AutoInsulate Help

Rule-based insulation for pipe, duct, and duct-liner systems in Autodesk Revit.

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Introduction

AutoInsulate replaces repetitive, manual insulation work with a controlled and repeatable workflow. Define reusable rules by system type and size range, then apply them consistently across pipe, duct, and duct-liner systems. Rules are stored inside the Revit model so project-specific settings are easy to maintain, reuse, and share.

Key Concepts

  • Define rule-based insulation by system type and size range.
  • Apply rules to the current selection, active view, or full model.
  • Use filters for systems and conditions that need different logic.
  • Store project-specific rules directly in the Revit model.
  • Import and export rule sets as JSON files.

Who This Guide Is For

MEP engineers, BIM modelers, and coordinators who create or maintain insulated pipe and duct systems in Revit. This guide covers download and licensing, installation, rule setup, applying rules, Auto Mode, troubleshooting, and reuse between projects.

System Requirements and Compatibility

Software

  • Autodesk Revit for Windows.
  • Revit 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027.
  • 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Account and Connection

  • A TiMBIM account to obtain and manage a website license.
  • Internet access for download and online license validation.
  • AutoInsulate can temporarily use its most recently verified status if validation is unavailable.

Supported Revit versions can change with new releases. Check the AutoInsulate product page for the latest compatibility list when your Revit version is not shown here.

Getting AutoInsulate

  1. Go to timbim.eu and open Account & downloads to sign in or create an account.
  2. Open the Products menu and choose AutoInsulate.
  3. Choose a trial or the license option that fits your team, then continue to checkout.
  4. Enter your account and billing information. Trial checkout shows no charge when the selected offer is free.
  5. Complete the order and use the download option to save the installer.
Products menu on timbim.eu with AutoInsulate listed
Products menu on timbim.eu, with AutoInsulate listed among the TiMBIM tools.

Checkout and Download

Choose your access option on the AutoInsulate product page, complete checkout with your own account and billing information, then use the download control provided with the order to save the installer. Personal and billing details in the examples below have been removed for privacy.

  1. Choose Download Trial or one of the available TiMBIM All Access subscriptions.
  2. Review the selected item and enter your account, invoice, and billing details.
  3. Complete the order and download the current AutoInsulate installer.
AutoInsulate product page with download, help, and licensing choices
1. Choose a trial or paid access on the AutoInsulate product page.
AutoInsulate checkout with personal details removed
2. Review the order and enter your personal details.
AutoInsulate checkout with billing details removed and download option shown
3. Complete the billing details and use the download option.

AutoInsulate is also available through the Autodesk App Store using the link at the top of this page.

Installing the Plugin

  1. Locate the downloaded TiMBIM.AutoInsulate Windows installer package.
  2. Close every running Autodesk Revit session.
  3. Run the installer.
  4. Read the TiMBIM AutoInsulate License Agreement, select I accept the terms in the License Agreement, and click Install.
  5. When installation finishes, start a supported Revit version.
  6. Open the TiMBIM ribbon and confirm that Auto Insulate and Auto Mode are visible in the MEP panel.
  7. Open Auto Insulate and confirm the license status. Enter your TiMBIM account email and license key if activation is requested.
Downloaded TiMBIM AutoInsulate installer package
The downloaded TiMBIM.AutoInsulate installer package.
AutoInsulate setup dialog with the license agreement and Install button
Accept the license agreement, then click Install.

Before You Build Rules

  • Confirm the controls appear on the TiMBIM ribbon in the MEP panel.
  • Check that the project contains the pipe systems, duct systems, insulation types, and lining types you need.
  • Choose the unit system before entering sizes and thicknesses.
  • Start with a small test scope before changing the full model.

The AutoInsulate Toolbar

AutoInsulate adds two controls to the MEP panel on the TiMBIM ribbon:

  • Auto Insulate opens the configuration window, where you define, save, import, export, and apply rules.
  • Auto Mode On / Off toggles automatic rule processing for supported elements during the current Revit session.

