Plain AutoCAD + Revit Architecture

[Detsenira]

Hello,

We are currently using AutoCad and planning to invest on vertical software like Revit Architecture so we can create a 3D rendering of the Facility. Can Autocad file share with Revit files or vise versa?

[Alfredo Medina]

Hello,

We are currently using AutoCad and planning to invest on vertical software like Rivet Architecture so we can create a 3D rendering of the Facility. Can Autocad file share with Revit files or vise versa?

If you are using AutoCAD and you are looking for an application for render, there are specialized applications for that purpose, such as 3d Max (3dStudio).

Revit (not Rivet) is not a vertical software from AutoCAD; it can do renderings but it is not a rendering application.

Yes, files can be exchanged (imported/exported) betwen AutoCAD and Revit, through .dwg format, but the BIM models lose their properties in AutoCAD, and the dwg files in Revit are not very well appreciated. :)

[jsteinhauer]

Hello,

We are currently using AutoCad and planning to invest on vertical software like Rivet Architecture so we can create a 3D rendering of the Facility. Can Autocad file share with Revit files or vise versa?

I personally have used Revit for planning/programming on several projects. I find it is much easier to do my presentation boards for blocking and stacking of a facility, then CADD. If you're looking for a rendering package, Revit does have that capability. But, Max is much faster & SketchUp is also used heavily in our industry. I personally don't like to use more then one software for design. It complicates things, and then people are always wondering what is the most up-2-date file. I would strongly suggest not using Revit as the puppet to AutoCad. If people in your firm are not comfortable with the transition, then either hire staff that has Revit experience or stay with AutoCad. There is a learning curve, and it depends on the individual, but I feel it's worth it.

I hope this helps,
Jeff S.

[cliff collins]

Let me be very clear:

DO NOT begin using Revit to "do renderings" for your AutoCad projects. This is an entirely backwards approach.

Revit is intended to REPLACE AutoCad completely, as a BIM tool.

Oh, and--it does renderings as well !

[Detsenira]

Thank you all for the quick response, when I say rendering what I meant to say is a kind of 3D software that are capable of creating a 3D models just to create a mimic 3D existing buildings in the facility, with some landscape, roads, etc. that we can use and incorporate some potential new buildings in the vacant lot for future expansion and be able to take a snap view from the model and be able to save a PDF file for presentation.

A quick response are highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ted
AutoCAD-2011 User

[DaveP]

This may be rather heretical in this forum, but from your description, I'd say you might be better off looking into SketchUp.
If all you want to do is get the massing of existing buildings, some sitework, and a rendering of your proposals, using Revit would be like buying a Porsche to drive a block to the grocery store.

Yes, Revit can do those things (although, frankly, it's not very good at site & roads), that's not what Revit is built for. Revit is, at it's core, a database of INFORMATION about the building that you also creates the documents that get it built. If you're not interested in things like automatic scheduling of the Doors, or Plans colored by Department, or coordinating Structural and Mechnical in 3D, I'm afraid Revit is going to frustrate you.

People and firms who succeed using Revit are the firms that ask themselves "What information can we get out of this model?"
Firms that fail at Revit ask "How do I get my Elevation symbol to look exactly like AutoCAD?"

[MikeJarosz]

Firms that fail at Revit ask "How do I get my Elevation symbol to look exactly like AutoCAD?"

I think we are starting to see less and less of the people who want Revit to look and feel like the only CAD they ever knew, i.e. Acad.

You should have been around in 2003! Nobody thought Revit could do anything. So we jumped in.

Our first little test project was the World Trade Center.........

[cliff collins]

Agreed.

Jumped in with Revit Version #1 in 2000.

"Humble beginnings"---- NOT!

How's that project going now--I've lost track?

[Detsenira]

We are still undecided as to what 3D software we need to back-up our Plain AutoCAD to support our needs. How about AutoCAD Architecture instead of Revit? Does anyone use it and maybe much compatible to AutoCAD?

