2024 Industry Insights from ThatBIMGuy
As we reach the end of 2024, it's time to reflect on the significant developments and trends that have shaped the industry as well as shaped myself over the past year. This article delves into the key advancements, from the release of Revit 2025 and its subsequent updates to the introduction of Autodesk's Content Catalog. We'll also explore the impact of large language models like ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot, and the innovative AI tools transforming Revit workflows. Additionally, we'll highlight the importance of industry conferences and the valuable insights they provide. Join me as I navigate through the pivotal moments and technological strides that have defined 2024.
Revit 2025
In early April, Revit 2025 was released. As I wrote in my What’s New article earlier this year, while there were a decent number of features and enhancements, Revit 2025 only had 4 MEP related updates. One of the biggest changes to Revit 2025 was the switch from .NET4.8 to .NET8. This affected all the add-ins that we use daily. These add-ins, while usually available shortly after a new version’s release, have taken months upon months to get updated to work with Revit 2025. I want to commend those developers for pushing through those major changes to get us, the end user, the tools that we love. Unfortunately, some of those add-ins are still not ready for use.
Shortly after its initial release, 2025.1 was also released. When 2025.2 was released on July 23rd, the most notable of the handful of improvements was the Tabbed Browser and the new Manage Links dialogue. October 14th marked the release of Revit 2025.3 with just 7, yes 7, updates. We finally got an in-context spell checker. This means that as you are editing text, misspelled words are underlined. I am not currently using Revit 2025 so I cannot tell you if that works in Tags or Schedules but there is no mention of that in the Autodesk Help page for it, so I don’t think it does. While I was writing this, I opened 2025 and did some testing. I can confirm as of the writing of this article, that this does not work in Tags or Schedules.
I still believe, as I wrote in last year’s Insights article, that “Autodesk needs to adapt, innovate, and change otherwise more companies will lose faith and jump ship to a competitor who is doing more innovative things for the industry”.
Content Catalog
I would like to discuss Autodesk’s Content Catalog. Following Autodesk's acquisition of Unifi Labs in March 2023, the platform was rebranded as Content Catalog. After an extensive beta testing phase, Content Catalog (CC) was officially launched in August 2024 and is now integrated into Autodesk Docs, available at no additional cost for users with access through AEC Collection licenses, BIM Collaborate/Collaborate Pro, or specific entitlements to Autodesk Docs.
Initially, CC lacked several features previously available in Unifi v3, such as Content Request, Batch Editor, Manufacturer Channels, and Project Analytics. For further details, the Unifi Labs website provides a comprehensive FAQ section.
Over the past five months, I have consistently advised against transitioning to Content Catalog for those currently using Unifi V3 due to the absence of several key features. The feature set of Content Catalog does not yet match that of Unifi, which may result in disruptions to your established workflows and procedures. If you depend on any features that are absent in Content Catalog, the transition will likely be unsatisfactory. Please note, there is no method to migrate your Unifi v3 content to Content Catalog. All saved searches, tags, and libraries (now referred to as collections) will need to be recreated from scratch and manually uploaded or exported to Content Catalog.
However, for individuals who have never used Unifi, Content Catalog offers an excellent content management solution that seamlessly integrates with Autodesk Docs. It provides a streamlined way to manage, organize, and access BIM content directly from the cloud, which enhances collaboration and efficiency. Furthermore, the platform supports cloud-based file upgrades, ensuring that users always have access to the latest versions of their content. Currently, Content Catalog is available at no additional cost for users with Autodesk Docs, making it a valuable resource for teams looking to optimize their workflows without incurring extra expenses.
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Currently, there are four major players in this field: ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, Gemini, and Claude. ChatGPT was released to the public in November 2022 and quickly gained users. Microsoft CoPilot was launched shortly after and utilizes OpenAI’s codex and GPT models. Microsoft has made significant investments in OpenAI, which aligns with their use of OpenAI's technology for Microsoft CoPilot. The first version of Claude was introduced in March 2023. Gemini, developed by Google, was released in December 2023.
