How to install, sign in to and use every command on the BIM Tools ribbon tab. In Revit, hover over any BIM Tools button and press F1 to open this page.
BIM Tools installs with a standard Windows installer (.msi).
.msi and accept the Windows administrator prompt.The installer adds BIM Tools to every supported Revit version on the computer (2023 to 2027).
It also installs the ValorVDC Revit families the tools use to
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Downloaded Content\ValorVDC, so every user on the
computer can load them.
Installing a newer version removes the older one for you. You don't need to uninstall first.
The commands stay greyed out until you sign in.
When your trial is close to ending, BIM Tools reminds you when Revit starts. To keep using the tools after the trial, purchase a BIM Tools license.
Forgot your password? Use Forgot password on the sign-in window to get a reset email.
To see whether a newer version is available, click Model Tools › Check for
Updates. If there is one, an Update Available window shows your
version, the latest version and what's new. Click Download Update, run the new
.msi, then restart Revit.
If you installed BIM Tools from the Autodesk App Store, you can also update it from there.
The Revit families that come with BIM Tools.
The installer puts the ValorVDC family library in
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Downloaded Content\ValorVDC\Families,
grouped into Annotation, Generic Families,
Hangers and Sleeves.
Click Model Tools › Family Library on the BIM Tools tab to open the library folder in File Explorer. The button works even when you're signed out.
Commands that need a family load it into your project for you: Flow Arrows, the Sleeving Tools, the Hangers & Supports tools and Point Tools.
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Downloaded Content\ValorVDC\Families..rfa file and click Open.When a BIM Tools window asks you to choose a family, its file browser opens in this folder.
Close Revit, then open Windows Settings › Apps › Installed apps, find BIM Tools and choose Uninstall. This removes the add-in from every Revit version and deletes the files the installer added.
Editing, connecting and laying out pipe, duct, conduit, cable tray and fabrication parts. Most commands ask you to pick elements in the model; press Esc to finish or cancel.
Straightens pipes and ducts that are slightly off-axis (skewed), so they run true and connect cleanly.
Disconnects a pipe, duct, conduit or fabrication part at the end you pick, leaving its other connections in place.
Removes every connection from the MEP element you select: pipe, duct, fitting, accessory, equipment and more.
Changes the length of a conduit, duct or pipe, fabrication parts included. Choose a typical stock length (5', 10', 20', 21') or enter your own.
Adds flow-direction arrows to pipes, ducts and other MEP curves.
Creates a vertical pipe riser. Choose the pipe system, pipe type, diameter and the start and end levels, and BIM Tools draws the riser between them.
Turns a branch pipe, duct, conduit or cable tray square (perpendicular) to the main run, ready to connect.
A two-step command that lines up one MEP element with another and connects them. Works with pipes, ducts, conduit, cable tray, fittings, accessories, equipment and fabrication parts.
Moves a whole group of elements and connects it to another element. Works with duct, fabrication parts and pipe.
Checks and sets the center-to-center spacing between parallel pipes, fabrication pipe and conduit, insulation included.
A two-step command that extends an MEP curve to connect to a fitting, accessory, equipment or another curve. Works with duct, fabrication parts and pipe.
Inserts a flange or coupling into a pipe, or between two fittings.
Creates pipe and can add flanges to open connectors.
Deletes a pipe and joins its ends to the fittings next to it.
Deletes a fitting, tap, accessory, curve or fabrication part without Revit also deleting the elements connected to it. Pick elements one after another, and press Esc when you're done.
Copies a pipe tap to another pipe. BIM Tools reads the original tap's family, routing preferences, parameters and branch angle, then places a matching tap with a 12" branch pipe on the host pipe you select.
Splits a pipe into equal segments, with a flange or union at every joint.
Creates a rolling offset between two selected MEP curves: pipe, round duct or conduit.
Click Hanger & Supports on the MEP Tools panel to open this menu.
Places single-rod hangers on conduit, round duct and pipe, either one at a time or spaced along a run.
Places trapeze-style hangers on conduit, round duct and pipe, either one at a time or spaced along a run.
Places fabrication hangers on fabrication pipe, using each part's own service. The hangers are hosted on the pipe and move with it.
Re-centers trapeze hangers on pipe or duct that has moved.
Sets the hanger placement rules for the project, and which families the MEP Palette uses.
Click Sleeving Tools on the MEP Tools panel to open this menu.
Places floor sleeves where vertical pipes and ducts pass through floors. A summary shows what was placed.
Places round wall sleeves for conduit, round duct, fabrication parts and pipe. If a sleeve larger than the family's biggest size is needed, BIM Tools warns you.
Places rectangular wall sleeves for duct and fabrication parts.
Realigns one element, such as a sleeve, to a pipe or duct you pick (fabrication parts too).
Realigns several selected wall sleeves to a pipe or duct you pick (fabrication parts too).
Layout points for robotic total stations. Click Point Tools on the MEP Tools panel to open this menu.
Exports layout points to a CSV file, in X, Y, Z or Y, X, Z order, and can also export a DWG of the view.
Numbers or renumbers every point in the view. BIM Tools flags duplicate and unnumbered points so you can fix them. You can undo with Ctrl+Z.
Places a layout point on every fabrication hanger, then shows how many hangers were found and how many points were placed.
Adds layout points to a family. Run it from the Revit Family Editor.
Removes all layout points from a family, along with the nested Layout Point family and the shared parameters Add Points created. Run it from the Revit Family Editor.
Shows or hides the MEP Palette, a dockable panel of fittings and accessories you can set as defaults or place straight into the model.
Creates a section view from any duct, conduit, pipe or fabrication part you pick.
Copies the scope boxes you select.
Copies parameter values from elements in linked models.
Zooms to an object you selected in another view.
Manage user licenses for your organization. This button only appears for organization administrators.
Opens the BIM Tools family library folder in File Explorer. See Family library.
Opens your email program with a message to ValorVDC support, to report a problem or suggest an improvement.
Checks whether a newer version of BIM Tools is available. See Updates.
You aren't signed in. Click Model Tools › Account and sign in. If your trial has ended, purchase a license to keep using the tools.
Make sure you're running Revit 2023 to 2027 and that the installer finished. Close Revit, run the installer again, then restart Revit.
Some commands load ValorVDC families from
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Downloaded Content\ValorVDC. If that folder is
missing or empty, run the installer again.
Hover over a BIM Tools button until its tooltip shows Press F1 for more help, then press F1. On a laptop or Mac keyboard you may need to hold Fn as well.
Email support@valorvdc.com, or click Model Tools › Contact Us in Revit. To help us fix a problem quickly, please include: