Is Revit the right move??

[rdy]

Our firm needs to upgrade our current version of AutoCAD. We need to decide if we want to go with AutoCAD 2006 or Revit 8. I am trying to find good or bad responses if Revit is the way to go. What are the pros and cons in moving to Revit? We have used Desktop in the past but found that it was not what we really needed. We never used Desktop the way it was intended to be used. I am not sure if that was caused by a lack of training.

I am sure if we go with AutoCAD 2006 we will not have any problems. If we go with Revit will we be happy or will we wast the money and go back to AutoCAD? How does Revit work with consultants that only use AutoCAD?

If everyone can give me their opinion of Revit that would be very helpful.

Rob

[Shaun v Rooyen]

Rob we made the switch 2 years ago, and have never looked back. check this thread I have just posted.
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=20705

[Martin P]

Go for "Revit Series" that way you get both Revit and Autocad.... costs a tiny bit more. You can get good deals on upgrading Autocad to Revit series, we did this and got both of them for about £500 (depends on your current version though)

Posting here - I suspect you are going to be told it is the right move! - which it is!!.... Revit series makes the change less "cold turkey" though.

[Mark Vorstenbosch]

Hi Rob

I have been working with Revit for the last 9 months and I can not believe any one would like to work with any other Cad software.

Revit works.

[zenomail105021]

I'm a one man build/design operation so you know. I used Architectural Desktop for years. Moved over to Revit about 3 months ago. After an initial learning curve (still much to learn but enough to get some CD's out and much much shorter than ADT) I think Revit is a marvelous program with every possibility of being brilliant. And with Martin, yes you will get a positive response here. People love it .... really.

Bill Maddox

[iru69]

You only have to use Revit for a few days to see what the big deal is about. I used AutoCAD for ten years, and it worked well for what it does - but now I just feel sorry for architects still stuck with it.

Download the Revit trial version, go through the tutorial (you've got to put a little work into this yourself, right? ;-)).

I'm sure you'll get some responses on this thread, but if you search the forum (the search tool is your friend), you'll find a couple of dozen threads on this subject.

Have a look through http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=12780 put together by BillyGrey.

Edit: fixed the link...

[cosmickingpin]

Nobody uses Architectural Desktop (a 3D BIM solution) the way it is "intended". No matter how good the training, at best it is good for 2d cad on steroids. Even proponents of ADT are forced to admit that revit delivers what it promises and with a highly user friendly interface. I have found that one of the key factors of a firm's sucess with revit is highly dependent on the culture of the Firm. Firms that have a high commitment to adding value to their services, are commited to using and understanding new technology, have personnel committed to expanding their skill set (no matter what software they happen to be using), committed to finding ways to do more in less time and make more money, then Revit is exactly what you want. I would try the free revit for 30 days, do the tutortials, have a free Webcast, and expose your personnel and spend no money doing so, and at the end of 30 days you would be able to make an informed choice. Try to identify key personnel who would be most involved in training and education, get them as much exposure and them have a sit down when you think you have enough data to make a choice.

In terms of working with consultants, you have a ton of options. A site you will want to spend some time on is:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=3782406

On the Autodesk website look up the White Papers under Revit there you will find some critical topics like revit's relationship to CAD and studies on firms who make the revit transition. Attached is a copy of the paper that deal with your question specifically.

Lastly, keep in touch around here and let us know what you decide and if you have any specific questions, people tend to be very generous and if you lurk around you will see what a treasure this community is if you do decide to make the Revit choice.


Our firm needs to upgrade our current version of AutoCAD. We need to decide if we want to go with AutoCAD 2006 or Revit 8. I am trying to find good or bad responses if Revit is the way to go. What are the pros and cons in moving to Revit? We have used Desktop in the past but found that it was not what we really needed. We never used Desktop the way it was intended to be used. I am not sure if that was caused by a lack of training.

I am sure if we go with AutoCAD 2006 we will not have any problems. If we go with Revit will we be happy or will we wast the money and go back to AutoCAD? How does Revit work with consultants that only use AutoCAD?

