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What is Revit? : A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started

Revit is one of many Autodesk’s sophisticated drafting software solutions. Revit is a cloud-based BIM software (Building Information Management) a documentation and modelling software tool for architects, engineers and contractors. Today it is an absolute necessity for any professional practicing in the engineering or architectural industries to be familiar with Revit.

In this article, we will explain what Revit can do and its functions in a way that even beginners can understand.

What is Revit?

Revit makes use of the BIM concept and offers precision, agility and organization to your project in such a way that a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software cannot.

Throughout this article, Revit will be discussed at length and will give you an understanding of Revit as a concept, parametrization and everything you need to know about BIM as a whole.

Revit and its Capabilities
Figure 1: Revit and its Capabilities

Revit is a specialized software that is used for producing highly details civil construction projects. Originally Revit was developed by Revit Technology Corporation, known previously as Charles River Software) and later, in 2002 acquired by Autodesk.

Revit provides the user resources to create typical 2D documentation as well as 3D modelling environments. Plans, section views and elevations are all modelled and all other essential items for documentation purposes if required.

In addition, any changes that are made throughout the lifetime of a project are reflected immediately to all involved in the model distribution line, drastically reducing time spent working on incorrect revisions and massively saving time on the project.

Within your model, you will be able to have multiple material specifications available within a project. This in turn makes your project its own construction database, completely aligning with the concept of BIM.

Revit’s pricing Model and Options

Revit Model of a Home
Figure 2: Revit Model of a Home

All of Autodesks’ products work on a monthly or annual contract basis. Depending on your requirements you can choose to pay monthly or yearly. Revit works off this pricing model and it is important to keep in mind that paying the annual fee works out cheaper long term than the monthly subscription.

Revit offers 2 versions that better meet your needs:

  • Standard – This offers all available tools and features for use, although at a higher cost
  • LT – This version is the cheaper of the two and has limited resources when compared to the Standard version.

Because the price of Revit is in dollars, the subscription fee will vary depending on the exchange rate to your local currency.

Revit’s Capabilities

Revit offers a number of different resources for being able to create structural, architectural and different system projects. i.e electrical, hydraulic or air-conditioning. Additionally, Revit allows for collaborative work through its advanced system infrastructure, this allows for seamless work between multiple professionals from varying departments to work on the same project.

This feature is great because it allows everyone working on the project to have access to the entire project while only being able to make changes to the files that have been assigned to them or modelled by themselves.

All documentation can be created with ease and speed, from section views and details automatically generated from the 3D model, this allows for the extraction of quantitative material information and even renderings.

Advantages of Revit

The construction industry is always undergoing constant change and updates, which in turn creates projects with increasing complexity, making projects more and more challenging. Revit mirrors this philosophy by being a multifunctional software that offers a wide array of features that are not commonly found in the more traditional software such as AutoCAD.

Below is a list of benefits of switching to use Revit:

  • Quantitative Extraction – a table of quantities and materials are created which update automatically whenever a change is made to the model
  • Cost Estimation – you can add values to the different elements within the project so that when the project or model is complete in Revit you can accurately estimate the project cost through tables
  • Project Co-ordination – various disciplines can be coordinated in a central place, giving the ability to view different interfaces
  • 3D Visualization – in Revit a visual simulation showing how the project will look at completion
  • Rapid Changes – making changes to the project at different times has a low impact thus reducing the time required to rework
  • Rendering – if there is a requirement to have a detailed presentation of the project, Revit has the capability to render your project
  • Documentation – sheets that are generated through Revit as the project unfolds are quick and easy to retrieve and any changes to the model immediately reflect in the documentation/tables
  • Dynamo – Revit provides the function to be able to modify the products source code if it is something you require

This is a brief overview of all that is possible on Revit. I encourage anyone to explore Revit and practice using all its various features

Revit vs. AutoCAD: Price, Features, Functionality & More

How Revit Works

How Revit Works

Revit makes use of the BIM concept. This means that when the 3D model is created in the software it is not a simple electronic model but an actual simulation of the entire construction of the project.

Implying every object within the model is accurately represented with correct dimensions. This is vital to the project’s accuracy because this model will then support all phases of the project.

The Difference Between Revit and AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a great tool if you are wanting to create simple representations of the project layout. This basically allows you to exchange your regular paper for the digital, soft copy version.

An example would be if you wish to show a 30cm thick wall, you will just have to illustrate two lines 30cm apart running parallel to one another. If you then ask AutoCAD, what is on your screen it will tell you “Two parallel lines.”

In Revit however, there is a tool specifically for creating walls. Giving the possibility to develop a number of layers, the type of material, its thickness and a variety of other information. Additionally, Revit allows you to extract this information in a table-like format to understand all the materials that make up the section of the wall.

Simply put, Revit is a BIM software which is aimed more towards the construction industry and 3D design, whereas AutoCAD is a 2D CAD software.

Tips for Revit

With Revit you are offered a wide array of tools, below you will find a list of useful tips to assist when starting to migrate to Revit:

  • Templates – Revit is preloaded with a variety of templates to choose from to suit your needs
  • Quality Families – Make sure to use the quality families feature, these “light”, well configure files help to avoid your project file from becoming unnecessarily big or start crashing or having errors
  • Create Tables – You are able to develop quantitative material tables which further refines the control you have over your project
  • Viewing Styles – You can run a customizable presentation displaying your model in different styles
  • Solar Study – The lighting on your project can be adjusted by simulating the position of the lighting on your building
  • Work by Discipline – Arranging your project into different disciplines gives you the chance to optimally organize your model’s information
  • Collaborative Work – One or more people can work on the same project at the same time, optimizing the time spent on a single project

By reading over the above-mentioned tips, you can easily see how Revit benefits your project in more ways than one.

Student Version

Autodesk - Education
Figure 3: Autodesk – Education

Revit has an excellent learning tool. This tool helps you to learn how to use Revit and gives you the ability to do a whole series of project/model simulations. Giving the learner the opportunity to visually see the results of their work through a 3D model.

The sooner you can get hold of Revit during your studies the better. You will soon become familiar with the software and be able to create a multitude of models and this will help you when entering the engineering or construction industries.

Insert Family Parameters

Revit is a highly customizable software where you have the ability to create and develop your own families according to the requirements of the project you are working on. The families you create must be the parametric type in order to streamline your work processes and help to extract the necessary information you need with ease.

Creating these quality families is a time-intensive process but is most definitely necessary and useful for larger type projects. Revit allows you to be able to purchase parametric families by subscribing to “Blocks”. Here you will find the best collections for Revit.

Conclusion

Revit is more than just a simple software. It is a critical tool in the architectural, construction and engineering industries where it is necessary to develop civil construction models for various projects.

I hope this article has given you a detailed explanation of what Revit offers to you as a user and all of its impressive capabilities. If you are interested in working with Revit, I recommend you go ahead and look up “Block Revit” family library to make your projects.