1

HOME/USEFUL GUIDES/GUIDE TO 3D FILE FORMATS/RTE FILE FORMAT EXPLAINED

RTE File Format Explained

The RTE format is a Revit Template file used in Building Information Modeling. It serves as the foundational starting point for new projects, ensuring consistency across architectural, structural, and MEP designs.

	Icon	Extension	Original Software	Year	Primary Industry	Geometry	UV Maps	Textures	PBR	Animation	Rigging	Open Use
		.RTE	Revit	2000	Architecture Engineering Construction	Parametric	✔	✔	✔	–	–	–
RTE File Format Details What It Stores These files can contain predefined settings such as view templates, units, line weights, and pre-loaded families, and may also include levels or other starter project elements depending on the template. They store project standards, styles, settings, and starter content, but are intended as starting files rather than completed project models. Primary Use Cases Standardizing company-wide BIM protocols. Initializing new RVT project files. Defining discipline-specific environments (e.g., Structural vs. Mechanical). Strengths Ensures workflow uniformity and prevents repetitive setup tasks. Automatically generates a new, unsaved RVT file upon opening to protect the original template. Streamlines asset management through pre-loaded families. Limitations An RTE file is used to start a new project, which is then saved as an RVT project file. Revit files are generally version-sensitive, and compatibility between newer and older versions should be checked for the specific template and Revit release. Common Software Support RTE files are native to Autodesk Revit and are primarily used within Revit-based workflows.

Browse RTE Assets on RenderHub