Revit LT 2021 – Things to consider when using LT for content creation within an MEP environment

Revit LT is often asked about as a package for working on Revit projects. Many features such as the creation of structural, mechanical and electrical components are missing. LT is positioned mainly as an Architectural tool and is offered as a first step in transitioning to BIM from a legacy CAD environment. It is also used by manufacturers wishing to provide content for customers as it is considerably cheaper than its full equivalent. However, there are several issues to consider before purchasing.

Revit LT can create content like its fully featured cousin, but certain family features are not available when making certain mechanical, piping and electrical equipment. The most obvious is perhaps the absence of connector objects to place on family components. These connectors enable families to be added to circuits, connect to duct and pipe systems and have service types and flow rates assigned.

This is not to say content cannot be made and some information assigned, but these elements will not have potentially vital information added. Content can be put onto appropriate categories and subcategories and have additional parameters added relating to such information like product names, URL links and codes. This information can be used for tags and schedules which may be enough for some purposes. It is also possible to provide manual references to control panels and circuit numbers etc. via shared parameters. However, such workarounds will need to be manually entered if system properties or circuits change.

The full Revit version has the benefit of its API (programming interface) and Dynamo scripting environment where such properties can be altered globally by the click of a button. Unfortunately, Revit LT has no such support meaning that users will have to edit these properties via out of the box methods.

Revit LT can of course view the full Revit engineering specific fields, it just cannot edit them easily. If a family created in full Revit is opened in LT, connectors can be selected and modified, but they cannot create additional connectors. Such additions would need to be in a full copy of Revit, or via an external application. In terms of creating content, if engineering information is required then having a full copy of Revit is vital as connectors, service types flow rates etc. can be assigned and edited. The full Revit could be used to modify a family created in LT and add extra engineering information as desired.

In conclusion, for most engineering purposes the full version of Revit is required, not just for content creation and management, but also for the wider additional features that the full package provides; including Worksets, Shared Positioning tools, view filters, PDF tools, scripting and add-in tools that make tedious project tasks easier.

For smaller projects, where just presentation views and simple schedules are required Revit LT may be adequate, but even on these schemes the lack of view filters and PDF tools can be frustrating. If there is any doubt on whether Revit LT is suitable for your purposes, please contact one of the Cadline team on 01784 419922 or have a live chat on the Cadline website where we will do our best to help.