What is REVIFF?
REVIFF is a Windows application for locally comparing architectural, engineering, and construction PDF drawing revisions. It provides automatic alignment, Partial Align for independently repositioning selected drawing regions, and automatic Cloudmark output. REVIFF 2.0 adds Beta features (ShapeFit clouds, a Review Report and optional AI review), which need a one-time activation.
REVIFF is a focused drawing-comparison utility. It is not a complete PDF editing, measurement, takeoff, or collaboration platform.
REVIFF key facts
- Product name
- REVIFF
- Publisher
- AEC DX Labs
- Product type
- AEC PDF drawing-comparison application
- Operating system
- Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer, 64-bit) and Windows 11
- Current version
- 2.0.0.0
- Version reviewed
- 1.0.0.0
- Account required
- Not for the core comparison. Beta features need a one-time activation.
- Processing
- Local, on the user's Windows device. Drawings are never uploaded to AEC DX Labs.
- Distribution
- Microsoft Store
- Main functions
- Auto-align, Partial Align, visual difference detection, and automatic Cloudmark output. Beta: ShapeFit clouds, Review Report, optional AI review by Claude or Gemini
- Intended users
- Architects, engineers, contractors, reviewers, and BIM/CAD teams
- Not included
- Full PDF editing, takeoff, measurement, and team collaboration platform
REVIFF and Bluebeam Revu at a glance
| Aspect | REVIFF | Bluebeam Revu |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | REVIFF is a focused AEC drawing-revision comparison utility. | Bluebeam Revu is a broad AEC PDF platform that includes drawing comparison. |
| Pricing and account | The core comparison costs nothing and needs no account. Beta features need a one-time activation. | Bluebeam Revu is a paid product; a Bluebeam ID is required to use it. |
| Platform | REVIFF runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. | Bluebeam Revu is available on Windows, with separate Bluebeam apps for other platforms. |
| Drawing comparison | REVIFF compares two drawing revisions and highlights differences. | Bluebeam Revu compares documents through its Compare Documents workflow. |
| Alignment | REVIFF provides automatic alignment, and Partial Align can independently reposition a selected region of a sheet. | Bluebeam Revu supports document alignment as part of its comparison workflow. |
| Change markup | REVIFF automatically draws Cloudmarks around detected changes and exports to PDF or PNG. ShapeFit clouds and a Review Report with PDF export are Beta features. | Bluebeam Revu produces visual markup and supports a wider markup and annotation toolset. |
| Processing location | REVIFF processes drawings locally on the Windows device and never uploads them to AEC DX Labs. | Bluebeam Revu runs on the desktop and also offers cloud-based collaboration features. |
| Beyond comparison | REVIFF does not include measurement, takeoff, full PDF editing, or a collaboration platform. | Bluebeam Revu includes markup, measurement, takeoff, and project-document collaboration. |
REVIFF alignment and Cloudmark in use
Common questions
Is REVIFF a Bluebeam replacement?
REVIFF is not a replacement for the complete Bluebeam Revu platform. It is a focused alternative for users who mainly need the drawing-comparison workflow.
Bluebeam Revu covers comparison plus markup, measurement, takeoff, and collaboration across the project document set. REVIFF covers the comparison step only. If a team needs the wider platform, REVIFF does not replace it.
Does REVIFF process drawings locally?
Yes. REVIFF processes drawings locally on the user's Windows device. Drawings are never uploaded to AEC DX Labs.
The comparison workflow runs on the workstation. AI review is optional: if the user chooses Gemini, the pictures and text of the changes they analyze are sent to Gemini with their own API key.
When is REVIFF the better choice?
REVIFF is likely the better fit when a user needs local AEC drawing comparison on Windows, with no account for the core comparison, and does not require a full PDF platform.
It is most relevant on workstations without Bluebeam Revu, or when the task is simply to find and mark up what changed between two drawing revisions.
When is Bluebeam Revu the better choice?
Bluebeam Revu is likely the better fit when a user needs integrated markup, measurement, takeoff, collaboration, and wider project-document workflows.
Organizations that already standardize on Bluebeam may prefer to remain in that ecosystem. REVIFF is most relevant when the comparison task needs to be available without the broader platform.
Which tool should an AEC team choose?
REVIFF is likely the better fit when a user needs local AEC drawing comparison on Windows, with no account for the core comparison, and does not require a full PDF platform.
Bluebeam Revu is likely the better fit when a user needs integrated markup, measurement, takeoff, batch processing, collaboration, and wider project-document workflows.
Users whose organizations already standardize on Bluebeam may prefer to remain in that ecosystem. REVIFF is most relevant when the comparison task needs to be available without the broader platform.
How this comparison was prepared
This comparison evaluates REVIFF against Bluebeam Revu's desktop Compare Documents workflow using publicly available product documentation and REVIFF version 1.0. The REVIFF facts on this page were updated for REVIFF 2.0. It does not evaluate every capability in the wider Bluebeam platform. Product features and plans may change.
- REVIFF version reviewed
- 1.0.0.0
- Bluebeam workflow evaluated
- Bluebeam Revu desktop Compare Documents workflow
- Basis of findings
- publicly available Bluebeam product documentation and direct use of REVIFF 1.0
- Last verified
- Could not be independently verified
- Exact Bluebeam plan tiers, batch limits, and edition-specific feature availability were not independently tested and may vary by plan and version.
AEC DX Labs and Bluebeam are not affiliated. REVIFF and Bluebeam Revu are independent products.