The mainstream inclusion of Computer Aided Drafting has changed the construction and development industry drastically for the better since its invention. This marked the shift from hand drawn and often tedious drafting to an online substitute which allowed for better integration, collaboration, and easier error correction. BIM tools like Revit mark the next phase of change that the design and construction industry requires in the modern day to accommodate faster and better integration with different softwares and modern problem solving.
Unlike AutoCAD, Revit is not just a drafting program; it has a higher functionality as it able to create a comprehensive building model that can incorporate many elements of a functioning building like its MEP system, fire alarm and egress layouts, structural elements, while also creating automatic schedules for the equipment within. This allows for all the stakeholders of the project to visualize the space in 3D and monitor it for proper integration without any clashes, while also enabling ease of usage for reference on the field for sub-contractors. At the same time, AutoCAD drawings can be imported into Revit which definitely makes collaboration between the two softwares possible.
On my first co-op, I learned that there are certain tasks that can be performed best by AutoCAD; for example, an RCP plan that was created in Revit was exported to AutoCAD to change the elements of different layers, including converting the ceiling grid to a 2D frame for the purpose of exploding each line segment. This resulting CAD file could then by utilized by softwares such as lighting simulation tool Agi32 which recognizes Revit's ceiling grid only when exploded. Therefore, this exchange of data is beneficial in many cases, and makes both Revit and CAD useful tools for the industry.
As Revit continues to grow and develop, many features of CAD could be incorporated into its interface, however basic drafting is still performed best on CAD; like complex landscape mapping and layouts, urban planning, and site development. And the ease of transfer between both Revit and CAD expand the opportunities to work with drawings for departments ranging from landscape architects to building system engineers.
Ina's Post (Link to post)
Unlike AutoCAD, Revit is not just a drafting program; it has a higher functionality as it able to create a comprehensive building model that can incorporate many elements of a functioning building like its MEP system, fire alarm and egress layouts, structural elements, while also creating automatic schedules for the equipment within. This allows for all the stakeholders of the project to visualize the space in 3D and monitor it for proper integration without any clashes, while also enabling ease of usage for reference on the field for sub-contractors. At the same time, AutoCAD drawings can be imported into Revit which definitely makes collaboration between the two softwares possible.
On my first co-op, I learned that there are certain tasks that can be performed best by AutoCAD; for example, an RCP plan that was created in Revit was exported to AutoCAD to change the elements of different layers, including converting the ceiling grid to a 2D frame for the purpose of exploding each line segment. This resulting CAD file could then by utilized by softwares such as lighting simulation tool Agi32 which recognizes Revit's ceiling grid only when exploded. Therefore, this exchange of data is beneficial in many cases, and makes both Revit and CAD useful tools for the industry.
As Revit continues to grow and develop, many features of CAD could be incorporated into its interface, however basic drafting is still performed best on CAD; like complex landscape mapping and layouts, urban planning, and site development. And the ease of transfer between both Revit and CAD expand the opportunities to work with drawings for departments ranging from landscape architects to building system engineers.
Comments:
Ina's Post (Link to post)
Ina,
With this post you brought attention to one of the biggest problems encountered with Revit in a collaborative setting. Syncing work can be a confusing and tedious task at times. I remember in the last firm I worked with, an engineer who was still learning how to use Revit accidentally deleted a few electrical panels along with their schedules and synced their work right before a set submittal, causing everyone to panic. We ended up losing all the information for good because there had been no backup for the central model. Although that was stressful, we managed to fix it and laugh about it afterward. Having a route to restore previous versions of the model might be helpful for Revit to prevent situations like that.
Amanda's Post (Link to post)
Amanda,
I like how you compiled a few technologies that could become more widely used in our industries in the future. You mentioned drones could be used for close up viewing of structural issues and for reaching into hard-to-reach areas. On a similar note, I think that could also tie into drones being used in more hazardous situations where it is dangerous for people to enter; like how drones were used to analyze the Notre Dame fire for firefighters even though drone flights are prohibited over Paris. It really is exciting to see what tech has in the future for the industry.
Amanda's Post (Link to post)
Abdul,
I appreciate how concise and clear you've made your post. BIM definitely brings a lot of advantages to the construction and design industry. Like Dr. Fiori mentioned, the days of hand drafting, tedious error correction, and depending on the federal mail system to collaborate on work are long behind us, and it really is exciting to be entering the industry when there is such rapid change happening. I wonder how long it will take for industries around to the world to fully adapt to tools like Revit, and where that would take us in terms of affecting national economic growth and international relations.
With this post you brought attention to one of the biggest problems encountered with Revit in a collaborative setting. Syncing work can be a confusing and tedious task at times. I remember in the last firm I worked with, an engineer who was still learning how to use Revit accidentally deleted a few electrical panels along with their schedules and synced their work right before a set submittal, causing everyone to panic. We ended up losing all the information for good because there had been no backup for the central model. Although that was stressful, we managed to fix it and laugh about it afterward. Having a route to restore previous versions of the model might be helpful for Revit to prevent situations like that.
Amanda's Post (Link to post)
Amanda,
I like how you compiled a few technologies that could become more widely used in our industries in the future. You mentioned drones could be used for close up viewing of structural issues and for reaching into hard-to-reach areas. On a similar note, I think that could also tie into drones being used in more hazardous situations where it is dangerous for people to enter; like how drones were used to analyze the Notre Dame fire for firefighters even though drone flights are prohibited over Paris. It really is exciting to see what tech has in the future for the industry.
Amanda's Post (Link to post)
Abdul,
I appreciate how concise and clear you've made your post. BIM definitely brings a lot of advantages to the construction and design industry. Like Dr. Fiori mentioned, the days of hand drafting, tedious error correction, and depending on the federal mail system to collaborate on work are long behind us, and it really is exciting to be entering the industry when there is such rapid change happening. I wonder how long it will take for industries around to the world to fully adapt to tools like Revit, and where that would take us in terms of affecting national economic growth and international relations.
2 comments:
Varsha,
I totally agree with you. Tools like Revit and AutoCad have made drafting much more simple than hand drawings. I think hand drawn drafts are much more personal however, and I sometimes catch myself wishing hand drawings were still popular! I like how you were able to make the comparison between the two software from your first co-op!
Varsha,
I agree with what you said about both Revit and CAD having distinct purposes, therefore not making CAD replaceable by Revit. I see that often when I work with civil engineers, they use CAD in ways completely foreign to me, that I never would have even thought possible. Personally, I function more in Revit these days, but my base is CAD and it will continue to be a software that I use on a near-daily basis. What I have to keep in mind is that its functions are so much more than general floorplan and section drafting, but that it is like the conversion factor between different forms of BIM, such as Revit and Civil3D.
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