Revit LT 2027 – Is it the right product for you?

by Dennis Collin

For years, Autodesk has offered a ‘Lite’ edition of Revit - Revit LT. I am often asked about Revit LT’s capabilities and whether users can achieve their task with Revit’s ‘lite‘ sibling. I always answer with, Revit LT is intended for smaller, mainly Architectural practices where engineering functions or multi discipline working or collaboration are not required.

Although the LT version includes functions like Phasing, Design Options, Area Plans and some site tools it does lack some features from the following areas and is therefore not suitable for structural, mechanical, electrical, or piping engineers.

Revit LT is intended for smaller Architectural, single user projects and although you can link in CAD files and Revit models, there is no advanced copy/monitoring functions, worksharing or clash detection. It also lacks referencing or setting a shared coordinate system which is vital in any multi-discipline project.

Revit LT also lacks support for the linking of Point Cloud Data and the scan to mesh facility to families which the full Revit has.

Fig 1a. Revit LT has no support for the import of Laser Scan/Autodesk Recap Data.

However, it is more than capable for small, isolated projects, new build, or renovation jobs. LT’s interface looks identical to the full version of Revit albeit less featured. But certain discipline specific functions are omitted including many structural components, HVAC, Piping and electrical containment.

Fig 1b. Revit LT has no MEP tools and limited structural families; it also lacks reinforcement and analytical tools.

The major differences and omissions have been listed here under discipline specific headings. It is not a comprehensive list of limitations, but it does cover major elements that are often discussed with customers.

Core Technologies:

• Limited In-place Families (Users can only model in-place walls)
• No Assembly functionality
• No Part creation
• No View Filter functionality (although they can be applied via View Templates)
• No plug ins/extensions
• No Dynamo Scripting
• No Autodesk Assistant (AI) to perform repetitive tasks
• No ODBC Connection

Architectural:

• No Massing Elements (and all related items like patterned panels and no create 'element' from face option)
• No Points of egress building evacuation analysis tools.

Structural:

• No Foundation Pads
• No Reinforcement tools
• No Framing Elevation View Types
• No Analytical Model Display
• No Beam Systems (although individual beams can be placed)
• No Structural Plan view types
• No Column Schedule view types

Visualisation:

• No Decal Creation
• No in-product Rendering (although LT does possess cloud rendering capability)

MEP:

• No MEP, Pipes, Ducts or Cable Trays (and remember limited in-place family options)
• Limited electrical components just isolated sockets and light fittings
• No circuits or MEP systems
• No Panel Schedules

Fig 2. When exporting to CAD, LT is unable to publish to shared coordinates. Instead, elements are saved to a local coordinate system.

Collaboration:

• No Acquire or Publish Coordinates option with Linked Files
• No shared coordinate origin option for import or export of data
• No Support for Point Cloud data
• No option to setup or define Worksets
• No copy/monitor function or clash detection tools
• No IFC Export

Revit LT 2027 can however, Import or Link PDF files for tracing or referencing purposes. It also shares the same PDF export functionality as it’s Full Revit cousin. LT also possesses the ability to author and create shared views. Which means that 2D or 3D views can be transmitted and viewed to anyone with an appropriate link and if necessary, mark ups or comments can be added if desired.

Fig 3. Revit LT does allow the display and simple editing of MEP Duct, Pipework and Electrical Containment.

When opening a Revit project with MEP content, the elements display as per the full software display. Whilst elements can be dragged or moved the elements do not show MEP connection nodes to draw new service elements. It also isn’t possible to introduce slopes or straighten pipes back to a horizontal aspect.

Users can however, create new schedule views if required of MEP components.

Fig 3a. Create similar or the editing of MEP system families is unavailable in Revit LT!

Despite these limitations Revit LT remains a good product and provides a robust platform for any practice wanting a ‘gentle introduction’ to a coordinated approach in producing drawings, visuals and schedules. It also enables users to see and get introduced to an intelligent building model environment and be able to produce coordinated drawings, schedules and basic visuals. Much like its ‘lite’ companion product AutoCAD LT, Revit LT provides a great deal of functionality of its more complete relation for a much-reduced price. Despite not having the full set of collaboration tools Revit LT 2027 does possess the ability to export to PDF formats natively and includes shared views for markup and comments. If however, the requirement is to frequently coordinate with other disciplines, work with structural components, pipework and ductwork, and need for add-ins and customisation then the full Revit application is required.

Fig 4. Revit LT is best suited for smaller single user Residential or Commercial Projects.

Autodesk has recently announced that Revit LT will no longer be available for multi-year subscriptions, but only available as a bundle in the AutoCAD Revit LT Suite. To find out more about Revit LT, AutoCAD Revit LT Suite and other products from Autodesk and our own extensive product portfolio, contact one of the ARKANCE team on 0330 551 9420 or reach out to us on our live chat facility on https://arkance.world/gb-en