About AEODC

AEODC is a promising player in the global AEC industry providing Virtual Design & Construction services to our clients worldwide using BIM technology. Our team of architects and engineers, with a combined experience of more than 2 decades, is well-versed with the global industry standards and deliver quality projects to our clients located across the world.

Our operations are spread over United States, Canada and India with an expansion into the European market in the works.

Revit Plug-ins: Meaning and their Role

Revit Architecture is a popular platform adopted by AEC professionals with over 4 million subscribers across the world. Although it is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the industry’s way of working, Revit still lacks certain functions. And this is where Revit Plug-ins come into the picture.

From 3D visualization to construction documentation, Revit performs a plethora of functions, and plug-ins further aid in the improvement of workflow and streamlining of procedures. Let’s learn more about what these are and how they work

What is a Revit Plugin?

Source: Illustrarch

Revit Plug-ins are additions to software that can be used to either enhance or modify functions. Although Revit architecture, structure, and MEP incorporate features for conceptualizing, designing, and clash coordination, these add-ons can be integrated and used within the software.

From automating tasks to rendering realistic views, different plug-ins can be added to the software to solve distinct problems. More than 75 plug-ins can be added to a Revit program. These plug-ins can easily be downloaded externally from an open source and then added to the software. A few of the plug-ins available free of cost are Family Reviser, BIM Tools, and Colorsplasher, while a few paid plug-ins are Guardian, Ideate Explorer, RTV Xporter Pro, etc.

The Need for Revit Plug-ins in BIM

Below listed are the advantages and how BIM modeling can be enhanced with the addition of plug-ins.

● Streamlining Process

Plug-ins can boost the productivity and workflow of the associated teams resulting in streamlined procedures.

● Time and Money Saver

With various features like automation and quick visualization offered by Revit plug-ins, it overall, not only saves time and resources but also serves as a money-saver way of working.

● Personalize the Software Experience

With specifically tailored needs, the software experience can be personalized with the addition of plug-ins.

● Enhances Productivity

The integration of different plugins eases the workflow and helps in enhancing productivity with clash-free working.

● Automates Process

Through automation, the need to perform various repetitive tasks in BIM modeling gets cut down and saves time for other vital steps.

Top 7 Revit Plug-ins

1. Ideate BIMLink

Ideate BIMLink is an addition to Revit that enables users to take relevant information from Revit and put it into Microsoft Excel or vice versa. The generated file is organized as per the matrix within the sheets. The plug-in can be used not only to edit the data but streamline tasks and minimize time consumption through data management.

2. Color Splasher

Source: Revit Pure

Colorsplasher is one of the free plug-ins that can be used to generate visual representations. It enables the automation of color schemes as per the value of elements. This free plug-in enables the users to check the information and view data graphically in the model. One of the key features is that it allows users to check the missing information and highlights errors.

3.3D Rendering by Enscape

Source: Enscape blog

One of the essentials for Revit architecture is Enscape which allows the possibility of rendering 3D models and generating realistic structures and views. The render engine can be used not only for 3D but 2D models as well. From walkthroughs to panoramic views, customization options along with an asset library allow the generation of 3D presentations with a few VR features.

4. Prosheets

Source: BIM Independent

With Prosheets, the editor can be used to add parameters to the files’ names. The plug-in can be used to bulk export the files in several formats. The plug-in can be installed free of cost and eases out the exporting of files to other formats with customized naming options filtering the sheets as per their domain.

5. MWF Pro Wood

Source: Revit Add-ons

MWF Pro Wood is a plug-in that allows automation for the framing of projects to be constructed in wood. The plug-in also helps in designing and engineering floor cassettes. It caters to the entire controlling of framing right from the preliminary to the manufactured stage.

6. Family Reviser

This plug-in can be used in Revit in order to perform the function of finding and replacing text. Prefixes of families and types can easily be modified through this plug-in. One of the best features is the find and replace text option which can be applied for loadable and system families as well.

7. Model Checker

Model Checker comes in handy to check the health of the model. It can be added to the BIM model in order to analyze the best practice report. Apart from that, a list of families, imported files, and groups can be availed with this plug-in.

Speeding Up the Work!

Source: AEODC

Every complicated task in Revit can be eased out and speeded up with the help of plug-ins. The primary role of these add-ons is to generate fast outputs. With the right knowledge of which plug-in to be added for what feature, the need to put in extra human hours can be cut down and efficient results can be generated.

Common Queries

1. What is a Revit plugin?

Revit plug-ins are a third-party integration to the software in order to enhance its functionality.

2. Which is the best plugin for rendering in Revit?

The best plug-ins for rendering the BIM models are Enscape and VRAY.

3. Who can create Revit plug-ins?

Users with knowledge of programming can easily develop Revit plug-ins with the Autodesk Revit Application Programming Interface.

4. What is the purpose of a plug-in?

Plug-ins act as an extension of tools in the software that perform additional tasks and improve the capabilities of the software.

Author

Anjali K

About the Author

Design and Construction Technology Enthusiast, Anjali Kumari holds quality experience of demi-decade working in the AEC Industry. Spearheading the BIM Division, she strongly believes technology will change the course of construction in near future.

Since start of her career, Anjali has been advocate of bringing the much needed quality driven output in the BIM Industry and strongly believes knowing the Design and Construction aspect helps in implementing BIM technology with ease.

She completed her Bachelor of Architecture from NIT Hamirpur and aims to change the way BIM is implemented.

Date

November 6, 2023

The four pillars on which AEODC stands

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.
Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.

Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.