In Revit 2026, Autodesk continues to fine-tune the way building elements are modeled and detailed. One of the most impactful updates for architectural users is the new ability to customize layer priority independently from layer function in compound structures.
This feature may sound technical, but it represents a major shift in how Revit handles element joins, and it gives design teams unprecedented control over how multi-layer assemblies behave and document.
What’s New?
Previously, Revit assigned layer priorities based directly on layer function. Each function (such as Structure, Substrate, Finish, or Membrane) was hard-coded to a corresponding priority level. While this helped automate joins, it also limited the flexibility to fine-tune how layers interacted.
With Revit 2026, layer priority is now fully customizable, independent of the layer’s function. This applies across all multi-layer elements, including:
-
- Walls
- Floors
- Roofs
- Ceilings
- Slabs
- Toposolids
This means that you can now define the join behavior of layers based on your specific design intent, not on Autodesk’s preassigned logic.
Why This Matters to Revit Architecture Users
For architects, especially those focused on documentation and detailing, this update is a game-changer.
→ Smarter Join Control
Designers can now resolve complex layer joins at intersections and transitions with more precision. Whether you're detailing a rainscreen system, integrating multiple material types, or aligning floor and wall finishes, layer priority customization allows you to dictate which layer takes precedence, without needing to adjust or compromise the layer function.
→ Clean, Accurate Details
This change eliminates the need for tedious workarounds (like duplicating functions to "trick" Revit into a specific join behavior). You can now produce clean, accurate join conditions directly from the compound structure, reducing cleanup time in sections and callouts.
→ Better Control Across Project Types
From simple interior fit-outs to complex envelope detailing, architecture teams can now model assemblies that behave exactly as intended—streamlining coordination between walls, floors, and roofs across project types.
→ Improved Template and Family Libraries
For BIM managers, this update is especially valuable. Custom templates and wall types can now be standardized based on both function and performance, leading to more robust and predictable modeling standards across the office.
Practical Example
Imagine an exterior wall with a concrete backup and an insulated cladding system. In previous versions, you might struggle to make the insulation layer join cleanly with a slab edge, because it was assigned a lower priority by function. Now, you can set the insulation layer to a higher priority manually - ensuring precise, design-driven joins without breaking Revit’s logic or your documentation.
Final Thoughts
The ability to customize layer priority independently from layer function is one of the most meaningful updates for Revit architecture users in 2026. It aligns Revit’s behavior more closely with the realities of construction detailing and gives architecture teams the flexibility to produce cleaner, more accurate models.
At BIM Depot, we’re already incorporating this change into our content libraries and templates. Our goal is to ensure you have access to tools and families that leverage the full potential of Revit’s evolving capabilities.
