Why doesent Revit have a tool palette?

[npsconsultingllc]

This may seem like a stupid question and may not even make sense if you aren’t an AutoCAD user, but why doesent Revit have a tool palette? 

I know this may be a work flow preference but wouldn’t it make sense to have a floating palette with pre-defined system types, routing preferences, diameters, elevations so you could just click and draw, vs clicking “pipe” setting elevation, setting diameter, changing system type, changing pipe type - and then finally drawing? Only to repeat that all over again? 

Taking this a little further, it could be cloud based and use a pre-uploaded template file for its source data, and even include families / model groups so if you’re on a different computer or different version then all still works.

I know CTC hive has a decent plug-in but doesent have any of the functionality and mainly acts like a webpage that connects to Revit. 

I’ve looked into programming dynamo scripts connected to custom palette buttons but this looks extremely difficult and not practical if you’re using multiple computers with different versions. 

Would love to hear any feedback because the time I spend clicking and scrolling through drop downs is the main reason why I don’t use Revit for every project. 

thanks. 

[RobDraw]

If you want to operate Revit efficiently, you're going to have to drop your AutoCAD workflows and mentality. Speed will come with experience. By not using it, you are only delaying the process. 

"You need to learn to crawl before you can walk."

[npsconsultingllc]

Completely agree but you dont think this would be beneficial, in general? 

I know it's very efficient to have model groups pre-loaded into revit, esspecially for plumbing and basically modify those for the situation, but that only goes so far.

I've tried to find good videos from people that actually use Revit to design MEP system with but unfortunately most of the videos are made by people that just use Revit to make Youtube videos. The videos are usually always an idealistic situation like a large open space with a 5' ceiling cavity and no beams, and then they'll design a completely non-compliant plumbing system. 

I'd love to find a good source for videos so I can see actual workflows.

[RobDraw]

As a new user, you should be focused on the tools that are available. 

[npsconsultingllc]

I actually downloaded Revit originally back in 2009 back when it was Revit MEP. I just dont produce work in it nearly as often. I normally use it for 1 project for every 20 projects I do in AutoCAD. 

I think both New and seasoned users should be more vocal to Autodesk in general. Settling for the tools provided probably wont be beneficial to the evolution of the product. 

[RobDraw]

You are entitled to your opinion but trying to compare completely different platforms and expecting them to work in a similar fashion is only going to lead to frustration.

Check out the IDEAS forum if you want to influence future changes. This forum is for solutions using the current features. 

[npsconsultingllc]

Sorry about that. Didn't mean to clog up the forum...

[HVAC-Novice]

I think mainly using AutoCAD may be your problem. I had to google for what the tool palette in AutoCAD does. Looks like the regular Revit tabs (Architecture etc.) do similar things. I only can speak for myself, but I couldn't handle being good in both software. I used AutoCAD the last time maybe 14 years ago. If your job allows, do a clean cutover to Revit and focus on being a BIM expert. 

I would strongly encourage to not alter how Revit UI looks. Every book, tutorial or video you use will use the standard oob layout. If you customize yours, you will have a hard time following the guides. 

I don't know what MEP videos you are referring to and how you would know if the creators are designers in real life. But a book or tutorial will show you a repeatable project for you to learn the tools. Those examples are simplified to focus on the topic. You have to apply them in your project. Like a carpentry apprentice learns how to use the tools in a shop and performs standard cuts and joints. Then the apprentice has to go to a real construction site and has to figure out how to use that knowledge in much messier situations. 

I think we users are pretty vocal. Check out the ideas forum. But we mainly want to improve the BIM part, not to make it look or work like AutoCAD. Maybe I misunderstand your request, though. 

[npsconsultingllc]

If you googled it and just looked at the images then you may have gotten the wrong impression. Autocad has a Ribbon just like Revit and You can customize the AutoCAD ribbon but most people dont.

A tool palette is basically a floating ribbon that you can customize easily by dragging and dropping, and you can export it or store on a cloud system to use on other computers.. Its sort of like the "Quick access toolbar" but you can change the properties.

For example, lets say you draw a whole lot of 3/4" cold water copper pipe at a 9' elevation in all your projects. You would basically draw that once and drag and drop it on the palette, and then it would always be there to use. Then if you want to change it you just right click on it and change the properties (or) copy/paste that palette button and change the properties. Another example would be to run a macro or script, or if you liked a specific tag.

