What's New in Revit 2027 - Part 1

by Dennis Collin

It is that time of year again when an updated version of Autodesk Revit is available. Revit 2027 has introduced some new features and enhancements which should be of interest to many Revit Users. A few interface changes have occurred with the options bar being removed and creation options now have been fully integrated within Revit’s context driven ribbon menu. In terms of core functionality, there are many improvements for placing tags, and leader adjustment. But the one we will look at first is the rule-based numbering for model elements.

Rule Based Numbering

Fig 1. Revit 2027 has a new rule-based numbering tool!

Numbering of elements such as doors has historically been set in creation order and manual edits with no connection to level or location. If this functionality were required users could use third party add-ins or a Dynamo scripting to fill this gap.

Fig 2. Setting up filters and numbering criteria.

However, with Revit 2027 a new numbering tool is apparent in the Manage tab where rules can be set not just to number doors but also other elements such as MEP equipment, or structural features such as foundations.

Fig 3. Fine tuning the formatting of the Mark parameter

By running this tool, numbering templates can be established, if necessary, filters can be set to control which elements are numbered and then a concatenated value can be built from several data sources to form the combined value which can then be pushed to an identification parameter such as ‘Mark’.

Fig 5. Numbering will consider level and room if required.

In the example shown the routine has been applied to door objects, using level position and room number but the function can be run on other Revit families and parameters if required.

Fig 6. Door schedule showing the updated door mark field.

The updated parameter is live to the model and will update when changes are made.

AI – Autodesk Assistant

Revit 2027 now has an AI assistant which in addition to providing new or occasional users help or advice, can be used to perform simple and repetitive tasks. Although it should be stressed that this feature is in a Tech Preview state and like any AI tool, it can make mistakes, report tasks as completed when nothing has been done or simply inform you that it cannot do it! Although the assistant will provide help on how to complete the task manually. As a result, I would treat using this tool with caution, and many BIM managers might have a policy that this tool should not be used.

Fig 7. Assistant cannot create buildings, but it can create schedule views and tag items.

However, I have found that if caution is exercised and that your requests are clear and explicit in what you want, along with the task not being too complicated some benefit can be found in using the Assistant tool in certain situations.

For example, asking the Assistant to build a nice ten storey apartment block with a flat roof and plenty of glazing is too vague, and besides where is the artistic human input in such a request. However, the assistant is certainly capable of creating schedules of elements, renumbering sheets, and place tags on elements in multiple views. (most of the time!)

Fig 8. The assistant can tag multiple families in multiple views if told explicitly!

I have even managed to persuade the Assistant to provide coordinates for elements in site plans, which is useful for landscape architecture and infrastructure. At the time of writing, I do need to check the accuracy of the result. But it is worth noting that the custom eastings and northing parameters do need to already exist in the project as the assistant cannot currently create shared or project parameters. But since this assistant is in tech preview state, this situation may improve.

Fig 9. Coordinate schedules in Revit!! Watch this space!

Such tagging or calculation tasks previously could only be done with the aid of third-party applications and Dynamo scripting. Currently I use the Assistant as an alternative to a simple scripting tool, to perform tasks previously achieve with Dynamo player, checking the result once announced as complete!

But even at this early stage the assistant does show some promise. It is also worth noting that there are some other third-party AI driven assistants worth exploring, these include such tools as BIMLOGIQ Copilot and Nonica Tab which I will post about in a separate post.

Improved Tag Functionality

With Revit 2027 users have more control with the positioning of tag leaders. Both the start and end points of the leader can be set to be freely located. Tag outline geometry is more flexible permitting accurate control and snapping positions.

This can be done within the instance properties giving Revit tags a similar level of flexibility to AutoCAD’s leader tools.

Fig 10. Additional options and functionality for annotating stair treads and risers.

Also improved is stair tread and riser tags, these can now be adjusted to set a background, colour, font, size, and styling options.

In addition, users can control stair tread tag display on elements above or below the cut line of a plan view. These conventions can be stored within a Revit view template. Stair tread/riser tags are now an included option in the Tag all not tagged command.

Wall modelling improvements

Wall modelling has been improved as it is now possible to host walls onto other walls to maintain alignment and coordinated behaviour. Hosted walls will follow their host’s geometry and support offsets, rehosting, scheduling, and view control.

Fig 11. Improved options when modelling walls.

If the Hosted Wall option is enabled, it is possible to place hosted walls by selecting existing walls using the Place by Room, or a single wall using the Place by Segment function. Use the Auto Join command to allow doors and windows to penetrate both the host and hosted wall. Although it is worth noting that certain door families will not adjust their framing geometry for the additional joined and constrained wall.

If creating walls by Room or Segment, it is now possible to flip the wall orientation before placement and use the spacebar to toggle the orientation. This function reduces modification after a wall is placed.

Improved Energy Modelling & Carbon Assets in Materials

There are quite a variety of tech previews in Revit 2027 as many tools for energy modelling are now introduced to the software. The Energy Model guide allows users to setup and creates an energy model to perform carbon and system analysis on the design. The model process has a new clipping algorithm which provides more accurate and efficient energy models, resulting in more closed edges.

To reflect this, materials now have a new asset channel allowing properties for Carbon such as database, category, and the EC Coefficient. Structural Elements are now also considered when running an Embodied Carbon analysis scope in the cloud.

Collaborative Insight

Revit 2027 can now share Sustainability Analysis results linked to cloud work shared Revit and Forma Building Design Models through the Collaborative Insight workflow.

This addition enables users to open single user, cloud-shared Revit models or Forma Building Design Models and analyse or expand the model using Forma Carbon Insight, providing the capability to share sustainability analysis data within the collaborative project environment.

Structures & MEP?

Whilst there is a lot in this release and some of the features do tick some boxes from user’s wish lists but I am somewhat disappointed that there has been no improvement in Legend view creation, and useful additional nodes in the Dynamo scripting environment. Hopefully we may see some improvements not just here but also with the other areas covered in a future point release.

Along with these improvements to the Core and Architectural functions of Revit there are also several improvements to the Structural and MEP tools. But there is too much to cover here I will discuss these disciplines and other updates in a future post soon.

See Part 2

See also Advancing BIM workflows with Autodesk Revit 2027, Civil 3D 2027 and Forma