The FREE Viewer Autodesk DOESN'T want you to know about...?

[@rolandegon]

Good info. You can also directly access this functionality from within Revit by creating shared views. The Shared views button was added in Revit 2021.1 on the far right of the Collaborate ribbon. However, it appears you can only share one sheet or view at a time using this tool.

[@TheRevitKid]

Yes, I noticed that, too... Don't know why it would be "limited" with functionality, but it does.

[@thomaswilson762]

Thanks for this tip. I work at home for a mechanical contractor doing sheet metal coordination and shop drawings and we have a new way to look at my work instead of pdf's. I've uploaded a couple files and it seems the nwc files work better than the dwg in the viewer. The viewer opened up on my phone with no problem so I don't see why installers in the field couldn't be making use of this tool too.

[@TheRevitKid]

So great!!! It’s like “BIM 360 Lite” lol

[@kslifter1]

A new project goal has been added to the list. Keep project under 1 GB so we can utilize this tool. The projects I'm currently working in are all over the tools limit.

[@TheRevitKid]

We had to know there was a limit to it being FREE!! haha!! You found it!

[@ususck]

Jeff, your client can also markup the plan in that shared view. I found this feature in 2020 on revit LT. All my clients love the walk thru option it gives you.

[@TheRevitKid]

Great point, I didn't highlight the comment and markup features... super cool stuff!

[@ususck]

When you have time you should do a video on it. And as far as I can tell you can use the shared view multiple times.

[@TheRevitKid]

@@ususck Yes, there are multiple ways to share the redlines/markups as well... it even saves the view state in the markup (like a section plane, for example).

[@hizacaine]

This works so much better than sending just pdf's to the client. 3d models are so much easier for people to understand. Some explanation is in order, but even seasoned contractors will benefit from being able to spin and section the model.

[@TheRevitKid]

Agreed! I have used it for simple section boxed 3D details! So helpful !!

[@olik136]

10 years ago I used Archicad to export 3D-PDFs to show 3D models. Revit needs a pricey add-in for that.. so this viewer might be an even better solution for me.

[@wido.daniel]

I was aware of this tool but the option of customize the content you publish makes it perfect, thanks you for the video!

[@TheRevitKid]

Cheers! So glad it helped!!

[@Azulayar]

Awesome feature. There's an option to shared view within Revit. Thanks!

[@TheRevitKid]

Agreed!!

[@mitchellschiltz34]

Great video, thanks for sharing the info. I have noticed that it doesn't always work well for models on ACC or BIM360 though. I've publish the sets, as you've demonstrated, and published the model to BIM360. I wait for it to say that it has successfully uploaded then I upload it to the Autodesk Viewer. The strange thing about it is that the view that I included in a publish set in Revit doesn't show up as one of the views, only the default 3D view does. Even weirder, the view that I WANTED to publish is actually the icon for the project in the Autodesk Viewer portal! Very strange. I went one step deeper and just downloaded the source file to my computer's downloads folder, uploaded that to Autodesk Viewer, and that worked perfectly fine.

[@TheRevitKid]

Yeah I could see that being the case... This seems to be built for local files to be dumped onto it... Revit Cloud Workshared models have caveats... Which is why I think simply letting you share views with people outside of the project in ACC/BIM360 just like this tool does would be awesome.

[@mitchellschiltz34]

@@TheRevitKid Totally agree. If someone still wants to use this with a ACC/BIM360 model consistently, they could still just upload the source file and since all of this is connected to your Autodesk account, it'll still show in the "Shared Views" panel in Revit.. which is still pretty awesome :)

[@deesesarte]

I have upload a file with other 3 rvt links and it works as one... I can see the 4 of them without problem.

[@TheRevitKid]

Very cool!!

[@sondamvula]

Was waiting for this one, thanks Jeff. Been meaning to get to use this but had no time. Have time now, many thanks again Jeff. Much appreciated

[@TheRevitKid]

Cheers! Now you know! haha

[@carlgoranheintz3914]

That is what the tool is used for though? That's the only thing I use it for and what's nice is that it includes the sheets as well. Another thing that may be useful is the fact that you can upload all revit files regardless of version. For example we got a revit 2022 file and we only had revit 2020 or something like that but at least I was able to inspect the model despite the file version conflict

[@TheRevitKid]

Cool use case! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@unidesigndc]

Jeff thanks for this, really a great tool. Now I don't feel so bad about purchasing an Autodesk subscription. Not sure why the don't market it either.

[@TheRevitKid]

HAHAH! Right! Although, the ACC/BIM360 should have the ability to share with outside users.... you are actually PAYING for that service.

[@unidesigndc]

@@TheRevitKid Thanks if you find anymore hidden treasures let me know.

[@TheRevitKid]

@@unidesigndc Always!

[@markovicnikola]

5:32 On the ribbon far right, there is a button to upload the views to the Viewer.

