06-10-2010
Revit (re)Training
It's funny to realize that when it comes to BIM software (aka "Building Information Modeling"), specifically Revit, I am like the old school architectural drafter who prefers a T-square to a mouse. I like my AutoCAD. I'm fast on it. I understand it. And, if it breaks on me, I know what to do to get back on the right track. I know it.
Revit is a whole different animal. I learned about it, studied its habits, and even played with it. But sadly when I did this, six years ago, I was deeply frustrated and scared by it. So much so that I dumped it. Once safely in the Construction Administration phase I exported the project drawing set to AutoCAD, and I never looked back.
Revit was (and still is) a brilliant marriage of 3D modeling and drafting software, and no one, not even I, can argue against its potential. Section cuts and elevations in a click! Entire facades dimensioned instantly, and their openings too! Automatic and dynamic door schedules! Perspectives rendered in a second!! It's amazing! But it's slow (at least back then), has a lot more mouse clicking, frequent annoying permission pop-ups, and the ability to unknowingly move or, worse yet, delete major elements in your building.
Years ago when I first experienced it, the program was new to FXFOWLE. Our passionate and diligent IT team patiently and calculatingly worked through most of the designers' frustrations with the program's quirks and holes, and our frustrations that we couldn't get it to produce documents per our office standards. Now, years later, I am assured that the program and its annoyances, no longer surprises, can be resolved. Indeed, our office has several projects of various sizes and complexities that exist in Revit. And, the three-day course I recently attended was reassuring...on a level. Much like a skeptical shopper, I took every bell and whistle with equal parts awe and hesitation.
Nevertheless, the possibilities of Revit excite me. The critical thinking involved and the sheer possibilities make for geeky fun times. However, time will tell if this skeptic will transform into a believer.
by Nadia Samuelson
Revit is a whole different animal. I learned about it, studied its habits, and even played with it. But sadly when I did this, six years ago, I was deeply frustrated and scared by it. So much so that I dumped it. Once safely in the Construction Administration phase I exported the project drawing set to AutoCAD, and I never looked back.
Revit was (and still is) a brilliant marriage of 3D modeling and drafting software, and no one, not even I, can argue against its potential. Section cuts and elevations in a click! Entire facades dimensioned instantly, and their openings too! Automatic and dynamic door schedules! Perspectives rendered in a second!! It's amazing! But it's slow (at least back then), has a lot more mouse clicking, frequent annoying permission pop-ups, and the ability to unknowingly move or, worse yet, delete major elements in your building.
Years ago when I first experienced it, the program was new to FXFOWLE. Our passionate and diligent IT team patiently and calculatingly worked through most of the designers' frustrations with the program's quirks and holes, and our frustrations that we couldn't get it to produce documents per our office standards. Now, years later, I am assured that the program and its annoyances, no longer surprises, can be resolved. Indeed, our office has several projects of various sizes and complexities that exist in Revit. And, the three-day course I recently attended was reassuring...on a level. Much like a skeptical shopper, I took every bell and whistle with equal parts awe and hesitation.
Nevertheless, the possibilities of Revit excite me. The critical thinking involved and the sheer possibilities make for geeky fun times. However, time will tell if this skeptic will transform into a believer.
by Nadia Samuelson