I would like to begin by stating that I am a subscriber of both ChatGPT+ and Microsoft CoPilot Pro, and I actively utilize both services. The sequence of events leading to this situation is rather interesting. As a Microsoft 365 subscriber, I was enthusiastic about the announcement of Microsoft CoPilot and its potential integrations with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint. However, initially, CoPilot was available only to certain companies and not to the general public. Due to this limitation, I began using the free version of ChatGPT. After experiencing satisfactory results with ChatGPT, I decided to upgrade to the personal paid subscription for a full year.
Unexpectedly, approximately three days later, Microsoft released CoPilot for Windows and Microsoft Office, albeit requiring a paid subscription. This development presented me with a dilemma. On one hand, I had just committed to a year-long subscription with ChatGPT+. On the other hand, I was keen on leveraging CoPilot's integration with Microsoft Office. When I considered canceling my ChatGPT+ subscription, I discovered that even if canceled, the subscription would remain active until the renewal date, without any refund.
Ultimately, I chose to subscribe to CoPilot Pro specifically for its Microsoft Office functionality. In retrospect, I do not regret this decision. Both ChatGPT and CoPilot Pro serve distinct purposes for me. By posing the same questions to both, I obtain different insights and results. Primarily, I use CoPilot Pro for tasks within Microsoft Office and rely on ChatGPT+ for various other requirements.
I like being able to revisit my history within ChatGPT or CoPilot. I have asked both to generate images for me with varying results. I do find some of the images to be awkward if text is included and a lot of that text is misspelled or gibberish. Maybe I am not giving them good enough prompts. *shrugs* I just recently asked ChatGPT to generate some Halloween-themed images for my one-year anniversary issue of my Buildings BIM Bulletin at Garver. I have included one here for you all.
I utilize ChatGPT for tasks such as calculating values based on specific criteria, generating themed quotes to be included in my BIM Bulletins, and conducting various information-gathering searches. For CoPilot, I mostly use it within Word and PowerPoint to assist with rewriting text or creating PowerPoint slides from diverse information sources. Both tools have proven to be highly beneficial in my work over the past year, and I anticipate continuing to use them in 2025. Garver is currently testing CoPilot internally and may implement it companywide in the near future. If this occurs, I will fully embrace the tool and integrate it into my daily workflows, meetings, and other activities involving Microsoft Office.
As for Gemini and Claude, I have not really used them. Even though I am an avid Android user and just recently picked up a Google Pixel 9 Pro, I have not used Gemini as of yet. If you have used either of them, feel free to reach out and share your experiences with them. I would love to hear it.
AI for Revit
Last year I wrote that AI was all the rage, despite being a thing since the 50’s. Lots of AI tech companies have popped up and some of them have disappeared as quickly as they appeared. There are a few standouts in the AI space for Revit, Veras from EvolveLabs, WiseBIM AI and Skema AI.
Veras is an AI rendering tool for Revit that significantly enhances Revit models by incorporating realistic materials, lighting, and backgrounds. This powerful tool allows architects to create highly detailed and visually stunning renderings directly within Revit, eliminating the need to export models to other rendering software. By integrating seamlessly with Revit, Veras streamlines the workflow, saving valuable time and effort.
One of the standout features of Veras is its ability to apply realistic materials to Revit models. Users can select from a vast library of pre-defined materials or create custom materials to suit their project requirements. This level of customization ensures that the final renderings accurately reflect the intended design aesthetics and materials.
Lighting is another critical aspect where Veras excels. It offers advanced lighting tools that simulate natural and artificial lighting conditions, allowing architects to visualize how their designs will look in different lighting scenarios. This feature is particularly useful for evaluating the impact of lighting on interior spaces and making informed decisions about lighting design.
In addition to materials and lighting, Veras also enhances backgrounds and environments. Users can choose from various background settings, such as urban landscapes, natural scenery, or custom environments, to provide context and depth to their renderings. This ability to place Revit models within realistic environments helps convey the project's vision more effectively to clients and stakeholders.
Furthermore, Veras is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, even for those who may not have extensive experience with rendering software. Its intuitive interface and straightforward workflow make it easy for users to quickly learn and utilize its features. This ease of use, combined with its powerful capabilities, makes Veras an invaluable tool for architects looking to elevate the quality of their Revit renderings.
Overall, Veras is a cost-effective and highly efficient solution for creating professional-grade renderings within Revit. By enhancing the visual appeal and realism of Revit models, Veras helps architects present their designs in the best possible light, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.
