Help Center*Note: This page is under development and subject to change. Naviate Fabrication v3.13 is still in progress, and details may be updated before release.
This release news includes a release for the following Naviate Fabrication version, now available for download at My Symetri -> Applications:
- [N] Fabrication v3.13 - compatible with Revit 2021 through Revit 2027
Improved compatibility with other Revit add-ins
Background updates have been made to reduce the risk of conflicts when running Naviate applications alongside other Revit plugins.
Previously, a shared software component could clash with the same component used by other add-ins, in some cases causing Naviate products or other plugins to stop working. We have removed this dependency to lower the risk of such conflicts occurring.
Please note: While this update significantly reduces the likelihood of compatibility issues, it does not eliminate all possible conflicts with third-party plugins. If you experience any issues, please contact our support team.
Advanced Renumber - Improvements
- Stability improvements when Advanced Renumber Settings and Sequences are renamed.
- Stability improvements to Auto Number Padding function.
- Resolved an issue with Chaining not being applied to Sequences executed from the Sequence Tab.
Bill of Materials (BOM) Commands - Improvements
- When creating a BOM Schedule with Quick BOM or Custom BOM, added option to Skip elements already assigned to an existing BOM Schedule. Naviate will continue creating the new BOM Schedule NOT modifying these elements.
- Resolved the loss of BOM Options settings when Cancel is clicked. If the Cancel button is clicked inside of BOM Options, now Naviate will maintain settings as currently set.
Options Bar - Revit 2027
Revit 2027 introduced a change to the Options Bar, removing its visibility, and moving those functions to the ribbon and Properties palette. For Naviate commands that formerly leveraged the Options Bar, those settings/toggles have been migrated to a dockable pane. Only Naviate options will appear in this dockable panel.
The following commands have been affected by this change:
- [N] Fabrication - Bloom
- [N] Fabrication - Elbow commands
- [N] MEP - AutoRouting
- Commands that leverage the 'Naviate Super Selector' selection method
- [N] Fabrication - Hanger Rod Extension > Select Elements Above option
- [N] MEP/[N] Fabrication - Advanced Renumber’s Update Displayed Elements: Manual Selection
- [N] Fabrication - Rack Array, Rack Single, Rack Update
- [N] MEP - Vertical Cable Tray Routing
Figure X: The dockable Options Bar in Revit 2027. This is a movable, dockable panel that only exists in Revit 2027 when Naviate is installed.
Notes regarding the 2027 Options Bar:
This change only affects Revit 2027. In v3.13, commands that leverage the Options bar in Revit versions 2021-2026 will remain unchanged at this time.
The Options Bar panel is dockable but cannot be closed at this time. The Naviate development team will continue to make future updates to migrate these options in a similar fashion to Autodesk.
The Options Bar panel may appear large and undocked on the first launch of Revit 2027, see below. Note that this pane can be resized down to a more practical size, as noted by the "Recommended size" sketch below. Once resized and docked, Revit will remember this size and dock location/status for subsequent Revit sessions.
Figure X: The Options Bar panel in Revit 2027 may appear large and impractical. Please resize the panel and dock as needed, as Revit will remember these settings the next time it is opened in the 2027 version.
Data Flow - Improvements
- After clicking the Save button in the Scripts Tab, the UI will remain on the Scripts Tab to continue working in that dialog.
- In the Scripts Tab, clicking Cancel with unsaved changes will lead to an "Are you sure?" popup, asking to either save and close, cancel and close with unsaved changes, or return back to the Scripts Tab with changes intact.
- Sort Scripts alphanumerically either in ascending or descending order, while still being able to manually sort by drag-dropping. Note that this sorting method will be saved to the model and applied to all users working in the model once saved.
Updated UI dialogs
Updated the User Interface for several commands to improve consistency across dialogs.
Nested Points Workflow
Naviate Fabrication v3.13 expands the functionality of the current Points workflow, allowing users to track multiple points per element to aid with installation and layout tasks.
- The new Nested Points Workflow leverages a new Naviate_Point.rfa Family. This RFA, which is loaded by Naviate into the active model for corresponding commands, can be nested into a Host RFA via the Family Editor. Once nested, new Naviate Point Location Parameters that can be leveraged for tracking, Schedules, Total Station CSV Exports, etc. The existing Points Workflow involving any existing BIMrx_Point.rfa instances will generally remain as implemented in v3.12.