Use Auto Insulate for a one-time run against a selection, active view, or full model. Use Auto Mode when you also want supported elements re-evaluated automatically as they are created or modified.

Auto Insulate and Auto Mode controls on the Revit ribbon
Auto Insulate and Auto Mode on the TiMBIM ribbon.
AutoInsulate configuration window with the rule management context menu
The AutoInsulate configuration window and rule-management context menu.

The Configuration Window

Click Auto Insulate to open the configuration window. The menu bar provides File commands for saving, importing, and exporting settings; Apply commands for running rules against a chosen scope; and Help. The status bar shows license and update information.

Rule groups and their rules appear on the left. Select a rule to edit its unit system, name, size bands, insulation type, and filters in the panel on the right.

Apply Options

Set the Apply Options before applying rules or enabling Auto Mode. The same saved options are used by manual apply actions and Auto Mode.

Pipe Scope

  • Add pipe insulation processes pipes and pipe fittings.
  • Include pipe accessories also processes matching pipe accessories.
  • Include flex pipes also processes matching flexible pipes.

Duct Scope

  • Add duct insulation processes ducts and duct fittings.
  • Include duct accessories also processes matching duct accessories.
  • Include flex ducts also processes matching flexible ducts.

Rule Groups and Priority

Add each rule under the matching group: Pipe insulation, Duct insulation, or Duct liner.

  • Add Rule creates a new rule in the selected group.
  • Duplicate Rule copies the selected rule.
  • Delete Rule removes the selected rule.
  • Move Up / Move Down changes priority when filters or size ranges overlap.

Rules are evaluated from highest to lowest priority. Put the rule that should win above the rules it should take precedence over.

Rule Settings

Select a rule, choose Metric or Imperial, and give the rule a clear name. The Rules table defines size bands and insulation; the Filters table limits the rule to specific elements.

Rules Table

  • From (>=): inclusive lower size bound.
  • To (<): exclusive upper size bound; use infinity for no upper limit.
  • Thickness: insulation thickness in the selected units.
  • Insulation Type: the Revit insulation or lining type to apply.
AutoInsulate Rule Settings panel with unit, name, and size-band rules
The Rule Settings panel with unit system, rule name, and Rules table.
AutoInsulate filter for System Type Equals CW
A filter that restricts a rule to System Type Equals CW.

Filters

  • Parameter: the model property to test, such as System Type.
  • Operator: how the property is compared, such as Equals.
  • Value: the value to match, such as CW.

Filter rows use a shared dropdown of parameters available in the current model. If a saved parameter is no longer available, AutoInsulate displays a warning in the filter row and rule list. Review the highlighted filter before applying the rule.

Insulation types, lining types, systems, and filter parameters are read from the current model. Load the required types and set up the relevant systems before building rules.

Building a Rule: Worked Example

This example creates a rule for chilled-water pipes. The same workflow applies to other systems and to the Duct insulation and Duct liner groups.

  1. Select Pipe insulation, right-click it, and choose Add Rule.
  2. Select the new rule and choose Metric or Imperial.
  3. Enter a clear name, such as CHW Pipe Insulation.
  4. In the Rules table, enter the lower bound under From (>=), upper bound under To (<), Thickness, and Insulation Type. For one open-ended band, use 0 to infinity.
  5. Add more size-band rows when thickness should vary between small pipes and larger mains.
  6. In Filters, choose System Type, Equals, and CW. Add more filters for additional conditions.
  7. Repeat for other systems or add equivalent rules under Duct insulation and Duct liner.
  8. Use Move Up / Move Down to set priority when filters or ranges overlap.
  9. Save and test on a selection or active view before applying to the full model.

Saving and Reusing Configurations

Open File and choose Save. AutoInsulate confirms when the configuration has been saved. Rules and Apply Options are stored in the Revit model and remain available with the project.

