BIM Software Tip: How to Boost Computer Performance During Revit Modeling
Revit is becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry, but this rise in design productivity also demands higher computer hardware capabilities. So, how can you optimize Revit’s performance on your existing equipment? Below are some practical setup and operation tips that can help improve your workflow efficiency.
1. Simplify Your Model
1. Replace complex family files with simpler ones unless the detailed version is absolutely necessary. For instance, in the Project Browser, select all instances and switch 3D components to 2D versions where possible. Use complex families only where essential, such as in 3D room views, instead of applying them to every room.
2. Remove unnecessary linked or imported files. If you need to import a large DWG file, first simplify its content in AutoCAD by deleting all unnecessary elements.
3. To prevent accidental movement of components, use the Lock tool to secure objects instead of relying on size or alignment locks. Locking size or alignment only maintains relative positioning between components, so moving one can still shift others, which can reduce computation efficiency.
4. Export rendered images as separate disk files rather than embedding them in the project document. Perform rendering or walkthroughs in external documents to reduce file load.
5. Before saving your project, set a simple view that shows only part of the model. This helps reduce loading time when reopening the file.
6. Avoid using lines as reference guides. Instead, refer to planes for faster performance or use detail lines for planning and layout in specific views.
2. Simplify Views
1. Turn off visibility for object categories or worksets that you don’t currently need.
2. In plan or elevation views, disable 3D components or complex 3D files and replace them with simplified 2D representations.
3. Limit the number of open view windows, especially perspective views, since they demand more system resources.
3. Best Practices for Efficient Operations
1. When moving many components at once, use the Move command instead of dragging them manually with the mouse.
2. Use left-to-right box selection (“contains”) rather than right-to-left (“crossing”) selection for better accuracy and speed.
3. Move components using temporary dimensions or alignment tools instead of dragging with the mouse.
4. Copy components more quickly by holding CTRL and dragging, rather than using CTRL+C and CTRL+V to copy and paste.
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