Revit LT Simplified 3D BIM tool

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Available stand-alone or together with AutoCAD LT in the AutoCAD Revit LT Suite.

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Revit LT™ software supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows. Visualize and communicate designs more clearly and better meet the demand for BIM deliverables.

Professionals from different industries can go through Autodesk’s product portfolio and find a program that perfectly suits their needs. If you’re an architect, chances are you will find Revit LT very useful.

Specifically created with architects and designers in mind, this product offers many modeling and documentation features that these professionals will need in their line of work. And, while similar to Revit in a lot of ways, Revit LT lacks some of the full version’s functionalities.

So, what is Revit LT and how is it different from Revit? Read on to learn more about the features of this product and its main differences from Revit.

 

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What Is It?

Revit LT is a program that supports building information modeling (BIM) workflows. It can help you to design buildings, structures, and their different components. The software allows you to track and plan all stages of a building’s life – from the beginning concepts and construction to maintenance and possible demolition.

Who Is It for?

Since it’s used to plan and create buildings and their components, Revit LT is popular among architects and designers, although structural engineers and contractors may also use it.

Key Features

To help you understand what Revit LT is and how it works, here are some of its key features.

• 3D design and visualization
  Revit LT allows you to create 3D orthographic and perspective views which you can then adjust in various ways – by adjusting your camera position, adding background, and changing various view properties.
• Single coordinated database
  To make the design process easier, your design revisions are automatically updated for every view. This way, you will always know that all of your documentation is up to date and coordinated.
• High-quality documentation
  You can create, refine, and annotate your project documentation which enables you to easily communicate design intent to your team members, clients, consultants, and contractors.
• Auto-generated schedules
  You can automatically create schedules, material takeoffs, and quantities to perform deep analyses of the materials and components used in a project. This provides you with graphical information on costs and quantities that can even be exported to a spreadsheet that you can edit.
• File Exchange
  Revit LT allows you to exchange files with other professionals who use either Revit or Revit LT. This makes cooperation much easier, since many architects and structural engineers work in Revit LT.
• Cloud Rendering
  When you get a subscription to Autodesk, you can create renders in Autodesk A360 from any PC. You can render images as panoramas, apply background environments to scenes that are already rendered, change rendering quality, and much more.
• Content for Architects
  Beginners and users who are looking to start fast will be glad to hear that Revit LT comes with plenty of ready-to-use content. This content includes furniture, office cubicles, and windows (both commercial and residential). You will also find an appliance library with appliances like refrigerator, oven, washer, and cover range.

In addition to these features, you can also use tools you may be familiar with from AutoCAD LT so you can transition to BIM more easily if you’re new to the process. However, this is only available with the Revit LT suite.

Differences between Revit LT and Revit

Just like AutoCAD LT is a budget-friendly “light” version of AutoCAD, Revit LT is the more cost-effective counterpart to Revit. Among others, it lacks some features that structural engineers and MEP engineers may find useful.

Here are the key differences between Revit LT and Revit.

• Price
  As mentioned above, Revit LT comes at a substantially lower price. So, if you’re just getting into the world of building information modeling, you might be better off with Revit LT. If you’re worried about features and functionalities, you should consider getting the Revit LT Suite. It is a little more expensive than the basic version but offers more.
• Architectural modeling
  You can see that Revit LT is aimed at architect because all of the architectural modeling features found in Revit are also present in the LT version. This includes walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, and columns. You also get site modeling, rooms and areas, stairs and ramps, and even railings.
• Structural modeling
  This is where we start to see the differences between the two. While both programs offer structural walls, columns, and foundation walls, Revit LT doesn’t have slanted columns, trusses, advanced steel connections, or rebar modeling.
• Advanced modeling
  Revit LT comes up short in this field as well. Both programs give you the family editor environment and the opportunity to create groups for any common elements. However, Revit also allows you to use global parameters and conceptual massing.
• Presentation and visualization
  The two products are very similar in this field, as they both have sketchy lines, realistic view styles, displaced elements, cloud rendering, etc. However, Revit LT doesn’t have in-product rendering or decals – both of which are big pluses for Revit.
• Documentation
  When it comes to documentation, Revit LT is pretty basic – you get 2D detail lines and components, revision tracking, dimensioning, tagging, etc. Revit gives you embedded schedules and graphical column schedules on top of this.
• Using other Revit files and linking
  Both programs enable you to work with all Revit file types – RFA, RVT, and RTE. You can also link files from other Revit applications. However, copy/pasting elements from links is only possible in Revit and not in Revit LT.

What Doesn’t Revit LT Have?

Those are some of the differences between the features of Revit LT and Revit. However, there are some features and tools that Revit LT doesn’t have at all. These include:

• Construction modeling – you don’t get parts or assemblies with Revit LT.
• MEP modeling – this means no HVAC duct systems, no mechanical equipment or piping systems, and so on.
• Analysis – there are no analysis tools of any kind in Revit LT.
• Collaboration – possibly the one of the biggest drawbacks of Revit LT. There is no work-sharing or Revit Server, so collaborating is not as easy as with Revit.
• API (Application Program Interface) – no API means you can’t use third party applications with Revit LT, even if they’re made by Autodesk.

System Requirements

Since Revit LT stores and processes a lot of BIM data, it requires serious computing power if you’re planning on using it for more complex models.

This is the configuration you will need for entry-level work:

• Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 (64-bit versions only).
• CPU: Intel, Xeon, Pentium, i-Series, or AMD processor with SSE2 technology. Your CPU speed rating should be as high as you can afford. Multiple cores are also recommended, as more complex rendering operations may require up to 16 cores.
• Memory: 4GB of RAM will usually be enough for a regular editing session.
• Display: 1280 x 1024 + true color (minimum), 4k definition monitor (maximum).
• Video adapter: display adapter that is capable of 24-bit color (basic), graphics card supporting DirectX 11 + Shader Model 5.
• Disk space: 5GB free

Have in mind that this configuration is the minimum requirement. If you’re planning on handling larger models and high-quality renders, you might want to consider investing in a more powerful machine. Getting at least 8GB of RAM and a Shader Model 5 graphics card would be a good start.

New Features in Revit LT

In the past couple of years, Revit LT has constantly been updated and fitted with useful new features. For example, Revit LT allows you to document models more efficiently by selecting RVT links or Model Groups as categories when you create a schedule.

Annotations have also improved, as you can now add special characters and symbols to your text notes. You can also create multistory stairs that automatically adjust with any changes in height. Another great thing is that Revit LT now has much better support for CAD imports. Some details that would have resulted in an error message in earlier versions are now tolerated, so these CAD files can be imported easily.

Final Thoughts

If you’re an architect or a designer with a passion for building information modeling, Revit LT could be a great option for you. This is especially the case if you’re new to the industry and you’re not willing to reach for the full Revit.

If you have some experience with Autodesk products and you’re looking to make a transition, then getting the AutoCAD Revit LT Suite may be the best option. As this suite includes AutoCAD LT, it may be easier for you to make the transition.

 

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