Revit – Useful Add-in – AutoSAVE function for Revit!

by Dennis Collin

I am sure it has happened to everyone reading this post. You have an urgent deadline, with drawings or data to deliver and the system crashes, causing potential loss of data and time with reboots, locating files, checking for errors and getting back on track.

Fig 1. When working in any program, including AutoCAD, regular file saving behaviour is a must! Autosave function or not!

Many programs like Office and AutoCAD automatically save at specified intervals. Indeed, I strongly recommend leaving those functions on as I have posted elsewhere.

Fig 2. Revit doesn’t have an AutoSave function, but it does have a save reminder, which users ignore and cancel at their peril!

Revit unfortunately does NOT have an Autosave function, although it does have a save reminder, many users just casually hit the cancel button and decide to ‘chance it’. After a few ‘mishaps’ a wiser strategy prevails where the save function (CTRL+S) is used at regular intervals. However, despite good discipline, a busy work environment might mean that this discipline can be interrupted. Therefore, it is beneficial to have a safety net to ensure that in the event of a system crash, users can pick themselves up and get productive again ASAP.

Fig 3. Add-in providing Autosave and backup file management options!

This shortcoming is addressed via Revit’s API (programming) environment. Auto-Save for Revit is a useful free app, and does exactly as it is labelled. Autosaves! A simple but vital function that will be of benefit to any organisation using Revit and wishes to minimise downtime from a system crash.

Fig 4. Once installed Revit has Autosave options just like AutoCAD!

Once installed, AutoSave options are available in a separate tab.  The options are simple and easy to set and control. In addition, the add-in also provides tools to change the number of retained backup files and which projects to exempt from the Autosave activity. It is also possible to toggle the autosave function at any time if desired.

If the project has been started from a template and hasn’t been saved, it also provides a dialogue box instructing the user to save the file for the first time! Clicking ok should result in an appropriate file location save dialogue.

Fig 5. Ignore this instruction if you feel ‘lucky’!

Another additional function is the Project wipe-out tool to remove certain elements from a project, which can be quite useful as part of the modelling issuing or auditing process. Imported CAD data in a Revit project can have quite adverse effect on projects if not properly managed and controlled.

Fig 6. Cleaning a project using the Project Wipe-out tool.

In summary, the Revit AutoSave function is a very useful plug-in that can save users much grief from system crashes. It is useful both for single user projects as well as working, local copies on workshared projects. The add-in is available for Revit versions 2020-24 and is a free download from Autodesk’s app store. Some additional functions like publishing sheets to DWG can be accessed with a subscription along with a donation option.

The Add-in is available from the app store here.

(login required)