What is Revit? Its benefits & Uses

Introduction

To execute any idea, we need resources, and the execution of an idea can be performed either traditionally or in a modern style. In the same context, Revit is a modern-style building information modeling resource used by BIM services providers in construction as a helping tool before and during execution.

It is a digital platform for the AEC industry where each tradesperson can collaborate and resolve issues like clashes much faster than the traditional way.

Developed by Autodesk, ‘Revit’ is a valuable, helpful tool for every trade in the construction industry, be it electrical, mechanical, structure, or architecture. As far as the construction process is concerned, Revit is like a navigator that pre-notifies the requisites, including the material, cost, labor, and time required in a construction project.

BIM consultancy services use Revit to develop a 3D model of a building because it can apply exceptional concepts like cost analysis, facility management, sustainability check, etc., to make the process more efficient and compatible with environmental guidelines.

We’ll see those unique concepts in detail later. Let’s move to the benefits of Revit trade-wise, knowing that each trade involved in BIM gets considerable support from Revit in diagnosing and resolving clashes with other trades.

The Importance of REVIT In the AEC Industry

Revit helps in visualizing and documenting the designs. In fact, the scope for MEP & ACS in Revit is so vast that some globally recognized companies, like L&T, Michael Baker, SpaceX, Glumac, etc., use this software as their first choice.

The AEC industry applauds REVIT like no other thing because of its broader capabilities. It is because, since its involvement, it is continually transforming peculiar things into easily executable and hefty budgets into cost-efficient ones.

Why Should An Engineer & Architect Learn Revit?

Revit gives a reason ‘why new engineers should learn it,’ which is its global acceptance and soon becoming a mandatory requirement worldwide. Multiple countries have declared BIM validation necessary before beginning the physical construction work. The construction may start if the owner has the site plan and the structure design approved by a certified BIM services provider.

And here, Revit plays a significant role by becoming a BIM modeling and clash coordination platform for the industry.

Also Read: What is BIM & Its Benefits in the AEC Industry?

Branches In MEP & ACS Where Revit Is Useful

There are different branches under MEP and ACS where Revit can prove itself a savior. For example, in the Mechanical trade, below are the sub-dimensions in which a user may work on Revit individually-

• Plumbing (Includes Drainage, Water supply, Gas system, Vents, etc.)
• HVAC (Ducting, Mechanical Piping).
• Fire safety (Extinguishing systems, Sprinkler lines, etc.)

 

Similarly, Electrical has-

• Power
• Lighting
• Fire Alarm
• Telecommunications (ELC), and
• Containment

 

Architecture has-

• Interior
• Landscape
• Facade development
• Sheet work annotations
• 3D Modeling, and
• Site modeling

 

Rebar has-

• Excavation
• Footing and foundation
• Framing
• Column and wall
• Builder works wall elevation
• Steel framing
• Steel connection
• Steel fabrication

Each of these sub-dimensions is easily customizable in Revit. Additionally, they get a coordination check for clashes as well, being a part of one project.

Benefits Of Using Revit For MEP

• Revit provides a platform where a team can work in a standard format, preventing users from making mistakes that may occur casually. By that, the whole team can project consistency in their work.
• It is a platform that allows you to cover three essential dimensions of the Infrastructure industry, i.e., Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical, in the form of duct fittings, pipe fittings, and containment fittings, respectively.
• It allows you to create a BOM (Bill of Material), which gets very helpful in pre-estimating the entire project before the physical construction process starts.
• Revit allows users to use customized components and edit Revit families as per manufacturer specifications.

Refer to our: BIM Services for MEP

Are Revit & AutoCAD Comparable?

However, both the software have some disciplines in common, like general drawing, but to compare both software is not justifying. As AutoCAD is a dedicatedly general drawing tool with a broader set of applications including CAD drafting, whereas, Revit is used by a BIM services provider for design and documentation.