If everyone can give me their opinion of Revit that would be very helpful.

Rob

[PeterJ]

Some of the really big players are now starting to get into Revit quite seriously. I hear that one major international practice (in excess of 150 architects and £39M fees last year in their UK offices and something in excess of 1,000 architects worldwide so I understand) has taken a board level decision to use Revit based on product maturity and a simple business case. I think that people like that move slowly and are unlikely to make the decision without very serious consideration so you can bet that it's right for them.

[cstarr]

PeterJ,
What firm is that? If you don't mind...

[Scott D Davis]

Hmmmm...if Only we Knew...

[JamesVan]

Hmmmm...if Only we Knew...
That's funny :lol: but are you sure he didn't have Some Other firm in Mind?

[blads]

Our firm needs to upgrade our current version of AutoCAD. We need to decide if we want to go with AutoCAD 2006 or Revit 8. I am trying to find good or bad responses if Revit is the way to go. What are the pros and cons in moving to Revit? We have used Desktop in the past but found that it was not what we really needed. We never used Desktop the way it was intended to be used. I am not sure if that was caused by a lack of training.

I am sure if we go with AutoCAD 2006 we will not have any problems. If we go with Revit will we be happy or will we wast the money and go back to AutoCAD? How does Revit work with consultants that only use AutoCAD?

If everyone can give me their opinion of Revit that would be very helpful.

Rob

Rob,

I also a "one-man" operation, specializing in Environmental & Sustainble Building Design Services. I used Architectural Desktop for years and after constant :banghead: . switched over to Revit 2 years ago and have NEVER looked back. After an initial learning curve (and in face I'm stil learning new tricks...). Revit is a fabulous program and the best sources of help and information is in this forum without doubt. :-)

[Tobie]

rob,
we have been working on Revit for 4 years. we are a small practice in a small country town and where doing a lot of additions. we had some initial concerns about working with existing old stone buildings that can be very irregular, but have not had any problems.
best way to learn is just to get working on Revit.

[dg]

Revit is great, but the new inteligent blocks and detail components in ADT are rather cool too.

I would go for Revit series.

As an aside, would it be possible to purchase Revit series, but then only continue with the Revit subscription? I can't see ADT getting any more useful, but Revit certainly will.

But the best thing about Revit, is this forum and the advice (some almost instant) that is available

[phindes]

I am a new Revit user after using ADT for a number of years.

If you want to read more about my experiences: http://revit-wonders.blogspot.com/

I am really enjoing the software!

[ppelegrin]

How does Revit work with consultants that only use AutoCAD?


Hi Rob,

Working for a reseller, I can give you an opinion based on experience with our clients. This question of compatibility with Consultants (with AutoCAD) is very common, and this is an area that Revit can potentially help you.

As I have had experience in using AutoCAD myself in Engineering consultancies, I know that they spend a reasonable amount of time cleaning up your drawings - in order of magnitude: minimising layers (Architects always seem to use a LOT more!) and deleting drawing entities that are of no importance to them - and then repeat this every time they get the amended set.

Now Revit has the capability of filtering data when converting/importing to DWG format and its this facility that can actually help these consultants better handle your data than with AutoCAD.... Although you could achieve this with AutoCAD it nominally appears not many Architectural firms actually do this, so the consultants typically get everything worts-an-all. Engineers do not appear to be contacting us with issues on handling raw DWG files from Revit users. But they sure do call a lot more often when ADT is involved.


Regards,
P Pelegrin

[PeterJ]

That's funny :lol: but are you sure he didn't have Some Other firm in Mind?
I didn't James, I didn't.

[JamesVan]

I didn't James, I didn't.
I know. I just wanted to join in the 'fun with acronyms!'

[mmodernc]

Beats me howso many people are prepared to waste so much time on redundant technology.

[jbalding48677]

Beats me howso many people are prepared to waste so much time on redundant technology.
Now, what exactly are you saying?

[mmodernc]

I can't figure out how someone can spend more than fifteen minutes on Revit to work out that all the other stuff is stone age.