Streamline MEP Workflows: Exploring Ideate Software Solutions
Ideate Software’s Navin Nabeel and Richard Taylor hosted a webinar to explore a few of the many ways Revit users can use Ideate Software to streamline MEP workflows.
In this webinar, users learned how to:
- Optimize quality control using Ideate BIMLink
- Efficiently manage MEP warnings with Ideate Explorer
- Seamlessly integrate Excel, Word, or PDF equipment/specification data into Revit projects with Ideate Sticky
- Gain a deeper understanding of Revit view filter usage with Ideate StyleManager
- Streamline renumbering and intelligent tagging with IdeateApps.
Read on for a few of the tips from the session.
Ideate BIMLink
Ideate BIMLink ships with hundreds of predefined link definitions that are similar to a Revit schedule, including general MEP links plus mechanical, electrical and plumbing-specific definitions. Use them to start your export project definitions, then add and subtract parameters.
Example Tip - Device Elevations
- Browse the link library to find MEP links, then select “Electrical Links” and “Devices”
- Select link types, device categories, linked properties and filters to define your data set
- Preview all the elements to be exported, then export to Excel to modify your data
- Import the saved Excel information back into Revit
- Review the modified values highlighted in yellow and check them for errors
- Finalize your import
Example Tip - Review the Shared Coordinates of Pipe and Duct Hangers
- Use the family called “ideatePT.rfa” which is located at C:\ProgramData\Ideate\Ideate BIMLInk\en-US\Samples\02 By Discipline\02 Construction Links
- Place the point on pile caps or hangers to extract of the X, Y and Z locations of those elements
- Share with project teams
Ideate Explorer
Use Ideate Explorer to find and view every element of a Revit model, based on any parameter, then reorganize problems into manageable buckets with high-, medium- and low-importance rankings.
Example Tip - Review and Fix Irregular Pipe Fittings
- Choose a view and use dynamic filters to review isolated elements based on their properties, such as pipe fittings with non-standard angles
- Review and modify their properties in Revit
- Keep Ideate Explorer open in the background to confirm errors are resolved
Ideate Sticky
Live link Word, Excel, or PDFs into your Revit file with Ideate Sticky.
Example Tip – Create and Link a Lighting Schedule
- Use one of the sample files that ship with Ideate Sticky as your source file, such as a lighting schedule
- Customize the file for your project
- Use the Auto Update feature to make sure the most current Sticky always displays within Revit
Ideate StyleManager
Streamline management of fonts, text, or view templates by purging duplicates, as well as unused or nonstandard styles. Use Ideate StyleManager to view all information within an MEP model.
Example Tip – View Filters and View Templates
- In MEP models that typically have many View Filters and View Templates, you can user filters to sort by properties and look for errors in small manageable data sets
- Make corrections in Revit with Ideate StyleManager open in the background to check your work
IdeateApps
IdeateApps is a collection of 10 productivity tools for Revit.
Example Tip – Renumber Lighting Fixtures
- Within Renumber, we include a selection of MEP rules and basic rules for working with conduit runs and more
- Import them from the samples directory that ships with the software
- Renumber light fixtures by setting a rule that numbers them by specific properties. These can include space name, circuit number, electrical data and others.
- Select affected fixtures individually or along a path
Watch the entire webinar for more tips and step-by-step instruction from Richard and Nivin.
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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