Autodesk Revit Live (formerly Autodesk LIVE), a new interactive cloud-based visualization service which offers Revit AEC users the ability to transform their designs into fully-interactive 3D models, was launched in July 2016. The service draws viewers into the story of an architectural design much like a video game.
Autodesk Live Edition Launch Screen
Autodesk Live takes the worlds of visual effects, gaming software and BIM and take them to the next level of visualization. The cloud and mobile computing – as well as additive and subtractive manufacturing –make things easier to manufacture and blur the boundaries of the physical and digital worlds.
With Autodesk Live, users can transform a Revit model into an immersive experience, in just one click. Rather than just seeing your model, Revit Live lets you experience it interactively using VR gear.
Continuing its evolution, in October 2016 Autodesk announced Revit Live with support for VR gear from HTC Vive or Oculus Rift with just two mouse clicks. The new name change will take effect on March 9 on the product center website.
Adrian Finch, Industry Marketing Manager, Autodesk, spoke with AECCafe Voice and answered some questions about the new service:
AECCafe Voice: What kind of customer response have you received from this release, i.e., is it popular with architects, engineers, builders, etc.?
Yes, it’s popular among architects but is also potential use cases for engineers.
AECCafe Voice: What expenses would customers be expecting to pay to have Revit Live as well as VR hardware for their organizations?
- Revit Live is US$30/month; Need to have either Revit or Revit LT to use
- VR HMDs – HTC Vive and Oculus Vive (with touch controllers) are US$800 each
- VR Ready-PC meeting our recommended specifications can be as low as US$1000
AECCafe Voice: Is it offered as part of a whole subscription package?
No, this is sold separately from Revit or Revit LT; not part of any collection or suite.
AECCafe Voice: Are the custom building materials you speak of generated in Autodesk products or can they be from other organizations?
They can be generated from anywhere.
AECCafe Voice: Since many jobsites make use of different types of software, what types of non-proprietary data does Revit Live take in?
Live only supports Revit and Revit LT for now, but we have seen many clients import different kinds of data (one example is CAD models) into Revit and send it to Live from there (typical engineering use case).
AECCafe Voice: Are users able to view the entire BIM model or just parts of it?
They are able to view the entire model.
AECCafe Voice: What is a common workflow for the use of Revit Live?
- When in Revit or Revit LT, hit “Go Live” button and this will upload the BIM model to the cloud and provide a model that is downloaded on the user’s desktop. They can open this model via the LIVE Editor app (free to use) to explore the model and use the LIVE Viewer app (free to use) to share the model with clients or extended project stakeholders.
- Use cases include design review and design validation, and stakeholder presentations
The most recent announcement from company materials includes the following:
- Release of version 1.7 of Revit Live [formerly Autodesk LIVE]. Why the name change? To reflect the integrated functionality within Revit and the ability to extend BIM to immersive visualization and virtual reality.
- Support for Revit LT– previously available only for users of Revit
- Level of Detailsgeometry generation and material instancing have also been added, resulting in a 20% performance improvement for users when working with large models [e.g. a hospital complex] and virtual reality.
- Custom building materials are now supported in Revit Live, giving customers greater flexibility to create unique visualizations.
For more about the latest Autodesk Live 1.7 enhancements visit the release notes page and this help page.
Oculus just announced a price drop with the controllers! So US$600 for Oculus and US$800 for HTC Vive –