Should I integrate AutoCAD 3D into Revit focused Curriculum?

[bill0246]

I have been teaching Revit in my high school program for two years now....all is well. Most of the Revit people I speak with don't care for AutoCAD and want to "move on". I am feeling some heat to teach the 3D options in AutoCAD 2007. Is there an upside in learning the 3D options in AutoCAD 2007 for my students, who will be immersed in Revit 9 for the next few years and be targeting employment with companies that utilize Revit?

Thanks!

[Scott Hopkins]

I can't see a lot of upside in learning Acad 3D. The industry standard for quick 3D modeling, and rightly so, is SketchUp.

[Mr Spot]

Have you seen ACAD 2007 new 3D modelling tools in action? They are very fast and intuitive. I'd say its worth it. They can always be integrated quickly into revit for use of a massing model to develop real structure from.

This is the obvious intent of autodesk and why i think the loft tool is yet to become native to revit.

[bill0246]

Thanks for the input,

I am attending a Sketch-up seminar for teachers at the end of the month. I have seen it, one of the reasons for my question. I have also heard complaints from Revit users on importing Sketch-up models into "usable" Revit models. I was also wondering if the 3D capabilities of AutoCAD might help in the creation/alternative to tough in-place families.
I will take a look at the AutoCAD 3D stuff. Hopefully the tutorials are as good as the Revit tutorials.

Thanks!!

[Wanderer]

While obviously not an instructor, I'd like to chime in...

I can't help but think that exposure to many tools would be best for the student in the long term. Yes, Revit is becoming a preferred tool for architects, and should be taught in schools, most definitely... but, what if a student doesn't like their company, and wants to work for another architect they personally admire, whose shop is using autocad? I think they should be prepared to properly utilize each. A clear focus on what each tool is best at would be handy for later reference to them, I'm sure. Thanks for the input,

I am attending a Sketch-up seminar for teachers at the end of the month. I have seen it, one of the reasons for my question. I have also heard complaints from Revit users on importing Sketch-up models into "usable" Revit models. I was also wondering if the 3D capabilities of AutoCAD might help in the creation/alternative to tough in-place families.
I will take a look at the AutoCAD 3D stuff. Hopefully the tutorials are as good as the Revit tutorials.

Thanks!!

[Brian Myers]

Assuming you are just teaching Architectural Drafting don't worry about teaching the new 3D in AutoCAD. First I should state I really enjoy SketchUp and I teach AutoCAD, Revit and Architectural Desktop so I don't have a personal preference toward which program you yourself teach your students. Yet the key here is the word "Architectural". Drafting is just a word indicating you are teaching the art of communicating graphically architectural concepts.

Soooo... teach architecture...teach design... don't get caught up in teaching software. Yes, I realize you are attempting to give them the skills to go into other architectural programs and enter into real world positions, yet if you are using Revit instead of AutoCAD you've already made a decision that teaching the process of architectural communication is the goal of your program. 3D representations in AutoCAD and SketchUp will only take a few hours to learn and a few projects to get into a comfortable understanding with... but you are teaching communication. Communicating could be argued as knowing how to draw an object in three dimensions, but for employers/colleges understanding the principles of lineweights, how parts fit together, good annotation, etc is MUCH more important and are skills that take much longer to develop than learning a piece of software.

Software is just a pencil... I'm not saying to not teach your students current software, just that there are a wide variety of pencils (software) that they'll use in the real world and at this stage its more important that they understand what they are drawing than the "pencil" they use.

[bill0246]

Again, thanks for the responses.

My program includes a year of board drafting/architecture, a year of AutoCAD before they get to the "advanced" Revit class(es). I do see the programs as a tool.....I just get a bunch of input as to which tools to use (can't use them all). I am trying to be progressive with my program...so I have to pick and choose. just like you professionals... so that my students have up-to-date skills and are also fundamentally strong and adaptable to a modern office.

My students will be using this portion of the site to pose questions throughout the course of the year. Accessing information through a variety of places is part of the curriculum.

Thanks all!