Wishlist Granted! It’s a Zoolander Blue Steel: The Best Revit Model Browser
We would like our customers to know that we frequently monitor the Revit Public Roadmap plus the Revit Ideas Forums.
We want to ensure our tools help fill some of the workflow gaps that may exist within the current Revit building information modeling ecosystem.
“We take great pride in developing tools that address persistent challenges faced by Revit users,” said Glynnis Patterson, director of Software Development at Ideate Software.
We are continuing our Ideate Software blog series entitled Wishlist Granted. Each blog article features real user requests and our response to those requests. So, let’s take a deep dive at another top Revit request!
The Revit project browser has been an essential component of the Revit user interface since day one! However, we all know that it doesn’t show everything we need as Revit users. It can be frustrating that it shows some elements, such as Revit links, but not others such as CAD links. Additionally, the project browser doesn’t work if you are trying to review and select your Revit model elements within the context of the model. It wasn’t designed to be a model browser that allows for easy review and selection of every element and instance!
On the Revit Ideas Forum, there are many requests for a better way to find, filter, and select elements:
- Request to Select all Instances in Selected Views
- Enhanced Selection Options
- Easily Select Multiple Instances
- Have the Ability to Select All Revision Clouds
Ideate Explorer for Revit from Ideate Software was developed and introduced 12 years ago as a true model browser for the Revit interface. Among the many features of Ideate Explorer is the ability to easily search, filter and select elements. Ideate Explorer was designed to allow:
- Finding and deleting incorrect, obsolete and hidden problem items, including DWGs
- Finding, refining and revising elements, including those excluded from the Revit project browser
- Getting a full view of any Revit model and understanding all elements in the model
The image below shows how we can easily select multiple instances of any Revision Clouds within the Revit model, as requested from the Revit Ideas Forum.
You can easily review all elements within the Active View or the Entire Project. You have several options to sort your Revit model data, based on your needs:
These Sort by: options directly relate to the Revit Forum Ideas request to select instances by level, as an example. In that same request, it also mentions filtering by Type.
If the Sort by: is set to Category, the Ideate Explorer results will display in this order: Category: Family: Type: Instance and you can always select one, multiple or all.
Any selection within Ideate Explorer can be saved and loaded later for review.
Ideate Explorer also allows In-Canvas selection of one or multiple elements, and it will always give you the specific instance counts as well as Family and Type counts, so you know EXACTLY how many elements of each Category, Family or Type. The Revit Selection Filter can’t do that!
This help topic is an excellent introduction to the basic operation of Ideate Explorer. You can slice, review and manage the model in hundreds of different ways, and the Ideate Explorer selection tools make working in Revit a breeze. The following quote by Jason Halaby of WRNS Studio summarizes Ideate Explorer in a meaningful way:
“Without Ideate Explorer, Revit is not a fully functional BIM authoring platform. WRNS relies on Ideate Explorer’s detailed selection filtering, query tools, and warning manager for many of our model management tasks, which include finding In-Place families, auditing worksets,…and generally providing a more transparent window into the model database.”
These are just SOME of the many Revit requests that Ideate Explorer fulfills. Check out our extensive video page on Ideate Explorer and stay tuned for the next installment of Wishlist Granted, where I will continue to show how Ideate Explorer fulfills important Revit requests!
At Ideate Software, we are focused on delighting our customers. With Ideate Software there is no need to wait for future Revit releases to see your idea turned into a reality.
Wishlist Granted!
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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