What is an RVT file?

Learn how to open, edit and convert RVT files!

A file with the .RVT extension is a Revit Project file used by Autodesk’s Revit Building Information Modeling (BIM) program.

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What is it?

Within an RVT file, there are all the architectural details related to a project, such as a 3D model, elevation details, floor plans and project settings. (RVT is also an acronym for technological terms such as remote video terminal, path verification test and requirements verification test. However, none of these terms have anything to do with RVT files).

How to open an RVT file

Autodesk’s Revit program is used to create RVT files, so it can also open files in this format. If you have not already purchased Revit and you are not going to buy it, you can still open the RVT file for free with the trial version of Revit.

AutoCAD Architecture by Autodesk, included in AutoCAD, is another option to open an RVT file. AutoCAD, like Revit, is not free but you can use it for free for 30 days if you download the trial version.

If you prefer not to follow the traditional installation path of an RVT viewer on your computer, you can view the RVT file online instead. Autodesk Viewer allows you to open the RVT file without Revit or AutoCAD on your computer. The same viewer also supports similar formats, such as DWG, STEP, etc. and makes sharing the RVT file easier.

To use Autodesk Viewer as a free RVT viewer, select “Sign up for Free” at the top of the webpage to create a free user account, then upload the RVT file from the Design Views page.

How to convert RVT files

Revit allows you to convert RVT to DWG or DXF via Export> CAD Formats. The program can also save RVT files in DWF format.

Navisworks is a tool that can convert an RVT to an NWD. If you have this program, you can save your Revit file in the Navisworks file format and open the NWD file with their free Navisworks Freedom tool.

To convert an RVT to an IFC file, you might have luck with the Revit to IFC online conversion tool. However, this may not be the best solution if your file is very large; you will need to upload both the RVT file on that website and download the converted IFC file when it’s finished.

An RVT to PDF conversion is also possible if you are using a PDF printer. Open the RVT file in any program that supports the format and will allow you to print the model. Then when you go to print, choose the PDF printer instead of your actual printer.

The RVT file can also be converted to the Revit Family file format. To transform the RVT file into an RFA file, first export the model to an SAF file. Then, create a new RFA file and import the SAT file into it.

You may need to perform a conversion from an RVT to SKP. One way to do so is to install rvt2skp (works with Revit) or you can manually convert the Revit file to a SketchUp file:

Go to the Export> Options> Export Revit DWG / DXF Settings menu.
Select ACIS solids from the Solids tab, then select OK.
Go to Export> CAD Formats> DWG.

Now you can import the file into SketchUp and use the SketchUp options to convert the file to any format supported by that software.

Still can’t open the file?

Your file most likely won’t open with Revit or the other programs mentioned above is because you’re reading the file extension wrong. It’s really easy to confuse another format with a Revit Project file because some file extensions look very similar even when they are not related at all.

For example, at first glance, RVG files look like RVT files. However, they are X-ray images captured by dental imaging sensors. You can open one with the Aeskulap DICOM viewer.

RVL is another suffix example that closely resembles RVT, but muvee Reveal is required to open one of these movie project files.

If your file ends in RVT but has nothing to do with Revit, open it with Notepad ++ or another text editor. It is possible that your file is just a simple text file that can be read easily with any text file viewer. Otherwise, you may find some descriptive information within the text that can help you understand what format it is in and use to narrow down your search for a compatible program to open it.