Revit Version Build Update and Service Pack Naming

Bill (Mr. BIM Thoughts) shared this subtle bugger with me the other day.

Oooh boy... so Revit 2016 R2 is called Update3 behind the scenes if you look at the Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features > View Installed Updates and Revit 2016 R2's update is called Update 1 for R2...

Phew...just when I think I understand the naming...

Update Releases and Color Fill Background Processing

I was reading recently (in a couple forums) about a problem with background processing and views using Color Fills. Autodesk acknowledged the issue and they've just issued an update for called Revit 2016 R2 Update 1, and there is an Update Release 11 available now for Revit 2015.

In the release notes they reference color fills when closing a document that uses them. That doesn't sound like the issue I read about specifically. Those seemed related to printing views that have a color fill applied but maybe that's a minor difference from the code's perspective. Hopefully this update does resolve the issue they were having. It did seem that users could avoid it (the background processing error) if they were careful to save their project, close Revit and restart it before attempting to print those views.

Download Revit 2016 R2 Update 1
Revit 2016 R2 Update 1 - Release Notes

Download Revit 2015 Update Release 11
Revit 2015 Update Release 11 - Release Notes

If you have Autodesk Application Manager installed, and if you'd like to see if it will let you acquire the updates, you can try a right-click on the icon in the system tray and choose Check Now.

Revit 2016 R2 is Available and Update Release 10 for Revit 2015

When I wrote about Revit Sunrise earlier I hinted that we might see a repeat of last year when Revit Sundial was followed by Revit 2015 R2. That's come true today.

You can CHECK OUT some VIDEOS about what is new in this subscription customer only release.

These are the features they've chosen to provide videos for:

• Draw Visible Elements Only (performance)
• Global Parameters
• Family Element Visibility Setting (Family Editor)
• Thermal Zoning (Analysis)
• Enhanced Revit Links
• Cancel Multi Sheet Print or Export
• View Filter UI Improvements
• Revision Enhancement
• Isolate Solids/Voids with Filter Tool (Family Editor)
• Per User RVT Link Unload
• Improved Project Browser
• Name Reference Plane
• Autodesk Raytracer
• Railing Preview
• View Underlay and Orientation Improvements (descriptive language)
• Enabled Copy Paste in Perspective Views
• Choice to Select Wall Join Type (behavior) during Wall Creation
• Fabrication Part Modeling Enhancement
• Electrical Design Enhancements
• Mechanical Design Enhancements

There is also a Update Release 10 for Revit 2015. For what it is worth, the Autodesk Application Manager is two for two now. It let me know about the last web update (service pack) and it let me know about both 2016 R2 and 2015's Update Release 10. That's encouraging, certainly better than my experience with it in the past.

Revit 2016 Updates Redux

This morning I gave Autodesk Application Manager (AAM) another chance by removing it and installing it again. It reports a number of things requiring my attention; A360, Navisworks, Revit 2016 Extensions and AutoCAD OSNAP support. That's a bit more encouraging, it seems to be awake at least. In the past it just stopped caring about updates and didn't seem to find any despite Luke telling me otherwise on his blog.

The Revit Clinic has since provided a post with information regarding 2015 and 2016 updates.

I noticed that Revit 2016 now has Service Pack 1 installed. After a year of Release Updates we are now returning to language of old with Service Pack. Okay...

In a comment for yesterday's post Phillip asks why isn't there one update application that installs the necessary features based on what is installed...for each Revit version? Good question! They must be able to figure out what is installed and hopefully they know what is needed, better than me trying to figure it out from the information they aren't putting on the website at least.

Luke also followed up his previous posts with another regarding Revit 2016 Extensions (he's observed they are now being deployed via AAM), Space Naming Utility (now generically "version-less" wrapped up and delivered at Autodesk Exchange Apps). I'm still not sure where to expect to find Worksharing Monitor or the Collaboration for Revit (C4R) 2016.

After installing the 2015 update I find C4R is broken, it triggers the usual message that only a programmer's mother can love.

