November 2, 2011

Revit? Why, when I have AutoCAD?

I loved drafting as a kid. Give me my T-square, triangle, and french curve. Drawing a perspective view was SO COOL!



I learned AutoCAD in 1987 and it was AutoCAD v2.6; what a cool program! I then used AutoCAD R9 when I graduated; loved it! Kept moving forward with AutoCAD R14; did everything I needed it to do. I customized AutoCAD like crazy. Why because I could and my users loved it. In 2000 I saw a program called Revit. It did 3D and was cool. Tried it on a project and it just didn't work for us. Revit could never replace my AutoCAD and the way I customized it for my users. I refused to consider Revit because AutoCAD did EVERYTHING I needed it to do. Then came AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and then AutoCAD Architecture; cumbersome but wow it had some nice features; I still don't need Revit, I now had ACA. Then I was forced to use Revit. Really? Are you kidding? AutoCAD does EVERYTHING I need it to do! So I went to Revit Architecture training.



Revit Training Day 1: I was convinced Revit is a toy and I can still work faster in AutoCAD.



Revit Training Day 2: hmmm.... This program seems to have it's advantage. My elevations, sections, and schedules are partially done. How'd that happen? Wait my schedules are done? My schedules are done! Hey, wait, what? MY SCHEDULES ARE DONE! Oh, no. I have to make a design change. Now what? Make the change and my plans, elevations, sections, and schedules are updated. I can't do that in AutoCAD! Well I can if I setup ACA Project Navigator with my constructs and elements and train my users what they are. What is a construct? Isn't it obvious? Nope. What is a Revit wall, a door, a window? I know what those are.



Revit Training Day 3: I setup my sheets. Drag my plans, elevations, sections, details on to sheets and all my section tags, elevations tags, callout tags are filled in for me! Wait, that means less time setting up CDs and more time spent designing! Should I continue to use AutoCAD or use Revit?



Should I ride my bike to work or drive my car? I think I'll drive my car.


Mark Petrucci

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