- [N] Fabrication will now support GTP points that exist in the active model. The Naviate Point Locator recognizes any Family Instances named exactly "GTP".
The Nested Points Workflow includes the following BIMrx/Naviate RFA Family updates:
- Added new Rectangular Sleeve Families, which all include four (4) nested Naviate_Point.rfa Points. Sleeve RFAs that were modified:
- BIMrx_DuctAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular.rfa
- BIMrx_DuctAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular_Single.rfa
- BIMrx_ElectricalAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular.rfa
- BIMrx_ElectricalAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular_Single.rfa
- BIMrx_PipeAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular.rfa
- BIMrx_PipeAccessory_Sleeve_Rectangular_Single.rfa
Figure X: New Rectangular Sleeve Families, included in v3.13 of Naviate Fabrication. Nested points are included in these RFA's with Naviate_PointId prepopulated to a value of 1-4.
- Added a new Naviate_Point.rfa, which will be utilized going forward for new projects where no BIMrx Points or parameters exist.
Note: As of v3.13, the RFA upgrade popup thrown by Naviate when a model is opened with out-of-date RFAs has been disabled. This requires a manual RFA upgrade workflow to load and work with the latest 3.13 Features and content. The Naviate/BIMrx RFAs (including the new versions required for v3.13) can be found at the following directory:
C:\ProgramData\Microdesk\BIMrx Families
Spool Manager - Browser Organization
The Spool Manager main dialog has been refreshed with a new, powerful Browser Organization that mimics the Revit Project Browser.
- Organize your Spool List by Filtering, Grouping, or Sorting with Spool Properties or Parameters associated to the Assemblies Category.
- Browser Organization settings are saved to the Project. Filtering/Grouping/Sorting can be turned on and off with the toggle ON/OFF slider. If the active model contains Browser Organization settings, the Spool List will reflect the Browser Organization when Spool Manager is opened (i.e. the Browser Organization ON/OFF slider will be set to ON).
- Full Expand and Collapse functionality with parameter-driven headers and subheaders.
- Search function inside of Spool Manager main dialog will search the five (5) Spool Properties, but also any property/parameter values that are added to the Browser Organization Filtering or Sorting/Grouping
- The Spool List will maintain the same scroll position whenever a new Spool is created using Spool Manager's Create New Spool button.
- Browser Organization settings can be exported and imported to other Revit models via Settings Manager. Note that the destination model of an import must contain the same parameters (Name and GUID for Shared Parameters) in order for the full Browser Organization to be applied. Otherwise, Naviate will skip any of these non-matching parameters.
Figure X: The new, redesigned Spool Manager main dialog, with Organize toggled ON. This screenshot displays an example Grouping of Spool Property: Status and Spool Property: Title Block.
Figure X: Filter/Group and Sort the Spool List in Spool Manager by either Spool Properties provided by Naviate or by Parameters in the model associated to the Category of Assemblies.
Spool Manager Options - View Template Filtering
In Spool Manager Options, selecting View Templates for 3D Views and 2D Views are no longer limited to Templates that are associated to that View Type (i.e. 3D Views were only allowed to be set to 3D View Templates in former versions of Naviate).
Now with v3.13 of Naviate Fabrication, 3D Views and 2D Views can each be set to the following View type filter when Spool Sheets are created via Spool Manager:
- 3D Views, Walkthroughs
- Ceiling Plans
- Elevations, Sections, Detail Views
- Floor, Structural, Area Plans
Figure X: In Spool Manager Options, 3D Views and 2D Views are now compatible with View Templates of View type filters of 3D and 2D Views.
Hanger Configurations - Edit in Excel
A new functionality in Hanger Array Configurations, v3.13 adds the ability to edit Hanger Configuration settings using Excel. Settings can be added, deleted, or modified in one, comprehensive, simple spreadsheet, with the ability to export and import back Setting data seamlessly in one process.
Figure X: The Hanger Array Configurations dialog, as displayed in v3.13. New 'Excel interoperability' buttons are located at the top-right of the dialog.
Referring to the screenshot above, the following buttons have been added to the Hanger Array Configurations dialog:
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Configure Excel Path - Opens a File Explorer window, where you select the directory in which the Excel file to roundtrip Hanger Configuration Settings will be saved.