WiseBIM AI is an innovative tool designed to transform 2D drawings into 3D models within Revit. It handles various file formats, including DWG, JPG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, PDF, and DXF. By converting these 2D files into 3D Revit elements, such as walls, doors, windows, floors, and rooms, WiseBIM AI streamlines the modeling process and saves significant time.
The tool offers a user-friendly experience by allowing users to select types for exterior and dividing walls, single and double doors, main windows, and floors. It also includes functionality to identify rooms within the imported files. While the initial conversion provides a strong foundation, some manual clean-up may be required to perfect the model. Overall, WiseBIM AI is an excellent starting point for architects and designers aiming to efficiently build 3D models from 2D data.
Finally, let's turn our attention to Skema AI. Specifically tailored for projects featuring repetitive units or rooms, such as multi-family housing, hospitality, or healthcare facilities, Skema AI presents a unique advantage. Users must first create a comprehensive catalog of these typical units or rooms. Once this database is established, it becomes remarkably efficient to select and place the desired units within a model. Furthermore, Skema AI can automatically generate room layouts based on the building's footprint and designated common areas. This tool also allows for easy substitutions, enabling users to swap units from the catalog with unparalleled ease. For architectural firms specializing in these project types, Skema AI proves indispensable, optimizing both design precision and workflow efficiency.
Industry Conferences
I really miss the BILTNA conference, formerly known as RTCNA, and I was truly bummed to hear that it was not going to happen in 2024. RTC is a staple of the AEC industry. While it began in Australia, it was brought over to the states in 2010. It also expanded into Europe and Asia as well. I attended in 2014 and 2015 but not again until 2021 (virtually). I finally attended as a speaker in 2023. Wes, if you are reading this, please bring it back to the states! In the wake of BILTNA’s absence a few new conferences came into the fold, AUGI CON and BIM Invitational Meetup.
At AUGI CON, I was one of 12 main speakers, some of which were round tables with a few added folks to them. I had the pleasure of presenting with Jason Kunkel and Jason Peters about 3 BIM Models, 3 Outcomes, 3 Dead Ends. It was a great experience, and I am looking forward to what AUGI CON 2025 brings either as a speaker or attendee.
A few months ago, I wrote an article on the Importance of Industry Conferences. In it, I highlighted my time at the BIM Invitational Meetup. While it was on the smaller side, the things that were discussed were meaningful and very impactful and comprised of the best parts of traditional conferences, the conversions and networking between sessions. I highly recommend attending this conference in 2025. Registration opens in January with a July 28-29 date already established.
I did not attend Autodesk University (AU) in person this year. Although I had the opportunity, our company-wide Garver Summit was scheduled for the same week. I submitted our AUGI CON session for AU, but it was unfortunately rejected. I later found out that many industry leaders I know also had their sessions rejected, which made me feel less disappointed.
I managed to attend some virtual sessions. However, as with most virtual events, I was multitasking while listening, so my engagement wasn't as deep as it would have been if I were there in person. Autodesk has recently made most of the sessions and their materials available on the AU Learning Platform. The night they announced this, I spent over an hour browsing through all 682 sessions to find the ones I wanted to watch later. Disappointingly, I only bookmarked about a dozen.
While AU covers all things Autodesk, I found the selection lacking, especially for the AEC industry. Many sessions had similar names and almost identical content but were led by different presenters. Specifically, there were fewer sessions dedicated to AutoCAD and Revit for the AEC sector.
If I find time to watch those bookmarked sessions, I'll share my thoughts. AU is moving to Nashville in 2025 and will take place in September, so perhaps I'll finally get the chance to attend in person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2024 has been a year of remarkable progress and innovation within the industry. The release of Revit 2025 and its updates have brought both challenges and improvements, while Autodesk's Content Catalog has emerged as a valuable tool for content management. The rise of large language models and AI tools has revolutionized workflows, offering new possibilities for efficiency and creativity. Industry conferences have continued to be a vital platform for knowledge sharing and networking, despite some notable absences. As we look ahead to 2025, it's clear that the industry will continue to evolve, driven by technological advancements and the collective efforts of professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