Use File → Export settings to write the setup to a JSON file and File → Import settings to load it into another model. Store a tested, company-standard rule set in your Revit template or distribute it as JSON.

AutoInsulate File menu with Save, Import settings, and Export settings
The File menu: Save, Import settings, and Export settings.
AutoInsulate confirmation that the configuration was saved
Confirmation that the configuration was saved.

Applying Rules to the Model

  1. Review the selected domain, rule order, size bands, filters, and Apply Options.
  2. Open the Apply menu.
  3. Choose the current selection, active view, or full model.
  4. AutoInsulate applies the matching insulation type and thickness to elements in that scope.
  5. Review the result before processing a larger scope.

Auto Mode: Insulate While You Model

Auto Mode is session-based. While it is On, supported pipes, ducts, fittings, accessories, and enabled flex elements are re-evaluated after creation or modification. AutoInsulate applies the saved rules and Apply Options in the background.

  • Toggle Auto Mode On or Off from the TiMBIM ribbon.
  • Save and review your rule configuration before turning it on.
  • Leave it Off when you only want to run rules on demand from the Apply menu.
  • Auto Mode resets with the Revit session; check its ribbon state when starting work.

New in v1.4.0: Smarter Filters and Apply Options

  • Filter rows use a shared list of available model parameters for all rule types.
  • Missing saved parameters display warnings in the filter row and rule list.
  • Apply Options separately control pipe insulation, pipe accessories, flex pipes, duct insulation, duct accessories, and flex ducts.
  • The same Apply Options are used for manual apply actions and Auto Mode.
  • The AutoInsulate window stays visible above Revit while it is open.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Set the unit system before entering sizes and thicknesses.
  • Start with a simple rule set, then add filters for genuine exceptions.
  • Order rules deliberately from highest to lowest priority.
  • Keep system names consistent and load all required insulation and lining types.
  • Save after editing so the latest rules and Apply Options are stored in the model.
  • Test with a selection or active view before applying to the full model.
  • Export settings before major edits and keep a company-standard JSON backup.
  • Review rules before enabling Auto Mode.

Troubleshooting

The license status says AutoInsulate is not licensed

Confirm that the TiMBIM account email and license key are correct and active, then check the internet connection used for online validation.

The Auto Insulate or Auto Mode button is missing

Confirm installation completed, restart Revit, and make sure you opened a supported version. The controls are in the MEP panel on the TiMBIM ribbon.

The Insulation Type list is empty

Load the required insulation or lining types into the Revit model, then reopen or refresh the configuration window.

No elements are insulated after applying

Check the group, size range, priority, filters, Apply Options, and whether the chosen scope contains matching elements.

Accessories or flex elements are not insulated

Enable the matching Include option and confirm Add pipe insulation or Add duct insulation is enabled for that domain.

A filter shows a missing-parameter warning

Open the rule and review the highlighted row. Choose an available parameter or load the content that provides the missing parameter.

Video Walkthrough

Watch an overview of AutoInsulate in action, including the Auto Mode workflow.

Open on YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Revit versions are supported?

AutoInsulate currently supports Revit 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 on 64-bit Windows.

Can I reuse my rules across projects?

Yes. Rules stay in the Revit model, can be placed in a company template, and can be transferred with JSON import and export.

How are rule priorities set?

Use Move Up and Move Down. Rules are evaluated from highest to lowest priority, so place the rule that should win above overlapping rules.

What does Auto Mode do?

During the current Revit session, Auto Mode re-evaluates supported elements after creation or modification and applies the saved rules and Apply Options.

Where do insulation types and filter parameters come from?

They are read from the current Revit model. Load the required types and content before building rules.

Where are the rules stored?

AutoInsulate stores rules and Apply Options in the Revit model. Save tested defaults in the company Revit template when appropriate.

Support Checklist

  • Revit version
  • AutoInsulate version
  • License-status message, if relevant
  • Short problem description
  • Rule, filter, and Apply Option details
  • Screenshots if available

Support and Resources