I'm glad that AAM seems to be working now but it is soooo slooooowwww installing updates. The Navis updates just report "installing" with no indication for the degree of progress while some of the others do. Consistent inconsistency. The updates for Navis and ReCap put fresh icons on my desktop where there were none. It's not hard to delete them but its rude to put something on the desktop that wasn't there prior to the update.

Grumpy but not as grumpy as yesterday...

Autodesk Revit 2013 Doesn't Get Web Update?

Autodesk has released a web update for Revit Architecture, Structure and MEP 2013. They each have their own web update files. If you don't have one or all of those versions installed, like me, and only have Revit 2013 installed, then we seem to be out of luck at the moment. If you're thinking, "I'll just download and install those other updates and I'll be good!" Nope you'll get this message.

At the moment there is no web update release 3 offering for Autodesk Revit 2013? I guess it is immune to what ails it's less endowed brethren? I sure hope they didn't forget they've got a fourth version of Revit?

You can check out the updates for each discipline focused version here:
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2013
Autodesk Revit Structure 2013
Autodesk Revit MEP 2013

There is a place for Autodesk Revit 2013 but there's no web update release 3...yet... fingers crossed.

Revit 2013 Service Pack 1 Available

Read elsewhere on the internets: This bit via The Revit Clinic's post.

Update Release 1 is now available for Revit 2013 products. A few changes have been made this year as to how the updates are accessed. Just a reminder - with the introduction of Autodesk Revit 2013, make sure you are installing the correct update for your product!

For Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit Structure, and Autodesk Revit MEP, you can find the update in the Data & Downloads > Updates section of each product page:

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2013 UR1
Autodesk Revit Structure 2013 UR1
Autodesk Revit MEP 2013 UR1

The update for Autodesk Revit 2013 can be found in the Design & Creation Suites Support > Data & Downloads > Updates & Service Packs section.

Autodesk Revit 2013 UR1

The Installation ReadMe files and Update Enhancement PDFs are available at each of these locations as well.

From the readme documentation for what has been addressed with the service pack:

Autodesk® Revit® Platform 2013 Enhancements

• Improves stability when opening projects from previous versions of Revit.
• Improves stability during Copy/Paste operations.
• Corrects display of solid filled regions with transparent backgrounds.
• Allows exporting of materials painted on elements to ODBC.
• Improves performance of opening and closing sketch mode in projects with many families.
• Improves stability when setting a Design Option as the Primary.
• Improves stability when Fixed Distance option for a divided path.
• Improves stability while browsing to Revit Server when there is no network connectivity.
• Improves export consistency of Space and Zone elements when multiple elements have the same name and number.
• Allows Raytrace mode to work with DirectX 9.
• Improves stability when using Raytrace mode with Hardware Acceleration disabled.
• Improves Raytrace mode rendering output.
• Improves Surface Transparency override by element for multiple selection.
• Improves printing consistency when tone mapping is enabled.
• Disables Sun and SunPath from being rendered in Raytrace mode.
• Improves stability when using manual exposure in Raytrace mode.
• Improves stability when rendering views.
• Improves stability and performance when using visualization features like Sky, Exposure, and Anti-Aliasing.
• Improves stability when importing IFC data which contains special characters.
• Improves the setting of custom parameter values during import of IFC data.
• Improves stability when importing IFC data which contains an invalid line pattern.
• Allows Markups from DWF to be exported to DWF.
• Improves stability when drag and drop a DWG file into a Revit project.
• Improves stability when importing DXF data.
• Improves dimension fidelity when exporting to DWG with export units set to Meter.
• Improves alignment of hatch and fill patterns when exporting to DWG.
• Improves stability when selecting a new host for an element within an In-place Wall.
• Improves section creation within a project with linked model.
• Improves stability when working with Materials.
• Improves the displayed Pattern Type assigned to an element with the Material Editor.
• Corrects the display of the materials category within the Paint interface.
• Corrects the printed display of fill patterns within perspective views.
• Improves stability of Type editing when multiple element types are in the selection set.

