Forums >> Community >> Newbies >> New to REVIT

Nickster

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Joined: Tue, Jun 7, 2011
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Hi all my name is Nick.  I have been working with Autodesk products (mainly ACAD, MEP and Architectural Desktop) for over ten years now.  Like so many things, program writers see it fit to make "new and improved" versions of different programs.  I have to say as a beginner with REVIT MEP 2011 I am NOT a fan.  Times change though and you have to adapt or find a new field of expertise.  Any and all help would be greatly appreciated while I'm making this transition from AutoCAD MEP 2011.  I look forward to talking with all of you.

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
13079 Posts

Glad you are here.  I am not an MEP guy so I don't know how long it will take but let us know when you are a "Fan".  For me as an architect, it was three months.

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Nickster

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Joined: Tue, Jun 7, 2011
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Thanks!  Haha yeah it's going to take some getting used to.  Everything is different.

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Nickster

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Joined: Tue, Jun 7, 2011
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The biggest problem I have so far with REVIT MEP or Architecture is it seems that it is possible for ANYONE (with proper program training) to use.  They do not have to know or even have an idea of any building trade or the components needed to make something work.  Everything is already there, the user just needs to know how to use the program.  Let's take the electrical side for instance: Panel loads, Panel Schedules, and circuitry are all pre-defined.  It's like Autodesk took the 'need to know' element out of the equation.  These tools are nice yes, but it seems most products today are derived from the question "what's the cheapest and quickest way to get something done?"  Instead of having an engineer layout a mechanical or electrical plan, virtually anyone with REVIT experience can do it.  This I do not like. 

On the other hand, after getting used to the parameters and all the family add-in bs, it is pretty convenient to use.  While I'm still not a fan; I reluctantly admit that this program is growing on me. 

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TKennedy

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Joined: Wed, Oct 7, 2009
654 Posts

I don't think your job is going anywhere any time soon. Components can be placed and drawings created easier than ever, but it still takes someone with the correct know-how to actually design this stuff. I got a similar argument from my bosses when they discovered that all the equipment families we are creating could simply be copied from our models by an architect (I work in the foodservice design industry BTW). They were worried that after sending a few models out an architect could have a library of stuff they could drag and drop and they wouldn't come to us anymore. While that's technically true, I really doubt that will happen. The place I work for was never a drafting company, that's just something that went along with designing. What they are is a design firm, and the drafting part of the job has just been made easier/better. The same should hold true for you. Anyone could hack together something and maybe eventually get it to work, but after that one time they will be coming right back to you to do it right the first time. Revit isn't going to make your job obsolete, it's going to make it easier.

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Nickster

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Joined: Tue, Jun 7, 2011
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You may have a point there. 

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brettgoodchild

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Joined: Sat, Feb 4, 2006
425 Posts

Interesting post.

Revit seems easy, and in many ways it is however, having a designer type background with the knowledge and understanding of a building will make Revit much more powerful and actually simplify the workflow.

Yes, anyone can model in Revit, but MEP is different. If you are not setting up systems, if content is not made correctly none of the intelligence behind it will work. Plus, using the integrated tool kit without good modeling practices and design understanding is a wasted effort. Setting that stuff up to work correctly in many cases still requies the knowledge beyond that of the typical "red line tech".

At our company, we seek out end-users who have that understanding because they ultimately are the better staff to have. Revit is very powerful if you can truely design and model at the same time.

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itsmyalterego

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Joined: Thu, May 28, 2009
829 Posts

You'll like revit.  Everyone is going to get sued less with the hugely improved coordination that building in 3D allows-- SEEING problems that would otherwise be overlooked, or impossible to imagine. 

I remember a project that had some structural... conditions... that neither the architect nor the structural engineers wanted to touch and figure out, because it was too confusing.  I was told to draw up some sections in ACAD to figure it out... and I was stumped.  There was not enough information to draw a section because all the floorplans were different, and the floorplans were different because there wasn't a section that explained which should govern... a vicious circle. 

Now, with revit, you can just build the building roughly, slice the model up any whichway, and SEE the problems, and the logical solutions.  It's amazing. 

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imoz

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Joined: Wed, Mar 30, 2011
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I want to do a cover with a dome shape, but instead of the plant looks a little misshapen oval, but not know how I can do this in revit, someone who can help me please? my email is gsuimoz@hotmail.com

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