A Long and Disorganized View List
As elevation tags are placed at will in floor plan views, Revit assigns default view names. As more elevation tags are placed, the longer and more disorganized the view list becomes. Next thing you know, you become overwhelmed with how many hours it will take to rename all of the views so they appear correctly in both the project browser and on the sheets they are placed on.
Challenges Renaming Elevation Views with Revit Software
While we can review some of the naming conventions through Revit schedules, Revit fails to provide us with enough data to make informed decisions on how we want to rename our elevations. Once such example is with the view orientation. Since Revit does not provide us with this information, we must carefully review our plans to figure out the orientation of our elevation tags, so we can use that information to appropriately rename our elevation views.
A Faster and Easier Process with Ideate BIMLink
Thankfully, we have Ideate BIMLink to assist us with our elevation naming challenges. Ideate BIMLink makes short order of elevation naming tasks by allowing us to export elevation-related data, such as elevation orientation, room name, room number, and level location, so we can create a naming schema for our elevations, as seen here.
A process that normally takes many hours or days can now be completed within minutes using the power of Ideate BIMLink and Excel.
To learn more about this process, be sure to watch this video.
It is important to note that while this video focuses on editing interior elevation names, the process of renaming other views, such as exterior elevations, framing elevations, and so forth, using Ideate BIMLink, is essentially the same.
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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