Mackenzie Reducing Frustrations with Ideate StyleManager
With offices in in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle and Vancouver, Washington, Mackenzie provides professional design services throughout the Pacific Northwest. It draws on the strength, talents and specialties of its staff to deliver high-performing facilities across a range of market sectors through a number of services, including architecture and interior design; structural, civil and traffic engineering; land use and transportation planning; and landscape architecture.
“Design Driven. Client Focused”
“Our company statement, ‘Design Driven. Client Focused’ traces back to the values of our founder. He started in the 1960s and was driven by the belief that ‘attention to detail, hard work, a respect for budgets, an insistence on quality, and a relentless focus on clients’ would lead to success,” said Rusty Gesner, Associate Principal, Director of CAD/BIM, Mackenzie.
“We still focus on these values today as we design projects that contribute to economic vitality, environmental livability and inclusive diversity.”
Streamlining Revit Workflows with Ideate Software Applications
Autodesk Revit software is one of the tools used by Mackenzie to bring ideas to life. “Revit helps us develop high-quality designs, but some workflows are a bit monotonous,” said Rusty. “To streamline things, we use Ideate Software solutions. They are easy to deploy, manage and use.”
Mackenzie uses all the Revit productivity applications developed by Ideate Software. “Ideate Software set the bar high for quality as well as responsiveness,” said Rusty. When talking about the newest application, Ideate StyleManager, Rusty called it “another winner from Ideate.”
Ideate StyleManager addresses problems that occur when styles associated with content load into a model along with the content, or users create non-standard styles. Managing those unwanted styles reduces publishing errors and end-user confusion, but the management process in Revit can be time consuming and risky.
“You’ll appreciate Ideate StyleManager if you’ve ever been frustrated by: 1) searching and drilling down to determine if and where styles are used, 2) making sure there won't be collateral damage if you modify a style, 3) cleaning up the issues caused by importing and exploding a DWG, or 4) combining duplicate styles,” said Rusty. “It’ll save you a lot of time by ensuring your efforts at cleanup and standards maintenance don't cause inadvertent side effects.”
Shaping Ideate Software
“We appreciate Rusty and the entire Mackenzie firm,” said Glynnis Patterson, Director of Software Development at Ideate Software. “Not only do they use and promote our solutions, they also participate in beta testing, helping us achieve our goal of developing software that solves persistent problems encountered by BIM professionals in architecture, engineering, construction, and building owner workflows.”
Photos: Mackenzie’s uniquely designed lobby staircase in the Portland offices of Autodesk, the “Make Anything” world leader in creativity software.
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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