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What are the advantages of AutoCAD over Revit, and vice versa?

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Question added by Salma Fakih , Architect , -
Date Posted: 2015/06/09

Revit is a BIM tool. That is building information modeling. So here are some features you don't find in a CAD tool like autocad. 

 1- parametric components: every single element is no longer a2d entity. Each element is a3d object with parameters that can be modified to modify the entity 

2- bidirectional assosiativity: the entire model is a single database with all elements interrelated. The significance of this is that when you make any changes in one location all affected elements will dynamically update. The2 above mean that by creating2d plans you are automatically generating3d models. In other words all you have to do is request Revit for a section and you're done. This is the same for elevations, callouts, and as you might imagine takeoff. So with simple yet intuitive tools Revit will provide you with a schedule based on the category of your choice extracting data from the elements. 

3- documentation is no longer manual. The information is already there. All you have to do is extract it. This can be done using tags or keynotes. Tags simply extract the information from the elements themselves. Keynotes link your elements to the specification file. So the contractor knows exactly where to look for the information in the project specs.

4- worksharing: this means that you can work on the same project and synchronize information to a central file located on the server while everyone is separately working on their own computers. Since2013 you no longer need to be out the same server or even the same country.

This is all adhered to the power of cloud computing. The above form less than10 percent of the features: others include but are not limited to the following:Point clouds, structural analysis, energy analysis, solar studies, daylight analysis, pipe and duct calculations, fill legends, and many more.

Elke Woofter
by Elke Woofter , Project Assistant , American Technical Associates

Sorry, I have not worked with Revit.... therefore I will not be able to answer your question

SABITH SUHAIL AHMED
by SABITH SUHAIL AHMED , HVAC Sales & Site Engineer , Taqi Mohammed Albaharna Trading EST.,

Revit is a BIM ( Building Information Modeling ) program. The idea is to create a3D model or "virtual" representation of the real physical building. Each3D element has Information ( referred to as "metadata" ) input into it so that the data can be scheduled automatically, and shared downstream with other stakeholders and team members who may use Revit or other programs such as Navisworks to combine all models from the various design teams ( Arch., Struct., Civil, MEP/FP, etc. ) into a "Master Model" and perform3D clash detection,4D scheduling and5D cost estimating.

 

The AEC industry is quickly advancing into a BIM delivery method and leaving2D Cad behind as it is an antiquated way of designing and documenting projects. ( FWIW, Revit was released in, so it is not "brand new" as many will claim. It may be "brand new" to those who were slow to transition from Cad to BIM.)

 

For an existing building which is to be renovated, it has always been a challenge how to document the existing conditions.

Recent breakthroughs in Laser Scanning and Point Cloud technology have enabled the process to go "digital" and in3D.

Revit now supports Point Cloud data, so it can be imported into Revit and used as a "3D background" to create a3D model in Revit of the exiting facility. Revit also uses "Phases" to distinguish existing, demolished and new construction automatically. 

 

So--as BIM becomes the "norm" and2D Cad drafting fades away, having a Laser Scan/Point Cloud survey will become the default. The Federal Government is now requiring BIM on all of their projects ( do a quick search about GSA and BIM ) and they have been at the forefront of the laser-scan/point cloud/BIM workflow.

 

Mohamed Nasser Atef
by Mohamed Nasser Atef , Civil Engineer , Al Zahraa For General Contracting

i think BIM More general and comprehensive

Osama Elghamry
by Osama Elghamry , Senior Design Architect , DUR Hospitality

When it comes to similarities, there are three main topics to discuss; 2D, 3D and Rendering. Both AutoCAD and Revit are used to create 2D drawings such as floor plans, elevations, details, etc. There may be slight differences on how they’re presented graphically but essentially the end result is the same. With both you can generate a set of construction documents.

Regards,

Auto cade is basic of designing, & revit is advanced.

Nuhu Okikiri
by Nuhu Okikiri , Engineering Intern , Hangda Aicraft Instrument and Aviation Equipment Company

Revit                                                        AutoCAD

Designing/production tool                           Designing, drafting and documenting tool

Industry specific purpose                            General purpose

Industry specific reputation                         Industry-wide reputation

Easy to use due to industrial specificity        Difficult to use and master due to generic domain

Comparatively new hence smaller portfolio   Older hence larger portfolio

 

Michel Francis
by Michel Francis , Managing Director And Founder , MF Architect

There is no easy way to compare Revit (a BIM software) with AutoCAD (a CAD Software).

AutoCAD is a simple drafting tool. You can think of it as a set of pen, ruler, compass and paper (and other hand drafting tools) so it is easy to learn and use in this regard. it can be used to produce simple coordinated technical drawing sets to great accuracy, but needs a substantial amount of envolvment and expertise of the person using it to be able high end engineering drawings.

Revit id a complete Building Information Modelling (BIM) workspace. it provides a whole new environment to produce models to great coordination and accuracy of which you can extract a great deal of information. think of it as a virtual reality space where you virtually build your model. you then take snapshots and information schedules of that model, which constitutes your engineering set. it is immeasurably more accurate and more coordinated than AutoCAD. For that, Revit (and other BIM software) are the next generation of engineering modelling.

Omar Ashraf Elsayed
by Omar Ashraf Elsayed , Project Manager , Trading Development Partnership (TDP)

Revit is not only 3D design software but also it can be 4D and 5D. Nowadays Revit models can be linked to a software on your phone or laptop to tell you the date of maintenance of every single component so your building can live longer. Also it can be linked to project phases during construction with the exact methods and dates of each phase you can say it can work as primavaira but in Engineering way.

Autocad mainly using for drafting purpose.

But Revit have the following advantages;

1-3D model creation

2-Quantity calculation

3-Project planning with construction sequences.

4-Coordination and clash detection between different discipline like MEP,Architecture,Structure etc

5-Cost estimation and Cost controlling

 

etc

Yauheni Dounar
by Yauheni Dounar , HVAC design engineer , Gerada, Ltd.; MinskGrazhdanProekt, PLC; IMO, Ltd.; Combuilding, Ltd.

Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Revit is a very powerful tool, but sometimes it is not necessary. There are a lot of tasks which can be solved in AutoCAD faster and more effectively.

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