Top 10 Time-Saving Tips for Revit Using Ideate Software
Revolutionize your Revit workflows, save time and eliminate repetitive tasks. Our recent top 10 features span the complete Ideate Software suite, setting you on the path to an effortlessly optimized Revit experience.
Explore the intelligent tagging capabilities of Ideate Annotate and continuous improvements to Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate StyleManager, Ideate Sticky, and IdeateApps.
Tip #10: Edit Sheet/View Sets Using Ideate BIMLink
Access properties related to a sheet or view and their associated sheet or view set to align your information across sets.
- Browse the Ideate BIMLink Libraries > “Sheet_Sets” or “View_Sets,”
- Or simply type in the word “Set” in the Link Source search bar to find that view content.
Tip #9: Edit Compound Layers Using Ideate BIMLink
Ideate BIMLink supports the batch editing for the materials assignment and thickness values for wall, floor, ceiling, roof and slab assemblies. This workflow helps prepare Revit models for embodied carbon analysis.
- Open Ideate BIMLink to export layer data into Excel
- Modify material assignments
- Import it back into Revit
Tip #8: Create New Revit Elements Using Ideate BIMLink
Go to the Create Elements library and use an Excel file to create new entities. Choose from these Link Source options as just a few examples:
- 00 Worksets-Create_NEW
- 01 Views-Create_NEW_Plans
- 03 Viewports-Create_NEW
- Parameters-Create_NEW
Tip #7: Alternate Data Key in Ideate BIMLink
Ideate BIMLink uses an ID field to map data. You can choose your own (unique) property instead of the default Revit Element ID to define your import. These can be things such as:
- Sheet Number
- Family and Type
- Room Number and Room Name
This allows to you import Type data from one Excel file into many RVTs where the Family and Type matches but the Revit Element ID varies. Import Room and Sheet data against its number versus Revit Element ID which can change over the course of a project.
Tip #6: Safely Purge Unused Parameters using Ideate StyleManager
Cleaning up unused parameters in Revit projects and families can be difficult when you don’t know whether a parameter is in use. Use Ideate StyleManager to safely analyze and delete unused parameters.
- Choose Nested or Family parameters if you’re working inside an RFA file
- Choose Shared, Project or Global parameters if you’re working inside a project file
Tip #5: Review 2D Annotation Clashes Using Ideate Apps
In IdeateApps go to Annotate > Review Tab > Annotation Clashes
Double click on the issue to see the view and edit it.
Tip #4: Align and Distribute with IdeateApps
In IdeateApps go to Annotate > Browse and Review Tabs
- Select the Tag, Text, or Keynote elements you’d like to align
- Select distribute to re-space the elements for readability
Use it to:
- Align text, keynotes and tags.
- Distribute vertically or horizontally for even spacing
- Try the Filter Select button to make it easier to work in dense drawings
Tip #3: Intelligent Tagging with IdeateApps
In IdeateApps go to Annotate > Tag
Use it to:
- Only tag elements that are selected as part of the rule
- Batch add tags to multiple views at once
- Tag elements from linked models
Tip #2: Create Views from Rooms with IdeateApps
In IdeateApps, select ViewCreator then Room Views method to Create, then Naming and View Type rules.
Tip #1: Create Custom Filters with Ideate Explorer
In Ideate Explorer, create dynamic rules to save specific search criteria and find them quickly and repeatedly. You can also use Basic Rules, preloaded into your project, to get started quickly.
For a these and more tips, watch Ideate Software’s webinar, Live from DC: Unlock the Time-Saving Features for Revit with Ideate Software or explore our Resource Library for use cases and much more. Try Ideate Software for yourself. Download a free trial.
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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