A History of Revit Revit is a type of building information modeling (BIM) software that allows a user to create and edit a building model in both 2D and 3D. Revit Technology Corporation introduced Revit 1.0 on April 5, 2000. The software was the first of its kind to introduce the concept of bi-directional associativity–when a change is made in one view the same change is automatically updated in all other views. In fact, Revit is short for Revise-it, named that for the ease in which the model can be changed. In 2002, Autodesk bought Revit Technology Corporation for $133 million, which allowed the developers to better improve the software. While Revit was first used primarily by architects, Autodesk released Revit Structure in 2005, and Revit MEP in 2006, enabling structural engineers and MEP engineers to create their own models and improve design collaboration amongst the disciplines.
What can Revit do? A 3D modeling software, Revit allows the user to add foundations, columns, beams, walls, doors, windows, roofs, etc. in order to create a building or structure, digitally. Users can cut and annotate plans, elevations, sections and add them to sheets for presentation purposes. Listed below are six helpful functions that Revit provides to designers:
1) Library: Revit comes with its own library that includes all the basic building options you could want. Once loaded into your model, a user can look up and/or change the structural section properties, the material, and appearance of the component.
2) Family Editor Feature: For components that are not included in the vast library, Revit has a family editor feature to use instead of relying on programming language. The family editor can be used to create any object users can imagine and incorporate it in their model.
3) RevitCity: For those who have trouble getting in touch with their creative genius, there is an online library available to all users called RevitCity. RevitCity is a database of user-submitted objects and components from all over the world, most of which are free for anyone registered with Autodesk software.
4) Option to Import/Export: Along with loading families, Revit has the option to link other models to a current model as well as CAD and image files, and in turn, Revit can be exported to a number of other file formats.
5) Cloud-Based Rendering: Revit has a cloud-based rendering option, which gives the user a more realistic vision of the final product. As mentioned before, any change applied to one view will occur in all other views, and Revit has the ability to track these changes. The software allows multiple users to work on the same central model at the same time; this is especially beneficial when working on large scale projects.
6) Structural Analysis: Revit has the capability to analyze the structural model and the program will indicate points of interest.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration When the architectural, structural, and MEP models are all linked together, each discipline can easily identify updates and new points of conflict, which can then be quickly coordinated with the other disciplines. This tool has greatly improved collaboration efforts among disciplines within the A/E industry. At Foresite Group, about 70% of the Structural Department’s projects use Revit. As a tool for visual engineers, Revit has made it easier to see how the architectural components will be integrated with the structural members, and where HVAC units, pipes, and openings occur and need to be worked around or supported. As a result, project turnaround is faster and more efficient.
About Foresite Group
Foresite Group is a multidisciplinary engineering, planning, and consulting firm providing services to public and private sector clients nationwide. Our team’s collaborative process results in creative products and services that help our clients achieve their goals. Our team takes pride in enhancing and developing the cities and communities where we live, work, and raise our families.