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RFT File Format Explained

The Revit Family Template (RFT) format is a family template file used within Autodesk Revit to start the creation of parametric 3D components. These files serve as the starting point for building Revit Families (RFA), ensuring consistency in data structure and hosting behavior. They are family template files used to create new families, and in typical Revit workflows the result is saved as an RFA file.

	Icon	Extension	Original Software	Year	Primary Industry	Geometry	UV Maps	Textures	PBR	Animation	Rigging	Open Use
		.RFT	Revit	2000	Architecture Engineering Construction	Parametric	✔	✔	✔	–	–	–
RFT File Format Details What It Stores RFT files can contain predefined parameters, reference planes, and category-specific settings. They can include hosting conditions, visibility settings, reference geometry, and parameters that drive family behavior. Primary Use Cases Standardizing the creation of custom architectural components. Establishing hosting behaviors for MEP fixtures and equipment. Defining parametric constraints for furniture and cabinetry. Creating consistent title blocks and annotation symbols. Strengths Ensures specific Revit categories are correctly assigned from the start. Provides a reference- and constraint-based structure to support parametric behavior. Streamlines BIM workflows by pre-loading commonly used parameters and settings. Limitations Proprietary format restricted almost exclusively to the Autodesk ecosystem. In normal Revit workflows, families are saved as RFA files rather than back into the original RFT template. Common Software Support Primarily supported by Autodesk Revit. Some third-party BIM tools may use Revit templates in automated workflows, depending on the product.

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RFT File Format Details