Introduction

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Family Library Specification Importer Colour by Spec Status Colour by Family Version Reset Colour Clear Data Help IconCAD Add-In for AutoCAD®

The IconBIM Revit Add-in is part of the IconSystem BIM Toolkit which is an online specification, library and cost plan solution (with complimentary Add-Ins and Apps) that can be shared across teams, departments and offices worldwide.

For each client an IconSystem Specs & Standards solution is created for the cloud-based library. This allows the publishing, notification and versioning of any type of BIM Object or CAD File (Revit®, AutoCAD®, 3ds Max®, IFC, etc.).

The IconBIM Revit Add-In allows any authorised users to search for Revit Families held in the library and then drag-and-drop them directly into their Revit Projects.

Additional routines provide functionality such as highlighting out-of-date items, importing data into Revit Projects or AutoCAD drawings and scheduling from Revit or AutoCAD into an online cost estimate. Additionally, any information, pictures, installation guides, risk assessments, costs, etc. can also be held in the library and associated with the BIM / CAD files.

Using the Add-in

In the Drafting section of the Add-In there are the following set of routines:

  • Family Library: Search for and then drag-and-drop selected Revit Families from Specs & Standards, directly into your Revit Project
  • Specification Importer: Pull the specification data held on the configured IconSystem website, directly into the Families in your Revit project
  • Colour by Spec Status: Automatically identify Families based the status of their corresponding specification on the Specs & Standards website, i.e. Families relating to Innovation items will change to Green, Current will go Yellow, items under Review will turn Magenta and Archived Red. You can also use this to identify non-specification items in the project, as they will not change colour
  • Colour by Family Version: Automatically identify Families that have been superseded by newer versions in the Family Library by highlighting them in a specific colours, i.e. Current Families will change to Yellow, Superseded to Red and Deleted to Grey
  • Reset Colour: Undo either / both of the two process above
  • Clear Data: Remove any information that has been added by the Spec Importer. This can be used for removing sensitive data should a Revit project need to be sent to a third party.


The Add-In, which is compatible with Revit 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, is free to download and trial.

To run the Add-In you will either need to be a registered user of an IconSystem website that is in use by one of Icon's clients or, if you are considering purchasing IconBIM, you can trial the solution on Icon's Demonstration Website by following the registration process in the 'Try IconBIM with a Sample Revit Project' section below.

If you have access to YouTube, you may like to watch our IconSystem Specs & Standards CAD Library (pending update) demonstration, the IconBIM Overview followed by the IconBIM (pending update) demonstration.

Download the IconBIM Add-In

Please click the appropriate link below and download the installer that matches your Revit version (note that to install the Add-In, your Windows User Account may need administrator privileges).

When you have clicked the required link, choose 'Run' or 'Save' (followed by run) to install the program. If Revit was open during the installation, please re-start it.

Try IconBIM with a Sample Revit Project

If you are NOT already a user of an IconSystem website, you can trial the software by using the IconSystem demonstration website. To get you started we have created a test Revit project that you can use to trial the Add-In. If you have not already registered on the demonstration website, please follow this Registration Process.

Once you have submitted the registration, you should receive an email confirming your access to the system within an hour or so (during office hours).

Whilst your registration is being processed, you can download our Sample Revit Project (this is in Revit 2012 format).

Configuring the Add-In

Please note that you will need to have been granted access to the demonstration website before you can configure the Add-In.

When you first use the Add-In, you will see the following IconBIM Configuration dialogue box:

IconSystem Revit Integration - IconBIM Settings

Here you will need to enter the URL of the IconSystem website that you want to access. Note that you do not have to include the https:// prefix.

As explained in the previous section, if you just want to trial the software, use Icon's demonstration website by entering the URL https://demo.iconsystem.co.uk and then the Email Address and Password you used when registering on the site.

If you have any trouble with this, please call the Elecosoft Helpdesk on 01858 436925 (for users outside the UK please use the international code: +44 1858 468925).

This has been a short introduction into the IconBIM Revit Add-In. For further information and pricing please call Icon on 01858 436345 (for users outside the UK please use the international code: +44 1858 468345).

