Revit

Revit is 3D modeling software used by architects, engineers, plumbers, etc. Original developed by Charles River software, Revit was created in 2000 and purchased by AutoDesk in 2002^[1][2][3].

File Information

Revit software uses a few different file formats.^[4]

• RTE (template) files and RVT (project) files are actual Revit® projects.^[5]
• RFA (family) files and RFT (family template) files are family files that can either be loaded into a project or saved externally.
• RVG are Revit group files.^[6]
• RWS files are Revit workspace files created as a backup during software use.

File Identification

RVT & RFA files use the Microsoft Compound File format^[7][8] and are practically identical. Template files are also identical.

Generally the format consists of a few files and folders, usually containing a file called "BasicFileInfo" and a PNG or JPG thumbnail file "RevitPreview4.0". RFA files newer than 2010 have an XML file included called "PartAtom" which includes details of the family file.

• Revit library 1.0 to 3.0 (needs more research)
• Revit library 4.0 to 9.0 (no "BasicFileInfo" contains thumbnail "RevitPreview4.0")
• Revit library 2008 to 2018 ("BasicFileInfo" file with build info. "Revit Build: Autodesk Revit 2018 (Build: 20170130_1515(x64))" contains thumbnail "RevitPreview4.0")
• Revit library 2019 to 2020 (BasicFileInfo" file with new format & build info. "Format: 2020 Build: 20190207_1515(x64)" contains thumbnail "RevitPreview4.0")

Sample Files

• RVT Samples files from library version 6 circa 2004
• AutoDesk Revit 2020 RVT Sample Project Files
• AutoDesk Revit 2020 RFA Sample Family Files
• AutoDesk Revit 2015 RVT Sample Project Files

References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_Revit
2. ↑ https://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/revit-history.html
3. ↑ http://www.cadonline.com/reviews/software/cad/0602revit/0602revit.htm
4. ↑ https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Revit-file-types.html
5. ↑ https://viewer.autodesk.com/
6. ↑ https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014/ENU/Revit/files/GUID-AD57A0E7-8DC6-45FD-8571-8FF51E5BC3A2-htm.html
7. ↑ https://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2010/06/open-revit-ole-storage.html
8. ↑ https://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2008/10/rvt-file-version.html