PacifiCAD
Revit for AutoCAD Users
True 3D design A major difference between Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD is that you work with true architectural models rather than geometry. This translates to increased design productivity because it allows you to switch from plan to 3D rendered view to schedule as you like. Because you are creating a parametric building model when designing in Autodesk Revit, you can quickly make changes to your design and all dependencies automatically update, increasing the accuracy of your work as your design evolves...
Parametric
Objects Autodesk Revit is a true parametric
architectural building modeler. Components carry information about their
relationships to other objects in the building in contrast to the blocks and
solids used in AutoCAD. Dimensions always correspond to the actual size of the
building elements. Updating a dimension automatically updates the parametric
components and their relationships to other components. Dimensions in schedules
behave the same way, so you can change width and height values in a schedule
and the revised size will be reflected in the elements in the model.
Coordination of dimensions and graphics is
assured everywhere.
Families vs. Blocks AutoCAD users are accustomed to storing symbols as blocks in individual DWG files. Autodesk Revit stores similar parametric components in family files. Family files can contain many styles of components allowing for easier organization and data sharing. These customizable families used by Autodesk Revit offer more placement options than the single insertion point used by AutoCAD’s blocks and Xrefs. Autodesk Revit comes with the most common components built right into the product, including walls, doors, windows and stairs.
Multiple Design Views Autodesk Revit makes extensive use of various views of
the parametric building model. Autodesk Revit allows the designer to work with
components in any view, be it plan, elevation, section, perspective or from
within a schedule. Each type of view may be opened at the same time and any
changes made in one are immediately updated in all other views.
No
Command Line or Layers . In Autodesk Revit,
all building tools and components are presented on a single, easy-to-use
toolbar. And the user interface in Autodesk Revit is designed to look and work
like other familiar Windows applications, making Autodesk Revit easy to learn
and fun to use on a daily basis. Designers stay more focused on the model
rather than the keyboard and command line. Layers are not needed because visibility
is controlled through the Category Visibility feature. Color and line type are
also controlled by category. Another advantage Autodesk Revit offers is
components that know how to display themselves depending on the view in which
they are seen. In Revit, components know to only display a footprint in plan
view, while all geometry is shown in the 3D isometric view, for example.
Single file, Multi-User projects AutoCAD users are accustomed to storing and retrieving project data from multiple files. In Autodesk Revit, all project data is stored in the single Autodesk Revit project file. This eliminates the need to work with external block and Xref management. Autodesk Revit allows multiple users to work on the same project file and merge their changes with every save, or work on their own versions of the file and then merge changes at any point in the design.
Producing Paper Drawings Because drawings are the critical output of the
design process, the parametric change technology in Autodesk Revit enables fast
and accurate plotting. With Autodesk Revit, all drawings are produced from the
same, single parametric building model used to create the design. Any changes
to your design along the way are always updated in your drawing sheet views.
Changes to elevations, sections, and callouts are immediately updated in all reflected
views. Any view you have created of the model can be added to a sheet and properly
scaled. Once placed on the sheet, Autodesk Revit has the ability to allow the designer
to work just as easily in a sheet view as in a model view to perform any last minute
placements. Scale-dependent line-weight and scale-independent annotation size allow
reuse of information in views without complex reformatting. This greatly
reduces management overhead.
Intelligent Components Dimensioning and alignment locking in Autodesk Revit allow the designer to place building components in relation to others - and keep it that way throughout the design - thereby preserving design intent. Components may be locked together in more than one place to preserve wall alignments, room areas, and door and window placements while the model is being altered in other areas. Component relationships may be constrained and overridden at the designer’s discretion. Dimensions may be locked or editable while the parent objects behave accordingly. Because objects can be aligned and locked into place, many repetitious editing commands are eliminated, allowing for faster work and fewer errors.
Read/Write DWG Autodesk Revit provides industry-leading DWG compatibility using the Autodesk ObjectDBX™ toolkit, and is interoperable with AutoCAD software. Autodesk Revit can import and export models to DXF™ and DWG formats. When exporting, Autodesk Revit matches its components and their subcategories from the current view to either industry standard or user defined layer names. Autodesk Revit can also import these formats into 2D or 3D views. This allows for smooth coordination and exchange of information among project team members, whatever their software tools.