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Auto open correct version of Revit

Auto open correct version of Revit

 

As a subcontractor working with many different architect's projects we have to have multiple versions (4 typically) of Revit loaded.

 

Keeping track of which project is in which version (I cannot upgrade them as I would be very unpopular with the other collaborators!) is difficult and time consuming.

 

Revit obviously knows which version it is as it wont let you open a newer version and will upgrade an older one, could it instead offer you a choice so if it is from an older version than you currently have open it asks if you want to upgrade or open with the correct version OR if it is from a newer version it simply opens in the correct version?

30 Comments
dplumb_BWBR
Advisor

I don't know if it would be possible (or advisable) for the Revit program to start another version of Revit.

I have previously made the suggestion to simply display the Version on the Open dialog.

Something like this:

Version in Open.png

Anonymous
Not applicable

@dplumb_BWBR Your suggestion is also a very good one (post me a link and I will up vote it).

 

As regards possible it most certainly is and a relatively basic functionality as far as programming is concerned (I am a part time software developer).

 

Regarding advisability, have you some particular thought on that, I have used other CAD software where it is the norm for it to always open in the created version and the only way to open in a newer version was to drag and drop or browse using the open command, I found that a far more user friendly way of operating than an error message but would be interested in any possible downsides.

Anonymous
Not applicable

The link to @dplumb_BWBR 's post is this, it is also worth voting for if you like my post.

Anonymous
Not applicable

To add to the frustration, Revit does not even automatically open the latest version you have installed??

 

I haven't yet worked out how it decides which version it ought to try with as my PC seems to randomly try 2016 or 2017 when you double click a project Smiley Frustrated

(If only one version is open it will try that, if multiple open I don't know how it decides which to try, if none open it inevitably tries the wrong one Smiley Mad)

HE-MJJ
Advocate

Hi,

 

I think it's annoying that 'when I double click an .rvt file, windows will open the file with the Revit version that was last used to open an .rvt file.

 

I would like Windows to recognize the file version of a .rvt file, so that it will open with the correct version of Revit.

Maybe it's an idea to give the .rvt files a different extension? .R14, .R15, .R16, and so on?

 

https://www.screencast.com/t/a4xgIxEtUR

 

But Revit only shows once in the list of programs to open the file with.

 

Can this be improved?

 

 

 

 

 

dgorsman
Consultant

That's a mostly a functions of Windows rather than Revit (excluding the changes to file extension).  The file extension gets added to the registry with a default application to call.  In some cases additional keys are added which allow various "Open with blahblah" options in the right-click context menu when files of that type are selected.  These can also be added manually.  That should probably be your first stop, creating a series of keys to support different Revit versions so you can just right-click "Open with".

 

And while RVT isn't as pervasive as DWG, there's still a number of programs/versions of programs which can open them.  When program version is critical, or the program itself is sufficiently complex, I strongly recommend that the application is *always* opened first.  That solves many problems.

HE-MJJ
Advocate

That's what I often do. Open Revit first.

Still I'd prefer double-clicking an .rvt file to recognize te version it should open with...

 

Anonymous
Not applicable

We currently define in our cad standards that the Revit version is denoted in the file name, to try and help users not to open in the wrong platform revision?

 

ie: ARP-PD-ZZ-B02-M03-S_RVT15-S2.0 160401

HE-MJJ
Advocate

That's what we do as well. But this also has it's downside...

Anonymous
Not applicable

Incidentally since this I have created an app (sorry not debugged enough to offer it to others) that scans each Revit file and tells me which version it is, I have now filed hundreds of families into their appropriate version folder, if I can do it I am quite sure Autodesk can!

 

If I need to open a large project, a scan with the app takes a fraction of a second to tell me which version it is in Smiley Happy

 

For any others that want to try it, if you view the Revit file in a text editor you can read the version number in plain English, the complication is they have changed the preface to the version number over the years so you have to check a few different options if automating this!

An app can "read" a huge Revit family or project in milliseconds to get the version number hence this is much faster than trying to open it in the latest version of Revit and seeing which version it tells you it was saved with.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi all,

 

Opening Revit first is the best option, in this way you also get the extra options (like detach from central).

But..........

When the Revit file is not your own (you received it from a thirdparty), you just don't know witch Revit version you should start.

Since we receive al lot of thirdparty files, i often start the wrong Revit version (stop the upgrade proces), and switch to the right version.

 

So I agree with "HE-MJ" it would be great if you could recognize the Revit version in explorer.

Maybe a different extension (as suggested), or icons with a different collor for each version could do the trick.

Autodesk/Revit is very strict with their version management, and therefore part of this problem.

So if the smart people of Autodesk could solve this problem i would be very happy also.

 

HE-MJ, thanks for bringing up the subject.

HE-MJJ
Advocate
Thanks ; )

Outlook voor Android downloaden
Anonymous
Not applicable

It would be great to be able to double click a file and have it open in the correct version of REVIT.  This would be much better than having to name the files to know which version of REVIT to use to open them, or having to guess which version of REVIT to open the file with.

 

Anything that isn't backwards compatible and is only somewhat forwards compatible should not open in a version other than the one in which the file was created without opening the program first, then the file.  Inexperienced user sometimes accidentally upgrade files, because they open them with a double click then click through the upgrade warning. 

 

 

 

dplumb_BWBR
Advisor

There's one major problem with double clicking an .RVT file.

If your project is Workshared (every one of ours is), double-clicking the .RVT opens the Central file directly and does not make a new Local.

 

I submitted another Idea a while ago, but it got no love.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/hide-the-quot-local-copy-quot-process/idi-p/6340481

 

I'd like to see "regular" Revit work the way C4R and Revit Server do. Those flavors both still make Local Copies, but you never see the Local  That whole process is behind the scenes. As it should be.

We need to be able to open the Revit file in correct version by just double clicking it. 

nicolas.fonta
Autodesk

Hi,

 

Are you talking about an export from Revit or from Revit Live? They are 2 different products. If this is for Revit, just let me know and I'll make sure your post gets moved to the Revit Idea site.

 

Thanks,

Nic

OH!!

Sorry for the mess.

I mean Revit not Revit Live.

I didn't notice that I'm in Revit Live ideas.

nicolas.fonta
Autodesk

No worries.

 

I'll ask for it to be transfered.

 

Nic

 

SamuelAB
Advocate

If a user has all versions of Revit installed and they click on a Revit file, open it in the right version of Revit.

jswoolley
Enthusiast

I love this! Alternatively, have the version number at the end of .rvt, just like how AutoCAD has its yearly file types.

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