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2013 Enhancements

• Improves stability when closing a sketch editor, such as slab or site which create a large number of points.
• Improves creation of U-shaped winder stairs.
• Improves stability when editing winder stairs.
• Improves performance when many railings exist within a project.
• Improves stability when support type is not defined for stair.
• Improves railing representation in coarse view.

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2013 Enhancements

• Improves placement of analytical nodes when in 3D views.
• Improves stability when enabling “Show Analytical Model Categories in this View” when the Warning dialog is open.
• Improves creation consistency with Physical Wall when coping an Analytical Model Wall.
• Improves stability when editing an Opening within an object which spans to the boundary of an Analytical Surface.
• Corrects the reporting of the “Structural Parameter” on slabs.
• Improves masking of linked files by Mask and Filled regions in Structural Views.
• Improves stability when placing Rebar.
• Improves stability when copying Area or Path reinforcement between projects which have differing value for the Reinforcement Project Setting: “Host structural rebar”.
• Improves visibility of round rebar when displayed in fine detail level.

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2013 Enhancements

• Corrects the Slope value on placeholder pipe when slope is greater than 15 degrees.
• Improves consistency when applying a slope to a layout which contains a transition.
• Improves stability when splitting pipes which belong to different systems.
• Corrects visibility of the center line when displaying rise/drop symbols.
• Improves stability when opening a Revit 2012 project which contains a pipe placeholder
  schedule.
• Improves consistency of unit formatting within Panel Schedules.
• Improves consistency of adding circuits to equipment that are connected to a pipe or duct system.
• Improves stability when adding a device, which is connected to a wire, to a circuit.
• Improves display of annotation on duct and pipe transitions.
• Improves stability when inserting duct fittings.
• Improves stability when viewing Routing Solutions.

Importing Point Cloud Data with Service Pack 2

Previous versions of Revit 2012 imported point cloud data (.pcg files) by placing the first data set using "center-to-center" alignment with Revit's origin. Subsequent imported point cloud data files could be imported using "Auto - Origin to Last Placed" so they all align with each other. That's okay if where the point cloud data ends up in your project file is arbitrary to begin with. It isn't so fine if you are trying to align it all with a real world survey coordinate.

I'm happy to write that the Service Pack 2 that was released yesterday has altered this condition for the better. In my testing, using the same data set I was using before, I find that Revit respects the actual origin of the point cloud file and subsequent files still work using the "Auto - Origin to Last Placed" option as expected.

When I drop in my little Laser family and move it into position it all lines up nicely! Too bad it was too late for this one...but the next one will be that much easier! Thanks to the team for getting it into this update!

Revit 2012 Update Available

I was able to download web updates to Revit 2012 products via Communication Center this morning (well when I turned on Revit anyway). I also saw that Luke Johnson posted links at his blog What Revit Wants. RevitForum.org also has a thread dedicated to the subject.

If you fire up Revit and visit the communication center you should find a notification. You can also follow the links provided at What Revit Wants or RevitForum.org but those seem to take you to the 64bit versions whereas the Communication Center will download the version you need on your pc. Of course if EyeTee has your computer locked down such that you can't update it yourself, time to chat with them I suppose?

New build number is: 20110622_0930

According to Matt Mason's post at his Cadd Application Development blog the update fixes a point cloud issue. A new option to place updated cloud import files called: Auto - Origin to Last Placed (meaning that it would make sure that the origin matched the origin of the previous model) was added for these files...but it didn't work. It does work in the new Web Update!

Web Update for Revit 2010 - 20090612_2115 WU1

The new build is now available for download. This is a list of the items addressed in the web update pdf.

Dragging a ribbon panel near a view no longer causes the view to pan.
Improvements to color fill output when exporting to DWFx.
All reference callouts, sections, and elevations will mirror when project is mirrored.
When the sheet view is active, ribbon commands display the correct UI state.
“Is Reference” Instance Property is available for reference points.
Commands in Print Preview mode can now be accessed by keytips.

Improves stability when printing.
Decal image path is now saved.
Disables the “Add to Quick Access Toolbar” option when tool already exists on Quick Access Toolbar.
View Control Bar no longer shows old and new state of commands until the view is redrawn.

