Revit LT and family upgrades

[chrisf]

Here's another undocumented feature disparity in Revit LT 2013: when trying to open a downloaded family that was last saved in 8.1 or earlier, I get the message:

"(file) cannot be opened in Revit LT because it was last saved in a version of Revit prior to 8.1."

I love having a chance to use this product at a price that is feasible for small firms, but the number of undocumented missing features is terrifically frustrating. Does anyone know of a utility that can upgrade these files?

[Alfredo_Medina]

The question remains open. See this:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Revit-Architecture/Is-there-a-way-to-load-an-rfa-file-saved-p...

For some reason that I don't understand, those family files that were created before 8.1 can be opened and saved with the full Revit 2013, but not with LT 2013.

[ccollins]

Perhaps Revit LT has some limitations causing this--like limited ability with parameters, formulae, materials, etc.?

[DarrenP]

no idea

i guess someone from autodesk would have to respond to this thread

[chrisf]

I hope someone from Autodesk does respond, and while they are at it, they could update their websites to include Revit LT in the drop-down boxes, support forums, etc.  We're definitely the neglected step-children right now.

I understand that LT is a limited feature set and a subset of the full Revit code base, so there may be a technical reason why we can't open these files. But Autodesk shouldn't hide that fact, or lie by omission, in their Revit LT marketing materials and product documentation. I keep finding LT-only limitations that are completely absent from the feature matrix, technical notes, etc. It's unprofessional at best.

I'd be satisfied with a free file converter and a complete list of the feature differences, but I won't hold my breath.

[chrisf]

I shouldn't have been so skeptical; I did receive a message from Autodesk that they are working to address this issue in upcoming service packs. In the interim, opening the families in a full version of Revit after 8.1 will upgrade the family, which can then be opened in LT 2013.

[Alfredo_Medina]

That is good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[MichaelGibson5012]

Did this ever get solved as I get it with Revit LT 2014 and when I try to open in Full Revit 2014 get access denied?

Thanks

Michael

[Alfredo_Medina]

The original topic of this thread was different to the topic that you mention now. However, can you post one of the families that you made in Revit LT 2014 to see if other users can open it using full Revit 2014?

[zboy0927]

Does anyone know if this is solved yet?

[mattjfco]

Not Solved in Revit 2017LT with SP1. Kind of annoying since they've had years now to work on this.

[mpwuzhere]

Programming functionality changed with 8.X when Autodesk took over the program.  LT came to be years later.  LT just could not read the code from 8.1 and prior because a lot of the core program was removed.  

You can always download a demo of the full version, and update the files, so it can be read in the current version of Revit LT.