REVIT SHARED VIEWS: HOW FORGE HAS STARTED TO INTRODUCE NEW DISRUPTIVE FEATURES
2021-06-23
Introduced last year along with a Revit 2021 update was the new Revit Shared Views feature, allowing Revit users to share a Revit view online with anyone.
So, anyone with the link can just open it for free in any modern web browser on any platform and just view that Revit model, create sections, measure distances…
A great feature, as it allows users to share parts of their model without having to send the entire thing.
It’s also great as it doesn’t require the end user to have any software installed, whether Revit or not: the only thing he needs is a device (it can be a desktop workstation, a mobile phone, a smart TV, car “radio”... maybe even a smart microwave oven!) and a web browser (excluding Internet Explorer of course).
It’s ideal for people on site, as it has all the features needed to visualize and extract/measure components in 3D.
I have created a sample view today and I am sharing it with you here. Here’s the link:
For those of you who were elected to lead, not to read…
…here’s a YouTube video that shows you how that was done.
If you prefer to read, then here’s the step by step process:
1. Open the Revit view you would like to share.
2. Press the Shared Views pushbutton in the “Collaborate” tab of the Revit Ribbon.
3. A “palette” will be opened right next to the Properties palette.
4. Select the “New Shared View” option.
5. Check your mobile instant messenger/social media profile while the view is being generated. The process should take around 1 minute.
6. Once the view is generated, just copy the link and share it with whomever it may concern.
And that’s it! Isn’t it easy?
Let’s talk about the technology behind this feature.
This feature is actually an Autodesk add-in that is built on top of both the Revit API, and on Forge. Forge is a cloud platform introduced by Autodesk, over which are built all those cloud services you use on a daily basis: Autodesk Docs, BIM 360 Design (sorry, it’s now Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro), AutoCAD web… and its APIs are exposed to the public, meaning that anyone can go and try to learn how to create his own cloud solution.
For example, the Forge component that enables you to navigate that view inside your web browser is known as the Forge Large Model Viewer.
Forge has started to be adopted whether by Autodesk to enable new features, or by third party developers and AEC firms to explore new possibilities. Here’s a sample Forge application we’ve built and integrated at one of the leading design companies in the middle east region, EMDC Group, and which was featured at AU 2020:
...and we’ll be featuring more information about other Forge APIs and solutions we’ve been working on this October at AU 2021. Here’s a link in case you would like to recommend or follow the class for updates:
It’s definitely one of the futuristic aspects of the AEC sector that anyone should be familiar with and definitely worth a check. If you are interested and have more questions about Forge just make sure to contact us and we’re always happy to try and spread knowledge about any topic we’re fluent with!