Improved detail level icons in the View Control Bar.
Improvements to form creation and editing of conceptual masses
Improvements to divided surfaces on conceptual masses.
Improved graphic performance when using View Cube® navigation tool.
Images will now display in print preview and print correctly.
Improved stability when printing to PDF.

Type Selector preview images update for types created by Duplicate Type command.
Type Selector will remain added to Quick Access Toolbar when opening a new Autodesk Revit Architecture session.
When multiple contextual tabs are available, the proper contextual tab will be displayed when clicking on the Options Bar.
Improved stability when multiple sessions of Autodesk Revit Architecture are running.
Duplicate icons from ribbon and application frame no longer appear in the Options Bar.

Improved stability when plotting or exporting.
Alt+Numeric keypad entries will create the expected special text character
Improved ribbon display issues.
TIFF images will display correctly in plan after project is reopened.
Relinquish all when closing a local file now works if there is a new view, family or workset in the project.
Selecting Boundary when creating a ramp or stair no longer reverts back to Run option.
Flip controls are now available in the Detail Component family editor.

ADSK file from Autodesk® Inventor® software no longer loses custom UCS information in Autodesk Revit Architecture.
Application frame size is saved between sessions.
Reveal Hidden Elements and select keyboard shortcut enabled in family environment
Select previous keyboard shortcut is now available.
Raster export to DWF™ format will follow quality settings.

On Quick Access Toolbar, moved Sync to Central command next to Save command.
Improved visibility of Tab highlights when in thin line mode.
Modified section and elevation command icons.
Room/Area Tag, Column, Keynote Tag, and Component/Repeat Detail/Legend Component drop-down buttons on the ribbon will now reflect the last-used command.
Improved precision of parameters in families using type catalogs.
Improved display of shadows.
Improvements to IFC export.

Improved display of color fills in elevation views
In Export to AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software dialog, location tab now lists the correct setting for angle of rotation measured from.
When exporting to TIFF or PNG, the sky alpha channel will now properly drop out.
Improved wall-by-face creation on imported masses.
Wall wraps will display correctly in detail views.

When exporting wall joins into DWG with shared coordinates, all collinear lines are now merged.
Improved stability when using parallel wall join cleaning switch described in the
Revit Performance Technical Note.

Autodesk Revit API Enhancments
Suppressed Revit inaccuracies warnings during transaction when generating geometries using massing API
Associated LinearArray's NumMembers property with Family parameter.
Dissociated FamilyParameter from Label property of BaseArray and Dimension
Provided a tool to update reference path of RevitAPI.dll for samples.
Provided an update to DistanceToPanels sample.
Improved stability when creating NewReferencePoint with PointOnEdge that references a ModelCurve.
Floating point values are no longer reset when crossing from managed code to unmanaged code.
In the Print API, ViewSheetSetting.Save() no longer raises an InvalidOperationException when the user removes all views.
A meaningful exception will be raised when incorrect sketchPlane is used in NewSweep(,,SketchPlane,,,).
FamilyManager.Set() can now assign ElementId value to parameter
Improved stability when using DocumentOpened event and linked files.
Improved stability of VSTA.

[Added emphasis for a few items]

New Build - Not Available Just Yet

Last evening I read on Twitter two separate "tweets" about an hour apart and a bit later on a blog post that the update for Revit 2010 is now available. Great to see one is coming and the list of issues/items addressed shared too. Unfortunately it isn't actually available yet though, not for another week or so according to my sources. I'll post the information on the update once it is released.

In the meantime if you want to read the list of issues addressed you can read it HERE.

Hang in there...just a bit longer. Maybe it'll get posted sooner because of the early release of information?

Service Packs versus New Builds

I could be a "glass half empty" person and complain that it took so long to change to a service pack distribution method. I try to be "half full" as well as avoiding the conclusion that the "glass" is too big.

Let's contrast...new build x three versions took an afternoon to download and install last time. This time with service pack distribution. Download and install done while I listened to just three songs on Pandora.

Hmmm...I'll take the service pack distribution thank you!!

I am unanimous in that!