Valentine Secrets Revealed for the Ideate BIMLink User Interface
Every day, our Ideate Software Support team fields all types of questions from AECO professionals all around the world.
We always strive to make our user interface more intuitive and easier to understand for all our Revit solutions. A few years ago, we did a major user interface update to Ideate BIMLink. Please review this blog article for another post about the Ideate BIMLink user interface.
Ideate BIMLink was designed to extract Revit data and send it to Microsoft Excel for editing or review. A customer recently asked us if Ideate BIMLink has the ability to apply some minor changes to the Revit model without the need to send the information to Excel and then import those changes back into the model.
You may not be aware, but this “inline editing” ability has been available within the Ideate BIMLink user interface for several years. Did you know that you can edit any parameter data from within the Ideate BIMLink Preview Dialog? The Preview Dialog’s white cells are editable. Even the drop-down selections are available for editing. When you select OK on the lower right of the dialog, any changes that have been made on the Preview Dialog are saved back into the Revit database. We wouldn’t suggest this for large editing workflows, but it’s perfect for our quality control (QC-) links, where the items are filtered and sorted to help find the ‘wrong’ items. In the example below, we can quickly see that a few of the device elevations are wrong and make the edit directly inside of Ideate BIMLink without the need to export to Excel.
Another Ideate BIMLink user interface tip also involves the Ideate BIMLink Preview Dialog. Did you know that a small triangle in the column header is an indication that the specific parameter is being used as sort criteria? You can easily review which parameters are being used as the sort criteria without having to open the Sort tab. The Preview Dialog will also show you which column or columns have been set to the data key by shading the column header in a turquoise blue color.
You may have a secret Valentine’s for February 14th, but we certainly don’t want the power and ease of Ideate BIMLink to be a secret!
Always make sure you have the latest Ideate Software updates! You can review the latest on our website and easily download the latest versions.
If you have any comments on how we can improve our user interfaces, please let us know! Just send an email to support@ideatesoftware.com.
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.
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