Revit – Transition from AutoCAD
About Lesson

If you’re using one of the specialized versions of AutoCAD, you’re probably wondering what would change if you switched to Revit. This is especially true for AutoCAD Architecture, because this program is specially adapted to the needs of designers and is therefore very similar to Revit. In this lesson, I will try to explain to you the similarities and differences between these two concepts.

To begin with, I must admit that both programs have a similar purpose, which means that they are intended for use in architectural design and allow for great efficiency in work. This means that there are similar functions in them, and a comparison between Project Navigator and Project Browser can serve as a good example. To show you how it looks in practice, I have already started AutoCAD Architecture and opened a typical project. As you can see, one of the frames belongs to the Project Navigator, and it contains various information – from the name of the project itself, to its description, to a list that includes all active levels. In addition, there are special sections that allow you to access various content such as Constructs, Views and Sheets. If you compare it to Revit, you won’t have a hard time coming to the conclusion that confirms how similar the two programs are. However, AutoCAD Architecture requires a little more effort because a typical floor plan often consists of several segments, and this is confirmed by the object you are currently seeing on the screen. Its facade is composed of several parts, and they actually represent external references, which significantly complicates the entire project. In Revit, this type of construction can be performed in a much simpler way, but this does not represent the main difference between these two programs because in both cases the same terminology is used – views and sheets.

Another similarity is represented by the elements from which certain units are created. This means that both programs have features that allow you to easily create walls, doors, windows, etc. In addition, there is a possibility to manipulate them directly and at the same time maintain connections to other objects. To prove it to you, I will select the corresponding element with one click, and as soon as I enlarge it, you will see that these lines represent the whole, that is, the complete wall. The same applies to this double door, because in this case it is not an ordinary block, but an element with special properties. This primarily refers to the ability to move, whereby the object on which they are located is automatically corrected, and if I decide to move the entire wall, its connection with the other elements will remain completely preserved. Finally, if you pay attention to the tool palette, you will see that there are functions at your disposal that are very similar to those of Revit.

A great similarity can also be noticed in the way certain elements are displayed. To show you what it looks like in practice, I’ll go from the plan to the facade, which can be achieved by simply selecting the appropriate point on the ViewCube. After that, 3D objects will automatically appear on the screen instead of 2D drawings, and it will be even clearer if I show the entire project in an oblique projection.

Unlike Revit, which keeps all data in one place, this model is composed of a number of different elements, and some parts can be located outside the basic drawing. This can affect its real state, because sometimes it is necessary to wait for the update of all related files, external references.

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