Revit... what effect will this program have on CAD Operators?

[Wingard_E]

First of all let me introduce myself. I am a new user of AutoCAD who is currently enrolled in a Drafting and Design Technology Program in the Greater New Orleans area. I have been looking around this forum and I can see that this could be a great resource for me as I’m sure it is for others.

As I have said, I am a rookie to the AutoCAD game and I am excited at the prospect of learning all that I can. With that said, I attended the “Go Further” seminar that was given by AutoDesk this past summer in New Orleans. As someone with little experience in the field, I couldn’t help but to be blown away by the capability of the Revit software that was featured at the seminar. After I had time to think about the capabilities of Revit, the first thing that struck me was the feeling that this program may have the effect of replacing CAD operators in offices where architects and engineers have CAD experience.

What is your take on this impression?

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Please note I've *moved* this thread from the Local User Groups Forum to this one as I feel this particular Forum is a more appropriate place for such a topic.

Thanks, Mike

Forum Moderator

ps Can I please ask a Revit Moderator to review this thread and decide if this Revit Sub Forum (General Revit) is in-fact the correct one for such a post (if not please move to appropriate area).

[Griff]

Wingard_E,
You are taking on a very exciting career at a time when the Cad program is much more than just a fancy drafting board. I have used several other CAD programs, but Revit is the future. IMHO, I would study hard to learn the ANSI standards for setting up a drawing and make sure you line things up in your drawings so that the information you put on the drawing looks good and is easy to read. Once you KNOW how put together a set of drawings, then you will really be impressed with how powerful Revit is. Knowing a BIM program like Revit with definitely open more doors for you than your typical AutoCAD user.
All the best to ya!
Griff

[Martin P]

I would say learning both will be a massive help to you, Revit is far easier to pick up than Autocad - so I'd still go for learning Autocad as soon as you can, it will be used for many years to come. Revit you can play with that and learn - Autocad you will not be playing much, it takes quite a bit of effort to pick that up. As an office we will always run both, I'd say many other offices will be the same - they compliment each other well and I think that will always continue. Autocad is a drafting tool, I dont think the end of drafting is nigh because of Revit - it makes no claims to being a drafting tool. We use them for quite different tasks. Although either one can do all of them, we find it best to do

Revit - plans, elevations, models, schedules, sections. (basically the whole builing)

Autocad - site, setting out, detailing, draw up surveys etc

This isnt to say Revit cant do all these things. And Revit is also specific to the building industry - Autocad experience will get you work in many industries.

[Chunk]

There will always be a need for tech's, whether cad operators or Reviteers. Since the 5.x series of Revit our office has gradually introduced all but 1 tech, all of the project/design architects and half of the project managers to Revit. The project process, regardless of software utilized to pull together contract documents, remains relatively the same. Simply, the architects use Revit as a design tool in the initial stages of a project, a tech is added to the project during design development to modify design, a team of techs and a project manager are brought on when the project enters detailed design and contract document production. Revit allows ease of use by designers but tech's will still be called on to do the heavy work. The real benefit of Revit over cad is the transition/integration of design and contract documents.

Watch the industry. More firms are realizing the benefit of Revit and making the switch but smaller markets and smaller firms will hang on to the digital drafting board of Autocad for years to come. Some people embrace change, others fear it. Try to become proficient in both technologies and you'll be better equipped to adapt to whatever corporate environment you end up in!

[Marek Brandstatter]

I'd take a chance and go exclusively with Revit - but *really* master it. AutoCAD operators are a dime a dozen. In the very near future, Revit BIM specialists will be in major demand.

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=2968

[SCShell]

Hi there,

Interesting discussion...thought I would throw in my 2 cents.
You need to make some decisions as to what you want to do with your career I think.
You have several avenues open to you:

1. I would learn Revit if you have any desire, whatsoever, to design and produce houses (or other related work in which an Architect is not otherwise required by your governing building agency.). This even includes some building related industries where building modeling would be very important, such as, Pre-engineered Metal Buildings and pre-manufactured buildings, custom home builders and track home developers. All of these are related to the building profession and would be Revit targets!
Revit would also be a valued tool and offer you some advantages over others.

2. If you have no such desires, then drafting is still a great and rewarding career. Architects, Engineers and many private and industrial manufacturers/fabricators need this service, and always will in my opinion. Autocad seams to be the tool of choice by many.

The other issue to point out is this. Revit requires much more planning, thought and knowledge than would be otherwise required from that of a draftsperson. Architects and other such professionals make decisions and assumptions very early on during the design process. This is Revit's strong point in my opinion. It allows us to design, while still thinking and planning the project out, even to the level of detail which include doors and window details, wall/roof connections and structure into account.

I hope this helps
Steve Shell
Architect

[BillyGrey]

While it is true that BIM in general compels many Architects back to the drawing board, it is also true that many, many of them will always be in a position to pass the baton, at some point, to the finishers.

Also, most still value their "off-the-drawing-board" time, and this forum is a great example of that!

[Wingard_E]

I apologize for posting in the wrong area, I didn’t notice that there are different forums for different discussions until I had already posted. Thanks to Mike for moving the thread to the proper place and thanks to all for the responses.

I’m not sure that I will have the need for Revit as I intend to go on to a degree in naval architecture from the University of New Orleans and will likely be using Ship Constructor more than anything. As I get more familiar with the CAD process I can see that what most of you have stated about techs always being needed is most likely. I figure I will have a leg up when I do become a naval architect by knowing what the techs would prefer while I design… plus I am going to need to earn a living while I continue my education. So, by taking the marine and architectural disciplines I can broaden my potential employer base. Not t mention that my hobby is remodeling my home, so the architectural discipline will help with my hobby, and by building equity into my home, I have been and will continue to be able to pursue my chosen career.

[Mike.Perry]

I apologize for posting in the wrong area, I didn’t notice that there are different forums for different discussions until I had already posted. Thanks to Mike for moving the thread to the proper place and thanks to all for the responses.

Hi "Wingard_E"

No need for the apology.... and no problem on the move.

Hopefully the Revit people are being friendly and helpful

Mike