Which plugin do you have?
In Revit, click the Pirros tab, then Settings, then About. If you see 4.x.x, that means Pirros in Revit (docked panel). If you see 3.x or lower, that means the classic plugin. Follow the matching section below. Not sure which one your firm should be on? See Pirros in Revit vs the Classic Plugin.
What's the same in both versions
Both pull from the same Pirros library and the same account.
Pirros upgrades Details and Families to the Revit version you have open.
Details land under PIRROS IMPORTS in your Project Browser.
Each item carries a Pirros ID, which is how Pirros tracks the link between your copy and the library.
Anyone can download, except items marked Reference Only, which need permission.
Option A: Pirros in Revit (v4.x, docked panel)
1. Open the panel and sign in
In Revit, click the Pirros tab in the ribbon.
The panel docks to the right of your Revit window. Sign in with your Pirros account. You stay signed in when you restart Revit.
2. Link your project
Open Settings to link the active Revit Project to a Pirros Project. Once linked, the Project name shows in the panel header.
3. Find what you need in Browse
Open the Browse tab. Search, then narrow results with the collapsible filter sections and the Sort button. Scroll to load more than the first 20 results.
4. Bring it into your model
Drag and drop: drag a result straight into your model.
Insert button: click Insert on the result.
Details and sheets: sheets are shown by sheet number and name. If a sheet's views are already in your project, Pirros asks before importing them again.
Families:
A family with several types opens a type picker. Check the types you want. Use select all or clear all to change every type at once. Every type you check comes in.
A single-type family places immediately.
Prevent duplicate families is a setting in the panel. Turn it on to avoid loading a family your project already has.
5. Insert from a stash
Open a Stash in the panel and insert everything, or only the items you choose.
6. If something can't download
Items that can't be downloaded are greyed out with a message explaining why.
If a download fails, the plugin says why and names the items that failed.
You can cancel a long-running download or insert.
Option B: Classic plugin (v3.x)
1. Link your Revit project to Pirros
In Revit, click Pirros, then Settings.
If you are creating a new Project, click + New Project and enter a Project Name and Project Number, then click Create.
If you are opening an existing Project, select it from the Dropdown, and click Link.
2. Stage Details on the website
On the Pirros website, open the Details page.
Search or browse, then hover over each Detail and check its box.
Click Insert in the orange bar at the top. This queues the Details for the plugin.
3. Download in Revit
In Revit, click the Pirros tab, then Download.
Confirm the list in the dialog and click OK.
4. Handle duplicate families
If a Detail uses Families your Project already has, the dialog asks you to choose:
Use Local Families: keeps your template families and matches by Family name. This is the safer choice if you're unsure.
Import Duplicate Families: brings in the source Project's definitions. Use it when the detail depends on a Family that differs from yours.
Link Existing: matches incoming Families to existing Project Families. It can be applied in bulk across several Families.
Side by side
| Pirros in Revit (v4.x) | Classic plugin (v3.x) |
Where you work | Docked panel, Browse tab | Website to stage, then ribbon Download and dialog |
Get content into the model | Drag and drop, or Insert | Stage on the web, click Download, confirm |
Multi-type Families | Type picker, select or clear all | Per-type choices in the download dialog |
Duplicate Families | Prevent duplicate families setting | Use Local / Import Duplicate / Link Existing dialog |
Link a Project | Settings, shown in panel header | Settings, then Project Name and Number, then Link |
Revit versions | 2024 and newer, once enabled for your firm | 2020-2023, and 2024+ until your firm is enabled |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which plugin am I on?
A: The easiest way to tell is if you have multiple icons or a single icon in the upper left when clicking Pirros in the Revit ribbon. Pirros in Revit has a single Pirros icon, and the Legacy Plugin has Sync, Download, Settings, Pirros, and Live Link icons.
Pirros in Revit:
Legacy Plugin:
Q: I'm on Revit 2025 but see separate dialogs, not a panel. Is something wrong?
A: No. Pirros in Revit is enabled firm by firm. Your Pirros Administrator can ask us to enable it.
Q: Will downloaded content match my Revit version?
A: Yes. Pirros upgrades it to the version you have open.
Q: Do I need Revit to download a Detail?
A: Not for a PDF. Open the Detail and click Download PDF. Revit files need the plugin.
Q: Is the classic plugin going away?
A: No. It remains fully supported for Revit 2020 to 2023 and keeps receiving fixes.
Q: I clicked Pirros in Revit and nothing happened.
A: In the panel version, Revit can hold the panel in a hidden position. Follow the steps below:
1. In Revit, click Manage > Add-Ins Manager > uncheck Pirros Plugin > click Apply > click Close > close Revit.
2. Reopen Revit > click Manage > Add-Ins Manager > check Pirros Plugin > click Apply > click Close > close Revit.
3. Reopen Revit, and the Pirros pane opens on the right side of the Revit window.