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Save Hanger Conditions to Excel - Clicking this button will save all Hanger Configuration settings as currently saved in the active model to the Excel file configured in Step 1.
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Edit Hanger Conditions in Excel - Clicking this button will open the file currently configured from Step 1 in a new session of Microsoft Excel. In this Excel file, you are able to add Hanger Configuration setting rows, delete rows, and modify editable Hanger Configuration data. Note: select columns such as Filter Criteria and Select Hanger are implemented with a dropdown selection, dynamically populating available selections based upon which Hanger Setting is selected.
- Note: A cell appearing red/orange in Excel indicates that a value is not permitted based on the Hanger Setting's Associated Services. In this scenario, please review the selected options ensuring they satisfy the Hanger Setting's Associated Services.
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Load Hanger Conditions from Excel - Once the Excel file changes are saved, clicking this button will read the Excel file and update or roundtrip the Hanger Configuration data to reflect all changes inside of Revit. Please note that:
- Changes will not be 'saved' to the active model's Hanger Configuration setting until OK is clicked in the Hanger Array Configuration dialog. Workshared models then will need to be synchronized/reloaded in order to see these changes, similar to modifying a property 'by hand' inside of the Hanger Array Configuration.
MAJ Export
A new command that can export .MAJ files, commonly used in CAM software such as CAMDuct or CADMEP. Alongside the export itself, the tool also exposes the ITM's Fabrication Part Statuses (pulled directly from the Fabrication Database) allowing you to update an ITM element's Part Status as part of the same action.
Figure X: The Export to MAJ dialog, giving [N] Fabrication users the ability to set the ITM Part's Part Status, with the option to export or not export those elements to .maj files.
MAJ Export inside of Spool Manager
This same MAJ Export and Update Part Status functionality is also built into Spool Manager! Once a Spool in the Spool List is checked, click on the Export button inside of the Actions Panel. The dropdown option of 'Export MAJ' is now included in v3.13 and will process the same dialogs/functionality as the standalone command.
Any exports/updates done in this dialog will apply to any ITM Elements contained in the checked Spools.
Figure X: Inside of Spool Manager, Export MAJ is now available. Clicking this button will display the same MAJ Export dialog and apply any exports/updates to ITM Elements in the Spool.
Notes:
- Toggle 'Include Dynamic Holes in MAJ Export' if Dynamic Hole data and nested MAJ content is to be carried into the exported file.
- MAJ Export will set the ITM element's Part Status to the selected option when the .maj file is exported. If you wish to only set the Part Status without exporting, ensure to check the box 'Update Part Status Only'.
- Available Part Status options are based on the Fabrication Database.
Spool Manager - Improvements
- Maintain scroll position in the Spool List when new Spool is created using Spool Manager.
- Tag 3D Views for Checked command will no longer place duplicated Continuation Tags
- Added the 'Default' Numbering setting to the 'Renumber' Actions Panel button inside of Spool Manager.
- 'Default' numbering when selected in Spool Manager Options will now number ITMs to 'Item Number' parameter, and RFA elements to 'Mark' parameter.
- If the Spool contains all ITMs, Item Number will be numbered, starting at 1, with Autopadding implemented (i.e. if more than 10 elements, will autopad to start at 01, 02, etc.
- If the Spool contains all RFAs, Mark will be numbered, starting at 1, with Autopadding implemented (i.e. if more than 10 elements, will autopad to start at 01, 02, etc.
- If the Spool contains a mix of ITMs and RFAs, ITMs will be numbered via Item Number, then RFAs via Mark - starting with ITMs, then chaining the next number to RFAs.
- Renumbering will sequence based on when the element was created.
- For example, numbering will go from 01>20 -- starting from the element created first ‘01' > element created last in that set ‘20’
- Resolved an issue with an empty Spool List becoming unreadable due to narrow column widths.
- Speed/performance improvements to the loading of Spools and processing of the Create and Place Views function.
- The following issues when executing Create and Place Views with Match Template Sheet enabled:
- Schedules inadvertently pushing Schedules down (as if it were stacking below another Schedule) when not placed in the same Placement Location have been resolved.
- Created Spool Sheets now correctly inherit the View Scale of a Template Sheet.
Fab Elbow Commands - Improvements
- Resolved issue with command failure when executed on a previously 'Elbowed' Fabrication Part element.
- Resolved issue with Slope not maintaining on resulting Straight elements.
