Saving Time During Production and Construction with Ideate Sticky for Revit
Spotlight on AC MARTIN
AC Martin Partners is a Los Angeles-based architecture, planning, interior architecture, and research firm that uses an integrated design approach to create enduring environments for the 21st century. Founded in 1906, AC Martin designs colleges and universities, corporate and commercial buildings, science and technology centers, hospitality and retail buildings, civic and religious spaces, and public landmarks.
Elisa de Dios, Building Information Modeling (BIM) Manager/ Production Coordinator and Associate at AC Martin, is a member of the Los Angeles Revit User Group and has been involved in the leadership of the group and its meetings. She has trained and supported AC Martin’s staff of 65 in the use of BIM, Revit, and other design software for nearly nine years. She described how Ideate Sticky has greatly improved the Revit workflow at the firm. “Half of our staff are regular Ideate Sticky users, mostly in the production phase and in construction documents,” says de Dios. “When Ideate Sticky was first introduced on YouTube from Ideate Software, I forwarded the link to my assistant, Henry Diaz, and said, ‘Check this out.’ He messaged me, then walked into my office, because he was so excited about Ideate Sticky. He said, ‘What are you waiting for? We’re going to get this, right?’”
“Henry then walked into our COO’s office and told him, ‘You can’t see it, but I’m crying tears of joy that we’re going to get this tool.’ And his intuition proved to be correct; Ideate Sticky has saved us great chunks of time and headaches.”
Streamlines the Revit Workflow
Ideate Sticky links a Microsoft Excel file to a Revit project, so designers and planners can create and format tabular text in Excel, then display the results in the Revit project. Ideate Sticky preserves Excel formatting, including images, and can be automatically updated.
“Because Ideate Sticky displays non-BIM tabular text in Revit, our team can quickly create and update those notes and code specifications, consultant data, and abbreviation lists in Excel, using the tool we already know,” says de Dios. “No more inefficient workarounds!”
Finding More Ways to Use Ideate Sticky
On the San Diego State University Engineering Building, de Dios and her team found more ways to use Ideate Sticky.
“Initially, we included a Sticky with general notes and abbreviations. Then we saw how easy it was to have a consultant sheet list that’s not in Revit: send an Excel spreadsheet template to our consultants, have them fill it out and send it back, and convert it to Ideate Sticky. Not having to type the information into Revit line by line has saved us significant time as well as eliminated our risk of redundant data entry errors.”
Saves Valuable Time Through Easier Collaboration
“If our project managers or project architects need to access or update the information on the Ideate Sticky schedule, they don’t have to go into the Revit model to check on files. That’s extremely important to our workflow, because not all project architects are Revit-savvy. We can also hand work to our administrative assistant, who doesn’t need to be Revit-savvy either.”
An average project can consist of between 300 to 400 sheets, with perhaps a quarter of those created in Revit. “Someone used to spend hours in Revit typing line by line the sheets not already in Revit. Now an assistant can put it all together in Excel, which saves us significant project time.”
Discovering Additional Value of Ideate Sticky
de Dios and her team continue to benefit from the use of Ideate Sticky and find more ways to use the tool. “I’m eager to see what else we can learn about the tool,” she says, “and my assistant knows how much he helped AC Martin by insisting that we try it out."New Paragraph
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 Graitec Licensing Help Center - Named User.
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.
- 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 single Network 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 Network Cloud Floating
- Enterprise Suite: Network Cloud Floating
- Active Host: Network Cloud Floating
- Automation: Network Cloud Floating
- Individual products: Named User or Network 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 until the new product lineup launches with the next major release, expected mid-2027.
Will floating (network) licenses still be available?
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.
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 Network 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 Network Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
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.
I want to try the Graitec AI Assistant now, but I don’t have my new license code yet. What should I do?
Existing customers: We’re delivering new license codes to existing subscribers on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. If you need access sooner, contact your Graitec sales representative.
New customers: The Graitec AI Assistant isn’t available in the Ideate trial. Contact your Graitec sales representative to request an evaluation license or purchase a 6-month subscription.
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