Why Revit is more used for developing 3D models than AutoCAD? Though the AutoCAD and Revit software both assists the users to develop 3D model for any type of building project, but why the users choose Revit over AutoCAD? Both of these software’s consists of some unique features that provides a range of facilities to the architects, engineers, designers and other AEC professionals. There may some common features in both of these software’s, but they work in different ways. This article is all about why Revit is more used than AutoCAD for developing 3D model of any type of building. Let’s discuss what all reasons have made Revit more usable than AutoCAD. AutoCAD and Revit both are products of Autodesk. Revit was basically developed by a small start-up company and then this software was later acquired by Autodesk. Autodesk has enhanced the Revit software to a great extent such as many tools of AutoCAD and additional advanced tools have been incorporated within Revit. However there are huge differences between the functionalities and tools of Revit and AutoCAD. AutoCAD is basically a computer-aided design and drafting application that assists the AEC professionals to create any type of 2D drawing and plan such as floor plan, shop drawing, construction drawing, etc. in the digital environment. Revit is a building design and 3D modeling application that enables the design and construction professionals to create 3D digital representation for any type of building project on the computer. The 3D Revit models are more useful for design and visualization. However, the digital models (whether it is an AutoCAD model or a Revit model) are far more better as well as useful that any handmade dummy model because by using these software’s, the users can develop any kind of 3D model in a more accurate and quick manner. Any individual digital 3D model assists to extract any kind of 2D drawing whether it can be plan, section, elevation, construction drawing, etc. in an accurate manner. The construction drawing includes much more information than physical 3D geometry. A Revit BIM model consists of end to end physical and functional characteristics of the proposed building than an AutoCAD model does not. For this reason, the Revit 3D model is also used by the facility managers and building owners in the preconstruction phase for managing the building facilities and all assets. The building information that the Revit model includes (e.g. materials used in the design, properties of materials, etc.) assists the project team members to measure sustainability of the building and evaluate the building performance throughout its entire lifecycle.
Revit also allows the users to develop a 3D coordination model by coordination the design of all the engineering disciplines i.e. architectural, structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) accurately that the AutoCAD software does not allow. The Revit 3D model is also used for preparing project task schedules and calculating required project cost in a precise manner which are not possible by using AutoCAD 3D model. As Revit provides more benefits than AutoCAD, so this is the reason behind the migration from AutoCAD to Revit.