As far as the differences between the two are concerned, here are they –

• AutoCAD can be seen being used in multiple industries like Automotive, Infrastructure, etc. Revit is dominantly found being used in the construction industry only.
• With the help of Revit, you get a realistic view and show an isometric view. A civil engineer will find Revit more convenient than AutoCAD to create three authentic images.
• AutoCAD draws lines. However, REVIT can draw walls, roofs, etc.
• The thickness of the wall can be customized easily. The most exciting thing is the 3D view of the plan you just have developed.
• You can place the doors directly, unlike AutoCAD. You can select windows and any loaded components in it.
• Suppose you want to check the elevation view. You get all four directions to see in Revit; however, AutoCAD requires the elevations to be created.
• In Revit, we do not have to draw the section but just place the section to get the sectional view with the help of a plane. Also, you can create a Z section by just splitting it. Whereas in AutoCAD, everything is required to be done step-wise.
• With the help of the Component option, we can select furniture, and from structural tabs, we can also place columns, including the RCC ones.
• You can create schedules in Revit but not in AutoCAD.

As far as creating multiple floors is concerned, we just have to select the plan, and the levels. Note that we get numerous elevations due to various floors. And we can see the floor plan for every floor individually.

General Benefits of Revit Software

1. Users Can Create A Component-Based Family

In Revit, Elements, Parameters, Families, etc., are the standard terms around which every project revolves. A user can create a family by assigning dimensions & properties. And it allows using the components from other manufacturers as well.

2. Revit Is A Collaborative Tool

Whenever we have a platform that demands a collaborative work approach, we must have a central model to avoid overwriting. Revit offers a centrally synchronizable model that allows interoperability with other software like Navisworks while coordination checks. Here, engineers or architects do not require to repeat the work from the beginning for minor changes across the drawing.

3. Energy-Efficient & Sustainable

When it comes to ‘Energy consumption,’ even those with inadequate knowledge would not refrain from commenting on others. Therefore, it is wiser not to give a chance to anyone to speak and be energy efficient smartly.

Revit has features that make design development and implementation eco-friendly. Moreover, we can conduct energy analysis with integrable cloud-based services and run simulations for energy efficiency.

As far as Sustainability is concerned, it is one of the ten unique dimensions that are known for BIM services. 6D BIM is about Sustainability assessment, associated with energy efficiency as well. It is a concept that examines a project from three perspectives: Environment, Finance, and Social compatibility.

4. Project Management Software Interoperability

Revit sets up automatic project schedules to build a model. In addition, this is again about collaborative work requirements, but Revit allows you to integrate with external project scheduling software. This interoperability is helpful when an organization collaborates with an external BIM consultation services provider.

5. Software Libraries

With many clients from different geometrical boundaries, each with certain limitations and guidelines, they put distinct requirements in demand. Revit allows the users not to stick to the default library components but to configure them as per the requirement.

6. REVIT: Open-Source Software

Revit allows users to customize the components. Autodesk offers an open-source API that offers developing tools as per individual requirements and workflows. Due to this, many external add-ins can be created.

These are some of the common advantages of Revit in general. People know about its remote accessibility, its rendering ability, but they are unaware of its capabilities beyond just 3D modeling. It keeps clients involved in the development process with 7D applications, and the scope of implementing up to 10 D as well, in the near future.

However, this is how we can consummate this article in the shortest possible write-up covering most of Revit’s introduction & advantages. You are welcome to explore our blog section to learn more about tools and technologies related to the AEC industry and become a BIM expert.

 

Author’s Bio

Aayush Goswami is a Mechanical Engineer who chooses to instead contribute as a technical writer. He believes in doing things that make him feel effortless. Therefore, he has been writing for more than seven years to transcend his writing skills. He enjoys debates on social problems and their solutions and possesses expertise in automobile engineering. Always a keen learner who usually stays excited to add new things to his knowledge arsenal. Nowadays, he is writing professional articles on the technologies and tools used by AEC industry leaders, which is a part of his interest as well.