BIM Q&A | Which Revit Plugin Stands Out?
Using the Revit family library is always recommended for the best results.
NBimer Family Assistant (Free): This is considered the top family management plugin in China. It offers a vast collection of high-quality families with comprehensive parameters. Models created using this plugin have excellent visual appeal.
Superb Plugin (Paid): Primarily focused on structural and steel reinforcement, this plugin also provides additional features. Its most common use is for reinforcement tasks. (A word of caution: avoid building a complete steel reinforcement model unless absolutely necessary.) By combining parameter settings with manual adjustments, this plugin significantly improves efficiency compared to fully manual methods.
Olive Mountain (Paid): This plugin can recognize Tianzheng graphic elements and allows for export and import parameter settings with minimal permissions, enabling genuine “automated mold flipping.” Although it still has some minor issues to address, it offers great value for money. (Rumor has it a cost module is being added soon.)
Baimu (Paid): This template-based plugin is notable for being the earliest and most comprehensive with a cost module. It compiles data into lists and can also calculate mechanical loads. While Revit itself supports this functionality, it is not practical for casual users. Baimu is promising, and although there are similar plugins available, I have not tried them yet.
Hongye (Paid): The earliest plugin specializing in pipeline systems, Hongye is well-established and template-driven, offering extensive pipeline and equipment family libraries. Project leaders can rest assured about MEP drawings. Similar plugins include Lizheng and Tianzheng (yes, that’s t1.0, not t20 or t2.0, which were older BIM plugins based on CAD, with a recent Revit-based release). I haven’t tested these yet, but as long as they recognize Tianzheng graphics, they’re promising. Just released and highly anticipated.
Dumb Cat Curtain Wall Plugin (Free): Developed by a private expert team, this plugin is specifically designed for curtain walls. Its compact and practical design is very appealing. It includes a management system that integrates various profiles and curtain wall components and can directly convert CAD drawings. Of course, proficiency with CAD is necessary. Node modeling becomes much easier, and there is a command to generate curtain walls automatically. I have only recently started exploring it and plan to consult the developer for more details when time permits.
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