New Autodesk Revit 5.1 Features
Autodesk® Revit® adds the AutoCAD 2004 DWG format to its industry-leading DWG compatibility for seamless collaboration and communication with your project team. Modeling capabilities and usability features are some other powerful features for even for higher productivity, improved coordination, and better quality from conceptual design through construction. 

Model Linking

• Combine Autodesk Revit building models directly within your project
• Link multiple buildings together to facilitate campus and other multistructure projects
• Enable much larger projects and project teams

Graphic Control for Linked Models

• Standard model-viewing mechanisms are supported for linked models
• Cut sections through linked models
• Linked models can also draw themselves based on phase and floor level information contained in the linked project
• Enables a wide range of new drawing deliverables

On-Demand Database Reading

• Reduces memory usage and increases performance on large models
• Computes only those things you see in your currently open views
• Dramatically improves performance on large projects
• Eliminates the need to worry about Workset references

Shared Coordinate Systems

• Linked models can be located with respect to a shared coordinate system
• Each individual model can be edited in its own project coordinates and still be seen in a real-world context
• Establishes a common true north for all linked models
• Saves time and tedious effort in continually trying to match up coordinate systems between multiple projects, DWG files, or both 

"True North" View Setting

• Plan views can be switched between Project North and True North orientation
• Saves time by eliminating the need to rotate text and symbols
• Reduces work when creating site plans

Vertically Compound Walls

• Design complex wall types in section
• Saves time by preinserting different heights of materials and surface features, such as reveals
• Saves both modeling and drafting time

Assemblies of Nested Family Components

• Multiple family components can be combined into more complex assemblies
• Provides parametric control of the individual components within the assembly
• Allows building a kit of parts to speed designs that use combinations of standard components

Preannotated Model Families

• Self-annotating building components can be made by inserting annotation families into model family components
• Eliminates errors of untagged items
• Ensures drawing consistency

Walkthrough Animation

• Path creation produces line-drawn, shaded, or rendered animations for stunning client presentations
• Allows any designer to create fast, high-quality walkthroughs for their clients

Work Plane Grid

• User-displayable grid provides easier visualization of modeling and sketching operations, resulting in fewer errors

Edge Conditions; Roof and Floor

• Creates fascia, gutters, soffits, and slab edge shapes
• Profile-based tools for creating roof and floor edge conditions
• Save time, represent accurate, real-world construction assemblies

Butt-Glazed Curtain Walls

Dramatically reduces layout time for this common curtain wall system Supports automatically mitered horizontal mullions