Be.Smart Wood Framing: The Helper tool and other key updates

The Helper: solving a common challenge 

Every update starts with listening. The Helper is the direct result of conversations with teams who asked for an easier, faster way to understand settings while working. 

Users told us that, when exploring specific settings, it’s not always obvious what each option does or how it affects the model. A single overlooked checkbox or misinterpreted value can lead to hours of trial and error or a call for external support. 

One user summarized it perfectly: 

“Sometimes I lose hours trying to find the right settings, and it turns out it’s just one click.” 

This feedback from our users revealed a clear need: contextual guidance, available instantly inside the software. 

A solution built into the workflow 

The Helper is designed to meet that need. 
It brings real-time, context-sensitive explanations directly into configuration windows in Revit. 

When you interact with a setting, the Helper displays: 

• Concise descriptions of what the setting does 

• Schematic images showing the effect 

• Animations where a visual explanation adds clarity 

There’s no need to leave your workspace. The Helper is always available but stays out of the way - you can toggle it on or off anytime. 

As one early user put it: 

“This is one of the biggest improvements. We could use this for everything.” 

Benefits for every level of experience 

The Helper provides value whether you’re new to Be.Smart Wood Framing or an experienced user: 

• Faster onboarding: New colleagues can learn by doing, without waiting for one-on-one training. 

• Fewer errors: Context helps everyone choose correct settings the first time. 

• Efficiency for experts: Even seasoned users don’t have to memorize every option. 

• Less searching: Answers appear directly in Revit environment, so there’s no need to dig through documentation or rewatch long tutorials. 

Users particularly appreciate that everything they need is now right inside the software:

“You don’t have to search outside the software - it’s right there next to the configuration.” 

They also highlight the productivity gains: 

“It helps us work faster and with fewer questions.” 
“This would have saved me hours on some projects.” 

 Because the Helper is lightweight and optional, it offers clarity when needed and stays out of the way when not. 

This combination of guidance and simplicity reduces dependency on external support, builds confidence, and speeds up projects across the board.

Looking ahead 

The Helper in this release is just the beginning. 
Currently available in the Framing Configuration window (select tabs), it will expand in upcoming updates to cover: 

• All Framing configuration tabs 

• Sheathing and Paneling Configuration windows 

• Other key parts of the Be.Smart Wood Framing toolset 

Our goal is clear: contextual, in‑app guidance everywhere you need it. 

Just a note: the Helper is currently available in Be.Smart Wood Framing for wall, floor, and roof configurations, this tool will also be added to Be.Smart Metal Framing in a future update 

Simplifying configuration navigation: custom tab names and color Indicators 

We've also added two usability enhancements to the Wood Framing and Metal Framing solutions, which will help you navigate configuration windows faster and more easily.

1. Custom tab names 
You can now rename configuration tabs with meaningful titles. Just double‑click a tab and give it a name that reflects its purpose. 
This makes it simple to identify and organize multiple rules at a glance. 
As one user put it: 
“Renaming helps identify the rule’s purpose, especially when you have a lot of them.” 

2. Color‑coded indicators 
Tabs now show their status instantly: 

• 🟩 Green – Active/in use 

• ⬛ Black – Not in use 

These visual cues remove the need to open each tab to check its status. 

Users testing these features told us: 

“When I have eight tabs, I just scroll through trying to understand what they are. Renaming would help a lot.” 
“It’s much easier to find the specific one when working with many tabs.” 

Together, all these improvements make configuration clearer, faster, and more intuitive - especially for complex or collaborative projects. 

Related updates: Enhancing documentation workflow 

Recently we released another important update for Wood and Metal Framing users. 
The familiar tools - Smart Views, Smart Assemblies, and Sort Mark - are now being merged into a single, more capable tool: Smart Documentation. 
This change simplifies and strengthens documentation workflows by bringing everything into one place. 

A transition period is now underway and will continue until early 2026, when the Smart Views, Smart Assemblies, and Sort Mark tools will be retired. 
We recommend starting the migration early so you can take full advantage of the new capabilities and ensure a smooth switch. 

You can read more about this update and find the migration guide in this blog post. 

Driven by your feedback 

At ARKANCE, we’re committed to making Be.Smart software as intuitive and efficient as possible.
The Helper, new configuration and documentation enhancements are all steps in the same direction: removing friction from your workflow so you can focus on creating, not configuring.

And this is just the beginning - your feedback continues to guide what comes next.