[@lindadixson7917]

Thanks!

[@TheRevitKid]

No problem! Thank YOU!

[@JosMGarcia]

Jeff, it's wrong to say that you can't share a file from a BIM360/ACC project with users that do not belong to the project. Project administrators can give permission for sharing to be done over a link (for a maximum period set by the administrator). Users with “View+Download” permissions or above can generate a link, and anyone outside the project with access to that link can view the shared file.

[@TheRevitKid]

I’ll have to look into that… I don’t remember ever seeing that setting as a project administrator myself.

[@TheRevitKid]

Jose, I tested this out... and yes, you CAN share a file publicly but it does not open in a viewer... Unfortunately...

[@jaykenny4205]

NICELY DONE BOSS

[@TheRevitKid]

💪💪

[@willemvanderlaan8699]

Hi Jeff Why do I not see the 'Publish Settings' tab on my ribbon? I use 2022 version Revit. Thanks

[@TheRevitKid]

You should 100% have it on your ribbon… The only thing I can think of is are you using Revit LT?

[@willemvanderlaan8699]

@@TheRevitKid Sorry, no, I have full revit. I did upload the file in the viewer itself and that works just as well.

[@Luftvargen]

Great content, as usual! :) Random video-suggestion: A follow-up video to your ‘Revit Groups vs Links’-video, from a MEP and Structural-point-of-view. They behave a little differently then Architectural. MEP with keeping systems calculatable as an example. What’s the ‘do:s and don’t:s’ in a group/linked workflow for MEP/Structural?

[@ThatBIMGuy76]

Ricard, if you use Hosted families, the host needs to be included in the group or use non-hosted families. You can connect your groups to the main systems and CFM/GPM will populate into the duct or pipe.

[@TheRevitKid]

@@ThatBIMGuy76 What he said .... ;) haha

[@mep_guy]

Insanely awesome tool. Thanks for sharing. I think this video will be a game changer for a lot of people.

[@TheRevitKid]

Cheers! So glad you enjoyed and think it will help others!

[@jiti5034]

How can I view BIM objects from manufacturers if I dont have Revit they give out RFA files , also is there a free converter from RFA to .step or .igs format?

[@mateiddd]

How can I set the 3D views to realistic? It seems that they are set to shaded or consistent colors and if I make a signage panel with a photo as material, it just shows a blank panel, just as in shaded or consistent color displays. Is there a way to change the view to realistic?

[@polly_loves12]

Tested the linked files and it works! Very awesome tool! However it didn’t link when I add a rvt file and an ifc file, they all had to be rvt to link in the viewer.

[@leviheath4533]

yeah been using this for years now. It's been so useful with the approval process, and keeping project members up to date. But especially with visualisation of course. I often upload rvt, dwg & ifc files.

[@TheRevitKid]

Great to hear! Thanks for tuning in!

[@farb2009]

Would it be very helpful if we can turn layers on and off in 3d views, I hope they add this feature soon, still very useful app.

[@adzmirradzil5088]

Hillo,,good sharing.actually i have a dwg 3D file around 3g but the problem is,,,i can not open by autodesk viewer because the autodesk viewer only provide 1g,,,have a solution fot this ???

[@TheRevitKid]

It's a FREE viewer... there will obviously be limitations... The fix is to pay for the non-free viewer ;)

[@leonardo-tc7ou]

Thank you sir Jeff for sharing

[@farb2009]

Thank you very much, I'm not a Revit user, more like AutoCAD user, and I was looking for a way to let the steel fabricators I make drawings for, to see and manipulate the 3D model not just send them views I created, I tried STL, but no good enough like this, thank you again, Kind regards

[@AaronLesmeister]

Does anyone know of a SaaS or way to create a viewer that doesn't have a 30 day expiration and could be built into an existing website instead of an external link to AV?

[@Apsis0215]

Good find - does it allow locking and preventing of downloading, screen caps, or printing? More secure access or is it wide open?

[@TheRevitKid]

There are some restrictions you can put on it... I doubt you can block screen caps... That is pretty challenging...

[@mattperez3618]

Would you say the Autodesk Viewer in the browser is sufficient for the average tradesperson in the field? I’m a 4th year electrician apprentice and a few larger jobs I’ve been on use BIM. Usually use autodesk on the computer or some form of BIM viewer on an iPad to see electrical runs in relation to other trades or structures. Any difference running autodesk viewer on mobile vs desktop?

[@TheRevitKid]

Yes, it is plenty sufficient … it is the same platform as the larger BIM Autodesk viewers (ACc, bim360, etc…). And it does work ok mobile

[@dennisfreo930]

You're great Bro!!!

[@TheRevitKid]

No no... you are!!! :)

[@borun67]

Thank you very much for info.

[@TheRevitKid]

Cheers! You got it!