Thanks again…

Ted

[damon.sidel]

Ted,

I have to agree with DaveP on this one. From your limited description

"capable of creating a 3D models just to create a mimic 3D existing buildings in the facility, with some landscape, roads, etc. that we can use and incorporate some potential new buildings in the vacant lot for future expansion and be able to take a snap view from the model and be able to save a PDF file for presentation."

to "backup plain AutoCAD" I would say go with SketchUp. It is very easy to import/export DWGs, one of the most inexpensive options out there, and is perfect for super-quick snapshot visualizations for presentations. Check out SketchUcation.com to see what people are doing with it.

AutoCAD Architecture for your 3D is certainly possible, but not the best or easiest tool for what you seem to want.

Just my two cents!

[cliff collins]

We are still undecided as to what 3D software we need to back-up our Plain AutoCAD to support our needs. How about AutoCAD Architecture instead of Revit? Does anyone use it and maybe much compatible to AutoCAD?

Thanks again…

Ted

You are completely missing the point.
To be frank ( and to again try to steer you in the correct direction ) using either AutoCad or ACA is a step BACKWARDS in technology. Take a look around--the entire AEC industry is embracing BIM. Revit was released in 1999. It is almost 12 YEARS OLD. So it's not "brand new, bleeding edge technology". It is the MAINSTREAM application for architects. So--why not take a look at switching your entire workflow to BIM? Revit is by far the best solution. It's compatible with Cad, if you MUST hang on to it. You can export to cad right from Revit. You can import cad into Revit and use it as a "background" to model over--then get rid of the cad. This is coming from over 25 yrs experience--beginning with hand-drawing, 2D Cad, ADT/ACA, Microstation and then Revit in 2000 to the present. Never have looked back and we would not use AutoCad if you PAID us. We'd still use Revit and then export out Cad.

Good luck.

[antman]

AutoCAD Architecture for your 3D is certainly possible, but not the best or easiest tool for what you seem to want.

Agreed. I loved AutoCAD Architecture (I've used it since 1998) until I learned Revit. Now I cringe every time I have to use it or support it (we are still in transition). Especially given that going that route would cost $$ for licenses, training, and learning curves, you'd be better off moving away from AutoCAD into Revit. If you want quick and easy, go Sketchup.

[SamuelAB]

Whatever you do, don't rely on Sketchup for big projects.

Frankly it sounds like you only want the renderings for presentation purposes, talk to your local Autodesk rep to discuss the fine points of your companies needs.

You would probably be better off with 3ds Max, but you will need very skilled employees to use it.

[jeffh]

We are still undecided as to what 3D software we need to back-up our Plain AutoCAD to support our needs. How about AutoCAD Architecture instead of Revit? Does anyone use it and maybe much compatible to AutoCAD?

Thanks again…

Ted

You may want to look at Project Spark. Give it a try and let us know what you think of it.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/spark/

[MikeJarosz]

Agreed.

Jumped in with Revit Version #1 in 2000.

"Humble beginnings"---- NOT!

How's that project going now--I've lost track?

Sorry to say, the team ramped up in 2004, when really proficient Revit users were scarce, and the senior tech on the job was very proficient in Acad, so the project switched over.

[cliff collins]

OUCH!!!!

Glad I wasn't working on that one!

[nextvkin]

How about AutoCAD Architecture instead of Revit? Does anyone use it and maybe much compatible to AutoCAD?Ted
I think to get a satisfactory answer to this, you'd need to post your question in the ACA forum.

[MikeJarosz]

Whatever you do, don't rely on Sketchup for big projects.

Frankly it sounds like you only want the renderings for presentation purposes, talk to your local Autodesk rep to discuss the fine points of your companies needs.

You would probably be better off with 3ds Max, but you will need very skilled employees to use it.

Sketchup can't do construction documents, can it? I have seen many projects start out on "design" software, only to discover when the time to start the CDs rolled around, the project had to move to a new software platform, just when the schedule and budget were stretched to the max.

[SamuelAB]

Sketchup will also start crashing once the model hits a certain size, the internal properties are not handled well enough for it to be a viable design tool option.