MartyC
2003-07-20, 09:48 AM
Thought I might offer my story as a slightly different point of view on Revit since there has been some very fascinating comment on various issues lately.
I started my career in the late 70's as an architectural drafting cadet for what could be described as an old-school high quality and somewhat exclusive practice. This was I guess the end of the pure art era of architectural production, perfection in manual drawing, pen-and-ink perspectives, watercolours and perfect detailing to the nth degree. The pressure to perform was immense and all for $30.00 per week!!! It was a very good training ground though, and a love of the art and artistry of architecture has never left.
I was first exposed to CAD in about 1985 as a self emplyed designer, with Autocad demonstrated on two screens and an IBM PC XT. While the dream of a paper-free office and a new medium excited me, my brain and the computer simply refused to interface, there were just too many processes between my hand, eye and paper to be even remotely intuitive. I remember suggesting then to the sales guy that a large digitiser and screen combined would be too cool, and would allow me to draw instantly, and just the way I was used to. He thought I was just nuts, and obviously not ready for the type of technology he had to offer....
Mid 90's as a registered Architect, I was talking with another architect, in his 60's, who expressed his respect for my presentation work but asked why a relatively young fella like me was still manual. He showed me some of his drawings and it was the heringbone paving that did it! had to admit I was using Letratone on trace........... did I feel embarrassed!
I sought out all options, ArchiCad, R12, etc, attended every promo event I could to make a well informed decision. The frustration mounted......still not intuitive, still too complex and too many circuitive steps to intefere with the pure creation process. I wanted to be an architect, not an IT guy, I wanted to create on my terms, not the software's terms, and cost vs production/profit was important to a new and very small practice. I settled on AutoCad LT as a compromise as it filled the documentation requirements, learning curve not too large, and at least a simple tool that allowed communication with the rest of the industry.
Late 2002, developing a new practice in a new country I was evaluating ADT3.3, when the sales guy showed me Revit which he was evaluating. I got a demo disk, and I think I was hooked before I got to the end of the intro project. I bought the product with no hesitation.
My background is not with large practices, I have not had extensive CAD training, Ia am not an IT genius and I have had no direct 3D experience prior to Revit. This may have made the transition easier, as I have not had to unlearn an extensive previous package, but I will say this of Revit....It allows me to be an Architect in the fullest traditional meaning of the word. I can rapidly develop a concept, immediately test the develping model, rapidly produce sections and details that I know are accurate, and I have the freedom of time that I can focus on design.
I was productive in Revit from day 3, and had a townhouse proposal (fully rendered) at the local council for a town planning consent application in 10 days from first loading software. Skill, speed and presentation quality is constantly developing and I am having fun with every step and stage of development. The fun aspect is often overlooked when analysing families and parameters etc., but I like having fun at work every day.
The point I am making here is that if someone like me, coming from a relatively 'CAD insulated' and traditional envoironment can intuitively and effectively connect with the Revit logic, someone is doing something right.
The comments on the Wacom screens is to me the single most exciting thing I have read. Finally, the whole architectural CAD process appears to be able to complete a full circle to a point where an Architect can simply draw, but the advantage is not just lines but whole elements in a single stroke. The Revit philosophy and interface fundamentally appears to allow that to happen in a way that I have not seen before.
To anyone considering Revit, clear the mind then do the demo. To all the rest of you, isnt it nice to be an active part of the future of our profession. :D
I started my career in the late 70's as an architectural drafting cadet for what could be described as an old-school high quality and somewhat exclusive practice. This was I guess the end of the pure art era of architectural production, perfection in manual drawing, pen-and-ink perspectives, watercolours and perfect detailing to the nth degree. The pressure to perform was immense and all for $30.00 per week!!! It was a very good training ground though, and a love of the art and artistry of architecture has never left.
I was first exposed to CAD in about 1985 as a self emplyed designer, with Autocad demonstrated on two screens and an IBM PC XT. While the dream of a paper-free office and a new medium excited me, my brain and the computer simply refused to interface, there were just too many processes between my hand, eye and paper to be even remotely intuitive. I remember suggesting then to the sales guy that a large digitiser and screen combined would be too cool, and would allow me to draw instantly, and just the way I was used to. He thought I was just nuts, and obviously not ready for the type of technology he had to offer....
Mid 90's as a registered Architect, I was talking with another architect, in his 60's, who expressed his respect for my presentation work but asked why a relatively young fella like me was still manual. He showed me some of his drawings and it was the heringbone paving that did it! had to admit I was using Letratone on trace........... did I feel embarrassed!
I sought out all options, ArchiCad, R12, etc, attended every promo event I could to make a well informed decision. The frustration mounted......still not intuitive, still too complex and too many circuitive steps to intefere with the pure creation process. I wanted to be an architect, not an IT guy, I wanted to create on my terms, not the software's terms, and cost vs production/profit was important to a new and very small practice. I settled on AutoCad LT as a compromise as it filled the documentation requirements, learning curve not too large, and at least a simple tool that allowed communication with the rest of the industry.
Late 2002, developing a new practice in a new country I was evaluating ADT3.3, when the sales guy showed me Revit which he was evaluating. I got a demo disk, and I think I was hooked before I got to the end of the intro project. I bought the product with no hesitation.
My background is not with large practices, I have not had extensive CAD training, Ia am not an IT genius and I have had no direct 3D experience prior to Revit. This may have made the transition easier, as I have not had to unlearn an extensive previous package, but I will say this of Revit....It allows me to be an Architect in the fullest traditional meaning of the word. I can rapidly develop a concept, immediately test the develping model, rapidly produce sections and details that I know are accurate, and I have the freedom of time that I can focus on design.
I was productive in Revit from day 3, and had a townhouse proposal (fully rendered) at the local council for a town planning consent application in 10 days from first loading software. Skill, speed and presentation quality is constantly developing and I am having fun with every step and stage of development. The fun aspect is often overlooked when analysing families and parameters etc., but I like having fun at work every day.
The point I am making here is that if someone like me, coming from a relatively 'CAD insulated' and traditional envoironment can intuitively and effectively connect with the Revit logic, someone is doing something right.
The comments on the Wacom screens is to me the single most exciting thing I have read. Finally, the whole architectural CAD process appears to be able to complete a full circle to a point where an Architect can simply draw, but the advantage is not just lines but whole elements in a single stroke. The Revit philosophy and interface fundamentally appears to allow that to happen in a way that I have not seen before.
To anyone considering Revit, clear the mind then do the demo. To all the rest of you, isnt it nice to be an active part of the future of our profession. :D