Alright…your department is finally considering the move to BIM because of the myriad of reasons discussed in my previous article. You understand all the advantages – you realize the world is moving to BIM and don’t want to lag behind. There’s just one obstacle that still stands in your way – fear of change!
You aren’t alone my friend – making the move to BIM definitely involves some changes, and that’s usually where the squirming begins. Adopting BIM requires a change in process and (usually) a change in software. While the change in process is really the larger of the two dreaded obstacles…it’s the change in software that typically causes AutoCAD users to head for the hills.
Now if you are a Civil 3D user…you get to breathe a sigh of relief – you get to stay on your beloved Civil 3D software and still enter the world of BIM. But for the rest of you in the AEC industry – you will probably be casting your AutoCAD aside and making the move to Autodesk Revit.
And just so you know, as someone who has made my living as the Queen of AutoCAD, I feel your pain! But let me also promise you this – once you make the move to Autodesk Revit – once you fully embrace it – you will never look back. You will wonder what you were afraid of and what took you so long to do it…and you will happily put your AutoCAD days behind you. I have seen it happen over and over again. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two products that just might make you feel a little more optimistic.
- Autodesk Revit is easier to learn than AutoCAD – Did you know that AutoCAD is one of the most difficult software products to learn? Believe me – if you can learn AutoCAD – you can learn Revit! There are about 5 different ways to do anything in AutoCAD and oh so many tools and steps to learn! Revit is simplified and streamlined making it easier to absorb and easier to get your designs completed.
- Autodesk Revit is based on newer technology – AutoCAD is over 35 years old. Sure – it’s been updated along the way but it still has much of the original look and feel (like a Command: line for example!) I dare you to find another software product with a command line! Autodesk Revit is a new product based on newer technology. Once again – this makes it friendlier and easier to use.
- Autodesk Revit was designed specifically for AEC applications – AutoCAD was designed to be all things for all people. It was meant to address ALL industries (including manufacturing for example). Autodesk Revit was written specifically for the AEC industry with the AEC Professional in mind. The tools were designed to act as an AEC Professional would expect (and once again – another reason it is easy to learn).In AutoCAD you are dealing with lines, arc and circles. In Autodesk Revit you are working with walls, door, windows, etc! You are going to feel right at home!
Change it once – change it everywhere! (Less chance for error) – In Autodesk Revit – any changes to the model are automated across multiple sheets and views. Everything is updated automatically without you having to do a single thing! You and I both know it’s not like that in AutoCAD! One simple change in AutoCAD and you have to update all the details across all the sheets, all the views, elevations, sections, etc. And what if you miss one (not that you ever would…but it’s been known to happen). Now I want you think about what you are going to do with all your free time once you make the move to Autodesk Revit!- There is so much less Tedium (no more polylining) – Enough said here…you are already imagining how much better your life is going to be.
- Do you have a fear of 3D? Much of it is generated automatically in Autodesk Revit – 3D in AutoCAD is hard…there I said it! 3D in Autodesk Revit is not – so much of the 3D work is generated automatically for you. You provide the basic parameters and let the 3D magic happen! So, if you had a bad experience in AutoCAD 3D – please don’t let that scare you away from Building Information MODELING…Autodesk Revit will painlessly take you through the 3D experience and chase away your AutoCAD 3D nightmares.
Change it once – change it everywhere! (Less chance for error) – In Autodesk Revit – any changes to the model are automated across multiple sheets and views. Everything is updated automatically without you having to do a single thing! You and I both know it’s not like that in AutoCAD! One simple change in AutoCAD and you have to update all the details across all the sheets, all the views, elevations, sections, etc. And what if you miss one (not that you ever would…but it’s been known to happen). Now I want you think about what you are going to do with all your free time once you make the move to Autodesk Revit!- After the initial learning curve – you will get your jobs done faster! – Yes there is a learning curve (of course there is)…but after you open your mind to Autodesk Revit and give it a serious chance…and after some good training (to be discussed at another time)…you will be on the road to Autodesk Revit gurudom and you will get your jobs done faster. And do you know what else? Your resume is going to look much better because you can add Autodesk Revit to your resume! So stop saying “No” to BIM and take a leap of faith. I’m telling you that this will be a positive step in your personal career and a positive step for your department! You CAN make the move from AutoCAD to Autodesk Revit!
Go Get ‘Em!