As of now, you either need to store all of that stuff in your template (or) load it into each project. Then, you click the pipe button, change your system type, set your elevation, set the pipe diameter, and then draw the pipe.

So with the tool palette you have 1 click, with the current option you have 6 clicks + a bit of scrolling, and an inflated template.

Lots of different softwares use a tool palette - its not just autocad. A tool palette in Revit would cut every template down literally but hundreds of MBs per file, ensure consistency, and save a tremendous amount of time, clicks, and scrolling.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Yes Revit's UI customization is miles behind AutoCAD's.  I remember creating tool palettes of commonly used blocks, dynamic blocks, annotation styles, etc... saving them in a shared folder, and deploying them other computers fairly quickly.  

[npsconsultingllc]

Yes - thats what im saying.

Currently they make you store everything in the template (or) load everything on demand and then do a bunch of clicking. I'm not sure I'll ever get over how much clicking and scrolling I Have to do for such simple tasks.

My current work around is basically to copy stuff out into space and use "create similar". Hardly an elegant solution.

[RobDraw]

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@npsconsultingllc wrote:
A tool palette in Revit would cut every template down literally but hundreds of MBs per file, ensure consistency, and save a tremendous amount of time, clicks, and scrolling.

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I couldn't disagree more.

Revit can be just as fast as your AutoCAD workflow with benefits that will save you even more time outside of drawing tasks. You need to learn the tools and develop new workflows. Either that or you can just keep on clicking as usual and hope for a change. I would suggest the former.

[RobDraw]

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@npsconsultingllc wrote:
My current work around is basically to copy stuff out into space and use "create similar". Hardly an elegant solution.

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Quite true.

[npsconsultingllc]

So its not true that a palette would cut down the file size tremendously? My current Revit Template is around 150MB minimum.

I use both softwares. Autocad is faster because you arent modeling at the same time. When I use autocad, I use Autocad MEP with pre-set multi-view parts that hold information and do my scheduling and I have those elements hosted on a tool palette. When I use Revit, I usually use the MEPPP productivity pack where the workflow is built into the model groups.

Yes, I do a lot of my own pipe + duct sizing but relying on revit for that will lead to issues because the calcs are not always correct, nor algin with industry standards.

File size is definitely a problem when you're a high volume firm.

Just to be clear - 1 click vs. 5 clicks + scrolling. 1 Click is faster.

[RobDraw]

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@npsconsultingllc wrote:
So its not true that a palette would cut down the file size tremendously? 

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Did I say that? No. I deliberately didn't mention file size because it's irrelevant. Revit's shining star over AutoCAD is the information part of BIM. Along with that, comes larger file sizes. Hardware these days is quite capable of handling the data.

This argument is as old as Revit. The answer truly is that AutoCAD cannot do a lot of what Revit can. If you can't benefit from those things, stick with AutoCAD. If you don't want to learn new workflows, stick with AutoCAD. If you think your ideas can improve Revit, post in the IDEAS forum.

If you want to be faster in Revit and reap the rewards, hang around here for a while. You just might learn something.

[npsconsultingllc]

I Don’t think I need your permission or blessing for any of those things. Seems like the only advice you’ve provided is to use Revit how you use it, and classify all of that as the “correct way”. 

Not sure why you worry so much about speed anyway. 15k posts? Obviously work load and need for speed isn’t an issue.

Thanks Anyway.  

[RobDraw]

So, you do see my point.

Because when people realize they are not seeing the entire picture, they often start throwing out inane criticisms. 

Don't worry, some day you will "get it".

[npsconsultingllc]

I’m sure there’s another topic somewhere for you to swoop in with your cape to save the day and whine that someone isn’t using Revit and the autodesk forums properly. 

this is your forum, your software, your world - we’re all just living in it. We’ll try to stay out of the way. 

[RobDraw]

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@npsconsultingllc wrote:

I’m sure there’s another topic somewhere for you to swoop in with your cape to save the day and whine that someone isn’t using Revit and the autodesk forums properly. 

this is your forum, your software, your world - we’re all just living in it. We’ll try to stay out of the way. 

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I can lead a horse to water but I can't make it drink.

[HVAC-Novice]

Revit is not a drawing tool. So drawing a hole isn't what is done and can't be copied across project. 

YMMV, but my template is under 20MB. What is in a 150MB template? 

I'm sure Revit has room for improvement, but before criticizing it, use it correctly and efficiently.