[@jorgebotossi5873]

I have a Revit Model, with the structure linked in IFC format. I load my RVT file, than i load the IFC both together, but it does not show the IFC. Can anyone say if im doing something wrong or it is just a limitation of the 3Dviewer?

[@TheRevitKid]

I have successfully loaded Revit files with Revit links... and it worked. I have not tried IFC. It could be your publish settings or maybe your link settings... or the IFC doesn't work. You could convert the IFC to a Revit IFC as well.... might help/

[@jorgebotossi5873]

@@TheRevitKid Thanks man! Im really struggling to import the IFC, although an other .rvt file is being loaded correctly. Converting the IFC sounds good, I`ll try every tip you sent. Thanks!

[@gusfe7547]

I use this tool every day. Game changer

[@TheRevitKid]

Awesome! How did you find out about it??

[@gusfe7547]

@@TheRevitKid Don't know, i supposed every body knew this tool. I start using it like two years ago. I share all my projects on it. The only problem is the days of limit for sharing. But you can easely prolong it. My clients can also comment on it, its amazing

[@TheRevitKid]

@@gusfe7547 I guess my question was more of… where did YOU heard about the tool… was it an Autodesk communication, random luck?

[@gusfe7547]

@@TheRevitKid Dont remember, i think an Autodesk website. I find this by Luck, never search for this tool

[@scottd6406]

Can the viewer make comments and markup any changes? or is it just a viewer?

[@TheRevitKid]

you can make comments.... no changes. Check it out for yourself: viewer.autodesk.com

[@pawannj4644]

Hey, Is there any way to upload files above 1GB into this viewer?

[@TheRevitKid]

Yeah, pay for the premium cloud service from Autodesk ... 😂

[@ZAKarchitects]

It was autodesk drive before and files stores forever but in autodesk viewer it's only 30 days

[@TheRevitKid]

They wont ever let it be free forever haha

[@ThatBIMGuy76]

The big thing I see missing from this viewer is the Properties. I clicked on numerous elements on the plans or model and hit show properties and nothing was displayed and that's a huge downside for this.

[@TheRevitKid]

Jason, that's weird... I see all of my properties ...??

[@danielsellam-kazoula9970]

@@TheRevitKid Same issue here, I cannot see the element properties in the viewer

[@danielsellam-kazoula9970]

Update : No properties when selecting elements via Sheets, BUT Properties are showing when selecting elements via 3D view

[@TheRevitKid]

@@danielsellam-kazoula9970 Ahh! I see... yeah, the sheets don't seem as smart as Sheets in ACC/BIM360 for sure.

[@Pa_Dave]

thank you for the tip!

[@TheRevitKid]

No problem!

[@ddpp2703]

Great Vid Jeff, as always! Question: do you know a workaround for using a parent file? This viewer requires you to: "You need to upload at least one file. (.iam, .sldasm, .asm, .session, .rvt, .dwg, .3ds, .obj, .neu, .jt, .prt, .jt, .g, .xas, .dgn, .max, .fbx)" I just want to upload .ifc files for sharing :)

[@TheRevitKid]

Hmm.. not really sure, I think that only applies to certain file types. Maybe your specific IFC has issues? Hmmmm

[@JesseS420]

You have to upload them one by one. If you try to drag and drop multiple files, you will get the error you just mentioned.

[@HishamOdish]

wasn't this the A360 viewer?

[@TheRevitKid]

I’m thinking yes… and I think it was called “Autodesk 360 Drive” or something for a time …

[@michaelfreiert2028]

I'm not sure they don't want you to know about it.... They've advertised it for years.

[@TheRevitKid]

By the sheer number of views, comments, and discussion I have had since posting this video I would argue they didn’t advertise it very well! Haha

[@tj3981]

Thanks

[@TheRevitKid]

No problem!!

[@brenttassell1715]

I have lived and died by the viewer for years. Between this & dwf markup exchange tool, you're set to go

[@TheRevitKid]

Cheers! Glad you KNEW about it haha

[@cadcomhumor]

do not work for RFA files

[@TheRevitKid]

Just import them into a project then…?

[@Luftvargen]

Wow! :o:D

[@TheRevitKid]

For real!!!

[@janganliatchannelini]

Please keep it secret so it's stays free

[@TheRevitKid]

🤣🤣

[@ususck]

Lol

[@1021132]

I still dont understand why this is a Big secret its a 30 day limit for all the models and Every one in BIM knows about this . Very Basic stuff

[@TheRevitKid]

I’m so glad you speak for everyone. 😝Thanks for tuning into the video and commenting. 😉 now more people will know about it

[@1021132]

@@TheRevitKid this is not the only one we used to share the BIM Models to client using Fusion 360 which dead cheaper then BIM 360 1 year back and the clients can comment on them as well and also no 30 days limit on the uploaded models. So there are so many tools out there