IconSystem Specs & Standards Overview

The IconSystem Specs & Standards solution is in use by some of the UK's largest retailers who use it to manage their building design, specification and branding requirements. Essentially the system holds all the information the client wants to impart to the design, construction, fit-out and maintenance teams in terms of 'this is what we want you to build' and 'we installed this, here's where you find the maintenance guidelines'. It's the client being prescriptive about things like:

  • 'You need to adhere to this health & safety policy'

  • 'Complete this risk assessment before commencing work'

  • 'We are specifying these light fittings (because they are economical / last a lifetime / our procurement department has struck a deal with the supplier)'

  • 'Read this installation guide when you install that item of equipment'

  • 'Here are the approved design drawings so you can construct this item of shopfitting'

  • 'You need to install this item this way to ensure we don't have people tripping over it'

  • 'We are no longer using that item of equipment / floor finish / door as we have replaced it with this one'

  • 'This is what was installed, this is when it needs servicing and here is the maintenance manual'.


Along with all of the above, the system can also provide the clients with accurate cost model data across the range of building types and sizes it constructs. Some of Elecosoft's clients know to the penny what it will cost to build, fit-out or re-fit a property. They can also very quickly assess the knock-on effect of procuring items at an alternative price because the Specs & Standards solution knows exactly how many have been specified.

The IconSystem Specs & Standards is not a document management system, but a full database-driven content management system where the possibility of having conflicting information is eliminated because the system imposes a 'no duplication' principle.

Information held in the system is revised using a robust, built-in, change management system. When a revision is approved, all references to the information are instantly updated, a full version history is recorded and change notification emails are automatically sent out at chosen intervals ensuring all teams are made aware of the update.

Access to the system is granted via pre-determined user permissions, so you can trust that information is only viewed by the people that need to see it, ensuring sensitive information is kept confidential.

Technical Information

The IconBIM Revit Add-In needs an Internet connection as it is pulling live data directly from our servers. This is important as our clients' specifications often change on a daily or even hourly basis. The search results and images you see in the Add-In is downloaded as and when needed. The Specification Importer is pulling information directly from the live server so that you can be certain that it is the latest, current and approved specification information. No files or data are included as part of the installation package.

This app has been developed using the IconSystem API / Web Service which allows approved software developers to access information held in an IconSystem website.

Version History

3.3.2 - 27/07/2022: Security update
3.3.1 - 15/03/2019: Security update
3.3.0 - 20/06/2018: Specification importer now also returns three additional BIM parameters - NS Code, NRM Code, Uniclass
3.2.2 - 18/09/2017: Minor bug fixes
3.2.1 - 27/07/2017: Specification importer now also returns specification when no family file is attached to the item. Other bug fixes for the Specification importer
3.2.0 - 08/04/2017: Revit version displayed in search results (the latest compatible file will be shown when multiple versions are available). Improvements made to the Specification Importer.
3.1.2 - 04/11/2016: Minor bug fixes
3.1.1 - 02/08/2016: Minor bug fixes
3.1.0 - 26/07/2016: Updated Family Library interface. Specification Importer now reports progress and also prompts for user input if any IconFamilyVersion Type Parameters are not set. Clear Data now removes Type Parameters that were added by the Specification Importer.
2.2.1 - 29/10/2015: Changed IconCost shared parameter from NUMBER to CURRENCY.
2.2.0 - 17/07/2015: Changed IconCost shared parameter from TEXT to NUMBER. Update to the Family Library: if multiple families are attached to an item, they are all made available.
2.1.2 - 18/08/2014: Fixed version 2.1.1 issue where 'Remember Me' was not storing the user's password correctly.
2.1.1 - 14/08/2014: Implemented SHA256 authentication. Added IconSpecificationLastUpdateDate and IconFamiliyUpdateDate Type Parameters. Revised shared parameter file handling to revert to a user-specified shared parameter file setting after the Specification Importer has run.
2.0.1 - 28/03/2014: Implemented (Administrator specified) customisable Family Library search tabs. Implemented an IconBIM 'Lite' version which has full Family Library functionality and an (Administrator specified) time-limited trial of the Specification Importer. Removed 'Import Spec by Rectangle'.
1.2.2 - 12/02/2014: Revised Shared Parameters so that all are prefixed with 'Icon'. Standard Parameters (Model, Manufacturer, Description and Cost) are no longer updated / over-written by the Spec Importer as new Shared Parameters (IconModel, IconManufacturer, IconDescription and IconCost) are created and used instead. Icon Group number in Shared Parameter file (IconParameters.txt) is now set to 64 to allow easier merging with any existing Shared Parameter Files.
1.2.1 - 26/11/2013
1.2.0 - 03/10/2013
1.1.9 - 30/09/2013
1.1.8 - 07/08/2013
1.1.7 - 10/07/2013
1.1.6 - 04/06/2013
1.1.5 - 24/04/2013