Autodesk® Revit® is Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that has merged AutoCAD®’s capabilities for producing and automating 3-D blueprints with an intelligent, cloud-based platform. “Add-ins” customize this program for greater efficiency and accuracy.
CTC Software is a pioneer of Revit add-ins, endeavoring alongside predecessor Revit Technologies before its acquisition by Autodesk in 2002. Today, CTC Software offers specialized BIM Suites, and other add-in programs, developed to expand Revit’s functionality and ease of use by AEC professionals.
Here are our top five Revit add-ins and how they work:
Spreadsheet Link
The Spreadsheet Link tool exports Revit data (e.g., room parameters) to an Excel spreadsheet or CSV. The information contained in the exported categories can be edited in the spreadsheet and imported back into Revit. Once imported, the Revit® design will reflect spreadsheet modifications.
The Spreadsheet Link Express add-in lets Revit users automate data exportation and importation associated with their projects, in conjunction with the Spreadsheet Link add-in. Spreadsheet Link and Spreadsheet Link Express are two of more than 19 Revit® add-ons included in our BIM Project Suite.
By specifying Spreadsheet Link settings, the exportation-importation process is preset and automated. Spreadsheet Link Express saves you time and effort as you edit models in Revit®.
Schedule XL
Also included in our BIM Project Suite is Schedule XL. This add-on addresses the issue of introducing scheduling data external to the Revit® program into spreadsheets. Schedule XL streamlines schedules so AEC pros can plan their projects and have a clear visual of deadline expectations.
With Schedule XL, you can link external spreadsheet data into Revit schedules. SXL can handle many links easily and updates the schedules if something changes in the linked files. The schedules can then be placed on sheets in the project. Schedule XL includes many graphic options to handle complex formatting.
Family Processor
Manual changes to and processing of Revit “Family” files is labor-intensive and costly. The Family Processor add-on integrates automation to simplify these actions. In Autodesk, “Family” refers to “a collection of elements” sharing “the same properties, behaviors, and physical similarities” (e.g., “windows”; “doors”).
The Family Processor is part of the BIM Manager Suite, enabling you to define alterations to Family files and initiate automated batch processing.
Family Exporter
Our BIM Batch Suite also resolves difficulties pertaining to Autodesk Families with its Family Exporter plug-in. The Family Exporter employs automation to create a folder from your selection and exportation of certain Families from projects. The structure of that folder is automatically derived from the Families’ categories and geometry.
The Family Exporter grants you further customization options within the “target folders,” such as editing file names, as well as overwriting or skipping files, that were exported.
Shared Parameter Manager
The Shared Parameter Manager mod has six benefits for users working with “Shared Parameters,” which Autodesk describes as “parameter definitions” to be stored as a separate file, so they can be applied to a given Family file or project.
Through the BIM Manager Suite, you can access the following features under the Shared Parameter Manager add-on: (a) mass creation of new Shared Parameters and “reusable selection sets”; (b) addition of parameters; (c) application of filters; (d) generation of “Selection Sets”; (e) sorting of Shared Parameters by group; and (f) dragging-and-dropping parameters between files.
Explore CTC Software to Add More Tools to Your Add-On Toolkit
CTC Software is a global leader in software development for the AEC sphere. Our understanding of Autodesk Revit has led to the conception of our BIM Project, Manager, and Batch Suites.
Visit our site to explore all these Suites, and our other programs, have to offer. We have solutions that transform the Autodesk Revit experience from one of extra keystrokes and frustrating tedium to one of intuitive ease and efficient imagination.