- When executing Elbow commands on vertical Fabrication Straight runs, Naviate will now maintain the spacing for the newly modeled Elbows and Blooms.
Filter Elements - Fabrication Subcategory Improvements
Resolved an issue with Filter Element Settings (a command inside of [N] Accelerate), not recognizing ITM-based MEP Fabrication Ductwork/Pipework Subcategories, such as Straights, Elbows, etc.
Note: Filter Elements give you the ability to create custom, parameter-based Naviate Filter Settings that can be leveraged both on their own for powerful selection methods, but also through [N] Fabrication commands, such as:
- Data Flow
- Bill of Material (BOM) Commands
- Advanced Renumber
Quick Reconnect - Improvements
- For elements that are pinned, Quick Reconnect will now un-Pin, Reconnect, then Pin the element.
- Quick Reconnect will no longer place additional, unnecessary Couplings, Welds, Joints, etc., instead using and connecting already existing elements.
- Resolves an issue of elements unintentionally moving due to the Coupling/Weld/Joint being excluded within the service.
Rehost Commands - Improvements
- Allow Rehost to connect ITM Parts that are not of matching Service and do not share the same Service template.
- Quick Rehost now refreshes the Hanger whether the Hanger is hosted or unhosted, updating the Supported Depth and Supported Width parameter values. The Element ID of the Hanger will not be changed. Corrects a Middle Elevation parameter value issue in Revit 2025-2027.
- For Rectangular Ductwork, if a Tap is not at aligned to the host Duct's centerline (for coordination purposes), the Tap will maintain its justification/elevation and any downstream connecting elements.
- For Quick Rehost, if the connection point of the Tap is on the face of the Rectangular Duct, the Tap will be Rehosted. If the Tap is below the face of the Duct, a warning will appear and not Rehost the Tap.
- For Fab Rehost, justification/elevation will be maintained and Rehosted.
- For Copy Rehost/Copy Rehost Plus, the justification/elevation will not be maintained and the Tap will host to the centerline. If justification/elevation needs to be maintained, we recommend using Revit's out-of-the-box Copy command, then running Quick Rehost.
Fabrication Properties - Improvements
Modified the BIMrxDBS_PartStatus and NaviateDBS_PartStatus parameter to a Text-based parameter, matching the Fabrication Database behavior, and improving the flexibility of the Naviate parameter.
Tag Settings / Tag Shortcuts - Improvements
Allow Tag Shortcuts to select Linked Elements when the associated Tag Setting is enabled to select Linked Elements.
Multi Tier Rack - Improvements
For resulting Rack elements that have a negative Left Angle or Right Angle property value, report Rod Extn Below to 0". This will then cause the Rod Length parameters to also be set to 0".
RFA Upgrade Prompt on Model Open
When a Revit model opens, the RFA Upgrade popup has been disabled, if Naviate detects the Hanger Rack, Hanger Round, or Point RFA to be an outdated version. In order to upgrade BIMrx RFAs, follow the steps in this document.
Fabrication Settings - Added Ribbon Button
A separate command button has been added for Fabrication Settings. Note that this is in addition to the two (2) buttons found on the corners of the Fab Routing and Fab Points palettes.
Manual Strut - Improvements
When running the command on a rack-style ITM Hanger, the appropriate 'Rod' parameters are set to 0".
Fab Connect & Align in 3D - Improvements
Resolved an issue of these Fabrication Modeling commands inadvertently moving elements and their connections.
Fixes
- Fab Rotate Fitting
- Resolved an issue with the command taking an extensive amount of processing time when connected to several other MEP elements.
- Fabrication Elbow Commands
- Resolved an issue when slope is not applied to the resulting Ductwork if executed from a Sloped Fabrication Duct.
- Resolved an issue with Elbow 45 Up/Down when the tool is executed back-to-back on a Straight and the resulting 'Bloomed' Straight.
- Hanger Configurations
- Resolved an issue with Filter Criteria settings not saving when clicking OK from the opposite tab.
- Heal Fab
- Resolved an issue with the command taking an extensive amount of processing time when connected to several other MEP elements.
- About Dialog
- Resolved an issue of text in the UI being cut off when Display Scaling Settings are set to 100% or 125% on a smaller screen size.
Known Issues
Refer to the link: Naviate MEP/Fabrication Known Issues