Report Revit Linked Files and Room Data with Ideate BIMLink
Revit Schedules support reporting on elements that exist in a Revit linked file, but in many cases, information about the space or room is missing
Use Ideate BIMLink instead.
Example #1
Lighting_Model.rvt Contains Lighting Fixtures and might have Spaces.
Architectural_Model.rvt Contains the Walls, Doors, Windows, Ceilings, and Rooms.
When Architectural_Model.rvt is linked into Lighting_Model.rvt, Revit can create a Lighting Fixture Schedule in Lighting_Model.rvt, however, the values for Room will be empty. The values for Spaces, if applicable, will be available, but they may not be up to date with the current Room-based information.
With Ideate BIMLink, whether you have Spaces created or not, you can report on Room data.
TIP: If your Lighting Fixtures or Air Terminals are not reporting Room values, it may be because they are above Room boundaries. In this case, use the Room Calculation function in the Type properties in the Family Editor, to adjust its location.
Why This Matters
It can be hard to stay synchronized with your BIM partners; Ideate BIMLink makes it much easier. Use this Room based information to cross-reference important lighting analytics data that may reside in the Room, such as Room Area, Floor Finish, Room Height, and even Occupancy-related information. You can also use the Room number to modify the Lighting Fixture Mark value to synchronize your numbering data.
Example #2
Core and Shell.rvt Contains the building exterior elements and shared common areas. Some Rooms are defined within this file.
Interiors.rvt Contains tenant improvements for a portion of the building. Some Rooms are also defined within this file.
When Core and Shell.rvt is linked into Interiors.rvt, Revit can create a Door or Furnishings Schedule that includes the names of the related Room Number and Room Name only for the elements in Rooms defined in Interiors.rvt. With Ideate BIMLink, the Doors or Furnishings can report the value of a Room, whether it exists in the same file or if it exists within another link.
Why This Matters
Use this Room based information to modify the Door or Furnishings Mark value to synchronize your numbering data. It is never easy to break a model into pieces, but sometimes, this is the best way to coordinate BIM data. Ideate BIMLink eliminates the unknowns and connects spatial data information across linked files.
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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